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Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Tuesday 17th September 2002 at Barnston Village Hall

 

Present:

Mr M Le Masurier (Acting Chairman)

Mr G Ball (Vice Chairman)

 

Mrs S Tuttlebury

Mrs S Flack

 

Mr D Ensor

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

 

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

 

 

Apologies:  Mr R Burlend, Mr C Watkins, Councillor C Little.

Mrs Helen Rothwell and Mrs Pam Singleton also attended the meeting.

 

1.

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

Mr R Townsend reported that an accident involving a motorcyclist between Newhouse Villas and Broadfield Farm had occurred since the last meeting in July.  A second accident occurred at the new mini roundabout at the High Easter Road junction recently.

 

1.2

It was noted that the hedges on the Barnston bends have now been cut and the signs are more visible.  However, it was noted that one of the hedges on the left-hand-side has been missed.  The Clerk was asked to take this up with the highways department.

Clerk

1.3

A notice has been received from Highways department regarding part of Onslow Green that is closed from 16th September for nine weeks in order to carry out work on water mains.  Mrs S Flack believed that the work has been carried out and that the road has already re-opened.

 

1.4

Mr R Townsend stated that the grass verges are in need of cutting back and that the footpath running between Newhouse Villas and Parsonage Lane is in need of repair.  It is understood that it wasn’t re-surfaced after work was carried out on it last year.

Clerk

1.5

Mr R Townsend stated that he believed that the new signs for the mini roundabout are too close to the roundabout as motorists are still entering the village too fast and do not have enough time to slow down by the time they see the signs for the roundabout.  The Clerk to look into.

Clerk

1.6

A resident living along Parsonage Lane has written to Highways department with regard to the speed of traffic along Parsonage Lane.  It was agreed that the resident concerned should be invited to the next Parish Council meeting to discuss his concerns.

Clerk

2.

MINUTES

 

 

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 8th July 2002 were approved and signed.

 

 

 

 

3.

MATTERS ARISING

 

3.1

Watts Close Play Area

 

 

The Clerk stated that Mr Dawney from Environmental Services has been carrying out some investigations into the ditch at the entrance to the play area.  A CCTV camera has been used to see what is causing the problem.  There is no evidence to suggest pollution in the area.  Mr Dawney has suggested that the trees have a disease which is unrelated to the ground conditions.  Further investigations are being carried out. 

 

3.2

Grass Verges

 

 

It was noted that a quotation has been received from Mr H Jaggard to cut the rural verges at a cost of £220 per cut.  Members expressed an interest in this but it was decided that the Parish Council’s public liability should be checked before a decision is made.

Clerk

3.3

Sandbags – Brook Cottages

 

 

Following discussions at the last meeting, the Clerk informed members that she had written to the residents of Brook Cottages offering them some sandbags to keep at their homes in case of flooding.  The District Council are happy to provide these on the understanding that if flooding does occur, residents who already have a stock of sandbags would not be treated as priority if requests for help were made.  Residents at Nos. 1 and 4 Brook Cottages have requested sandbags to be stored in dry place at their properties.  The Clerk to order.

Clerk

3.4

Berners End/Mill Field Walkway

 

 

The Clerk informed the meeting that she has obtained four small ‘no cycling’ signs from Highways department to be put up at either end of the walkway. 

 

 

 

 

4.

FINANCIAL POSITION     

 

 

The financial position as at 31.7.02 was as follows:  £5,346.38 in the current account; £30.17 in the MM account and £8,728.55 in the NSB.  Total: £14,105.10 and as at 31.8.02 was as follows:  £5,139.48 in the current account; £30.17 in the MM account and £8,728.55 in the NSB account.  Total: £13,898.20.

 

 
Audit of Acounts

 

 

Mr D Ensor informed the meeting that he had worked together with the Chairman on preparing the accounts for the Audit which takes place this week.  The total cash and investments as at 31.3.2002 was £11,790.81.  This was unanimously approved by all members of the Parish Council. 

 

 
 

 

5.
CASUAL VACANCIES/CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLORS

 

 

Mrs Helen Rothwell  and Mrs Pam Singleton came along to the meeting to observe.  At the end of the meeting Mr D Ensor proposed that both Mrs H Rothwell and Mrs P Singleton were co-opted as Parish Councillors.   This was agreed by all other members of the Parish Council.  Mrs Rothwell and Mrs Singleton signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office form and handed them back to the Clerk.  They were both given a copy of the Code of Conduct together with a Declaration of Interests form which is to be handed back to the Clerk upon completion.

HR/PS

 
 

 

6.
UNADOPTED ROAD – APTONFIELDS, ONSLOW GREEN

 

 

It was noted that three quotations to carry out the repairs to the potholes have been received.  The quotations range from £120 to £1,100.  All members expressed concern as to whether the Parish Council should actually be paying for these repairs and asked the Clerk to contact County Hall to see whether they can send any evidence in writing to prove that the Parish Council is liable for these repairs.

Clerk

 
 

 

7.
PLAY EQUIPMENT

 

 

 Following discussions at the last Parish Council meeting, the Clerk informed members that the ‘Sputnick’ roundabout from Wicksteed Leisure, which was favoured by members of the Toddler group, would cost £1400+VAT.  It was unanimously agreed that this equipment should be purchased and used to replace the existing turnstile in the Village Hall play area.  It was also agreed that the quotation from Acorn Services to remove the existing turnstile (£150+VAT) and install the new Sputnick and re-lay existing rubber tiles (£160+VAT) should be accepted.  The Clerk showed members details of a ‘Fun Ball Game’ which consists of a sphere with an open top and four outlet chutes for balls to drop through.  This is designed for children aged between 8 to 16 years and costs £1,247 from Wicksteed Leisure.  It was agreed that the Clerk should also obtain a quotation to install this piece of equipment.  The Clerk was asked to also speak to the local schools to see where they purchased their park benches from.

Clerk

 
 

 

8.
PLANNING

 

 

 UTT/1023/02/FUL – Single storey side extension – 3 Millers Close, Barnston.  It was noted that this application had been dealt with between meetings and that no objections had been raised.

 

 
 

 

9.
CORRESPONDENCE

 

9.1

Dog Fouling  It was noted that the District Council had written to a resident with regard to his dog fouling the verges in Barnston.  It was also noted that a teenager is allowing her dog into the Village Hall play area and that the dog is fouling the area. It was agreed that the District Council should be notified of this.  

 

9.2
UDC – Community Achievement Awards  Members suggested that both Jane Smith

 

 

who set up and runs the Barnston Brownie pack and Rhona ___? Who has looked after the WI garden among other things for many years, should be nominated for an award.  Both nominees should be approached before their names are submitted.

ST/Clerk

9.3

 ECC – Definitive Map Seminar  Both Mr M LeMasurier and the Clerk agreed to attend the Definitive Map Seminar on Thursday 14th November.

 

9.4

 ECC – Headland Management Scheme  It was noted that postcards had not been included with the letter.  The Clerk was asked to request these and send them out to farm owners in Barnston.

Clerk

9.5

 ECC Jubilee Awards  Mrs S Tuttlebury suggested that this information should be passed on to Chloe Rogers, a teenager in the village who is hoping to play hockey for England.

SF

9.6

 Stop Stansted Airport  It was unanimously agreed that posters should be displayed around the village and that copies of the petition and membership form should be distributed to all households.  The Clerk to arrange for the forms to be photocopied and distributed to all Parish Councillors for delivery.  It was also agreed that the Parish Council should send a letter of objection regarding the additional runways to Alistair Darling.

Clerk/All Parish Councillors

 
 

 

10.0
ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

10.1

 It was noted that the Bus Shelter next to The Chase has some graffiti in it.  The Clerk agreed to ask the Handyman to clean it off.

Clerk

10.2

 Concern was expressed over the amount of cars that are parked at the Bushel & Sack Inn.  The Clerk was asked to speak to the Planning department to see whether this is acceptable.

Clerk

10.3

 It was noted that the two new noticeboards have now been put up.  The Clerk informed the meeting that the additional insurance premium for these is £17.46.

 

11.

CHEQUES

 

 

The following cheques were agreed and signed between meetings:

 

 

UDC (repairs to Village Hall play area fence)

£135.12

 

Travis Perkins (restraining wire for fence)

£30.08

 

P. Tuckwell (strimmer wire)

£5.30

 

Dunmow Electrical (street light repairs)

£156.40

 

Greenbarnes Ltd (2 new noticeboards)

£2,161.18

 

Mr G Bruneau (Handyman wages and expenses x 2 months)

£311.49

 

Mrs C Weston (wages and expenses x 2 months)

£398.65

 

Direct Debits

 

 

TXU Energi     

£36.87

 

TXU Energi

£36.87

 

 

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.35pm.   The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 14th October 2002 at 7.45pm.