Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 8th July 2002 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs J Eacott

Mrs S Tuttlebury

Mr C Watkins

Mr D Ensor

Mr M LeMasurier

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Mr Richard Garvey from Onslow Green also attended the meeting.

Apologies:  Mr G Ball, Councillors S Flack and R Copping.

1.

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

No accidents have been reported since the last meeting.  It was noted that the new mini roundabout and connecting street lights are now complete after a long delay.  Concern was raised over the visibility of the new mini roundabout road signs and it was suggested that the signs should be more prominent as you enter the village from Great Dunmow direction.  The Clerk was asked to raise this with Highways department.  It was also noted that there are some overhanging branches over one of the new street lights and road sign along High Easter Road.  Mr R Townsend also stated that the hedges along the Barnston bends are in need of cutting back.  The Clerk to look into this.

Clerk

1.2

Mr R Townsend asked about the new fence that is believed to cross a footpath behind Pear Tree Cottage?  The Clerk informed members that having spoken to the County Council it is believed not to be a public right of way.  If it is a path that people use, then it is up to the landowner to sort out.

1.3

The Chairman informed the meeting that a letter has been received from Highways department giving notice of a temporary 10mph speed limit north-west of the High Easter Road junction on the A130.  The restriction will commence on the 29th July for the duration of the roadworks.

2.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 10th June 2002 were approved and signed.

3.

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

Watts Close Play Area

Mrs S Tuttlebury stated that the ditch at the entrance to the Watts Close play area is not draining away properly when it rains.  The result of this is an unpleasant smell and a dirty film across the water.  The Clerk was asked to contact Environmental Services department with regard to this.

Clerk

3.2

Play Equipment

Following Mrs J Eacott's discussions with the Toddler group and other parents in the village, it was noted that most parents are in favour of replacing the turnstile in the Village Hall play area with another piece of equipment.  It was suggested that a piece of play equipment similar to the one recently installed in Dunmow behind the tennis courts would be appropriate.  Other suggestions were to extend the current wooden play equipment in the play areas.  Members also suggested a basketball net or youth shelter for the older children in the village and a picnic table and benches in both play areas.  The Clerk was asked to obtain some prices for these.

Clerk

3.3

Casual Vacancy

The Chairman informed the meeting that Mr R Garvey had expressed an interest in becoming a Parish Councillor and had come along to the meeting to observe.

3.4

Trimming of Grass Verges

Mr C Watkins stated that Paul Hardy from County Highways department did not believe that it would be possible to delegate the grass cutting to Parish Councils, as they are not covered by insurance to do so.  However, the Chairman informed the meeting that a letter has been received from County Highways department outlining the areas of grass verges that are currently the responsibility of the County Council.  It was noted that the total length of rural verge to be cut is 12.7km at a total cost of £333.12 and the area of urban verge (within the 30mph speed limit) is 2438.4sq.m at a cost of £98.02.  Members of the Parish Council expressed an interest in taking over the responsibility of the urban verge, which is already being cut by the village handyman.  It was believed that the responsibility of the rural verge might be best left with County Highways department, however, the Clerk would find out how much it would cost to have this area cut independently.  The Chairman stated that the Parish Council's Public Liability insurance should cover either the Handyman or anybody else acting on behalf of the Parish Council.  The Clerk to look into further.

Clerk

3.5

Sandbags

The Clerk informed the meeting that a local company could provide 500 empty sandbags at a cost of £250.  Members believed that this was quite expensive.  The Clerk was asked to find out whether the District Council could provide just a few sandbags for the residents of Brook cottages to keep at their premises in case flooding occurred.

Clerk

3.6

Mr A Powell-Allen

Following Mr Powell-Allen's letter to the Parish Council expressing concern over what provisions have been made for pedestrians crossing the new road on either side of the bridge, a reply has been sent to The Chairman from the A120 Liaison Officer.  It was noted that provisional arrangements include a footpath allowing pedestrians safe progress over the junction.  Pedestrians will need to cross the road on either side of the bridge, likely to be crossings on the 'off' slips.  It was noted that these details are awaiting approval and final construction drawings are not yet available. The Clerk confirmed that she had forwarded this information onto Mr Powell-Allen via e-mail.

4.

FINANCIAL POSITION     

The financial position as at 30th June 2002 was as follows:  £5,675.13 in the current account;  £30.17 in the MM account and £8,728.55 in the NSB.  Total: £14,433.85.

5.

BARNSTON MAP - AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY (HANDYMAN)

Initially the Clerk had had trouble finding a suitable map of Barnston to outline the areas of responsibility for the new Handyman.  However, a map sent from County Highways department will now be sufficient.

RB

6.

PLANNING

Clerk

7.

CORRESPONDENCE

7.1

A. Parkes  It was noted that a complimentary letter had been received from a local resident regarding the tidiness of the village.  The Chairman stated that he would pass on these comments to Mr Bruneau.

RB

7.2

The Rural Housing Trust - Affordable Housing

Mr C Watkins stated that the Rural Housing Trust has written to the Parish Council with regard to a piece of land in the village which is available for affordable housing if required.  It was noted that the question on whether an affordable housing scheme was needed in the village was put to residents some time ago and no response had been received.  It was agreed that parishioners should be asked again whether they felt that there was a need for such a scheme in Barnston.

8.0

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

8.1

Clerk

8.2

Hawthorne Bushes

8.3

Berners End/Mill Field Walkway

Mrs S Tuttlebury stated that the 'no cycling' signs at either end of the walkway have disappeared.  It was agreed that further signs should be purchased and put up at either end of the walkway.

Clerk

8.4

Nuisance Neighbours

It was noted that several residents in the village have experienced unacceptable behaviour from a family who are believed to be living in a house in Barnston owned by the Housing Association.  Councillor C Little stated that unless the residents are prepared to write and state that they have experienced such behaviour from the family concerned there is little that can be done.  Anybody wishing to express their concern should write to Mrs Mary Rose, the Housing Officer at the District Council Offices.

8.5

Unadopted Road - Onslow Green

The Clerk informed the meeting that Mr Garvey had contacted her in between meetings to express concern over the state of the road leading to his house and two other properties at Onslow Green.  Having made enquiries, it was noted that the road is registered common land and does not appear to have a registered owner.  It is believed that the land is therefore owned by the Parish Council.  The Clerk was asked to see whether she could obtain further confirmation of this.  If this is the case, the Clerk was asked to obtain quotations from local companies to repair the potholes.

Clerk

8.6

Three Valleys Water

It was noted that the Clerk is due to meet up with a representative from Three Valleys Water on the 10th July to discuss the state that the village has been left in following their work.  The chairman offered the clerk copies of some photographs that had been taken showing the damage, now largely repaired by the handyman.

8.7

Village Hall Play Area

The Clerk informed the meeting that the Handyman has suggested cutting back the brambles in the play area.  It was agreed that this should be left until after the blackberries have gone.  It was also noted that a resident had requested that the wooden fence panel at the top of the village hall walkway be taken away.  Mr C Watkins stated that this panel was put up when the estate was built to shield the play area from the houses adjacent to the play area.  If this panel is to be taken down, it was agreed that it should be replaced.  The Clerk was asked to find out how much it would cost for the Handyman to replace this panel.

Clerk

11.

CHEQUES

The following cheques were agreed and signed:

P Tuckwell Ltd (oil for mower)

£3.40

Direct Debits

TXU Energi     

£36.87

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10pm.   The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 9th September 2002 at 7.45pm.