| 1. |
ROAD SAFETY |
ACTION |
| 1.1 |
No accidents have been reported since the last meeting.
Mr R Townsend stated that the water mains work along the A130 should be
completed by the end of the week and the next phase will be along Parsonage
lane. It was noted that the street lights by the new mini roundabout should
be connected by mid-June and that the road markings will then be painted on
the road. Mr R Townsend reported that the speed limit signs through the
village are now consistent and no longer confusing for motorists. |
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| 1.2 |
It was noted that a fence has been put up
behind Pear Tree Cottage, possibly infringing a footpath. The clerk was
asked to investigate this. |
Clerk |
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| 2. |
MINUTES |
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The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13th
May 2002 were approved and signed. |
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| 3. |
MATTERS ARISING |
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| 3.1 |
New Handyman |
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The Chairman stated that he has received two letters from
residents complimenting the work that the new Handyman has carried out
around the village. It was noted that due to the grass not being cut for a
few weeks and the state of the verges following the road works, there was a
significant backlog of mowing. Therefore, the Handyman has had to work more
hours than is usual for this month. It was noted that the Handyman had
bought a new drive belt for the mower at a cost of £45.00. The Chairman
informed members that he has since requested that the Handyman contacts the
Clerk before purchasing such items in future. This way, the Parish Council
can be invoiced for the goods. |
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The Chairman stated that a resident has made a complaint.
Apparently the handyman has accidentally cut down several recently planted
hawthorn bushes. It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should
reimburse the resident concerned. |
Clerk |
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It was suggested that a map could be produced
outlining the areas of responsibility for the Handyman |
RB |
| 3.2 |
Grass Verges |
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Mrs S Flack suggested the Parish Council contact Highways
department with regard to taking over the responsibility of cutting all
grass verges in the village. It was believed that the County Council has a
scheme where they reimburse Parish Councils if they make their own
arrangements for verge cutting. It was suggested that one of the local
farmers might be interested in taking over the job. |
Clerk |
| 3.2 |
Storage of lawnmowers |
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It was noted that the Village Hall Committee
has no objections in principal to a lock-up storage unit being placed at the
Village Hall for Parish Council equipment although some concern was
expressed over the security. The Clerk was asked to speak to the Football
Club to see what arrangements they have for storing their equipment with the
possibility that they might also be able to house the parish councils
lawnmower. |
Clerk |
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| 4. |
FINANCIAL POSITION |
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The financial position as at 31st May 2002 was as
follows: £6,372.03 in the current account; £30.15 in the MM account and
£8,728.55 in the NSB. Total: £15,130.73. |
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| 5. |
PLAY AREA EQUIPMENT |
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The Chairman stated that he had looked through several
brochures of play equipment to see what the Parish Council could purchase.
It was suggested that a shelter and basketball net for the young teenagers
might be an idea. Concern was expressed about this type of equipment being
put in the play areas. It was generally agreed that it would create a lot of
noise for local residents, and could attract youngsters from outside the
area. It was also felt that this could be intimidating for younger children
wishing to use the play areas. Mrs J Eacott agreed to take the brochures to
the Toddler group to get some feedback as to what equipment would be most
useful. If anybody in the village has any special requests for equipment
they should contact a member of the Parish Council. |
JE |
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| 6. |
CASUAL VACANCY |
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Mrs J Eacott had not had a chance to speak to Mr
Tuttlebury regarding a lady at Onslow Green who might be interested in
taking up the post. Mrs S Tuttlebury stated that she would speak to her
husband. Another suggestion for a possible candidate was made by Mr G Ball.
Mr Ball agreed to speak to the person concerned to see whether they would be
interested. |
ST/GB |
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| 7. |
DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE |
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The Clerk stated that following the
new Code of Conduct being adopted; all Parish Councillors should have signed
a new Declaration of Acceptance of Office form. These forms were signed by
all Parish Councillors present and handed back to the Clerk. The Clerk to
ensure that Mr M LeMasurier also signs an Acceptance form on his return. |
Clerk |
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| 8. |
PLANNING APPLICATIONS |
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UTT/0762/02/FUL - Front and rear single
storey extensions. 35 Barnston Green, Barnston. Mr & Mrs R Allsup. This
application was considered and there were no objections raised. |
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UTT/0800/02/FUL - Conversion/rebuilding
of former pig unit to create garage and gym with store above garage. Lanham
Barn, Onslow Green. It was noted that the plans had not been sent with
this application. The Clerk to request a copy and circulate to seek comments
from Councillors before the next meeting. |
Clerk |
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UTT/0809/02/FUL - Single storey rear
extension. 14 Rayfield Close, Barnston. Mr R Crouchman. This application
was considered and there were no objections raised. |
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UTT/0758/02/FUL - Addition to front
dwelling. 7 Barnston Green, Barnston. Mr & Mrs R Sarjeant. This
application was considered and there were no objections raised. |
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RESULTS: UTT/0387/02/FUL -
Conversion of outbuilding to self-contained residential annexe. Pyes
Farmhouse, Onslow Green. Permission Granted. |
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UTT/0414/02/FUL - Two-storey extension. 14
Rayfield Close, Barnston. Refused. |
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| 9. |
CORRESPONDENCE |
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| 9.1 |
UDC - Open Meetings Mr C Watkins
expressed an interest in attending one of these meetings. |
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| 9.2 |
UDC - Action for Flooding Mr G Ball
stated that the District Council will only provide filled sandbags and that
once Parishes have their own, they must be on 24-hour flood service in case
any residents require help. The Clerk was asked to find out how much it
would cost to purchase empty sandbags from elsewhere. |
Clerk |
| 9.3 |
Audit Commission - External Audit
Appointment from April 2002 |
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The Chairman stated that the new Audit
regulation means that each Parish Council needs to engage a suitable person
to overlook their Audited accounts. Mrs S Tuttlebury suggested that Mr
Bemment, who currently deals with the accounts for the Mission church might
be interested. |
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| 10. |
ANY OTHER BUSINESS |
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| 10.1 |
Barnston United Charities Mrs J Eacott
stated that she had recently attended the Barnston United Charities
Committee AGM together with the outgoing Chairman and Secretary. As agreed
previously, Mrs J Eacott will take over as Secretary and Mr D Ensor and Mr A
Tuttlebury as two of the Trustees. A fourth Trustee is required. It was
suggested that as Mr R Townsend has a lot of knowledge of people living in
Barnston, he might be willing to become a Trustee. Mrs J Eacott to approach
Mr R Townsend. |
JE |
| 10.2 |
Village Hall Play Area Fence Mr C
Watkins stated that the District Council has now repaired the top of the
fence but the bottom of the fence is still loose. The Clerk was asked to see
whether the Handyman might be able to carry out these repairs. |
Clerk |
| 10.3 |
Barnston Brownies It was noted that the
Barnston Brownies have been awarded £100 by the Cambridge Evening News
Community Award. |
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| 10.4 |
Three Valleys Water The Clerk informed
the meeting that she had been approached by Three Valleys Water with regard
to the poor state that the grass verges have been left in. It was agreed
that a request for £150 compensation should be made to Three Valleys Water
for the extra work that the Handyman has had to put in to getting the
village back to its former state. It was also agreed that the ruts on the
verges along High Easter Road should be pointed out to Three Valleys. |
Clerk |
| 10.5 |
Mr A Powell-Allen The Chairman read out
a letter that has been sent to the Parish Council from a local resident
expressing concern about the lack of pedestrian footpaths into Dunmow once
the new road has been built. The Chairman stated that he would contact
Balfour Beatty to request a map showing clearly the footpath into Dunmow. Mr
Powell-Allen also expressed concern over the length of time it has taken for
the new mini roundabout at the High Easter Road junction to be completed. |
RB |
| 10.6 |
Golden Jubilee |
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It was noted that both Mr M LeMasurier and Mrs S Flack
manned the Jubilee mugs stall at the recent Fun Day. The majority of mugs
have now been collected, although there are still some to be handed out. |
Clerk |
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| 11. |
CHEQUES |
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The following cheques were agreed and signed: |
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Chris Aston Ceramics (Jubilee mugs - signed
between meetings) |
£538.15 |
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BVHMC (Hall hire) |
£71.70 |
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Uttlesford District Council (Dog waste bin) |
£77.94 |
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Mrs C Weston (wages and expenses) |
£205.71 |
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Mr G Bruneau (Handyman wages and expenses) |
£305.38 |
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Direct Debits |
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TXU Energi |
£36.87 |
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| There being no further business the
meeting closed at 9.30pm. The next Parish Council meeting will take place on
Monday 10th June 2002 at 7.45pm. |
