Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 8^th September 2003 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs P Singleton

Mr M LeMasurier

Mr D Ensor

Mrs H Rothwell

Mr G Ball

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Apologies:  Mrs S Flack and Mr C Watkins.

Councillor E Hicks also attended the meeting. 

1.0

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

Mr R Townsend stated that an accident had occurred on the Barnston bends near to the chevron signs.  No other details were known. 

1.2

It was noted that the rail at the brook has now been replaced although it appears to rather flimsy.  It was noted that the hedges along Parsonage Lane and Rayfield hill have now been cut back. 

1.3

It was noted that three more water leaks have appeared in the village – the first outside the Bushel & Sack, the second at Mill Field entrance and the third outside ‘Capes’ in Parsonage Lane.

1.4

Following the recent speed check outside Barnston brook, Mr Townsend stated that a resident had been sent a print-out of the information which showed that some of the vehicles were travelling in excess of 70mph.  The Clerk was asked to see whether she could obtain a copy of this print-out from Highways.

Clerk

2.

MINUTES

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

3.

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

Bushel & Sack Advertising Signs

The Clerk informed the meeting that Planning department are still looking into this enquiry.

3.2

New A120 Footpath

The Clerk informed the meeting that it had taken the handyman 1.5 hours to maintain the grass verges along the new footpath.  It was agreed that the handyman should be asked to add this job to his responsibilities.

Clerk

3.3

Free School Transport

The Chairman informed members that Mrs Flack had advised him not to send the letter of objection yet as it might raise Barnston’s profile.  Owing to the special dangers of walking the route to Dunmow from Barnston and considering the additional danger posed by the new A120 slip roads, the parish council considered it very important that a strong objection should be made.   It was unanimously agreed that a letter of objection should be sent as soon as possible.

Clerk

3.4

ECC Information Bus

It was noted that the visit of the information bus during the summer holidays had been quite successful and as agreed previously the Parish Council reimbursed Mr N Tuttlebury with £22.25 as payment for the hiring of the Village Hall.

4.00

FINANCIAL POSITION

The financial position as at 31.7.03 was as follows: £1,840.12 in the current account and £5,977.83 in the NSB.  Totalling: £7,817.95.  As at 31.8.03 was £1,803.29 in the current account and £5,977.83 in the NSB.  Totalling £7,781.12.  It was noted that the MM account has now been closed.

5.00

ANNUAL AUDIT

It was noted that the Annual Return had been completed for the Auditors.  The balance as at the end of March 2003 was £12,386.51.  This was unanimously approved by all members of the Parish Council.

6.00

SPEED OF TRAFFIC

6.1

The Chairman informed the meeting that an e-mail had been received from a resident living close to the Onslow Green junction.  An accident had recently occurred as a result of the speed of traffic on this stretch of road.  It was noted that vehicles often overtake on this stretch of road making the junction particularly dangerous.  The resident suggested that there should be double white lines on the main road at this junction preventing overtaking and if possible a 40mph speed limit.  All members agreed to support this request and the Clerk was asked to write to Highways requesting this.

Clerk

6.2

On a separate matter, it was brought to the attention of members that the residents of The Old School House, just before the Barnston bends are also concerned about the speed of traffic travelling past their home.  It was proposed that the 30mph speed limit is extended to at least Brook Cottages at the junction for Parsonage Lane.  This was also agreed by all members and was agreed to be included in the above request to Highways.

Clerk

7.00

PARKING DISCRIMINALISATION

The Chairman informed the meeting that he had written to the District Council during the summer break objecting to their proposals to employ a contractor to deal with parking decriminalization once the responsibility is transferred to the District Council from the Police.  The Chairman had suggested that if a contractor is employed, then the contract should be drafted to ensure that they have no financial incentive to issue more tickets than necessary, the emphasis should be on traffic management and not raising revenue.  The Chairman had written in a personal capacity on this subject to the District Council with the proviso that if members of the Parish Council had different views on this matter he would let them know.  All members agreed with these proposals.

8.00

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

UTT/1139/03/CL – 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 had been dealt with between meetings and there were no objections made.

9.00

CORRESPONDENCE

9.1

UDC – Parish Emergency Planning meeting – 1/10/03

It was noted that Mr G Ball would attend this meeting.

9.2

UDC – Motorcycle Accident Reduction Initiative

It was noted that the District Council are offering two free lightweight moveable signs to reduce motorcycle accidents in the district.  It was agreed that the Parish Council should request these.  

Clerk

9.3

UDC – Community Achievement Awards

Mrs S Tuttlebury suggested that Sue Sarjeant should be nominated for an award for all of the hard work she gives to the Barnston Brownies and organising many events and trips for villagers.  This was unanimously agreed.

Clerk

9.4

What’s On in and Around Essex

It was suggested that the Bushel & Sack Inn may be able to have a small quantity of these to sell and have on display.  The Clerk to enquire.

Clerk

9.5

Consultation on the qualifying distance for the transport to school of children of primary school age

As discussed earlier, it was agreed that a second letter should be sent outlining the dangers of primary age children walking to school from Barnston.

Clerk

9.6

ECC Parish Paths Partnership – Various Courses

Mr M LeMasurier informed members of various courses being organised by the County Council.  It was agreed to send details onto Mrs N Howlett, the footpath representative to see whether she would be interested in attending any of the courses.

Clerk

9.7

ECC Mobile Library Service

It is proposed that the times for the two library stops in Barnston are to be changed as follows:  Barnston Green – from 11.55 - 12.05 to 11.50 – 12.00noon and Watts Close from 12.10 – 12.30 to 12.05 – 12.20.  The service will still operate on a Tuesday in Barnston.

9.8

Re-classification of the A130

The Chairman informed the meeting that Great Waltham Parish Council wish to get together with Barnston Parish Council to hold a meeting Councillor I Bass who recently decided that the A130 between Chelmsford and Great Dunmow will not be re-classified at the current time.  All members were extremely concerned to learn this and agreed that something should be done about it.  It was stated that the go ahead for the new A120 was on the understanding that the A130 would be re-classified to put a stop to heavy lorries travelling along this route.  The Clerk to contact Great Waltham Parish Council to arrange a meeting.

Clerk

10.0

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

10.1

Mrs S Tuttlebury stated that the Mission Church are having gates put up at the entrance to its car park as the car park is being frequently used to turn around in which has resulted in some damage being caused.

10.2

The Chairman expressed objections to the newly opened Sports Centre making a 60p entrance charge to people visiting the Sports Centre.  It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should write to the District Council expressing their objections to this and also to the major price increase of swimming lessons.

Clerk

10.3

The Chairman informed the meeting that a dog had attacked another dog in the village and that the same dog has been responsible for a number of other attacks on dogs in the village over the past year.  It was noted that the District Animal Warden has been informed and that the owner has been requested to muzzle the dog in future.

10.4

The chairman informed the meeting that Mr D Ensor had tendered his resignation owing to pressure of work.  The Clerk was asked to inform the District Council and will arrange for the vacancy to be advertised.  Mr Ensor was thanked for his contribution to the Parish Council over the last three years

9.0

CHEQUES

The following cheques were agreed and signed:

Wicksteed Leisure (VAT + carriage of picnic benches)

£113.60

BVHMC (hall hire)

  £64.80

Mrs C Weston (July & August wages/expenses)

£394.41

Mr G Bruneau (Handyman wages/expenses for July & Aug)

  £80.17

Mr N Tuttlebury (reimbursement for Info. Bus hire of Village Hall)

  £22.25

Direct Debits

TXU Energi (July)

  £36.87

TXU Energi (August)

  £36.87

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 13^th October 2003