MINUTES of the MEETING of the FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held on 29 April 2009 in the COMMITTEE ROOM, KNEBWORTH VILLAGE HALL
At 8.00 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________
Present: Mr Anthony Titmarsh (Chairman), Mr John Bantick, Dr Graham Fothergill, Mr Ian Gilmore, Ms Elisabeth Smith and the Clerk
Apologies: Mr Haigh due to work commitments
Mr Hall due to a prior commitment
1. Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
2. Minutes
It was proposed by Dr Fothergill, seconded by Mr Gilmore and
RESOLVED “that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee Council, held on 11 March 2009, are approved and signed.”
Unanimously agreed.
3. Stationery
The committee discussed different styles and fonts for the letter heading. Triographics is to prepare a few layouts for the Parish Council to consider.
4. Financial Review
Interest income has reduced for the quarter but has exceeded budget. A grant of £550 has been received from NHDC towards the purchase of multimedia equipment. Expenditure at £42,183 is 20% under budget. At the end of the year the Council has approximately £100,000 in the bank, which ensures that it is in a robust financial position.
5. Report on Parish Damage
The Tennis Hut has been damaged. Youths have started small fires in the recreation grounds and the police have been informed. The bollard lights on the footpath from New Close have been vandalised again.
The Community Police now set three specific targets per quarter to focus on. The three for the next quarter are car crime on Pondcroft and Milestone Roads, antisocial behaviour in the Recreation Ground on Friday and Saturday nights and inappropriate use of the footway on Pondcroft Road, Milestone Road and London Road.
6. Road Signs
Mr Jack has inspected the road signs but has not reported his findings.
2008/09 104
7. Milestone
Milestone 29 located between Knebworth and the Roebuck has been inspected by Councillors Titmarsh and Fothergill and the manager of Odyssey. The fly tipping material is to be removed, the fence repaired and the area cleared prior to any work being undertaken. Art Van Go may repaint the milestone.
8. Office Equipment
The laptop has been purchased; the projector and screen are in the process of being ordered.
9. Village Website
There had been some interest to continue maintaining the village website. The committee discussed the merits of combining the village website with the Parish Council website. No costs had been obtained regarding maintenance costs of the website. Woolmer Green Parish council’s website is maintained by a parish councillor. Local knowledge would be helpful to anyone maintaining the website. The Clerk is to contact Mrs Weaver to discuss possible council involvement in maintaining the website.
10. Report on Short Term Funds on Deposit
There is currently £135,000 on an instant deposit account bearing 0.1% interest rate. This is a flat rate across all Barclays bank accounts. Treasury deposit minimum is £500,000 for one month or £100,000 for six. Barclays currently has a six month bond paying 1.35% with a minimum deposit of £20,000. A suitable sum is to be placed on deposit for six months.
11. Christmas Lights
The lights have been inspected, the tree lights on St Martins Green are working, and remedial work on decorations, power supplies and PAT testing will cost £150. Lamps and Tues are to proceed with the repairs.
12. Fidelity Guarantee
The external auditor recommends that the guarantee is set at the balance at the end of the year plus 50% of the precept which would result in the guarantee being set at £150,000, currently £100,000. The committee gave consideration to the recommendation but in light of the length of service of the clerk, the figure is a maximum, and reduces by approximately £10,000 on a monthly basis. The increase would cost £130. After due diligence the committee accepts that the risk is minimum and agreed to leave the guarantee at £100,000.
13. Notice board
The notice board in Station Approach has been refurbished, and it was agreed that the Planning board would be removed and to be improved in line with the other boards. A header board is to be purchased from Ternex at a cost of £130.
14. Congestion Charge
Mr Titmarsh wished to propose that Knebworth levies a congestion charge, with funds ploughed back into the village. There have been parking and traffic problems in Knebworth for over 35 years and he did not believe that residents should pay for
2008/09 105
commuters to park in Knebworth. The A1 is to run on three lanes using the hard shoulder, together with the traffic lights on the A1 slip roads, there will be more congestion through the village. Following a fatal accident last year the north bound carriageway of the A1 (M) was closed for thirteen and half hours.
The committee considered the proposal unrealistic, Manchester has recently opposed congestion charging.
15. Meeting Dates
It was suggested that all meetings should be held on Wednesday, with Village Hall meetings to follow Planning Meetings which would leave F&GP meetings on their own. Consistency of start times of meetings was requested. This is to be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting
16. Any Other Business
16.1 NHDC Scrutiny Committee
The chairman informed the committee that he had attended a scrutiny committee on CCTV cameras. Knebworth is the only village to have CCTV and he considered it to be successful especially with the number plate recognition camera.
16.2 Complaint from New Labour
A letter has been received from the agent for New Labour reporting that he had received a complaint from a resident that the Parish Update has been delivered enclosing a Conservative party newsletter criticising the Labour government. The agent believes that this implies that the Parish Council is supporting the Conservative party/ candidate. He has reported this to the Electoral Services. The clerk has informed Electoral Services that the Council relies on volunteers and was not aware that this had happened, and will endeavour to avoid it recurring. The clerk is to write to the agent.
16.2 Recycling for Flats
NHDC is to introduce recycling for flats across the district once its trial is completed in August 2009.
16.3 Station Pub
The Station Pub is regularly leaving a hoarding on the pavement pushing pedestrians into the road. The clerk is to write to the landlord requesting a stop to this practice.
16.4 Rubbish Old Knebworth Lane
The clerk is to contact NDHC to clear the rubbish in the lay-by in Old Knebworth Lane.
The chairman thanked the committee members for their support throughout the year.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 09.55 pm.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Village Hall - 29 April 2009
MINUTES of the MEETING of the VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE held on
Wednesday 29 April 2009 in the COMMITTEE ROOM, KNEBWORTH
VILLAGE HALL at 7.30 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________
Present: Mr John Bantick, Mr Ian Gilmore, Mrs Caroline Presland, Mr Anthony Titmarsh and the Clerk
Apologies: Mr Hall and Mr Hunt due to prior engagements
In the absence of the chairman proposed by Mr Titmarsh, seconded by Mr Gilmore and
RESOLVED that “Mr Bantick takes the chair.”
1. Declaration of Interests
There were no declarations of interest
2. Minutes
Proposed by Mr Titmarsh, seconded by Mr Gilmore and
RESOLVED “that the Minutes of the meeting of the Village Hall Committee, held on 11 March 2009, be approved and signed.”
Unanimously agreed.
3 Financial Review
Income at £18,689 is 10 % over budget. The hall was well used last year with Saturday usage achieving 75% hire for the year. Expenditure at £23,778 is 4.7% under budget. Electricity and gas charges had increased significantly due to the increase in charges and the cold weather in the final quarter.
4. Annual Insurance Review
The committee confirmed the valuations for insurance purposes.
5. Cooker
A ring and an oven plate need replacing at a cost of £250. Link Up has complained about the loss of the ring. The cooker is only two years old and the committee considered that the plate is faulty. The clerk is to contact the manufacturer to obtain a replacement; the ring is to be replaced. The committee is to investigate costs of a commercial cooker.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.00pm
Wednesday 29 April 2009 in the COMMITTEE ROOM, KNEBWORTH
VILLAGE HALL at 7.30 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________
Present: Mr John Bantick, Mr Ian Gilmore, Mrs Caroline Presland, Mr Anthony Titmarsh and the Clerk
Apologies: Mr Hall and Mr Hunt due to prior engagements
In the absence of the chairman proposed by Mr Titmarsh, seconded by Mr Gilmore and
RESOLVED that “Mr Bantick takes the chair.”
1. Declaration of Interests
There were no declarations of interest
2. Minutes
Proposed by Mr Titmarsh, seconded by Mr Gilmore and
RESOLVED “that the Minutes of the meeting of the Village Hall Committee, held on 11 March 2009, be approved and signed.”
Unanimously agreed.
3 Financial Review
Income at £18,689 is 10 % over budget. The hall was well used last year with Saturday usage achieving 75% hire for the year. Expenditure at £23,778 is 4.7% under budget. Electricity and gas charges had increased significantly due to the increase in charges and the cold weather in the final quarter.
4. Annual Insurance Review
The committee confirmed the valuations for insurance purposes.
5. Cooker
A ring and an oven plate need replacing at a cost of £250. Link Up has complained about the loss of the ring. The cooker is only two years old and the committee considered that the plate is faulty. The clerk is to contact the manufacturer to obtain a replacement; the ring is to be replaced. The committee is to investigate costs of a commercial cooker.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.00pm
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Recreation - 8 April 2009
MINUTES of the MEETING of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held on
8 April 2009 in the COMMITTEE ROOM, KNEBWORTH VILLAGE HALL at
7.30 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________
Present: Ms Elisabeth Smith (Chairman), Mr John Bantick, Mr John Hunt, Mrs Rosemary Pateman, Mrs Caroline Presland, Mrs Carol Smith, Mr Anthony Titmarsh and the Clerk
1. Declarations of Interest
Mr Hunt declared that he is president of Knebworth Tennis Club
2. Minutes
Proposed by Mr Hunt, seconded by Mrs Smith
RESOLVED “that subject to Mr Hunt being present the minutes of the meeting of the Recreation Grounds Committee Meeting held on 4 March 2009 are approved.”
Unanimously agreed.
3. Financial Review
Income £4,470 is 0.3% under budget and expenditure at £42,305 is 17% under budget. The capital expenditure for the year is £2,598. It was agreed that any unspent capital budget should be carried forward for the play equipment, floor, street lights and pavilion.
4. Knebworth Bowls & Tennis Club Lease
A second draft of the lease has been received and is to be forwarded to the clubs.
5. HCC Lease
A plan of the leased land has been received from HCC identifying car parking on the entrance road to the park.
The title deeds for the land owned by the Parish Council have been delivered to Foreman Laws to voluntarily register it, together with the access road. Registration usually takes five weeks.
6. Football Club
Knebworth Youth FC has requested that the junior pitch adjacent to the A1 be rotated through 90 degrees and an additional 7 a side pitch be marked south of it. Next year the club anticipates an additional two boys and one girl’s teams and an additional 7 a side pitch is required. The layout could cause problem with balls interfering with games being played on the A1 pitch and vice versa and would result in football being played on the old cricket wicket.
Proposed by Mr Bantick, seconded by Ms Smith and
RESOLVED that “ the junior pitch layout be revised with the addition of a mini pitch, all costs relating to the revised layout including movement of the goal posts are to be met by Knebworth Youth FC. Should there be any problems arising from the revised layout the club will also bear the cost of reinstatement to the original layout.”
2008/09 100
Agreed.
The hire charge for 2009/10 for Knebworth Youth FC is to be reviewed at the next meeting.
7. Pavilion Repairs
Cussens & Sons has inspected the heating system and prepared a report. It suggests that there are items missing form the original design. H&W Design, the M&E contractor, which designed the system, would audit the system for £100. If it has not been constructed according to the contract it would be a latent defect which would be the responsibility of the architect. The committee agreed to the audit.
8. Pond
Mr Turner, CMS, has inspected the pond and recommends that the vegetation in the pond be reduced during September or October. The clerk is to obtain a quote for the work.
9. King George Vth Playing Fields
A resident has complained about the uncut area to the south of the playing fields being unkempt. In January last year a hedge was planted and a two metre margin has been left to help the habitat. The meadow area at the south is only slightly longer than the surrounding area with no evidence of wild flowers. CMS has recommended that the area should be left to see what grows and the wildlife it attracts. Wild flowers can be planted but would either have to be plugs or seeds scattered in the autumn after the ground has been prepared. It is a long term experiment which is to be closely monitored.
10. Benches
A resident has requested the reinstatement of the benches which were situated in Stockens Green and Gipsy Lane. Another would like the bench in Kerr Close removed. The committee agreed that there should be some debate on the location of benches at the Parish Meeting.
Proposed by Mrs Smith, second by Ms Smith and
RESOLVED that “an earth anchors metal picnic bench be purchased for Lytton Fields at a cost of £946.”
Agreed.
Knebworth Youth FC has also requested that benches be installed adjacent o the J1 and A2 pitches and has agreed to contribute towards the cost. The clerk is to obtain a quote for four benches.
11. Equipment Maintenance
The triple has been inspected by Colin Hayden. The blades do not require sharpening and should last the season. He has been instructed to undertake the very minor repairs required.
2008/09 101
12. Weekend Litter Picker
The weekend litter picker is to start at Easter and continue through until the end of September for one hour on both Saturday and Sunday.
13. Youth Project
In light of recent damage the Youth Project has requested a formal agreement with the Council. A draft was circulated and subject to amendments was approved.
14. Any Other Business
14.1 Litter
Mr Bantick reported that a resident is picking litter up in Watton Road and depositing it in bags in the Recreation Grounds. The groundsman is concerned that this will overburden the bins in the recreation round during the summer months. It is to be monitored.
14.2 Lytton Fields Fence
The fence at Lytton Fields requires repair adjacent o Gibbons Way. The chain link fence is not substantial enough as the youth make holes in the bottom and climb over the top to retrieve their footballs. The clerk is to obtain quotes for palisade fencing.
14.3 King George Vth Gates
This is to be discussed at the next meeting.
14.4 Apple Trees in Rural Areas
There is a project to plant apple trees in rural areas and Mr Titmarsh suggested that they might be planted in the gaps on the eastern boundary. The clerk is to obtain more information.
14.5 Tennis Hut
The hut was broken into over the weekend. The police have been notified.
14.6 Youth Shelter
The radio in the youth shelter has been repaired and the anti climb paint painted on the roof.
14.7 Next Meeting Date
The next meeting will be held on 19 May 2009.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.
8 April 2009 in the COMMITTEE ROOM, KNEBWORTH VILLAGE HALL at
7.30 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________
Present: Ms Elisabeth Smith (Chairman), Mr John Bantick, Mr John Hunt, Mrs Rosemary Pateman, Mrs Caroline Presland, Mrs Carol Smith, Mr Anthony Titmarsh and the Clerk
1. Declarations of Interest
Mr Hunt declared that he is president of Knebworth Tennis Club
2. Minutes
Proposed by Mr Hunt, seconded by Mrs Smith
RESOLVED “that subject to Mr Hunt being present the minutes of the meeting of the Recreation Grounds Committee Meeting held on 4 March 2009 are approved.”
Unanimously agreed.
3. Financial Review
Income £4,470 is 0.3% under budget and expenditure at £42,305 is 17% under budget. The capital expenditure for the year is £2,598. It was agreed that any unspent capital budget should be carried forward for the play equipment, floor, street lights and pavilion.
4. Knebworth Bowls & Tennis Club Lease
A second draft of the lease has been received and is to be forwarded to the clubs.
5. HCC Lease
A plan of the leased land has been received from HCC identifying car parking on the entrance road to the park.
The title deeds for the land owned by the Parish Council have been delivered to Foreman Laws to voluntarily register it, together with the access road. Registration usually takes five weeks.
6. Football Club
Knebworth Youth FC has requested that the junior pitch adjacent to the A1 be rotated through 90 degrees and an additional 7 a side pitch be marked south of it. Next year the club anticipates an additional two boys and one girl’s teams and an additional 7 a side pitch is required. The layout could cause problem with balls interfering with games being played on the A1 pitch and vice versa and would result in football being played on the old cricket wicket.
Proposed by Mr Bantick, seconded by Ms Smith and
RESOLVED that “ the junior pitch layout be revised with the addition of a mini pitch, all costs relating to the revised layout including movement of the goal posts are to be met by Knebworth Youth FC. Should there be any problems arising from the revised layout the club will also bear the cost of reinstatement to the original layout.”
2008/09 100
Agreed.
The hire charge for 2009/10 for Knebworth Youth FC is to be reviewed at the next meeting.
7. Pavilion Repairs
Cussens & Sons has inspected the heating system and prepared a report. It suggests that there are items missing form the original design. H&W Design, the M&E contractor, which designed the system, would audit the system for £100. If it has not been constructed according to the contract it would be a latent defect which would be the responsibility of the architect. The committee agreed to the audit.
8. Pond
Mr Turner, CMS, has inspected the pond and recommends that the vegetation in the pond be reduced during September or October. The clerk is to obtain a quote for the work.
9. King George Vth Playing Fields
A resident has complained about the uncut area to the south of the playing fields being unkempt. In January last year a hedge was planted and a two metre margin has been left to help the habitat. The meadow area at the south is only slightly longer than the surrounding area with no evidence of wild flowers. CMS has recommended that the area should be left to see what grows and the wildlife it attracts. Wild flowers can be planted but would either have to be plugs or seeds scattered in the autumn after the ground has been prepared. It is a long term experiment which is to be closely monitored.
10. Benches
A resident has requested the reinstatement of the benches which were situated in Stockens Green and Gipsy Lane. Another would like the bench in Kerr Close removed. The committee agreed that there should be some debate on the location of benches at the Parish Meeting.
Proposed by Mrs Smith, second by Ms Smith and
RESOLVED that “an earth anchors metal picnic bench be purchased for Lytton Fields at a cost of £946.”
Agreed.
Knebworth Youth FC has also requested that benches be installed adjacent o the J1 and A2 pitches and has agreed to contribute towards the cost. The clerk is to obtain a quote for four benches.
11. Equipment Maintenance
The triple has been inspected by Colin Hayden. The blades do not require sharpening and should last the season. He has been instructed to undertake the very minor repairs required.
2008/09 101
12. Weekend Litter Picker
The weekend litter picker is to start at Easter and continue through until the end of September for one hour on both Saturday and Sunday.
13. Youth Project
In light of recent damage the Youth Project has requested a formal agreement with the Council. A draft was circulated and subject to amendments was approved.
14. Any Other Business
14.1 Litter
Mr Bantick reported that a resident is picking litter up in Watton Road and depositing it in bags in the Recreation Grounds. The groundsman is concerned that this will overburden the bins in the recreation round during the summer months. It is to be monitored.
14.2 Lytton Fields Fence
The fence at Lytton Fields requires repair adjacent o Gibbons Way. The chain link fence is not substantial enough as the youth make holes in the bottom and climb over the top to retrieve their footballs. The clerk is to obtain quotes for palisade fencing.
14.3 King George Vth Gates
This is to be discussed at the next meeting.
14.4 Apple Trees in Rural Areas
There is a project to plant apple trees in rural areas and Mr Titmarsh suggested that they might be planted in the gaps on the eastern boundary. The clerk is to obtain more information.
14.5 Tennis Hut
The hut was broken into over the weekend. The police have been notified.
14.6 Youth Shelter
The radio in the youth shelter has been repaired and the anti climb paint painted on the roof.
14.7 Next Meeting Date
The next meeting will be held on 19 May 2009.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Planning - 6 April 2009
MINUTES of the MEETING of the PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held on Monday 6 April 2009 in the COMMITTEE, KNEBWORTH VILLAGE HALL
at 7.00 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________
Present: Dr Graham Fothergill (Chairman), Mr John Bantick, Mrs Rosemary Pateman, Ms Elisabeth Smith, Mr Robin Smith and the Clerk
Apologies: Mr Richard Haigh due to work commitments.
Mr John Hunt due to prior commitments.
In Attendance: 2 Members of the public
1. Declaration of Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
2. Minutes
It was proposed by Ms Smith, seconded by Mr Smith and
RESOLVED “that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee, held on 2 March 2009 be approved and signed.”
3. 00/00497/1HH 58 Pondcroft Road, Knebworth
Single storey side and rear extension with bay window. Rear conservatory
The application was a revision to an approved plan. The committee considered the changes to be minor amendments and had NO OBJECTIONS
4. Any Other Business
4.1 Gateway Old Knebworth Lane
The clerk is to write to Herts Highways to reinstate the white post gateway on Old Knebworth Lane.
4.2 Parking
It was agreed to display the parking results at the Parish Meeting.
4.3 Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 11 May 2009
There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.25pm.
at 7.00 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________
Present: Dr Graham Fothergill (Chairman), Mr John Bantick, Mrs Rosemary Pateman, Ms Elisabeth Smith, Mr Robin Smith and the Clerk
Apologies: Mr Richard Haigh due to work commitments.
Mr John Hunt due to prior commitments.
In Attendance: 2 Members of the public
1. Declaration of Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
2. Minutes
It was proposed by Ms Smith, seconded by Mr Smith and
RESOLVED “that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee, held on 2 March 2009 be approved and signed.”
3. 00/00497/1HH 58 Pondcroft Road, Knebworth
Single storey side and rear extension with bay window. Rear conservatory
The application was a revision to an approved plan. The committee considered the changes to be minor amendments and had NO OBJECTIONS
4. Any Other Business
4.1 Gateway Old Knebworth Lane
The clerk is to write to Herts Highways to reinstate the white post gateway on Old Knebworth Lane.
4.2 Parking
It was agreed to display the parking results at the Parish Meeting.
4.3 Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 11 May 2009
There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.25pm.
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