Minutes of the meeting held on 7th May 2025 held following the Annual Meeting at 7.30pm at Reed Village Hall.
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Present Cllrs: K Langley (Chair), S Aries (Vice Chair), E Kilby, B Blower and N Payne.
In attendance the Clerk Catharine Toms, Dist. Cllr. M Prescott, Former County Cllr. F Hill, and eighteen members of the public.
This meeting would be recorded for the purpose of the minutes.
1.5.25 Attendance. As listed above.
2.5.25 To receive apologies for absence. None received.
3.5.25 To receive Members Declarations of Interest and note dispensation granted. None received.Cllr. Kilby, for his period of office, a dispensation granted allowing him full participation at meetings in issues arising concerning The Cabinet public house including, but not limited to, planning matters.
4.5.25 To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 5th March 2025 and to authorise the Chairman to sign them as a true record. It was proposed, seconded and all voted in favour to approve the minutes. Resolved. Approved minutes to be posted on the website. Action: Clerk/Webmaster
Standing Orders were suspended.
5.5.25 To invite Members of the Public to address the meeting – No one wished to raise any matters at this point.
The Chair agreed to suspend Standing Orders further during the meeting should members of the public present wish to contribute to the discussion.
Standing Orders were resumed.
6.5.25 To receive Chair’s Report – (See Appendix A).
Becca Edwards from North Herts Council (NHC) was present and the Chair took the opportunity to thank her for all her help in preparing the bid for funding of the new play equipment.
Standing Orders were suspended.
7.5.25 To receive report from District Councillor – Dist. Cllr. Prescott reported that the owners of the land opposite the Silver Ball had been invited by NHC to submit a retrospective planning application for works carried out, but nothing had been received, as yet.
As a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at NHC he had been made aware of a massive future overspend on the project for decarbonisation of leisure centres in the district. The original cost was to be £10.5m and a grant had been obtained of £7.5m towards the project. As two of the leisure centres needed new boilers anyway, it seemed to be an ideal time to obtain majority funding and change the boilers for heat pump systems. Since the outset, the costs had increased by £900k and then problems had been discovered meaning that some roofs were structurally not sound enough to incorporate the addition of solar panels without remedial work. That work would mean temporary closure of some leisure centres and the operators would need compensation for loss of income during closure. The estimated cost of the project had risen then to £16.5m with £9m having to be funded by tax-payers. There was still no final cost known as the project had not even started yet.
He also wished to extend his thanks to former County Cllr. Hill who had been so immensely helpful to him, her guidance and support would be hugely missed.
8.5.25 To receive report from former County Councillor Fiona Hill –
Hertfordshire County Council – I have provided a full Annual Report for the forthcoming Village booklet which will go to every household so will highlight here updates since the last Parish Council meeting.
Additional funding has been allocated in the Integrated Plan (Budget) towards flooding and verge erosion (particularly relevant to The Joint) across the County.
Hertfordshire Armed Forces Covenant had a very positive Board meeting in March with excellent attendance and engagement. This is so important in working with stakeholders to ensure that the Armed Forces Community is not disadvantaged. It would be wonderful if Reed Parish Council could consider, again, signing up to the Covenant.
Highways – The data from the Speed and Volume survey in Jackson’s Lane has been sent to the Parish Council for information. One possibility is 20mph signs around the school. Further Speed and Volume surveys are possible candidates on the list for the Highways Locality Budget, as is improving the road surface in Brickyard Lane. Work will continue with the Police who have been carrying out speed checks in and around Reed.
Potholes have been reported and repaired and I have made representation on the state of the road following recent works by the water company in Reed.
Events – The Surgery took place in the Woodman, Nuthampstead on 3rd May and the Business Breakfast took place also at the Woodman on 2nd May.
I have raised concerns again regarding issues at the Cabinet and more recently the unauthorised works at the land on the A10 opposite the Silver Ball. This is being monitored and a retrospective planning application has been requested.
Consultations – I have participated in many consultations including planning applications for BK3 and Barkway Road, Royston which could have a major impact on the village of Reed. I have also responded to the proposals in the new Waste contract and the changes to Parking tariffs by NHDC.
As my term ends, I would like to thank Reed Parish Council for welcoming me to the meetings. I would also like to thank District Councillor Martin Prescott and his predecessor Gerald Morris for their support and joint working particularly on issues such as street cleaning and drainage.
It has been a pleasure to represent the village of Reed for so many years.
Cllr. Prescott and former Cllr. Hill were thanked for their reports.
Standing Orders were resumed.
9.5.25 To review action points from meeting on 5th March 2025 – reviewed. (See Appendix B)
10.5.25 To receive Annual Internal Audit Report 2024/25 – The Internal Audit had been concluded and there were no matters raised for the attention of the Council. Grateful thanks to Mr McMeekin for once again carrying out the Internal Audit this year.
It was noted that as income and expenditure had exceeded the £25,000 limit in the year 2024/25 due to grant funding and purchase of the new play equipment, there could be no exemption from the need to have an External Audit. This was likely to cost £210.00 + VAT.
11.5.25 To consider and approve the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 – Proposed, seconded and agreed by all. Resolved.
12.5.25 To consider and approve the Annual Accounting Statements 2024/25 – Proposed, seconded and agreed by all. Resolved.
13.5.25 To set dates of period for the exercise of public rights – Monday 3rd June to Friday 14th July 2025. Resolved.
14.5.25 To consider and agree renewal of insurance (including level of fidelity guarantee) – Having obtained other quotations, the Clerk recommended renewing with Clear Council Insurance on a 3 year agreement at a premium of £455.90. Proposed, seconded and agreed by all. Action: Clerk
Fidelity Guarantee cover at £100,000 was considered more than adequate.
15.5.25 To consider and agree to adopt Financial and Management Risk Assessment for period 1.4.25-31.3.26 – This document had been previously circulated to Cllrs. Proposed, seconded and agreed by all to adopt. Resolved.
16.5.25 To note review of Financial Regulations and agree any proposed changes – This document had been previously circulated to Cllrs. Changes required were to reflect changes in legislation. Proposed, seconded and agreed by all to adopt. Resolved.
17.5.25 To note review of Standing Orders and agree any proposed changes – This document had been previously circulated to Cllrs. Changes required were to reflect changes in legislation. Proposed, seconded and agreed by all to adopt. Resolved.
18.5.25 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 £30,519.44 of which, £9,812.28 was Push Energy Community Contribution (ring-fenced for special projects), £2,947.23 was Bonfire Night reserves, £690.75 was P3 grant balance, S106 Sustainable Transport Reserve was £651.87, Play Park Reserve was £2,895.79, Election Reserve was £500.00, leaving general reserves at £13,021.52.
19.05.25 To agree accounts for payment – Payments made since the last meeting were £60.00 to NHC for annual play area inspection, £337.37 to NHC for dog bin emptying, £25,488.32 to Playdale Playgrounds for new equipment, £159.19 to Playdale Playgrounds for maintenance work to the zip wire, £44.90 to the Clerk for stationery, £108.00 to Reed Village Hall for hall hire and £35.13 to Cllr. Langley for materials needed to install signage in play area.
Payments to be authorised at the meeting were Clerk’s salary and PAYE. Cllr. Kilby £28.00 for domain renewal, £221.88 to HAPTC annual subscription, £50.00 to the Clerk for broadband, £147.48 Addison Signs & Graphics for play area signage, £238.47 to R Haydon for expenses in repair and renovation of phone box and £864.00 to London Cabinet Makers for repair to the village sign. Proposed, seconded and approved by all.
20.5.25 To ratify response submitted under delegated responsibility of ‘No Objection’ to Planning Application, Chestnut Cottage, High Street, Reed, SG8 8AH. Case Ref No: 25/00556/FPH – Proposed, seconded and agreed by all to ratify. Resolved.
21.5.25 To ratify response submitted under delegated responsibility to the Planning Inspectorate re: Appeal against enforcement notice, The Cabinet, High Street, Reed, SG8 8AH – Appeal Ref: APP/X1925/C/25/3361938 – Proposed, seconded and agreed by all to ratify. Resolved.
22.5.25 Save The Cabinet Action Group (SCAG) to receive update – It was reported that Bespoke Hotels had withdrawn from negotiations to purchase The Cabinet. Their experts had looked at the property and had been astonished that so much work had been allowed to be done to the listed building without intervention from NHC. The area that was formerly The Spice Cabinet was now on the market to let again. The latest enforcement appeal by the owner was on the grounds that the outbuilding in the car park had been occupied since 2016, which was untrue. A site visit by a Planning Inspector had found the building to be full of rubbish. The enforcement order had been issued far too late once again. It was frustrating that NHC were not willing to talk to SCAG. MP Chris Hinchliff had written to request a meeting with NHC Officers but was refused. They were not prepared to discuss an ongoing case of Enforcement
23.5.25 To receive update from the Turney Trust regarding site RD1 – There was no update as they were still going through a renewed pre-application consultation process.
24.5.25 To receive update on Land off A10 opposite The Silver Ball Café – NHC had issued a Stop Notice 3 weeks earlier, within days of the works on site finishing, and a Tree Preservation Order had been issued after the trees had been taken down and the damage had been done. Action by NHC was far too late again. NHC had invited the owners to submit a retrospective planning application but it had not yet been verified. Cllr. Langley had once again written to the owners to set out concern about what was going on, pointing out that material had been imported and used on site, which the owners denied. Finally after communication with a Parishioner, the owners had acknowledged that they had imported material onto the site or maybe their contractors were importing it unbeknown to them. Contractors had been threatening and intimidating in their behaviour towards others, which was really a matter for the Police. The land owners had been invited to meet the Parish Council but this had been declined.
25.5.25 To receive update on Highways Matters – (See item 8.5.25)
26.5.25 To receive bi-monthly Parish Council play area inspection report and agree any action required – This had been carried out by Cllr. Langley. Feedback received on the new play area had been that the new equipment was wonderful. The Cricket Club had very helpfully put their roller over the uneven ground but the moles were continuing to be a nuisance. There was about £2,000 left in the Play Area Fund and it was agreed to consider purchasing a 5-aside goal. The Working party would be re-convened and would decide where this could be sited. Action: KL/BB
27.5.25 To clarify final arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting on 28th May and agree any action needed – The event would run between 6.30 and 8.30pm. Attendees would be given a complimentary drink and a Pizza Van would be offering food to purchase. Cllr. Blower was given delegated authority to purchase the drinks for the event. As only a few organisations had confirmed their attendance the Clerk would follow up on the invitations issued. Action: Clerk
Circulation of the printed Village Report would be ahead of the 28th, with a reminder to Parishioners to attend the event. Action: EK & All
28.5.25 To discuss Bonfire Night in November and if agreed to proceed, decide the date and terms of the event’s fund raising – After discussion it was agreed to hold Bonfire Night again this year, the date fixed for Saturday 1st November, subject to consultation with the Cricket Club. Cllr. Kilby to make contact. Action: EK
There was money in the ring-fenced fund to last another 3 years. It was considered to be a good community event which generated money through the bucket collections to support village causes, and in addition allowed other organisations such as the Cricket Club and the School to raise money from the bar and the refreshments. Monies raised in the bucket collection would be held by the Parish Council and trusted to be deployed responsibly.
Cllr. Kilby was willing to lead on organising the event. Action: EK
29.5.25 To discuss attendance of MP Chris Hinchliff at July Council meeting and agree format of meeting – Having met with SCAG back in October to discuss matters of The Cabinet, MP Chris Hinchliff had offered to attend a meeting with Parishioners in Reed, which had been quickly accepted. It was agreed that the meeting would need to be carefully managed to ensure that a variety of topics could be covered. Parishioners would be invited to register an interest in attending and, if they wanted to ask a question, to give an idea as to the topic. The meeting would start with a Question and Answer session at 7.30pm and be limited to one hour. After which, at 8.30pm, the normal bi-monthly Parish Council meeting would commence.
30.5.25 To receive matters for report or referral to next agenda. (Information only) Projects for Community Payback work, Community Noticeboard, Turney Trust and Site RD1, Maintenance on Village Sign, Benches and Armed Forces Covenant.
31.5.25 To note correspondence received. (Information only) – nothing not covered elsewhere in the meeting.
32.5.25 To agree date of next meeting. Wednesday 2nd July 2025. Agreed.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm