Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday  13^th January 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 (Item 1)

Mrs S Flack

Mrs H Rothwell

Mr G Ball (Vice-Chairman)

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Apologies:  Mrs S Tuttlebury, Councillor C Little.

1.

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

Mr R Townsend reported that two accidents had occurred on the bend at Martels corner, High Easter Road, since the last meeting. 

1.2

It was noted that the water mains work at Onslow Green was now complete.

1.3

Mr R Townsend stated that there is a large dip in the A130 as traffic travels up the hill from Dunmow.  The Clerk to report this to Highways/Balfour Beatty.

Clerk

1.4

It was noted that one of the signs for Parsonage Lane is missing.  The Clerk to inform the District Council.

Clerk

2.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 9^th December 2002 were approved and signed.

3.

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

Information Commission – Freedom of Information Act

The Chairman informed the meeting that the form had been filled in and returned.

3.2

Pear Tree Cottage

The Clerk informed the meeting that she has contacted the Planning department on several occasions to enquire if planning permission had been granted for the change of agricultural land to garden without success.  A letter has now been sent to UDC requesting this information.

3.3

Central Heating – Barnston Village Hall

The Clerk informed the meeting that she has written to the Village Hall Management Committee informing them of the Parish Council’s interest in contributing towards the cost of installing central heating at the Village Hall.  The Village Hall Committee is currently obtaining quotations.

3.4

Barnston United Charities

Mr D Ensor informed the meeting that the money has been distributed to recipients before Christmas.  Mr D Ensor informed the meeting of the fact that the Debt Fund did not appear to have ever been used.  It was agreed that Mr D Ensor would look into this to determine the exact purpose of the fund to enable the money to be better used

DE

4.

FINANCIAL POSITION

The financial position as at 31.12.02 was as follows: £3,794.72 in the current account; £30.21 in the MM account and £8,728.55 in the NSB.  Totalling: £12,553.48.

5.

ADDITIONAL INSURANCE COVER – PLAY EQUIPMENT

The Chairman informed the meeting that the Parish Council’s current insurance cover for the play equipment is not sufficient.  A list of all play equipment together with replacement costs has been drawn up.  Cornhill Insurance have stated that the additional cover for existing play equipment plus insurance for the two new pieces of play equipment will be £107.86 pro rata.  This amounts to approximately £54 to be paid for the remaining cover.            It was unanimously agreed that the additional cover should be arranged.

Clerk

6.00

PARISH PRECEPT 2003/04

The Chairman presented all Parish Councillors with an expenditure forecast. It was unanimously agreed that a Precept of £14,000 should be requested.  Provision in this amount has been made to purchase a further piece of play equipment, contribute towards the repair of pavements around the village and a contribution towards the installation of central heating at the Village Hall. 

7.00

WICKSTEED LEISURE ANNUAL INSPECTION AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF PLAY AREAS

7.1

The Chairman informed the meeting that the inspections had now taken place and that there was not much cause for concern.  It was noted that the ground clearance of the Watts Close merry-go-round was slightly too low.  It was suggested that ‘information’ signs are put up in the two play areas and that dog proof entrances should be put in if practicable.  It was agreed that the Parish Council should arrange for information signs to be put up and the Clerk was asked to obtain some quotes for a new sprung gate for the Village Hall area.

Clerk

7.2

The Chairman stated that together with the Clerk, he would fill in the Risk Assessment form.

Chairman/ Clerk

8.00

DOG FOULING

The Clerk informed the meeting that she had received a telephone call from a local resident complaining about the increase in dog mess on footpaths and grass verges particularly around Barnston Green and Rayfield Close.  It was agreed that a letter should be distributed to residents requesting that those with dogs ensure that they use the dog fouling bins.  It was also agreed that residents should be asked to name any dog owners that they have seen allowing their dogs to foul the footpaths.  This information to be passed to the dog warden for possible action.

Clerk

9.00

 PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE

The Chairman reminded members that a couple of years ago a representative from ECC Highways department had a look at the state of the pavements in the village and agreed that many of them were in a bad state, particularly in Barnston Green and Rayfield Close.  As no maintenance has been carried out on them since that time, the Clerk was asked to contact Highways to see what plans they have for improving them as some are becoming increasingly hazardous.

Clerk

10.00

UTTLESFORD PRIMARY CARE TRUST

It was noted that the Parish Council had been asked to re-submit their donation of £10 made payable to ‘Saffron Walden Community Hospital League of Friends’ as the cheque sent in December was incorrect.

Clerk

11.00

PLANNING

It was noted that planning application UTT/1283/02/FUL – Fairview, The Chase, Barnston has been withdrawn.

12.00

CORRESPONDENCE

12.1

UDC District and Parish Council Elections

The Chairman informed members that the above elections will take place in May 2003.  Further information regarding the timescale for applicants etc. will be forwarded by the Clerk as soon as she receives it.

Clerk

12.2

UDC Village Civic Amenity Dates for 2003

It was noted that arrangements have been made for the Village Civic Amenity skips to be placed at the Village Hall on the afternoons of Saturday 19^th April and Saturday 30^th August.  Mrs S Flack suggested that the Parish Council arrange a ‘Tidy Barnston Day’ to coincide with these dates.  It was agreed that the Clerk should contact the District Council to arrange to borrow litter pickers and other equipment and invite residents to help clear up litter in the village on the dates shown.

Clerk

12.3

Balfour Beatty – Plans of footpath to Dunmow

All members looked at the plans and expressed concern over the safety of crossing the busy road to get to Dunmow.  It was suggested that perhaps pedestrian lights or a footbridge should be included in the plans.  The Clerk was asked to write to Balfour Beatty with this request.

Clerk

13.00

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

13.1

Mrs S Flack stated that Dunmow Town Council has arranged for the District Council to cut their grass verges at a cheaper rate than the County Council charge.  The verges are also being cut twice as much over the year.  It was agreed that the Clerk should obtain further quotes to see if it is cheaper for a contractor to cut the grass verges in Barnston.

Clerk

13.2

Mr C Watkins stated that he had received complaints from residents who have tried to walk the footpath at the back of Barnston Hall.  It is believed that an electric fence is obstructing the footpath.  It was agreed that Mr M LeMasurier would take a walk along the footpath to see what the problem was.  If it is blocked by the fence, it was agreed that he should approach the owners of the land.

MLM

13.3

Mr C Watkins suggested that a larger litter bin should be purchased for the Village Hall play area as the existing one regularly overflows in the summer.  It was agreed that the Clerk should obtain a quotation for this.

Clerk

14.0

CHEQUES

The following cheques were agreed and signed:

Wicksteed Leisure Ltd (play area inspections/risk assessments)

£129.25

Saffron Walden Community Hospital League (re-submitted chq)

  £10.00

Mrs C Weston (wages & expenses)

£222.56

Acorn Services (Installation of new play equipment)

£540.50

Direct Debits

TXU Energi

£36.87

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 10th February 2003.