|
1.0 |
ROAD SAFETY |
ACTION |
|
1.1 |
Mr R Townsend stated that no accidents have
been reported since the last meeting. |
|
|
1.2 |
It was noted that the hedges have still not
been cut. They are particularly bad near ‘Albans’ on the corner of High
Easter Road. It was also noted that the hedge at the top of Parsonage Lane
on the left hand side is also in need of some maintenance |
Clerk |
|
1.3 |
It was noted that a letter has been
received from Essex Highways requesting a list of minor works that need to
be carried out in Barnston. These will be attended to by a small “hit
squad”. This is in addition to the locally determined works programme. Any
task considered under this scheme should be capable of being completed
within one day. Mr R Townsend suggested that the chevrons should be
cleaned. All members were asked to inform the Clerk of any other jobs that
the Highways team could carry out. |
Clerk/All |
|
1.4 |
It was noted that some trees still need
cutting back around some of the street lights in the village. |
Clerk |
|
1.5 |
It was noted that it is sometimes difficult
for motorists to identify the name of Chelmsford Road through the village
and it was suggested that road signs should be placed near the Bushel & Sack
Inn and near New House Villas? |
Clerk |
|
1.6 |
It was noted that the cats’ eyes have not
been replaced and sunken drains have not been repaired although Highways
department are aware of these problems. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.0 |
MINUTES |
|
|
|
The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday
12th September were approved and signed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.0 |
CLERK’S REPORT |
|
|
3.1 |
Parsonage Lane
The Clerk informed the meeting that she had spoken to the Police Traffic
Management department and they have confirmed that speed humps would not be
allowed on an unlit road such as Parsonage Lane. Cllr Hicks informed the
meeting that the Planning department has visited premises along Parsonage
Lane. Following the visit to the site, it had been confirmed that it was
not being used for Airport related parking. However, the precise use of the
site was unclear and Planning will now write to the owners of the premises
to clarify the position. |
|
|
3.2 |
HRS School Bus
It was noted that there has been
another incident of the bus not being able to reverse, resulting in the
students being taken on a circuitous route to get to and from school. It is
understood that the problem has now been rectified and that the bus is now
mechanically sound. On a separate day the students had not been picked up
on time in the morning and had arrived at school very late. The indents
have been recorded in the log. |
|
|
4.0 |
FINANCIAL POSITION |
|
|
|
The financial positions as at
30.09.05 was as follows: £17,972.02 in the current account and £4,388.28 in
the NSB account. Totalling: £22, 360.30. This includes the £7000 from the
September Precept. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.0 |
WATTS CLOSE GARAGES – SITE
REVIEW |
|
|
|
The Parish Council has
received a letter from the District Council stating that the Health and
Housing Committee received a report on the future use of the garages in
Watts Close. It was noted that the District Council is interested in using
this site to develop an affordable housing scheme. It was unanimously
agreed that the garages are useful for residents in Watts Close. If they
are to be replaced by houses this will add to the existing problem of cars
parked in Watts Close both by existing and new residents living in the
affordable houses. It is understood that Cllr S Flack is objecting to
similar proposals in nearby villages and it was agreed that she should be
asked to add Barnston to her case. It was agreed that the Parish Council’s
response is that the garages should remain and some other sites for low cost
housing should be researched. |
Clerk |
|
|
|
|
|
6.0 |
SPEED WARNING SIGNS |
|
|
|
It was noted that Cllr S Flack has
suggested that fourteen local villages should contribute funds to purchase a
mobile speed indicator devices to be used on a rota basis in each village.
It was suggested that each village could contribute £500 towards the bid,
totalling £7,000. If an additional £10,000 was then requested from Highways
department this would enable the villages to purchase four machines. It was
unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should participate in this scheme
providing the other villages all agree.
As proposed at a previous meeting, a fixed
speed warning sign or signs should be considered for permanent
installation. It was understood that Cllr S Flack would investigate the
types and costs of such a sign for further investigation.
On a separate matter the whereabouts of the
speed camera that the Parish Council contributed to some years ago was
brought up. It was agreed that the Clerk should enquire with Dunmow Police. |
Clerk/SF |
|
|
|
|
|
7.0 |
STREET LIGHTS |
|
|
|
The Chairman informed the meeting that an
assessment of the street lighting maintenance has been put together and it
looks as though Just Lamps will be the most reasonable company to use for
street light maintenance and repairs. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.0 |
VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK |
|
|
|
It was noted that M B Surfacing has not
responded to the Parish Council’s letter inviting them to put the works
right as per Ken Rush’s letter. A formal letter terminating his contract
should now be sent to him. The Clerk and Mr Rush have since met with D K
Civil Engineers to request an estimate to put the works right and complete
the job. Although both the Parish Council and the Village Hall Management
Committee are keen to get the work completed it was agreed that the Clerk
should contact another contractor for a price. It was hoped that this could
be arranged before the next meeting and a decision taken as to who should
undertake the completion of works between meetings. |
Clerk |
|
9.0 |
WATTS CLOSE & VILLAGE HALL PLAY AREA GOAL
POSTS |
|
|
|
It was noted that the Mr Tyler from
Barnston AFC has given the Clerk information regarding an application for a
grant of up to 40% to purchase the goal posts for the two play areas.. It
was agreed that the Parish Council should apply for a grant towards two sets
of junior 5-a-side goal posts. The costs of the posts looked to be around
£500 per pair + installation. The nets cost approx. £25 per pair. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.0 |
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA |
|
|
|
Purchase of laptop computer for Parish
Council business. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.0 |
PLANNING APPLICATIONS |
|
|
|
UTT/ 1528/05/FUL –
New pitched roof over kitchen to rear.
Helm Crag, High Easter Road, Barnston. This application was
considered and there were no objections raised. |
|
|
|
RESULTS
|
|
|
|
UTT/1041/05/FUL –
Retrospective application for 6 no.
floodlights in dwelling approved under reference UTT/1029/03/FUL – The
Courtyard, Onslow Green, Barnston. It was noted that this
application has been refused. |
|
|
|
UTT/1230/05/FUL –
Erection of rear conservatory. 17 Barnston
Green, Barnston. It was noted that this application has been granted. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.0 |
CORRESPONDENCE |
|
|
|
UDC – The Caravan, Bishop’s Green |
|
|
|
It was noted that Mr Simpson from ECC Law &
Administration had written to UDC Planning to ask why a Certificate of
Lawfulness was granted at the above site. Mr Ovenden, from the Planning
District Council department stated that the reason for granting the
Certificate was that the applicant had proven on the balance of probability
that the claimed development had commended more than ten years before the
date of application and had continued thereafter. Mr Simpson has agreed to
look into this further. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.0 |
CHEQUES |
|
|
|
The following cheques were agreed and
signed at the meeting: |
|
|
|
Mr G Bruneau |
£159.00 |
|
|
Mrs C Weston |
£201.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct Debits/Standing Orders |
|
|
|
E.on Energy |
£56.53 |
|
|
Mulluck Wells (Watts Close play area rent) |
£10.00 |
|
|
Virgin Mobile |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There being no further business the meeting
closed at 9.20pm. The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday
14th November 2005 at 7.45pm |
|
