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

Parish Council Minutes 9th January 2014

9th January 2014

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

Present:

Part Time:

  • Moira Groborz

Apologies:

Prior to the meeting the Council listened to a presentation by Moira Groborz of the Rural Community Council of Essex on Affordable Housing. The Chairman explained that this had been visited about ten years ago and discussed subsequently and the council may be open to the idea of a small development if there was a perceived need. She outlined the procedures for exploring this issue.

There was usually partnership with a housing association outside the accepted development area of the village, but adjacent to it if possible. Preferably several plots would be identified and the most suitable chosen. Developments were usually planned with some open market housing to subsidise the Affordable Housing. The latter is reserved for people who live or used to live in the parish or who have family or employment connections with the parish.

The first step is a housing survey which RCCE would organise for the council. This would be distributed to every house in the parish. The questionnaire is in two parts, the first being a general survey to gauge support and need. The second would only be filled in by those expressing a need for housing. Forms would be returned to RCCE in a prepaid envelope and be anonymous. The council would then receive a report on the outcome of the survey.

The Chairman thanked Ms Groborz for her clear and helpful presentation.

The Parish Council meeting was opened at 8.45 pm and the Chairman opened the meeting by wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

  1. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

    held Thursday December 12, 2013 were agreed as a correct record.

  2. MATTERS ARISING

    There were none, not covered elsewhere

  3. PLANNING

    Reports of a shed and its possible misuse at 3 Harvey Way were discussed and it was agreed that there did not seem to be an immediate problem.

    Applications for a Cartlodge/Woodstore at Little Barn and a shed at Fanes Cottage were discussed and it was agreed that no further action was needed.

  4. CORRESPONDENCE

    Correspondence on the Power of General Competence and the Community Infrastructure Levy were discussed and not deemed of immediate interest to the council.

  5. HIGHWAYS

    Pedestrian Footway
    This scheme had apparently encountered difficulties. A surveyor from Essex County Council had arrived unannounced and indicated to a resident that the boundary of the road may be inside his fence reducing an already small garden. This was contrary to the agreed route which had been discussed in detail at the public meeting. The exchange had been rather tactlessly discussed in an email exchange. It was hoped that a meeting could be arranged to explore the implications for the progress of the scheme.

    Mr. David Drane
    The manhole outside Crofters and the surface beak up on Hill Road were both being chased at the moment.

    Mr Mark Welbourne
    The chairman had spoken to Mr Welbourne and thanked him for his support and persistence but had re-iterated the need for concentration on the footway project. It was proving difficult enough to maintain progress on this issue.

  6. ENVIRONMENT

    Water Leak
    There was no further news on the re-inspection of this problem at the bottom of Church Hill.

    Affordable Housing
    It was agreed to proceed with the survey of needs as explained by Moira Groborz prior to the meeting. The wording of the letter would be agreed then copies and envelopes sent to the clerk to organise distribution. The return cut-off date would be 8th March.

  7. FINANCE

    Slee Donation
    No progress had been made on designs for a Village Hall Plaque and other alternatives were discussed. Most of these centred on the Great War commemorations and projects to mark this with archiving of materials and collation of old photographs. These would be explored to find out if volunteers were available and the Chairman agreed to contact Graham Rowden.

  8. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

    The alignment of Footpath 63, on the boundary of the parish with Steeple Bumpstead, had been agreed.

  9. COMMUNICATIONS

    Email NewsletterThe Council was pleased to note that due to Miss Frost’s effort, over 140 copies were being sent out each month.

    Website
    Parish Council ‘Landing Page’, it was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting

  10. VILLAGE HALL

    Mr Sladen asked it to be noted that although no longer Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee, as reported at the last meeting, he is still a trustee.

    The Chairman concluded the meeting by wishing everyone a Happy Christmas

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS – Thursdays March 13 and April 10th both at 8pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.50 pm