MINUTES OF THE 4th SEPTEMBER 2003
HELD AT THE HAILEY DAY CENTRE
SAWBRIDGEWORTH
PRESENT: John Rider (Acting Chairman)
Warren Richards (Secretary)
Joyce Vincent (Sbw Town C)
Elizabeth Waugh Kate Yarnold
Glynis Argent Ellen Knighton
Monya Billings Jacqueline Dore
Brian Rochester
Tony Vidler Joan Willitt
Mary Huxtable Tom Potts
APOLOGIES: Diana Richards Michael Vincent (Treasurer)
Bert Puncher Mary Whitehead
Hazel Mead David Mead
Ted Barrows (Chairman)
MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of August 7th were accepted as a true record.
MATTERS ARISING.
Correspondence. We received a questionnaire from EHDC Compact, which is
looking at the structure for an umbrella organisation to support voluntary groups. The
Sec went through some of the questions and is returning the form.
We received a copy of the Local Transport Plan Consultation, which needs a response
by 28/11/03. This has been passed to Ted B and section 6 Rights of Way
Improvements has been passed to Brian R.
We received a letter from Roydon Countrycare asking for support to plant Black
Poplars along the Stort Valley. Members were asked if they knew of any existing trees
in the valley. Mary H said there was a stand of these trees in Great Hyde Hall.
Members agreed to support the planting of 12 trees and Tony V was asked if some
could be planted in the fishing lake area.
We received a questionnaire from CDA on Viability of Social Enterprise
Development i.e. raising money by running a commercial project. Our response was
negative and the form appropriately completed and returned.
Esbie Estate. We have collected about 200 petition signatures which have been
passed to EHDC Enforcement via Cllr Diana Richards. The Sec read out Ted B
experience of canvassing the Forebury Estate adjacent to Esbies where he found one
man in favour of the development and others who were against and took a copy of the
petition. Cllr Joyce Vincent reported there was a planning application to build a
bungalow on Esbies.
Footpath W/P. The Sec reported two separating meetings with Ted B and Steve K to
find a way of progressing our walk leaflets. We decided to focus on producing a
leaflet for the Red walk through High Wych and make this the template for all the
walks. The leaflets would take the form of a 3 fold A4 sheet and we would offer a
volunteer designer £50 to turn our ideas into computer artwork. Steve K and Tom P
would press ahead to get the basic walk information on the Web Site. Members asked
for target date for the leaflets to be published and the May Fair 2004 was agreed.
Grants. The Sec explained that the LEAF grant of £500 needs matched funding,
which prompted members to suggest ideas for fund raising. John R said he would
look at organising a fund raising quiz evening before Christmas.
Kick-about in Elmwood. Ted B sent a note commenting on the letter from Sbw TC
rejecting the placement of a kick-about area at the edge of the allotments. Parent have
said that the traffic is not safer in Vantorts Road since the humps were introduced and
will not be sending their children to Town Fields across this road. A member asked if
any progress had been made for a skate park.
Land Purchase on Flood Plain. The lower wetland is still held awaiting an EA
decision. A member reported a rave last weekend; has any damage been seen on the
flood plain?
Biological Records. Members took copies of the species checklist prepared by
Elizabeth W; she will work with Tom P to get the list on the web site. Anybody
wishing to add species to the checklist should liase with Elizabeth W. Each recorder
should choose a site to record, which ties up with the HCC Biological Records Centre
designation. Warren R and Elizabeth W to define sites. Tom P to investigate getting
pictures of the web of our listed species. John R will investigate getting schools
recording their local patch.
Review Actions on Community Plan. As Chairman John R felt we had done a good
job at the last meeting and did not need to go through it all again. He did feel we
should keep some reference in the Plan to integrating our area with the resources of
the Lee Valley Park.
AOB.
Time of our Meetings. Members agreed to move the meeting from the 1st Thursday
to the 3rd Thursday in the month.
Fair Green. John R reiterated the appearance of another road sign in a conservation
area to announce the "HUMPS" in Vantorts.
Police. Members felt the level of police visibility in the last few weeks was
particularly low except when there was a well attended funeral at St Mary's.
Village Green. Members were interested in the progress of registering open spaces
and the formal designation of a village green.
Footpaths. Brian R reported on work going on at Kecksy's Bridge and Tedenbury
Lock were he is maintaining footpath access. He also reported that work is planned
around Sheering Mill Lock which will limit footpath access in the area.
DNM. Note change in Date. The 16th October 03 at 8.00pm in the Hailey Day
Centre-Bell St Car Park, Sawbridgeworth. From now on meetings will be on the 3rd
Thursday in the month.
* Items held in SVP file in Reference section of Sbw Library. SVPmin 040903