Parish Council - 25 March 2009

MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on the
25 March 2009 in the KNEBWORTH VILLAGE HALL at 8.00 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________

Present: Mr John Bantick (Chairman), Dr Graham Fothergill, Mr Ian Gilmore, Mr Richard Haigh, Mr John Hunt, Mrs Carol Smith, Mr Robin Smith, Mr Anthony Titmarsh and the Clerk

Apologies: Mr Hall and Ms Smith due to prior engagements

In Attendance: PC Harding

1. Public Participation

PC Harding reported that there had been 45 recorded crimes since 1 January compared with 68 for the same period last year. There has been a reduction in burglaries but an increase in theft from and damage to motor vehicles. PCSCO Sinclair has been working on crime prevention.

There have been drug related offences. A properly planned and executed exercise is required to catch people with drugs.

Concern was raised about the traffic lights being installed at junctions 6 and 7 of the A1M which could result in more traffic using B197. through Knebworth. PC Harding did not consider that it would have any effect.

There is to be a police surgery on the first Monday of each month.

2. Declarations of Interest

Mr Hunt declared that he is President of the Tennis Club

3. Approval of Parish Council Minutes

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

RESOLVED “that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council, held on 11 February 2009, be approved and signed.”

Unanimously agreed.

4. The Council Noted the Minutes of the Committee Meetings

Minutes of the Meeting of the Recreation Grounds Committee held on 4 March 2009.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Village Hall Committee held on 11 March 2009
Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 11 March 2009
Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee held on 9 February 2009 and 2 March 2009.

2008/09 95

5. Councillors Allowances and Expenses

Mr Parkin, NHDC, is to take forward the preparation of the allowance scheme for Knebworth.

6. HCC Lease

No further information was available on the lease and the matter was held over until the next meeting.

7. Knebworth Bowls and Tennis Club Leases

A second draft was circulated. It was agreed that the lease would start on 1 April 2009 and drafts would be forwarded to the clubs.

8. Bench Kerr Close

Residents of Station Road have complained about the nuisance caused by youths using the bench in Kerr Close and requested its removal. The police have not received any complaints. The bench is well used throughout the day. The council agreed to leave the bench in place and to raise the matter at the Parish meeting and would look at ways of improving the area.

9. Land Registration

Proposed by Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Gilmore and

RESOLVED that “the recreation ground land off Watton Road be registered with the land registry, with Foreman Laws undertaking the registration.”

Unanimous

10. Meeting Attendance

A meeting attendance register was previously circulated. It was highlighted that on two occasions the committees had been reduced to three councillors which although quorate, caused difficulties when one member declared an interest in a topic, and on another occasion did not allow a counter proposal to be seconded.

It was stated that the lateness of some of the committees was a problem. The timing of meetings is to be discussed at the next F&GP committee meeting.

11. Letter Heading

A working party of Mr Titmarsh, Mr Gilmore, Dr Fothergill and Mrs Presland was set up to review the letter heading and the council image.





2008/09 96

12. East Herts Inter Parish Council Meeting

Mr Titmarsh reported that the meeting had discussed parish plans; rural housing; old people’s bungalows are being given to families and s106 funding. No one knew if s106 funding was ever given to Parish Councils. It is to be raised at the next Rural Summit meeting.

13. Power of Well Being

The Power of Well Being is the informal name given to the statutory power enabling a local authority to do anything which it considers likely to achieve the promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental well-being of their area. The council must be eligible to use this power but there is no limit to the amount of spending, unlike s137 which is restricted to £6.50 per head of electorate.

Eligibility:
• 2/3 of councillors must have stood at the last election
• The clerk must be qualified
• At least 80% of the councillors must have attended a training event on the Power of Wellbeing.
• The council must have a statement of intent for community engagement
There is no extra money for this power and the council would have to fund projects through the precept or other external sources.

14. Welwyn & Hatfield Borough Council Core Strategy Issues and Options

The draft strategy is on deposit until 1st May 2009. It identifies two areas in Green Belt north of Woolmer Green which could take 100-200 dwellings. The council was concerned that dwellings to the north of Woolmer Green would result in coalescence.
It would however accept redesignation of the land between Entech and Monread Lodge to become part of the employment area of Woolmer Green.

15. Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Mr Titmarsh, seconded by Dr Fothergill and

RESOLVED “that the list of accounts paid during Accounts Period 6 2008/09 be approved.”

Unanimous.

Mr Titmarsh reported that he had agreed the monthly bank reconciliations to 28 February 2009.







2008/09 97

16. Any Other Urgent Business

16.1 Parish Meeting
Mr Smith agreed to move around with the microphone and councillors are to sit on the stage.

16.2 Bench
A resident has requested two benches be reinstated in the village. It is to be discussed at the recreation rounds committee meeting.

16.3 Parish Update
The update is to be ready for delivery by 21 April 2009.

16.4 Next Meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 13 May 2009.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.