Hempstead in Essex
Resting place of William Harvey and Sir Eliab Harvey and birthplace of Dick Turpin

Parish Council Minutes 1st September 2016

1st September 2016

MINUTES OF THE HEMPSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL

Meeting at the Village Hall, Hempstead

Thursday 1st September 2016

Present:

Part Time:

Members of the Public:

  • Mr Colin Dyer

Prior to the meeting Mr Dyer informed the Council of his concerns about conditions in Harvey Way, particularly the dumping of rubbish by his neighbours. He had contacted the District Council but had received no helpful response. Police had also briefly attended but again with no real improvement. It was agreed that Mr Welbourn would contact the District Council and Mr Drane would continue to chase the cutting of the hedge that was also causing difficulties.

The Parish Council meeting opened at 8.20 pm

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    Mrs Nicola McNeill
    Mrs Sara Scott

  2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING July 14

    were agreed as a correct record.

  3. MATTERS ARISING

    There were none not covered elsewhere.

  4. PLANNING


    The updated applications for The Wilderness and Boytons Farm were discussed and it was not deemed necessary to pass on comments to Uttlesford Planning Department.

  5. CORRESPONDANCE


    School transport It was reported that Hempstead is in the high charging zone for this facility

    An oil selling company had approached the council asking to use the village website. However it was decided that ‘The Ambo’ would be more suitable and the Clerk would inform them.

  6. HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

    Footway There was no additional news on this project. The Chairman had written several weeks ago to Rissa Long but had received no reply.

    Mr. Drane reported that he was still chasing repairs to roads, footbridges and also to railings with little success so far.

  7. ENVIRONMENT

    Maintenance of Bus Shelter and Notice Boards Money had been set aside in the budget for this work and as reported in previous minutes several contractors had been contacted to no avail. Now Aaron McCarthy, a joiner had agreed a price and carried out the work. It was agreed to be great improvement.

    Flooding Mr Sladen, as reported in his email, had met with a County representative. It had been agreed to jet some of the sites under discussion to test whether the drains were clear. After this action had been carried out, the next stage would be to contact the landowners for action and if necessary contact the Flood team to follow up.

    Columbus Cottage hedge had been cut and Mr McCarthy had thanked the Haylocks for their prompt action.

    Miss Frost had contacted the Council about some issues around the pond area. It was agreed to try to arrange a Clean-up Day on Saturday 1st October.

    The clerk would contact Mr Fordham about the return of the pond bench.

  8. FINANCE

    Cheques were signed as follows:-

    2 x £37.44 to HMRC PAYE for August and September
    £245.36 to AJM Restoration (via Sean McCarthy) Bus shelter and Notice boards painting.
    £300 to J Basham Grass cutting (outside meeting August 18th)
    £169.20 Unipar services for Speed gun calibration

    Banking Arrangements The clerk gave further details of the Unity Trust bank. It was agreed that he would circulate copies of the terms, conditions and application forms so that the Council could come to a considered opinion at the next meeting as whether to change banks.

    External Audit The accounts audit had now been received and the Clerk would arrange publication on the notice board and website as required. He would at the same time check all the titling on existing information.

  9. VILLAGE HALL

    The Play Area Sub-Committee had been successful in fund-raising over the Summer. The Haylock Family had combined the Horse Show with a Dog Show, together over £1000 was raised. This would probably be repeated to ensure the Play Area an ongoing ability to pay inspection, maintenance and insurance costs. Emphasis would now be on grant applications.

The meeting ended at 9.05 pm

FUTURE MEETINGS – October 4, November 10 and December 8 at 8pm in the Village Hall.