Highways

After the very strong support for a raised platform at the Potten End crossroads Caroline Smith-Wright, our county councillor has asked whether the Parish Council will help fund the development.

Interestingly we’ve been asked to respond to a survey from Herts Highways who are revising the Speed Management Survey which sets the policy for things like speed limits. The focus of the survey is very much about reducing speed limits and whether they should be dependant as now on physical speed reduction measures. 

As I’m sure you’re aware, the gas main replacement programme has kicked off again with work along Hempstead Lane. The current plan is for the work at Church Road to be undertaken during February half term … but frankly who knows.

All roadworks over the next three months are summarised here or for more up to date information please refer to Causeway one network.

Planning

At its meeting on Thursday the Council will consider the following applications:

• Gutteridge Farm – variations on previously agreed plans ( 25/03116/ROC) 
• Brickwall Cottage, Frithsden Gardens – conversion and minor extensions to existing stable to create annexe dwelling and merging of existing annexe back into principal house (25/03120/FHA)
• 15 The Back, Potten End – work to trees (26/00054/TCA)

Open Spaces

I’m afraid that I can’t explain why the fencing around new safety surface underneath the swings and the remains of the old surface and other surplus material has not been removed since the work was completed in early December – it’s not been for want of chasing the supplier.

Planning permission has been received to undertake the works to trees identified by the tree survey earlier in the year on Frithsden Green and that section of The Green to the west of Hempstead Lane.

Finance

The Parish Council sets the precept it requires to fund its activities in 2026/27 at the January Council meeting. ‘Precept’ is that part of your Council Tax which is collected by Dacorum but paid to the Parish Council.

Dacorum is reducing the level of grant received by parish and town councils across the borough, and is planning to reduce it still further in the future. The Parish Council has decided that it wants to maintain the level of service and asset management (that is grass cutting, litter picking, tree maintenance etc) at current levels, and as a result it will discuss a proposal to increase precept by 10%.