Highfield Park Residents Association

HIGHFIELD PARK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 30th OCTOBER 2006 AT 8pm AT HIGHFIELD PARK CENTRE

In attendance:

Committee: Members Chris Gowens Chair Chris Driver Carol Driver Membership Secretary Betty Harding Joyce Goodwin HPT Liaison Tom Clancy Sue Roberts Minutes Secretary Martin Wiggs Erica Jack Press Liaison Sarah Saunders Liz Walker Website & Council Liaison Simon Bayliss Julie Lake Committee Member Lorna Woodward Linda Watts Treasurer Gareth Woodward Malcolm Watts SAYFC Liaison Lynn Myland Martin Myland Guests Ken Lane NHW Liaison Officer Paul Fielding Capital Projects Manager, Oaklands College Alan Redlich NHW Locality Co-ordinator for London Colney & Colney Heath Jo Brooks [Jo Merdy] Chris Brazier St Albans District Councillor

1. Introduction

Chris Gowens welcomed guests and members to the meeting and thanked Charters for the use of the meeting room. She introduced the guests present at the meeting, and also introduced the members of the Committee and thanked them for the efforts during the year (pointing out that Sue Roberts and Carol Driver had swapped roles during the year).

Chris thanked everyone for their support and asked that we all encouraged our neighbours to get involved in the community. She pointed out that HPRA is a community based organisation and relies on local support.

In a change to the published agenda, she invited Paul Fielding from Oaklands College to speak first on the matter of Home Farm.

2. Report on development of Home Farm site Paul Fielding from Oaklands College reported that the Home Farm site had been bought by George Wimpey Homes (formerly Laing Homes). He stated that the planning application will be submitted in March 2007 (at the same time as the Smallford development proposals), and that a public consultation on the Home Farm site would be held in January 2007 to outline the proposals.

Mr Fielding anticipated that there would be approximately 40 dwellings on a footprint similar to the current buildings, and these would be built as soon as possible after planning permission had been granted.

He also stated that the income from the sale of the Home Farm site would help to build the major “hub” development at the Oaklands’ Smallford site, which was intended to be opened by September 2010. One major aim of the College was to develop a 7 day educational/community facility and he encouraged all present to take an interest in that development too, where facilities for sport and recreation, as well as a large hall and theatre space, nursery, gym were planned as a community resource.

Mr Fielding distributed copies of the most recent “Capital Project Bulletin” which outlined the current proposals, and stated that the Public Consultation on the Smallford site would be a two stage process, with the initial Consultation being held on 18th & 19th November, with a second one in the New Year.

He then invited questions from those present. Chris Driver asked whether responsibility for security would pass to George Wimpey at an agreed date and this was confirmed by Mr Fielding. Mr Fielding also promised to confirm (in response to a further question from Chris Driver) whether George Wimpey would physically secure the site with fencing.

Malcolm Watts asked who owned the surrounding fields. Mr Fielding confirmed that Oaklands College still owned them and that he was aware that the site had been a blight on local residents and that the sale should now lead to a resolution of this.

Chris Gowens expressed concerns that the local infrastructure has not kept pace with the speed of development, although noted that housing on the site was better than it remaining derelict. Mr Fielding noted that planners are aware of this and, for example, required changes to the Hatfield Road as part of the Smallford development. He also noted that the College were investing in public transport to reduce car journeys.

A further question was asked on the long-term plan for the surrounding fields. Mr Fielding stated that these would not be used for farming but just retained. However he noted the possibility that they could be released from Green Belt status, but noted that there was no indication that this would happen.

Chris Gowens thanked Mr Fielding for his contribution and he then left the meeting.

3. Acceptance of the minutes from 2005 AGM Chris Gowens asked those who were present at last year’s meeting to confirm the minutes circulated (these had also been posted on the website. Linda Watts formally proposed this and it was seconded by Liz Walker. Motion carried.

4. Chairman’s report

Chris Gowens referred to the Chairman’s Report from 2005 and noted that the three main issues continued: road adoption, antisocial behaviour and parking. For example, she noted that the Starlight Way area was a particular problem area for parking and asked attendees to politely pick up on this with their neighbours. She also noted that, although there were no restrictions on parking in Highfield Lane, the blocking of pavements caused a problem for those less mobile or with young children.

On the subject of Home Farm, Chris noted that was not much more to add, but noted that Mark Dawe (Principal of Oaklands College) had undertaken that the developer would meet with HPRA to the planned development, and that HPRA would be looking to get a commitment to road safety (for example, a pedestrian crossing). She also noted that the promised pedestrian crossing on Hill End Lane had not been constructed due to the overspend on the City Centre development, and confirmed that this had not formed part of the s106 monies of the original development.

HPRA held a “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” in the park during the year but this was badly attended. As a result, the decision had been taken that no more outdoor events would be organised. However a Quiz Night was planned in early February at the LRERA hall and Chris hoped to see all those present there.

She went on to explain that the Constitution allowed members to sit on the Committee for 3 years, and that 5 Committee members, including the Chair, HPT Liaison, Treasurer, and Youth Football Liaison would need to stand down in July 2007 (although in reality would remain in position until next year’s AGM to give a proper forum for appointment). This clause had been explicitly included to prevent the appearance of a “closed association”, and Chris encouraged attendees and neighbours to consider joining the committee, pointing out that a lack of volunteers would put the future of the association in jeopardy.

5. Treasurer’s report

Linda Watts presented the Income & expenditure report (as included on the agenda distributed to attendees). She noted that expenses were kept to a minimum and that subscriptions were being built up to form a “fighting fund” in the event that it would be required in the future.

6. Report on road adoption

Liz Walker noted that the persistence in lobbying our MP, local council and Herts Highways was paying off. As noted in the report included on the agenda, many local roads had either been adopted or were moving towards adoption. Liz noted that residents will be kept informed via the website and newsletter, and that HPRA were also pressing on road safety issues. Chris Brazier noted that this was a County (not District) Council issue and that works needed to be agreed. Both the Highfield and Napsbury sites had additional problems caused by the demise of the Highways Agency Framework between the District and County Councils, which meant that documents had been lost and there had been a change in personnel. In addition, many of the builders had been bought out – although Liz Walker noted that this did not absolve them of responsibility.

Joyce Goodwin asked if a s38 agreement could be put in place before works commence (for example at Home Farm), and Liz Walker noted that usually a very large retention bond was put in place with the Council, who in this instance had failed to hold over the money.

Chris Gowens responded that a representative of Herts CC had been invited to attend the AGM but had not turned up. She further noted that in respect of the Home Farm site. HPRA were now aware of the pitfalls. Chris Brazier further noted that the “Oaklands Smallford Development” plan covered the site and as such this would fall within the District Council remit, with appropriate bonds in place and s106 agreements drawn up.

7. Report on policing, crime and anti-social behaviour Joyce Goodwin noted that we live in a low crime area, partially due to local NHW initiatives, but that all residents must take responsibility for their own and their childrens’ behaviour. She went onto note that the use of motorcycles in the park had been reduced by new legislation allowing confiscation of bikes, together with barriers put in by Park rangers. She also noted that such activity was reduced in London Colney and Colney Heath.

On the subject of litter, new bins and regular litter picks had helped to reduce the problem.

Joyce had asked local police representatives to be high profile in the area on Halloween, and that elderly residents had been given “no thanks” posters

Joyce confirmed that for non-urgent matters, residents should call 0845 33 00 222 and provide as many details as possible.

Martin and Lynn Myland from the Barley Mow PH noted that flytipping was a real problem in the area. Joyce responded that Colney Heath Council and the police were treating this seriously. Chris Brazier noted that the law needed to be strengthened to deal with this.

Ken Lane from NHW was introduced. He noted that since last year, all areas on the Cell Barnes side of Highfield were now on NHW, and there had been a fantastic response for both membership and volunteer helpers. He noted that the NHW scheme had been revitalised as Herts’ Chief Constable Whiteley also holds the national portfolio for NHW. Ken noted that he wanted a tie-up between HPRA and NHW so that people could obtain a discount on their home insurance. Further, a new OWL (Online Watch Link) system was being introduced to replace Ringmaster (www.owl.co.uk) which would get information to local members via phone, email or text. Access can be arranged by local co-ordinators. Ken noted that he was looking for someone to take responsibility for this for the Princess Diana Drive area. He also introduced Alan Redlich who is a volunteer from London Colney, where 27 schemes had been set up last year. He left handouts for those present.

8. Website

It was noted that the website was now regularly updated with news and events and a link to the OWL website would also be added.

9. Election of Officers

It was proposed by Chris Driver that the existing committee be retained. This was seconded by Martin Myland. Motion carried.

Chris Gowens noted that the committee was also looking for a newsletter editor to join.

10. Any Other Business

Chris Brazier noted that a further 12,000 houses were planned for Hatfield (5-6,000 at Arlingtons and 7,000 on the old Box factory). A meeting was planned at Colney Heath Primary School on December 11th at 7.30pm to discuss this with planners as consultation would be required. He also noted that plans for a new Hatfield Hospital had been shelved due to PCT debt.

A further meeting will take place in Redbourn on December 6th to discuss the development of land adjacent to the M1.

Jamie Day noted that Herts Highways were being pressed to complete safety work on Hill End Lane and that details would be forwarded to Carol Driver.

Chris Gowens thanked members and guests for their participation and the meeting closed at 9.35pm.