TEWIN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 4th April 2005 in Tewin Memorial Hall at 8.10pm following the Annual Parish Meeting.

Present:  Cllrs K.Lawson (Chairman), K.St Pier, M.Howe, D.Howson and C.Pool.

In attendance:  Mrs C.McFarlane (Clerk), East Herts District Councillors T. Robertson and M.McMullen and three members of the public.

PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS

One parishioner asked whether the damage caused by tyre marks on the verge by the Desborough Drive Bus shelter could be repaired. He also asked that the Parish Council could again ask parishioners not to put up posters on telegraph poles as they are very unsightly and spoil the rural street scene. He emphasized that fly posting is in any case illegal.

112. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE WERE RECEIVED from Cllr S.Glew, Cllr A.Hill and Cllr S.Stott.

113. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held 7th March 2005 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

114.  MATTERS ARISING 

Bus Shelter opposite the Rose & Crown – The Parish Council is extremely concerned by the continuing disturbances around the bus shelter during the evenings and agreed that a formal letter should be sent to the police expressing this concern and asking for greater and more effective presence. This subject is to be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

115. FINANCE   

Accounts for Payment - In accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations the schedule of payments amounting to £555.02 was approved by the Council.

 

Budget – In accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations the analysis of expenditure versus the budget was circulated and at the year end the Parish Council will be approximately £3000 in credit instead of taking £3000 from savings this is due to grass cutting being £1500 below budget and the invoices for PPP expenditure (approx £1200) not having been received yet.

 

Tewin Directory – Cllr M.Howe proposed and Cllr C.Pool seconded the proposal that the remaining £250 be paid to the Tewin Society to fund the printing of the Tewin Directory, as agreed in July 2003. This was unanimously agreed.

 

Skip for Litter Blitz – The Council agreed that there could be foreseeable problems using a skip and suggested that as EHDC are contracted to empty the litter bins etc the Clerk should ask them if they could pick up any bags of litter that parishioners collect. No expenditure would therefore be needed by the Parish Council.

 

116.  PLANNING

Planning Applications Received

3/05/0447/FP/EH – 13 Godfries Close, Tewin – Single Storey rear extension – TPC No Obj

 

Planning Decisions Received from EHDC

3/05/0135 &6/LB/LAH – Archers Hall, Archers Green, Tewin – Proposed extension to provide car port & store – TPC No Obj – EHDC Granted

 3/05/0051/FP – 28 Grass Warren, Tewin – Balcony to side of property – TPC No Obj – EHDC Granted

 

 

3/05/0031 & 0030/LB & FP – 30 Lower Green, Tewin – Remove existing porch & construct new porch – TPC Obj – EHDC Granted

 

3/05/0117/FP/JS - 7 Grass Warren, Tewin – Detached Single Garage – TPC Obj – EHDC Refused due to its siting, design and materials of construction not being in keeping with the character and appearance of the area.

3/05/0108/FP/JS – 4 Harwood Close, Tewin – Single Storey Rear Extension – TPC No Obj – EHDC Granted

 

Consultation Timescales for Town and Parish Councils – The period for Parish Councils to comment on planning applications has been increased from 16 days to 21 days.

 

East of England Plan Regional Spatial Strategy – The Parish Council submitted a response on this consultation stating their support for HCC and EHDC opposition to the plan and that the East of England Plan should be abandoned and County Structure Plans retained.

Enforcement – Nothing to Report

117. RISK MANAGEMENT

The Council agreed that two dates should be set the first will be on Monday the 11th April 2005 at 6.30pm at the Tewin Tennis Club Car Park

118. PLAYGROUND

The Council agreed to defer this discussion to the next meeting, as the there had not been enough time to circulate the list of criteria for the ideal site. Cllr K St Pier and Cllr S.Stott are in the process of approaching the Bowls Club again and Cllr Hill agreed to approach a local landowner re the possibility of acquiring a plot of land.

119. PARISH PLAN

The Council agreed that whilst the Council do not have the resources to be able to complete a Parish Plan they would be very supportive of the Tewin Society if they wished to organise it and would provide a representative from the Parish Council. The Council believes that if such a plan is completed it would be a valuable resource for the parish. Cllr M.McMullen agreed to obtain copies of completed plans.

 

Cllr S.Stott will be attending a meeting between the Tewin Society and EHDC on 6th April when they will be advised on how to complete a Parish Plan. The Council agreed that this item should be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

120. ALLOTMENT GATE

The Allotment Association understands that HCC intends to repair the gate and will advise the Parish Council of progress in due course.

 

121.  HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

In response to the Parish Council’s letter Highways replied that the lack of completion of several of the works orders placed due to an administration error was a rare incident and that these works are now scheduled for completion in May 2005.

 

The Clerk will arrange a meeting with Highways to look at the list of works in the Parish for Friday 15th April 2005.

 

The Clerk was asked to report a pothole on Hertford Road by the horse’s field and to ask for a new sign to be provided for Cannons Meadow.

 

Bollards in Cannons Meadow/Grass Warren – Highways have placed a works order for replacement bollards and rails to prevent parking on the grass area.

 

122. CORRESPONDENCE

Motorbikes - The Clerk has spoken to the police about this and has been advised that Operation Arable is being reinstated and that they are in the process of organising for Police Officers to go out on off-road motorcycles at the weekend. Parishioners are advised to ring the police on 01992-533000 (quoting Operation Arable) and report any sightings of persons or vehicles where it is believed that owners are driving on land that is not part of a road and it is causing or likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.

Details of where and what direction they are travelling in and any distinctive features on the bikes, leathers or visors of the riders are absolutely necessary.

The Council agreed that these details should be put in the Parish News along with the next item.

Bogus Callers – There has been a spate of bogus callers in surrounding villages where burglars are pretending to be from the water board, gas board or CID Police Officers. The police have asked that parishioners always ask to see identification.

Village of the Year Competition – Unfortunately Tewin Society no longer have the resources to complete the detailed entrance form for this competition. The Parish Council agreed to ask Friends of Tewin and THACS whether they would be willing to take this on.

Tewin Memorial Hall Rates – The Parish Council has been informed that there will not be any increase in rental rates this year.

County Council & Possible Parliamentary Elections – The Clerk reported that she had been informed that these would be held on 5th May 2005.

123. PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

FP26 – Works to divert the path from the middle of the field to the edge of the field have been completed.

FP15 – The Parish Council have requested that the double metal barrier be replaced at the southern end of this footpath where it comes out onto Upper Green Road.

Circuit of Paths BOAT 2 –BOAT 1 –FP17 – The Parish Council responded to this proposal expressing concern over the extra signage, litter, the effect on private car parks in the village and preference for FP 17 to be used rather than FP41. HCC stated that any proposed works will be carefully considered and the Parish Council will be kept informed/consulted.

124. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Tewin School – The School has submitted a new constitution for the governors and is awaiting approval. Only one person for Local Education Authority can be appointed, which could be a representative of Minority Authority (such as the Parish Council) however the school have chosen not to do this. Mr J.Burton agreed to continue to represent the Parish Council on the Board of Governors until the new constitution comes into effect. Numbers have increased at the school.

Tewin Charities Trustees – The next meeting will be in May.

Tewin Memorial Hall – Nothing to report

Tewin Website – Nothing to Report.

125. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Council Meeting on Monday 9th May 2005 in Tewin Memorial Hall at 7.45pm, followed by normal Parish Council business. As there was no further business the meeting was closed at 10.20pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

APPENDIX 1 – HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION MATTERS March 2005

Fault line: 01438 737321   

District Team: 01992 526900

Assistant District Manager: Val Weaver                              

Assistant Engineer: Ian Bishop (last meeting 26.2.04 next meeting due in 15.4.05)

        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 as

Drainage ditch along Margery Lane needs clearing

Works Order placed but mislaid. Due May

2

Collapse of the side of the road along Upper Green

VW noted

3

Trip Hazards - Grass Warren outside old peoples bungalows

VW noted

4

Bollards – replacements needed in Grass Warren/Cannons Meadow

IB Ordered

5

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

IB Noted

6

Bridge Repair at Tewin Hill – past farm – railings on bridge over stream and missing fencing

Works Order Placed but mislaid

7

Kerbing – Two loose kerb stones on drive opposite Tewin Stores

IB noted

8

Trees – Dead trees on Churchfield Rd

IB Noted

9

Ownership  – Clarify ownership of access road off Godfries Close

 

 

 

10

Signs

Heavy Vehicles signs on Hertford Rd

Tewin Sign at Hollybushes – broken

Works orders placed but mislaid

11

Line Markings - Many need renewing as fading

IB Noted

12

Flooding – Along Bramfield Road (gully needs emptying) Ref 1175810