Walkern Parish Council Report July – August 2024

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

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

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

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

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

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.

Planning application: 3/24/1061/SCREEN

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

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

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

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

Walkern Parish Council Report, May 2024

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

The Walkern Annual Parish Meeting and the monthly Parish Council Meeting were held on Thursday May 9th 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.

Annual Parish Meeting Report

Michele Rist, our Chair, spoke of the difficult year for the Council. The departure of the Clerk, problems with Barclays Bank which many charities are facing, and the sad death of a much respected Councillor. However, we are making progress in bringing our working practices up to date and Michele thanked all the Councillors for their help and support in this matter.

Election of Council Officers

I’m pleased to report that Michele Rist agreed to remain as Chair of the Parish Council. All the current Councillors were prepared to continue on the Council.

Walkern Neighbourhood Plan

The National Association of Local Councils have recently reported on the future of Neighbourhood Plans as the government has been dragging its feet on supporting funding. The confirmation has eventually come through solidifying the government’s commitment to such planning. The report states that in this area parish and town councils “shine”.

We have been working hard to produce a Plan that will be fit for purpose and preserve Walkern as a village community within a rural setting.

At present our consultant, Jaqueline Veater, and Laura Guy of East Herts District Council are dealing with the final questions from Edward Cousins, the examiner. The Plan must then be put before a full District Council meeting for their approval. These meetings are held roughly every three months.

 Walkern Fair

The sun certainly shone on Walkern the day of the Fair! Inside the Parish Council gazebo we displayed photographs showing the Village assets we are responsible for such as land, buildings, playground and fitness equipment as well as many other items. There was also information about the work of the Council. We were pleased that a number of visitors came to chat and buy a ticket for the tombola which raised a total of about £100. We hope to put the money towards a bench near the War Memorial.

Finance

The Council’s accounts have been approved by the internal auditor, Helen McCash.

Reg Marjason, our finance officer, presented us with an easy-to-read spreadsheet showing a timetable for the end-of-year reporting, approvals and internal audit that need to be completed to seek an external audit and to comply with AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return.)

We are continuing to have difficulties with Barclays so the Council are investigating changing our accounts to the Unity Trust Bank which would enable us to use online banking facilities.

S106 Monies

These are the funds paid by developers of the Mears site to the Village for improvements in the local area, and residents are asking what has happened to these funds.

The law has now changed but at the time of the Wallace Way development, the Inspector decided what such funds should be used for, without any consultation with the Parish Council. A large amount of money was set aside for a cycle path between Walkern and Stevenage. However, permission had to be sought from local landowners who did not agree with the proposal. Another sum was set aside for play equipment at the High Street playground but as the equipment was in good condition it has not yet been used. The Parish Council has tried on numerous occasions to get permission to use this money for other worthwhile projects but we have been told this would not be legal. We asked if we could buy play equipment for the Walkern Sports and Community Centre but this was rejected as illegal even though the funds were for play equipment the money could only legally be used at the High Street site. Instead, we had to go through a long and difficult grant application process to put the play equipment that you can now see and use at the WSCC.

The S106 money is not in the Parish Council funds but is held by East Herts District Council. The Parish Council share and understand the frustration that residents feel about this.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 6th June 2024 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.

Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor

Notice of Vacancy in Office of Councillor

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

PARISH OF WALKERN
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

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

If by 30 April, 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 30 April, 2024.

Dated 10 April, 2024

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

Common winter service Q&As

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

Message from  East Herts District Council

We are now well into the winter service, having sent gritters out across the network several times recently. Based on information and questions that we have received in the past, we have prepared below responses to the most commonly asked questions that the service receives during the winter service period. Whilst the below is a snapshot of some of the more common questions, more detailed information can be found on the website on our winter weather pages.

Potholes/repair

At the weekend, we also launched a dedicated winter potholes page, which provides some context as to why potholes may occur more frequently at this time of year, and to encourage people to report them online. In addition, as asphalt plants close each year for the Christmas season (this year between 20 December and 8 January), we may need to carry out temporary pothole repairs during this period which will be revisited during January for permanent repairs where required.

Common winter service Q&As

When are the gritters going out?

Our gritting decisions are based on agreed intervention levels. When road surface temperatures fall below 0.5 degrees Celsius, we will typically be out gritting. Other factors such as residual salt, wind, and precipitation (rain) are also taken into account when determining when we go out and how much grit we spread. We aim to grit in advance of any hazards forming, and also avoid rush hours wherever possible.

Why are you gritting when it’s not that cold out?

Our gritting decisions are based on road surface temperatures, which are often lower than air temperatures during the winter season. Additionally, as we aim to grit in advance of hazards forming, we typically go gritting before the coldest part of the day or night.

Why are you gritting here but not there?

HCC have defined their network into Primary, Secondary and Non-Gritting Routes. This hierarchy is set out in our Winter Service Operational Plan and can be found at Gritting routes | Hertfordshire County Council. This has been done to ensure we can keep the highest priority routes as clear as possible during the winter season, whilst operating within existing budget constraints.

Will you grit pavements?

HCC do have a footway hierarchy which is set out in our Winter Service Operational Plan. However, our routine gritting runs focus on our Primary Network which is made up of our highest priority carriageways. We may carry out local footway clearance during severe weather if resource allows, or request assistance from District & Borough Councils.

Footways are not currently routinely gritted, although we do run our Winter Self-Help Scheme where all schools, Parish/Town Councils and Community/Residents Groups can apply for up to 1 tonne of ‘free’ salt every year. This is intended to help with local footway clearance and is supplemented by just over 1,200 salt bins around the county.

Where are the grit bins?

We have just over 1,200 grit bins around the county and their locations can be found at, Salt bins in Hertfordshire | Hertfordshire County Council. Each Member can apply for up to 2 new grit bins in total, which have to meet a certain criteria for approval. It should be noted that there are some grit bins on the highway network that are not owned by HCC; historic bins are sometimes owned by District/Borough Councils or resident rgoups. These will not be routinely maintained or refilled as they do not form part of HCC’s inventory and are not budgeted for.

When will you refill the grit bins?

We refill every grit bin that requires it at the start of each winter season. Additionally, if we encounter a period of severe weather or snow, we may carry out a further refill mid-season.

Why is the gritter speeding?

Our gritters should not be speeding. Due to the nature of the vehicles – heavy, flashing lights with grit being spread quickly out of the back, it can sometimes appear that the vehicle is moving more quickly than it is. All our gritters are GPS tracked so we can monitor speed, spread rate and location, amongst other aspects of the operation.

Why is the gritter out on the road but not gritting?

We have a fleet of 70 gritters that cover 2,500km each time we go gritting. The average length of a gritting route is around 35km (just over 20 miles), but the gritter doesn’t necessarily start its route as it leaves our highways depots. Therefore, if you see a gritting vehicle that is not gritting, it is most likely driving to its gritting route or returning from a gritting run to a depot.

Which council does what?

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

Getting in touch with the right people, the first time, makes Iife that bit easier.

The Yew Tree pub

/in News/by Walkern Parish Council

Dear Villagers,

McMullens have owned The Yew Tree pub for many years and Marcus has been the last tenant to run it in a list of many to hold this position.

Marcus’s current agreement comes to an end on 30th August 2022.

Since the news of Marcus giving us his notice, we have been contacted by some passionate villagers that are feeling aggrieved about his leaving and worried that the site might close.

Here at McMullen’s we pride ourselves on investing in the future of our sites to ensure they are the heart of the community bringing everyone together to share stories over a well-earned pint and The Yew Tree is no exception.

Currently in its present condition this would not be a viable option for all parties; Tenant, Landlord and Customers.

So, once Marcus has left, we will be looking at all our options. Our aim will be to create a sustainable community asset for the villagers, providing we receive the support to do so.

Unfortunately, this means that the site will be closing for a period of time whilst plans are drawn up and a new tenant is found and then when completed you will have a social asset to share and be proud of.

Due to the passionate emails/messages we have received over the past few weeks we are happy to hear your views and thoughts about the future of The Yew Tree.

If you are interested in having your say about the pub then please feel free to contact

to book an appointment with Fergus McMullen who will be more than happy to hear about your ideas.