Chairman's Report. Bayford Parish Council. 2008 - 2009
A visit from Mark Prisk - MP for Hertford and Stortford, started the meetings for this year, follwoing the publication of the document which mentioned various fields in Bayford as being possiblke gypsy sites.
Technically Bayford was only listed as a possibility in the appendices, but nevertheless, it caused considerable and justified consternation.
Bayford Action Group was set up by David Sitwell, to monitor and respond as appropriate.
Very little has happened since then, except that the document was used by the officiers of EHDC as judstification for recommending approval the the application for The Stables.
Planning.
A number of substantial developments in the parish have been concluded during this year.
The Old Vicarage.
10 Broad Green.
1a Broad Green Wood.
Approvals.
Ashendene Stud Mobile home, (four fields farm)
Home Farm, Open barn
28 Bayford Green, single storey side extension
22/24 Well Row.
Refusals during the year included.
Lodge Farm, demolition of 'cottage' erection of two storey house
The Stables, extra 4 pitches for mobile homes, now subject of an appeal
6c Broad Green Wood, Single storey rear, two storey side, also refused on appeal
Bayford Grange - conversion of Coach House.
River Lodge. Stable block,
>Water Hall
There were no applications for gravel extraction, but there were application for re-cycling and electricity generation.
Finance:
Total income was £6390 and expenditure £4551. This includes £241 of VAT which is now charged on grass cutting.
Bayford Gardens Open Day £750
Precept £4100 - and it was decided not to increase this for this year.
£600 was paid to David Latham including £300 from the cricket club as our donation towards the resurfacing of Bayford Green.
The internal auditor was David Latham, to who we are very grateful for his complehensive examination.
The auditors for the year were BDO. They requested a number of additional documents which resulted in an extra meeting being held on 9th March.
Overall I think this was a beneficial exercise. It forced review and document a number of areas which previously relied on indiviuals' memory.
Grass cutting.
John O'Connor was contracted at the start of the year and caused a few problems, not least of which was that we had to resolve the question of who (ie The Church or the PC) was paying for which area. Now things are proceeding more smoothly. The Council has saved a substantial amount of money on grass cutting which is out biggest single outgoing.
Playground.
The fence has been replaced courtesy of a donation from Dean Clinton.
Crime.
The lead from the village hall and the lightening conductor from the church, fuelled no doubt by the high price of metals.
A house in Well Row was broken into.
Some valdalism has occurred at the station.
Village Clean Up.
The fifth annual event and again very success and well supported.