MINUTES OF THE 19TH FEBRUARY 2004
HELD AT THE HAILEY DAY CENTRE
SAWBRIDGEWORTH
PRESENT: Ted Barrows (Chairman)
Michael Vincent (Treasurer)
Warren Richards (Secretary)
Joyce Vincent (Sbw T/C) John Rider
Hazel Mead Mary Whitehead
Monya Billings Chris Rees
Brian Rochester
Bert Puncher David Mead
Jacqueline Dore Diana Richards
Glynis Argent Ellen Knighton
APOLOGIES: Steve Karn David Thorogood
Mary Huxtable Kate Yarnold
Michael Brown Emma Jordan
Joan Willett
MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of January 15th were accepted as a true
record.
MATTERS ARISING.
Footpath W/P. The Sec explained that the magnetic master of the Red walk had been
sent to David Thorogood for approval and printing but some pictures were missing
and Steve K had to make a new master when he returned from holiday. Members said
they would like to see the leaflets distributed through ramblers and footpath
associations also in "Walks and More".
The Sec brought along a sample notice board with a new backing board and SVP
logo.
Correspondence. The Sec had received a letter from Sawbridgeworth T/C regarding
car park charges, which encloses a letter from EHDC AD (Financial Services) Mr
David Tweedie who says "A 'levy on the rates' certainly precedes both Community
Charge and Council Tax. I can confirm that no car parking levy exists regarding
Sawbridgeworth".
A letter from HCC Mark Fell to Ted B covering parking in Market Square, footpath to
Fair Green, Wig Wags and status of Highway Code.
The problem of pedestrian access to Honey Mead was raised and it was reported that
HCC had done a survey recording 71 pedestrians a day and 1045 vehicles an hour.
This related to the only pedestrian access by crossing the A1184. This requires a
decision to aid pedestrian crossing the A1184 or make it possible to access the
crossing at Pishiobury Park.
An invitation has been sent to Mark Iley to give us a talk on otters at our AGM.
Post meeting note: The invitation was posted for the wrong Thurday in March and
Mark is not available on the 18th.
Esbie Estate. John R reported that Esbies and Kekseys were a disgraceful
introduction to Sawbridgeworth when travelling south to the Town by rail. Members
asked for a letter to be written to EHDC enforcement to get these two sites to fall
inline with the Planning Laws with a copy to Cllr N Burdett who is actively engaged
with Kekseys and Cllr D Richards re Esbies.
Grants. Request for grants are being processed by the Sec with Sawbridgeworth TC-
Biological Survey, LEAF-notice boards, Rotary Environmental Award-walking for
health and pleasure and Health Improvement Fund-walking for heath and pleasure.
We were unsuccessful with a grant from HCC-LA21 to continue with our Biological
Survey. A LEAF grant for biological recording will be applied for after April 04.
Quiz. John R has received £55 for entries to the quiz and two answer sheets returned
from Cathy Mitchell and Jenny Winchurch who both receive a prize. Members asked
that a copy of the answers be posted with the minutes. Members offered a vote of
thanks to John Rider for organising the quiz single handed.
Biological Records. Biological recording should be made one of our objectives
within the Community Plan.
Review Actions on Community Plan. Hazel M said she was waiting for responses
from officers at EHDC about different aspect of "Living Streets". Members listed
problems that had been noted in Sawbridgeworth and High Wych regarding
pedestrian and disabled access. Note the next meeting of the Community Voice will
be held on 25th March at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall. This meeting will require SVP
to give a report on our progress and mount a display of our activities and ask for
specific help.
AGENDA
Our Constitution. As requested from the last meeting the Sec supplied copies of the
constitution to members present. This request arose from the question are we just an
environmental group (flora and fauna) or are we trying to improve peoples lives in
other ways. Constitution para 2 "Membership is open to all who wish to promote the
natural environment of the Stort Valley around Sawbridgeworth". Para 3 "The object
shall be to promote the quality of life of people and protect the habitat of animals and
flora within the Stort Valley". Post meeting note: If we wished to make our aims more
specifically environmental we could change para 3 by removing 'and protect' and
replacing with 'by protecting'. The Sec said our more general work in the community
would be better taken up by The Civic Trust, which has no representation in
Sawbridgeworth. EHDC is promoting the Community Plan and Community Voice of
which we are a major supporter regarding the environment and we should promote
our aspirations in this forum. Members would like to see the Town Council more
visible in community decisions either at Community Voice or more frequent question
times from the floor of Town Council Meetings. Diana R explained that questions
from the floor was not allowed and have to be presented in writing in good time
before the meeting.
Our future operandi should be discuss, formulate a written response to the appropriate
authority, wait for a response and then react accordingly.
Stansted. It was agreed that Stansted Airport should be a personal focus through one
of the existing organisations.
Officer Nominations. The Sec reminded members that the next meeting was our
AGM and Officer Nomination should be made known if changes were required. The
Chairman said he was happy to stand down after his two years in post.
DNM. The next meeting is 18th March 04 at 8.00pm in the Hailey Day Centre-Bell St
Car park, Sawbridgeworth. Subjects to be discussed are, appointment of officer and
committee, constitution and speaker if one can be found in time.
AOB. The Sayesbury Manor seats will be placed on the Surgery Green, The Elms
and dedicated with plaques.
Regional government is proposing 54000 extra houses for Harlow and an enquiry is
being held at Manor of Groves next week.
Why do we need unelected regional government, because the EU only gives grants to
regions not to Towns or Cities? Members wanted a letter to Mr Prescott.
Members want a letter to CMS to push them to publish a Pishiobury Park
Management Plan to include the two pieces of purchased land on the flood plain to
take advantage of grant money for green wedges in Harlow.
Diana R explained that the countryside in the future would not be classified into
discrete areas e.g. SSSI but divided into larger areas with a landscape characteristic.
She also told us about Environmental Stewardship for EHDC and she and David
Thorogood are members of a subcommittee on Parks and Open Spaces.
* Items held in SVP file in Reference section of Sbw Library. SVPmin 1902 04