TEWIN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 24 September 2001 in Tewin Memorial Hall at 7.45pm.

Present: Cllrs B.Briggs (Chairman), J.Burton, C.Bowden, Ms K Lawson, S Glew, C.Pool and K.St Pier

In attendance: Mrs C.McFarlane (Clerk).

61 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE from Cllr M. McMullen and Cllr D.Compton.

62. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held 30 July 2001 were amended, agreed and signed by the Chairman.

63. MATTERS ARISING

Flagpole Cleat - Whilst this is loose and beyond repair it is still usable and the Chairman will discuss with Mr Tyler whether he can manage for the time being as it does not represent a risk to anybody.

Mimram Valley Report - This is intended to update the original 10yr old document, maintaining it's emphasis on the rural aspects of the valley that the Parish Council would like to preserve. The format was considered acceptable and it was agreed that genuine unedited photographs be used. The costs for production are not expected to be substantial so it was agreed that the requisite number be produced with some for reserve.

Three Valleys Water Restoration Work - The work is nearly complete with just 1 post and 1 rail in Grass Warren needing repairing. Worn patches on Lower Green and in Godfries Close also need to be made good.

64. PLANNING

New Applications:

3/01/1504/FP/EH- 14 Hertford Road, Tewin - Demolish & Replace Existing Detached Garage - No objection

3/01/1399/FP/KL - Mimram Cottage, Poplars Green, Nr Tewin - Dormer Window & Velux window in Loft for Use as an Art Studio - No objection to Dormer window however, unable to comment on the velux window as not included in the plans.

Decisions:

3/01/1382/FP/KL - Tewin Water Farmhouse, Digswell. Welwyn - Proposed First Floor and Single Storey Extension - Granted

3/01/1269/FP/EH - 11 Hertford Road, Tewin - Extension To Garage - Granted

3/01/0188/FP/TH - 6 Lower Green, Tewin - Two Storey Rear Extension - Granted subject to no further windows, doors or openings of any kind shall be inserted without permission.

3/01/0959/FP/TH - 7 Hertford Road, Tewin - First Floor Extension & Bay Window - Granted

Withdrawals: - None

CDA Rural Housing: Depending upon the outcome of the Local Plan the Council will then decide whether to approach CDA Rural Housing.

Local Plan Review: Following a recommendation from the CPRE, The Hertfordshire Society, Cllr J.Burton and Cllr K.St Pier met with Michael Brooks, a planning consultant on 1.8.01.

In line with the Council's views Mr Brooks completed 4 representations on the East Herts Local Plan Deposit Draft which have been submitted to EHDC reflecting the Council's objections to: -

i. The Categorisation of Tewin as a Category 1 village.

ii. The omission of Tewin village as a Category 2 village.

iii. The exclusion of Tewin village from the Green Belt and the allocation of land off Upper Green Road for housing development.

iv. The removal of Tewin village from the Landscape Conservation Area

Regional Plan: Nothing further to report.

Other Planning Matters:

The Bowls Club - The Bowls Club have expressed a requirement for a shed (8ftx6ftx8ft) to store excess ground maintenance equipment. This is to be sited by the water tank. It was agreed that the Clerk should talk to EHDC.

Field R/O 7 Acres, Tewin - The Clerk to chase our letter to the Planning Dept dated 25.5.01.

White Cottage, Archers Green - Following our letter dated 8.5.01 EHDC Planning Department have looked into the matter and can see no evidence of building and have resolved to close the matter. The Chairman to investigate.

Farm Buildings R/O Rose & Crown - Following the death of the owner, matters have been deferred pending Miss Sadler's will. No action at present.

Unauthorised Tipping of Soil on Land to the West of the Concrete Path - the Planning Contravention Notice showed works were carried out by a tenant farmer and a PCN will be served on him. Nothing further to report.

Pheltern Lodge, Queen Hoo Lane - an application is still awaited. EHC will inspect a possible breach of planning at Hoo Corner, Highfields, Harlton Lodge and Pheltern Lodge. The matter has been followed up although no decision has been reached by EHDC yet. The Clerk to chase.

65. FINANCE

Accounts for Payment - In accordance with the Council's Financial Regulations payments amounting to £1843.40 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

Recommended Pay Increase - It was recommended that the proposed pay increase be awarded to the Clerk and backdated to 30/4.

Other Financial Matters - The Accounts have been received and are displayed outside Tewin Post Office Stores.

Best Kept Village - Tewin village won the Environmental award and received a prize of £50. The Parish Council agreed with the suggestion from the Friends of Tewin and the Tewin Society that the money be used to buy a replacement St George's Cross Flag.

Tewin Charities - The accounts have been received.

Community Development Agency Membership - It was agreed that the Parish Council's membership should continue.

Litter Collection - Since there has been no response to the Parish News request for a litter collector the Parish Council have asked EHDC to provide us with a quote for the litter picking. It was agreed that this should take the form of 2 quotes 1 for emptying the bins and 1 for the roadsides. The Clerk was asked to put a note in the Parish News encouraging people to pick up litter. The Chairman undertook to retrieve the reflective jacket and gloves.

Datchworth Parish Council - It was approved that the Clerk could assist Datchworth Parish Council by taking their minutes whilst their Clerk is on sick leave.

Claim by Mr I. Williams re Felled Oak Tree and Activity on CL129 - As agreed a letter was delivered to Mr Hopkyns care of Mr Williams stating that whilst we do not take responsibility for the tree felling we accept that he was not consulted and thus we are prepared to make an ex gratia payment of £200. There has been no response to date.

66. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

Road Works Outstanding - The Clerk has chased D.Standen for an update but nothing has been received.

School Lane - The works at School Lane have been seeded but heavy rain is causing deeper flooding. Cllr K.St Pier has photographic evidence and the Clerk will write a letter to Cllr B Hammond stating that the repair is still not satisfactory.

Back Lane - The manhole cover and surrounding tarmac is severely damaged and the Clerk was requested to report it to the 24hr highways pothole repair line.

Lousehole Bottom - The fly tipping was reported to EHDC by the Clerk.

Access to Grass Warren Garages - This has been referred to D.Standen, Highways Dept. The Clerk has chased again.

Bus Shelter - This has now been painted and we are very grateful to the Friends of Tewin for an excellent job.

Bus Service - The Clerk will chase David Neilan about the Sept 2001 timetables being in the Tewin village shop. There is a Local Transport Plan meeting on Nov 26^th

Grass Cutting - A Parishioner has complained that the verges south of Tewin garage do not get cut. This is HCC verge and the Clerk will check with Stuart Kirkham.

Sign on Upper Green - The Chairman volunteered to make a new one and will liase with Cllr J.Burton and the Clerk with regard to the wording.

Depression Opposite 4 Hertford Road - The Clerk to ask HCC to repair the depression that has occurred near the fire hydrant.

67. RISK MANAGEMENT ISSUES - FOLLOWING INSPECTION ON 24.4.01 & 14.5.01

Pavilion - The Parish Council proposed and seconded that: -

-

- The window sills be replaced with hardwood at a cost of £945

- -The windows be repainted at a cost of £1100

- -A quote will be obtained to replace the rotten window facing the road with a hardwood frame. The Parish Council estimate that this may cost £1000.

- - The benches and the bins in the parish to be repainted/stained at a cost of £750

This was unanimously approved.

It was also proposed and seconded that the cost of the above would be met by a £2000 transfer from Reserves and £2000 R&M already budgeted. The Parish Council should also be prepared to take more from reserves to cover the cost of installing posts on Upper Green at a later date.

Cllr C.Pool to chase Cricket Club about painting the green doors.

Well Cover - It was proposed that the repair of the well cover be left as it is not a danger to anybody.

Green Outside the Plume of Feathers - The repair of the post is on Stuart Kirkham's schedule of work.

Bus Shelter - Done

The Clerk is to provide a budget summary at the next meeting and to ascertain the Parish Council's liability with Stuart Kirkham.

68. PAVILLION & UPPER GREEN

Pavilion Planning -

The Parish Council agreed that a letter should be sent to the Cricket Club reminding them to move the sightscreens, to fix the counter in the Pavilion to the wall and to tidy away all their equipment. The Parish Council still awaits notification of the appointment of a Pavilion and Cricket Club Officer.

Astroturf & Run up Dimensions - The Parish Council still have concerns that the practice net is not long enough and will therefore cause damage to the green. The Clerk is to clarify this with the Cricket Club.

Friends of Tewin - The Parish Council gave the Friends of Tewin permission to use Upper Green on the 1^st and 2^nd June 2002 in order to arrange a celebration of the Queens Golden Jubilee. They will have to liase with the Cricket club and The Tennis Club to ensure that there are no clashing fixtures. The Parish Council would also like to remind them that Upper Green cannot be used for car parking and it cannot be fenced off. The Cricket Club must be informed of this event.

Upper Green Posts - Awaiting Stuart Kirkham to complete.

Tokens - The Chairman has obtained 50 new tokens for the electricity meter and 10 were given to the Clerk and 40 to Bert Robinson.

69. CORRESPONDENCE

Tabled:
CDA Membership 2001-2002

Hertfordshire Assoc for Local History

Circulated:
- Stansted Airport Development

-

- Natural World Magazine

- EHDC Weekly List of Planning Applications

- The Tewin Society Newsletter

-

- EHC Meetings in August & September

- -Hertfordshire Constabulary Annual Report & Policing Plan

- Standards Committee Nominations

-

- EHDC Development Control Service Newsletter

- -Clerks & Councils Direct

- Village of East Herts Public Meeting with Hertfordshire Police Authority

- Wildwood Eastern Area Newsletter

- NALC Policy Updates

-

- CDA Herts Hedgehog Magazine

- -Herts LTP Annual Progress Report Summary

- -Local Council Review 9/01

70. PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

Cllrs S.Glew and K St Pier had a meeting with Stuart Kirkham to discuss and agree a programme of work. They will now fill in the required forms and send them off.

71.COMMON LAND

CL148 - As we have had no reply to our letter dated 29.6.01 the Clerk was requested to send a follow up letter

72.REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Tewin Society - Nothing to report

Friends of Tewin - Nothing to report

Tewin School - Nothing to report.

Tewin Village Memorial Hall -They have started up a Supporters Club, which sells tickets of £12pa to raise money for the repairs & maintenance.

Tewin Website - Cllr S.Glew will load the approved minutes and agenda on the website each month.

Mercury Correspondent - The Mercury are keen to recruit village correspondents on NUJ lineage rates. The Clerk to pass to Peter Walters of the Parish News.

Standards Committee - There were no nominations.

73. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next Council meeting would be held on Monday 29 October 2001 at 7.45pm in Tewin Memorial Hall.

74.ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS

Cllr C.Bowden requested the plans for 19 Bishops Road.

The Clerk to request a response from Green King regarding the use of tables and chairs outside the Rose & Crown.

The circulation must be sent to the Chairman last

The Clerk to clarify the newspaper account about wheelie bins for Tewin with EHDC

As there was no further business the meeting was closed at 11.05pm.

APPENDIX 1 - HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION MATTERS