Meeting of the Parish Council,

Wednesday 6 July 2022 at 7.30pm, Reed

Village Hall

Draft Minutes

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Present Cllrs: K Langley (Chair), C d’Ayala (Vice

Chair), E Kilby, and N Payne.

In attendance the Clerk Catharine Toms, County Cllr. F

Hill and Dist. Cllr. A Hunter. Two other members of the

public.

This meeting would be recorded for the purpose of the minutes. 1.7.22 Attendance. As listed above. 2.7.22 To receive apologies for absence. Cllr. B Blower (unwell). Dist. Cllr. G Morris (on holiday). Apologies accepted. 3.7.22 To receive Members Declarations of Interest and to note dispensation granted. Cllr. d’Ayala (item 15.7.22). Cllr. Kilby, for the remainder of his period of office, dispensation granted allowing him full participation at meetings in issues arising concerning The Cabinet public house including, but not limited to, planning matters. 4.7.22 To approve the Minutes of the Meetings of the Parish Council held on 4 th May and 15 th June 2022 and to authorise the Chairman to sign them as a true record. It was proposed, seconded and all voted in favour to approve. Resolved. Approved minutes to be posted on the website. Action: Clerk/Webmaster Standing Orders were suspended. 5.7.22 To invite Members of the Public to address the meeting. A member of the public addressed the Council regarding the continued usage of footpaths by cyclists. In particular, the path between Reed and Buckland (Reed 020). The path was too narrow in the Reed section making it hazardous for cyclists and walkers. It was suggested that installation of a kissing gate at the junction between the two parishes and signage at the Buckland end might help alleviate the problem. The Clerk to contact the appropriate person at Herts County Council (HCC) to see if a gate and signage could be installed. Action: Clerk It was noted that the path in places did not follow the actual definitive route. Standing Orders were resumed. 6.7.22 To receive Chairman’s Report. (See Appendix A). Since the report was written it had now been learnt from North Herts Council (NHC) Planning Dept. that the Gladstone Villas Planning Application would be determined under delegated authority by the Planning Officer, as time had expired to request referral to the Planning Control Committee for a decision. Standing Orders were suspended. 7.7.22 To receive report from District Councillor – Cllr. Hunter (in the absence of Cllr. Morris) reported that the Inspector had sent back the Local Plan to NHC, where it was currently being checked for accuracy. It would then go out for a final consultation and it was anticipated that it would probably be ‘made’ by Spring 2023. A new agreement was in place for grass cutting and some areas were deliberately now being left to ‘wild’, as it was considered more environmentally friendly. However, areas which affected sightlines, for safety reasons, were continuing to be cut. The current Boundary Review did not affect Reed, but Royston was likely to be divided into 4 new areas, with 7 District Councillors. A new District Council grant scheme had been launched for residents to apply for funding towards the cost of installation of solar panels on their properties. Cllr. Hunter was thanked for his report. 8.7.22 To receive report from County Councillor – Cllr. Hill reported that HCC had launched a Summer Reading challenge. A consultation was taking place on usage of the new Herts Lynx on-demand bus service. HCC was continuing to be busy helping Ukrainian refugees and monitoring the ongoing Covid situation. Investigation was ongoing regarding responsibility for taking down the dangerous tree reported in Blacksmiths Lane. The Speed Indicator Device on the A10 would be moved to another location along there shortly. The Reed End culvert re-build and re-surfacing work on Crows Lane and Driftway were all now programmed. A new grant scheme was available from Thameslink. Cllr. Hill to forward the details to the Clerk. Cllr. Hill was thanked for her report and was also thanked for her valuable assistance facilitating the Jubilee Beacon event. Thanks were also noted to Barkway Parish Council for their financial contribution towards the cost of the road closure for the Jubilee Beacon event. Standing Orders were resumed. 9.7.22 To review action points from the meeting on 4 th May 2022 – reviewed. Action Points from this meeting (see Appendix B). 10.7.22 To receive report from the Clerk on current financial position A list of monies received and payments to be authorised had been previously circulated to all Cllrs. Accounts showed a bank balance of £20,995.44 of which, £10,133.35 was Push Energy Community Contribution (ring-fenced for special projects), £2,867.49 was Bonfire Night reserves, £690.75 was P3 grant balance, S106 Sustainable Transport Reserve was £954.62, leaving general reserves at £6,349.23. Monies received since the last meeting - £302.75 from Barkway Parish Council being a share of the cost of the road closure expenses for the Jubilee beacon lighting event. 11.7.22 To agree accounts for payment. Cheque payments made since the last meeting were £690.00, £588.00 and £30.50 all of which were to reimburse E. Kilby for expenses incurred to organise the Jubilee beacon lighting event, including purchase of the beacon and road closure of The Joint. Payments to be authorised at the meeting were Clerk’s salary and PAYE. £14.00 HAPTC – New Councillor Training, £35.44 B. Blower – reimbursement for expenses for refreshments provided at the Annual Parish Meeting. Proposed, seconded and approved by all. Resolved. The Clerk was asked if it was possible to offset the expense for the road closure against the S106 Sustainable Transport Reserve. This was agreed. 12.7.22 To consider and make comment on planning application: Full Permission Householder : Two storey rear extension following demolition of existing rear Conservatory. Maycroft, Blacksmiths Lane, Reed, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 8AU. Case Ref No: 22/01669/FPH – After consideration of the application, it was proposed, seconded and agreed by all that there was no objection to the application. The Clerk to respond to NHC. Resolved. Action: Clerk 13.7.22 To receive update regarding site RD1 Turney Trust Land (Information only) – An informal meeting had been held between members of The Turney Trust, their appointed land agent and members of the Parish Council. Site RD1, which was a designated site in the NHC emerging Local Plan, had now been put up for sale on a constrained basis. To date there had been some interest shown. The plan was that a developer could have the land free of charge but would be required to build the Trust 8 dwellings, which would be retained and disposed of by the Trust to people that met the criteria under the terms of the Turney Trust. There would in addition be 8 ‘affordable’ dwellings built, a mixture of rented and part rent/part buy properties. This would all be financed by 6 market value dwellings being built and sold by the developer. The 3 partners to the agreement would be the Developer, the Turney Trust and a registered provider such as a Housing Association. It was understood that no planning application had yet been made. The Parish Council expected to be kept informed regarding the ongoing project. 14.7.22 Wisbridge Reservoir Project – to receive update – The Case Officer at NHC had responded to queries raised by the Parish Council and Dist. Cllr. Morris regarding the disposal of the excess of imported materials on site. The Agent had informed that all imported material on site would be used in the construction of the now smaller proposed reservoir. Cllr. Langley had responded indicating that this was surprising and seemingly impossible. There had been no further response. 15.7.22 Save The Cabinet Action Group (SCAG) – to receive update – Cllr. Kilby reported that there was no update on planning matters. However, it had been reported in the newspapers that Mr Newman, the owner of The Cabinet, had been sent to prison, having been convicted of two sexual offences. SCAG had not yet found out what implications this would have with regards to the outstanding planning matters and whether enforcement could proceed in these new circumstances, or indeed if his premises licence would now be in jeopardy. It was heard that the owner of the Spice Cabinet was ceasing to trade from The Cabinet and was looking to re- locate to Buntingford. This could then leave the building derelict for the next two years. SCAG would be seeking a meeting with NHC Planning as soon as possible. 16.7.22 Highways Matters – to receive update – see item 8.7.22. In addition, it was reported that a road sign on the A10, opposite the Reed End junction, had been defaced. Cllr. Hill agreed to report this to Highways. 17.7.22 To receive update on project to preserve ponds and agree any action required – No report – item to be deferred to Sept. meeting. 18.7.22 To receive bi-monthly Parish Council play area inspection report and agree any action required – Cllrs. Langley and Blower had conducted an inspection on 3 rd July and the report would be circulated. The inspection, as previously, highlighted non-urgent actions required, and these repairs would be carried out over the summer months. Action: KL 19.7.22 To receive report from the latest meeting of the Play Area Working Party and agree any action – The Working Group currently consisted of Cllrs. Langley and Blower, and former Cllr. Kershaw, as no other volunteers had yet come forward. As a result of a Play Ground project in Hitchin, where NHC had commissioned the help of Green Space, who had conducted a consultation with the community by means of a survey, a first draft survey for Reed had been produced using their model. This would be circulated to all residents, the School, the Cricket Club and would also be available to complete online by early September. This would ascertain views on how the Play Park should be developed. It would also lend credibility and add strength to any grant applications. Cllr. Langley to finalise the survey document ready for Sept. Action: KL 20.7.22 To discuss ongoing usage of footpaths by cyclists and agree any action required – see item 5.7.22 21.7.22 To discuss Bonfire Night in Nov 2022 and agree to proceed with arrangements for the event – If the Council agreed that Bonfire Night should go ahead, there were two options, either to put on the display ‘in-house’, as in 2021, or whether to outsource the display, as had been done prior to the Pandemic. The disadvantage of outsourcing was increased cost, plus additional expense of needing event insurance. Cllr. Kilby and his friends had managed the display in 2021 but if he agreed to do this again for 2022, he would need advance commitment of help from at least 4 people from the village. The event, on this basis, would be covered by the Parish Council insurance. Cllr. Payne volunteered his help. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that Bonfire Night should start being planned and that a request for help would be issued, with a deadline to respond of 14 days. If insufficient offers of help came forward, then the display would be outsourced to Fox Fireworks. An informal meeting would be arranged in the coming weeks to then discuss finer details. Resolved. Action: EK 22.7.22 To receive update and agree any action on Push Energy Fund project – Community Noticeboard – Cllr. d’Ayala reported that the design for the noticeboard had been done but she was still awaiting a costing. A member of the public indicated that they may be able to forward details of the supplier of the existing noticeboard. The initial idea was that a board could be incorporated into the side of the bus shelter, however, it was considered that it might be better to place it in the entrance of the Village Hall (subject to approval by the Village Hall Committee) as people often took shelter there. Cllr. d’Ayala to try and progress matters. Action: CD It was proposed, seconded and agreed that a small sign should be installed on the Village Sign to acknowledge the renovation work carried out recently by Mr Dobson. Action: KL 23.7.22 To receive matters for report or referral to next agenda. (Information only) Ponds protection project, Play park survey, Community noticeboard / Push Energy fund expenditure, Bonfire Night. 24.7.22 To note correspondence received. A letter had been received from NHC asking if Reed Parish Council wanted to be included in the arranged round of annual play area inspections. Agreed. The Clerk to respond to NHC. Action: Clerk 25.7.22 To agree date of next meeting. Weds 7 th September 2022 There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.12pm. Appendix: Chair’s Report The main item to report is the Jubilee Celebrations held in Reed in the first week of June. These made for a memorable sequence of events starting on Thursday with the performance of Reed’s Choir in St Albans Cathedral, then the lighting of the Reed/Barkway Jubilee Beacon on the Meridian Line midway between our two villages at twilight. The Pop Up Pub in the village Hall on Friday and the afternoon tea in the churchyard on Sunday afternoon were widely supported and enjoyed. The weekend also saw the unveiling of our restored village sign, a parish walk (despite the rain) and a village photo. The village community came together for the celebrations and there was lively support. Thanks are owed to many, but worthy of special mention is Councillor Fiona Hill for her financial support for the beacon and her active help with the road closure. And of course our own Councillor Edwin Kilby for enthusiasm and patient hard work on so many aspects of the weekend’s activity. Also in June Reed Councillors had an informal, informative meeting with representatives of the Turney Trust about the sale and proposed development of the site off Blacksmith’s Lane. Item 2.22 on tonight’s agenda refers. Following the Annual Village Meeting in May, the Council resolved (as in the last two years) to compile the reports presented into a magazine format and circulate to all households in the village. The publication has been produced and will be circulated to to ensure the widest ‘reach’ of communication within our community. The AED (defibrillator): I discovered that the Reed AED device had not been re-registered with the Emergency service after paramedics took it out earlier in the year. It is now reinstated with “Circuit” on the national register and fully operative for use. Gladstone Villas Planning Application: this is still marked as “awaiting a decision” after a year. After consultation, and given the council’s detailed objections to this application, I requested District Councillor Gerald Morris to refer it to Committee should the case officer be minded to grant it. He duly emailed the request to the Planning department last week. That completes the Chair’s report for the period since the May Annual Village Meeting. ..