TEWIN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 1st October 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 S.Stott (arrived during item 59).
In attendance: Mrs C.McFarlane (Clerk)
54. APOLOGIES FOR
ABSENCE were
received from Cllr D.Howson, S.Stott and East Herts Cllr M.McMullen.
55.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held
3rd September 2007 were amended, agreed and signed by the Chairman.
56.
MATTERS ARISING
Millennium
Orchard The Clerk confirmed that
Michael Clark is responsible for maintaining the orchard and he looks at it
regularly.
Three Wind Turbines at
Benington
The recent exhibition opposing the turbines was reported to have been very
successful and there may be another one soon.
Flashing Speed Sign Cllr A.Hill and B.Evans
agreed to contact Bramfield and Datchworth Parish Councils respectively about
the possibility of sharing the cost of a sign.
Muspatts Some concern had been raised from parishioners about
noise believed to be coming from the new Barn at Muspatts. Councillors agreed
to monitor this.
Helicopter
Noise No response has been received
yet to letter sent to Chief Helicopter pilot of Panshangar Aerodrome
asking pilots to vary their flight patterns over Tewin.
57. FINANCE
Accounts for Payment - In
accordance with the Councils Financial Regulations the schedule of payments
amounting to £4,045.91 was approved by the Council.
Deposits totalling £10,600 were received comprising £7,850
second half of the precept, £2,250 from Tewin Cricket Club towards grass
cutting and £500 donation from Friends of Tewin.
The British
Telecom bill includes a quarterly charge of £4.50 for paying by cheque. The
Council agreed to put a proposal on the next agenda that the bill be paid by
Direct Debit in order to avoid this £18 annual charge.
Financial Regulations Cllr K.Lawson had reviewed these against the latest
model from SLCC and made some small amendments to reflect the requirement for
the Council to review the effectiveness of its internal control.
The Council agreed that advice from other Parish
Councils should be sought about how they are handling this in practice.
Cllr K St Pier proposed the changes be accepted and
Cllr A.Hill seconded the proposal. The vote was carried unanimously.
Standing Orders
Cllr K Lawson had reviewed these against the latest model from SLCC
and made some small amendments to reflect the adoption of the new Code of
Conduct and Section 12(2).
The Parish Council decided that clarification is
needed on prejudicial interests and in particular whether (under Section 12(2))
a Councillor with a prejudicial interest must leave the room when the
Council discusses and votes on the issue, after making representations or
asking questions on the topic at the start of the meeting.
Budget Review The Parish Council acknowledged that the estimated shortfall at the year end would be approximately £1800. This deficit will be met from reserves and was approved on 5.3.07 by the Council to a maximum of £3,000.
The Council agreed that the objectives of the Council for the next year should be discussed at the next meeting. The budget for the next year will include a Contingency Fund and to show details of any committed expenditure from reserves.
Parish Plan Income & Expenditure Statement The Parish Council acknowledged receipt of this and
confirmed that £1,000 of reserves currently remains allocated for the Parish
Plan.
Review of Clerk s Hours, Rate and Contract The Chairman has asked the Clerk to put together a
proposal for the next meeting detailing the financial implications.
59.PLANNING
Planning Applications Received
3/07/1665/FP/HS 8 West Riding, Tewin Single storey timber
framed conservatory TPC No Obj
3/07/1908/FP/SD Yew Tree Lodge, West Riding, Tewin
Alterations to first floor en-suite and extension to ground floor porch TPC
No Obj
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. Cllr S.Stott seconded the proposal and the
vote was carried with 6 votes for and 1 abstention.
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.
3/07/1915/FP/SD 10 Cowpers Way, Tewin Double storey side
extension TPC Obj due to cumulative nature of extensions and overshadowing of
neighbouring property
3/07/1812/FP/NB 33 Firs Walk, Tewin Loft Conversion and
porch extension TPC No Obj
Planning
Decisions Received from EHC
3/07/1665/FP/HS 8 West Riding, Tewin Single storey timber
framed conservatory TPC No Obj EHC Granted
3/07/1659/FP/HS 22 Firs Walk, Tewin Two storey side and
rear extensions, raising of main ridge, first floor front extension, new porch
and extension to rear conservatory TPC NO Obj although expressed concern at
height of roof EHC Refused
3/07/1587/FP/JS 126 Bramfield Rd, Tewin Single storey link
extension TPC Obj due to cumulative effect of the proposed extension EHC
Refused
3/07/1531/FP-
The Old Police House, 13 School Lane,
Tewin First floor side extension, pitched roof to existing flat roof TPC No
obj EHC Refused
3/07/1568/FP
Orchard House 47 Upper Green, Tewin
Porch to front and garage with room over TPC No Obj EHC Granted
3/07/1746/FP/AS 53 Orchard Rd, Tewin Single storey
infill extension TPC No Obj EHC Granted
60. HIGHWAYS &
TRANSPORTATION
Ditch on Churchfield Rd Mr I Williams will be
digging the ditch in the near future.
Ownership
of Birdsmouth Fencing at Grass Warren Nothing to report from Highways yet.
Beware
Children Signs
Highways have ordered these
Ownership
of Road outside Plume Nothing to report from Highways yet.
New
benches for Lower Green Cllr D.Lloyd agreed to do some research on this. A letter had also
been received from Mrs Joy Lawson, indicating she would like to make a
contribution towards a new bench in memory of her late husband, Alan, who was a
former Chairman of the Parish Council and a Councillor from 1973-83.
62.
LOWER GREEN ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
The electrical contractor installed the consumer
unit and the sockets on the 1.10.07.
EdF will be completing their work on the 9th
and 10th of October and the electricity supplier will be installing
the meter on the 11th October.
The electricity supply should then be complete.
63. PLAYGROUND
Litter Bin for Playground This has been ordered from SMP in green and will be
delivered in 6 to 8 weeks.
Weekly Inspections The step has still not been
mended and SMP has been called again.
The socket heads have been received. The sign has
slipped and Cllr B.Evans agreed to readjust it.
Removal of Nets Cllr Hill advised that this would be done
within the next week, weather permitting.
64.ALLOTMENTS
The Parish Council is still awaiting a reply from
the landowner regarding the request for more land for allotments.
65.
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence
Received:
May
Pond Green Mrs Wilson asked if the
Parish Council would consider pruning these trees as they are getting very
large and taking light from 43 Upper Green Rd. The path from the garage
to Godfries also needs strimming.
Plume
of Feathers EHC Tree Officer
advised that the ash tree outside the Plume of Feathers has severe base wood
decay and will have to be removed
Awards
For All The grant file has now been
closed but the Parish Council is required to keep information on the playground
for 7 years.
Rural Parish Conference - On 11th Oct in
Bishops Stortford from 4pm until 8pm. Cllr D.Lloyd & S.Stott agreed to
attend.
HAPTC Conference - On 6th November from 9.30am to
3pm at Ware Priory to address issues facing councils and their local
communities
Benches Cllr K St Pier is awaiting confirmation that the
Tewin Society will be refurbishing 2 benches outside 18 Lower Green.
Datchworth
Veterans Football Club They have
enquired about using the football pitch at Upper Green on Sunday afternoons.
The Council agreed to meet them.
66.
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES
Tewin
Charities Trustees Nothing to
report.
Tewin
Memorial Hall Nothing to report
Parish
Paths Partnership Cllr K St Pier
will be meeting the Countryside Management Service and HCC Footpaths Officer
shortly for the annual meeting.
Transport
Nothing to report
Tewin
Society Nothing to report
Tewin
Website Linda Adams, Web
Administrator will be retiring from her post and is looking for a volunteer to
replace her.
Locality
Policing Nothing to report
Pavilion
Refurbishment A list of architect
details has been forwarded and the committee advised that Cllr B.Evans is happy
to advise on obtaining grants, however no contact has been made as yet.
Village
Shop Steering Committee They are in negotiation with the
landlord who is prepared to lease the shop to them providing they can sign by
the 19th October.
They
are in the process of firming up on the cost of repairs and improvements and
hope to open the shop (even if it is only for a brief period) before Christmas
to sell Christmas goodies, and to open a cafe and community room in
2008. They also hope to reinstate the Post Office, but have yet to
negotiate this.
They
have applied for IPS status and are now getting grant applications
completed as soon as possible.
67.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
As
several Councillors cannot make the next meeting the Parish Council agreed to
change the date to 12th November providing a quorum is achieved.
As there was no further
business the meeting was closed at 10.20pm.
Three Valleys Water 0845-7823333
(fault/leak reporting)
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WORK
IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING TO BE DONE AND REPORTED TO THE PARISH ENGINEER. |