CASUAL VACANCY ON MUCH HADHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Members were informed that there had been no calls for an election and, therefore, the Parish Council was able to co-opt a new member.

The Chairman stated that, as there were elections in May 2011, there was no urgency to fill the vacancy and, therefore, no action was proposed.

Members concurred with the Chairman.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING HELD ON 13 JULY 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.         Dog Bins

Cllr Compton confirmed that the bins had been received and arrangements were in hand for their installation.

1.         Residents’ Comments

The Chairman felt that in future it would be more appropriate if this item was taken at the end of the meeting when members would have had the benefit of hearing the debate which might address a number of comments which would have been raised.  Members of the public were in agreement, as were the members of the Council.

2.         Crown House

It was mentioned that the sign had deteriorated and could constitute a danger.

Cllr Mrs Fowler stated that she was the licensee of the premises and the dangerous sign was the subject of an insurance claim following the damage by a passing lorry.  The matter was in hand.

PLANNING

1.         Planning – General

To note the attached schedule of planning matters (see Appendix A).

Members expressed their dissatisfaction that the Golf Club appeal had been allowed by the Planning Inspector.  Cllr Carver stated that the District Council would ensure that the development was controlled, working arrangements would be imposed on the developer and, as part of the application, all spoil would be contained within the Golf Club site.

Cllr Carver further confirmed that the District Council was continuing to monitor the contours of the existing development.

Cllr Compton enquired whether the District Council was satisfied with the quality of the imported soil in view of the presence of Thorium at the Olympic site.  Cllr Carver stated that he had viewed the inspection record and he confirmed that the soil was not coming from the Olympic site.

Cllr Compton stated that he had evidence that vehicles were transporting soil from the Olympic site having followed one vehicle and he questioned whether there was sufficient and accurate records of the soil samples being taken by both the District Council and the Environment Agency.  If, as it was suspected, sufficient adequate controls were not in place and soil from the Olympic site was being brought onto the Golf Club there could be a degree of leeching of the toxic substance into the local watercourse.

Cllr Carver felt that there was a degree of scaremongering over this issue and he stated that, if the Parish Council had serious concerns over the matter, then a formal letter should be written to the Director of Development Control with evidence being submitted in support of the allegations.

2.         Additional Planning Comments

With regard to North Leys, Cllr Carver advised members that with regard to the Cottage, enforcement action was being taken which could result in a prosecution.

With regard to North Leys house, the owner had agreed to replace the door in similar materials and style to the one removed and to reinstate the staircase in its original setting.

Cllr Morris questioned why there had been no planning application submitted for the newly created drive into New Barnes Lane and why no listed building application had been submitted for the buildings constructed on agricultural land.  Cllr Carver agreed to take the matter up with the Planning Officer.

Cllr Carver informed members that enforcement action was being taken against the owner of 7 Windmill Way for unauthorised work (excavating and changing the levels of the land to create a hard surface for the parking of vehicles).  The grounds for the action were that the change to the frontage of the property and the construction of the wall constituted a loss of the soft landscaping and was detrimental to the verdant character and appearance of the locality contrary to policies ENV1 and 29 of the East Herts Local Plan.

Cllr Carver informed members that officers were trying to contact the Housing Association regarding the reordering of the parking arrangement at the top of Windmill Way.  The Association had carried out the reordering without obtaining any planning permission.  Members expressed the view that the reordering was unattractive.

PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

Cllr Mrs Fowler gave the following report:

• FP 11 was overgrown with Rape – now cleared and walkable.
• Arrangements were being made for the benches to be installed at various locations.
• Cllr Bird was arranging the erection of the Parish signs with one having been positioned near the notice board at Perry Green.  Other sites being considered were Church Lane, Ash Meadow and the Forge Museum.  Further locations suggested were the triangle of land in Malting Lane owned by Mr Eastwood, in the meadow near the Ford and in the Village Hall car park.  On the latter location it was felt that the Village Hall Committee should seriously consider the desire of the Parish Council to have one of the signs provided at this location.
• Cllr Morris informed members that he had obtained a quotation for the supply of a gate to be erected at the western end of FP 27 at its junction with Malting Lane in the sum of £345 and he sought the Council’s approval to defray the expenditure.  Members approved the expenditure for the provision of the gate.

STANSTED AIRPORT RELATING MATTERS

No matters were raised under this item.

HIGHWAYS MATTERS

Cllr Bird reported that he had chased Chrissey Jacques with regard to the progress in connection with the speed activated signs.  However, it was unlikely that a report would be available until the end of the year.  Cllr Bird had confirmed that the Parish Council had set aside money from its precept towards funding the signs.

With regard to Church Lane, Cllr Bird had spoken to Robin Noades (Herts Highways) who had arranged to jet the drains.  An additional drain would be installed in October of this year.

Motorists continued to flaunt the restrictive entry sign to Malting Lane/Watery Lane and a suggestion was made that an additional sign be provided.

Resurfacing of Watery Lane was due to be undertaken this financial year.

PARISH PLAN

Members were informed that the Parish Plan questionnaires were now completed and would be distributed to every household in the Parish within the next two weeks.  The Chairman stated that it was important that there was a good response in order for the Plan to be a meaningful document.

LEASE OF COMMON LAND

An approach had been made to the Parish Council by the Henry Moore Foundation to lease a very small area of Common Land at Perry Green to allow supports to be erected to facilitate the provision of a footbridge to the Hoops Public House.  The lease of the Hoops was due to run out in 42 years time and the Foundation was actively seeking to acquire the freehold of the property.

Concerns were expressed that the construction of the bridge would create a number of problems from over use and would possibly lead to calls for the construction of a car park in the future.  However, it was felt that the bridge would benefit local residents in providing easier and safer access to the Public House.  A representative of the Foundation assured members that it was not the intention to create something which would have a detrimental effect on the character of the land and the Foundation would continue to maintain the Common Land (grass cutting) to a high standard.

RESOLVED that a lease be entered into with the Henry Moore Foundation on terms to be agreed.

INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL

A letter had been received from East Herts Council stating that it was the intention of the Council to constitute an Independent Remuneration Panel, a body which would make recommendations about the allowances paid to Councillors.  Membership of the Panel would be drawn from five constituencies one of which was membership of East Herts Parish/Town Council

The Parish Council was asked to consider whether there was an expression of interest from any member of the Parish Council.  No member expressed an interest.

RESOLVED that the above be noted.

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND 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.         Current Financial Statement

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

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA

1.         To consider donation to Sports Association – Grass cutting.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1.         The Spinney – Sports Field

The Chairman informed members that he had discovered that the spinney between the Sports Field and the High Street had been registered as part of the title of the Moor Place Estate, even though the trustees of the Estate had conveyed the spinney to the Parish Council in 1947.  The mistake had fortunately been discovered before the trustees had exchanged contacts to sell the Estate and the spinney had not therefore been included as part of the land being sold.  The trustees had now agreed to transfer the legal title to the spinney to the Parish Council.  The Chairman stated that he would ensure that the Council did not incur any costs in connection with the transfer.

A request had been received from Mark Stephens, on behalf of the school, for a path to be constructed from the end of the drive and leading down to the footway near the phone box.  Members were in principle supportive of the proposal which they felt was in the interest of the safety of the children and might consider a financial contribution towards the cost.

The Chairman agreed to discuss the matter with Mr Stephens.

2.         School Transport

Concerns had been expressed by two residents regarding the lack of uniformity and the cost of transporting children from the Parish to schools in Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth.  The parents of children travelling to Leventhorpe were provided with a free taxi service whereas children attending Bishop’s Stortford High School and Beechwood were paying £1.60 per day/£750 per year.  Some parents had decided to drive their children to school.

The Parish Council was being asked to lend its support for the introduction of a uniform system of charging for school transport.  Cllr Mrs Newlyn stated that correspondence on this matter should be addressed to the Admissions and Transport Department of the County Council.  The Chairman requested the residents to supply him with a draft of a letter which they would like sent by the Parish Council.

Cllr Carver requested sight of the letter when approved.

3.         Indiscriminate Parking – Cox’s Lane

Cllr Mrs Aranha referred to the parking of vehicles at the above location with parking taking place in front of private driveways impeding access and.  Members confirmed that as Cox’s Lane was a bridleway, there was no action that could be taken.