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IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PC COREGAN,

Neighbourhood Team, Watling Ward,  Hertfordshire Police

There has been ongoing issues of sheds and outbuildings being broken into within the Watling ward.
If you see anything suspicious, vehicles and persons parked up/ walking in the rural lanes at different times of the day and night please inform Hertfordshire Police immediately. They seem to be targeting farms or larger homes with access across fields.

PC 1353  Maurice Coregan Tel: 01707 354192  and PCSO 6596 Marie Taylor Tel: 01707 354192

CHRISTINA MOSAIC PLAQUE

Another long term project which has just been completed is the installation of a brass plaque commemorating the Christina Mosaic in St John the Baptist Church.  This required permission from the Diocese of St Albans with Petitions and Public Notices being issued and placed.  We would like to thank Cllr Peterson for his part in arranging the making of the brass plaque, together with its installation, which again had to follow strict guidelines issued by the Diocese.

A Dedication Service was held at the Patronal Festival Choral Evensong on Sunday 27 June at 6.30pm in the church.  This service has the benefit of a visiting choir so the dedication will form part of this service.  

FUTURE PROJECT FOR VILLAGE

At our Annual Gathering of the Parish in May we asked the village if they would like to continue with the £5,000 taken from the Precept for a project in the village which will benefit all parishioners.  We had various suggestions such as a tennis court, public toilets, car park, Skate Park, etc.  It was proposed at the meeting to continue with the £5,000 in the Precept and then a decision made for its use at a later date. So we are asking You, what project you would like for the village, please remember this must be for the benefit of the whole village not just one particular group. Please let us have your ideas either by email at mpc@dacorum.gov.uk or in writing to the Parish Office, Cavendish Road, AL3 8PS.

BOROUGH COUNCILLORS DAVID LLOYD AND BERT CHAPMAN

Councillor Lloyd is also a County Councillor (Bridgewater Division), Deputy Leader of the Council and the Executive Member for Resources and Economic Wellbeing. He sits on five Dacorum committees, including Strategic Planning, Highways and Development Control. He is a local man and lives in Trowley Bottom, Flamstead. He often attends our Parish Council meetings. He is one of two Borough Councillors for Watling Ward, and he shares the six parishes with Borough Councillor Bert Chapman, who is also a Parish Councillor for Markyate. Bert Chapman holds the portfolio for Environment and Sustainability. Their joint support for our Parish work and their advice is invaluable. Councillor Lloyd has decided that he would serve his ward members best if twice a year he had a “Deep Dive” (as he calls it) in each Parish addressing specific issues and pushing along initiatives that are important to the Parishioners. Bert Chapman’s support, both as a Borough and Parish Councillor is also invaluable, his time and commitment are with out question.  We are very glad we have two such dedicated allies as our Borough Councillors.

DACORUM MOBILE POLICE STATION IN MARKYATE

Please see the link to Hertfordshire Constabulary website on our Links Page.

REGISTERING OF PEGGY'S FIELD AS A VILLAGE GREEN

We are delighted to report confirmation has been received from Hertfordshire County Council that they have formally registered Peggy’s Field as a Village Green.  The decision has been recorded and currently the necessary paperwork for the new entry is being drafted.  We are now in the process of looking at a sign showing Peggy’s Field as a Village Green.

We would like to thank Mr Hodgson who helped with the original Evidence Questionnaire forms which had to show the land was used as a right (without permission), for 20 years, for lawful sports and pastimes or by inhabitants of a locality or neighbourhood. 20 forms were completed which Mr Hodgson delivered and collected for submission to Hertfordshire County Council.  This has taken over 6 years and with a final nudge from B/Cllr Lloyd the work was done.  Thank you to all involved in giving Markyate a Village Green.

NOTICE OF CONCLUSION OF AUDIT

Audit Commission Act 1998 Accounts and Audit (Amendment) Regulations 2006) for

Markyate Parish Council

Notice is herby given that the audit for the years ended 31 March 2008 and 31 March 2009 were completed on 16 November 2009 and the accounts are now available for inspection by local electors in accordance with Section 14 of the Audit Commission Act 1998.  To arrange a viewing please contact the Clerk at the Parish Office, Cavendish Road, Markyate, tel: 01582 840110, alternatively copies are available from the Parish Office between 9:30am and 2:00pm Mondays to Friday inclusive

LEARNING MORE ABOUT MARKYATE

We live in a remarkably diverse village: and we sometimes overlook traditions that started 60 years ago.  As part of the Parish Survey, all businesses have been surveyed and asked for their opinions.  Some companies in Hicks Road were established in the fifties and are specialised precision engineering firms. Their equipment is stabilised for maximum accuracy and quality performance by being anchored into massive concrete slabs. This maybe changes the feasibility of the idea of moving the machines South of Dammersey Close. It also limits what housing or buildings can be built nearby, but it doesn’t stop plans to rethink the way that the Industrial estate is used. All these findings and more are being fed back to Dacorum Borough Council. 

SPECIAL SKIP 

The skip will be in Hicks Road on Saturday, 25 September 2010, from 9am to 1pm.  Please click on link below for a list of items which can not be placed in the skip

Items not to be disposed of in Special Skip

THE GATHERING OF THE MARKYATE RESIDENTS        

The Annual Parish Gathering was held on 11 May 2010 in the Village Hall.  Our Police team with Sgt Deveney, Andy Reynolds, PC Coregan and PCSO Marie Taylor gave a report at the meeting.  We were also joined by Nicky McIntyre from Dacorum Borough who gave a presentation on the work of the Neighbourhood Action Group.

 The Chairman's Report for 2009/10 is available here please click on link below:

Chairman's Report 2009/10

MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES

A hundred years ago this invocation was important to many small businesses in the Village and was part of the freight carried by the Nicky Line. Today, the focus is being prepared for a mini-Buncefield, a pile-up on the A5 or a mishap over our heads. In the next three months, we are compiling a registry of people who have the skills and the resources to help out in such and emergency. The Register would be held securely by the Parish Council and would be called upon by Hertfordshire Resilience partnership whose responsibility it is to facilitate the combined response to emergencies and major incidents in Hertfordshire. 

Just think of who could help. In the event of an emergency, local expertise would be called upon: are you qualified medically, a police officer, a Head teacher, a member of the clergy, a qualified engineer, a recovery vehicle driver, a printer, an electrician, a plumber, a cook or refreshment maker or even a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator?

 While we live in a peaceful Valley (and may the sun shine this spring and summer), we should prepare for that once in a lifetime event; just-in-case! Perhaps the actors, make-up artists and scriptwriters amongst us could help us stage a mock disaster, with emergency services in attendance: just a thought. 

AGE CONCERN

We are pleased to announce Mrs Sue Tobin, who is well known in Markyate, has agreed to become Age Concerns’ Liaison registered Befriender in Markyate.

We are particularly pleased with this news as in the past it has been difficult to find a volunteer to help the over 55 year age group in the village. 

Sue Tobin has also been trained by CRUSE Bereavement Care in Hertfordshire to provide support for the bereaved.

Please contact the Parish Office in the first instance if you would like to make contact with her.

PARISH COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES

There is so much to do at a Parish level that the Parish Councillors take on extra responsibilities to address important issues. These areas of interest are monitored by the Councillors and key points are discussed as agenda items at our monthly meetings.  

The Councillors have volunteered to provide oversight on the following committees and topics for the coming year (in alphabetical order):

Airport Developments:               C. Bennett

Elderly Welfare:                         S Pilkinton
Emergency Services:                 C Bennett
Emergency Disaster Plan:          C Bennett

Environment:                              S Deacon
Health:                                        P Bunyan

Newsletter Articles:                    C Bennett

Newsletter Editorial:                   R Peterson

Planning:                                    I Crawford
Schools:                                     P Bunyan, I Crawford and S Pilkinton
Village Green Registration:        E King
 

NO THANK YOU - NO COLD CALLING

The Parish Council is investigating the introduction of making Markyate a No Cold Calling area. Caddington and Studham are both now cold calling-free. We should follow suit and deter itinerant callers who may make use of their bogus badges to carry out theft by distracting the villagers. The Police and Trading Standards Officers support these zones as they are known to have a positive effect. Poppy Day collections and friendly calling on villagers for charitable work is still encouraged. In a village with so many listed buildings, it is difficult to understand why some salesmen continue to try and sell us double-glazing. 

REPORT ON INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2010

The Clerk advised that the Internal Auditor Clubfinance Ltd had approved the accounts for year ended 31 March 2010.

A      Appropriate books of account have been properly kept through the year.  Agreed:  Yes.

B   The Council’s financial regulations have been met, payments were supported by invoices, expenditure was approved and VAT was appropriately accounted for.  Agreed: Yes

C    The council assessed the significant risks to achieving its objectives and had adequate arrangements to manage these.  Agreed:  Yes.

D    The annual precept requirement resulted from an adequate budgetary process; progress against the budget was regularly monitored; and reserves where appropriate.  Agreed:  Yes.

E    Expected income was fully received; based on correct prices, properly recorded and promptly banked; and VAT was appropriately accounted for.  Agreed:  Yes

F    Petty cash payments were properly supported by receipts; expenditure was approved and VAT appropriately accounted for.  Agreed:  Yes

G    Salaries to employees and allowances to members were paid in accordance with council approvals, and PAYE and NI requirements were properly applied. Agreed:  Yes.

H     Asset and investments registers were complete and accurate and properly maintained. Agreed:  Yes

I      Periodic and year-end bank account reconciliations were properly carried out.  Agreed:  Yes.

J   Accounting statements prepared during the year were prepared on the correct accounting basis (receipts and payments/income and expenditure), agreed with the cash book, were supported by an adequate audit trail from underlying records, and where appropriate debtors and creditors were properly recorded.  Agreed:  Yes.

 K   Trust funds (including charitable) The council has met its responsibilities as a trustee.  Agreed:  N/A

IT system controls to cover data security and integrity:  Yes

One recommendation was noted for consideration to be given to producing an overall Income/Expenditure Account format for the budget figures and reporting actual spend against budget in this format on a monthly basis to supplement the current report.     

 FAULTY ROAD SURFACE?

To help up keep Hertfordshire's roads up to scratch we need YOU to let Hertfordshire Highways know when things are not right.  So whether it's a pothole, pavement problem, faulty streetlight, icy road or any other highway fault, call:  01438 737320 or 01923 471320 or go to www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults, thank you.                         

Disclaimer  

Please be aware that copies of correspondence received by this Council including letters, emails and memos, will be held as part of an Agenda Pack as information for the following meeting, which may be discussed at Parish Council Meetings and as such will be placed with in the public domain.

This information will be held for viewing for a period of four weeks and correspondence received by this Council will be held for minimum 6 years.

If you have any further queries about how we hold and process your correspondence, in the first instance please contact Jenny Bissmire at the Parish Office on 01582 840110.

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Last modified: 24.06.10