NORTH MYMMS PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held in the Council Office, Annexe to No 1 Bungalow, Bushwood Close, Welham Green on Wednesday, 30th May 2007 commencing at 8.00 p.m.

 

 

                 PRESENT:                   Councillors         K Pieri   -        Chairman

                                                                                      

                                                                                    Mrs J Boulton                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                    C Everard

                                                                                    P Hastings

                                                                                    R N Horrocks

                                                                                    W A Storey                                                    

                                                                   

                CLERK:                                                      Mrs J A Schettino

 

_________________________________________________________________

 

 

8.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs T Travell and S J Boulton.

 

9.      MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

It was agreed that the Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 16th May 2007 were a true record of the proceedings and signed by the Chairman, subject to the listing of membership of Ward Committees in full:

 

WARD COMMITTEES

 

Councillor Mrs T Travell                                                        Welham Green

Councillor K Pieri                                                                             

Councillor W A Storey                                                                       

    Vacant                                                                                               

 

    Councillor Mrs J Boulton                                                      Brookmans Park

    Councillor S J Boulton                                                                     

    Councillor C Everard                                                                       

    Councillor P Hastings                                                                      

 

Councillor R N Horrocks                                                       Little Heath

Vacant                                                                                           

 

10.             MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

a)   PARISH CHARITIES

 

It was noted that the North Mymms Parish Council nominated four members to represent them on the Parish Charities Committee.

 

b)     HAPTC

 

It was noted that the Parish Council had nominated Councillor Horrocks for the HAPTC Executive Committee and he would attend their Annual General Meeting on 28th June 2007.

 

11.             MINUTES OF THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING

 

It was agreed that the Minutes of a Meeting held on 25th April 2007 were a true record of the proceedings and signed by the Chairman.

 

      12.      MATTERS ARISING FROM MEETING ON 25TH APRIL 2007

         a)   PURCHASE OF LAND  -  LITTLE HEATH

Longmores, Solicitors, had e-mailed requesting the sum of £7,005.26 prior to the exchange of contracts.   The Parish Council was also being asked for the wording of the attestation clause to go on the Transfer Deed.

Under the North Mymms Parish Council constitution it allowed documents to be signed by any two members of the Parish Council.

It was agreed that the Clerk would write and suggest the deed be “signed and delivered as a deed underhand”.

      b)   CCTV

Councillor Pieri said there had been no progress by the Welwyn Hatfield Council and the Police were chasing this matter.

   c)   PARISH WEBSITE

Councillor Horrocks said there had been 104 visitors to the website since the last meeting, an average of three per day, from the USA, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

   d)      GEORGES WOOD ROAD

A response had been received from the Welwyn Hatfield Council regarding problem parking at the above site to say that they had passed our letter to the Enforcement Officer who will write to advise of the requirement to comply with the condition regarding parking of contractors’ vehicles but that it was a matter for the Police or Highways Department to enforce.

However, it was noted that Georges Wood Road was an unadopted road and it was unlikely that Highways would be able to enforce planning conditions.

   e)      ADDRESS BY THE COUNCILLORS DEAN REGARDING LOCAL YOUTHS

Councillor Pieri said that the Deans had requested use of the Youth and Community Centre for two nights per week.   Unfortunately, only one night per week was free so they were looking for an alternative venue.

The Burns Pavilion was fully booked during the summer for sports users so it was suggested that they contact the Bookings Secretary of the North Mymms Memorial Hall.

 f)       BUSHWOOD CLOSE

Nothing to report at present.

             g)        PARKING  -  BRADMORE GREEN

It was agreed that responses to the Council’s letter sent to all premises would be discussed at the next meeting of the Amenities and Building Development Committee.

               h)      PARISHIONERS CORRESPONDENCE

A number of suggestions were made regarding promoting the Parish Council’s activities and meetings which included the following:

·        Replacing the vandalized Notice Board in Welham Green with a more substantial metal one.

·        Manning a stall at St Mary’s School Fete on 23rd June 2007.

·        Increasing coverage of the Chancellor’s Community Newsletter.

It was agreed that the Clerk would ask Chancellor’s Newsletter if they covered the whole of the North Mymms Parish Council including Welham Green and Little Heath and, if not, how much it might cost to extend the distribution area.

       i)         CALENDAR 2008

Councillor Horrocks proposed to contact Mrs Boulton and Mrs Travell to arrange a meeting to discuss the above.

      j)    WELWYN HATFIELD COUNCIL

It was agreed to confirm to Mr Paul Underwood his attendance at a meeting of the Parish Council on 25th July 2007, commencing with his presentation at 8.00 p.m.

13.       REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

a) FINANCE

Councillor Storey said that, at a meeting of the Finance Committee held earlier that evening, a Schedule of Accounts for payment was considered, including the last minute addition of a cheque for Longmores for £7,005.26, and it was agreed that the total amount of £30,605.47 be recommended to Council for approval and payment in full.

A Statement of Balances dated 28th May 2007 was considered from which it was noted that income amounting to £1,385.70 had been received.

The Finance Committee was recommending approval of the Clerk’s action in arranging the transfer of £12,000 from the Council’s Capital Reserve account to Current account with effect from 30th May 2007 and an additional amount immediately of £10,000 which would unfortunately incur a small penalty fee.

Councillor Storey advised that an estimate was expected from the Hearing Advisory Service in Welwyn Garden City for the installation of a hearing loop to the office and Burns Pavilion Hall.   As the Hearing Advisory Service was a charity, their costs were expected to be low and the Finance Committee was recommending to Council that on receipt of a written estimate for less than £500, the Clerk could authorize the work for commencement at the end of June.   An estimate from a recommended source had been received for over £1,700 for a similar installation.

The Finance Committee had noted the NALC national minimum wage increase from 1st October 2007 and discussed information regarding the Herts Local Government Pension Scheme, placing the North Mymms Parish Council in a pool with other Parish/Town Councils in order to off-set any high ill-health retirement or death in service costs.

ANNUAL AUDIT

Councillor Storey said that the Annual Return for the year ending 31st March 2007 and accompanying documents had been completed by the Clerk and checked for accuracy by the Internal Auditor.

The Finance Committee was recommending to Council that the Annual Return, including the Statement of Assurances, be approved and signed by the Chairman.

R E S O L V E D

That the Council Chairman sign the Annual Return for the year ending 31st March 2007.

    ____________________________________________________________

Councillor Storey’s proposal that the Report of the Finance Committee be adopted was seconded by Councillor Everard and carried unanimously.          

The original of the Schedule of Accounts for payment referred to above and the Book of Accounts were signed by Councillor K Pieri, in his capacity as Chairman of the Council.

 

a)       AMENITIES AND BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

Councillor Everard said that Meetings of this Committee had been held on 2nd and 23rd May 2007, and the Minutes circulated to all Councillors.

______________________________________________________________

Councillor Everard’s proposal that the Reports of the Amenities and Building Development Committee be adopted was seconded by Councillor Horrocks and carried unanimously, subject to the following amendments :

        Minutes of 2nd May 2007

4 (b)  Bluebridge Road not Avenue

        Minutes of 23rd May 2007

3 (e)  2nd paragraph  -  wet pour not poor.

______________________________________________________________

       The following matters were discussed further :

       TENNIS COURTS

Councillor Everard said that earlier at the Finance Meeting he had suggested that the fencing off of the third court should not be progressed with.   Instead the Groundsmen had suggested that the basketball multi-play piece of equipment should be re-sited outside the tennis courts.   It was agreed that the Clerk would obtain estimates for this work and also approach the Welham Green Youth Project and the Parish Charities for possible contributions towards this expenditure.

b)      PLANNING

Councillor Horrocks said that Meetings of the Planning Committee had been held on 2nd and 23rd May 2007, the Minutes of which, together with notes of  the decisions reached  and action taken, had been copied to all Councillors.

 

Councillor Horrocks proposal that the Reports of the Planning Committee be adopted was seconded by Councillor Hastings and carried unanimously.

______________________________________________________________

            THE FIRS STABLES

Councillor Horrocks said that a letter sent to the Welwyn Hatfield Council’s Enforcement Officer regarding ‘The Firs’, should have referred to ‘The Firs Stables’.

      d) BROOKMANS PARK

Nothing to report.

      e) LITTLE HEATH

i)          Councillor Horrocks said it should be noted that there was no flooding at the Hawkshead Road/Lane triangle or the bottom of Swanley Bar Lane.

ii)         It was agreed that the flooding in Station Road by Potterells would be reported to Highways Department.

iii)        It was noted that the 40 mph road sign near the junction of Swanley Bar Lane and Hawkshead Road was down,

iv)        Councillor Pieri agreed to bring up the subject of verge parking signs in Oaklands Avenue at his next Welwyn Hatfield Council Meeting on 6th June 2007.

f) WELHAM GREEN

            Nothing to report.

     g) REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Nothing to report.

h)     PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

Nothing to report.

      i)    CODE OF CONDUCT

It was unanimously agreed to adopt the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) order 2007, No 1159 for Parish and Town Councils.

R E S O L V E D

That the Parish Council unanimously agreed to adopt the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007, No 1159 for Parish and Town Councils, including Paragraph 12 (2).

 14. CORRESPONDENCE

        CORRESPONDENCE PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED TO ALL COUNCILLORS:

      1.  HCC letter dated 30th April 2007- Notice of Adoption of a Minerals Local Plan.

2.       HAPTC Newsletter – April 2007.

3.      Clerks & Councils Direct May 2007 – Issue 51.

4.      HCC Notice of Temporary Closure of Swanley Bar Lane for carriageway works.

5.      NALC Legal Services Update 29th May 2007 regarding appointment of new Legal Officer.

 

       THE FOLLOWING CORRESPONDENCE WAS PLACED ON THE TABLE :

6.  April 2007 – Notification of new address for Gullpine Printers.

7. NALC ICR Volume 59, No 1 May 2007 – 35 pages.

8. SLCC The Clerk Volume 37, No 3 May 2007 – 33 pages.

9.      Chancellor’s Community Newsletter Issue 55, Spring 2007 – 40 pages and thank you letter from Lyn Shiells.

10. CDA for Herts April 2007 Newsletter – 8 pages.

11. CPRE Newsletter May 2007 – 12 pages.

12.  CPRE Fieldwork June 2007 – 16 pages.

13. Isabel Hospice Care News – 8 pages plus book of raffle tickets.

14. Job Application letter and CV from a Hatfield resident.

15.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a)  ALLOTMENT JUDGING

It was agreed that Councillors Pieri, Horrocks, Everard and Mrs Boulton would be the Allotment Judging Panel, subject to availability, on a date to be set at the end of June.

b)     NEW DIGITAL CAMERA

Councillor Horrocks had researched the purchase of a new digital camera for the Parish Council and Councillors Everard and Pieri kindly agreed to contribute 50% each to a total cost of £100.00.

c)      HAPTC “ITS YOUR COMMUNITY” NEW AWARD SCHEME

Following a discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk would apply to the above new award scheme for funding towards water butts on the Allotment Site in Station Road.

 16.     DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Already arranged for Wednesday, 27th June 2007, commencing at 8.00 pm preceded by a meeting of the Finance Committee at 7.15 p.m.

THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9.30 P.M.