MINUTES OF 19TH JANUARY 2006 HELD AT

THE HAILEY DAY CENTRE, SAWBRIDGEWORTH

MATTERS ARISING:

Correspondence:

Letter from Transport Initiative to say footpaths in the town will be looked at.

Report from Towards Better Transport in Hertfordshire 2004/5.

East Herts has £1½ million to spend.

Transport Plan for Sawbridgeworth and Bishops Stortford - air quality still being monitored.

Letter from Community Development Agency suggesting subscription of £25. Agreed not to subscribe. 

AGENDA

A warm welcome was extended to Roger Beeching, Town Mayor. He said that the organisation works hard to preserve the local environment, transport and housing also raising awareness and considered the group is under appreciated. All groups in the town contribute towards the community spirit. Current problem with shops closing in the town is perhaps due to large shopping complexes nearby. There are threats to the infrastructure due to the airport expansion and currently there are 70 cars travelling to the airport per aircraft with 20-35 million passengers a year and this is planned to increase to 70-80 million. Water supply is also a problem.

County Council does not currently have a structure plan due perhaps to them not continuing as a body and this could also apply to East Herts.

Would want to encourage tourism in the town and currently two groups looking at a brochure and signage. Personal service is offered in the town shops. Currently many people are brought into the County through the airport and would want to encourage them to visit the town. Will be setting up a town centre partnership with a manager to look at the problems and work with people in the town to decide what is needed in Bell Street. Farmers Market possibly bi-monthly.

Members suggestions and comments then followed:

Stop Harlow North and Airport expansion - questioned whether there should be a point at which all campaigning stops and financial recompense is asked for. There is a Stop Stansted meeting at Letchworth on 14th February.

Banners on the railings in the town - these have now been taken down.

Write to MPs re commercial shop charges.

Write to Forebury Estates regarding shop rents.

Fresh vegetable stall in the town on a regular basis.

Car parking. Clive outlined a disc scheme in operation in the Lake District which works well.

Theme evenings.

Fair on Fair Green in April and October as per local ancient charters.

Town Mayor will forward all suggestions.

BLUE WALKS LEAFLET. Now available and in various locations in the town.

SAWBRIDGEWORTH BROOK. Most areas have now been cleared but it is not known by whom, although there is still a carpet in the brook near Brook End. There is silting under the culverts near the main road and Environment Agency to look at this. Ditch in Springhall Lane where a refuse lorry recently caused damage is still to be repaired.

FAIR GREENPEDESTRIAN ACCESS. Coloured paving now to be used. A small piece of land outside Fairswell Cottage would need to be purchased to provide room for a footway and this is now not possible. Ted awaiting a letter regarding definition of what is going to happen.

RIGHT OF WAY. Possible loss of footpath at end of Springhall Road due to planning application. Brian Rochester said the path will not be blocked while building is in progress as a fence will be erected to designate the path.

TOURISM INITIATIVE Stort Valley represented on the Signage Group and next meeting is on Thursday 2nd March.

THRIFT COTTAGE ECO-HOUSE. To request a presentation on this.

LIVING STREETS. There is now a proliferation of 'A' frames on pavements outside shops.
Collapsed stop cock on the east side of the pavement on the entrance road to the car park and East Herts have been informed.
When making a complaint to East Herts to request a registration number. There are pocket size cards available at the library noting all contacts.
Footpath through Bullfields to Leventhorpe School always full of litter which needs clearing and early morning considered the most appropriate time.
East Herts are to instal new litter bins shortly.
Any dumped rubbish can be reported and will be collected by East Herts.
A number of derelict cars parked in front of a house on the corner of West Road and Roseacres are currently subject of an Enforcement Order. 

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

16th February 2006 at 8pm in the Hailey Day Centre.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Community Voice Capital Grants now available. Warren has information.

Land near river bridge Jenny Greaves to look at this.

Pishiobury Park Overgrown land near the river where plants are disappearing. Waiting for CMS to form a management plan. Michael Brown to compile a letter to East Herts requesting progress. Pennywort is now growing there which is very invasive.

Esbies Development plan is currently being ignored and there are still derelict plots.

Keckys Some rubbish has been removed

Black Poplars East Herts have started an initiative and have been informed of those the group planted in Pishiobury Park. There are 7 at Hyde Hall. Need to know if there are any between Harlow and Sawbridgeworth and also Bishops Stortford. Chris Rees said some are being planted in Harlow near the A414 and also more being planted in the Stour Valley. To give information to Warren Richards.

Primrose Cottage Joan Willett said the pond has not yet been filled in and footpath there extremely wet. The owner is appealing against the order in April. Suggested a letter is written regarding the current situation.

Signs Suggestion that sign on main road indicating car parking could be changed to 'Free Parking At Weekends'. Town Council had written to East Herts regarding changing the sign about 9 months ago.

Rare Birds Three rare birds have been seen in the Gilston/Eastwick area.

Parking Joan Willetts reported that cars parked in Hoestock Road are preventing people accessing their driveways. Joan advised to report this to police.

Web site Tom Potts informed the meeting that he will shortly be moving out of the area and the group will therefore need someone to take over the web site.

Sequoia trees Chris Rees had information that in 1843 these trees were planted as lightning conductors around Hertfordshire, including Rivers Orchard, Cambridgeshire and Kew Gardens.

Recycling There is a new initiative and by April there will be collections for various sorted items. Plastic may not be included due to the bulky nature of this material.

The Chairman thanked Roger Beeching, Town Mayor for his attendance and contribution and the meeting closed at 10pm.