Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 11^th February 2002 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mr  C Watkins

Mr  G Ball

Mrs S Flack

Mr M LeMasurier

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Mrs S Tuttlebury

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

Apologies:  Apologies:  Mr R Lawrence, Mrs J Eacott, Mr D Ensor.

1.0

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

Mr R Townsend reported that no accidents have occurred since the last meeting. 

1.2

It was noted that the hedge at the bottom of Parsonage Lane has now been cut back and the give-way sign is now visible.  It was also noted that the broken chevron signs have still not been replaced on the Barnston bends.  The Clerk was asked to chase this up

Clerk

1.3

Mr R Townsend also reported that the street light outside New House Villas is now working.

1.4

It was noted that the conflicting speed limits through the village have now been sorted and that the resurfacing of the road is underway.  The Clerk was asked to contact Highways department to ensure that the contractors reinstate the verges once they have finished. Concern was also raised over the state of the grass on the corner of High Easter Road where the contractors have left several pieces of equipment and a vehicle

Clerk

1.5

It was noted that some of the reflectors at Martels Corner in High Easter Road are missing.The Clerk was asked to request replacements.  The Clerk was also asked to request that the trees beside the 30mph speed limit signs (as you enter the village from Chelmsford) are cut back as they are obscuring the signs

Clerk

1.6

Closure of Clapton Hall Lane  It was noted that the temporary diversion for the new A120 has now been postponed

2.0

MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 14th January 2002 were approved and signed.

3.0

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

Golden Jubilee

The Clerk informed the meeting that Mrs J Eacott and herself had attended a meeting with Mr R Tyler from the Football Club to discuss ways in which the Parish Council could support the planned Fun-Day which the Football Club have organised for Monday 3rd June.  It was also suggested that all children in the village under the age of 16 years could receive a Jubilee mug as a commemoration of this event.  Members suggested that the Parish Council possibly sponsor a pig roast or something similar.  It was agreed that a form should be sent to all residents in Barnston requesting information on how many children under 16 years of age per household to enable an order for the mugs to be placed.  It was also suggested that the mug could include a picture of the village sign on it.  A follow-up meeting is to be arranged with Mr R Tyler.

Clerk

3.2

Newsletter

It was agreed that a newsletter is required to inform residents of various matters that concern the village over the next few months.  It was hoped to distribute the newsletter just before Easter.

Clerk

3.3

A120 Stansted to Braintree

Mrs S Flack informed the meeting that she has made arrangements for a representative from Highways department to attend the Parish Council meeting on Monday 8th April to discuss various issues relating to the new road.  It was agreed that it would be a good idea if a representative from Balfour Beatty could also attend.  The meeting is to be advertised in the newsletter and on notices around the village.

Clerk

3.4

It was noted that Aythorpe Roding Parish Council has arranged a Police Open Meeting for residents living in and around Aythorpe Roding for Monday 20th May at 7.30pm.  Residents from Barnston are invited to attend this meeting, which will offer an opportunity for people to discuss any concerns they may have with Police Officers from Dunmow Police station.  It was agreed that this should be included in the forthcoming newsletter

Clerk

3.5

DTLR - The Local Elections (Declaration of Acceptance of Office) Order 2001

It appears from the correspondence received from The Standards Agency that a new code of conduct is to be adopted for all local Councillors.  The actual Code of Conduct has to be decided and approved by a Standards Committee set up by the district.  The approved Code of conduct then has to be submitted to the Standards Agency and all local councillors have to comply with it.  There is a timetable for adoption and it was decided to approach Uttlesford District Council to see how if this process has begun.

Clerk

3.6

Village Hall Walkway Street Light

As requested at the previous meeting, The Clerk stated that she had spoken to Dunmow Electrical with regard to the streetlight halfway along the walkway.  Dunmow Electrical have said that in order to change the current lamp, a new column would need to be put up as it is no longer possible to use the telegraph poles for lights.  It was suggested that it might be better to put up an additional streetlight at the Rayfield Close entrance to the walkway.  Dunmow Electrical stated that this would probably cost a similar amount to the new streetlight at the foot of the Village Hall car park, i.e. £870+VAT (including power).  Members unanimously agreed that a written quotation should be made and if the amount did not exceed this, the work should be arranged with Dunmow Electrical.

Clerk

4.0

ONSLOW GREEN NATURE RESERVE

The Chairman stated that a request has been made by the Essex Wildlife Trust to see whether the Parish Council could contribute towards essential work needed at the nature reserve at Onslow Green.  It was noted that ditch clearance and alterations to the small ponds is needed and that the Trust have received a quotation of £640 to carry out this work.  It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council (who manage this reserve with the Essex Wildlife Trust) should contribute £320 towards the costs.

Clerk

5.0

VILLAGE NOTICE BOARDS

As requested at the previous meeting, the Clerk has obtained various prices for notice boards.  Members looked at the brochures offering all types of noticeboards and it was unanimously agreed that two double-door man-made timber noticeboards, which are claimed to be maintenance-free, should be purchased from a company called Greenbarnes Ltd.  The cost of the noticeboards are £641 each plus £41 each for a header plus a pair of post kits for each board at a cost of £122 each and lettering on the top of the boards would cost £3.65 per letter.  Before ordering the notice boards.  The Clerk was asked to check whether permission is needed by the District Council to erect one noticeboard alongside the post-box and the other on the corner of Barnston Green where the school bus stops.  The Clerk was also to find out whether the District Council would be able to install the boards.

Clerk

6.0

VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK

The Chairman stated that a request has been received from the Barnston Village Hall Management Committee requesting a donation towards the cost of re-surfacing its car park.  The Village Hall Committee have obtained an estimated of £4000 to have the work carried out.  It was suggested that the Village Hall should first of all contact the Rural Community Council for Essex to see whether a grant could be obtained.  Once all avenues have been explored, Members of the Parish Council agreed that they would re-consider the request

SF

7.0

FINANCIAL POSITION     

The financial position as at 31st January 2002 were as follows:  £3666.15 in the current account;  £30.13 in the MM account and £8,428.28 in the NSB.  Total: £12,124.56.

8.0

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

UTT/0003/02/FUL - It was noted that the description for this application has been amended and now reads:  Erection of replacement dwelling, garage and stables, involving demolition of pigstyes.  Members re-considered this application and confirmed that the plans are incomplete and possibly misleading.  It was felt that the proposed new stables were too large for normal domestic use and might indicate business use.

9.0

CORRESPONDENCE

9.1

UDC - Deposit Draft - Local Plan

Following the Parish Council's concerns regarding the change of use from agricultural land to garden land, the District Council have stated that this change would not necessitate any change to the settlement boundaries.

9.2

UDC - Bus Passenger News

Mrs S Tuttlebury stated that David Wright from Dunmow Town Council has expressed concern that there are no buses running from Chelmsford to Dunmow on Sundays.

9.3

RCCE Best Kept Village Competition

The Clerk was asked to forward a copy of the entry form for the Best Kept Churchyard to St Andrews Church.

Clerk

10.0

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Mr C Watkins highlighted the state of the disused letterbox near Broadgroves Farmhouse, which has been kept in the village at the request of the Parish Council.  The Clerk was requested to contact the Handyman to see whether he could paint it

Clerk

11.0

CHEQUES

The following cheque was agreed and signed:

Audit Commission

£190.35

Travis Perkins Trading Co. Ltd (posts for new litterbin)

£5.68

P Tuckwell Ltd (service of lawn mower)

£37.80

Mr R Lodge (50% towards garage rent)

£10.00

Mrs C Weston (wages & expenses)

£205.35

The Essex Wildlife Trust

£320.00

Direct Debits

TXU Energi

£36.87

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.50pm. The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 11th March 2002 at 7.45pm.