MINUTES OF MEETING OF ESSENDON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 28TH MARCH 2011
Present:- Ian Screech (Chair), Mike Brown, Alan Steele, Joan Thomson, Keith Venables.
Borough Councillor Bernard Sarson. Clerk John Spragg.
One member of the public.
1. APOLOGIES for absence were received from Margaret Titchner who was representing
the Parish Council at a presentation by the Police Authority.
2. DECLARATIONS. No personal or financial interests were declared.
3. APPROVAL. The minutes of the meeting held on 21/2/11 were approved and signed.
4. MATTERS ARISING.
a. Village sign. It was hoped that the sign itself would be received in time
for the APM. Vince Nevill would then be asked to make a suitable
stand for it.
b. Bungalows and Paddock - meeting with Borough Council 10/3/2011.
Delays on the replacement of the bungalows were due to the
Government's change of policy which had affected the strategy of
the Borough Council in respect of housing targets.
Bob Jewell had explained that the Council wished to off-load the
lease of the paddock and it would not then appear on our rates.
Concern was expressed at the state of the area.
c. Royal Wedding 29/4. It was agreed that there was likely to be more
interest in the "50th." royal celebrations next year.
The cricket club would be opening the pavilion for the start of their
season on Friday 29/4 but for a normal party/barbecue.
d. All street lights were working.
5. MATTERS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC.
Geoff Leo stated that local residents were still angry about the
SURE START centre and, due to closures elsewhere, it was
thought that it would be servicing a wider area.
The bus for swimming outings was causing congestion.
The breakfast club was causing noise of cars from 7.30 am.
6. PLANNING MATTERS.
The clerk was advised to contact Lisa Hughes for any 'paper
copies' of applications required.
The "Local Objectives" emerging from the planning workshops
held in November were discussed.
7. CORRESPONDENCE.
a. Highways had acknowledged the request for hedge cutting
in Cucumber lane and landowners were being contacted.
b. Herts. CC. Bus strategy - comments by 6/6/2011.
c. Herts. CC. The future of Herts. waste. Report - March 2011.
8. FINANCE. The clerk reported a SURPLUS of approx. £366 for the year
to 31/3/2011 and was awaiting a small amount of interest in
order to to finalise the accounts The charge on the rates was
was down 2.7% due to additional dwellings.
9. VILLAGE HALL. Alan Steele was thanked for copies of the accounts which had
been circulated and were considered satisfactory.
Alan was asked to advise the name of an anonymous donor
as it was felt that the Parish Council, as trustees, should be
aware of any donations with 'strings attached.'
10. OTHER BUSINESS.
a. Lorries using B158 through the village. Registration numbers
required to check legalities.
b. Hedge cutting required by 42/43 Glebe Cottages.
c. BF - pavement repairs required outide 52 High road.
d. Dog fouling throughout the village now a major problem.
e. Youth Club. Keith and Angela Venables were thanked most
sincerely for their hard work over 52 years which ends on 6/4.
Concern was expressed for the future.
NEXT MEETING...ANNUAL PARISH MEETING ...APRIL 11th. 2011. 7.30pm.
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