Bayford Parish Council

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, 21 March 2005, 8pm The School Hall

• The first item of business, it being the Annual Meeting, was the election of a Chairman. Michael Wainwright was proposed and seconded. There being no further proposals, Michael Wainwright was elected chairman for the coming year.
• The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the Chairman and agreed as correct.
• Apology from Cllr. George Rowley.
• Matters Arising.
  • The negotiations over the purchase of the nine acre field opposite Mrs Cook's house are continuing.
  • Rumball's Hump. No further developments since the Parish Assembly. q.v.
• The Playground. As stated at the Parish Assembly, David Latham contacted the solicitors, Moon Beever with respect to the conditions of the conveyence of Bayford Green to the Parish Council, in respect of the plan to relocate the playground there. Their opinion was that if anyone whose land adjoined the Green objected, then the Parish Council might be open to some action. Since such an objection had been received, it was decided that the plan would be shelved.

  The Chairman thanked the other members of the council, Alan Fitzjohn, Jacky Fulcher and Rodney Callaby, as well as Beryl Callaby for their admirable effort in clearing the playground on Sunday (20th March) The aspect from the road has been opened up making the playground much less gloomy. Some parents had complained of this. It was also recorded that during the work, this Council had decided that the conifer in the centre of the playground would be removed and the two large oak trees at the botton inspected. The Chairman to contact Peter Musk over these matters. It was noted that no parents of children who use the playground turned up to help with the work, although it was admitted that it had not been possible to inform the Parish Magazine.

• Planning applications. change of use of Bayfordbury Mansion to a School. The Council had no objections. A note was added to the reply that EHDC should look carefully at the junction of St Mary's Lane and the B158.
• The Council will have 21 days in future make its views know to EHDC.
• Cheques to be issued. Alan Fitzjohn for bark, Tanya Turner, litter picking.
• AOB.
  • A letter was read out from Mrs C Swain complaining about the state of the rose triangle. The chairman undertook to remove the weeds and prune the roses. It was agreed to try to obtain, via the parish magazine, one or more volunteers to attend to the triangle on a regular basis.
  • The chairman agreed to write to Val Weaver, Hertfordshire Highways, re the tree that had been felled near to bottom of Bayford Lane, and left on the steep bank. There was also a smaller tree leaning over the road.
  • The Memorial Hall VAT. It now seemed likely that the Memorial Hall Committee (MHC) would not be able in future to reclaim VAT, except on purchases made with funds donated to it by the PC. The chairman asked Mrs Whyman if the grant for the new toilets couild be paid to the PC, and hence VAT reclaimed. She agreed to contact Biffa. All invoices must also be made out to the PC.