Notes from the Parish Council June Meeting

Vice-Chairman Andrew Camps chaired the meeting with 6 Parish Councillors and 2 members of the Public.

Presentation by Mr Simon Drummond - Hay, Director of Northern Affordable Homes Ltd re Possible Affordable Housing Scheme. Mr Simon Drummond-Hay explained a little about Northern Affordable Homes and their philosophy towards the provision of affordable homes. This presentation was for the purpose of very early stage consultation with the Parish Council about their views on the need for affordable housing and possible sites. This will be considered more fully at the July Parish Council meeting. The Parish Council would very much welcome your views.

Reports:

• CCC - Cllr Hazel Williams
• ECDC - Cllr Allen Alderson

Correspondence Received:

• Post Office Closures - details and dates of briefings
• Jointly Funded Minor Highways Improvements - 2009-10 Bidding Round

• Letter of Introduction for new Chairman of the Council - Peter Cresswell
• Local Development Framework
• Core Strategy Submission Development Plan Document
• Proposals Maps Submission Development Plan Document

• Concerns about the condition of the Cemetery.
• Concerns about the cutting of verges and destroying of Bee Orchids - this was discussed and the Clerk will write to the Chief Executive of CCC to ask why verges needed to be cut in areas of wild plant growth particularly where these areas did not pose any hazard for drivers, pedestrians or cyclists.
• Annual Inspection Report from RoSPA for Play Area
• Newsletters from School

Matters Arising from Annual Village Meeting including:

1. Consultation with Mill Hill Residents re Traffic Calming Measures: Draft outline plans by CCC were displayed at the Annual Village Meeting. It was apparent that the suggested measures were not considered adequate to help prevent speeding and provide pedestrians with a safe crossing and that much more was needed. This is to be further discussed with CCC Highways.
2. Parishioners'Views re Parish Plan: Again, this was discussed at length at the Annual Village Meeting and there continues to be very mixed views. This is to be carried forward.

Jointly Funded Minor Highways Improvements - 2009/10 Bidding Round: Applications forms are to be completed in draft form suggesting additional measures for traffic calming on Mill Hill. To be agreed at July meeting and submitted to CCC.

Play Area - Annual Inspection Report by RoSPA: The recommended minor repairs will be put in hand. The report did not list any major hazards.

Security Measures for Village Hall Oil Tank: Metal security fencing is currently being made and will shortly be erected to stop any further thefts of oil from the tank.

Cemetery Maintenance Works following Inspection: Parish Councillors met at the Cemetery prior to meeting to carry out inspection of areas reported as needing tidying up. These included the pruning/shaping of the Yew Trees at the entrance, overgrown vegetation, the removal of the spoil heap at the far end of the cemetery and possibly some levelling work. Following this inspection it was agreed to firstly clear the path at the side of the cemetery to allow access to remove the spoil heap. The Yew trees at the entrance are to be trimmed back. The boundaries are to be tidied with vegetation cut back where needed.

Review of Assets: A full Register of Assets is to be produced for review at the July meeting.

Review of Financial Risk Assessment: Steve Kent-Phillips carried out the annual review of this document. Minor amendments were made.

Planning Matters:

There were no new applications.

Approval:

• Kent House, 9 High Street - replacement of boundary fence with new wall to match existing.

Refusals:

• 60 High Street - single storey rear extension to form conservatory to rear.
• Goodwin Manor, 1 Heath Road - proposed extension and alterations.

Accounts for payment: These were agreed.

Items for the Next Agenda:

• Traffic calming - Mill Hill
• The Lodes &The Fens
• Parish Plan
• Review of Asset Register
• Review of Parish Clerk's Contract
• Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Scheme - application
• Affordable Housing
• Update on Cemetery Maintenance Works
• Report on Neighbourhood Panel Meeting - 1/7/08

Open Question Time:

Reminder about the need to cut back the vegetation on the Village Hall driveway.

It was suggested that a small gate in the back fence of the play area might deter the damage to palings and provide a more secure access to the grassed area rather having to use the front gate as currently.

For information:

Several complaints have been received about the condition of the grasscutting. The very wet weather experienced at the beginning of June was causing some problems for the contractors but they are aware of the problems and working very hard to get all areas back on schedule.

Again, complaints have been received about fouling of footpaths and pavements by dogs. Dog owners please clear up after your pets! A supply of 'poop'bags can be obtained from the Clerk.

Should anyone require any further information on any of the reported items above, please contact me.

The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday, 10th July 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

All are welcome to attend.

Karen King - Clerk to the Parish

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