• Mr Nicholas Turkentine (Chair)
• Mr David Drane
• Ms Diana Frost
• James Nicholson
• Mark Welbourn
• District Councillor George Smith
• The Clerk

The Parish Council meeting started at 8.00pm

22109. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

       received from County Councillor Martin Foley.
       
       

22110. PUBLIC FORUM

       No members of the public were in attendance.
       
       

22111. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

       None required.
       
       

22112. REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND/OR COUNTY COUNCILLORS

       District Councillor Smith gave a brief update on Uttlesford District Council - UDC budget for 2023/24 now passed, with 3% uplift in Council tax (noted ECC uplift is 3.5%); UDC finances will be balanced by use of reserves in the short term, but savings are more than likely to be required going forwards (possibility of reducing UDC headcount over next 5 years).
       
       County Councillor Foley had sent a report by email prior to the meeting, which Diana Frost briefly summarised - broken VAS sign in Hempstead to be investigated; Highways update to follow, after Local Highways Panel meeting in early March; responses from a residents' petition regarding the recycling centre booking system; and ECC Council tax rise of 3.5% (but appears to be major funding gap which is likely to lead to a cut in services).
       
       

22113. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF THURSDAY 12TH JANUARY AND 2ND FEBRUARY

       were approved and signed by the Chair.
       
       

22114. FINANCE

       Item 1 - Current Account Balance £1630.31, which will be sufficient to cover costs until end of the FY.
       Item 2 - the proposed 2023/24 Budget (Annex A) was unanimously approved.
       Item 3 - unanimous approval of renumeration for Clerk's expenses of £440 and £54 EALC Election Briefing, and invoices signed.
       
       

22115. PLANNING

       to review and comment on new planning applications and to note any decisions as at 17/02/23.
       
       Shepherds Cottage Anso Road: UTT/23/0097/FUL. AWAITING DECISION
       Little Orchard: UTT/23/0139/HHF. AWAITING DECISION
       Stack Field House: UTT/21/2412/OP. AWAITING DECISION
       Fairview Bungalow: UTT/22/1872/FUL. AWAITING DECISION
       Iswas Cottage: UTT/22/3374/PDE. PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT, APPLICATION NOT REQUIRED
       Land at Thatch Cottage: UTT/22/2206/OP. APPROVE WITH CONDITIONS
       
       

22116. ASSET OF COMMUNITY VALUE

       Information from the Rescue Our Bluebell Inn (ROBINN) public meeting had been added as supporting evidence to the nomination documentation, along with three "witness statements" of community usage provided by long term residents. It was noted that it was disappointing that more residents had not provided statements, despite the very well attended ROBINN public meeting. It was agreed that the nomination for renewal should be now be made as soon as possible, so further evidence would not be sought. The Clerk to send the nomination in the next day.
       
       

22117. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY

       The Clerk and Diana Frost had attended separate briefings regarding the upcoming elections. Pertinent information from the briefings was discussed, including the timetable, photo ID requirements for electors and nomination forms. It was agreed that councillors would meet in March to complete their nomination forms together and that Diana Frost would take them all into UDC before the deadline. The Clerk to confirm where the Electoral Number for nominating individuals can be found.
       
       

22118. CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III

       It was noted that currently the only planned events to mark the Coronation are a village walk on 8^th May followed by a Bluebell 2 event at the village hall. The Clerk had received notification that a £700 grant is available from UDC to go towards the costs of events that are open to everyone, with a deadline of 13^th April. It was agreed that a piece requesting any interest from residents to organise celebrations would be included in the next Newsletter.
       
       

22119. CORRESPONDANCE

       Triangle of land - Following the Parish Council's letter sent on 13^th January, an email reply had been received from the owner of the land, stating that on advice they would be putting it up for sale (which has now occurred). The Council is exploring the implications of the sale of this piece of land.
       
       Thaxted Area Parish Meeting - Diana Frost had attended this meeting, which included information on a "cultural engine", the upcoming local elections and planning issues (Dean Hermitage, UDC Planning Director, was in attendance).
       
       

22120. CENSUS

       Diana Frost highlighted some interesting Census data comparing Hempstead with England averages, including the biggest age group being 50-54, household deprivation markers and disability.
       
       

22121. SPEEDWATCH/POLICE SPEEDCHECKS

       The Police visited Hempstead on Thursday, 16^th February to carry out a speed check. It was noted that their visit was in the middle of the day, when the road is noticeable quieter. It was agreed that the Clerk should request that another visit be made at a more appropriate time of day, i.e. commuting times in the morning or evening.
       
       

22122. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS

       Policing/Neighbourhood Watch / Health and Well-being - No update.
       Highways and Rights of Way - No update.
       Environment - The Clerk had received notice that the Council's grass cutting contractor was no longer able to carry out this service, therefore a new contractor needed to be sought. Diana Frost had been in touch with a contractor who cuts grass for a neighbouring Parish and they had carried out a site visit in order to provide a quote, which is awaited.
       Communications - Diana Frost outlined her consideration of all communication channels in Hempstead, and her concerns regarding the usefulness of the village website, now that most of Hempstead's societies and groups had disbanded (now mainly an archive facility). It was noted that the website is important for publishing Parish Council documentation. Possibility was raised of a systemic audit of the website and whether a stand-alone Parish Council website might be something to investigate. It was agreed that further discussions were required.
       Village Hall - No update.
       Flooding - Essex Highways are still awaiting to clear ditches on Anso Road, with staffing issues causing the delay.
       
       

22123. MATTERS ARISING REQUIRING DECISIONS, TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NEXT AGENDA

       none.
       
       

22124. FUTURE MEETING DATES

       30^th March and 26^th April (Wednesday). Thursday, 18^th May for Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and Friday 26^th May for the Annual Parish meeting.