MINUTES of the Much Hadham Annual Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday,
12 May 2009, at 7.30 pm in the Green Tye Mission Hall.

*Cllr Mrs A M Aranha               *Cllr B H A Morris
*Cllr W Compton                      *Cllr Mrs C Naughton
  Cllr W Bird                               *Cllr Mrs F Tate
*Cllr M L G Dillon (Chairman)  *Cllr J H A Williams
*Cllr Mrs S J McAdam

* denotes present.

In attendance: 8 members of the public
  County Cllr Mrs M Bayes (HCC)

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED that Cllr Dillon be duly elected to serve as Chairman for the ensuing year.

DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

To note that Cllr Dillon duly signed his declaration of acceptance of office.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Bird.

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED that Cllr Mrs McAdam be duly elected to serve as Vice Chairman for the ensuring year.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Mrs McAdam Personal Any discussion on grant aid for the Scouts
Cllr Compton Personal Any discussion on grant aid for the Scouts

APPOINTMENT OF PARISH REPRESENTATIVES AND AMBASSADORS

RESOLVED that the appointments as set out on the attached document be formally approved.  (See Appendix A)

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING HELD ON 17 MARCH 2009

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last meeting held on 17 March 2009 be accepted as a correct record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

None.

HENRY MOORE FOUNDATION – PRESENTATION ON PROPOSALS FOR NEW BUILDING

Standing Orders were suspended to allow a presentation by representatives of the Foundation, who gave a background to the restoration work being undertaken by the Foundation and the need to provide more appropriate storage facilities.  The theft of a sculpture five years ago had highlighted the problems concerning the lack of security,  which according to British Standards was substandard.  Members were given an overview of the proposals, which the representatives felt were in keeping with the surroundings and would not compromise the rural setting being of timber under a metal roof.  Of importance to the Parish was the fact that none of the proposals would be visible from the Green, as it was the intention to preserve the agricultural view.  There would be no increase in traffic movements resulting from the proposals. 

The Chairman thanked the representatives for their presentation following which Standing Orders were reinstated.

POSSIBLE PLANS FOR A NEW PHARMACY IN MUCH HADHAM

The Chairman referred to the possibility of a new pharmacy in Much Hadham situated at either of two locations in the village.  The Chairman felt this proposal would undermine the viability of the doctor’s surgery and be detrimental to the patients of the practice.  The Chairman felt that any such plan should be rigorously opposed.

Members concurred with the sentiments of the Chairman and expressed their concerns that, apart from a reference to such a proposal appearing the Parish magazine, there had been no other communication or means of securing public consultation.

The Chairman agreed to compile a letter of objection on behalf of the Parish Council to meet the 30 May deadline.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS

1. Pharmacy Proposals

 Concerns expressed regarding the lack of publication.

2. Drainage Problems

 Gratitude expressed to County Cllr Mrs Bayes, Cllr Mrs McAdam and
Cllr Morris in successfully addressing the drainage problems.

PLANNING

1. Planning Applications

See the attached Appendix B.

5. Planning Application 3/09/0433 – Erection of replacement 5 metre high safety fence

 Cllr Morris drew members’ attention to the above application and he voiced his deep concern regarding the height of the netting which he felt was hideous and totally out of keeping with the surroundings.

 Cllr Morris was also concerned that the Sports Association had chosen to submit such an application without having the courtesy to discuss the matter with the Parish Council and, as such, they must be called to account.

 The Chairman agreed to discuss the concerns raised with Mr Bob Jestico.

3. Planning Applications 3/09/1801 and 3/09/1802 – North Leys Cottages

Concerns were expressed regarding the widening of the entrance which would appear to have been carried out without planning permission.  Other work had also been carried out without permission to widen the gate width and to remove a boundary wall.  The concerns of the Parish Council should be brought to the attention of East Herts Planning Department.  

4. Accommodation for Gipsies

The Chairman referred to the Government proposals identifying 1,237 new residential pitches being required in the East of England by 2011.  East Herts had originally suggested providing an additional 5 pitches and had initially been asked to provide an extra 15 pitches.  However, the Government now proposed that East Herts should have a further 25 pitches by 2011 and from the year 2011 to 2021 there should be an annual 3% compound increase in residential pitches.  Of concern was that such proposals were going ahead without consultation with the gipsy fraternity. 

The consultation exercise was still ongoing.  The Chairman stated that there was a rumour that one of the sites would be in Little Hadham and one in Widford.  The Chairman agreed to forward a letter to Go East objecting to the current proposals and seeking their withdrawal.

 Cllr Morris expressed the gratitude of the Parish Council for the excellent work done by East Herts in opposing the Government’s proposals regarding new pitches for gipsies and travellers.

5. Harlow North
 
Cllr Morris informed members that an e-mail he had received from
Mark Prisk MP had confirmed that a future Conservative Government would scrap plans for the Harlow North development.  Cllr Morris referred to the work which had been undertaken by Cllr Mike Carver who, he felt, was owed a debt of gratitude by the Parish for the sterling work he had undertaken in opposing the development. 

PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

Cllr Mrs Naughton informed members that she was still awaiting details of the map boards which she would forward to members upon receipt. 

With regard to the request made for the provision of wooden finger posts to be erected on FP53 joining 53a, Cllr Mrs Naughton confirmed that the County Council would approve such a structure at private expense. 

No further footpath matters were raised.

STANSTED AIRPORT RELATED MATTERS

The Chairman referred members to statistical information which confirmed that there had over the previous twelve months been an accelerated decline in both air traffic and cargo movements.  BAA now had to pay £4 million per day in interest on its debt and, given BAA’s financial position and the continuing reduction in passengers, a second runway would not at present make commercial sense.

With regard to the second runway application, the Chairman was of the opinion that BAA would press ahead despite the fact that an Inspector’s report would not be available until after the next General Election.  A future Conservative Government had made a commitment to scrap any plans for a second runway at Stansted.

HIGHWAYS MATTERS

Members were informed of the following:

(i) Mr Peter Bourne had confirmed that 50% of the drainage work had been carried out.

(ii) Kettle Green Road was to be resurfaced on 18 May 2009.

(iii) There was a large pothole at the approach to the Golf Club (travelling from Bishop’s Stortford).

(iv) A request had been made for Newbarns Lane gulleys to be cleansed and the pipe under the highway to be jettied.

Cllr Mrs Bayes stated that:

(i) Engineers would be returning to carry out further work to the gulleys.

(ii) Vine Cottages – All gulleys had been marked up for new grids.

(iii) All matters referred to at the last meeting had been logged with Herts Highways for action.

(iv) The whole assessment for highway improvement work had changed.  However, surface dressing work would be undertaken.

PARISH PLAN

Cllr Williams informed members that he was still awaiting confirmation from
Ms Kate Belinis that the Parish Plan grant would receive approval.  No progress on preparation of a Plan could be contemplated without a successful outcome.

NOTIFICATION OF EAST HERTS CALL FOR SITES

Correspondence received from East Herts Council stated that it was a requirement of Housing Policy (PP53) for all local planning authorities to undertake assessments to look at future land availability, including the various land uses necessary to meet future residential, leisure and commercial needs – ‘Call for Sites’.

The Council was now seeking suggestions from various bodies, including Parish Councils, for all types and sizes of land for use and development over the next 15 to 20 years.  The ‘Call for Sites’ was part of the Local Development Framework and separate from the planning application process.

The Chairman stated that as far as he could see the Parish Council had no appropriate land to offer up as suggestions and, therefore, need take no action in this matter.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA

1. Transitional period for the Commons Act 2006

 Members were informed that the above Act gave the public an opportunity to remedy any mistakes on the register which they had not been afforded under the 1965 Commons Registration Act.  Cllr Williams agreed to undertake to check the boundaries of the Common Land in the Parish.

2. Sports Association (Cllr Mrs Naughton)

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND CURRENT FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. Payment of Accounts

RESOLVED that the accounts as set out on the attached schedule be duly authorised for payment.  (See Appendix C)

2. Financial Statement

RESOLVED that the contents of the attached statement be received.  (See Appendix D)

3. Scouts Donation

Cllr Mrs McAdam informed members that at her instigation the Scouts had erected new fencing down the footpath from the Congregational Church to Malting Lane following complaints that the fencing was becoming ineffective.  The cost of the work had been approximately £500.

Members debated a proposal to donate a sum of money to the Scouts which they agreed in principle.  However, in order to debate the issue at the next meeting of the Parish Council it was suggested that an approach be made to the Recreation Trust to establish whether any funding would be forthcoming.

Cllr Ms Aranha agreed to action.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1. Hedge Cutting – The Playing Field

Members were informed that the Parish Council was still responsible for the hedge cutting to the playing field. 

2. Fencing to the Roadside – Play Area

Cllr Mrs McAdam reported on an incident when two children had accessed the roadway through a gap in the fencing.  This could have been a potentially serious situation and a permanent repair (mesh fencing) should be carried out.

3. New Playground Equipment

Cllr Mrs Naughton was pleased to report that there were sufficient funds available to replace the swings this summer and that to date approximately £6,000 had been raised through donations, grants, fund raising activities and pledges.

4. Speed – Reaction Lights
 
County Cllr Mrs Bayes referred to a recent accident sustained by Mr Knight, Windmill Way, and she suggested that the Parish Council could consider funding through its Precept speed reaction lights as there was nothing physical that could be installed on the highway to reduce the speed of traffic through the village.

It was agreed for this matter to be discussed as an Agenda item for the next meeting.

CONFIRMATION OF DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was confirmed that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday, 7 July 2009, at 7.30 pm in the Much Hadham Village Hall.