MINUTES OF THE STORT VALLEY PROJECT MEETING

9TH MAY 2002
HELD AT THE HAILEY DAY CENTRE
SAWBRIDGEWORTH 

PRESENT: Ted Burrow (Chairman)
Hazel Mead
Warren Richards (Secretary)
John Collier Peter Neale
Tom Potts Kate Yarnold
Monya Billings Jacqueline Dore
John Rider Diana Richards
G Goodall Alan Ward
Ron Taylor Burt Puncher (A/S)
David Mead Dorothy Chancellor
Bob Jones Ellen Knighton

APOLOGIES: Eric Coalman Joyce Vincent (Sbw Town Council)
Janet Ralph David Thorogood (Agenda 21 EHDC)
Bob Wright Tony Vidler (Sbw A/S)
Michael Vincent (Treasurer) E & J Willett
Stan Barker Emma Jordan (EHDC)

MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of 11th April 2002 were accepted as a true record.

MATTERS ARISING:
Planning Notices. The Sec went to the last Town Council Meeting where the Planning Committee held their meeting and no contentious applications were reviewed. He reminded members that the latest Applications were listed outside this venue and could be viewed in detail at the Council Offices on a weekday morning. 

Web Site. Initiate long term discussion with Memorial Hall Committee to have a small room set aside for computer access to build achieve and web site. Costs need firming up.

The Jubilee. The Chairman of the Jubilee committee feels that people in the Town would rather support functions at "street level" and there is not a requirement for a total Town activity. However there will be a Jubilee Dance in the Memy in the evening.

May Fair. Our stalls on "The Dangers in Fair Green," "The Community Plan" and Photo Albums of the "Lockkeeper's Cottage" and "Lawrence's Factory" were well attended. The CVS teas did not attract customers to our stands. The plants may have sold better outside on the Green but after the Fair closed we managed to sell all our plants and take an order for further requirements. We will have taken at least £15, which more than covers our cost for the stall. Fair Green. We are progressing with improved pedestrian safety on Fair Green by raising a petition (started at May Fair by our Chairman) and having a photo shoot during peak traffic and highlighting Safe Routes to School. EHDC have been in touch to have a meeting with us and Sbw TC. A member said that they did not believe speed bumps or reduced limits would work.

Land at Station. The Sec explained that the present work on this land was to reconstruct the culvert under the railway line with the agreement of EA. John R said it looks such an eyesore perhaps we should use it for a much needed car park. Others thought it should be improved or let nature take its course. The problem should be highlighted to EHDC Properties and their Forum.

AGENDA ITEMS:

1 The Biological Records Centre (BRC). Graham Goodall was welcomed and gave a talk about the work of the BRC. He explained his department at HCC, Hertford had 6-8 staff and while recording biological data for the County they had to advise all planning authorities of the biological sensitivity of all sites considered for development. Graham detailed the National BRC at Monks Wood and the breadth of data  held. He said development can give biological gains e.g. exposing chalk for grassland and creating a park on the old Bae airfield at Hatfield. Graham gave us a rundown on the situation of bird populations in the area. Birds are his special interest and he explained the inputs received from the RSPB. With flood plains at a premium in the UK Graham invited us to organise a day with a member of his department to survey a given area on the Stort so we could feed back information in the future to build up a data base of biological information along the Stort. We were all enthused by his most interesting talk.

2 Community Plan (CP). Letters from the TC and John R have been sent to the Leader of EHDC expressing our desire for a separate CP for Sbw. The next Forum at Furnex Pelhum will discuss the CP in detail and we will arrange communal transport. Post Meeting Note. Due to other commitments in Sbw the meeting was chaired by Cllr M Carver and the CP debate will be held over to the next Forum in Sbw on June 27th.

3 Speakers. Sec has action to talk to Mr Mishan and CMS to arrange talks. Diana R offered to lead a walk on July 11th at 7.30pm starting on Fair Green.

4 Flood Plain. EHDC land agent had promised to get the EA representative dealing with dispute with Abbey Cross F/C to phone the Sec.

AOB.

Footpaths. Sawbridgeworth now has its own voluntary Footpath Officer Mr Brian Rochester who is aware of our concern with path 23 and Pishiobury Road. He is also looking at the FP between Chaseways and Highwych Rd-this was raised by a member at the meeting. Village Greens. Mary W asked about giving Village Status to green sward at Sayesbury Manor. While this piece of land is now not available for action the Sec has asked EHDC through the Forum how to apply for such status when considering other pieces of land in Sbw.

Schools. Members agreed that we should approach schools with a small grant to persuade them to take on environmental studies in Sbw. Tree preservation Orders. Members agreed that our list of TPOs should be sent in 'as is'.

Others. Chain link fence behind Bell PH-repaired next day. Formal opening of Lockkeeper's Cottage by The Mayor 27th May 5.30pm-great evening.

7. DNM. The 13th June 02 at 8.00pm in the Hailey Day Centre.

 * Items held in SVP file in Reference section of Sbw Library.