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

Parish Council Minutes 30th September 2008

30th September 2008

CONFIRMED MINUTES OF A PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
TUESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2008
The Council met in the Village Hall on Tuesday 30 September 2008 at 8.10pm.

Present:

Also Present:

Apologies:

  • Ms Sally Phillips
  • Cllr Simon Walsh, County Councillor
    1. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 2 SEPTEMBER 2008

      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.

      Mr Haylock had attended the AGM of Essex Heritage Trust on 18 September. He reported that they were very excited about supporting the refurbishment of the drinking fountain.

    3. CORRESPONDENCE

      Review of the NALC conference not found – carried forward. – Action CD
      Uttlesford Over Sixties Assoc notice of AGM on 6 October 2008.
      Ipsos MORI National Survey of Third Sector Organisations – Clerk to complete. – Action CD
    4. MEETING REPORTS

      • North Uttlesford Community Forum
        4 September – Mr McCarthy reported on the revised format including a table discussion to establish major concerns. These were considered to be policing, speeding and highways issues. Mike Ashton, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator spoke on Neighbourhood Action Panels (NAP) which is the grouping together of some Neighbourhood Watch areas to better co-ordinate communications and have more say in various issues. The Council discussed this and the Clerk was asked to write to the Clerks of Great Sampford, Ashdon and Radwinter PCs with a view to setting up a NAP. – Action CD
      • Parish Liaison Meeting
        no meeting since last report.
      • West Essex Area Forum
        11 September – no attendance possible.
      • P3 AGM
        Miss Frost had attended this meeting in Colchester which included very interesting presentations on the Community Action Teams and a trial of Quiet Lanes. Miss Frost had managed to obtain two of these presentations which the Council watched and discussed.
    5. ENVIRONMENT

      The Clean Up Day coming up at the weekend would concentrate on clearing the part of the stream near the War Memorial.
      Mr Haylock reported that he was not unduly concerned with the condition of the Ring of Trees.

    6. FINANCE

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

      Ashfields Ground Mngmt Ltd Second cut £1,205.90
      (previous cheque cancelled see minute 104 below)

      The Chairman signed the risk assessment following Mr Sladen’s review. The Clerk was asked to contact Zurich with regard to volunteer liability, with particular regard to Clean Up Days. The level of ‘standard expenses’ paid to the Clerk was reviewed and IT WAS AGREED to increase this to £100 per quarter for the final two quarters in the year. – Action CD

    7. HIGHWAYS

      The meeting with the surveyors regarding the footway along the B1054 was still awaited.

      Mr Thomas was still trying to contact Mr Stoneham (ECC), with regard to the access to Harvey Way for larger vehicles, 30mph zone extension, white gates and other outstanding issues. – Action AT

      Community Speed Watch programme – the Clerk had spoken to the Highways Deputy Manager with regard to the Community Initiative Fund – it transpires that funding for the CSW programme did not meet the criteria. The Clerk was asked to liaise with Cllr Walsh on this ask for other suggested funding routes. – Action CD

    8. YOUNG PEOPLE

      The Council voted not to pursue the current youth project following very disappointing survey results. Through the Young People’s representative, the Council will, however, continue to monitor the situation and follow up future suggestions.

    9. FOOTPATHS

      • Re-alignment scheme
        The Clerk had received from Maggie Cox (UDC) a summary of the advertising and administration costs so far totalling £1,807, of which the Parish Council had already paid £1,800. A letter with confirmed orders and a final invoice for £7 will be sent out shortly. Following receipt of a grant of £1,000 there remains a balance of £800 to be shared by the relevant landowners. The Clerk will draw up invoices to cover this amount in due course. – Action CD

        Confirmation of the changes will be advertised in the week ending 3 October and the confirmation notices had been placed on each of the affected paths. The changes will now be sent for incorporation on the definitive map. Mr McCarthy thanked all concerned for their hard work. (Mr McCarthy and Mr Haylock expressed an interest.)

        Miss Frost has a meeting next week with Charlotte Fellingham (P3), who she will approach for assistance with production/cost of a parish footpath map. leaflets about the inaugural walk etc. Mr Sladen will attend this meeting to help with future liaison. The Council decided to delay the inaugural walk to spring – Mr McCarthy will write to Alan Goffee accordingly. – Action DF/JS/SM

      • P3/Footpath cutting
        The path that was missed in the second cut has now been cut together with one of the newly realigned paths. As such a revised invoice was issued by Ashfields and approved accordingly. Miss Frost has now submitted a reclaim to P3.
    10. MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

      • Drinking Fountain
        Work due to commence in October. The blue plaque from Essex Heritage Trust still awaited. – Action DH
      • Backdrop to War Memorial
        The felling of the trees at the back of the war memorial is due to be carried out imminently. Miss Frost had liaised with the Gardeners Club with regard to replacement hedging and brought to the meeting a sample of Osmanthus as a possibility.
    11. COMMUNICATIONS

      Website – contact via email from the website will be to site editor – Mrs Philip

      Newsletter – next newsletter deadline 20 October.

    12. EMERGENCY PLAN

      It looks as if the road drain by the parking area of Firs Cottage will be installed imminently. Mr Haylock had spoken to Phil Hunt (UDC) who advised that relevant residents along the stream had been sent letters to arrange review of progress of clearance work etc. Mr Haylock to obtain progress report following meetings. – Action DH

    13. PLANNING

      There was nothing to report.

    14. VILLAGE HALL

      Annual General Meeting – 13 October 2008

    15. STANSTED AIRPORT

      There was nothing to report.

      Future meeting dates Thursday 30 October, Thursday 11 December 2008 and Thursday 8 January 2009.

      The meeting closed at 9.40pm.