MINUTES OF A MEETING OF ESSENDON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 31st MARCH IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present:- Joan Thomson (Chair) Margaret Titchener, Mike Brown, Keith Venables, Alan Steele, Ian Screech, John Spragg (Clerk) and eight members of the public.
1. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor Bernard Sarson.
2. APPROVAL
The minutes of the meeting held on 22/2/10 were approved and signed.
Ian Screech opened the meeting by reading a prepared statement of support for Joan Thomson and the manner in which she had chaired the public planning meeting held on 1/9/09. He proposed a vote of confidence in the Chair which was approved unanimously. Joan Thomson announced that, following the accusation of misconduct made about her, she would not now be standing down until May 2011. (There were no elections for Parish Councillors until then.)
Margaret Titchner announced that she would also continue until May 2011.
3. MATTERS ARISING
a. Village sign. Mike Brown would obtain a definite price which we needed before applying for a grant.
b. Items listed under (8) of the last minutes were carried forward.
4. MATTERS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC
a. Brian Lambert of 6 Forge Cottages spoke on behalf of all residents of Forge Cottages who were concerned about the ease of access through the hedge behind their properties following recent burglaries. It was agreed to take this matter up with the District Councillor on duty on 10/4/10.
b. Beresford Thomson expressed concern that it was not possible to hear the discussions between the Councillors when they were considering the Childrens Centre at the meeting on 29/3/10.
5. ESSENDON ROAD ACTION GROUP
Margaret Titchner reported as follows:-
a. She had attended the AGM of the fete committee to record our request for a share of the profits of the 2010 fete.
b. We had been unsucessful with our application for a Community grant.
c. We would apply for a 'Grassroots' grant when we had opened a bank account.
d. Application had been submitted for a grant from the County Councillors annual fund.
e. She had attended the Herts police authority launch of their Policing Plan.
6. PLANNING MATTERS
a. 25 Glebe Cottages. S 2010/153.- This application had been discussed on 17/3/10 with the recommendation that it " will need consideration against the Green Belt policies."
b. Footpath - Essendon 4. A notice of confirmation of a modification order had been received and noted.
c. Mike Brown reported that he was discussing the use of the School's facilities in respect of planning applications and, in the meantime, we would continue to receive paper copies.
d.Childrens Centre. Further to the public meeting on 29/3, Mike Brown reported that he was re-drafting the comments of the five Councillors involved in order to arrive at an agreed response for the new deadline of 21/4.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Barbara and Ken Piper of 43 Glebe Cottages had written on 31/3 concerning the issue of safety at the junction of School lane and the High road. Margaret Titchner agreed to take this matter up with the police.
b. Alan Steele reported on the Community Engagement seminar.
c. Sue Malone of 9 East View had written on 30/3 concerning the state of the garages at the back of East View. This would be raised with Bernard Sarson.
8. FINANCE
FIXED ASSETS
The clerk, having taken advice from our internal auditor, recommended that a new register should include only the following items recorded at cost. These figures would remain constant until disposal:
War memorial. (replacement cost). £43,000
Playground equipment. £27,825
Safety matting. £17,541
Computer/printer. £600
New notice board. £800
ACCOUNTS FOR Y/E 31/3/10
A copy was distributed but no discussion took place as the clerk would present them for approval at the Annual Parish Meeting.
9. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The clerk had asked the usual contributors to present reports. 8.0 PM. Monday, April 12th. 2010 in the village hall.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Essendon Hill hedge. (East side.) The clerk was asked to check that a new hedge would be planted in the Autumn.
b. Ian Screech would check on excess water on allotments.
c. Footpath 11, signs still not re-fixed.
NEXT MEETING - annual parish meeting as above.
