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

Parish Council Minutes 8th November 2012

8th November 2012

CONFIRMED MINUTES OF A PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2012
The Parish Council met in the Village Hall on Thursday 8 November at 8.00 pm.

Present:

Apologies:

Community Achievement Award: The Chairman presented this award to Councillor Haylock and the council were unanimous in their congratulations as it reflected his valued contributions to the village over very many years.

Before the meeting County Councillor Simon Howell addressed the Parish Council.

He expressed his delight at the decision of the Highways Panel to put £50 000 of this year’s budget towards the footway project. The Chairman pointed out that the reparations to owners of land affected would still need more consideration and he had been pursuing this issue with Rissa Long. She had asked him to get written confirmation of the land donations, then she could get the legal side started. It was considered to be important to have a presence at the next Highways Panel Meeting the date of which was not yet known. (Post Meeting note: Highways Panel Meeting is 29th November at 6.30pm Council Committee room)

There would be some money from the New Homes Bonus to be received by Uttlesford, but as the Government grant is likely to be cut, this bonus may be used to balance the general budget rather than be devolved to individual councillors for distribution. It was hoped not to increase council tax.

The Boundary Commission is proposing changes from 44 to 39 Councillors through redrawing of boundaries. Councillor Howell and the Parish Council hoped that the current local arrangements would not be affected. The Clerk would make this view known to the consultation process.

The problems encountered by modification to the refuse collection were discussed, though locally no problems have occurred.

Councillor Howell was thanked and left the meeting. The Chairman opened the Parish Council meeting at 8.20 pm

  1. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 4 OCTOBER 2012

    One minor correction was agreed and would be signed by the Chairman.

  2. MATTERS ARISING

    There were none not covered elsewhere

  3. CORRESPONDENCE

    Register of Interest and Asset Notification Forms
    had been sent in.

    Superfast Broadband:
    residents were being urged by county to apply for this, but it was thought that this only applied where cabling was available. The clerk agreed to clarify this and report back.

    Travellers Sites:
    The district council was calling for sites to be made available. There were indications that a site in Radwinter was being discussed as a possibility.

    Saffron Walden Developments
    Miss Frost had discussed the development of the skateboard park in Saffron Walden with Jane Grey and wondered if the council would like a presentation on this. The consensus view was that, although it was laudable that something was being done for the young people of the town, it was an issue for Saffron Walden rather than the Parish Council.

    Heritage Plaques:
    A survey was being carried out of current and possible future plaque sitings. It was agreed to discuss this with the Bluebell.

    County Councillor Report:
    The Parish Council noted this previously circulated report.

  4. ENVIRONMENT

    Papers had been sent off to LLoyd Simpson of Essex Legal Services.

  5. POLICING

    Community Speedwatch
    the Community Speedwatch continues to be active with sessions being held regularly. Miss Ridgway had taken over the organisation of the group.

  6. HIGHWAYS

    The Footway Project
    There was nothing substantial to add to the discussion with Councillor Howell prior to the meeting, reported above.

    Anso Road
    It was agreed that the Highway Rangers had done a good job and the road looked much neater. Mr Drane pointed out that this was only restoring it to the condition in which it should be maintained. There was disappointment that the dangerous subsidence at the edge of the road had still not been attended to. Mr Drane would continue to pursue this and other matters.

    Highway Rangers
    Mr Drane agreed to keep putting forward maintenance issues such as the painting of railings along Anso Road.

    Hedges
    Complaints had been received about Harvey Way Hedge which was now again in need of trimming back.

  7. FINANCE

    Cheques:
    None were signed in the meeting, though the donation to The British Legion and PAYE instalment would be signed in the near future and reported at the next Meeting. The clerk was currently invoicing Essex County Council for the footpath and Bat Box Grant.

  8. MAINTENANCE

    The issue of the ash tree obscuring the church was discussed. David Haylock informed the meeting that the tree was within the boundary of ‘The Millers House’. The possibility of and responsibility for pollarding or removal were debated. It was agreed that it needed to be carefully considered as part of a general debate about the effect of tree growth of and its impact on the appearance of the village. It was agreed to give this further thought, collect opinions and discuss it at the January Parish Council Meeting.

  9. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

    Miss Frost had put in a bid for footpath cutting based on 2011 work, but still making the point that our preferred option would be to be given all the money and organise the cutting ourselves. Bids were also put in for two tit boxes and re-printing of walk leaflets. The third walk leaflet was now available in the Bluebell.

  10. COMMUNICATIONS

    Miss Frost has had ongoing discussions about the reformatting of the website with Brian Kitchen. This would allow it to expand and be aligned with other websites of a similar function. This would carry on over the next year and no cost was anticipated at the moment.

  11. PLANNING

    Fence at Little Orchard – had been reported to the Planning Department but still no reply received despite a second email. The clerk would continue to chase this.

  12. VILLAGE HALL

    The patio project was progressing and was to be discussed at an imminent Village Hall Committee meeting.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS – Thursday 6 December 2012 and 10 January and 7 February 2013 all at 8pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.18 pm