Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 10^th January 2005 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs P Singleton

Mr G Ball

Mr M LeMasurier

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

Mrs H Rothwell

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Mrs S Tuttlebury

Apologies:  Mrs S Sellens and Mrs S Flack

1.0

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

It was noted that an accident had occurred at Garnetts Wood, High Easter Road just before Christmas involving a car and a van.  The driver of the car was badly injured and was taken to hospital. 

The details of the driver involved in the collision with the electricity pole have been forwarded to the Clerk who will now write to the person involved to reclaim the cost of replacing the street lamp destroyed in the accident.

2.0

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13^th December 2004 were approved and signed.

3.0

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

The Caravan, Bishop’s Green

The Chairman informed the meeting that advice has now been received from the National Association of Local Councils regarding the trees and the certificate of lawfulness at the above site.  It is still unclear under what regulation the District Council issued such a certificate.  It was unanimously agreed that this subject would be closed for the time being.

3.2

Play Area

Following the recent play area inspections, the Clerk informed the meeting that Fastsigns have quoted £75.80+VAT to produce information signs for both of the play areas and the Handyman has agreed to use wire mesh on the metal gate and the gap between it to hopefully prevent dogs entering the play area.  It was unanimously agreed that Fastsigns should go ahead with the signs.  It was also noted that Wicksteed Leisure would not be prepared to re-set the ground clearance level of the merry-go-round in the Watts Close play area.  It was agreed that the Clerk should find out how much it would cost to replace the merry-go-round or have the height adjusted by another company.

Clerk

3.3

Mill Field Hedge

It was noted that Pleshey Tree Services has started to cut back the above hedge.

3.4

Skips

Although agreement had been made at the previous meeting for the Parish Council to pay for staffed skips in the village during 2005 it was unclear whether this should be for full or half-days.  It was agreed that the skips should be available in the village for full days. The Clerk to confirm this to the District Council.

Clerk

4.0

FINANCIAL POSITION

The financial position as at 31.12.04 was as follows:  £3,323.91 in the current account and £15,133.90 in the NSB account.  Totalling: £18,547.81.

5.0

PARISH PRECEPTS

It was noted that the Parish Council has been asked to submit its request for the 2005/06 Parish Precept by the end of January.  The Chairman had prepared an estimate for the precept which included a sum for the eventual replacement of the existing swings as advised by Wicksteed Leisure in their last inspection report.  There is also an amount for the proposed village hall car park repairs although the costs for this project will not be known until the tenders are returned now the specification has been revised

Clerk/

Chairman

6.0

STANDING ORDERS AND PROCEDURES.

It was unanimously agreed by all Parish Councillors that the following standing orders and procedures should be incorporated into the existing list:

i)

The Parish Council will meet at 19:45 hours and allow members of the public to make representations if they so wish prior to the beginning of the meeting, such representations will not take longer than 15 minutes.

ii)

All items for which decisions are required to be made are to be placed before the Clerk at least six days before the meeting for Agenda inclusion.

iii)

Parish Councillors are empowered to read and omit correspondence of no council interest or value before the meeting.

iv)

Parish Council employees will receive a salary increase of average RPI plus 3% or 5%, whichever is higher from the first day of April every year.

v)

At the April meetings Parish Councillors should confirm that the hours being allocated to the Parish Council roles are appropriate.

vi)

All new Parish Councillors will be encouraged before joining to agree to attend a one day Councillors course during their first year.

vii)

All Councillors will be offered the opportunity to attend a Councillors course each year.

viii)

Unless otherwise declared by the Chairman, AOB is for the interest and future agenda inclusion only.

ix)

The Parish Clerk in empowered to: authorise the following actions to the stated monthly maximum.  All such actions to be summarised at the first possible Parish Council meeting and supported by signed acceptance by the recipient:

a)

Increase of 10 hours for handyman to cover seasonal or emergency works.

b)

Authorise expenditure of £250 for repairs to Parish Council owned equipment and machinery, or the purchase of safety equipment and clothing.

c)

Authorise expenditure of £250 for repairs to Parish Council maintained equipment or fixtures such as play equipment or street lighting.

d)

Authorise expenditure f £250 for the purchase of incidental items such as office supplies/fuel/travel.

e)

Gain agreement from the Chairman or Vice Chairman to purchase supplies or equipment not covered in the above items required by the Clerk to the pre-mentioned levels.

f)

Authorise to agree fees up to £300 for the services of professional services such as auditors/solicitors/engineers/surveyors.

7.0

PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY

It was noted that no applications have been received for the above vacancy.  It was unanimously agreed that a Parish Councillor from Onslow Green should be so-opted if possible.

Clerk

8.0

NALC – TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT – PARISH CLERK

The Chairman informed the meeting that having looked through the literature he believes that a lot of what is included in the guidance is already in place.  However slight changes need to be made.  It was agreed that once the model contract is issued this should be used to prepare the Clerk’s conditions of employment.  One thing that will need to be addressed is the provision of a secure fund to become the Clerks gratuity after 5 years service.  It was also agreed that the Clerk should claim for office supplies such as printer cartridges and stationery needed for Parish Council duties.

Chairman

9.0

PLANNING

UTT/2122/04/FUL and LB – Erection of two storey side extension; insertion of two dormer windows to front porch; insertion of front door and two windows; two dormer windows to front and internal works associated with above.  Pyes Farm House, Onslow Green, Barnston.  This application was considered and there were no objections made.

UTT/2153/04/FUL – proposed infilling of area between dwelling and garage to provide covered walk through area.  Medhurst, High Easter Road, Barnston. This application was considered and there were no objections raised.

RESULTS:  UTT/1810/04/OP – Outline application for erection of 5 detached dwellings.  Broadgroves Farm, High Easter Road, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been refused.

10.0

CORRESPONDENCE

10.1

ECC – Draft East of England

It was agreed that the Clerk should fill in and return the questionnaire.

Clerk

10.2

UDC – Licensing Act 2003

The Clerk was requested to forward this on to the Village Hall Committee.

Clerk

10.3

Uttlesford Buffy Bus Association

It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should contribute £100 towards this worthy cause.  A list of planned visits to Barnston is on display in the Village Hall.

Clerk

10.4

Citizen’ Advice Bureau

It was unanimously agreed that £100 should be donated to the C.A.B.

Clerk

11.0

CHEQUES

The following cheque was agreed and signed:

D.E. Contractors Ltd (street light repairs)

£710.29

Mrs C. Weston (wages & expenses)

£233.13

Uttlesford Buffy Bus Association

£100.00

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

£100.00

Direct Debits

UDC (garage rent)

 £38.89

Virgin Mobile (Parish Council telephone calls)

 £10.27

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 14^th February 2005.