Apologies

Minutes of last Meeting

Matters Arising

·     War Memorial

The Clerk reported that she is still waiting for a further quote before taking this further.

·     Planning consent and s.106 agreement for Greenbury Close

The Clerk has not yet had any response to the letter sent to Howard Cottage Housing Association regarding the Parish Council’s concerns over the criteria to be adopted for future occupier selection in respect of Greenbury Close.  She was asked to send a reminder letter with a copy to District Councillor Howard Marshall

·     Letters regarding gates onto the Plaistow

The Clerk is still to provide Councillor Carlisle with two letters for distribution and send a letter to Barley School.

·     The Club Room

There is now a letting sign outside the Club Room and some initial enquiries have been received.

·     Lock-Up

The Clerk will complete the form of consent for work to be undertaken on an Ancient Monument and the NHDC grant forms as soon as possible.

·     Highways

Housing Strategy Consultation

Planning Applications

Daubentons, Manor Farm  08/00435/1LB

Replace existing window in rear elevation of house with a pair of glazed doors; insertion of additional rooflight to front elevation of garage

There were no objections to this application, although the Parish Council would ask that consideration be given to obscured rooflight glazing if there are any issues with overlooking neighbouring properties.

Byfields, Smiths End Lane  08/00494/1HH

Erection of detached garage, office and gymnasium following demolition of existing garage

There were no objections to this application.

Dovehouse Shott, Smiths End Lane  08/00573/1HH

Two storey side and rear extensions; insertion of dormer windows and chimney

This was an amendment to the application discussed at the meeting on 4 February 2008.  There were no objections.

Land opposite Farriers

NHDC have written in response to the Parish Council’s concerns over whether conditions had been fulfilled regarding the sight lines onto Church End imposed under the original development of this site.

Town House

·     There is a blocked drain outside the Town House.  Councillor Elliott will speak to Councillor Turner regarding this.  Councillor Martin suggested that Paul Robinson would perhaps be able to deal with it.

·     The further asbestos survey has found that there is no asbestos content in the Town House.  The signs are not, therefore, needed and should be returned to Drew & Barltrop.  The Clerk will ask Carole Turner for these so that Councillor Elliott can return them and avoid unnecessary costs. 

·     The Clerk has found the invoice from Busy Bee for testing the electrical equipment in July 2007.  This indicates that the charge for the work includes certificates but the Clerk is unable to trace these.  She will contact Busy Bee.

7.

Recreation Ground/

·     The grass on the recreation ground needs cutting.  The Clerk said that the first cut is usually in April but that she would check the position with MD Landscapes.

·     Litter bins are needed near the football pitch and at the entrances to the Plaistow.  Councillor Elliott will speak to Councillor Turner.

·     There are still fencing posts to be repaired and a fence rail needs replacing. Councillor Elliott will speak to Councillor Turner.  The Parish Council will consider whether a new fence is needed round the Plaistow.

·     The Clerk will speak to NHDC to see if they will empty dog bins that we provide.

·     The Clerk reported that she had written to the local farmer who had erected an electric fence round the Plaistow, including the recreation ground and the children’s Play Area and the public footpath.  She had received a reply which was read to the meeting and which among other things suggested that the fence was not sufficiently robust to be suitable as a stock proof fence and was frequently damaged either by people climbing over it to retrieve balls etc or by the cattle/sheep/horses kept by the farmer in the adjoining field. The electric fence was intended to deter animals pushing against it and people climbing over it other than where there are stiles/gates. However in view of the council’s concerns the electric fence had been disconnected around the recreation ground so that the situation can be reviewed.

The Clerk was asked to reply to the letter noting the farmer’s comments but reminding him that, as a term of the transaction at the time, the Council had been required to erect the fence in accordance with a specification provided by the farmer. While the Council are grateful for his recent assistance in keeping the fence in repair the fence is nevertheless the responsibility of the Parish Council and who were not consulted about the farmer’s intentions for an electric fence to be attached to it. The Council regard this as a Health & Safety issue and particularly having regard to the recreational use of the Plaistow and the position of the young children’s Play Area cannot allow an electric fence to be attached to their property in these circumstances.  They note that it has now been disconnected and trust that it will either remain so or be removed. The farmer is, of course, welcome to attend the next Parish Council meeting to discuss the matter further if he would like to do so.  

Health & Safety

Land on Picknage Road

Correspondence

·     NATS:  Terminal Control North – Proposed Changes to Airspace (Letter, Pamphlet and CD)

It appears that the main differences to Barley will be more traffic from London City airport but at a high level and the relocation of  the two hold areas for Stansted arrivals away from Royston.  Other alterations appear to take air traffic over Barley to a marginally higher level.

It was agreed that the Clerk would respond to the effect that any proposal that reduces the noise from air traffic over Barley is to be welcomed.

The Clerk will ask Barley Surgery and Barley Stores if they will display the pamphlets.

·     Letter:  EERA – Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation

·     The Local Channel;  pamphlet

·     E-mail:  HAPTC re Committee papers published on Herts Direct

·     Letter:  Macmillan Cancer Support

·     NHDC Outlook Spring 2008

·     HAPTC Newsletter Spring 2008

·     HAPTC:  Chairmanship Skills course booking form

·     HAPTC:  Nominations for HAPTC Executive Committee

·     HAPTC weekly bulletins w/e 07/03; 14/03; 20/03; 28/03;  04/04

·     Royston & District Committee  meeting 02/04/2008

·     NHDC Members’ Information w/e 07/03; 14/03; 21/03; 28/03; 4/04

Signing of Payments

It was resolved that the following payments should be made (proposed: Councillor Smith; seconded Councillor Slater)

*A Stacey                Fees (Town House) 

P Isle                       Caretaking (Town House) 

C Robinson             Cleaning (Town House) 

V Martin                 Expenses (Town House) 

A Stacey                 Fees (Town House)  

NHDC                    Council Tax (Town House)   

Three Valleys

Water                      Water Rates (Town House)  

I Turner                  Light bulbs etc     (Town House)   

Asbestos Solutions Asbestos survey      

Southern Electric    Electricity - Club Room            

Allianz Insce.          Parish Council premium                     

A E Wright             Clerk’s Fees and Expenses (Jan – Mar)

M George                Street cleaning and bin emptying     

C A King                Removal of oil tank (Club Room)     

NHDC                    Treatment of rats                    

Other Business

·     The Clerk reported that she had received a cheque for £176.85 for the grant towards the new printer.

·     The gullies need cleaning on the Cambridge Road near the Hertfordshire/Cambridgeshire border, as the road is flooding again in heavy rain.

·     The potholes in the High Street have been repaired, but badly. It was suggested that the Clerk should write to Hertfordshire Highways noting the temporary repair and asking when the job would be done properly.

·     There has been a complaint that water is being pumped into the road from the property currently under construction on Smiths End Lane and that trees on the site are slowly being cut back.  It was agreed that the Parish Council would monitor the situation.

·     The safety barrier which has been erected outside the school gates appears to be restricting the footpath and causing problems for pedestrians.  It is difficult to pass with a  double buggy and it is felt that it would therefore be a problem for wheelchair users.  The Clerk was asked to write to the school to seek confirmation that the barrier had been erected in the right position.

It was also noted that the zigzag lines on the road need repainting.