Parish Council - 9 July 2008

MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on the
9 July 2008 in the COMMITTTEE ROOM, KNEBWORTH VILLAGE HALL
at 8.00 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________

Present: Mr John Bantick (Chairman), Dr Graham Fothergill, Mr John Hunt,
Mrs Rosemary Pateman, Mrs Caroline Presland, Mrs Carol Smith, Ms Elisabeth Smith, Mr Robin Smith, Mr Anthony Titmarsh and the Clerk

Apologies: Mr Gilmore, Mr Haigh and Mr Hall were on holiday


1. Declarations of Interest

Mr Hunt declared that he is chairman of Knebworth Tennis Club.

2. Approval of Parish Council Minutes

It was proposed by Mr Titmarsh, seconded by Mrs Smith and

RESOLVED “that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council, held on 14 May 2008, be approved and signed.

Unanimously agreed.

3. The Council Noted the Minutes of the Committee Meetings

Minutes of the Meeting of the Recreation Grounds Committee held on 4 June 2008.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Village Hall Committee held on the 18 June 2008
Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on the 18 June 2008
Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee held on the 19 May & 16 June 2008

Due to the problems with the computer minutes of committees were not available for the council. They will be distributed as soon as it is in working order.

4. Bowls & Tennis Club Leases

The Council agreed the terms discussed with the Tennis Club. The Bowls Club had been contacted to seek its acceptance of joint liability for the mains supply with the Parish Council and the Tennis Club. Members of the Bowls Club are to be invited to the next Recreation Grounds Committee meeting.

5. HCC Lease

HCC is offering a ten year lease with a break clause, with possibly a six month notice period. The Council consider this to be too short and effectively only a six month lease. A 28 year lease with a break clause based on the existing lease is to be requested together with an explanation for the proposal of such a short lease. The clerk is to write to instruct the solicitor accordingly.

6. Approval of Year end Accounts and Annual Return

Proposed by Mr Titmarsh, seconded by Ms Smith and

RESOLVED that “the year end accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 with reserves of £87,818 be approved. “

Agreed.

Proposed by Mr Titmarsh and seconded by Ms Smith and

RESOLVED that “the statement of account on the Annual Return be approved.”

Agreed.

7. Annual Governance Statement

The questions on the annual governance statement were reviewed and approved.

Proposed by Ms Smith, seconded by Mr Titmarsh and

RESOLVED that “the annual governance statement be approved.”

Agreed.

8. Straw Polls

A paper tabled by Mr Gilmore was circulated. HAPTC’s view is that straw polls are a useful gauge of opinion and should not be included in Standing Orders. The matter is to be discussed further when Mr Gilmore is in attendance.

9. Milestone

Mr Jack of Herts. Highways ahs confirmed that the shortfall in funds required to renovate the milestone will be met by HCC. It was agreed that the clerk will raise a cheque for £550.00 made payable to Herts. Highways to ensure that the contract is placed for the work.

10. Banking Arrangements

The clerk is to arrange for the chairman and committee chairmen to sign the individual mandates. Not enough forms had been sent by Barclays Bank. The clerk is not to be a signatory but is to obtain a mandate to discuss the council’s bank accounts with Barclays.

The Council also discussed the possibility of obtaining a Council credit card. There would be charges associated with the card and also some control would be lost with only one signatory required to use the card. The Council therefore agreed not to obtain a credit card.

11. Removal of BT Telephone Boxes

Bt proposed to close the telephone boxes at Stockens Green and Old Knebworth, the latter was vandalised a month ago. Mrs Presland living near the Stockens Green box reported that it is used daily and the council should request that it stays. It was agreed that the clerk would try to obtain a usage report for the Stockens Green box.

12. Bennington Wind Farm

There is a proposal to site three wind turbines in Bennington, which will be visible at the top of Stevenage Road and from Old Knebworth. There is a strong campaign against the proposal but the Council agreed that it would not object.

13. Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Mr Titmarsh and seconded by Mrs Smith and

RESOLVED “that the list of accounts paid during Accounts Period 2 2008/09 be approved.

Unanimously agreed.

Mr Titmarsh reported that he had agreed the monthly bank reconciliations to 31 May 2008

14. Any Other Urgent Business

14.1 Post Office Closures
A list of the reposed post offices to be closed is to be found on the HCC website. There are no proposals to close the Knebworth Post Office.

14.2 Mardley Hill Residents Association
A letter form the residents association complained about the traffic in the High Street and wanted to know what action the Parish Council is taking to resolve the problem. The clerk is to inform the association about the holistic approach being taken to traffic problems in Knebworth.

14.3 East of England Plan
Dr Fothergill reported on the proposals to build over 21000 dwellings in North Herts. to 2021 of which 9,600 and 5,500 relating to the expansion of Stevenage and Luton respectively. Should the 21300 units be built it will increase the housing stock in North Herts. by 40% from the 2001 figure. Traffic and sewerage are problems to be resolved.

14.4 Planning
Mr Titmarsh requested:
• that NHDC make it a condition of a planning application for the workers vans to park on site.
• To obtain information on the regulations governing the location and length of time scaffolding may be erected on a footpath.

14.5 Parking, St Martins Road Car Park
Mr Titmarsh wished to clarify the parking in St Martins Road Car Park. Currently there is no parking beyond 24 hours. It was suggested that this should be reduced to 2 or 4 hours to prevent residents of 123 London Road using it as an overflow car park.

14.6 Computer
Mr Titmarsh recommends that a second CPU might be purchased to ensure continuity since the current computer has crashed twice in recent months. The clerk is to obtain quotes for an appropriate unit and software.

14.7 Mobile Phone
It was suggested that a mobile phone be purchased for use by the clerk for council business. The chairman and clerk are to discuss the matter further.

14.8 Pot Holes
Mr Bantick informed the council that a list of potholes in the parish had been filled. Another Parish Council had taken digital photographs of potholes to ensure all were filled properly.

14.9 Woolmer Green Village of the Year Award
Mr Bantick has been invited to Woolmer Green Parish Council’s celebration of becoming village of the year.


There being no other business the meeting closed at 09.40 p.m.