TEWIN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 28 October 2002 in Tewin Memorial Hall at 7.45pm.

Present: Cllrs K.Lawson (Chairman), K.St Pier, S.Glew, J.Burton, C.Pool and S.Stott (apologies for lateness).

In attendance: Mrs C.McFarlane (Clerk), Cllr M.Hargreaves and Cllr M.McMullen.

The Council were very sad to hear of the death of Cllr D.Compton and wished to express their sympathies to the family . The Council held a minute’s silence in his memory.

PARISHIONERS COMMENTS

Four parishioners attended to express their concerns over the activity on the Warrengate land behind the dairy

58. NO APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

59. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held 30^th September 2002 were amended, agreed and signed by the Chairman.

60. MATTERS ARISING

Parish Council Vacancy – The Parish Council continue to advertise the vacancy in the North ward of Tewin

Warrengate Land – The Parish Council are following this subject closely and keeping in touch with EHDC, Enforcement Department. Cllr S.Glew proposed and Cllr C.Pool seconded that a letter be sent to Mr M.Meacher, Minister for the Environment, House of Commons expressing our concern over the situation.

Kerbside Recycling – The Parish Council have been advised that there are funds available for this purpose if EHDC choose to apply. The Parish Council agreed to send a letter to Cllr N.Poulton, Executive Member for the Environment, EHDC to ascertain if EHDC will be applying for these funds and also to advise him of the demand for recycling in Tewin.

61.PLANNING

Shire Park Bowls Club – A response from the Planning Department has been received and the Parish Council agreed to circulate the file and discuss at the Planning Meeting on Mon 11^th November at 7.30pm.

Minerals Local Plan First Deposit Draft Sept 2002 - This has now been received and is in circulation.

Cllr M.McMullen has drafted a letter to the County Development Unit expressing his views on the Minerals Local Plan and submitted it to the Council for their views. The Parish Council agreed to discuss it at the next Planning Meeting.

Proposed Timetable for EHDC Local Plan Second Review – Cllr N.Copping, Chairman of EHDC, replied to our query stating that the timetable had been delayed to March 2003 in view of the emerging Structure Plan Alterations, impending Regional Planning Guidance Consultation for the East of England and the Government’s intended changes to Local Plan procedures due later this year.

The Parish Council agreed to write and thank him for his response and raise our concerns on the issue of categorisation and the fact that various Departments are using the Deposit Plan as the basis of their work instead of the approved Local Plan.

Playground – Nothing to report.

New Applications:

3/02/1987/FP/EH – Oak Heights, Tewin Water – Two Storey Side and Rear Extension – TPC No Obj

3/02/2079/FP/TH – 9A Firs Walk, Tewin – Erection of 2 single story rear conservatories – TPC No Obj

Decisions:

3/02/1777/FP – 3 Churchfield Cottages, Tewin – Erection of rear extension and installation of oil tank in front garden – TPC NO Obj – EHDC Refused

62. FINANCE

Accounts for Payment – In accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations the schedule of payments amounting to £771.86 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

Recommended Pay Increase for Clerk – Cllr S.Glew proposed and K.StPier seconded that the proposed pay increase be awarded t the Clerk and backdated to 1.4.02.

Donation for Tewin Parish News - The Parish Council agreed to make a £75 donation and decided to increase this to £100 next year.

63. STANDING ORDERS/FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

The Clerk is awaiting the NALC Financial Regulations and the Council decided to look at both this and the Standing Orders together at the next meeting. The Clerk will circulate a draft of suggested alterations.

64. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

Road Works Outstanding – Refer Appendix 1

30mph Speed Limits – Nothing to report.

Archers Green – There is some close boarding fencing on Common Land and the Clerk was asked to check ownership of the land.

Bus Route Through Datchworth – The Clerk will contact the Datchworth Parish Clerk.

65. RISK MANAGEMENT ISSUES – FOLLOWING INSPECTION ON 14.5.02 and 10.6.02

Electrical Testing – The Council is waiting for Mill Green Electrical to carry out the upgrading of the main RCD and the Portable Appliance Testing

Ditch at Back of Upper Green – During the last spell of heavy rain there was no water in the ditch so the Parish Council agreed to monitor the situation.

66. PAVILION & UPPER GREEN

Three Additional Posts on Upper Green – The Parish Council agreed to install 3 further posts. Cllr J.Burton will show S.Kirkham where to put the posts and where to restore the bank.

Upper Green Hedge Cutting – The Parish Council agreed that some work was necessary and Cllr J.Burton agreed to arrange a meeting with S.Kirkham and also to discuss the sign.

Users of Pavilion Meeting – The meeting took place and was successful in opening dialogue between the clubs and the Parish Council. There were no discussions regarding the bowling net dimensions.

Notice Boards – The insurance company has informed the Clerk that the notice boards were removed from the schedule in 1989. The Council agreed to put this on the agenda fr the next meeting.

Bicycle Ramps – The Council are awaiting the diagrams.

67. CORRESPONDENCE Received in October 2002

See Appendix 2

68. PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

Tewin Map – As the Parish Paths Partnership will be funding the updating of the Tewin map the Council decided to try and resolve various footpath issues with EHDC.

100 Year Wood Sign – The Council agreed hat a small directional sign pointing to Upper Green would be sufficient.

69. COMMON LAND

Legal Position Regarding Access – The Council agreed that everybody should have a copy of the DEFRA publication and that this should be put on the agenda for the next meeting. The Clerk should also contact NALC again re: guidance for Parish Councils.

Common Land 148 – A letter was sent on 15.10.02 to the letting agent concerning the removal of the sign by the 31.01.03. No reply has been received to date.

The Council agreed that Cllr J.Burton could obtain a quote from S.Kirkham for pruning trees on CL148 that overhang private land and a quote for posts to prevent parking on CL148.

70. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Tewin School – Nothing to report.

Tewin Memorial Hall – There is concern over rising expenses.

Tewin Website – Nothing to report

71. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Monday 25^th November 2002 at 7.45pm in Tewin Memorial Hall.

72. ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS

Mending the flagpole.

Finding out responsibility for road outside the Tewin School.

Fencing at Archers Green.

Writing a piece about the late Cllr David Compton for the Parish News.

As there was no further business the meeting was closed at 10.50pm.

APPENDIX 1 – HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION MATTERS October 2002

Fault line: 01438 737321

No	Priority Ref:	WORK IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING TO BE DONE AND REPORTED TO THE PARISH ENGINEER.	DATE WORK SCHEDULED FOR
1	1b	Bridge in Churchfield Road – White lining & chevrons to be repainted & reflective discs/paint on bridge	Nothing to report
5		Damaged and Missing Kerbing to be replaced outside the Memorial Hall.	Awaiting
6	1a	School Lane Drainage -	EHDC applying for money to carry out repair work.
8		The Hazels Guard Rails - to be repainted by HCC.	Only if in a very bad state

17		Tewin Hill - Sign missing half way up Tewin Hill on the right past the farm. Triangle Sign with Horse & Rider similar to sign further up the road 20/6 Ref 1023248	Ordered 20/6
20		Bramfield Road going to Bulls Green (outside Sold board) – flooding caused by a blocked drain needs cleaning	Need to check
25		Depression opposite 4 Hertford Road Reported to 24hr Fault line on 1.10.01 Ref 1004796/ 13/5 Ref 1020829	Chased on 13/5, 20/6
27		Lower Green/Hertford Road – Pooling of water	Chased 29/4

30		The point of Lower Green near the Post Office is being eroded as cars turn – Advice on stopping erosion	Need to chase
35		Back of finger signpost missing on Lower Green
36		Flooding of water in Upper Green Road opposite entrance to Godfries Close