Public Exhibition Bockings, Church End Walkern

2404 Exhibition Invite 1

You are invited to view an exhibition of draft proposals for around 10 new houses at Bockings, Church End.

DATE / TIME
Wednesday 18th September
7pm to 8pm

VENUE
Walkern Sports and Social Club
Jubilee Pavilion
High Street
Walkern
SG2 7NP

This is NOT an exhibition organised by the Parish Council. It is organised by the owners of the site and their architect

Notice of Vacancy for Councillor

Would you be interested in becoming a Parish Councillor?

The voluntary position involves working as a team with other councillors to make Walkern a better place for it’s residents.

You would be expected to attend monthly meetings and get involved with the administration of the council.

For more information contact Michele Rist: 01438 861367 or any parish councillor

councillor vacancy poster

Walkern Parish Council Report July – August 2024

Walkern Parish Council Report

The Parish Council does not meet in August but this report covers some of the issues we have been dealing with over the last few months. The full minutes of the meeting held in July will be available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board by Budgens.

Walkern Neighbourhood Plan

We are very pleased to announce that the Neighbourhood Plan (First Revision) has been adopted by East Herts District Council. This has been the result of a great deal of detailed work by Councillors and our consultant Jaqueline Veater. It was recognised that the Parish Council has made particular reference to the environment, green spaces and biodiversity in the update, including a new section on green corridors and a tree charter. It also includes requirements concerning new developments as well as those protecting the conservation area.

The plan will be used as part of the East Herts Development Plan, replacing the 2018 Walkern Neighbourhood Plan. All the documentation relating to the Plan is available on the East Herts District website or from the Walkern parish website by following a link under the NEWS heading

Walkern Parish Website

The Council has been aware that the website needed a complete overall and we are very grateful to Mike Allingham for taking on the task. The site has easy to follow headings concerning the work of the Council, for example planning applications, news and how to contact us. There is also information on the finance, governance and policies that should be made available to the public as well as the dates of Council Meetings, agendas and minutes.

Updating the website is ongoing; our aim is to make it as informative as possible as well easy to access

Parish Clerk

Residents may be aware that the Council has been advertising for a new Clerk in recent months. We were pleased to receive a number of applications and interviews have taken place in August. We hope to appoint a new Clerk in September as soon after the Parish Council meeting as possible.

Memorial Garden

The Council carefully considered a request from a resident about a possible pet memorial garden in the area. However, the rules and regulations concerning the putting up of plaques and the scattering of ashes are detailed and complicated. We have responded to the resident concerned that we are still in the process of creating a Peace Garden on the old Baptist Chapel site in Froghall Lane. The garden will have a bench and would be somewhere quiet and tranquil for residents, including pet owners, to sit and contemplate.

Development at Bockings

We were very pleased to receive an invitation from Rachel Furze, the newly appointed architect for the site to meet her and John Foks, one of the landowners, to discuss their new plans. These included an idea to protect the land at the side of the River Beane, the possibility of a single storey building on the garage site and the development on the paddocks to include a variety of styles that would fit into a rural environment. It was a cordial and informative meeting where an offer was made to hold a public meeting sometime in the future so that Councillors and village residents could see the proposed plans and ask questions.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 5th September 2024 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Notice of Vacancy for Councillor

PARISH OF WALKERN
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that due to the resignation of John Wilson, a vacancy has arisen in the Office of Parish Councillor for the Parish Council.

If by 9 September 2024 (14 days excluding Dies Non, after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below by TEN local government electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

If an election is not requested by TEN local government electors, the vacancy will be filled by cooption as soon as practicable after 9 September 2024.

Caroline

Dated 19 August 2024

Richard Cassidy
Returning Officer
Wallfields
Pegs Lane
Hertford
Hertfordshire
SG13 8EQ

Adoption of Walkern Neighbourhood Plan First Revision

At the full Council meeting of East Herts District Council on Wednesday 24th July, Councillors agreed to make (adopt) the Walkern Neighbourhood Plan First Revision. It now forms part of the development plan for Walkern Parish, replacing the 2018 Walkern Neighbourhood Plan.

All the documentation relating to the Neighbourhood Plan is available on the East Herts District website at Walkern Neighbourhood Plan First Revision | East Herts District Council.

Notice of Vacancy for Parish Council Clerk

WALKERN PARISH COUNCIL

APPOINTMENT OF CLERK TO THE COUNCIL

Salary within grade

£14.21 per hour (Spinal Column Point: 14)

Part-time  (Approx 13 hours per week)

If you have a genuine interest in helping our forward thinking and energetic Council develop and deliver timely, quality and innovative services to the local community, this post is ideal. You will work closely with the Council, to ensure that all legal, statutory, financial and other governing provisions relating to the Council are observed, all Council meetings are properly administered and decisions effectively implemented whilst developing healthy working partnerships with key local and regional bodies

Suitably qualified, highly motivated, enthusiastic and community focused, you will bring administrative, communication, IT, organisational skills and be flexible in approach and be able to meet deadlines. Full training, at the council’s expense will be provided.

We offer excellent nationally based terms and conditions of employment for this post which will involve working flexible hours and one evening for meetings usually monthly.

Please call: Dave Standing on  01438 861248 for more details

or email your CV to: David.standing@walkernparishcouncil.gov.uk

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 31st July 2024

TEMPORARY CLOSING OF B1037 STEVENAGE ROAD, WALKERN

HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

(TEMPORARY CLOSING OF B1037 STEVENAGE ROAD, WALKERN)
ORDER 2024

NOTICE is given that Hertfordshire County Council has made the above Order on under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to prohibit all If vehicular traffic from using that length of B1037 Stevenage Road, Walkern from its junction with the Gresley Way roundabout north eastwards, south eastwards, north eastwards, south eastwards, north eastwards and eastwards for a distance of approximately 2122m (“the Road”). An alternative route will be via B1037 Fairlands Way, A1155 (Fairlands Way/ St Georges Way), A602 (Monkswood Way/Broadhall Way/Hooks Cross), High Street, Walkern Road, Benington Road and High Street. The Order is needed because works are proposed to be executed on or near the Road. The Order has been made and shall come into force on 15 July 2024 for a period of up to 18 months. However, the restrictions specified shall only take effect at the times indicated by signs on or near the Road. If you have any queries about the Order, please contact Jenny Swann tel. 0300 123 4047 at Ringway.

 

Planning application: 3/24/1061/SCREEN

Please find consultation letter attached for Land West Of High Street Walkern Hertfordshire.

3/24/1061/SCREEN

Application Received Tue 04 Jun 2024
Application Validated Tue 04 Jun 2024
Address Land West Of High Street Walkern Hertfordshire SG2 7PF
Proposal Request for Screening Opinion: Integrated Retirement Community (IRC) of up to 125 units, comprising a variety of ancillary community, activity, ornamental and natural green spaces. The scheme comprises a central, main building (the Clubhouse) that contains communal facilities, including a restaurant, gym, studio space and swimming pool.
Status Awaiting decision
Appeal Status Unknown
LocationBlockSite Plan

LocationBlockSite Plan

Walkern Parish Council Report, June 2024

The Walkern Parish Council Meeting was held on Thursday June 6th 2024 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre.

This report covers some of the issues we have been dealing with over the last few months. The full minutes of the meetings are available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board by Budgens.

Co-option of New Councillor

I’m pleased to report that Reg Marjason, our finance officer, has now joined us as a Councillor. Reg has worked hard with the Council over the last few months preparing the accounts for an internal and external audit, as well as advising on actions that need to be taken to comply with AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return.)

Walkern Neighbourhood Plan

We received notification in May from Laura Guy of East Herts District Council that the Neighbourhood Plan First Revision is being recommended for adoption by EHDC. A report is going to the Executive in June and will be presented to the full District Council in July. She also states that it has been recognised that the Parish Council has made particular reference to the environment, green spaces and biodiversity in the update.

Walk About Walkern

Several times a year groups of Councillors tour the village. We inspect the state of village assets and the general look of the area. Sometimes any necessary maintenance is carried out and paid for by the Council, for example the repair of the Book Exchange cabinet in the High Street playground. At other times, for example the cutting of overhanging hedges onto pavements, it might be the responsibility of individual householders. We also take note of issues that need to be dealt with by outside agencies, for example the Clerk will be contacting Highways about the replacement of the missing road sign at the corner of the High Street and Stevenage Road.

Residents can of course contact us to report similar issues at any time as we aim to keep Walkern a pleasant place to live.

War Memorial Bench

Council has been in touch with Walkern Hall to discuss the siting of a bench at the memorial. We need permission to cut back part of the hedge on their land so that the bench can be placed in a safe position. The response has been favourable so we hope that we can move forward with this project using money raised by the tombola at the Walkern Fair.

Campo Sancho Festival at Walkern Hall 26th-28th July 2024

This weekend family festival includes camping and music. We expressed our concerns about noise levels when we met the organisers some months ago and they agreed to have a higher level of monitoring of the sound from the music and people leaving the event.

The company are offering Villagers a discount code of 25% using the code:

SG2Local25%off

Use this code at

www.sanchopanza.org/campo-sancho

Retirement Village (Inspired Villages)

We would like residents to be aware of a Request for Screening Opinion that is now on the East Herts Planning Portal. This has come from Inspired Villages and their associated developers. Residents may remember a presentation from Inspired Villages given last year in the Walkern Sports and Community Centre.  The scheme is for up to 125 units with communal facilities. We urge you to look at the details for yourselves.

Log on to the East Herts Planning Portal

Click on the Blue Box which is headed “Object, comment or view a Planning Application Online”

Enter the reference 3/24/1061/SCREEN.

Select the green box called Search

This document is part of the pre-planning process. We have responded stating that an Environmental Impact Statement should be submitted and EHDC has previously refused a similar planning application from Inspired Villages.

Crime Report May 2024 Hertfordshire Constabulary

Walkern

Criminal Damage (Clay End) – Chain cut on locked gate

Criminal Damage-Vehicle window smashed

Criminal Damage-Van wind deflector pulled off.

There is a trend of offenders across the county trying vehicle, property and outbuilding door handles in the early hours of the morning and stealing contents where they are unlocked. Always ensure your vehicles and property are secured when unattended and all doors and windows locked, particularly overnight.

Please continue to report suspicious vehicles that you may see driving around the area. If you are able to record the make, colour, and registration number of the vehicle, that would be very helpful.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 11th July 2024 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

TRO 25060 – The Hertfordshire (Temporary Closing of High Street, Walkern) Order 2024

HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

THE HERTFORDSHIRE (TEMPORARY CLOSING OF HIGH STREET, WALKERN) ORDER 2024

NOTICE is given that Hertfordshire County Council intends to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to prohibit all vehicular traffic from using that length of High Street, Walkern from its junction with Benington Road north westwards and north eastwards for a distance of approximately 36m (“the Road”), except for access.

An alternative route will be via Benington Road, Walkern Road, High Street, A602 (Hooks Cross/Broadhall Way) Gresley Way, B1037 Stevenage Road and High Street.

The Order is needed because utility service works are proposed to be executed on or near the Road.

If the Order is made, it shall come into force on 25 June 2024 for a period of up to 18 months. However, the restrictions specified shall only take effect at the times indicated by signs on or near the Road.

A copy of the proposed Order may be inspected free of charge at County Hall, Hertford between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm (excluding weekends, bank and public holidays).

If you have any queries about the proposed Order, please contact Eileen O’Riordan tel. 0345 357 2407 at Affinity Water or Tommy Clee tel. 0300 123 4047 at Hertfordshire County Council.

County Hall
Hertford
Herts
SG13 8DN

6 June 2024
Mark Doran
Executive Director
Growth and Environment

TRO25060plan

TRO25060plan