TEWIN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 2nd October 2006 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.

In attendance:  Mrs C.McFarlane (Clerk) and one parishioner.

PARISHIONER COMMENTS

Mr E.Fishwick was interested to find out what the Parish Council knew about the Local Development Framework. The Parish Council advised him that a Councillor was hoping to attend a workshop about this subject.

54. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr D.Howson (holiday) and EHC Cllr M.McMullen (illness).

55. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held 4th September 2006 were amended, agreed and signed by the Chairman.

56. MATTERS ARISING

Land behind Godfries and Harwood Close – EHC Enforcement Dept advised that an Article 4 could not be put on the land. They stated that it can be fenced off and therefore included into the curtilage of their property but it cannot be domesticated.

57.  FINANCE   

Accounts for Payment - In accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations the schedule of payments amounting to £1979.84 was approved by the Council.

 

Precept – The Parish Council has received the second half of the precept.

 

Audit – The Parish Council are pleased to report that the external auditors have a returned an unqualified report which has been advertised on the village notice board beside Tewin Stores. They have presented an invoice for £141, which the Parish Council agreed to pay.

 

Local Development Framework Course on 17th October – Cllr S.Stott is now unable to attend this course.

 

Hedge on Path Between Harwood and Godfries – The Parish Council agreed to accept the Kirkham Contracting quote of £50 to prune the laurel hedge.

 

Pruning Lower Branches Around the Village – This will be done in November.

 

Pruning Hedges Around Tennis Courts and Car Park Area – The Parish Council agreed to accept the Kirkham Contracting quote of £100.

 

Grass Cutting Survey – This is planned for November.

 

58.PLANNING

No Planning Applications Received

Planning Decisions Received from EHC

3/06/1526/FP/CD – The Old School House, Lower Green, Tewin – Front Extension to Garages & Alteration to roof incl raising of roof & retiling – TPC No Obj and supportive of garage doors in keeping with the overall style of the house – EHC Granted (Garage door design and materials must have prior approval from EHC).

 

3/06/1287/FP/JS – 47 Upper Green, Tewin – Porch to front, garage with room over and car port – TPC No Obj although concern over size – EHC Refused due to excessive size.

3/06/1395/FP/SD – 49 Upper Green, Tewin – Loft Conversion incorporating a dormer window – TPC No Obj – EHC Granted

3/06/1307/FP/SD – 49 Upper Green, Tewin – Lean-to Storage Shed – TPC No Obj although concerned at number of retrospective applications – EHC Granted (For storage purposes only)

Enforcement Issues – Nothing to report.

 

Dawley Woods – Several parishioners have expressed concern at the felling in this wood. The Clerk was awaiting a response from the owners.

 

Fly posting – The Parish Council agreed that any commercial signs that are put up must be reported to the EHC Enforcement Dept in order to preserve the visual amenities of the village.

 

59. HIGHWAYS

Flooding at Churchfield Rd/Margery Lane – The new channels dug along Margery Lane are working well. Highways hoped to be able to clear their gulley at the top of Margery Lane but are constrained by their budget.

Flooding at School Lane – Highways have met with the Design Team and plan to accumulate some data prior to arranging a meeting with the County Councillor Bryan Hammond and the Parish Council.

 

Dead Trees on Churchfield Road – These have now been pruned.

 

Ditches along Queen Hoo – Cllr B. Evans raised a concern that these ditches are hazardous for cars and pedestrians.

 

Heavy Vehicle Signs on Hertford Road - The Clerk was asked to ascertain when these would be installed.

 

60. PAVILION AND UPPER GREEN

Pavilion Refurbishment – Nothing to report.

Risk Assessment – This has been delayed due to illness.

 

Clibbons Post on Bramfield Road– This has split and fallen over and needs repairing or replacing. The East Herts Archaeological Society (EHAS) put the post in but Mr Abel Smith funded it. Mrs D.Abel Smith has offered to make a donation towards its repair/replacement.

Mr P.Chapel has very kindly offered to carve a new one.

Cllrs Hill and St Pier agreed to consider the options available and report back at the next meeting.

 

61. LOWER GREEN

Electricity on Lower Green – The overall cost of the electricity installation including the cupboard, which Mr R. Brandt has kindly offered to build, will be in the region of £1500.

The Parish Council agreed to write to the Friends of Tewin to ask if they would like to make a donation.

 

Trees Outside 14/15 Lower Green – The Council agreed that when the Lower branches are done around the village in November that perhaps the Lower branches of trees may be included.

 

Nuisance Vehicle on Lower Green – The Clerk has obtained a quote from the certificated bailiffs for removal, short term storage and if not claimed and expenses paid the destruction of the vehicle. The Clerk and two Councillors will be meeting with East Herts Councillor Linda Haysey to discuss the matter further on Friday. HCC Rural Estate Dept is also looking into the issue. The Parish Council also agreed that the local MP should be contacted.

The vehicle continues to be illegally stored on the village green and is also untaxed, uninsured and has no MOT.

 

62. PLAYGROUND

The Big Lottery has awarded Tewin Parish Council a grant of £10,000 towards the funding of a playground in the village. The terms and conditions will be circulated.

Cllr B.Evans and Cllr D.Lloyd have a meeting with The Friends of Tewin and the grants officer from the Herts Community Foundation.

Cllr K St Pier and the Clerk met with EHC Playground Inspector Trevor Waldock and Paul Davies who provided the Parish Council with lots of information and guidance on the potential site at Upper Green, which they agreed, was suitable.

The Clerk was asked to check with EHC and HCC about procedures for obtaining planning permission.

Cllr B.Evans will be meeting playground contractors for quotes and will report at the next meeting.

The Parish Council agreed to put the proposal of providing a playground to the vote at the next Parish Council meeting.

 

63. PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

The PPP report has been completed and submitted by Cllr K St Pier.

BR 40 where it meets Queen Hoo Lane has been resurfaced.

Due to increased sales of The Tewin Society Map of Tewin the Tewin Society are updating it with a view to reprinting it.

 

64. CORRESPONDENCE

Friends of Tewin Request to put up a Christmas Tree and have a Carol Service etc – The Parish Council agreed providing a satisfactory electrical inspection and a PAT test certificate was obtained in accordance with the Parish Council’s insurance requirements.

Complaint about Speeding Letter  - The Parish Council agreed to respond.

65. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Tewin School – Nothing to report 

Tewin Charities Trustees – Nothing to report.

Tewin Memorial Hall – The Committee would welcome anyone with relevant experience to assist them in complying with the new fire regulations due to come in soon.

Tewin Website – The next meeting in on the 17.10.06.

Locality Policing – The next meeting is on 19.10.06

66. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be on Monday 6th November 2006 in Tewin Memorial Hall at 7.45pm.

As there was no further business the meeting was closed at 9.44pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX 1 – HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION MATTERS Sept 06

Fault line: 01438 737321   

District Team: 01992 526900

Assistant District Manager: Raj Goutham                              

Assistant Engineer: Ian Bishop (last meeting 15.4.05, 23.2.06)

        Three Valleys Water 0845-7823333 (fault/leak reporting)                      

 

Ref:

 

WORK IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING TO BE DONE AND REPORTED TO THE PARISH ENGINEER.

 

ACTION

1

Flooding at junction of Margery Lane with Churchfield Rd.

Drainage ditch and grips along Margery Lane to be cleared.

Kerb on Churchfield Rd removed and soakaway dug onto adj field.

 

2

Flooding  - School Lane –  Flooding across road up 2 driveways on 8.5.06

 

Investigations ongoing.

3

Flooding - Upper Green Road ditches blocked

 

Highways arranging clearing of ditches

4

Grass Warren –

Broken post and rail fence – reported to EHC

Broken cover on Stopcock Valve outside No 31 – reported to Highways Ref 1239969

Stopcock Box removed outside No 7 – reported to Highways

Ref 1240190

 

 

5

Bridge Reflectors in Churchfield Road – White lining & chevrons to be repainted & reflective discs/paint on bridge

IB Noted

6

Kerbing – Two loose kerb stones on drive opposite Tewin Stores

IB noted

7

Signs

Heavy Vehicles signs on Hertford Rd

 

Chased

8

Line Markings – Most done some missed such as School Lane

 

9

Flooding - outside 12/14 Hertford Road.

 

 

 

Please be aware that Highways have a very limited budget and have to prioritise all work.