MINUTES of the Much Hadham Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday,

9 November 2010, at 7.30 pm in the Much Hadham Village Hall.

* DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Dillon                     Personal           Lease – Common Land – Perry Green

Cllr Mrs Tate                Personal           Lease – Common Land – Perry Green

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING HELD ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2010

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last meeting be accepted as a correct record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

1.         Parish Paths Partnership – Gate western end of FP 27

Cllr Mrs Tate requested that members of the public be informed that the gate had been installed for safety reasons.

Thanks were extended to Cllr Morris for organising the installation.

PLANNING

1.         Planning matters as shown on enclosed

Please see Appendix A.

2.         General

A reference was made to an e-mail sent to Cllr Compton from Mr Charles Allingham, Planning Officer, East Herts Council, which stated that Mr Bailey had confirmed that some material had been accepted from the Olympic site.  In this case 19 samples had been taken and the material haD been confirmed as inert.

Members remarked that Cllr Carver had been wrong when he had informed the Parish Council at the last meeting that no soil had been received from the Olympic site.

3.         East Herts Core Strategy

The Chairman stated that the strategy document had been produced following the demise of the East of England Plan and, as such, it was questionable whether there was a need for the 8,500 dwellings.  The figure would appear to have been ascertained by reverse engineering, by working backwards from the targets set out in the East of England Plan.  It was appreciated that between 2001 and 2009 there had been 4,032 homes built and based on the past development of approximately 600 dwellings per year it was not unreasonable to assume that 8,500 to 2031 was realistic.

The question basically was where the 8,500 dwelling should be provided and there was reason to suggest that the towns should take all or at least most of development.  However, as was the case in Bishop’s Stortford the town had developed, but the infrastructure had not kept pace.  Therefore, it was suggested that development should be considered in the larger settlements.  In addition, the Council should continue to express its opposition to any development north of Harlow.

The Chairman agreed to compile a draft response for members’ consideration.

PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

Cllr Morris stated that there were a number of footpaths which needed to be re-defined; viz Kettle Green Road to Windmill Way and Brands Lane to Moor Place.

The gate leading onto Watery Lane had lost its board.

STANSTED AIRPORT RELATED MATTERS

The Chairman informed members that airlines had not given up hope of further airport expansion.  However, it was encouraging to learn that the new Labour leader (Ed Milliband) was opposed to a third runway at Heathrow.

SSE had had a formal meeting with the Aviation Minister, Theresa Villiers, and was trying to secure a moratorium on any future development at Stansted for at least another 50 years.  The Government was not committed.

Next year the Government was aiming to produce a Scoping Report on Airports.  In a recent interview the Secretary of State for Transport had stated that the Scoping Report would be wide-ranging, but that it would exclude any additional runways at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.  The aim was to have an overall review of aviation in 2012, which might then be followed be a National Policy Statement.

At present the new coalition Government would appear to be unclear on the future developments in aviation.

The Chairman referred to a recent television programme regarding the acquisition of properties by BAA in the vicinity of the proposed new runway with a lot of the historical properties being allowed to deteriorate.  BAA had paid £106m to acquire the properties which now formed part of its asset base.

The Competition Commission had been successful in its appeal with a decision being made that BAA would have to sell Stansted.  BAA was expected to take the matter further by applying for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

HIGHWAYS MATTERS

1.         Speed Restriction Sign

A request had been submitted to the Joint Member Partnership Officer for additional survey work to be undertaken before proceeding further.  Need to identify the most appropriate location in the village.

2.         Concrete Apron – Ford

The repair to the concrete apron had been completed.

3.         Drainage work – Church Lane

The drainage work had been undertaken and the new drain installed.

4.         Road repair – Green Tye

Work was to be undertaken in Green Tye to repair a section of the road.

5.         Safety issues on the High Street, Much Hadham opposite Morris Cottage

Consideration was being given as to whether to install priority signs or erect additional wooden post to prevent parking on the pavement.

6.         Work at Blackbridge Lane

Concerns expressed that this matter had still not been resolved – ongoing legal issue between landowner and the Herts County Council.  Cllr Carver suggested a formal letter be written from the Parish Council to ascertain when it was envisaged the matter would be concluded.  Clerk to action.

PARISH PLAN

No information was made available on this matter.

HERTFORDSHIRE’S LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 2010 - CONSULTATION DRAFT

The Chairman informed members that he had submitted a response as a private individual and not on behalf of the Parish Council.

Cllr Carver confirmed that the District Council had made a formal response to the County Council.

PLAYGROUND INSPECTION REPORT

Members had been circulated with a copy of the latest Inspection Report received from Zurich Municipal.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.

GRANT APPLICATIONS

1.         Much Hadham Sports Association

An application had been received for a grant towards the cost of grass cutting on the recreation ground.

RESOLVED that the matter be deferred.

2.         Much Hadham Village Hall Committee

An application had been received for a financial consideration towards the cost of replacing the wood-block floor and repairs to the acoustic panels in the main hall.

RESOLVED that the matter be deferred.

3.         Provision of Footpath

A request was made for the Parish Council to consider grant aiding the provision of a footpath adjacent to the main drive to enable the safe passage of patrons to the recreation ground.  Currently there was a traffic/pedestrian conflict in using the main drive.  The total cost of the work was estimated at £1,200 plus VAT.

RESOLVED that a grant of £300 be approved with a specific request that the surface of the footpath be tarmac.

Cllr Morris referred to the missing oak gates and he questioned whether any information was available as to who had removed them.

HERTFORDSHIRE MINERALS AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

Cllr Morris agreed to secure a hard copy of the document and to e-mail all members with his response.

ADOPTION OF PUBLIC TELEPHONE KIOSKS

The Chairman referred members to an agreement which had been received from BT to legally formalise the acquisition of the following telephone kiosks:

01279 842312 – outside Yew Tree Cottage, Perry Green

01279 842382 – Orchard Cottage, Much Hadham

01279 842599 – Tower Hill, Much Hadham

RESOLVED that the Chairman and the Vice Chairman (Cllr Compton) be duly authorised to sign the agreement on behalf of the Parish Council.

NB: The Clerk to ascertain details of the paint used.

TRANSFER TO THE COUNCIL OF THE SPINNEY BETWEEN THE SPORTS FIELD AND THE HIGH STREET

The Chairman gave details of the transfer of the spinney from the Norman Estate to the Parish Council and he requested that the transfer be executed by two members of the Parish Council.

RESOLVED that the Chairman and Vice Chairman be given delegated powers to action this matter.

TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION

The following RESOLUTION moved on notice was adopted:

“That it is resolved that in the event any Parishioner, Business, Corporation or Charity registered in the Parish who wishes to make representation for advice, guidance, opportunity for development or any ideas do so by presenting their proposals or requests for consideration to a quorum of the Parish Council sitting in public and not to any individual elected representative.”

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

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

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS 2009/2010

The Clerk informed members that the Annual Return had been approved by the External Auditor.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA

• Precept 2011/2012
• Risk Assessments
• Effectiveness of Internal Audit
• Standing Orders

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS

1.         Stansted Airport

Reference was made to the Planning Inspector’s decision (Mr G Eyre) on the purchase of properties by BAA and to the fact that the decision of BAA was in breach of the Inspector’s report.

The Chairman stated that the decision of Mr Eyre had been superseded.

2.         North Leys

(i)         Replacement Staircase

With regard to concerns raised regarding the removal of the staircase, the Chairman confirmed that a formal application had been submitted by the owner.

(ii)        Installation of Metal Handrails

Attention was drawn to the installation of metal handrails which had been erected without planning permission.

Cllr Carver agreed to make an investigation.

3.         Entrance onto New Barnes Lane

A question was raised as to whether planning permission had been sought for the new access.

4.         The Ford – New Concrete Apron

A question was raised as to whether the new surface was anti-slip.

Cllr Carver agreed to raise the matter with County Cllr Mrs Newton.

5.         B104 – New Road Surface

Reference was made to the road surface on the bend on Winding Hill still being a degraded surface and it was asked whether an anti-slip surface had been applied.

Cllr Carver agreed to raise this matter with County Cllr Mrs Newton.

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6.         Replacement ‘Much Hadham’ sign

Cllr Morris agreed to obtain a quotation to replace the missing sign which had been removed some 8 years ago.

Cllr Carver suggested that, as a matter of courtesy, the Hertfordshire County Council should be informed as that authority’s approval would be required.

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 2011

RESOLVED that the following dates be approved subject to confirmation that the halls were available:

Tuesday, 11 January 2011                    Ordinary Parish Council meeting

Tuesday, 15 March 2011                     Annual Parish meeting followed by

Ordinary Parish Council meeting

Tuesday, 10 May 2011                        Annual Parish Council meeting

Tuesday, 12 July 2011              Ordinary Parish Council meeting

Tuesday, 6 September 2011                 Ordinary Parish Council meeting

Tuesday, 15 November 2011               Ordinary Parish Council meeting

NB 10 May and 6 September – Venue: Green Tye Mission Hall.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED that under Section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 that the Press and Public be excluded during the following Agenda item in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

POSSIBLE BRIDGE ONTO THE GREEN AT PERRY GREEN

Members were referred to a letter received from Mr Charles Joint of the Henry Moore Foundation responding to the Parish Council’s rental proposals to facilitate the construction of a footbridge from the Hoops Public House onto the Common Land at Perry Green.  The letter effectively withdrew the offer of any financial settlement.

Members felt that the letter was not helpful and, whilst not wishing to pursue the level of rental previously proffered in correspondence with the Foundation, it was, nevertheless, felt that £5,000 was an appropriate sum.

RESOLVED that the Chairman be authorised to enter into discussions with

Mr Charles Joint, Henry Moore Foundation, with a view to negotiating a settlement at an annual rental of £5,000.  Should there be no agreement to this sum, then the Foundation must be instructed to remove the bridge structure.