Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 14^th October 2002 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mr G Ball (Vice Chairman)

Mr M LeMasurier

Mrs S Flack

Mr D Ensor

Mr C Watkins

Mrs P Singleton

Mrs H Rothwell

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Apologies:  Mrs S Tuttlebury

Mr C McFadzean, Mr W Anning and Mrs S Trembath, residents from Parsonage Lane also attended the meeting for Item 1.

1.

SPEED LIMIT – PARSONAGE LANE

ACTION

1.1

The Chairman informed Members of the Parish Council that three residents from Parsonage Lane had come along to the meeting to discuss their concerns regarding the speed of traffic travelling along Parsonage Lane.  Mr McFadzean explained that he had written to Highways department highlighting the problem of speeding cars through the lane and that earlier in the year his dog had been killed by a speeding car.  It was also noted that another accident had occurred along the lane a couple of years previous to this when a car overturned and ended in a ditch, three people were injured on this occasion and the police were involved.  A Police investigation was carried out and an officer expressed the opinion that it was not safe to travel over 40mph along the lane.    The residents main concern is that there are twelve young children living along Parsonage Lane who are all at risk.  Highways department have stated in their letter to Mr McFadzean that no speed reduction measures could be considered without the support of the Parish Council. All members of the Parish Council agreed that it is not acceptable for traffic to be travelling at excessive speed along Parsonage Lane and agreed to endorse the residents request for speed reduction measures.  It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Highways department with a view to arranging a meeting to explore this matter further.  The Chairman thanked the residents concerned for taking the time to attend the meeting.

Clerk

2.

ROAD SAFETY

2.1

Mr R Townsend reported that no accidents had occurred since the last meeting.  It was noted that the grass verges and some hedges have still not been cut back. 

2.2

The Clerk informed the meeting that Highways department are currently looking into the Parish Council’s request to relocate the new signs for the mini roundabout.

3.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 17^th September 2002 were approved and signed.

4.

MATTERS ARISING

4.1

Watts Close Play Area

The Chairman read out an e-mail that had been sent to the Clerk from Mr R Dorney at the District Council regarding the boggy ground at the entrance to the Watts Close play area.  It was noted that the CCTV survey of the foul sewer did not identify any major defects in the sewer, which could be responsible for the ground contamination in this area.  The sewer was running freely at the time of the survey.  It was stated that the condition of the trees is most likely to be the result of plant disease rather than ground contamination.  The boggy conditions existing on this boundary are most likely due to ground water coming to the surface in this location.  All members expressed concern that the situation has not been resolved and the Clerk was requested to write back to Mr Dorney to find out what can be done to rectify the problem.  The Clerk was also asked to speak to the person responsible for the trees to see what could also be done about them. 

Clerk

4.2

Grass Verges

Following discussions at the previous meeting, the Clerk informed members that Mr H Jaggard did carry his own public liability insurance.  Mrs S Flack stated that it is still unclear as to what the guidelines are for external contractors cutting the verges.  It was agreed that this should be brought up in the future when the situation is clearer.  Mrs Flack offered to seek clarification of this matter

SF

4.3

Sandbags – Brook Cottages

The Clerk informed the meeting that three of the cottages had requested sandbags and an order had been submitted.  It was suggested that the Clerk should chase up the residents of the fourth cottage to see whether they wanted any.

Clerk

4.4

Bushel & Sack Inn

Both the Clerk and Mrs S Flack stated that they had spoken to the Planning department regarding the way the car park at the Bushel & Sack is being used and that the matter was being looked into. 

4.5

Community Achievement Awards

It was noted that both Jane Smith and Rona Lambert had agreed to be put forward for an award.  Applications to be submitted by the end of October.

Clerk

5.

FINANCIAL POSITION     

5.1

The financial position as at 30.9.02 was as follows:  £8,815.34 in the current account; £30.19 in the MM account and £8,728.55 in the NSB.  Total: £17,574.08nd as at 31.8.02.  It was noted that the September precept of £6,750 was included in these figures.

5.2

All members of the Parish Council signed a new Mandate form for the HSBC Bank and agreed that cheques should continue to be signed by three Parish Councillors in addition to the Clerk.

6.

PLAY EQUIPMENT

The Clerk informed the meeting that the prices agreed at the previous meeting for the Wicksteed Sputnik (£1400+VAT) and the Wicksteed Fun Ball Game (£1,247+VAT) were not correct as a new price list has been issued.  It was noted that the new prices are as follows:  Sputnik Roundabout - £1,540+VAT and the Fun Ball Game - £1,317+VAT.  An additional charge of £142.85 for carriage was also required.  It was unanimously agreed that the order for both pieces of play equipment should go ahead and that Acorn Services should install the equipment (price for the Sputnik agreed at the previous meeting, £310+VAT, and the Fun Ball Game - £150+VAT)

Clerk

7.

UNADOPTED ROAD – APTONFIELDS, ONSLOW GREEN

Following last month’s meeting, the Clerk stated that she has been back in touch with the County Council to see whether there is any proof that the Parish Council is responsible for the maintenance of this road.  The Legal Services department have written back stating that land registered as Common Land that has no registered owner, is not vested in the Parish, District or County Council to maintain.  Section 9 of the Commons Registration Act 1965 provides that any local authority (County, District or Parish) in whose area such an ‘ownerless’ common is situated, may take such steps against unlawful interference as an owner in possession of the land.  This section however, does not permit an authority to spend money on clearance or improvement.  It was agreed that the Parish Council should write to Mr Garvey informing him that the Parish Council is not able to spend money on this road and enclose a copy of the letter from the County Council.

Clerk

8.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Chairman asked Mrs P Singleton if she would like to be responsible for Neighbourhood Watch and Police issues and Mrs H Rothwell if she would be willing to be the community/health representative.  Both Parish Councillors agreed to take on these roles.  It was also agreed that the Clerk should contact Mrs Howlett and Mr Pegram to see whether they are still happy to be the footpaths and tree representatives for the Parish.

Clerk

9.

PLANNING

UTT/1393/02/FUL – Change of use from agricultural land to garden.  Land north & west of Hoppitts, Onslow Green, Barnston.  This application was considered and it was noted that members had no objections to the application going ahead providing that the garden remains a garden and is not used for development of any structures.

UTT/1283/02/FUL – Proposed two-storey extension to existing dwelling.  Fairview, The Chase, Barnston.  This application was considered and there were no objections raised. 

RESULTS:  UTT/0603/02/FUL – The Courtyard, Onslow Green, Barnston.  It was noted that this application had been granted conditional approval.

10.

CORRESPONDENCE

10.1

UDC – Uttlesford Local Plan It was agreed that this useful document should be kept on file.

10.2

UDC – Stansted Airport Referendum  It was noted that a voting slip has been sent to every household in Uttlesford.  The Referendum to be advertised on the notice board.

Clerk

10.3

Wicksteed Leisure – Play Areas Annual Inspections

It was noted that the annual inspections of the Village Hall and Watts Close play areas are due at a cost of £30 per site.  An annual risk assessment service can also be provided at an additional cost of £25 per site.  It was unanimously agreed that both a safety inspection and risk assessment should be carried out at both play areas.

Clerk

10.4

Information Commissioner – Freedom of Information Act   Members of the Parish Council adopted the following scheme:  All recorded Minutes, documents and accounts produced by Barnston Parish Council are either published on the parish notice boards, in local newspapers and newsletters or are available upon reasonable request to the Parish Clerk.  It was unanimously agreed that this scheme should be submitted to the Information Commissioner.

Clerk

11.0

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

11.1

It was noted that there had been an incident in the village where the driver of a white van had driven past a mother walking with her baby and children and hurled an egg at them.  It was also noted that eggs had been thrown in the bus shelters.  It was believed that similar incidents had occurred in the area and that there was a local sport of “Egging”.  Members believed that this was an extremely stupid activity and it could be very dangerous, especially if it had hit the baby.  The Clerk was asked to report this to the Police and local newspaper.

Clerk

11.2

Mr C Watkins stated that he had received some information regarding affordable housing.  It was agreed that this should be kept on file for the future.

11.3

It was agreed that residents wishing to publicise events planned in the village could now use the old notice boards on the bus shelters.  The Clerk agreed to take the key off the notice board and display a note in it to this effect.  The boards would be monitored to ensure that this facility was not abused.

Clerk

11.4

Mrs S Flack stated that a tourist caravan has been parked in the car park at Garnetts Wood and that she would report it to the County Council.

SF

11.5

Mrs P Singleton agreed to represent the Parish Council on Remembrance Sunday and lay the Poppy Wreath up at St. Andrews Church.

PS

12.

CHEQUES

The following cheques were agreed and signed:

Dunmow Electrical (street light repairs)

£68.15

Dunmow Electrical (street light repairs)

£69.01

Cornhill Insurance (additional cover for notice boards)

£17.46

Uttlesford District Council (putting up notice boards)

£235.00

Mr G Bruneau (handyman wages & expenses)

£107.10

Mrs C Weston (wages and expenses)

£203.78

Royal British Legion (charitable donation)

£25.00

Direct Debits/Standing Orders

TXU Energi     

£36.87

Trembeth Welch (Watts Close play area rent)

£10.00

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.35pm.   The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 11^th November 2002 at 7.45pm.