Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 11^th April 2005 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs P Singleton

Mr G Ball

Mr M LeMasurier

Mrs S Flack

Mrs S Tuttlebury

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

Mrs S Sellens

Mr E Hicks also attended the meeting along with two residents.

Apologies:  Mrs C Weston.

1.0

RESIDENTS

ACTION

1.1

A resident attended the meeting to express his concern over the lighting on the village.  It was noted that the street light opposite Millers Close has still not been repaired following the accident last November.  It is understood that the bracket for the light has still not arrived at Dunmow Electrical.  It was suggested that the bracket from lamp no. 4 could be used instead.  It was also noted that Road sign S3 light was also not working.  It was agreed that the Clerk should take these matters up.  The resident also stated that a caravan has been placed at Garnets Wood.  This has since been removed.

Clerk

2.0

ROAD SAFETY

2.1

It was noted that no accidents have been reported since the last meeting.

2.2

Ms S Flack stated that she believes that Councillor Bass is currently chasing the weight advisory signs for the A130.  Good news was the upgrading of the Braintree by-pass as this will really help take the heavy traffic away from the village.  It was noted that Mr Hicks has also received a phone call about the HGV’s from a building contractor working on the Little Dunmow development was using the A130 despite a waste disposal plan that stipulated a route via the A131.  Mr Hicks agreed to investigate the matter with the District Council.  

2.3

Mr R Townsend stated that the drains are still low and need to be repaired.

Clerk

3.0

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 14^th March 2005 were approved and signed.

4.0

MATTERS ARISING

4.1

The Caravan, Bishop’s Green

Mrs S Flack stated that she is chasing this up and will update the Parish Council as soon as possible.

SF

4.2

Handyman - Tools

It was noted that the Handyman does not feel that he needs any additional tools or equipment for the time being.

4.3

Bushel & Sack Hotel

It was noted that a reply from the District Council about the Parish’s concerns over the amount of advertising boards and cars at the Bushel & Sack has not been received yet.

5.0

FINANCIAL POSITION

5.1

The financial position as at 31.03.05 was as follows:  £4,765.01 in the current account and £10,388.28 in the NSB account.  Totalling: £15,153.29. 

5.2

It was noted that the garage rent is to be £35.64 per month.

5.3

It was noted that the insurance renewal notice has been received from Cornhill Insurance for £1,138.41.  Mrs S Flack suggested proposing to the County Council a global insurance as this may be cheaper.  Mrs S Flack agreed to ask the question.

SF

6.0

WATTS CLOSE PLAY AREA – ACCESS GATE

A quotation for £200 has been received from a Mr S Harris to make a new metal gate.  Since the meeting a further quote has been received from Acorn Services for £289.25+VAT for a galvanised metal gate and £298.58 for a wooden gate.  It was noted that UDC have also been asked to provide a quotation.  It was unanimously agreed that once the quotation has been received, a decision can be made by the Clerk and the Chairman between meetings provided the cost is within reason.

Clerk/

Chairman

7.0

WATTS CLOSE PLAY AREA – DRAINAGE PROBLEMS

As requested at the previous meeting, Mrs S Tuttlebury met with Mr H Jaggard to see whether the drainage problem could be rectified.  Mr Jaggard has suggested installing an 80mm perforated land drainage pipe alongside the fence and backfilling this with stone and free draining sand.  The ditch also needs to be cleared for approx. 40m to the point where it drains under the track towards the brook.  The overgrown hedging to the north of the lay area should also been trimmed back.  The total cost of this work would be £870+VAT.  It was unanimously agreed that Mr Jaggard should be asked to carry out this work.  The Clerk to check whether the overgrown hedging has already been cut back by the Handyman?

Clerk

8.0

VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK

Awaiting letter from Village Hall Chairman.  It was understood that the Village Hall Committee are pleased with the Parish Council’s proposals to pay for 80% of the work and wish to add a barrier.  Parish Councillors were concerned that this would cause access problems for the Buffy Bus etc.  It was suggested that the car park should be built without the barriers and if a problem with access occurs at a later date these should then be added rather than restricting the use of the car park to villagers.

Clerk/VHall

9.0

PLANNING

UTT/0382/05/FUL – Erection of two-storey side extension.  Garwood, High Easter Road, Barnston.  Both Mr R Burlend and Mr G Ball declared an interest in this application and signed the Declaration of Acceptance book and withdrew from the meeting.  A resident who attended the meeting expressed concern over the proposed extension as he believed that it would affect the light into his house, garden and patio.  This application was considered to be too large for the site and would be too imposing on the neighbouring property resulting in a reduction of light.

Clerk

UTT/0455/05/FUL – Retrospective application for partial retention of agriculture land for garden.  Pear Tree Cottage, Chelmsford Road, Barnston.

This application was not available for viewing at the time of the meeting as it had been sent to the wrong Parish Council.  Mr Hicks stated that modified plans have now been submitted.

UTT/0487/05/FUL – Erection of detached dwelling and garage.  Sakers, The Chase, Barnston.  This application also had been sent to another Parish Council in error so was not available at the time of the meeting.  It as agreed that this application should be distributed to four Parish Councillors and a decision made between meetings.

Clerk

UTT/0510/05/FUL – Rear Conservatory – 2 Mill Field, Barnston.  This application was considered and there were no objections raised.

10.0

CORRESPONDENCE

10.1

It was noted that confirmation has been received that the Parish Council is to receive £1000 grant.  It was agreed that a notice should be put in the next newsletter for ideas for the use of the £1000.

Clerk

11.0

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

11.1

Following the Chairman’s recent attendance at The Chairman’s Day course, the Chairman proposed to just raise important issues in correspondence rather than each item.  It was also noted that ‘Any Other Business’ should not appear on the Agenda and ‘Matters Arising’ should be matters to be discussed at the next meeting. 

11.2

Mr G Ball stated that the new bus service through Barnston is a very good service and should be advertised more, possibly in the next Parish Council newsletter. 

11.3

It was suggested that the Parish Council newsletter could be expanded and issued on a more regular basis.  It was agreed that this should be included on the Agenda for the next meeting.

Clerk

11.4

It was noted that the new footpaths are sprouting weeds.  It was agreed that the Handyman should be requested to get rid of these.

11.5

It was noted that the Handyman has been given approval to purchase a new brush/blade for the mower.

12.0

CHEQUES

The following cheque was agreed and signed:

EALC (payment for Chairman’s training course)

  £41.00

Mrs C Weston (wages & expenses)

£203.50

Mr G Bruneau (wages & expenses)

£225.00

Travis Perkins

    £7.59

Direct Debits

UDC (garage rent)

  £35.92

Virgin Mobile (Parish Council telephone calls)

    £7.03

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 9^th April 2005 at 7.45pm and the Annual General Meeting will commence at 8.00pm.