Bayford JMI School 26th March 2012

Parish Assembly Meeting

• Introduction by the Chairman
  • 1.0 MW welcomed everyone to the meeting.
• Chairman's Report
  • Bayford Station
    Vandalism continues to be a problem at Bayford Station. Two representatives from Brickendon PC attended a meeting to inform us of their progress and enquire what action we had taken in the past. They are investigating ways to improve this situation. No complete solutions are possible. Network Rail, NCP and First Capital Connect have been contacted but none of them seem willing to take any action.I telephoned John Ingham, clerk to Brickendon PC, following an article on their web site. They have determined that Network Rail do not own car park. It raises the question 'who do NCP pay rent to?'. They are currently writing to the Land Registry to determine the ownership of this land.
  • A resident of 'Fourways' has complained to me of noise from the ‘cabinet’ at the station and I am trying to sort this out.
  • New notice board - Many thanks to Alan, Bill and Bob for their help in fixing the new notice board to the bus shelter and also to David Latham.
  • Village sign. The 'Bayford - Please drive carefully' sign was destroyed a few weeks ago. I telephoned the police but no report of the accident was logged. Fortunately the 9" oak posts are alright. The sign will cost £182 to replace.
  • War Memorial Restoration - I have written to WMT outlining the type of memorial we have and the extent of the damage, including providing them with photographs. This is the first step in obtaining a grant. When we have more information it is my intention to approach Brickendon PC for a donation.
  • Memorial Hall - We would like to express our thanks to the retiring Memorial Hall committee most of whom were in post for a number of years. The new committee have also had a number of problems to solve. They have raised a considerable amount of money via grants. The BPC have donated £500 this year. There have been major outlays to the maintenance of the building. They have re-rendered the front of the building, stabilized the chimney and dealt with the asbestos which recently came to light.
  • The Pre-School has made considerable progress since September and is now thriving. As I have said before there is considerable synergy between the need to maintain the Memorial Hall and its use by the Pre-School. They have carried out all the building work and fencing necessary to make satisfy Ofsted and HCC.
  • Grass cutting - we have decided to use the same contractors as last year for the coming year, as their quotation was unchanged. Gravel. Bunker's and Pollards - end date, threat of redevelopment(more to follow under AOB)
  • A New Bridleway. Dawn Grocock who works for Rights of Way at County Hall, together with the local BHS have proposed a bridle way on the grass verge from Buck's Alley to White Stubb's Lane. Whilst the grass verge is owned by the PC, it is designated 'highway' and thus subject to the restrictions of the highways authority. (Hertfordshire Highways). Thus, the proposed bridleway must conform to certain regulations.
  • Village Clean Up. This year it will take place on the 1st April. These events have been both highly successful and enjoyable. George has again organised the loan of equipment from EHDC.
  • Bill Brace - The Parish is grateful to Bill Brace for a number of jobs he has carried out around the village including the painting over graffiti on the bus shelter and maintenance of the rose triangle. Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The PC has decided not to hold an official event for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Naturally, individual groups of residents can hold their own celebrations. We have decided to plant some trees to mark the anniversary. A suitable site has yet to be located. Garden's Open Day - will take place this year on the 17th June.
  • Neighbourhood Plan. Brickendon Green have already formed a steering group. The plan must not conflict with the Local Development Framework for East Herts. The LDF will 'shape the future of East Herts to 2031' and appears to be due for adoption in the second quarter of 2013. This will involve a considerable amount of work by this council. There will also be a cost associated with its preparation. It does appear, however, to be a necessity. The future of this Governments Planning guidelines, in spite of considerably protest from many quarters, appears to one of deregulation, in favour of 'sustainable development'. It is not clear what this means.
  • Thanks to Terry Whyman for repairing the bus shelter roof.
  • Litter picking - excellent work by Paul Curzon continues to keep the area within the 30mph zone looking neat and tidy. Problem with emptying bin/collecting the rubbish. This has not been resolved in spite of numerous telephone calls by myself and others to EHDC.
  • Playground. Some maintenance of the equipment in the playground and also the trees is required. I have contacted Peter Musk regarding the latter. AF agreed to deal with the former, (part of the bridge has broken).
  Thanks to all councillors, Jane, Alan, Bob, George and to our clerk Maggie.
• Any Other Business
  • GWR reported to the meeting re Bunkers and Pollards Gravel Pits the following:- Bunkers completion date is 2014 and this is on target. Tony Brady of EHDC has a pending application using an option owned by Waterhall for quarrying 1/2 million tons of gravel from the agricultural field at the back of Broad Green. There will be restrictions but access would be via Bunkers which bearing in mind the 2014 closure and the quarrying is due to take 2-3 years there may be a problem keeping to this timespan. There is a liason committee meeting on 27th March which GWR will attend and give feedback to MW. BPC is totally opposed. In 2001 when this idea was first raised over 100 signatures were submitted on a petition.
  • Terry Hayne has asked for speed calming to be highlighted on the Neighbourhood Plan. David Sitwell commented that speeding regularly occurs through the village and on the roads around the perimeter areas. It was suggested new signs highlighting the speed restrictions would be helpful – to discuss with LH. Noted
  • Mary Samulak asked if the school were planning to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. JH said the Memorial Hall Committee are hoping to arrange an event centering around the Baker Arms Pub on Monday 4th June. LH has a small grant available for Jubilee and Olympic parties - £200-300. It was thought maybe tree planting in the centre of the village by the two benches would be a good idea. Noted
  • It was reported that yet again there is a water leak on the bend near Four Ways.
  • MB stated that a new external auditor is needed for the BDO audit as David Latham is leaving the village. David Sitwell has agreed to take on this role. Noted
• Date and time of Next Meeting Next meeting is to be the Annual Meeting on Monday 30th April 2012 at 8.00pm at Bayford School
• There being no further business at the Parish Assembly the meeting ended at 9.10pm.