Bayford Memorial Hall. 22nd January 2015

Parish Council Meeting.

• 1.0 Apologies
  • 1.1 Maggie Broomer

• 2.0 Minutes of previous meeting

• 2.1 Minutes of the previous meeting were read, signed and agreed by all the councillors. Noted

• 3.0 Matters Arising
  • 3.1 The bridleway along Ashendene Road is now completed. Discussion re the quality of the surface and its liability to flooding. Dawn Grocock has been trying to clear the gully adjacent to path and make it less liable to flood. Terry Hayne commented that there appeared to be waterlogging on the west side. It was further discussed as to who was responsible for ditch clearance, pipe outlets and drain maintenance on all our local roads. Maureen Whyman stated that there appears to be a water leak outside 35 Ashendene Road. It was thought that continued pressure from a Councillor on behalf of BPC to Herts Highways would be a good idea re the above items. Noted
  • 3.2 Willow Corner Pond – the pond keeps overflowing and AF has offered to unblock the outlet which should help the situation. Noted/AF
  • 3.3 Parked Cars adjacent to school entrance – a letter was written to Riversmead by MB in December but with no response. Jackie Fulcher has approached Riversmead directly re concerns over noise and car maintenance taking place on this land. It was commented that cars even in a state of repair, if occupying a place of public access should be insured – not known if they are. Noise pollution was posing a problem for local residents. The BPC were asked if they could do anything to help. MW to ask MB to contact East Herts. JH and LH suggested keeping a diary and logging a complaint with East Herts if the problem continues and to support JF’s case. GR commented that the Baker Arms had raised a concern re a particular car causing noise disturbance outside the pub. Noted/ MB

• 4.0 Finance
  • 4.1 Payments since last meeting
    Paul Curson – October, November and December £171.87
    HBPT subscription £20.00
    John O’Conner – November £145.20
    Friendly Club Lunch £50.00
    John O’Conner – December £145.20
    
    At 31.12.14 Current account balance is £7750.14
    At 31.12.14 HIBA account balance is £829.63
    At 31.12.14 Charity account balance is £2780.24 Noted
  • 4.2 The Risk Assessment and Asset Register were discussed in detail and apart from whether we should raise the asset value of the war memorial in view of its repair work and to get a current insurance document for the cricket pavilion no other changes to either documents were necessary. All councillors were in agreement with this. Noted
  • 4.3 David Sitwell has agreed to be internal auditor again, no new checks were necessary as his circumstances have not changed over the last 4 years. Noted

• 5.0 Planning
  • 5.1 Demolition of flood damaged buildings and proposed new retail building – Riverside Garden Centre, Bayford – status granted. Single storey side and rear extension to West Stable, Ashendene, Bayford – status ongoing. Erection of ancillary dayroom building and retention of earth works – The Stables Bayford Lane, Bayford – permission granted. Noted
  • 5.2 Bunkers – GR stated that a site visit took place today. In an email prior to this visit Chay had written to GR that the site visit would only involve the east side of the plot. Overfilling was a general concern with a change to the landscape. GR on behalf of BPC to request further meeting with Chay with the intention of reviewing operators records as none have been available since April 2013, doing a proper survey as the last one was Nov 2014 and there has been a lot of activity since then. Noted/GR
  • 5.3 The Stables – there was general concern that the development was now twice the original footprint.MW to write to planning for clarification. Noted/ MW

• 6.0 Any Other Business
  • 6.1 Playground – ongoing but no further developments.. Noted
  • 6.2 Letter of thanks received from Beryl Scott Smith re our donation to the Friendly Club Christmas Lunch. Noted
  • 6.3 Joyce Mentern commented that the graffiti was still in the bus shelter. AF has offered to paint over it. Noted/AF
  • 6.4 Annual Village Clean Up – Sunday 22nd March 2015 at 10.00am. MW to advertise the event in the parish magazine. LH commented that Hertingfordbury had made their own “litter picking in progress signs” – this was thought a good idea and to get sponsorship to make them. GR will order the appropriate equipment for the day. Noted/GR
  • 6.5 The outcome of the manure outside 4A Ashendene Road was that it is on private land so no further action could take place. Noted
  • 6.6 BO commented that the road Bucks Alley was still problematic with blocked drains being the main issue. Noted
  • 6.7 LH has suggested that it would be a good idea if BPC renew and update their website. Noted
  • 6.8 Terry Hayne said he had been canvassed by a Brickendon resident raising concern about the proposed plans by AT Bone for a ‘digester’ opposite Clementsbury, Brickendon Lane. GR had to ‘declare and interest’ as he is related to the proposer. Discussion ensued mainly re the increase to heavy vehicles that would need to use local lanes. This would cause noise, pollution and road surface breakup. Noted
  • 6.9 It was noted that the field alongside the churchyard had recently been cleared – this was to allow extension to the existing churchyard. Noted
  • 6.10 New posts around war memorial are to be done soon by AF. AF

• 7.0 Proposed Dates of Future Meetings
  
  Thursday 26th March – Parish Assembly
  Thursday 30th April – Annual Meeting
  Thursday 2nd July – Parish Council Meeting
  Thursday 17th September – PCM
  Thursday 26th November – PCM
  
  All meetings at 8pm in The Memorial Hall.