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1.0 |
ROAD SAFETY |
ACTION |
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1.1 |
Mr R Townsend stated that an accident had occurred just
before ‘Buttles’ on the hill up towards Barnston. It is believed that the
accident involved one car and that the driver was air-lifted to hospital. |
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1.2 |
It was noted that the Parish Council’s request for
traffic calming measures to be introduced from The Old School House along to
Onslow Green had been considered. Owing to the lack of development between
the start of the existing 30mph speed limit and the Barnston bends, County
Highways department believed it would be unlikely that it would meet the
criteria for a 30mph speed limit. However, it was believed that the section
between the Barnston Bends and the junction with Onslow Green would be
appropriate for a 40mph speed limit and for the inclusion on the Locally
Determined reserve list. It was unanimously agreed that this request should
be made by the Parish Council, it was hoped that both the District and
County Councillors would lend their support to this request. The Clerk to
arrange. |
Clerk |
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1.3 |
It was noted that the damaged section of A130
carriageway near ‘Buttles’ has been marked out ready for repair. It was
also noted that many other damaged sections of road elsewhere in the village
have now been repaired. Mr Townsend reported that another drain appears to
have sunk on the hill close to the Barnston Bends. The Clerk agreed to look
into this. |
Clerk |
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2.0 |
CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLOR |
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Mr M LeMasurier proposed that Mrs Sharon Sellens be
co-opted as Parish Councillor and this was seconded by Mrs P Singleton. Mrs
Sellens signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office form and returned it
to the Clerk. |
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3.0 |
MATTERS ARISING |
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3.1 |
Dog Control Issues |
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The Chairman informed members that a letter has been
received from the owner of the dog that had been the subject of a complaint
to the Animal warden recently. The Parish Council had written to the owner
to request that they cooperate with the Animal Warden and the tone of this
letter had caused offence. This issue was discussed at great length and
both the Chairman and Mr C Watkins explained that the Parish Council was
endeavouring to bring this issue to the owner’s attention following
complaints that had been made to the Parish Council by members of the
public. It was noted that the owner has been attending Dog Training classes
since the beginning of October. The Chairman stated that this is going a
long way towards complying with the Animal Warden’s recommendations. The
Chairman concluded the Parish Council would attempt to ascertain the facts
surrounding the issue and review the matter at the next Parish Council
meeting. |
Clerk/
Chairman |
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3.2 |
Free School Transport |
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Following the Parish Council’s concerns over the future
of the free school transport for children living in Barnston, it was noted
that a reply has been received stating that following an inspection by the
school transport panel, it was determined to be a route along which a child
could not walk to school in reasonable safety accompanied as necessary. On
the basis of this, the County Council is required to provide free home to
school transport despite the fact that Barnston is within the statutory
prescribed distances from Helena Romanes School. |
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3.3 |
Dunmow Leisure Centre |
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It was noted that the District Council has stated that
it is Leisure Connection’s policy to make a charge for entrance into all of
their centres. This charge does not apply to centre members of club
bookings. It encourages the public who use the centre on a regular basis to
take out a membership. |
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3.4 |
Mobile Green Waste Service |
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The Clerk informed members that Mr R Tyler has agreed
to the mobile waste unit being sited at the Football Club on the two dates
in 2004 that the Village Hall cannot accommodate it owing to prior
bookings. As the dates concerned, 25th April and 17th
July, will not now appear on the District Council’s recycling calendar, it
was agreed that the Parish Council should ensure that the new venue for
these dates only should be advertised around the village. |
Clerk |
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4.0 |
MINUTES |
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The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13th
October 2003 were approved and signed. |
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5.0 |
FINANCIAL POSITION |
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5.1 |
The financial position as at
31.10.03 was as follows: £6,655.26 in the current account and £5,977.83 in
the NSB. Totalling: £12,633.09. It was noted that the Precept request for
2004/05 has been received. The Chairman agreed to prepare an expenditure
forecast to enable members to identify how much Precept should be requested |
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5.2 |
The Chairman asked whether
any members had any suggestions for forthcoming projects. Mr C Watkins
suggested that a fund should be set up for the Village Hall car park. Over
an agreed number of years, the Parish Council would earmark money to be set
aside for this fund. This money, together with a contribution from the
Village Hall Committee would then be used to repair the hall car park. It
was suggested that a proper design should be drawn up, including car parking
spaces, grassed areas etc. and if agreeable to the Village Hall Committee
the scheme should be Project Managed by the Parish Council. All members
agreed that this would be a good idea and the Clerk agreed to approach the
Village Hall. |
Clerk |
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6.0 |
PLANNING APPLICATIONS |
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UTT/1851/03/FUL – Erection of single
storey extensions. Apton Fields Farm, Onslow Green, Barnston. Mr M B P
Tamlyn. This application was considered that there were no objections
raised. |
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UTT/0601/03/FUL – 64 Rayfield Close,
Barnston. It was noted that this application that has already been
approved have been slightly amended. |
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RESULTS: Storage of building materials and
tools in connection with M&P Builders and storage of ropes, signs etc. in
connection with Dunmow Motorcycle Club. It was noted that this application
has been REFUSED. |
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7.0 |
CORRESPONDENCE |
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7.1 |
UDC – Emergency Planning Meeting & Information |
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Mr G Ball recently attended this meeting and had
obtained various information, mainly regarding flooding. It was noted that
empty sandbags are still available if residents require them. It was also
noted that leaflets are available for residents concerned about flooding.
Mr G Ball agreed to pass copies of these to the Clerk for distribution to
the residents in the Brook Cottages. It was also noted that high visibility
tabards are available to Parish Councils at a cost of £5.00 each. It was
unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should purchase four of these. |
GB/Clerk |
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7.2 |
Asylum Centre |
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It was noted that Dunmow Town Council have issued a
press release welcoming the Government’s decision not to continue their
search for a Removal Centre site in the Stansted Airport area – including
Smiths Farm, Great Dunmow – to hold failed asylum seekers. |
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8.0 |
ANY OTHER BUSINESS |
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8.1 |
It was noted that a branch has come adrift and others
are in need of a cut back on a tree subject to a Tree Preservation Order by
the Watts Close play area car park. The Clerk agreed to apply to the
District Council to have the branches cut. |
Clerk |
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8.2 |
The Chairman brought up the subject of the Stansted M11
Development Options Study and stated that the District Council’s Planning
Policy and Conservation Manager Roger Harborough’s interpretation of the
study seems to put 800 homes at Barnston joining the non vegetated urban
edge. Members agreed that further enquiries should be made to establish
exactly where this urban edge is and where this figure of 800 homes has come
from. |
Clerk |
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10.0 |
CHEQUES |
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The following cheque was agreed and signed: |
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Mrs C Weston (October wages/expenses) |
£201.57 |
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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 8th
December 2003. |
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