Minutes of the Offley Parish Council Meeting

Incorporating Offley – Cockernhoe – Tea Green – Mangrove Green

Wednesday 3rd February 2016 at Offley Village Hall 7.30pm

Present:Cllr. Mrs J Neal (Chairman)

Cllr. Mrs A. Balfour-Lynn(VC)

Cllr. Mrs B. Dyer

Cllr. R. Ford

Cllr. Mrs F. Frost

Cllr. Mrs S Miller

Cllr. Mrs N. Roberts

In attendance:David Sample – Clerk

Minutes

1 / APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Cllr. C. Strong, Cllr R Piepenstock. Cllr F. Frost, Cllr. D. Barnard and PCSO Heather
2 / DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Any Councillor required to make a declaration of interest in accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted on June 15th 2012 must declare such interest at the start of the meeting.
There were no declarations / ALL
3 / APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
It was proposed and resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on the 6th January 2016 are approved as an accurate record of the meeting.
The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman
4 / MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MINUTES NOT APPEARING ON THE AGENDA
There were no matters arising. / CLERK
5 / CHAIRMANS REPORT / JN
6 / URGENT ITEMS
7 / PUBLIC QUESTIONS
8 / HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL / DB
9 / NORTH HERTS DISTRICT COUNCIL - Cllr Barnard sent in a few words as he was unable to be present at the meeting.
Herts Locality budget due to be halved.
Council tax to rise a little.
Police precept to drop 0.5%
Hitchin Town Hall hoped to be open very soon now.
Road closures in Hitchin Town Centre for several months to facilitate water main renewal.
No date set yet for Clay Pit Cottage hearing! / CS/FF
10
10.1
10.2
10.3 / PLANNING
To receive and discuss current applications received and circulated.
Application Ref no.16/00089/1 at Offley Hoo, Hoo Lane, Offley, Hitchin, SG5 3ED
Application Ref no.15/03127/1HH at 15 High Street, Offley, Hitchin, SG5 3AR
Application Ref no.16/00156/1HH at 46 Salusbury Lane, Offley, Hitchin, SG5 3EG
The PC has no reason to object to these applications.
To consider any other planning matters pertinent to the PC
Outstanding Applications – New item

Land East of West Lane – OffleyNew application expected with revised access
King William Extension - Cockernhoe
New Build Harris Lane – Offley
Clay Pit Cottages – Offley
Land West of Cockernhoe by Crown Estate

11
11.1 / FINANCE
Report on Payments and Income see appendix attached.
The clerk reported to the council the bank accounts balances. / RFO
12
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4
12.4.1
12.5
12.6
12.7
12.8
12.9
12.10
12.11
12.12
12.13
12.14
12.15 / CURRENT PROJECTS
OFFLEY
OFFLEY RECREATION CENTRE (ORC)
Offley Family Fun Day- It was discussed that we should add the launch of the FFD straight after the AGM. FFD has been set for 11th June 2016
OFFLEY VILLAGE HALL - Cllr Miller advised all present that the AGM will be held on Tuesday 8th March. The clerk confirmed that the landscaping around the car park had been completed.
Subsidence on going with the Insurance company
Offley Youth Club – The YC are planning a Karting session in Letchworth.
Farmers Market – Next Market Friday 5th February and 4th March 2016
Offley Community Library – The clerk reported that he had received fifteen boxes of books from HCC libraries and that these would be placed with the other books. It was agreed that a sign was needed by the books to promote the Bok Swap Club. The clerk to provide and put in place.
COCKERNHOE - Mangrove - Tea Green
Mangrove Green Access Tracks– There has been no response from the residents.
General
Police Report – The report received had been circulated by the clerk
Defibrillator – The clerk reported that he had received the two defibrillators from Cllr Roberts. The clerk reported that he would be organising the installation and training. Contact will be made with BHF regarding promotion of the defibrillators. The Defib cases need to be changed so that they will lock.
Neighbourhood Watch Village ( OWL ) - Watch this space
Clean For The Queen – Volunteers have been requested through the Village Voice
Highways Together – The clerk reported that he had put his name forward for the next Risk Assessment seminar.
Recycle Right Communication Campaign– The Village Voice have promoted this campaign through the magazine.
Replacement Tractor and Flayer - Concern was shown over the price at auction. It was agreed for the Chairman to move forward with caution. / Clerk
SM
SM
CLERK
ABL
ABL
CLERK
CLERK
NR
CLERK
CLERK
CLERK
CLERK
13
13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4 / HERTS HIGHWAYS
Offley Bus Shelter – The clerk reported that he had received communication that a New Bus Shelter had been ordered..
Speed Awareness Signs in Offley – part of an HCC initiative.
Highways Wish List 2016.7 - The clerk to chase.
Pelican Crossing – Luton Road Offley / CLERK
14
14.1
14.2
14.3 / RIGHTS OF WAY
FP50 – Nothing to report this month
Offley Byway 20 – This project will evolve over the coming months.
The Parish Paths Partnership scheme (P3)Cllr Balfour – Lynn to investigate / ABL
15 / PARISH PLAY AREAS – No problems to report
16 / CROUDACE DEVELOPMENT FUNDS –
Hopefully some positive news by next PCM / CLERK
17
17.1
17.2 / CLERKS REPORT
Village Voice – Next issue March. Copy date 15th February
Parish AGM The clerk suggested that this could be held Just before the May PCM. This was agreed by all in attendance. / CLERK
18 / ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA / ALL
19 / DATE OF NEXT MEETING -
Wednesday 2nd March 2016Cockernhoe Memorial Hall start 7.30pm
20 / The meeting closed at 8.55pm

Offley Parish Council

3rd February 2016Initials…………..