Walkern Parish Council Report – September 2025

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The Parish Council Meeting was held on Thursday 4th September 2025 at 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 meeting are available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board outside Budgens shop.

Playground Update

It has been agreed with HAGS that the project manager will take delivery of top soil on site and be responsible for filling in the holes under areas of the safety matting that were causing us concern. We hope that this will deal with the last of the snagging issues.

After investigation of various woods and recyclable plastic for the repair of the old benches in the playground the Council decided to order Iroko wood. It was the most expensive option but should prove even more sustainable and hard wearing than other materials.

We have reported on our Facebook page that there have been several incidents of vandalism, where play equipment has been deliberately damaged. Please take the time to report anything you see to the police by phoning 101, the non-emergency help line. The incident will then be logged and might help to identify the time of day, or days of the week when vandalism occurs. Also, it could lead to the police making more visits to the area.

The Hertfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

It is a government requirement that all counties should publish a local nature strategy. A Parish Councillor attended a webinar session giving details of Hertfordshire’s response and several of us logged into YouTube where the same session was open to the public. The purpose of the strategy is to identify areas where habitat creation and enhancement can most benefit species recovery, enable a more joined up approach and encourage more people and organisations to take action. Maps showing areas where work for nature is ongoing are available on line and the mapping tool was helpful in identifying the areas around Walkern that had been noted.

Once the strategy has been published a hard copy will be made freely available to the public.

Allotments

The Parish Council have agreed a new tenancy agreement for allotment holders but, as the changes are mainly concerned with updating officials’ names, it was decided that current tenants would not be asked to sign the new document. It was also decided not to increase the rents for the coming year.

Peace Garden

This project has been in working progress for at least a year! The main difficulty stems from the fact that no conveyancing trail from the owners of the graveyard in Froghall Lane to East Herts District Council could be found so that presented a problem with land registry. Also, the solicitors have passed the project through the hands of several of their staff.

However, our clerk Abi has contacted the solicitors on many occasions over the last few months and is seems that land registry have now accepted that EHDC, having maintained the area for many years, has title to the property.

We hope that means we can at last move forward with the purchase of the land from the District Council.

Annual Meeting of Hertfordshire Parish, Town and Community Councils and Hertfordshire County Council

Several Councillors are attending this event on September 12th at the Fielder Centre in Hatfield. There will be an opportunity to hear about, comment on and discuss the county’s proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire before submission to the government in November 2025.

Crime Report and Street Meet

The latest crime report issued in July by Hertfordshire Police notes a case of Drink Driving on the Stevenage Road and Arson in Wallace Green Way.

There is an opportunity to meet our Community Police Officers at the Street Meet on Saturday 18th October at 2.30pm, outside Budgens Shop in Walkern. Please go along and talk to them about any concerns you have in connection crime or anti-social behaviour in Walkern.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 2nd October 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Planning application for a retirement care village 3/25/0224/OUT – WITHDRAWN

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The Parish Council is very pleased to advise that the above planning application has been withdrawn by the applicant. We would like to thank, once again, all those who have contributed to our robust defence of our village. However, we are under no illusion that this is the last we have heard regarding that piece of land and must remain ready to respond accordingly.

Walkern Parish Council Report – July/August 2025

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The Parish Council Meeting was held on Thursday 3rd July 2025 at 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 meeting are available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board outside Budgens shop.

Annual Meeting of Hertfordshire Parish Town and Community Councils and Hertfordshire County Councils

Several Councillors will be attending this meeting on Friday 12th September which is being jointly chaired by Herts County Council and the Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils. This event will be an opportunity for us to hear about, comment on and give some input to the county’s proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire before submission to the government in November 2025.

Playground Update

The playground is being put to good use now the school holidays have begun. As soon as the safety inspection had been completed and the more serious problems picked up by their report had been dealt with the playground was opened for business. Councillors have visited the playground on many occasions over the last few weeks and have chatted to the parents and children there. We are very pleased with their responses to the new equipment. It’s been a pleasure to see families picnicking, spending time in the area and having fun. There are still some snagging issues relating to the matting under some of the apparatus so we have contacted HAGS and hope to get these dealt with in the coming weeks. We are aware that the notice boards and the older benches at the entrance to the park now looking very dilapidated and we are in the process of getting quotes to carry out repairs. The Parish Council has many and varied responsibilities. When we spoke to the people at the playground many of them were unaware that it was the Council which was responsible for organising and coordinating the update of the playground equipment. We would welcome younger residents to join the Council and take part in other projects which would benefit the village of Walkern.

Play Area at the WSCC

Vandalism is an ongoing problem in this area. TAE, the company that fenced the play equipment, have met with Councillors several times and have carried out repairs free of charge, though it is apparent that damage has been caused by youngsters repeatedly kicking footballs against the palings with such force that even those that have been screwed in have been knocked out again.
Vandalism is an offence and we have reported these actions to the police on many occasions and asked them to increase their visits, especially in the evening. However, residents can also help by contacting Hertfordshire police themselves and giving details of such incidents.

The Hertfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

This strategy is the culmination of 18 months of work by the Hertfordshire Nature Recovery Partnership, with support from environmental and ecological experts, land managers and town and parish councils. We have taken part in surveys and attended exhibitions in order to support nature in and around Walkern. The public consultation is now open and a Councillor will be attending a webinar on August 19th which will talk through some of the highlights of the strategy and provide an opportunity to ask questions. The Council will then respond to the survey.
The Hertfordshire Local Nature recovery Strategy is available to read online and the survey is open to all residents to respond.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 4th September 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Walkern Parish Council Report – June 2025

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The Parish Council Meeting was held on Thursday 5th June 2025 at 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 meeting will be available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board outside Budgens shop.

Grants to Village Organisations

The Council receive requests from various local organisations with information on how the grant will be used. We were pleased to agree to the following:

Elderberries: £300

Walkern Journal: £300

Walkern History Society: £300

St Mary’s Church: £750

The United Reformed Church: £600

Playground Update

We are pleased with the positive response received from many residents about the new design for the playground. Those of you who have followed these reports in the Journal and on our website will know that the Council have spent many months planning the project and informing residents of its progress. We wanted to ensure that the S106 money set aside by the Inspector for the Wallace Green Way development should not be given back to the builders and we were also aware that much of the old equipment would not meet with current safety standards. We approached three playground companies for advice and emphasised the need for the new playground to be suitable for all children whatever their physical abilities. The design from HAGS met with all our approval and was subsequently endorsed by East Herts District Council who released the funds. Work began on June 16th and is progressing well, helped by the good weather.
We do hope that the new playground will be open for use by the time schools break up for the summer holidays. Meanwhile we want to remind residents that the play area at the Walkern
Sports Community Centre is there for families to enjoy. It is now completely enclosed with picnic tables inside the fenced area. The Fitness Trail is also available for older children aged 14 upwards, and adults.

Lanvallay Visitors

Several Councillors were pleased to attend the coffee morning on Saturday June 7th held at Walkern Hall to welcome the French visitors. Many of them had visited Walkern before and were staying with families in the village. It was good to chat in informal surroundings to Sophie Troubadours and Thierry Nicolas who are adjoints (deputies) to Bruno, the mayor of Lanvallay and were his representatives. Patrick Ramousse, the Chair of the Friends of Walkern described Lanvallay as a much larger area than our village but it was interesting to hear that they face similar problems, especially in encouraging people to get involved in running local societies and in local politics. Many are too busy with work and family life to commit to anything else. However, we agreed that it is at a local level that the needs of the community are really considered.

The planning and Infrastructure Bill

The Council have received information about the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that is currently being proposed in Westminster from Chris Hinchcliffe, our local Member of Parliament. He has written to all town and parish councils in his constituency setting out the amendments he has proposed to the bill. First, he hopes to improve the planning system so that it will “define and deliver affordable homes and empower local authorities in the planning process” Secondly, he proposes to “reframe the planning system to better deliver sustainable development, encourage spatial development and protect our chalk streams.” The third series of amendments aim to put communities at the heart of planning. These amendments have been supported by several organisations including CPRE, the countryside charity, the Town and Country Planning Association, Shelter and the Wildlife trusts. In his letter to the Parish Council he offered to visit Walkern to discuss these amendments with us and a date has been set for September. The online petition on Planning Reform, which some of you may have signed, was presented to Parliament by Chris Hinchcliffe on June 5th 2025.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 3rd July 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Walkern Parish Council Report – May 2025

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The Annual Parish Council Meeting and the monthly Council Meeting were held on Wednesday 7th May 2025 at 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 will be available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board outside Budgen’s shop.

Election of Chair

The Council was very pleased to re-elect Michele Rist as Chair and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed.

Annual Parish Report

Michele Rist, as Chair, spoke of the many challenges faced by the Council including changing and updating policies as the responsibilities of local councils increases. The Council, although not at full capacity, works well together assisting each other where they can in all aspects of Council business.

Abi Brown, our clerk, has passed her probationary period and has been successful in obtaining a grant from East Herts District Council to cover the cost of fencing the play area at The Walkern Sports and Community Centre.

Reg Marjason , our Finance Officer, keeps the Council up to date on a monthly basis with clear statements so we are aware of what we are spending and upcoming costs. This year we have had to increase the precept which we receive from EHDC to cover Council responsibilities in order to meet rising costs. However, we have tried to keep it to a reasonable amount as the precept is financed from the local council tax paid by residents.

The Asset Register, showing all sites and buildings owned by the Council has been completely overhauled and will be checked annually. We are in the process of reviewing our contracts with the Allotment Association and the WSCC committee. Michele thanked Elaine Cook and her committee for her work in running the Allotment Association and also The Walkern Fair Committee and all those who helped to run the Fair at the WSCC on Sunday 4th May.

The History Society is making good use of the Pigeon Hut, a really interesting place to visit, displaying items found in local digs or donated by residents. Michele thanked the society for their hard work and future plans to plant a new area outside the building which will add to the bio diversity of the site.

Michele thanked Michelle Wakeley, employed by the Council, for her great work of general maintenance around the village from tidying hedge rows, cutting grass in the play areas to cleaning the wooden seating at the WSCC and many other tasks besides. She also thanked Michael, who works for the Council in clearing litter in the streets and emptying bins maintained by the Parish Council. Many residents care about the appearance of Walkern and Jan Fewell and her husband and Miki and Andy Phillips who all litter pick were thanked for keeping the Village tidy.

Crime remains low in Walkern but acts of vandalism such as broken glass and throwing of bottles and other litter at the sports field, graffiti on play items or damaging equipment still occurs. We try to respond quickly to such mindless acts.

The Council is about to decide on our grants to the different village organisations that have requested help. These requests range from money to continue ongoing work or one-off payments for a special event.

Ending the report Michele hoped that District Councillors Tom Deffley and Tony Stowe and County Councillor Ken Crofton will continue to give the Parish Council

their advice and support.

Playground Update

Michele mentioned in her Annual Report that the High Street Playground is about to undergo a massive refurbishment funded by S106 monies. Councillors are having a Pre-Start Meeting with Jilly Saunders, the area representative of HAGS, and we hope their representative who will oversee the work on site.

Michele also mentioned that the Book Exchange Box is now back in the playground. Many thanks to John Wilson, who donated a great deal of wood and time to the project and Tony and John Stinchcombe who completed the renovation. Annie Sabido, a Village resident will be keeping the box topped up and the books in good condition.

Play Area at the WSCC

We hope that residents are aware that a fence matching the wooden fencing outside the Pavilion is now in place around the play area. We are very grateful for the grants we have received from EHDC and Ken Crofton to allow this project to go ahead. The fencing will help keep small children safe and keep dogs out of the area.

Gridlock on the Roads to Walkern

The Council are aware of the chaotic situation that took place on Friday 9th May at about 3.30pm which resulted in a complete gridlock of roads leading from Stevenage to Walkern, Aston and the surrounding areas. Affinity Water are being approached for their comments.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 5th June 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Walkern Parish Council Report – May 2025

/in News/by RFO

The Annual Parish Council Meeting and the monthly Council Meeting were held on Wednesday 7th May 2025 at 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 will be available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board outside Budgen’s shop.

Election of Chair

The Council was very pleased to re-elect Michele Rist as Chair and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed.

Annual Parish Report

Michele Rist, as Chair, spoke of the many challenges faced by the Council including changing and updating policies as the responsibilities of local councils increases. The Council, although not at full capacity, works well together assisting each other where they can in all aspects of Council business.

Abi Brown, our clerk, has passed her probationary period and has been successful in obtaining a grant from East Herts District Council to cover the cost of fencing the play area at The Walkern Sports and Community Centre.

Reg Marjason , our Finance Officer, keeps the Council up to date on a monthly basis with clear statements so we are aware of what we are spending and upcoming costs. This year we have had to increase the precept which we receive from EHDC to cover Council responsibilities in order to meet rising costs. However, we have tried to keep it to a reasonable amount as the precept is financed from the local council tax paid by residents.

The Asset Register, showing all sites and buildings owned by the Council has been completely overhauled and will be checked annually. We are in the process of reviewing our contracts with the Allotment Association and the WSCC committee. Michele thanked Elaine Cook and her committee for her work in running the Allotment Association and also The Walkern Fair Committee and all those who helped to run the Fair at the WSCC on Sunday 4th May.

The History Society is making good use of the Pigeon Hut, a really interesting place to visit, displaying items found in local digs or donated by residents. Michele thanked the society for their hard work and future plans to plant a new area outside the building which will add to the bio diversity of the site.

Michele thanked Michelle Wakeley, employed by the Council, for her great work of general maintenance around the village from tidying hedge rows, cutting grass in the play areas to cleaning the wooden seating at the WSCC and many other tasks besides. She also thanked Michael, who works for the Council in clearing litter in the streets and emptying bins maintained by the Parish Council. Many residents care about the appearance of Walkern and Jan Fewell and her husband and Miki and Andy Phillips who all litter pick were thanked for keeping the Village tidy.

Crime remains low in Walkern but acts of vandalism such as broken glass and throwing of bottles and other litter at the sports field, graffiti on play items or damaging equipment still occurs. We try to respond quickly to such mindless acts.

The Council is about to decide on our grants to the different village organisations that have requested help. These requests range from money to continue ongoing work or one-off payments for a special event.

Ending the report Michele hoped that District Councillors Tom Deffley and Tony Stowe and County Councillor Ken Crofton will continue to give the Parish Council

their advice and support.

Playground Update

Michele mentioned in her Annual Report that the High Street Playground is about to undergo a massive refurbishment funded by S106 monies. Councillors are having a Pre-Start Meeting with Jilly Saunders, the area representative of HAGS, and we hope their representative who will oversee the work on site.

Michele also mentioned that the Book Exchange Box is now back in the playground. Many thanks to John Wilson, who donated a great deal of wood and time to the project and Tony and John Stinchcombe who completed the renovation. Annie Sabido, a Village resident will be keeping the box topped up and the books in good condition.

Play Area at the WSCC

We hope that residents are aware that a fence matching the wooden fencing outside the Pavilion is now in place around the play area. We are very grateful for the grants we have received from EHDC and Ken Crofton to allow this project to go ahead. The fencing will help keep small children safe and keep dogs out of the area.

Gridlock on the Roads to Walkern

The Council are aware of the chaotic situation that took place on Friday 9th May at about 3.30pm which resulted in a complete gridlock of roads leading from Stevenage to Walkern, Aston and the surrounding areas. Affinity Water are being approached for their comments.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 5th June 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Walkern Parish Council Report – April 2025

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The Parish Council met on Thursday 3rd April 2025 at 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 meeting will be available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board outside Budgen’s shop.

Response to the Planning Application for a Retirement Care Village

The Parish Council want to thank all those residents who took the time to reply to our survey and we want to assure you that your comments have formed an important part of our response to East Herts District Council. Indeed 96.6% opposed the development and the Council has met several times, in order to put together a robust opposition to this planning application. These are some of the

main concerns expressed by residents:

  • The scale, location and type of development are inappropriate and out of keeping with the existing scale of the village and would cause material harm to the landscape and character of Walkern.
  • It would have a negative impact on existing transport and infrastructure. Many mentioned the narrow access point to the proposed site and the already congested High Street at peak times. The present sewage system that has on many occasions caused sewage overspill to enter residents’ homes and the River Beane, a rare chalk stream.
  • Lack of village amenities and access to public transport.
  • Inappropriate use of prime agricultural land and negative impact on biodiversity.
  • There is a lack of evidence of a quantified need for this type of development in Walkern. There are retirement complexes in the surrounding area where better services can be provided for the elderly.

The Council consider the proposed development in this location to be wholly unsustainable and contrary to the East Herts District Plan, where Walkern is categorised as a Group 1 Village and was allocated a 10% housing stock increase (55 homes) from 2017 to 2033. However, 94 new homes have been built meaning Walkern has already far exceeded its target. In addition, there are also 3 further applications at present under consideration.

The Council considers this proposal is contrary to the Walkern Neighbourhood Plan where we are committed to preserving the historic character and strong rural identity of the village by ensuring that development is sustainable, protects valued natural features, strengthens a sense of community and enhances wellbeing of new and existing residents.

The Council will attach the full results of the survey to our response to East Herts District Council.

The Council would also like to thank Tom Deffley, our District Councillor for his support in responding to EHDC strongly opposing this application,

Our opposition to the Planning Application is available for you to read on our website at :

https://walkernparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WPC-response-to-3-25-0224-OUT-1.pdf

All direct responses to the proposal are available on the East Herts Planning portal, Application No 3/25/0224/OUT

Playground Update

East Herts District Council have now released the funds for the update to the High Street playground. The Parish Council were impressed with the imaginative, detailed and inclusive design produced by HAGS, the company that we have now engaged. The equipment will take between 12 and 16 weeks to supply after which a suitable date can be chosen for installation. We hope the update will enhance the play experience for all children and the playground will prove to be as popular a venue for families as the present site.

Changes to East Herts Street Bin Collections

Councillors recently met with a representative of EHDC to discuss these changes. The village will be losing a small number of waste bins and some will be relocated but overall they were pleased with the meeting and felt that our views have been taken into account. Where some bins were removed they have been relocated in sites suggested by the Parish Council. Also the Council has undertaken to empty some bins in addition to those currently being emptied.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Wednesday 7th May 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Walkern Parish Council Report – March 2025

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The Parish Council met on Thursday 6th March 2025 at 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 meeting will be available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board outside Budgen’s.

Playground Update

The Council were unanimous in choosing the playground company HAGS to update the High Street playground. This is the company that provided the Fitness Trail and the play equipment at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre. We sought advice from their representative on how play could include physical movement, such as coordination and balance, as well as quiet areas for language development and stimulation of the senses: sight, sound and touch. We were all impressed with the imaginative, detailed and inclusive design they produced which we are sure will enhance the play experience for all children.

We have applied to East Herts District Council to release the funds which will come from S106 monies given by the developer when the new Meers estate was built.

We have been informed that this request has now been forwarded to EHDC’s finance department, so we hope to have the go ahead before too long.

Play Area at The Walkern Sports and Community Centre

Good News! Some weeks ago Abi, our Clerk, applied for a grant from East Herts Lottery Funding to put towards the cost of fencing the play area. We heard recently that the application was successful and we have been awarded £3,000 together with funding by the Parish Council of £400. We were very anxious that the play area should be fenced to prevent dogs gaining access to the site and also to allow families to relax knowing their children are secure.

We would like to thank Tom Deffley, our District Councillor for supporting our application.

Thanks also to Ken Crofton, our County Councillor, who gave us a grant of £450 from his local amenity fund towards the cost of fencing the area.

Once we receive the funds from EHDC we will employ the local contractor TAE Ltd to do the work.

Vandalism and Anti-Social Behaviour

The Council are aware that recently salt bins have been turned over and one emptied on to a private driveway. Several parents have complained about dog mess on the pavements where children and adults have to walk on the way to school. There has been an increase in incidents of graffiti found around the village. This kind of behaviour is not only a nuisance but is also extremely upsetting for the residents involved.

It is a problem in every area of the country and it is extremely difficult to deal with. If you are reading the journal or looking at the Village websites then you have an interest in the local community, but how do you change the behaviour of the few who think it’s fun to make a mess, break things and show little respect for others?

When we talk to the local Community policeman, Paul Chapman, he reminds us that anti-social behaviour and vandalism are seen as an offence and should be reported. The more incidents that are reported the likelier they are to patrol the area. Paul is very approachable so if you see anything please email him and it will be handled in the strictest confidence.

 Suggested Changes to East/North Herts Bin Collections

Councillors recently met with a representative of EHDC to discuss these changes. The village will be losing a small number of waste bins and some will be relocated but overall they were pleased with the meeting and felt that our views have been taken into account.

There are also changes being proposed for all households concerning domestic waste.

Starting in May new bins will be delivered to residents:

180L Purple Lidded bin for non-recyclable waste

23L Outdoor food waste caddy

5L Kitchen Caddy

Collections

Food waste, weekly

Blue Lid Bin for cardboard and paper, every 3 weeks

Black Lid Bin for mixed recyclables, every 3 weeks

Purple Lid Bin for non- recyclables, every 3 weeks

Brown Lid Bin for garden waste for those who subscribe to the scheme

It is proposed to start the new scheme in August 2025

BinCollectioninformation

National Association of Local Councils

The Council has welcomed the government’s clarification on parish and town councils’ involvement in developing proposals for unitary local government by local authorities. NALC wrote directly to the local government and devolution minister, Jim McMahon MP expressing concern the recent guidance to local authorities failed to include parish and town councils in a list of local partners, stakeholders and public bodies they should engage with. In response the minister said, ”This government absolutely values the crucial role played by parish and town councils in local government” and clarified that, ”I expect local leaders to seek views from their MPs, as well as ensuring wider engagement with other local partners. This should include parish and town councils in the spirit of that guidance.”

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 3rd April 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Walkern Parish Council Report – February 2025

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The Parish Council met on Thursday 6th February 2025 at 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 meeting will be available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board

Playground Update

We have now received all three plans and quotations for the update of the High Street playground. When meeting the representatives of the companies we stressed the need to incorporate inclusive equipment that could be enjoyed by all children of infant and primary school age, no matter what their physical and mental abilities. We sought advice from them on how play could include physical movement, such as coordination and balance, as well as quiet areas for language development and stimulation of the senses: sight, sound and touch.

We will now approach East Herts District Council with our recommended plan and, with their approval, engage the company of our choice.

The funds will come from S106 monies given by the developer when the new Meers estate was built. These funds are held at present by EHDC.

 Parking at Roaring Meg Carpark Stevenage

There are a number of entrances and exits to the car park and it is possible to enter and leave a number of times on the same day using a variety of exits. This seems to have led to some fines being issued incorrectly. It’s a good idea therefore to keep till receipts and use Google maps to show location history in case evidence is needed in an appeal against a wrongly issued fine.

 Maintenance of Walkern Benches

We hope that Spring is on its way; it’s certainly been a dull, wet and cold start to the new year.

Once the weather improves, we will ask our maintenance staff to wash and oil the seats owned by the Parish Council. There are a number of them at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre and dotted around the village. Hopefully the sun will shine and encourage us all to spend more time outside making use of them.

 Do you really need an Ambulance?

We would like residents to be aware of HUC, who provide a range of NHS 111 and out of hours services, minor injuries units and urgent treatment centres in Hertfordshire. They run early intervention vehicles and can help with:

Clinical assessments with medications

Care for falls without injury or minor wounds

Support with poor mobility (stuck in bed or chair) or mobility aids

Support for carers’ families who are struggling to cope

Emergency care packages

Onward referral to other prevention of admission teams.

For HUC call 0300 123 7571 or go online to hucweb.co.uk

The urgent treatment centres are walk-in centres. You do not need an appointment:

QE11 hospital Welwyn Garden City closes 10pm 01438 314333

The Old Ambulance Station, Ascots Lane, open 24 hours 0300 033 9982

 National Association of Local Councils

The NALC is urging the government to adequately fund parish and town councils so they can make an even more significant difference in their communities. In response to the government’s consultation on local authority funding reform they urged the government to grant mandatory rate relief on all parish and town council owned buildings and a share of business rates to reinvest in community projects. They also asked the government to allow parish and town councils to apply for all relevant central government funding on the same basis as principal authorities in the future.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 6th March 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Walkern Parish Council Report – January 2025

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The Parish Council met on Thursday 5th December and Thursday 9th January 2025 at 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 meeting will be available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board by Budgens.

Proposed Solar Farm, Beane Valley between Cromer and Cottered Planning Application: 3/24/2245/FUL

Parish Councillors were present at a meeting in Ardley where concerns were raised over the siting and planning application for the Beane Valley Solar Farm. We wish to co-ordinate our response to East Herts District Council with those of Ardley and Cottered Councils. We recognise that solar energy does play a key part in energy security for the UK but the developer’s own survey identified the majority of the proposed site as BMV (best most versatile land). The Parish Council is mindful that in May 2024 the Energy Security Secretary told Parliament that the best agricultural land must be protected for food security, as part of the UK’s national resilience. Solar projects should avoid this quality land and should be developed on brownfield land, contaminated land, industrial land and rooftops so as not to compromise the UK’s food security. We will be sending our response to East Herts District Council shortly, as well as keeping in touch with local Parish Councils and campaign groups.

Defibrillator Course November 2024

This excellent course, financed by the Parish Council, was run by Neil Froggitt, the brains behind a company specialising in first aid training for all ages and groups of people, as well as leading trail adventures in the UK and abroad. We dealt with basic first aid and how to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in children and adults. Neil provided a number of dummies so that we could practise the skills needed and also came with practice defibrillators, mini versions of the real thing, so that we could become more familiar with how the machine issues instructions when operating. We were able to fit the defibrillator pads to the dummies and go through the process of administering the electric shock needed to restart the heart of a casualty. A few weeks later the defibrillator in the High Street playground was displayed to those who attended the course so that the size and weight could be compared to the practice machines. As well as listening to the opening instructions we could see that there is a very obvious button to press on the front which will reduce the current when the casualty is a child or young person. The defibrillator is in a yellow cabinet and can be unlocked with a code that will be provided once the emergency services have been called.

Virtual Attendance at Council Meetings

The government has published a consultation paper to allow councils to use virtual attendance at council meetings. We have responded to a government survey supporting the right of councils to hold virtual meetings when the need arises. It would give councillors and residents who may not be able to attend in person the opportunity to listen to council business and it may also allow residents with young families or those caring for others to consider taking part in local government. During the passage of the Levelling up and Regeneration Act in Parliament the National Association of Local Councils secured cross party support for parish and town councils to hold virtual meetings.

Playground Update

Councillors have met on site with representatives from three companies that provide play equipment. We have discussed with them which pieces will be kept and those we would like to see replaced, as well as looking at new and exciting play opportunities. Once we have received all three designs and quotations all the councillors will be able to view and give their thoughts on how we should proceed with the project. The funds will come from S106 monies given by the developer when the new Meers estate was built. These funds are held at present by EHDC.

Priority Traffic Sign for the Bridge

The council is investigating the possibility of installing a priority traffic sign on the bridge near the Walkern Sports and Community Centre. Residents are aware that visibility is difficult on the extremely sharp and narrow bend over the bridge and there have been three serious accidents at that spot in the past 18 month. We have asked Ken Crofton, our County Councillor, to contact Highways to see whether a sign would be possible, how much it would cost and their advice on which direction should have priority.

Councillor Vacancy

There is a vacancy for a Parish Councillor. We are a friendly group of people from all walks of life who care about the village. The work of the Parish Council is wide and varied. Yes, we do look after the waste bins, dog bins and street lights but there’s a lot more to it than that! In the past five years we have obtained grants to improve community facilities as well as owning many of the village assets, such as the sports field, the Pavilion, the allotments and the High Street Playground. There is an opportunity for the public to attend our meetings and see the work of the Council and all are welcome, so if you feel you would like to contribute to the life of the village then come along and meet us.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 6th February 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor