TEWIN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 2nd February 2004 in Tewin Memorial Hall at 7.45pm.

Present:  Cllrs K.Lawson, K.St Pier, M.Howe, C.Pool, A.Hill, S.Stott, S.Glew and D.Howson.

In attendance:  Mrs C.McFarlane (Clerk), Cllr M.McMullen (apologies for lateness due to Highways meeting), Mrs K.Adams and Gareth Palmer from the Hertfordshire Mercury.

98. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE WERE RECEIVED from Cllr T.Robertson.

99. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held 1st December 2003 were amended, agreed and signed by the Chairman.

100.  MATTERS ARISING

Motorcycle Nuisance - The Parish Council have not received any complaints about motorcycle nuisance since the last meeting.

Leaflet Distribution – Cllr A.Hill ascertained from the Royal Mail that it would cost the Parish Council approx 18p per newsletter to distribute a newsletter throughout the village. The Council agreed to circulate the information and discuss it at the next meeting.

101. FINANCE

Accounts for PaymentIn accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations the schedule of payments amounting to £2,884.46 were approved by the Council.

 

Tewin Charities  – Mrs K.Adams who has expressed an interest in becoming a Councillor as and when a position arises, attended the recent Tewin Charities meeting with a view to becoming a trustee. She felt that the responsibility of a trustee can be onerous and the Council agreed to find out whether any insurance was available.

Tewin Charities continue to find ways of distributing funds in accordance with their gift covenant.  

Meeting Dates - The Parish Council agreed the meeting dates for the forthcoming year. 

Grass Cutting Contracts – The Clerk has put a tender out to 3 contractors for the Parish Council’s grass cutting contract.  The deadline for tenders will be on the 27th February 2004 in order to discuss the quotes at the next meeting.

102. PLANNING

Received:

Street Numbering and naming – New Property to be called Westley Wood Farm House, formerly part of Tewinbury Farm.

 

Street numbering and naming – Development at Crown Farm, Back Lane, Tewin comprising The Old Red Barn and The Old Hay Barn.

 

3/03/2344/FP – Mimram House, Tewin Water – Two-storey side extension (amended) – TPC No Obj

3/03/2312/FP – 11 Grass Warren, Tewin – Single storey rear extension  (amended) - TPC No Obj

3/03/2408/FP – 5 Churchfields, Tewin – Demolition of garage and kitchen. Construction of 2 storey rear and side extension and oil tank in front garden – TPC No Obj

 

3/03/2376/FP - Archers Hall, Archers Green – Erection of Car Port and Store – TPC No Obj

 

3/03/1925/FP – 2 Grass Warren, Tewin – Two storey and single storey front, side and rear extensions (amended) – TPC Obj

 

EHDC Decisions:

3/03/2123/FP – Whitespar, Queen Hoo Lane, Tewin – Construction of tiled ridged roof over existing single storey structure. –TPC No Obj – EHDC Granted

 

3/03/1735/FP – 36 Firs Walk, Tewin – Replacement Dwelling (amended) – TPC No Obj – EHDC Granted

 

Access Across Lower Green: The Parish Council await a response from HCC as to whether   HCC  (as the land owner) would consider making a one-off payment to Tewin Parish Council (as the leaseholder), in order to assist Tewin Parish Council in maintaining the green as it is their duty under the lease agreement.

Playground: A  ‘Newsflash’ on this topic, was recently circulated anonymously to residents of Grass Warren and is based on inaccurate assumptions. The Parish Council is investigating the safety, legality and suitability of all possible sites and no decision has yet been taken on any particular site. The Parish Council has agreed to compile a questionnaire to ascertain the parishioners’ views.

The Parish Council are awaiting a response from the new Committee at the Shire Park Bowls Club concerning the availability of the land which was originally designated as a playground under the original planning approval.

Enforcement Issues:

Excessive Signage at the Rose & Crown:  Further signage has been reported and removed from outside the pub.

Caravan sited at the Plume of Feathers: This has now been removed

Warrengate: EHDC Enforcement section has written to the owner of the plot asking them to remove the shed and now await a reply. No action can be taken on the laurel bushes.

 

103. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

Dangerous Trees at Hollybushes: The two dangerous trees at Hollybushes have been felled.

School Lane:  Roadwork’s are scheduled to start on the 15th March 2004 and are likely to take 3 weeks as new drainage will be installed and the road level will be raised.

The road will be shut and the 388 bus service diverted along Hertford Road to the B1000. Information on this will be available on the bus and at the bus stop nearer the time.

388 Bus Service – In response to our request for HCC to review whether the service needs to stop at Datchworth every day, HCC have asked the operator for electronic ticket information about usage and will advise us of the outcome.

Swallow Hole in Hertford Rd – This has been reported and repaired and the Clerk was asked to report it again as it is still sinking.

Salt bin Outside Tewin Stores – This is empty and the Clerk has arranged for it to be filled. 

Other Works – The Parish Council approved various other works to done such as replacing 3 oak posts, trimming trees on the corner of School Lane and Churchfield Rd, removing a fallen tree from the Tennis Courts and trimming of bushes around the car park.

Unsuitable for Heavy Vehicles – The Clerk was asked to ascertain whether they could put signs on the Hertford Road.

 

104. PAVILION & UPPER GREEN

Break In – There has been another break in at the Pavilion and the window temporarily repaired.   The Parish Council agreed to accept the quote from Mr Yates to repair the window properly.

 

Fire Extinguisher – As the last one was stolen the Parish Council agreed to replace it.

 

Disabled Toilet – The Clerk is awaiting information about the Disability Discrimination Act. 

Drainage at Upper Green: The HCC Rural Estates Manager has given the Parish Council approval to carry out drainage works on the playing field in order to prevent surface water flooding the pavilion. Cllr A.Hill agreed to estimate the work required and its likely cost, to be discussed at the next meeting.

104. CORRESPONDENCE Received in December 2003 and January 2004

Tewin Stores - The Parish Council agreed to send a letter of appreciation to Peter Cole.

Recycling – EHDC responded to our letter requesting door to door collections stating that there was not enough money in the budget to extend the paper collection round as it would involve the purchase of an additional vehicle as both other freighters are operating at full capacity. EHDC continue to be committed to providing recycling banks where suitable sites can be found.

Village of the Year Competition – The Parish Council agreed that they would be very appreciative of Tewin Society completing the entry form.

Interparish Conference at Waterford on 18.2.04 at 6.45pm - The Clerk and one other Councillor will attend.

Tewin Allotments Association – In response to their letter querying the continuity of the current lease, the Clerk sent a letter to the leaseholder asking him to confirm in writing his wish to renew the agreement.

Appraisal of Local Facilities for Local Plan Review – The Council agreed to reiterate the Council’s objections about categorisation (Tewin as a Category 1 village) and advise them that Tewin does not have a playground.

105. PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

The grant cheque has now been received.

Cllr K.St Pier agreed to go to the meeting on 11.2.04 between Paula Cheeseman and Mr P.Holden regarding the addition of existing paths on the definitive map.

106. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Tewin School – Mr J. Burton attended the last Governor’s meeting on 25.11.03 and various administration matters were discussed.

Tewin Memorial Hall – Nothing to report.

Tewin Website – Nothing to report

107. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Monday 1st March 2004 at 7.45pm in Tewin Memorial Hall.    As there was no further business the meeting was closed at 10.05pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX 1 – HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION MATTERS December 2003  & January 2004

Fault line: 01438 737321    District Team: 01992 526900 Assistant District Manager: Val Weaver                               Assistant Engineer: Ian Bishop

 

No

Priority

Ref:

 

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

 

 

DATE WORK SCHEDULED FOR

1

1b

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

IB will contact Steve Minton

2

1a

Flooding - School Lane Drainage and reset kerbing nearer edge of the road.

 

EHDC expect work to begin in 15.3.04

3

1c

Flooding around the Tewin Memorial Hall – School Lane backing up and pushing manhole covers up on path from Car Park to Hall – 12/11Ref 1038106 12/12 chased

Camera cannot be arranged, as it is part of the overall School Lane job. 

4

1d

Flooding of water in Upper Green Road opposite entrance to Godfries Close. 12/12 Ref 1042842

 

5

1e

Flooding on Bramfield Road going to Bulls Green – Gulleys need clearing Ref: 1058851/1058853 2/3/03

Started on 19.1.04

7

1g

Flooding at Lower Green/Hertford Road where point is being eroded.

 

 

 

Flooding outside 32 Upper Green Road where pavement sinking

 

8

 

Reinstatment of Verge - The point of Lower Green near the Post Office is being eroded as cars turn – Advice on stopping erosion

IB will investigate granite edging

9

 

Reinstatment of Verge in Orchard Road after road works Ref 1058848 2.3.03

IB will chase Gas Board

12

 

Swallow Hole - opposite 4 Hertford Road Reported to 24hr Fault line on 1.10.01 Ref 1004796/ 13/5 Ref 1020829

IB will chase Water Board

14

 

Bridge Repair at Tewin Hill – past farm – railings on bridge over stream are missing fencing Ref: 1068404 7.5.03

 

16

 

Kerbing - Two Loose Kerbstones on drive opposite Tewin Stores

IB will put on works list

17

 

Kerbing