TEWIN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 30 July 2001 in Tewin Memorial Hall at 7.45pm.

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

In attendance: Mrs C.McFarlane (Clerk) and 11 members of the public.

The Millennium Committee presented the design of the Millennium sign for the village. They have obtained quotes for 2 different types of signs: -

i. A single sided wooden sign standing at least 10ft high at a cost in excess of £3500, although the carpenter can start imminently.

ii. A double-sided aluminium sign as per Datchworth village at a cost of £1650 however there is a waiting list of 2yrs.

They asked the Parish Council to decide upon a site for the sign and would like to make a donation to the Parish Council to cover the cost of the sign. The Parish Council chose to discuss this subject under Planning.

Mr David Neilan, Community Transport Officer came to discuss grants for local transport. There are several grants available to Tewin particularly in view of the surveys done previously which highlighted social exclusion relating to health.

Parish Transport Grant: to support small-scale projects to meet local transport needs which arise out of problems accessing a range of facilities: Dr, Hospital, shops etc. It could be transport within the village, outside the village, school transport, commuter access, elderly transport or evening transport. The Parish has to provide 25% of the grant and it is available for 2yrs from 4/01.

Rural Transport Partnership: enables development of local partnerships to plan solutions to local transport needs such as the Red Cross Car Scheme, improvement of the 388 bus service.

The Chairman thanked David Neilan for his time and the Parish Council will discuss further at the next meeting.

PARISHIONERS' COMMENTS:

Mr E.Fishwick attended to present his views on the new Local Plan and in particular the designation of land off Upper Green Road as a potential site for development. This site has had planning permission declined twice as it is green belt, the access is very narrow and to avoid coalescence with neighbouring villages. He left the Council with copies of his objection.

A parishioner attended to complain about 3 benches on Upper Green, which need repair and staining. The Council advised that they are in the process of obtaining quotes. The lady also complained about FP26, which is lined with holly bushes, and they need pruning. The Council said they would get it done.

The Millennium Committee stated that they thought that the Parish Council were going to be responsible for the ongoing maintenance costs of the website. The Parish Council responded that there was no record of this in the minutes and the Clerk had also contacted the previous website representative who also had no recollection of this either. The Chairman stated that it would be unlikely for the Council to agree to ongoing costs of any kind and reminded them that a donation of £300 was made to the Millennium Committee for the establishment of the Parish website in June 2000.

The Friends of Tewin have offered to paint the bus shelter in Tewin with the anti-graffiti paint. The Clerk is to liase with them regarding the delivery of the paint.

Members of the public asked how the Local Plan is decided and how sites are allocated. The Parish Council stated that EHDC decide and then send out the Local Plan and then discussion results in a 2^nd edition. Actual sites may also be chosen as freeholders have written to say that the land is available for development.

47. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. None

48. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held 26 June 2001 were amended, agreed and signed by the Chairman.

49. MATTERS ARISING

Mimram Valley Report - Discussion of this item is to be put on the Agenda for the next meeting.

Three Valleys Water Restoration Work -The Clerk to chase and see whether this has been completed.

50. PLANNING

New Applications:

3/01/1048/FP/SM - 31 Orchard Road, Tewin - 2-storey side extension, 2-storey rear extension and detached garage - No objection

3/01/0894/FP/TH - 8 Desborough Drive, Tewin Wood - Amended Proposal - Two-storey front & single storey side extension & extension to outbuilding - No objection to house extension. Objection to excessive development of the outbuilding site and closeness to the boundary

3/01/0188/FP/TH - 6 Lower Green, Tewin - 2 storey rear extension. Amended scheme - Objection despite reduced projection of the back of the building, as it will have a detrimental impact on the amenities of the attached property.

3/01/1242/FP/KL - 2 West Riding, Tewin Wood - Alterations and extensions - No objection

Decisions:

3/00/1660/FP - 19 Firs Walk, Tewin Wood - Part single, part 2 storey rear & side extensions - Refused on the basis that it would unacceptable erode the pleasant spaciousness and views of Firs Walk and is to the detriment of the appearance of this part of the street scene.

3/01/0836/LB/SM - Warrengate Farm, Tewin - Conversion of South Barn to a single dwelling, demolition of existing building attached to the listed farmhouse and erection of replacement structure - Granted

3/01/0835/FP/SM - Warrengate Farm, Tewin - Convert three barns to residential use, erect a replacement garage/office and store to serve the farmhouse plus garaging for the conversions. Demolish various other structures and reclad an existing workshop - Granted

3/01/0677/FP- Pheltern Lodge, Queen Hoo Lane, Tewin - Single storey rear conservatory extension - Granted providing external materials used for the plinth of the conservatory shall match those used for the existing building

3/01/1048/FP/SM - 33 Orchard Road, Tewin - New Garage and shed to replace existing - Granted

Withdrawals: - None

CDA Rural Housing: Now the Local Plan has been received the Council will deal with those issues first and depending upon the outcome will decide whether it is necessary to approach CDA Rural Housing in the future.

Local Plan Review: The general feeling of the Council was that they are: -

i. Strongly against the Categorisation of Tewin as a Category 1 village

ii. Against a change in the green belt

iii. Against a change in the boundary (Clerk to find out how exactly the boundary has changed). They noted FP26 has been omitted from the map

In view of the above, the strong feeling of the Council and the parishioners, the Council agreed that they should seek the professional advice from a planning consultant. The Chairman proposed and it was seconded that Cllrs J.Burton and K St Pier represent the Parish Council in discussions with a planning consultant and that on the response form a verbal representation at the possible local enquiry be requested.

The Chairman undertook to find out from David Beales, Director of Planning and Property whether an extension to the deadline of 8 August 2001 could be made.

The Clerk is to talk to CPRE, The Hertfordshire Society for recommendations of any planning consultants and, to Datchworth Parish Council on how they managed to change their categorisation form 1 to 2.

Regional Plan: Nothing further to report.

Other Planning Matters:

Field R/O 7 Acres, Tewin - Following our letter to the Planning Dept dated 25.5.01 we have had no response.

White Cottage, Archers Green - Following our letter dated 8.5.01 EHDC Planning Department have advised they are looking into the matter.

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. Nothing further to report.

Millennium sign for the village - The Parish Council felt the wooden sign was too high and would be less resilient to vandalism. The aluminium sign seemed better as it is double sided, more resilient to vandalism and a more appropriate price. The Parish Council would be prepared to approve the aluminium sign on the corner of the green opposite the Tewin Memorial Hall.

51. FINANCE

Accounts for Payment - In accordance with the Council's Financial Regulations payments amounting to £3,659.13 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

Other Financial Matters - The Accounts are still at the auditors and will be returned in July and duly displayed outside Tewin Post Office Stores.

Litter Collection - K.Jones, the litter collector sent the Council a letter of resignation The Clerk is to chase K.Jones for the reflective jacket and gloves. The Clerk placed an advert for a litter collector in the Parish News and will contact Datchworth Parish Clerk to see if she can recommend any litter collectors.

Claim by Mr I. Williams re Felled Oak Tree and Activity on CL129 - Cllr J.Burton met Mr Williams on Fri 29 June. As Mr Hopkyns owns the land the tree was on land Mr Williams is prepared to forward a letter to Mr Hopkyns, Cllr J.Burton proposed that the Parish Council write to Mr Hopkyns 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. The Parish Council voted unanimously in support of this proposal. The Clerk to write a letter for Cllr J.Burton to deliver. The Chairman thanked Cllr J.Burton for his time.

With regard to dumping activity on CL129 Mr I. Williams denies all knowledge.

Basic Training for Clerks - A one-day training course for new Clerks was approved.

Running Costs of the Website - In view of the fact that we paid £300 towards the setting up of the website we decline the request to fund the ongoing running costs.

52. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

Road Works Outstanding - The Clerk handed out an updated Appendix 1 detailing progress.

School Lane - The Clerk to chase whether the works at School Lane will be grassed over or seeded to make good.

Rubbish in Grass Warren - The Chairman will report at the next meeting.

Overgrown Signs - The Chairman thanked Cllr K St Pier for trimming hedges that were growing over speed signs in Orchard Road

Upper Green Road - Mrs E Wilson informed the Council that this road has been resigned as Upper Green and that the Highways Dept did this to avoid confusion.

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

Bus Shelter - Refer Parishioner's comments.

Bus Service - Refer To Mr David Neilan's comments at beginning of the meeting. Discussion on grants will take place at the next meeting.

Ash Tree at Lower Green - The Chairmen looked into this and EHDC have pruned the tree.

B1000 Lay-by - The Clerk to chase as to whether a height restriction can be applied.

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

The risk assessment policy form has been circulated and will be discussed at the next meeting.

54. PAVILLION & UPPER GREEN

Pavilion Planning - Cllr C.Pool signed the declaration of interest book. The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting on Mon 23 July 2001. A 15% increase in the size of the Pavilion would result in a £100 increase in our insurance costs. There would also be a resultant increase in car parking and wear and tear of the Pavilion, which would increase our maintenance costs.

In view of the problematic relationship between the Cricket Club and the Parish Council, this does not arise with the Tennis Club, it was suggested that the Cricket Club should to show us that they could be responsible. The Parish Council would like to postpone lending their support to the extensions at the Pavilion until they see an improvement in the relationship. A key requirement being a Pavilion and Cricket Club Officer being appointed to report to the Parish Council. This decision is to be reviewed in June 2002. The Clerk to write a letter.

Astroturf & Run up Dimensions - The sample of Astroturf is acceptable upon the undertaking that it is permanently bonded onto the concrete. The Clerk to check whether the Cricket Club are going to have a run up and if so can they confirm the measurements

Upper Green Posts - Awaiting Stuart Kirkham to complete.

Pavilion Maintenance - The Clerk to chase Mr Colebrook re taps and damaged guttering. The Clerk to continue to find 2 more quotes for maintenance and bench work. It was agreed that the Clerk could accept the lowest of the 3 quotes for the benches.

Sign on Upper Green - The Clerk to look into missing "Private Road" and "This is not a Bridleway" sign that rotted and fell over and was subsequently removed by Cllr J.Burton.

Tokens - The Parish Council agreed that Bert Robinson should be given responsibility for keys and tokens and emptying the meter. The Chairman undertook to look into finding replacement tokens

55. CORRESPONDENCE

Tabled:
Grass Cutting at Upper Green - The Chairman to look into.

New Political Structures - The Clerk to respond

Circulated:
- Local Plan

-

- Mimram Report

- -Risk assessment

- EHDC Weekly List of Planning Applications

- EHDC Meetings in July 2001

-

- Outdoor Advertisement signs

- - Signs on Highways

- - EHDC Notice of meeting on 25.7.01

-

- Common Land Booklets

- -Best Review of the East Herts Highways Partnership

- -Service Standard Survey 2001

56. PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

Cllrs S.Glew, K.Lawson and C.Bowden attended a handover meeting on Thurs 28.06.01 at 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall. The responsibility has been handed over and they have identified where work needs to be done. The schedule of work needs to be completed. They are awaiting a response from Stuart Kirkham with regard to the standard schedule of work.

FP15 - The brambles need pruning. Cllr K St Pier to look into.

FP26 - The Clerk spoke to the EHDC representative who stated that he has not met with anybody regarding this footpath and certainly has not discussed pegging. Cllr J.Burton to talk to the Mr Hill.

57. COMMON LAND

Discussion of any issues will be postponed until the next meeting.

CL148 - Following a response to the Council's letter dated 6.6.01 the Clerk was requested to write and remind them that the replacement signpost must be " of a type and design first to be approved by the Parish Council".

58. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Friends of Tewin - Refer Parishioners Comments re painting of bus shelter.

Tewin School - Nothing to report.

Tewin Village Memorial Hall - Nothing to report although it is likely that they will approach the Parish Council for a donation.

Tewin Website - Nothing to report.

59. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next Council meeting would be held on Monday 24 September 2001 at 7.45pm in Tewin Memorial Hall.

60.ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS

Cllr D Compton informed us that the flagpole needed attention. The Chairman to look into.

As there was no further business the meeting was closed at 11.45pm.

APPENDIX 1 - HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION MATTERS