Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday  14^th April 2003 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs P Singleton

Mrs S Flack

Mr C Watkins

Mr D Ensor

Mr R Townsend (Items 1-4)

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Mrs H Rothwell

Mrs C Little also attended the meeting.  Nick Boyle and John Jarrett from Balfour Beatty attended the meeting for Item 4. Two members of the public were also present for this item.

Apologies:  Mr G Ball, Mrs S Tuttlebury and Mr M LeMasurier

1.

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

Mr R Townsend stated that no accidents have occurred since the last meeting.

1.2

It was noted that the rubbish dumped along Parsonage Lane has been cleared and the rubbish dumped at Onslow Green has been reported to the District Council.

1.3

The Chairman informed the meeting that Highways department has been requested to take another look at the problem of flooding outside Albans in High Easter Road.

1.4

It was noted that Balfour Beatty has agreed to resurface the tarmac entrance to the Barnston Warehouse along the A130.

2.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 10^th March 2003 were approved and signed.

3.

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

Central Heating – Village Hall

It was noted that the installation of central heating is now underway and should be connected within the next week.

3.2

Essex Police – Speed Gun Checks

Following the Parish Council’s request for further speed checks to be carried out, it was noted that the Police have undertaken this in the village on a couple of occasions.

3.3

Storage Unit

The Chairman informed the meeting that he has been in contact with Comptons Buildings who can offer a more secure door with a 4-point locking system.  The Clerk had not been able to identify the correct person to speak to at the District Council with regard to temporary storage.  Mrs C Little agreed to find out who is the appropriate contact.

C. Little/

Clerk

3.4

School Buses

It was noted that the Parish Council had sent a letter of objection to Mr B. Catt at County Highways department regarding the proposals to change the criteria for children qualifying for free transport to school in Dunmow.  Mrs S Flack stated that throughout Essex just over 140 letters of objections have been received in total.

4.00

A120 STANSTED TO BRAINTREE

The Chairman welcomed Jon Jarret and Nick Boyle from Balfour Beatty to the meeting.  Mr N Boyle informed the meeting that the roadworks are now at the half-way mark and a new schedule of works has been drawn up.  Please see Appendix I.  It was agreed that the schedule should be displayed on the noticeboards and in the next newsletter.  The Chairman thanked both Mr Boyle and Mr Jarrett for coming along to speak at the meeting and thanked the residents for taking the time to attend.  The meeting was closed to the public at 8.35pm.

Clerk

5.00

FINANCIAL POSITION

The financial position as at 31.3.03 was as follows: £8,970.70 in the current account; £30.30 in the MM account and £8,977.83 in the NSB.  Totalling: £17,978.92.   

6.00

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

UTT/0467/03/FUL – Demolition of existing garage and store and erection of two bay cart shed and garage equipment store. Barnston Old Rectory, Parsonage Lane, Barnston. Mrs H Rothwell declared an interest in this application.  Members agreed that this application should be granted with the provision that it is only used as a store and no further applications are to be made for the use to be changed to living accommodation or a workplace.

Clerk

UTT/1307/97/FUL – Internal alterations to planning permission UTT/0955/93.  Pyes Farm, Onslow Green, Barnston.  The Clerk informed the meeting that she had received an objection from residents in a neighbouring property.  It was also noted that the previous condition of a deodorising unit had never been implemented.  After careful consideration it was agreed that the Parish Council should write to the Planning department to reiterate their objections to the original application and to request that the Planning department take up the matter of the deodorising unit with the owners.  All members agreed that the area is no longer suitable for the size of the business and that it would be more appropriate on an industrial estate.  The application states that the proposed new chiller unit will be 35 metres away from the neighbouring property, it is understood that it will in fact only be 15 metres away.  If the application is granted permission, it was also agreed that the proposed new chilled food unit should be brick with no vents facing the neighbouring property.  Concern over footpath No.8 was also noted and it was agreed that a restriction should be made that the footpath must not be affected.

RESULTS – UTT/0020/03/FUL – Change of use from agricultural land to garden, Land at rear of 5 Mill Field, Barnston – Refused.  UTT/0141/03/LB & UTT0140/03/FUL – Single storey side extension – Little Pentons, Onslow Green – Conditional Approval.  UTT/0054/03/FUL – Two storey side extension – Fairview, The Chase, Barnston – Granted.  UTT/0038/03/FUL – Domestic garage and store – Buttles, Chelmsford Road, Barnston – Conditional Approval

Other Planning Issues:  Following the Parish Council’s enquiry to the Planning department in January, it was noted that a reply has been received stating that there has not been a change of use from agricultural land to garden land at Pear Tree Cottage, Barnston.  The Clerk was asked to write back to Planning department to request that the owners apply for retrospective planning permission for the alterations that have already taken place.

Clerk

7.00

CORRESPONDENCE

7.1

Uncontested Election for the Parish of Barnston

It was noted that all but one Parish Councillor had returned their nomination papers to the District Council and that an election would not be necessary.  Mr D Ensor agreed to be co-opted back on to the Parish Council at the May meeting.

7.2

ECC – Information Bus Summer Programme 2003

It was noted that the County Council are hoping to visit rural areas during the summer offering sports and information to young people aged between 13-19 years.  It was agreed that the Football Club should be approached to see whether they could accommodate the bus for a visit during the summer.

Clerk

7.3

Essex Air Ambulance – Launch of New Emergency Service Helicopter

It was unanimously agreed that a donation of £100 should be made to this very worthy cause and that the Chairman will attend the forthcoming launch of the new helicopter.

RB

8.0

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

8.1

It was noted that the ‘No Dogs’ sign attached the fence at the Village Hall play area has been vandalised.  The Clerk to order a replacement the sign.

Clerk

8.2

Mr C Watkins asked whether a new swing-gate had yet been sourced.  The Clerk agreed to look into the matter further.

Clerk

8.3

It was noted that the old noticeboard on the bus shelter has been vandalised.   All members agreed that it should be removed.

Clerk

8.4

The Clerk informed the meeting that the District Council has equipment to loan to the Parish Council for the Clean Up Barnston day which coincides with the skip that will be at the Village Hall for the afternoon of Saturday 19^th April.  Members available on the day agreed to help with the clean up.

All

8.5

Mr C Watkins suggested it might be an ideal opportunity for the Village Hall Committee to ask Balfour Beatty whether they are able to resurface the car par as a gesture of goodwill for the disruption that the village is going to experience over the next few months while the roadworks continue.  The Clerk agreed to speak to the Village Hall Committee.

Clerk

8.6

The Clerk informed the meeting that she had received a complaint from a resident regarding the number of banners and signs advertising the Bushel & Sack Inn.  Mrs S Flack also stated that she believed that some of the ‘new mini roundabout’ signs could now be taken down.  It was agreed that the Clerk should take up these matters with Highways department.

Clerk

9.0

CHEQUES

The following cheques were agreed and signed:

Dunmow Electrical (street light repairs)

£117.03

BVHMC (Village Hall Hire)

£129.60

Mrs C Weston (wages & expenses)

£214.92

Mr G Bruneau (Handyman’s wages & expenses)

£122.13

Essex Air Ambulance (Charitable donation)

£100.00

Direct Debits

TXU Energi

£36.87

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.50pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 12^th May 2003.  The Annual Parish Council Meeting will start at 8.00pm.