The Chairman informed members that Cllr Williams had tendered his resignation as Parish Councillor and steps would be taken to fill the vacant position.

CASUAL VACANCY ON MUCH HADHAM PARISH COUNCIL

The Chairman stated that, whilst a co-option had taken place at the last meeting it had subsequently transpired that the date for electors to exercise their right to call for an election had not expired prior to the Parish Council meeting.   Consequently, as the co-option had been flawed, it was felt that the legal procedure should be re-run.

The Chairman re-confirmed that the two nominations still stood and following a secret ballot, Mr Tony Baxter was duly co-opted to fill the vacancy.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING HELD ON 11 MAY 2010

The following amendment was made under ‘Any other Business’:

1.         Siting of Dog Waste Bin

Paragraph 2 – Delete ‘Cllr Compton’

Insert ‘ Cllr Mrs Tate’

Having given effect to the above amendment, it was RESOLVED that the Minutes be accepted as a correct record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman

MATTERS ARISING

1.         Plant Sale – Much Hadham Village Hall

Cllr Mrs Tate informed members that future sales would not take place at either the Village Hall or the Forge Museum and, therefore, the problem previously encountered would not arise.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS

1.         Planning Application 3/10/1044/PO – Jobbers Wood, Great Hadham Road,

Bishop’s Stortford

To note that a public meeting had been scheduled for 30 September 2010.  The Chairman confirmed that the Parish Council had objected to the original application and would continue to maintain its objection to the above application which was a variation of condition 2 of planning permission 3/97/0520/FP.

PLANNING

Planning - General

To note the attached schedule of planning matters (see Appendix A).

With regard to the Core Strategy Issues and Options Consultation, the Chairman and Cllr Compton agreed to attend.  Cllr Bird would advise the Clerk if he was able to attend.

Other matters raised

(1)        Certificate of Lawful use on Development

The Chairman referred to the following developments:

(i)                  Single storey rear extension at Dunhouse Folly, Church Lane,               Much Hadham.

(ii)                Swimming pool at Bishop’s Folly.

Both of the above had been the subject of determination under the General Development Procedures.  Unlike planning applications, the Parish Council was not consulted on developments requiring a certificate of lawful use.  With regard to (i) above, the Clerk was requested to obtain a copy of the decision notice, together with the plan

(2)        North Leys

Reference was made to the action taken by the occupiers to remove the central staircase, which represented a material change to a listed building, and to alter the front door – both actions requiring listed building approval.  Two buildings had also been erected in the curtilage of the grounds with discussions ongoing as to whether planning permission was required.

Cllr Carver confirmed that a planning application was being sought for a replacement staircase (like for like) and that the door would need to be replaced in an older style design.  What had been provided was not a direct replacement.

The Officers of the District Council had requested the submission of a planning application with regard to the creation of the two buildings, as they represented a mix of old and new build and a change of use.

(3)        Provision of Hard-standing – 7 Windmill Way

Cllr Compton raised the matter of the garden area at the front of the above property being laid with a tarmac surface and the construction of a ditch to the main drainage in Station Road.  Buildings had been erected near the bridleway.  It was confirmed that this matter had been reported to East Herts Council.

PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP

In the absence of Cllr Mrs Fowler, Cllr Morris reported on the following matters:

(i)         FP 25/26 – Congregational Church to Maltings Lane

Tree roots had damaged the partially tarmaced surface to the scout hut.  Cllr Morris also referred to a memo received from Mrs Sandra McAdam drawing attention to the dangers to children as there was no barrier to prevent access directly onto Malting Lane.  Cllr Morris agreed to obtain a quotation for the erection of a gate, recognising that as the footpath was a definitive right of way, approval to instal the gate would be required from the County Council.  The Chairman suggested as an alternative the provision of chicane bars.

Cllr Mrs Newlyn agreed to discuss the matter with officers of the County Council.

(ii)        Southern End of FP25

A resident of Ash Meadow had expressed to Cllr Morris her concern regarding the overhanging trees to the properties in Ash Meadow.  She felt that they presented a danger to both pedestrians and property.  It was mentioned that it was unclear as to owned the land in question which might still be in the name of the original owners, although the Parish Council had in the past undertaken a degree of remedial work.

Cllr Mrs Newlyn agreed to check with Hertfordshire Highways as to whether ownership was vested in the County Council.

(iii)       Footpath Maps

Cllr Bird informed members that the new footpath maps had been delivered and a decision was required as to their locations.  Cllr Mrs Tate was requested to seek the views of the Village Hall Committee as to whether the Committee would agree to one of the signs being erected in the vicinity of the Village Hall.

STANSTED AIRPORT RELATED MATTERS

The Chairman stated that BAA now had a very serious problem in respect of the properties it had purchased from residents as a requirement for its proposals for a second runway some of which had been allowed to fall into disrepair.  Should BAA be persuaded to re-sell the properties, it would make any future proposals for a second runway more difficult.

The Chairman proceeded to give members the following operational statistics:

Passenger figures:            January to June 2010 – 8m - reduction of 7.7%.

June 2009 to May 2010 – 19.2m - reduction of 7.4%.

Air traffic movements:  June 2009 to June 2010 – 150,533 – reduction of 7.4%.

Cargo movements (metric tonnes) June 2009 to June 2010 – increase of 6.1%.

This represented a significant increase over the May2009/April 2010 figures which showed an increase of 1.2%.

Clearly the reduction in air passengers was being countered by an increase in cargo movements which resulted in a greater volume of night-time flying.

The Chairman further stated that the Government was due to publish at the end of the year its projected night-time restrictions for Stansted as from 2012.  It was essential that the general public logged all noisy night-time flights in order for accurate data to be recorded.  Failure to take any action would signify to BAA/Government that the public was happy with the current arrangements which would result in a higher than acceptable night-time restriction being approved by default.

HIGHWAYS MATTERS

Cllr Bird reported the following matters:

• Numerous potholes throughout the Parish had been repaired and generally road surfaces were in good condition.

• The B1004 had been resurfaced.

• New village sign at the bottom of Winding Lane had been withdrawn due to budgetary restrictions.

• Kerbing on Church Lane would not be provided, as it was not a priority.  However, arrangements would be made to instal an additional gutter in October 2010 to help alleviate the flooding problems.  Work to be carried out in October 2010.

• Cllr Bird now had a good rapport with Mr Bailey at the Golf Club and various concerns regarding sheeting of vehicles, use of mobile phones by drivers, etc, had been addressed.  Daily monitoring of lorries was being undertaken and generally the efforts of the Parish Council had raised awareness to the problems encountered.

• Survey had been conducted in the village on the proposal for a vehicle activated sign.  Three hundred signatures in support had been obtained.  Proposal had been presented to the Highway Joint Members Panel on Monday, 12 July, at which Cllr Bird, Cllr Carver and Cllr Mrs Newlyn had spoken in support.  A decision would be made in October.

The Chairman thanked members for attending the panel and all those persons who had taken part in organising the survey.

PARISH PLAN

Members had been circulated with an update on the Parish Plan.  The questionnaire had been printed and was now ready for distribution around the village.  A separate questionnaire would be circulated to the Youth Club, Schools, Scouts, etc, to seek the views of the younger generation.  Former Councillor Williams had agreed to continue his role with the Parish Plan Committee.

GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

The Chairman informed members that Mrs Judy Waples had informed him that she had set up a Committee to organise a street party to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.  It was proposed that the party would take place in Church Lane.  The Chairman felt that Hopleys would be more appropriate and he agreed to seek Aubrey’s views.

Members were in support of the proposals, although the Chairman stated that no financial support would be given by the Parish Council.

DOG BINS

Cllr Compton stated that he had not yet confirmed the order with the manufacturers  for the bin to be sited near the Village Hall, as he wished the Council to consider purchasing an additional bin.  A number of residents of Windmill Way had requested a dog bin be provided on the footpath near the front of the Council garages.  The total cost would be £616.23 inclusive of VAT.

RESOLVED that an order for two dog bins be placed.

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT

(i)         Payment of Accounts

RESOLVED that the accounts as set out on the attached schedule be duly authorised for payment.  (See Appendix B)

(ii)        Financial Statement

RESOLVED that the contents of the attached statement be received.  (See Appendix C)

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1.         Strimming of grass around play equipment

Broadmead Leisure to be requested to action at the next inspection.  Cllr Mrs Aranha to discuss future maintenance with the Sports Association.

2.         Provision of two new benches for the playing field

Cllr Mrs Aranha to discuss with the Sports Association as to the locations.

3.         SSE

It was agreed that the Clerk forward a letter to the Campaign Organiser expressing the Council’s gratitude for SSE’s efforts in stopping the provision of a second runway at Stansted.