Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 13^th October 2003 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs P Singleton

Mr M LeMasurier

Mr C Watkins

Mrs H Rothwell

Mr G Ball

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Apologies:  Mrs S Tuttlebury.

1.0

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

Mr R Townsend stated that the road appeared to have sunk on the approach to Barnston from Dunmow.  The Clerk was asked to investigate this.

Clerk

1.2

With regard to the Parish Council’s request for the traffic calming measures to be introduced from The Old School House along to Onslow Green, it was noted that Highways department have sent a letter stating that they are investigating the matter and will respond by 27^th October.

1.3

It was noted that Three Valleys Water Company had claimed that all of the water leaks in the village have now been repaired.

1.4

Following the recent speed check outside Barnston brook, The Parish Council has now received a print-out of the findings.  It would appear that the average speed along this stretch of road is 32.4mph.

1.5

Mrs S Flack stated that the traffic lights at the A120 construction will be removed on Thursday 16^th October.  Some concern was expressed that removal of the lights would increase the speed of traffic making the turning at the Dunmow more dangerous.  It was agreed that this should be monitored and if a problem arises, highways department should be contacted.

1.6

Mrs H Rothwell informed the meeting that there the speed of traffic travelling along Parsonage Lane was still a problem and that cat has recently been killed.  Residents living along the lane are very concerned about the speed of traffic and rightly fear for the safety of pedestrians especially children.  The Clerk informed the meeting that she has asked Highways department expedite the Parish Council’s request for speed reduction measures.  Mrs H Rothwell also stated that her daughter had been involved in an accident along High Easter Road recently when an ‘American-style’ truck travelling from the High Easter direction towards Barnston came around a sharp bend on the wrong side of the road and forced her daughter’s car into the ditch, causing a lot of damage to her car.  It was believed that the driver was exceeding the national speed limit on this sharp bend.

2.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 8^th September were approved and signed.

3.

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

Free School Transport

It was noted that the Clerk has sent a letter to the County Council regarding this but a reply has not yet been received.

3.2

Community Achievement Awards 2003

It was noted that Mrs Sue Sarjeant has agreed to be nominated for this award and that the nomination paper has been submitted.

3.3

Reclassification of the A130

The Clerk informed the meeting that she has written to Great Waltham Parish Council to request that Barnston be included in the meeting to be held with Councillor Bass in the New Year.

3.4

Dunmow Leisure Centre

The Clerk informed the meeting that she had written to the District Council to express the Parish Council’s objections to the entrance charge that has been introduced since the new Centre opened and the increased cost of swimming lessons.  Awaiting a letter of reply.

3.5

Dog Attack

It was noted that following several complaints from residents, the Animal Warden has visited the owner of the dog who has attacked other dogs in the village.  The Animal Warden has made a number of recommendations to reduce the danger of further attacks.  She has requested that she muzzles the dog concerned and walks it separately from her other dog and that she and the dog concerned attend a dog training course. Despite this request, the owner does not appear to have taken this advice seriously as she has been observed walking the dogs together and un-muzzled. Enquiries by the dog warden have revealed that she has not attended the local dog training class either.  Residents are concerned that nothing appears to have been done to address the problem and that next time a child might be endangered. All members agreed that a letter should be sent to the owner concerned urging her to take her responsibilities seriously and cooperate with the Animal Warden.

Clerk

4.00

FINANCIAL POSITION

The financial position as at 30.09.03 was as follows: £8081.39 in the current account and £5,977.83 in the NSB.  Totalling: £14,059.22.  It was noted that this figure includes the half-yearly precept.  The Chairman asked all Parish Councillors to have a think about any projects that could be undertaken over the next few months.  Mr G Ball suggested purchasing some speed camera signs for the village.  It was agreed that the Clerk would investigate to see if this was possible.

All

 Clerk

5.00

INTERNAL AUDITOR

It was unanimously agreed that Mrs K Coyne should be given £25.00 for carry out this task.

6.00

PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY

It was noted that following Mr D Ensor’s resignation, no applicants have applied for the vacancy.   The Chairman stated that Mrs S Sellens had expressed an interest and that he would invite her along to the next meeting.  Mrs P Singleton agreed to take over Mr Ensor’s role as Trustee and Secretary of the Barnston United Charities and agreed to speak to Mr Ensor about it.

RB

PS

7.00

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

UTT/1491/03/FUL - Change of use of agricultural land to residential use and erection of 3 bay open fronted garage, 1m high post and twin rail fence to new boundary.  Hoppitts, Onslow Green, Barnston.  This application was considered that there were no objections raised.

UTT/1329/03/FUL - Conversion of agricultural building to garaging and private gymnasium.  Lanham Barn, Onslow Green.  This application was considered and there were no objections raised providing that it will not be converted to a dwelling in the future.

Clerk

UTT/0467/03/FUL – Revision of plans: Demolition of existing garage and store and erection of two bay cart shed and garden equipment store.  Barnston Old Rectory, Parsonage Lane, Barnston.  Mrs H Rothwell expressed a personal interest in this application and signed the Declaration of Interest book.  This application was considered and there were no objections raised.

RESULTS:  UTT/0732/03/FUL - It was noted that this application has been REFUSED.

8.00

CORRESPONDENCE

9.1

UDC – Mobile Green Waste Service 2004

A list of provisional dates has been sent through for 2004.  It was noted that owing to prior bookings the Green Waste Skip cannot be accommodated at the Village Hall in April and July next year.   The District Council have been informed and have agreed to take these dates off the official list which is about to be printed. It was suggested that the Football Club might be able to accommodate it on these dates.  The Clerk agreed to look into this further.

Clerk

8.2

UDC – Best Value Review of Town & Country Planning Services: Invitation to Workshop for all Parish and Town Councils

The Chairman hoped to attend this workshop and requested that the Clerk replies on his behalf.

Clerk

8.3

ECC Library Direct

It was noted that this new service is being advertised on the notice boards.  Mrs P Singleton agreed to write a piece for the next newsletter.

PS

8.4

Smoke Alarm Campaign

Mrs P Singleton also agreed to write a piece about this campaign for the next newsletter.

PS

9.0

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

9.1

Mrs P Singleton stated that she has received three more complaints about the sunken drains along the A130 in Barnston.  Although they appeared to have been marked out for repair a while ago, the repairs have not been carried out.  The Clerk to look into.

Clerk

9.2

It was noted that one of the picnic benches that has recently been installed in the play area has already been subjected to graffiti. 

9.3

Mrs P Singleton agreed to lay the poppy wreath at St Andrews Church on Remembrance Sunday.  It was unanimously agreed that a £25 donation should be made to the Royal British Legion.

Clerk/PS

9.4

It was noted that a sofa has been dumped and set on fire by the water pump building at the back of the Watts Close play area.  The Clerk has requested that the District Council take away the remains.

10.0

CHEQUES

The following cheques were agreed and signed:

Mr G Bruneau (Handyman wages/expenses September

   £14.61

Mrs C Weston (September wages/expenses)

 £201.57

Acorn Services (installation of 2 picnic benches and making and installation of Village Hall play area gate).

 £963.50

Mrs K Coyne (Internal Audit)

   £25.00

Citizens Advice Bureau

   £25.00

Royal British Legion

   £25.00

Uttlesford District Council (application for storage unit)

 £110.00

Direct Debits/Standing Orders

TXU Energi

   £36.87

Trembeth Welch (play area rent)

   £10.00

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 10^th November 2003.