Local Traffic | Local Weather
Hempstead in Essex
Resting place of William Harvey and Sir Eliab Harvey and birthplace of Dick Turpin

Parish Council Minutes 27th November 2014

27th November 2014

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
Thursday November 27, 2014 at 8pm
Present:

 Part Time:

Apologies:

Mr Basset addressed the meeting concerning the letter he had received from the Parish Council asking him to trim back his hedges from the highway. He said that the actual hedge is shown as the edge of the road on some maps and may be highways property. The placement of signs may also support this. He explained that he was awaiting a contractor to discuss cutting the hedge and hoped that this resolved the problem.

The Chairman thanked him for his attendance, as he left the meeting.

The Parish Council Meeting opened at 8.15 pm.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    Mr David Haylock

  2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD OCTOBER 30 2014

    meeting were approved.

  3. MATTERS ARISING

    The date of the January meeting should read 15th not 16th

    No reply had as yet been received from the Pre School Group concerning the Parish Council’s offer of support.

  4. PLANNING

    Current indications were that the Anso Corner site had been removed from the list of potential Gypsy and Traveller sites. Whilst pleased, the council were awaiting written confirmation.

  5. CORRESPONDENCE

    Chivonne Clayden, the local Community Agent, had cancelled her visit but the clerk would arrange to meet her in the New Year and report back.

    It was noted that Elections for all tiers of local government would be held next May and money had been allocated in the budget to cover any costs. Details would go in the February newsletter to encourage participation.

  6. HIGHWAYS

    David Drane reported that the pothole in Radwinter, that he had been complaining about for a long time, had now been filled. He is still chasing other issues though some marking up of poor areas had been done, hopefully indicating future action.

    The poor visibility of the white lines on the edge of the roads where traffic had encroached on the edges of the road was mentioned by Miss Frost.

    Hedges
    It was agreed that a letter should got to Brookside Cottage indicating that the Parish Council were now contacting the Essex Highways Department concerning the hedges overhanging the highway.

    Footway Project
    revised letters had gone out to all affected landowners but no immediate action had been forthcoming.

    Rissa Long had contacted all Parish Councils asking for projects that could be considered in the next round of Local Highway Panel. The council considered several ideas including the 40mph limits that had been promised but had been in abeyance for several years and a weight limit on Anso Road. It was agreed that a small group consisting of the Chairman, Mr Drane and Mr Sladen should address this issue and report back to the Parish Council. This would be held on 15th December at 8pm at the Chairman’s house.

  7. ENVIRONMENT

    Flooding
    Mr Sladen had at last managed a meeting with the water regulator. The blocked drain that had been causing problems outside Anser Gallows Farm was identified and now had an incident number and hopefully this would lead to future action. Anso Road was also examined and the regulator was appalled at the state of the drainage and again allocated an incident number for investigation. Mr Sladen said that he would like to be more systematic in his reporting of these flooding incidents. The problems at Wash Cottage had been investigated particularly repair of the bridge but no money was available for repair. Mr Sladen said he would like to discuss issues at the highways group meeting where relevant.

    Pond Refurbishment
    Nothing further had been heard from John Jossaume. This would now be chased up. The planned tree and shrub cutting by Chas Johnson and Malcolm Cox would be done soon.

    Telephone Kiosk
    The clerk had written concerning refurbishment but was awaiting a reply.

  8. FINANCE

    Final Budget and precept for 2015/2016 were circulated and agreed.

    Cheques signed outside the meeting: RD Haylock and Son 2nd cut £370.8 (11th November)
      British Legion Poppy Appeal £25 wreath (20th November)
    Cheque signed in the meeting: HMRC PAYE £36.80 Month 9

  9. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

    The Chairman acknowledged an interest in the next item and took no part in the discussion. This concerned an order requesting the re-alignment adjusting the route of Footpath 41 around the field rather than across it. It was agreed that this was a sensible rationalisation. Miss Frost said that it would tie in with the objective to have a ‘stile free’ parish with the installation of gates. Adam Jenkins from Essex Highways is helping achieve this and is in contact with landowners.

    Miss Frost also reported that Essex is contracting out all footpath cutting so the Parish Council will no longer be involved or have any control.

  10. COMMUNICATION

    Website instructions had been passed to clerk for safe keeping. These would enable the site to be maintained in the event of any unforeseen circumstances.

  11. VILLAGE HALL

    The Parish Council were pleased to hear that the Bazaar had proved to be good fundraiser making £1368. It had also proved to be a good social village event.

  12. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

    No news of progress had been received from Hastoe Housing Association. Mrs Scott agreed to contact them for an update.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS – Thursdays January 15 and February 12 at 8pm in the Village Hall.

Meeting ended at 9.30 pm