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

17 March 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 Mrs S J McAdam

* denotes present.

In attendance:   9 members of the public

                        Cllr Mrs M Bayes (HCC)

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Carver (EHC), who arrived late.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING HELD ON 13 JANUARY 2009

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last meeting held on 13 January 2009 be accepted as a correct record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

1.         Payment of Accounts – Cheque 153 – Broadmead Leisure 

Cllr Compton informed members that he had discussed the content of the invoice with Mr Paul Tucker and he was of the opinion that the charge levied for the work on the path was justified.

Mr Tucker had identified work which was required to the fence on the verge in the vicinity of the play area which he offered to repair at a cost of £50.  Members authorised the work to proceed.

Cllr Mrs Naughton referred to the decision taken in respect of the fencing done to the drive and she agreed to liaise with Cllr Compton on this matter.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS

1.         Police Community Volunteers

Mr Kitching gave a short presentation on his role and he gave details of the crime statistics for Much Hadham since January 2009 and of the “immobilising” initiative currently being launched by the Police.

2.         Planning

Concerns were expressed regarding the newly erected gates into the Gerrard’s property in Church Lane.

PLANNING

To note the attached document (see Appendix A).

Additional matters raised

1.                  Application 3/1801 and 3/1802 – North Leys Cottages – Clerk to obtain plans.

2.                  Brett Cottage – Raised patio construction – amended drawings awaited.

3.                  Letter from Mr & Mrs Mundy – would like to address the members of the Planning Sub-Committee with regard to their proposed planning application.

4.                  Green Tye – Indiscriminate parking on the Green – Cllr Bird agreed to action this matter.

PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

Cllr Mrs Naughton informed members that the production of the Parish Maps was well underway and she was awaiting the proofs from Fitzpatrick Woolmer.  On receipt of these proofs she would arrange to e-mail the documents to all members of the Council.  It was yet to be decided whether to include public houses on the map and specific landmark properties, such as The Lordship, which would be there as  points of reference.

Cllr Mrs McAdam referred to a request received from Mr Richard Munday for wooden finger posts to be erected in place of the metal posts on FP53 joining 53a.  Cllr Mrs Naughton stated that it was now County policy that all posts were metal.  However, it was unclear as to whether wooden posts could be provided if privately funded.

STANSTED AIRPORT RELATED MATTERS

The Chairman stated that the judge had rejected SSE’s challenge in respect of the decision by BAA to increase the use of the existing runway and the CAA had issued its decision on the level of airport changes for the next 5 years commencing on

1 April 2009.  The Competition Commission was due to report on airports and the report was expected to confirm that Stansted should be sold.  Passenger numbers continued to decline and the figures for the last twelve months were lower than in 1991 which was also a period of recession.

HIGHWAYS MATTERS

The following matters were raised:

1.                  Details of flooding emanating from New Barns Lane – culvert under the road was blocked.

2.                  Three gulleys on the B1004 downhill to the river were blocked.

3.                  Water settlement damaging the driveway to The Palace from the ditch to the Palace entrance – ownership being sought.

4.                  Old House on the High Street – adverse road camber.

5.                  Gerrard’s gates on Church Lane – concern regarding the width.

6.                  Highways near Two Bridges – excessive damage caused by large lorries accessing the lane.

7.                  Generally all roads in the Parish were in a shocking state and serious remedial work was required particularly to Church Lane and the B1004.

8.                  Golf Club – question raised as to whether the Section 106 agreement made any reference to an obligation for highway repairs and maintenance.      Cllr Morris and Cllr Compton agreed to liaise.

9.                  Cleansing of ditches – an obligation on landowners to be responsible regarding the clearance of ditches.

Cllr Mrs Bayes stated that the Highways Engineers had been fully appraised of the drainage work required and all gulleys had been inspected.  A vulnerable gulley list had been compiled, although sadly she could not advise when remedial work would be undertaken.

All highways repair work had been identified in the Parish and was included in the highways’ repair programme.  Officers were monitoring the area near the Golf Club and, if there were repairs required which constituted a danger to the public, the matter would be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

PARISH PLAN

Cllr Compton stated that work was progressing and he confirmed that grants had been secured.  It would be necessary for the Parish Council to open a separate bank account for the grant.

STANDING ORDERS – REVIEW

Members had been circulated with a copy of a draft document for consideration and following discussions and minor amendments, it was RESOLVED that the review document be approved.

REVIEW OF EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT

The Clerk referred to the requirements of the External Auditor for the Parish Council to review the effectiveness of the internal audit in order to comply with Regulation 6(3) of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2006.  The review should cover such topics as the competence, independence, relationship with the Clerk and audit reporting.  The Clerk outlined the work of the Internal Auditor and he referred members to the very detailed reports issued on the final accounts.  He stated that the auditor was professionally qualified and acted totally independently.  Members confirmed that they were completely satisfied with the services rendered by the Internal Auditor and that the key risks of the Council were being addressed.

ROAD DRAINAGE PROBLEMS – THE OLD HOUSE, MUCH HADHAM

To note that this item had been dealt with under Agenda item “Highways Matters”.

LIGHTING – BROADFIELD CLOSE

Cllr Compton stated that Mr Neil Robinson, Circle Anglia, had contacted the Clerk with a resident’s request for brighter lighting in the Close and additional lamp columns.  Following an evening inspection, Cllr Compton was of the opinion that the Close was very well lit and that there was no need for an upgrade or a justification for additional lighting units.  It was noted that on the visit two of the columns were out of lighting and a request would be made for remedial work to be undertaken.  An enquiry had been made as to whether the columns had been commissioned.

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1.         Payment of Accounts

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

2.         Financial Statement

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

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1.         Sawbridgeworth Community Voice – Distribution List

Request to East Herts Council that the Parish Council wished to receive information about Sawbridgeworth Community Voice meetings. 

Cllr Mrs McAdam confirmed that she already received the information by

e-mail.

2          Great Hadham Golf Club

Cllr Carver gave members an update on traffic movements at the above establishment and to the Section 106 agreement and to the fact that no reference had been included to provide funding for any damage caused to the highway from the excessive vehicular movements into and out of the site.  However, Cllr Carver stated that both he and Cllr Mrs Bayes were in contact with Highways Officers with regard to the need to effect remedial work to the public highway.   

CONFIRMATION OF DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting would be the Annual Parish Council meeting and would be held on Tuesday, 12 May 2009, in the Green Tye Mission Hall.