Apologies

Minutes of last Meeting

Matters Arising

·        The Clerk gave an update of the position regarding repairs to the area around the War Memorial: Jack White has provided an amended quote (£1,369.50 plus VAT) as the original is now over twelve months old.  This will be passed to WNS Assistance for authorisation.  The garden surrounding the War Memorial is the responsibility of the Parish Council and the Clerk has asked Malcolm George to keep this tidy.

·        Copies of the planning consent and s.106 agreement for Greenbury Close are still required.  District Councillor Howard Marshall has spoken to John Welch of Howard Cottages regarding this.

·        The Clerk read out a letter from Julie Price, the Head teacher at Barley School, confirming that the repairs to the school fence and the overhanging hedge onto the Town House car park had been/would be dealt with.  The vandalism to the fence has been reported to the PCSO.

·        It was agreed that Lynda Richmond should be invited to the next Parish Council meeting (and every six months thereafter) as Parish Council representative on Barley School Board of Governors.

·        The overgrowing hedges at The Laurels and White Posts have been cut.

·        The Clerk has spoken to Malcolm George and asked him to empty the bins on the Plaistow more frequently.

·        A further letter has been received from the owner of Shah Cottage and this was read to the meeting.  It was agreed that a response should be sent regarding the comments on speeding through the village to explain that speeding was a perennial problem, considered regularly by the Parish Council.  Councillor Turner consults with the police on a regular basis but the reality is that the more private complaints to the police the better.  It was agreed that the police should be invited to the next meeting and also that they should be asked to let us know the date of the last enforceable speed check in the village where drivers have been booked.

·        A reply has been received from Andrew Richmond regarding parking near junctions.  He will pass a copy of the Clerk’s letter to his staff as a reminder although he does not believe that the cars belong to Richmond’s staff or customers.  Councillor Turner has spoken to the PCSO regarding this problem and the situation appears to have improved.

·        The Clerk had previously reported that BT had removed the Town House telephone box from the Light User scheme.  She has spoken to them again and can confirm that this has been restored.

Barley Charities

Planning Applications

Peartree Cottage, Smiths End Lane, Barley

Town House

·        The bookings for July are £570.

·        The Tennis Club “Call My Wine Bluff” evening has been cancelled due to lack of support.

·        There has been a complaint from Duxford Country Kitchen regarding the cleaning of the Town House kitchen.  It was agreed that a schedule of work should be prepared for the cleaners and passes to Alison Stacey.

·        Is it necessary to apply to the Licensing Authority for an amendment to the Town House licenses following the change of Chairman and Lettings Officer?

·        Letters regarding increased Town House letting fees are now ready to be sent out.

·        The “No Smoking” signs have now been put up.

·        Prompt Fire Protection has carried out a check of the fire safety equipment.  One fire extinguisher was out of date and has been replaced.

·        Councillor Slater has spoken to Securitystuff – they have re-quoted for a fire alarm system to include alarms in the lavatories and an annual inspection.  The quote is now £1,025 plus VAT.  The Clerk was asked to write accepting this and suggesting that they contact Carole Turner to arrange a time to fit the system.  A mains power supply needs to be fitted to the main circuit and Carole will contact Bernard Hickford at Busy Bee to install a dedicated supply before the work begins.  Busy Bee will also be asked to carry out an annual electrical inspection.

Recreation Ground

·        Vandals have damaged the lock on the Tennis Courts, climbed over the fence and broken some brooms.  The paving round the courts is still to be dealt with and Jan Pledger is pursuing this.  Bindweed is coming through into the courts and this is being treated.

·        Nothing has been heard from RoSPA regarding their inspection visit.

·        There has also been vandalism to the trees on the Plaistow.  Councillor Turner will speak to PC Marina.  Some of the Plaistow trees need replacing as they are dying.

Health & Safety

·        The hedge of Parklands, Church End facing Shaftenhoe End Lane needs cutting back as it is overhanging the road and is a particular danger on that corner.  The Clerk will write to the owners.

·        The hedge of Homestall Cottage is overhanging London Road and the Clerk will write to the occupier.

·        Repairs are needed to two of the gates on the Plaistow.

·        English Heritage has been to inspect the Lock-Up and will be sending a report. 

Land on Picknage Road

The Parish Council will now make a planning application, which Councillor Carlisle will prepare for the Clerk to submit.  The entrance design can be considered at a later stage.

Correspondence

·        NHDC letter: Statement of Licensing Policy

·        Letter + leaflet: NHDC Home Compost Waste Bins

·        Letter + report: NHDC Partnership Working with Parishes & Town Councils Scrutiny Review

·        E-mail: NHDC – Additional waste and recycling service briefing

·        E-mail:  Broxted Parish Council – Public Enquiry – Stansted Airport

·        HAPTC e-mails :  Engaging Communities

                                 Rights of Way Consultation

                                 East of England Plan

                                 Hertfordshire Forward Community Strategy meeting

                                 Public Consultation – NHS Investing in Your Health

·        Drew & Barltrop Associates Limited: Health & Safety Newsletter – June 2007

·        South Cambridgeshire District Council: Local Development Framework

·        Barkers Wholesale Catalogue

·        Letter: NHDC British Forces Free Postage Petition

·        LCR July 2007

·        Hertfordshire Highways Information Bulletin June 2007

·        North Hertfordshire Highways Partnership Joint Members Panel: June meeting

·        Royston & District Committee 13/06/2007

·        NHDC Members’ Information

w/e 08/06; 15/06; 22/06

·        NHDC planning Control Committee Meeting 20/06/2007

·        NHDC statement of Licensing policy

·        Letter from Barley School

·        NHS West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust: Healthcare consultation document

Payments

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

P Isle                       Caretaking (Town House)

C Robinson             Cleaning (Town House) 

V Martin                 Expenses and Fees (Town House)

M D Landscapes     Grass Cutting (May 2007) 

Drew & Barltrop     Health & Safety support 

A E Wright             Clerk’s Fees (Apr – Jun)

Code of Conduct

Flooding

The worst affected properties following the flash flood on 14 June 2007 were at Shaftenhoe End, Pudding Lane, Church End, Picknage Road and King Edward’s Yard.  Tenants in local authority housing on Picknage Road who moved in last October found that the property needed re-wiring and had to stay in a boarding house in Royston.

Gravel washed down from Pudding Lane has yet to be cleared from the car park of the Fox and Hounds.  The drains in High Street still need to be cleared as well as gullies around the village.  Part of Bogmoor Road is still closed.

It was agreed that a formal complaint should be made to Adrian Redrup at Hertfordshire Highways about the lack of attention given to cleaning the gullies and drains in the village since the flood.  The Parish Council would like to know what steps are being taken to deal with the continuing problems.  There appears to have been a lack of response following the storm, apart from assistance the next day.

Sand bags have been provided (but not sand) in case of future problems and these have been left at Councillor Turner’s house.

Other Business

·        The footpaths around Crossways are being used by horses/ponies from a gate in the field owned by Smiths End Farm.  The Clerk was asked to write to the owners to remind them that these are public footpaths, not bridleways and so should not be used by horses.

·        There have been some problems with a Doberman dog, whose owner lives on Picknage Road.  Anyone who is attacked should contact the police; the Parish Council are unable to take any action unless the matter is reported to them directly.