MUCH HADHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Much Hadham Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday, 7 July 2009, at 7.30 pm in the Much Hadham Village 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 Ms S J McAdam

* denotes present.

In attendance:  8 members of the public
  Cllr Carver (EHC)

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Chairman stated that
Cllr Ms McAdam had tendered her resignation from the Council.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs Naughton.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Mrs Aranha Personal Play equipment – consideration of grant

Cllr Compton Personal Fencing around Scout Hut – consideration of
    grant aiding

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12 MAY 2009

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2009 be accepted as a correct record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

None.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19 JUNE 2009

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2009 be accepted as a correct record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

None.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS

1. Fencing around the Scout Hut

 Request that the Parish Council support grant aiding the cost of the fencing.

2. North Leys

 Matters of concern raised which the Chairman stated would be addressed under Agenda item, “Planning”.

PLANNING

To note the planning matters as set out on the attached schedule.  (See Appendix A)

Cllr Carver gave an update on North Leys.  Officers of East Herts Council were looking into the position regarding the gates and pier.  With regard to the planting of the Yew hedge this was a matter for the County Council to pursue.

Cllr Morris expressed his concern regarding the planting of a hedge on public land which he felt effectively remained a public footpath and he felt that a letter should be forwarded to the Hertfordshire County Council on this matter.

PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

The Chairman informed members that Cllr Mrs Naughton was still awaiting details of the map boards which would be forwarded to members upon receipt.

Cllr Morris reported the following matters:

FP18 Stile too high.

FP Tree down behind the Old Rectory (going down to the river).

STANSTED AIRPORT RELATED MATTERS

The Chairman stated that the Inquiry into the second runway at Stansted had been stalled and, in all possibility, would now be delayed until after the General Election in 2010.  It was likely that with a possible change of Government there would be no decision to approve a second runway until 2015 at the earliest.  BAA had appealed against the decision of the Competition Commission that BAA must sell Gatwick, Stansted and either Glasgow or Edinburgh Airports.  The appeal was due to be heard starting on 19 October 2009.  Ryanair had decided to support the Competition Commission at the hearing.  There could be a decision by Christmas 2009 and, if BAA were to lose, they could appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Passenger numbers continued to fall and there had been a noticeable reduction in aircraft noise.

The Chairman gave a general piece of information for members.  BAA had decided to rename the present runway to 22/04 instead of 23/05 to reflect the movement of the north pole.

HIGHWAYS MATTERS

Cllr Morris stated that he was still awaiting a response from the newly elected
County Cllr Mrs Y Newland.

PARISH PLAN

Cllr Williams was pleased to report that a grant of £4,600 had been formally approved to enable the production of the Parish Plan.  Arrangements would now be made to convene a group meeting of those members of the public who had expressed an interest in assisting with the work involved.

PLAY EQUIPMENT – TO CONSIDER GRANT

The Chairman referred members to the agreed budget for 2009/2010 which included a sum of £4,000 to be expended on play equipment.

RESOLVED that a grant of £4,000 be made available for the purchase of new play equipment.

SPEED REACTON LIGHTS

Cllr Compton advised members that the cost of providing speed reaction lights ranged from between £5,000 and £7,000 and he suggested that, if the money could be raised, then consideration should be given to providing two items of equipment.

The Chairman stated that, whilst there was no budgetary provision, the Internal Auditor in his report on the 2008/2009 financial accounts had referred to the high level of balances carried by the Council and he felt that expenditure of this nature might be one means of addressing these concerns.

Cllr Compton agreed to undertake to secure further details on the type of equipment available and relevant costs and for the matter to be discussed at the next meeting of the Parish Council.

It was noted that the final decision as to whether the equipment could be installed would rest with the Hertfordshire County Council.

FENCING AROUND THE SCOUT HUT

Cllr Mrs Aranha informed members that she had discussed the matter of the fencing with the Recreation Trust who had declined to contribute to the cost on the basis that the work was solely for the benefit of the Scouts.  Reference was made to the previous meeting when members had agreed in principle to a donation being made towards the cost of the work. 

Cllr Mrs Aranha produced the paid invoices for the work involved amounting to £500.

RESOLVED that a grant of £500 be approved.

TRANSITIONAL PERIOD FOR THE COMMONS ACT 2006

Cllr Williams stated that having looked at the plans he was of the opinion that there were no inconsistencies with regard to Perry Green.

Cllr Bird stated that with regard to Green Tye there would appear to be only one minor inconsistency appertaining to the line of the fence outside Blacksmith’s Cottage to which he had drawn the attention of the owners.  No further anomalies were evident.

SPORTS ASSOCIATION

Cllr Mrs Aranha stated that she had attended the recent meeting of the Sports Association with members expressing some concern as to why they were being asked to seek permission for the provision of the fencing which was merely to replace the existing fencing.  Permission had now been granted.

A question had been raised at the meeting as to whether the Parish Council would be contributing to the grass cutting in the future.  Members confirmed their support.

There was a presence of rabbits on the Recreation Ground and a request had been made for the Parish Council to approve shooting to eradicate the problem.  A person had indicated a willingness to undertake this work.  Members were happy to give approval provided that there was an analysis made of the risks involved.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA

1. Proposals for provision of play equipment.

2. Church Lane Flooding.

3. Speed reaction lights.

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT

4. Payment of Accounts

With regard to cheque number 178, HAPTC £757.39, members questioned the need to continue membership and they requested the Clerk to give the required twelve months notice to terminate the subscription.

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

5. Financial Statement

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

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1. Future Meetings of the Council

Members agreed that for future meetings the venue for two meetings a year be the Green Tye Mission Hall.  Dates to be agreed commencing the calendar year January 2010.

2. Theft of Bench at Perry Green

To note the above.  The Clerk to check the excess on the Council’s insurance policy.

3. Proposed Pharmacy

To note that Mark Prisk MP wold be supporting the Parish Council’s objection.

4. Assets Survey

Members gave details on the various assets in the Parish in order to enable the Clerk to complete a composite schedule for insurance purposes.

5. Payphone – Perry Green

To note that the equipment would be returned.

6. Provision of Litter Bins

Cllr Mrs Aranha requested the installation of a litter bin near the Ford.  Cllr Compton agreed to action.

7. Flytipping

Cllr Morris stated that a considerable amount of flytipping was taking place on private land beside Danebridge Road.  Cllr Carver agreed to request East Herts Council’s officers to investigate.

CONFIRMATION OF DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was confirmed that the next meeting would take place on Tuesday, 8 September 2009, at 7.30 pm in the Much Hadham Village Hall.

In concluding the meeting, members recorded a vote of thanks to former
Cllr Ms McAdam for her hard work and dedication.

Cllr Compton was confirmed as Vice Chairman of the Parish Council following the resignation of Cllr Ms McAdam.