TEWIN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 28th January 2008 in Tewin Memorial Hall at 7.45pm

Present:  Cllrs K.Lawson (Chairman), K.St Pier, A.Hill, D. Howson, D.Lloyd and S.Stott.

In attendance:  Mrs C.McFarlane (Clerk) and eight members of the public.

97. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr B. Evans (holiday) and East Herts Cllr M.McMullen.

PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS

Five residents from 1-4 Tewin Hill attended, as they had not had time to look at the plans for the chalet bungalow at the rear of their houses. They asked the Parish Council if their decision could be delayed until they had time to look at them.

 

The resident of 10 Hertford Road attended to advise the Council that they had no objections to the proposed planning application for 8 Hertford Road, Tewin.

 

Pat Hedger attended to advise the Council of her objection to the planning application for 42 Lower Green. The Council advised that they had also objected to the proposal to EHC.

 

98. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS held 3rd December 2007 and 14th January 2008 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

99. NO MATTERS ARISING

100.  FINANCE   

Accounts for Payment - In accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations the schedule of payments amounting to £1069.05 was approved by the Council.

 

Clerk’s Pension/Gratuity – Cllr B.Evans was advised by Jeff Hughes, EHC that the Parish Council should set up a gratuity fund and to seek advice from the auditors.

Lubbock Fine, the external auditors advised that the Parish Council to set up a self administrated gratuity fund as a reserve in the Parish assets. A maximum amount of 3/80ths of the annual salary (backdated) can be set aside and 3/80th of the Clerks annual salary added to the precept on an ongoing annual basis.

Herts County Council Pensions Administration advised that they only provide a pension scheme for County employed staff.

The Clerk has been employed by the Council 6 ½ years and this equates to total earnings of £32031 and 3/80th  equates to £1201 to date. The Parish Council has already set aside £1000 in next years budget for a gratuity payment.  

The Clerk’s contract will need to be altered to reflect this.

 

101.PLANNING

Planning Applications Received and agreed on 7.1.08

3/07/2521/FP/JS – 42 Lower Green, Tewin – Change of use from agricultural to residential curtilage gardens – TPC Objected as the plot of land is outside the village boundary, represents an erosion of the green belt, a weakening of the village boundary, creates a precedent, adversely affect the character and appearance of the village and the local landscape.

3/07/2621/FP/HS – 9 Bishops Road, Tewin  - First Floor Side Extension – TPC No Obj

3/07/2581 & 2519/FP/JS – 9 Lower Green – Single Storey Side/Rear Extension – TPC No Obj

Planning Applications Received since 7.1.08

3/08/0088/FP/SD – Land Rear 1-4 Tewin Hill, Tewin – Two bedroomed chalet bungalow – TPC No obj but was aware that immediate neighbours felt that the height had still not been reduced enough.. The Parish Council agreed to delay sending their response until Friday 1st February 2008.

 

3/08/0064/FP/SD – 8 Hertford Road, Tewin – Ground Floor Rear Extension and detached Practise Studio – TPC No Obj

3/07/2673/FP/SD – Quisty Birches, Tewin Close – Demolition of Existing dwelling and Erection of 6 Bedroom Dwelling and Detached Garage – TPC No Obj

3/08/0020/FP/CT – 12 Cannons Meadow, Tewin – Open Porch/Canopy on Full Width of Front of House – TPC No Obj

 

Planning Decisions Received from EHC

3/07/1952/FP – 41A Upper Green Road, Tewin – Part two storey, part single storey side extension and rear conservatory  – TPC No Objection  - EHC Granted

 

102. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

 

Churchfield Road Flooding – A gap has been cut through the kerb to allow the flood water to drain away and the Parish Council will monitor the situation. Highways has agreed to visit the site shortly to see if there is anything they can do to help.

 

Beware Children Signs – These have been installed.

 

Ownership of Road outside Plume – Land Registry plans show that the road does not belong to the Plume of Feathers. A letter has been sent to Highways asking for more clarification of its ownership.

 

Path Behind Hazels – This is currently very overgrown and the Clerk has reported it to Riversmead who is responsible for maintaining the path and will arrange for it to be cleared shortly.

 

Flashing Speed Signs – Herts County Councillor Bryan Hammond advised the Parish Council that the flashing sign would be put on the Highways list for T&E assessment to be carried out later this year. The resultant ranking will be presented to the Joint Members Panel (comprising 6 County and 6 District councillors) on an annual basis for consideration of possible future years funding from its discretionary budget.

 

In view of the fact that this is a major concern in the village as highlighted by the Parish Plan the Parish Council agreed to research the cost of a solar powered sign and ascertain whether there are any restrictions on the Parish Council installing such a sign and what the procedure would be.

 

Footpath Between Godfries Close and Tewin Garage - Herts County Councillor Bryan Hammond advised that due to the low ranking of the T&E assessment study the likelihood of getting funding to provide the footpath is minimal as the candidate score of 27 indicates that it is not a high priority in the East Herts district.

 

In view of the recent installation of the playground and the concern over speeding the Parish Council agreed to research clearing the verge between Godfries and Tewin Garage to create a rural path.

 

103. MEETING DATES

Parish Council Meeting Dates – These have been circulated to all councillors and to various other groups in the village.

 

Annual Parish Meeting – The Council agreed to hold this on Monday 7th April 2008 at

7.30pm prior to usual Parish Council Meeting

Annual Parish Council Meeting – The Council agreed to hold this on Monday 12th May     2008 at 7.45pm

 

104. RISK ASSESSMENT WORKS

Nothing to report at present.

 

105. CHRISTMAS TREE/ALLOTMENTS /PLAYGROUND

Christmas Tree – The Parish Council has paid expenses totalling £241.71 which included the band (£100), Xmas tree (£90), Mince pies and mulled wine (£51.71) and they have received a donation from the Friends of Tewin for £151.71.

 

Increasing Area of Allotments – The Allotment Association has advised the Parish Council that there is no longer a waiting list and thus no need to increase the number of allotments. The Parish Council agreed that an agreement should be obtained from the landowner to have extra land available if it is needed and a meeting should be arranged between the landowner’s Land Agent, the Allotment Association and the Clerk to agree this.

Playground Weekly Inspections – No incidents to report.

 

106. UPPER GREEN & PAVILION

Datchworth Veterans Football Club – The Parish Council has received the £50 deposit and a copy of their Public Liability Insurance.

Replacement Tokens – Cllr S.Stott could not source the tokens so the Clerk was asked to contact Bryan Briggs.  

Summer Installation of Football Posts – Cllr Keith St Pier, Adrian Hill and David Howson agreed to find an acceptable position for the football posts and liase with Tewin Cricket Club to ascertain whether it was acceptable.

107. PARISH PLAN

An agenda for the Parish Plan Village meeting on 4th February 2008 at 7.30pm at Tewin Memorial Hall has been agreed and will be put up on Notice Boards throughout the village.

 

Income received  and held in Parish Council reserves for the Parish Plan Steering Committee total £3000 comprising (EHC grant £1500, TPC donation £1500). 

Expenditure for the Parish Plan Steering Committee totals £1687 to date.

Funds remaining total £1312 and are held in Parish Council reserves.

TPC has allocated a further £1000 in next year’s budget towards the Parish Plan.

An Awards for All grant of £1000 was received by PPSC directly.

 

108. CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence Received:

Resignation – Cllr Mike Howe has resigned from the Council and the Council agreed to send a formal letter of thanks.

Vacancy - EHC has been notified of the vacancy on the Parish Council and the election closing date is 1st February 2008. There has been one interested parishioner who has been invited to attend the 7th April Parish Council meeting.

Seven Acres – The Council has received letters of objection from both Mrs Brace and Mr Farr of Upper Green Road. 

Abstraction Borehole – Both the Environment Agency and Three Valleys have written to the Parish Council who is happy with the information provided

Remembrance Memorial – The lettering is getting very worn and may need restoring. The Clerk will contact the church, the War Memorials Trust and the Conservation Officer.

Upper Green Posts – Mr Farr requested that the 3 broken posts be repaired on the green outside his house. The Clerk advised they would be done shortly.

Affordable Housing – Eleanor Lohr provided some advice to the Council concerning Affordable Housing. This has been circulated and noted.

 

109. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Tewin Charities Trustees – Nothing to report.

Tewin Memorial Hall – Nothing to Report.

Parish Paths Partnership – The hole close to the path at the rear of the Rose and Crown has been reported.

Transport – Bus usage figures have been requested from HCC

Tewin Society – Nothing to report

Tewin Website – A new committee member has been recruited.

Locality Policing – Nothing to report 

Pavilion Refurbishment – Nothing to report.

Tewin Stores – Refurbishment is progressing well, 13 volunteers have been recruited so far and more are required. It is hoped that the shop will open on 21st Feb 2008.

 

110. DATE OF NEXT MEETING IS 3rd March 2008

As there was no further business the meeting was closed at 10.30pm.