Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday  12^th May 2003 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs P Singleton

Mr M LeMasurier

Mr C Watkins

Mr D Ensor

Mr R Townsend (Items 1-4)

Mr G Ball

Mrs H Rothwell

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Apologies:  Mrs S Flack and Mr E Hicks.

1.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

ACTION

Mr R Burlend was unanimously re-elected as Chairman.

2.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS & ADOPTION OF STANDING ORDERS

The following councillors were unanimously re-elected:

Mr G Ball – Vice Chairman & Civil Defence

Mrs S Flack –Environmental Issues

Mr M LeMasurier – Village Hall Representative & Footpaths

Mrs H Rothwell – Community/Health Issues

Mrs P Singleton – Neighbourhood Watch

Mrs S Tuttlebury – Public Transport

Mr C Watkins – Local Government

The signed Declaration of Office forms were handed to the Clerk.  Mrs S Flack will be asked to sign her form at the next meeting.  The Chairman proposed that the Standing Orders are adopted and this was unanimously agreed.

SF

It was unanimously agreed that the following representatives should be re-elected:

Mr R Townsend – Road Safety

Mrs N Howlett - Footpaths

3.

CO-OPTION OF MR D ENSOR

As Mr D Ensor had not completed a valid nomination paper but still wished to be a Parish Councillor, the Chairman proposed that he be co-opted to serve as a Parish Councillor.  This was unanimously agreed by all members and Mr Ensor signed a Declaration of Acceptance form and handed it to the Clerk.

4.

ROAD SAFETY

Mr R Townsend stated that no accidents had been reported since the last meeting.

It was noted that the footpath between New House Villas and Parsonage Lane has been cleared and partly re-surfaced.  The grass verges on the opposite side have also been cut back.

5.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 14^th April 2003 were approved and signed.

6.

MATTERS ARISING

6.1

Central Heating – Village Hall

It was noted that the installation of central heating is now complete and an invoice for £5,475.50 (inc. VAT) has been received.

6.2

Storage Unit

Mr M LeMasurier agreed to discuss this subject again with the Village Hall Management Committee at their forthcoming meeting on 22^nd May.  The Chairman agreed to pass on the relevant brochures to Mr M LeMasurier in time for the meeting.  It would appear that the Village Hall Management Committee’s main concerns are security of the unit.  It was agreed that the Clerk should obtain advice from the Crime Prevention Officer.

RB/MLM

& Clerk

6.3

ECC – Information Bus Summer Programme 2003

The Clerk informed members that Mr R Tyler agreed to the bus being located at the football club.  Awaiting further details from the County Council.

6.4

Essex Air Ambulance – Launch of New Emergency Service Helicopter

The Chairman stated that he was now unable to attend the launch.  However, it was noted that a letter of appreciation had been received for the £100 donation made by the Parish Council.

6.5

Clean Up Barnston

The Chairman expressed his thanks to everyone who helped on the day.  Approximately a quarter of a tonne of litter was collected on the day.   It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should purchase 4 litter pickers of its own for future use. 

Clerk

6.6

Bushel & Sack Signage

It was noted that a letter has been sent to Planning department with regard to the number of advertising signs outside of the Bushel & Sack Inn.  Awaiting a reply.

7.00

FINANCIAL POSITION

The financial position as at 30.04.03 was as follows: £16,657.83 in the current account; £30.30 in the MM account and £1,977.83 in the NSB.  Totalling: £18,665.96.    This amount includes a VAT return of £1,406.84 (paid on 1.4.03) and £7,000 from the Annual Precept.  The Chairman informed members that the Audit for 2002/03 had finally been approved and that the auditors had submitted a request for a payment of £141.00.

Please note that £7,000 was transferred from the NSB a/c to the current a/c on 14.03.03 but was incorrectly recorded in the April Minutes as being both in the NSB a/c and the current a/c.  The financial position as at 31.3.03 should have read £8,970.70 in the current a/c; £30.30 in the MM a/c and £1,977.83 in the NSB (not £8,977.83 as stated).  Totalling: £10,978.92 not £17,978.92 as stated.

8.00

PLAY AREAS – VARIOUS EQUIPMENT

Members looked at various quotations that the Clerk had received and agreed to the following purchases:

Village Hall Play Area

Single-self-closing gate - 1200mm (H) x 1000mm (W) £585+VAT (delivery and installation extra).  Supplied by Wicksteed Leisure.

Replacement Dog Sign - £87.71+VAT.  Supplied by Fast Signs, Chelmsford.

Information Contact Sign - £30+VAT.  Supplied by Fast Signs, Chelmsford.

Wooden Picnic Bench - £227+VAT+bolts (delivery and installation extra)

Watts Close Play Area

Information Contact Sign - £30+VAT.  Supplied by Fast Signs, Chelmsford.

Wooden Picnic Bench - £227+VAT+bolts (delivery and installation extra)

It was agreed that Acorn Services should be asked to install the new gate and picnic benches when they arrive.

Clerk

9.00

ANNUAL SUBSRIPTION RENEWAL - EALC

It was unanimously agreed that the annual subscription should be renewed at a cost of £171.14.

10.00

ALLIANZ CORNHILL INSURANCE RENEWAL

It was noted that the annual insurance policy of £895.62 was due for renewal.  It was unanimously agreed by all members that this should be renewed.

11.00

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

UTT/0056/03/FUL –Erection of new dwelling, garage & stable building – Long Acre (The Poplars), High Easter Road, Barnston.  This application was considered and there were no objections made.

Results:  UTT/0199/03/CL – Broadgroves Farm Yard, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been refused by the District Council.  UTT/0038/03/FUL – Buttles, Chelmsford Road, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been granted.

12.00

CORRESPONDENCE

12.1

UDC – Empty Homes

The District Council would like to receive information about any empty homes in the area.  It was not believed that there were any in Barnston.

12.2

UDC – Town & Planning Council Emergency Planning Meeting – 28/5/03

Mr G Ball agreed to attend this meeting.

GB

12.3

UDC – Community Project Grant Scheme

The Chairman suggested that the Parish Council apply for a grant to purchase the proposed new storage unit.  This was agreed by all members.  It was also noted that the Village Hall Management Committee is applying for a grant to help pay for a new car park.

Clerk

12.4

Essex Police – Mobile Police Unit

Mrs P Singleton stated that the Mobile Police Unit has received 190 visitors in its first month and 193 in its second.  The next visit closest to Barnston is on 15^th May at Lodges Coaches in High Easter.

13.0

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

13.1

Mrs S Tuttlebury stated that she is currently trying to obtain replacement bus timetables for the ones that were recently vandalised.

ST

13.2

Mr M LeMasurier stated that a cracked manhole cover in the village has been reported to highways department.

13.3

Mr M LeMasurier stated that there has been an increase in dog fouling on footpaths in the village.  It was unanimously agreed that an additional ‘dog bin’ should be purchased and installed close to the entrance to the wasteland next to ‘Hillside’ bungalow.

Clerk

13.4

It was noted that a cover is missing from a street light in The Chase.  The Clerk was asked to contact Dunmow Electrical for a replacement.

Clerk

13.5

It was noted that a resident was concerned that a plant pot placed outside Broadgroves Cottage on the Chelmsford Road was blocking visibility for motorists turning out of Berners End.  Both the Clerk and Mrs S Tuttlebury have used this junction recently and do not believe that the pot makes any material difference to the visibility at the junction. 

13.6

Mr G Ball informed the Clerk that water is leaking from an inspection cover on the pavement between Berners End and The Chase.  It was agreed that the Clerk should report this.

Clerk

14.0

CHEQUES

The following cheques were agreed and signed:

Barnston Parish Council (transfer to NSB a/c)

£7,000.00

S.J. Wright Plumbing & Heating (central heating for Village Hall)

£5,474.50

Mrs C Weston (wages & expenses)

   £211.69

Wicksteed Leisure (Fun Ball Game – Village Hall Play Area)

£1,624.85

Mr G Bruneau (Handyman’s wages & expenses)

     £71.00

Lubbock Fine (Auditors fee)

   £141.00

EALC (subscription renewal)

   £171.14

Allianz Cornhill Insurance

    £895.62

Direct Debits

TXU Energi

      £36.87

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 9^th June 2003