MINUTES OF 18TH JANUARY 2007 HELD AT

Information from Community Development Agency on a code to community consultation methods.

 Walks pamphlet for the Ware area.

 Newsletter via e-mail from Community Woodland Network regarding their activities.

EERA have contacted to ask if we wish to remain on their data base and Warren to reply that we do.

 Natural England are to take over all the countryside agencies.

Wind farms.

Warren had a newspaper article which indicated that many of these installations in England are not coming up to maximum output although those in Scotland are.

Sawbridgeworth Brook.

Clive reported that there is currently the most significant amount of water in the brook since July. Brook Lane had been flooded and people not able to walk out of their houses unless wearing wellingtons. The cause of this is a blockage where the brook runs under the A1184 which Clive has previously reported to the Environmental Agency but nothing has been done to clear this. He has taken some photographs and sent these and a report to the local newspaper. The brook is fairly clean adjacent to the site where the new flats are being erected on the corner of A1184 and Brook Road.

Alternative Technology AT shed .

Southbrook Allotment Association is currently short of finance so no progress currently with this project and grants are to be applied for. More members would be welcome to join.

Ruth Kelly has now put this proposed housing back in the East of England Plan. Rye Meads sewage works can only accommodate 11,000 additional dwellings and 16,000 are planned for this area. It would also need to support housing west of Stevenage, plus Broxbourne and Welwyn. Trade effluent from Stansted Airport also drains off there and further investigations are needed from the airport which may restrict housing. Chairman urged people to write individual letters opposing this proposed housing as this does have a positive impact and information distributed on this. To mention the proposal of Gilston Great Park when writing. There is to be a leaflet distribution around the town on Saturday 27th January and to collect these from Bell Street car park between 9am and 11am on this date. Main roads through Harlow are already over their planned usage capacity. Warren has a print out of Ruth Kelly’s report for reference and referred to appropriate sections. It is planned to use existing Green Belt and then extend Green Belt to the North. Development at North Weald has been deleted from plan.

An initiative has started in Harlow at the River Way recycling site. Warren had spoken to David Thorogood, East Herts and he will look into the possibilities of supplying this facility together with other household recycling collections. Suggestion of a speaker attending a future meeting on the subject of recycling.

Eco Friendly House, Albury.

David Thorogood is setting this up and to look at visiting in the future.

Web site.

Cost for July 2006 – April 2007 will be £250. and group had received a grant to cover this. Further grant to be applied for from Town Council, on which there is now no closing date. Grants also available from Community Voice, on which Diana Richards has details and BAA Stansted.

Annual General Meeting .

Thursday 15th March. Suggestion of having a speaker at this event and Diana Richards to follow up. To offer wine, Rivers apple juice and nibbles on the night. To advertise in Church and Town New officers will be needed. Date of next meeting. Thursday 15th February 2007 at 8pm at Hailey Day Centre 

Drains now cleared in car park therefore flooding has ceased.

Pavement outside Village Pharmacy in Bell Street uneven and needs repair.

Farmers Market. No current information

Pishiobury Park. Diana together with Countryside Agency manager, Community Services and Open Spaces representative and Brian Rochester, had walked the area which was purchased on behalf of the group. The top field drains well but the lower field is now derelict with overgrown weeds. The meadow needs managing and reeds cutting and this group had been told on many occasions that a management plan would be forthcoming. However, if there is no progress by March to write to Mary Orton, Community Service. There had been a suggestion of sheep grazing this area but this is not considered feasible.

Esbies. Development plan for this area is now out but currently not aware of what will happen. Suggestion of writing to planning department at East Herts.

Town Partnership Group This is a recently formed group which is open to everyone in the town. Monya interested to be involved and requires details of next meeting .

Tourist Information business meeting. This is to be held on 14th March in Ware and Diana to take local information leaflets along for distribution among all Tourist Information representatives. If anyone has leaflets for this event to let Diana have them.

Landscape Appraisal. To see Clive Atkin’s report for guidance.

 Chris Rees referred to a report compiled by a friend who takes regular walks along the River Stort in Harlow to Parndon Wood listing plants and wildlife, in a simple and easy to understand format. Rushes have been cut along this area for the past four years.

27th – 28th January. Big Garden Bird Watch organised by the RSPB is taking place and leaflets available.

May Fayre. Sunday 6th May. Will be taking part and awaiting a letter and booking form for this.

National Nest Box making week from 18th February and to contact RSPB for details.

National Tree Council are promoting the importance of trees and to contact Woodland Trust for details - Paul Bunton, Community Woodland Network, Autumn Park, Dysart Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6LL. 01476 581155 or 01400 250920. e-mail communitywoodland@woodland-trust.org.uk