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PRESENT: Ted Barrows (Chairman) Steve Karn Warren Richards (Secretary) Glynis Argent Michael Vincent (Treasurer) Brian Rochester David Thorogood (EHDC) John Rider Bert Puncher (Sbw A/S) Stan Barker Chris Rees Kate Yarnold David Mead Dorothy Chancellor Diana Richards Ron Taylor Monya Billings Jacqueline Dore Ellen Knighton Joyce Vincent (Sbw Town C) Michael Brown Mary Whitehead

MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of March 6th was accepted as a true record, after recording that the paragraph AGM should be deleted and under AOB the pollution website is www.seiph.umds.ac.uk

a) A letter from the Sawbridgeworth Branch of the Hertford & Stortford Conservative Association SWBHSCA saying our previous letter had been referred to their Chairman.
b) A response from Diana Richards to our letter asking for her support as a District Councillor.
c) A letter from CMS asking for volunteers. Passed to Brian R as he was the only member to show an interest.

a) An application for a grant for our walks to SQ Environmental Trust.
b) Chairman's letters to Cllr Dodd and SWBHSCA.

Esbie Estate. Diana R said the owners were appealing against the enforcement order placed on various plots by EHDC, which required areas to be reinstated as grass.
Amongst the reasons given for appeal are:
Gypsy Site-members had no previous knowledge.

Members were urged to write to the Planning Department if they had known past usage of the site. Members comments included used by homeless during the Blitz and Ivy Penfold who lived in Bridgefoot House should have 'chapter and verse'.

The Area Forum. The agenda for the last meeting had an item6 which dealt with reorganisation of hospitals in Herts and Beds and this brought forward a concern that Essex would be having a say in future planning of Princess Alexander to the detriment of Herts people. Joyce V advised we should approach Adrian Coggins Primary Care Trust. Date of the next meeting which will include the new Community Strategy has not been set till the new Council is appointed.

Stansted. Members wished letters to be written to A Darling MP, M Prisk MP and EHDC giving our views. Steve K asked if we should show positive support to STOP STANSTED by giving a donation. No resolution was passed on this and as our own funds are donations we should consider whether any money should come from our own pockets. A supporting letter to Norman Mead. Chris R said that the plan to update the railway to 4 tracks had been put back a further 2 years.
Grants. Estimates had been received for 3 notice boards at £80.26 each and 3 support frames at £118+vat for the lot. This will be covered by our LEAF grant. The HCC grant will involve a course on biological surveying-dates for members who put down their names 3rd and 5th of June.

Footpath Working Party. Members have produced text for all the walks and Steve Karn is looking at alternative formats for a leaflet. Quotes have been obtained for notice boards, see above. Next meeting we will need members to prove Text.

Fair Green. Ted B announced a meeting of the Highways Partnership in Sawbridgeworth Church House 16th April at 7.30pm. Members wished to see this better publicised –Sec produced poster and placed around Town.

Public Open Spaces. See ComS.
Living Streets. Hazel M has a small group, walking specific streets in the Town and noting situations highlighted in the pack. This is a ComS strategy. The Leader of the EHDC has written a letter supporting the work of auditing our streets.

PEAP. CMS gave a talk to the Town Council to explain the Environmental Action Plan and look to working with us at SVP. Unfortunately the Sec was sick at the last minute and could not attend. Town Council has agreed to join PEAP.

Community Strategy (ComS). David T asked us to consider notes of meeting of the 27th February and consider adding line items to the list of environmental issues. The following items were table to be added to the agenda of ComS on 7th ????

AOB. A member asked about the heavy earth works in the old town tip. It is understood this is to meet a Government directive to survey all suspected contaminated land. Members have seen this as a natural wildlife sanctuary and hope wildlife has not been. Diana R announced an early morning walk meeting at 6.30am in Pishiobury Park car park on Sunday 27th April.

DNM. Note change! The 8th May 03 at 8.00pm in the Hailey Day Centre-Bell St Car Park. In June it will be the 12th and then back to the first Thursday in the month.