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

Parish Council Minutes 20th February 2007

20th February 2007

CONFIRMED MINUTES OF A PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
TUESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2007
The Council met in the Village Hall on Tuesday 20 February 2007 at 8pm

Present:

Also Present:-

  • Cllr Sue Schneider
    (Uttlesford District Council)
  • Ms Vicki Hughes
    (BAA Stansted’s Noise Communications Manager)
  • Mr David Boreham
    (member of the public)

Before the meeting opened Ms Vicki Hughes addressed the meeting on the flight evaluation unit at Stansted Airport. She gave a very interesting talk on the noise issues around the airport and in particular Hempstead. Those present raised a number of questions that Ms Hughes was able to answer. However a couple of points needed further information and Ms Hughes confirmed that she would supply the answers in due course.

Subsequently Cllr Schneider briefed the Council on current issues and was asked by Mr McCarthy to chase up a number of outstanding issues, in particular the budgeting for the footway along the High Street, consultation on the speed reduction scheme and the outstanding minor highways works. Mr Haylock asked Cllr Schneider to quantify the saving by Uttlesford District Council (UDC) following the introduction of the three bin recycling scheme. Cllr Schneider confirmed that she would find out and report back.

All non-Council members left and the Chairman opened the meeting at 9.25pm.

  1. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 24 JANUARY 2007

    were taken as read and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

  2. MATTERS ARISING

    from previous Minutes, not dealt with in the main agenda.

    • Hedge Cutting
      Mr McCarthy has reviewed the hedges in question and confirms he sees no particular problems and he will advise accordingly.
    • Community Project Grant
      Mr Haylock has now received a further invoice for advertising from Maggie Cox and is in the process of putting together the relevant paperwork for submission to UDC within the given time scale.– Action DH
    • East of England Plan Consultation
      Mr McCarthy had reviewed the changes made to the East of England Plan and felt that the changes did not directly affect Hempstead, although extensive development areas were nominated all around the village.
  3. CORRESPONDENCE

    UDC Applications requested for the Independent Remuneration Panel.
    Celebrate St George’s Day Information pack (23 April 2007)

  4. HIGHWAYS

    Following the snow on the morning of 8 February a number of complaints were received regarding the lack of gritting. The Clerk wrote a letter of complaint to Davina Millership, West Area Highways Manager, to date only an acknowledgement of receipt had been received. The Clerk was asked to invite Ms Millership to a future meeting to discuss this and a number of other matters within the parish.– Action CD

    Mr Weedon reported that the railings at the bottom of Church Hill had been painted.

  5. FINANCE

    The following account was approved for payment and a cheque drawn up:

    Essex Heritage Trust 2007 subscription £25.00

  6. PLAY EQUIPMENT

    Mrs Midgley had spoken to Gaynor Bradley, Leisure & Community Development Manager, UDC and there appeared to be doubt as to whether the Big Lottery Fund were going to be able to allocate funds. The analysis that had been prepared by Mrs Midgley and the Clerk was discussed but any decision or further research was put on hold until Mrs Midgley was able to establish if there were funds available and had obtained more detail of the criteria for its allocation.– Action AM

  7. P3

    Miss Frost had submitted a nil claim form for 2006 to P3.

    Mr Haylock had collected the gate at the bottom of The Chase for repair. He had also reported the over grown brambles at the stile at the top of Wellyards to Robin Wallbank.

  8. WEBSITE

    Miss Frost asked for some information about youth clubs in neighbouring villages so the details could be included.

  9. QUALITY PARISH COUNCILS

    Miss Frost drew attention to a couple of paragraphs in recent correspondence from NALC regarding quality parish councils and best value. Discussion ensued and Mr McCarthy said he would contact NALC regarding these matters.– Action SM

  10. PLANNING

    Wellyard Cottage – UTT/0060/07/FUL – Considerable discussion ensued and the Clerk was asked to write to strongly oppose this current application which appears to be virtually identical to one previously submitted, which was refused by UDC in June 2006.

    Stansted Airport – UTT/0717/06/FUL – Pre-inquiry meeting scheduled for 5 March 2007 with the inquiry due to open on 30 May 2007.

  11. VILLAGE HALL

    The Management Committee have agreed to acoustic panelling to the ceiling and curtaining materials around the stage area. An updated quote was expected from the supplier and work should commence shortly. A full report is available from John Cockman.

  12. STANSTED AIRPORT

    Nothing to report.

The dates of the next meetings are 22 March, 26 April, 22 May and 19 June 2007 and the Annual Assembly on 25 May 2007.

The meeting closed at 10.15pm.