Minutes of Barkway Parish Council Meeting Held in the Reading Room on 11 February 2013 at 7.30pm.

Transcription

1 Minutes of Barkway Parish Council Meeting Held in the Reading Room on 11 February 2013 at 7.30pm. 1. Present: S Alsop (Chair) J Dalton (Vice Chair) J Warren A Murphy F Tomkins Also present: District Councillor Gerald Morris County Councillor Tony Hunter 2. Apologies: A Terry (Illness) Apology accepted. Cllr. Alsop informed the meeting that he had received a resignation letter from Cllr. Simon Taylor. The Council requested that thanks be given to Simon Taylor for all his work whilst on the Parish Council. Action: Clerk 3. Councillor s Declaration of Interest: None received Minutes: Approved and signed as read 4.2 Matters Arising: None 5. Public Session: Members of the public were present. Residents present with concerns that NHDC had given notice that they planned to sell land off Windmill Close gave an update on their activities to try and register this land as an Open Space. Subject to confirmation from the Open Spaces Society (OSS) it was thought that they would need to provide evidence of use of the land as an open space going back to A leaflet drop was planned to raise awareness and gather necessary evidence, especially dated photographs. Witness statements were also needed to accompany the application. It was noted that time was of the essence to lodge an objection to the sale of this land and once an objection was lodged then they would be notified of the date of the Committee meeting at NHDC. It was also noted that on the Local Development Framework it showed the area in question as Priority 2 for potential development in Barkway. The Parish Council voted all in favour, subject to confirmation from the OSS that the application would be valid, to support the residents in the quest to retain the area as an open space. The Parish Council agreed to offer administrative and some limited financial support with the application. It was proposed and agreed that the Parish Council would place an objection to NHDC to the sale of the land on the basis that it has been used as an Open Space. Action: Clerk Cllr. Hunter addressed the meeting. He informed the Parish Council about the new integrated works programme involving the new contractors Ringway. Priority had been dropped on many jobs due to budget constraints, for example, white lining. His Locality Budget was stretched as it only amounted to 90k. The asset management people now assessed the jobs and decided on priorities. The fault reporting system was having problems and a new system was now being trialled.

2 The 20mph speed limit there was reported to be a lot of conflicting information about this. Both about the legality of it and about enforcement issues. Generally it was seen to be bringing speeds down. There needed to be definitive ruling as to what the law was. The Scrutiny Panel would look at this in June. The Council requested that the Barkway 20mph application be put on Cllr. Hunter s Locality Budget list for the financial year commencing in June. With regards installation of new village entrance signs, Cllr. Hunter recommended that Gary Henning at HCC was contacted as they would need to install them. The public session then closed. 6. Council Administration 6.1 Corporate Governance Child Protection Policy It was agreed that more work on this was still needed before it could be concluded. Action: SA/AT. 6.2 Insurance Renewal Two quotations had been received and there was one further possibility: Zurich (current insurer) 1, Aviva 1, It was proposed and agreed that the policy should be renewed with Zurich unless a much cheaper quote was received. Action: Clerk 6.3 To agree back up arrangement for checking post in Clerk s absence two further mail box keys to be cut and distributed. Action: Clerk 7. To receive updates from Portfolio Holders: 7.1 Planning To agree PC attendance at NHDC Wisbridge Solar Farm Appl Committee Meeting 21 st Feb It was noted that the meeting on 21st Feb was now not taking place due to revised plans being issued. The new Committee meeting date was still awaited. Cllr. Morris agreed to check when this application would be going before Committee. Action: JW To agree response to NHDC Land at Windmill Close - refer to Public Session above (item 5) To consider amended planning application received Garage, 57 High Street, Barkway - Modified plans for the erection of a double garage. Objection - due to revised plans being contrary to the original access statement relating to the roof design. Action: JW To consider planning application received The Pump House, Barkway - Plans for a proposed extension to the south for entrance hall, living room and kitchen. Also for rebuilding the potting sheds to provide 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, utility room and w.c. The glasshouses to be restored and the cold frame moved into the centre of the garden area. No objection providing sympathetic materials are used with the original building. Action: JW To consider amended planning application received - Wisbridge Solar Farm The revised plans detailed additional trees and hedgerow and flower meadow seeds to be planted. Also temporary road surfaces and detailed access routes to the site. Cllr. Warren reported that whilst the revised more detailed plans showed new planting, which mitigated some of the visual effect of the proposed solar farm, it was still not considered enough. They not taken into account the grid idea. The maximum height of the proposed hedging was 2ft. Some trees were proposed at strategic points. It was still

3 thought that further additional planting and the site transport arrangements needed consideration. It was agreed that the Parish Council s original objections still stood. It was agreed to write to NHDC, in regard to this amended application stating that the Parish Council still considered that the landscape plan for the development was inadequate and that all tree / hedge planting should be completed, at the latest, before commissioning of the site. All previous objections to the plan, sent to the Planning Department, remain. Action: JW Report from NHDC Parish Council briefing Local Development Framework Consultations Cllrs. Warren and Dalton attended a meeting at NHDC offices on 4 Feb. They reported that NHDC were producing a local housing plan to This plan would take into account not only their own assessment of the area housing needs but also migration into North Herts. They were heading towards the option for 10,700 houses. The deadline to make comments was 28 March. It was noted that the Parish Council should be preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for its own housing needs/plans, however this could not be accepted until NHDC had produced and had approval for the Local Plan which will not be until 2014/ HAPTC seminar Planning Your Future Wednesday 1 st May It was agreed to reserve one space. Action: Clerk HNDC Meeting 6 th March it was noted that with effect from 2 nd April all planning consultation would be electronic. This would be a briefing session on how to deal with this. Cllr. Warren and the Clerk would attend. Action: Clerk 7.2 Grants and Funding Update on funding for the Pavilion Project: Cllr. Alsop reported that he had arranged a meeting with Stuart Izzard and Peter Underwood from NHDC on 19 th Feb to talk about the already awarded PACIF grant. This would be reported back at the March meeting. Action: SA Update on Fund Raising Event for Pavilion Project: A Live Music Night being held on 23 rd March at the Village hall in conjunction with Pre-School. Action: AT Update on NHDC Rural Grant Application: No news as yet, Cllr. Alsop to check with Stuart Izzard on 19 th Feb. Action SA 7.3 Pavilion Project Update Cllr. Alsop reported that he met with the preferred builder, Paul Duncan, to see if it was possible to do a renovation of the existing building. It was noted that the Pavilion would eventually fall down if nothing was done as the back corner was starting to drop. A price was still awaited but in the meantime the Council needed to know outcome of PACIF grant at the meeting with NHDC on 19 th Feb. Action: SA/JD/AT 7.4 Highways New Village Entrance Signage Cllr. Dalton reported that the contractors would need artwork in a certain format. Council approval was requested to spend about 30 to convert the approved outline design and wording into the correct forma, and to add the coach clipart. Agreed. Action: JD To discuss 20mph village speed limit It was noted that the council decision to go ahead with this had been lodged with both Cllrs. Morris and Hunter. The next stage would be to agree in outline, what was required. Cllr. Dalton proposed that the current 30mph signs would remain and that the 20mph zone would extend from the Social Club or Flint House entrance in the North, and from

4 the bus stop on Royston Road, through to Townsend Close in the South. Traffic calming on Cambridge Rd would be by a single lane nip to give priority to northbound traffic approx. outside the social Club. A speed monitoring camera would be situated on the roadside near the school. Traffic calming on London Rd would consist of a mini roundabout at the Nuthampstead Rd junction. The council agreed this generally and proposed that Cllr. Dalton meet with Gary Henning to start the request formally with a suggested layout and get it onto the Locality Budget possibles list. Action: JD Street Lighting Windmill Close - This was raised at the open meeting on 31 st January. A resident had requested they would like the lights back on time to be 5 am not 6am, as those who worked shifts had to go out at just after 5, with no lights especially around the garages. Cllr. Dalton to talk to Gary Henning at HCC Highways. Action: JD 7.5 Environment To consider quotations received to carry out tree surveys Cllr. Alsop reported that 3 quotations had been received. The cheapest one was from Acacia Trees at a cost of VAT. It was agreed that the Clerk should book for the job to be done. Action: Clerk To consider request to install a dog bin at the end of Windmill Close. This was proposed and agreed. Action: Clerk Village Garden Update - Cllr. Alsop reported that NHH had said that the garden was originally supposed to have been a gift to the village. They were now considering just gifting it to the village or selling it to the village at a pepper corn cost. Further news was still awaited. 7.6 Property and Leisure Football It was reported that some problems were occurring due to the football teams leaving doors left open and lights on at the Pavilion. These issues were being addressed. Action: AT Telephone Box All new parts had been received and work on the renovation was due to start in late March. Action: AT Reading Room The rebuilding of the collapsed retaining wall was due to start in the coming week Recreation Ground Play Area Works agreed were yet to be carried out. Action: AT Groundsman Update. There was no progress to report as yet. Cllr. Alsop agreed to compile a job specification. Action: SA/AT 7.7 Community Liason Joint Police and Parish Council Surgeries for to consider termination of Bi monthly PC surgeries It was proposed and agreed that these, in their current form, should be cancelled as the public could access Councillors easily without the need for surgeries, which were poorly attended. It was noted however, that the Police were keen to continue with their surgeries in the Reading Room Neighbourhood Watch Meeting 6 th March Cllr. Tomkins planned to attend this. The event was being advertised on the website. Action: FT Jubilee Celebration Photos winning entries decision to be made on the best four photos by the March meeting. Action: All Village Emergency Plan. Cllr. Tomkins reported that she had studied the plan as it stood in Dec There were a lot of gaps still, which she would fill with

5 the help of Vince Styles. A new section was planned dealing specifically with the annual problem of heavy snow/ice. The snow plan being the most important issue. Volunteer teams would be needed to rescue stranded people. In addition volunteers to clear ice on pavements. A suggestion was made that a salt bin could be located in front of school. Cllr. Hunter pointed out that part of his Locality budget may be able to provide this. This Emergency Plan would be ongoing. Action: FT/CT New Website progress report Cllr. Tomkins explained that a new website was being built using Weebly, in parallel to the existing one, then the existing one would be closed down, once satisfied that the new site was functioning properly. Cllr. Tomkins and the Clerk were due to meet with Gordon Baker on Friday 22 nd Feb to agree content. Authorisation was requested to spend around 20 to purchase the domain/subdomains. It was hoped to include new photography and it was proposed to use some images taken by villagers e.g. Val Blake. Action: FT/CT Items for inclusion on current website an article on the new film club Barkway Bulletin Precept It was proposed and agreed to roll the Precept edition into the normal March issue. Action: ST/FT/Clerk 8. Parish Plan revision update it was proposed to set a date to get it sorted out. An item for the agenda at the March meeting. Action: Clerk 9. Finance To receive finance reports from the Clerk 9.1 To provide update on current financial position Parish Council Account: The Parish Council bank balance at was 18, Receipts since the last meeting: None 9.2 To authorise payments: Approval of payments since last meeting: DD Eon Direct Debit Electricity Pavilion DD Affinity Water Direct Debit Water Pavilion CHQ Unicorn Kiosk Restorations Parts to repair telephone box Approval of payments to be made at meeting: CHQ CDA for Herts Annual Subscription CHQ Thomas Bentley Street Cleaning x 4 weeks CHQ Catharine Toms Clerk s monthly salary and office allowance. CHQ Catharine Toms Clerk s expenses * * Clerk s expenses 9.95 Tesco Black refuse sacks Amazon MoreInks Toner for printing of Bulletin Open Spaces Society Membership Stationery Cupboard Ink & batteries

6 10.00 Open Spaces Society - Book Post Office Stamps 6.00 Tesco Paper Reading Room Account: Bank Balance at was Receipts since the last meeting: None Payments since the last meeting: Eon Direct Debit for Electricity 10. Correspondence: None to report. 11. Date of next meeting: Monday 11th March in the Reading Room at 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Cllr. Alsop being unable to attend, Cllr. Dalton agreed to Chair the meeting. There being no further business the meeting ended at 9.50pm