TEWIN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 12th November 2007 in
Tewin Memorial Hall at 7.45pm
Present: Cllrs K.Lawson (Chairman), K.St Pier, B.
Evans, A.Hill, M.Howe, D.Lloyd and D.Howson.
In attendance: Mrs C.McFarlane (Clerk) and East Herts Cllr
M.McMullen
68. APOLOGIES FOR
ABSENCE were
received from Cllr S.Stott and East Herts Cllr L.Haysey.
PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS
Mr
J Sheridan and Mrs L Crawford attended representing Friends of Tewin in order to
discuss the Christmas tree and the carols. In view of the public liability
insurance cover they understood that the event must be publicised and minuted
by the Parish Council as a Parish Council organised event with the Friends of
Tewin as volunteers.
They
advised that anticipated expenditure would be £230 (Band £100, Christmas Tree
£80 & refreshments £50) and that anticipated income would be £230
(refreshment £150, raffle for Senior Citizens Lunch £80).
The
Parish Council agreed to undertake this event under minute item 75 (see below).
Mr J Sheridan as the Parish Plan
Steering Committee Chairman advised that if the Parish Council accepts the
draft action plan they would distribute the parish plan and the draft action
plan to every household in the parish. They would then like to hold a Parish
meeting in January in conjunction with the Parish Council. The Parish Council
agreed to meet with the Steering Committee under minute item 79 (see below).
Mrs
S.Smallwood, EHC Housing Development Manager came to
discuss Affordable Housing Policy and how it may be applied to the proposed
Seven Acres development in Tewin.
EHC policy is
for affordable housing to be ‘pepper potted’ (ie scattered) over the site. Some
of them will be rented and some part owned. The chosen housing association will
be the landlord for the rented properties and will be responsible for their
upkeep. It is possible to impose a Section 106 on the development so that the
Housing Association will pay a maintenance charge as will owner-occupier of
freehold residences.
The Parish
Council advised Mrs Smallwood that the Parish’s views were that: -
The Parish Council agreed to send a letter to Mrs Smallwood and EHC
Development Control. Under minute item 72 (see below)
Mrs E.Wilson made the following
comments on the planning application for 41a Upper Green Road. There
had been no yellow notice displayed that she could find. Removal of the
existing shed (a breeze block building) would result in removal of part of a
wall facing her garden and the remainder of the wall could become unstable.
There is a possibility that there might be
asbestos on the roof of this shed. This area regularly floods in heavy
downpours.
The
marked access to the property across the garage forecourt is dangerous as the
corner is blind.
69.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held
1st October 2007 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.
70.
MATTERS ARISING
Rural
Parishes Conference – This report was
postponed to the next meeting.
Increased
Land for Allotments – The landowner’s
land agent has visited the site and the Parish Council is awaiting a response.
71. FINANCE
Accounts for Payment - In
accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations the schedule of payments
amounting to £6434.91 was approved by the Council.
A VAT rebate of £3374.31 has been received.
Telephone Bill – The Clerk agreed to research other
packages available.
Financial Regulations – These were accepted by the Council and duly signed
by the Chairman and the Clerk. Copies will be circulated to all councillors.
The Council will research introducing a Finance Risk
Assessment to reflect the requirement for the Council to review the effectiveness
of its internal control.
Standing Orders - Following SLCC advice a
meeting must not be adjourned to ascertain if there is a conflict of interests.
The discussion is about interests is part of the meeting.
The Standing Orders were
accepted and signed by the Chairman and the Clerk and will be distributed to
all Councillors.
The Clerk provided all
Councillors with information regarding how to ascertain if there is a
prejudicial interest
EHC has
arranged for a specialist consultant to provide interesting, relevant and
useful training for all Parish Councillors and Clerks on the revised code. The
cost of the training will be met by EHC and will take place in November and
December.
Donation To Royal British Legion – The Parish Council agreed to make a donation of £50
towards the Remembrance wreath and thanked Cllr K St Pier for laying the wreath
on behalf of the Council.
Clerk’s Pay Review – The Council agreed to accept the National Joint Council’s
recommendation to increase the Clerk’s hourly rate from £8.70 to £8.916 and
agreed to backdate it to 1st April 2007.
In order to reflect the length of service and the
increase in the Clerk’s workload the Council agreed to increase the Clerk’s
hours from 11 hours to 12 hours per week and raise the Spinal Column Point from
19 (£8.916) to 20 (£9.24) as of 1st April 2008.
Clerk’s Pension/Gratuity Review – The Council agreed to allocate £1000 from the budget towards a potential gratuity/pension for the Clerk. Cllr B.Evans and K St Pier agreed to research pension requirements on behalf of the Parish Council.
Clerk’s Contract Review – The Council agreed to
discuss this at the next meeting.
Budget Items for This Financial Year – The Parish Council agreed the following: -
- £100 Senior Citizens Lunch.
- £100 Xmas Tree.
- £30 PAT Test
- £100 Newsletter Delivery
Budget Items for the Next Financial Year – The Parish Council agreed the following: -
- £3000 Pavilion Refurbishment
- £1000 Parish Plan
- £2000 Contingency Fund
- £600
Benches
- £300
Electrical Testing on Pavilion
- £796
Increase in Clerks Salary
- £200
Increase in allotment rental
- £1000 Pension/Gratuity
Precept – Cllr B.Evans proposed and Cllr K St Pier seconded that the precept for the next financial year be increased by £1000 (7%) to £16,700. The proposal was approved unanimously.
This decision was based on the Estimate to the Year-end and the proposed budget for the next financial year, which includes several large amounts of expenditure as detailed above.
72.PLANNING
Planning Applications Received
3/07/2022/LB/JS – The Rose & Crown, Upper Green Rd, Tewin –
Various internal alterations incl additional gents toilets – TPC No Objection to the proposal
although felt a full disabled toilet would have been preferable. TPC would
refer EHC to plan
used in application 3/05/1255/LB/SD for the correct site boundary in particular
in front of the Rose & Crown.
3/07/2217/FP/NB – The Old Police House, 13 School Lane, Tewin - Single storey side extension & first
floor side extension - TPC No Obj
3/07/2048/FP/HW – Whitespar, Queen Hoo Lane, Tewin-
Replacement of garden store following demolition of existing prefabricated
garden store & greenhouse - TPC No Obj
3/07/1952/FP/CD – 41a Upper Green Road, Tewin – Part 2
storey, part single storey side extension & rear conservatory - TPC No
objection to the actual extension proposal however were concerned about
·
The
blue line is incorrect as it includes Highways land alongside the road.
· The red line showing the driveway is artificial and runs across the garage forecourt with no indication of landscaping or consultation with Highways in terms of visibility splays or crossing Highways land.
·
There
has been no attempt to consult with EHC and the architect for the Sevenacres
development with a view to integrating the site into the latter development.
·
The
Parish Council is of the view that this proposal is a precursor to applying for
more houses on the site.
·
Tewin
Parish Council is concerned that the garage building, which occupies a
prominent position within the village, is effectively going to be abandoned
because of development problems. The Parish Council would appreciate an
indication of what is going to happen.
Planning Decisions Received from EHC
3/07/1630/FP – 22 Hertford Rd Tewin – Single storey rear
extension & alterations to part of flat roof. Widening and relocation of
vehicle access – TPC No obj to rear extension but objected to the degree of
change for the driveway and loss of trees as the property is in the
Conservation Area - EHC Granted with 14 conditions.
3/07/1404/FP – Quisty Birches, Tewin Close, Tewin – Demolition
of existing dwelling & construction of a new 5 bed roomed detached
residence – TPC No Obj – EHC Refused
3/07/1812/FP/NB – 33 Firs Walk, Tewin – Loft Conversion and
porch extension – TPC No Obj – EHC Granted
3/07/1921/FP/NB – 120 Bramfield Rd, Datchworth – Remodelling
of external north and east elevations. Change internal layout including hall,
stairs, landing and ground floor WC and bathroom above – TPC No Obj but note
two extensions to the existing footprint and cannot ascertain whether there has
been an increase in the front gable roof height or the main roof height – EHC
Granted
3/07/1786/FP/JS – 29 Upper Green Rd, Tewin – Loft Conversion
with dormer windows – Cllr D.Lloyd proposed that the Council object to the
proposal as it was out of character with the neighbouring properties and
detrimental to the street scene – Withdrawn
Affordable Housing at Seven Acres – The Council agreed to send
a letter to Mrs Smallwood and EHC Development Control to reiterate the
Council’s concerns on the development. Cllr D.Howson agreed to draft the
letter.
73. HIGHWAYS &
TRANSPORTATION
Ditch on Churchfield Rd, Birdsmouth Fencing at Grass
Warren, Beware
Children Signs,
Ownership
of Road outside Plume – Nothing to report.
New
benches for Lower Green – The Council agreed to defer this item to the next meeting.
Flashing
Signs – The Council agreed to defer
discussion on this until the next meeting.
75.
CHRISTMAS TREE AND CAROLS
The Christmas tree is expected to be up for 22 days
over the Christmas period and the carols on the Lower Green is at 5.30pm on 18th
December 2007.
The Parish Council will be responsible for this event
and it will be covered by the Parish Council’s public liability insurance and
the following was agreed: -
·
Friends of Tewin (FOT)
have volunteered to help the Parish Council organise the event.
·&