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

Parish Council Minutes 9th April 2014

9th April 2014

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL 2014 8pm
The Parish Council met in the Village Hall at 8.00 pm.

Present:

Part Time:

  • District Councillor Simon Howell

Apologies:

Prior to the meeting District Councillor Simon Howell addressed the Parish Council and explained that the Pre-Submission Draft of the Local Plan had been agreed and would be available for comments. The Needs Assessment for Gypsy and Traveller Sites in the area is due to be published in June.

He mentioned that he is regularly making representations to Alistair Walters, the chair of the Local Highways Panel, concerning the Footway Project. Councillor Howell then left the meeting.

The Parish Council meeting was opened at 8.20 pm.

  1. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

    held Thursday March 13, 2014 were agreed as a correct record.

  2. MATTERS ARISING

    There were none, not covered elsewhere.

  3. PLANNING

    Mill Cottage Development planning application. Three Parish councillors, who are also trustees of the Village Hall, declared an interest as the property in question shares a driveway. It was agreed that there were no grounds for the Parish Council to comment on the application since the overall appearance should be little altered. However vigilance would have to be maintained to ensure that access was not compromised and parking did not become problematic.

  4. CORRESPONDENCE

    It was agreed to respond to the Transparency Code Consultation positively. This Code will mean slightly more overt publishing of the Parish Council accounts to replace the present audit regime. All Parish Council expenditure is fully in the public domain already so this will mean few differences.

    It was agreed to support the CPRE charter campaign individually. There was no enthusiasm for supporting the proposed RCN Sounding Board or NALC Policy Survey.

    County Councillor Simon Walsh had sent in a report saying that there was no further news on the water leak. He also reported a consultation on Recycling Centres but mentioned that Saffron Walden was the most up to date and a model for others in the county.

  5. HIGHWAYS

    Pedestrian Footway
    As there was nothing new under discussion it was agreed that no representatives would attend the Highways Panel Meeting on April 10. An August start was still anticipated.

    Speed Limits
    It was noted that Mark Welbourne was continuing to press Essex County Council on this matter.

    Mr. David Drane
    Had updated the council since the last meeting by sharing his email correspondence with the Highways Department. A rather muddled reply had been received concerning the water leak and inspections rather than repairs promised.

  6. ENVIRONMENT

    Mobile phone masts
    As the possible site was on The Glebe this matter had been passed over to the Village Hall Management Committee

    Re-registration Of Village Green
    There was still no further news. The clerk said that he would start the Registration of the two plots of land discussed at the last meeting after the year end and Annual Meeting work was completed

    Trees at Waterloo Cottage
    Miss Frost had yet to discuss the situation with Mr Johnson but it was agreed that if a reasonable price could be obtained and agreed with members of the council then the work should go ahead as speedily as possible.

    Emergency Planning Workshop (Flooding)
    Mr Sladen had agreed to attend on May 15

    Pond and Fountain Area
    Concern was expressed about several aspects. These included the condition of the pond and the probable need for it to be dug out and a liner incorporated. Mr Haylock agreed to ask Mr Jossaume for a quote. However this would involve attracting some grant funding as it was likely to be expensive. The paved area also needed attention and it was also agreed to ask Mark Halls to quote for a comprehensive re-furbishment.

  7. VILLAGE JOBS

    The village notice board which had blown down had been repaired free of charge. The Council expressed its thanks to Rod Stokes, the publican of The Bluebell Inn who had arranged this. The council agreed that the clerk should write a letter of thanks. It was also agreed that volunteers should be sought for some of the smaller jobs such as re-varnishing the noticeboard.

  8. FINANCE

    A donation of £50 to the Home Start charity was agreed as was a subscription to EALC/NALC of £119.90. Appropriate cheques were signed.

    Although the rule, that two signatures are always required, is being relaxed, the Council agreed to maintain it as it allows for transparency and causes no difficulty.

    The annual review of monthly standing orders of £100 to Brian Kitchen for website maintenance and £146.99 for the clerk’s salary were agreed. It was also agreed to pay Mr Kitchen a one off payment of £100 from the Slee donation for the extra work involved in uploading all the historical documentation and photographs. Additionally the clerk would try to arrange for the tax to be paid monthly direct to HMRC in line with the real time regulations.

    It was also agreed to close the buffer account since this was proving redundant.

  9. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

    The official notice concerning the change to Footpath No. 46 on the eastern border of the parish had been received. However no details of the footpath cutting plan for 2014 had been received from Essex Highways.

  10. COMMUNICATIONS

    All the history information was now on the website and it was agreed to be a significant asset. Continuing updating of the newcomers pack would be ongoing.

  11. VILLAGE HALL

    Some of the fund raising ideas that the Village Hall Committee were planning were explained. Further changes in the committee were also possible.

  12. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

    The final analysis and full report had now been circulated to councillors. It was agreed that the clerk would invite Moira Groborz back to discuss next steps needed as soon as possible.

  13. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

    It had previously agreed to hold this on Friday 30th May at 8pm. The clerk would begin work on the Annual Report and circulate it so that it was available for distribution by hand. Notice would also have to be put on the noticeboard.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS – Thursdays June 5 and July 3 all at 8pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.55 pm