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Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 11th July 2005 at Barnston Village Hall

 

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs P Singleton

 

Mr G Ball

Mr M LeMasurier

 

Mrs S Sellens

Mrs S Tuttlebury

 

Mrs H Rothwell

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

 

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

Cllr. S Flack

 

Councillor E Hicks also attended the meeting for Items 10 to 12.

 

1.0

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

It was noted that an accident had occurred at the High Easter Road junction on 22nd June at 9.45am. 

 

1.2

Mr R Townsend stated that the A130 has been re-surfaced between Broadgroves and Onslow Green. 

 

1.3

All members expressed concern over the poor visibility at the A120 slip road coming off from the Braintree direction.  The vegetation makes it very difficult for motorists exiting the A120 from Braintree to see traffic coming round from the Dunmow direction.

 

1.4

As requested at the previous meeting, The Clerk informed members that she has sent a letter to County Highways department requesting either a pedestrian crossing on the Chelmsford Road or ‘Children Crossing’ signs to be erected at either end of the village.  Awaiting a reply.

 

 

 

 

2.0

MINUTES

 

 

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13th June were approved and signed.

 

 

 

 

3.0

CLERK’S REPORT

 

3.1

Street Lights

 

 

It was understood that the Parish Council’s street lighting contractors are no longer trading so the Clerk has been in touch with other contractors to carry out the outstanding street light repairs in the village.

 

3.2

Watts Close Play Area

 

 

It was noted that H. Jaggard has now carried out the drainage work in the play area and that the invoice will need to be paid between meetings.  Acorn Services have re-set the ground level clearance of the roundabout to the recommended level as stated in the last safety inspection.  The Handyman has repaired the stile in the Watts Close play area.

 

3.3

Speed Reduction Measures – Parsonage Lane

 

 

The letter to residents is ready to be printed once the new Parish Council printer has been obtained.

Clerk

3.4

Village Hall Car Park

 

 

It was noted that M.B. Surfacing have arranged to carry out the re-surfacing of the car park during the week of 15th August.

 

 

 

 

4.0

FINANCE

 

 

The financial position as at 30.06.05 was as follows:  £7,370.01 in the current account and £11,388.28 in the NSB account.  Totalling: £18,758.29.  It was noted that E.On Energy has increased their charge for an unmetered electricity supply to street lights from £35.64 per month to £54.93.  Cllr. S Flack suggested the Parish Council should see whether they could get the supply any cheaper from another provider.  It was unanimously agreed that Mrs Kate Coyne should be given £25 as appreciation for looking at the Parish Council’s annual return sheet prior to submitting it to the Auditors.

Clerk

 

 

 

5.0

PARISH COUNCIL PRINTER/COPIER/SCANNER

 

 

The Clerk currently used her own printer for Parish Council work but it was noted that the ink cartridges are very expensive to replace and not cost effective.  It was agreed that the Parish Council should purchase a laser printer/copier/scanner which would use toner that would hopefully last much longer.

Clerk

 

 

 

6.0

EMPLOYEES PAY & PENSION

 

 

The Chairman informed members that he has been in touch with the Essex County Council Pensions Manager and it would appear that it will be possible for the Clerk to become affiliated to the ECC Pension scheme.  Once full details of the scheme have been received, the Parish Council will then need to vote whether or not they think that the Clerk should become a member, It was noted that the Handyman would not be eligible to become a member as he has retired but it is thought that the Parish Council could opt for a gratuity scheme to be set up for him.

 

 

 

 

7.0

RCCE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

 

 

It was unanimously agreed by all members that the Parish Council should renew their subscription to the Rural Community Council of Essex.

Clerk

 

 

 

8.0

MINOR MATTERS FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

 

8.1

Concern was expressed over the multiple signs for the Pine Oak showroom that keep appearing around the village.  It was agreed that they make the village look untidy and that if the company wish to advertise their company they should have professional signs made and erect them on approved sites.

Clerk

8.2

It was noted that a drain in Berners End needs the tarmac renewing.

Clerk

8.3

It was noted that there are several trees and hedges overhanging various road signs and footpaths through the village.  It was agreed that the Handyman should be asked to cut back the ones that feels able to and that highways department should be requested to cut back the rest.

Clerk

 

 

 

9.0

PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

 

 

More information has been received over the month for inclusion I the newsletter.  Mrs S Tuttlebury has some old photographs of the village for inclusion in the newsletter.  It was also suggested that residents could be asked through the newsletter to report any road safety issues to the Parish Council

All

 

 

 

10.0

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

 

UTT/0966/05/FUL – Erection of a two storey side extension, single storey rear and front porch.  5 Mill Field, Barnston.  This application was considered and there were no objections raised.

 

 

UTT/1055/05/FUL – Proposed single storey garden building.  Taverners, Onslow Green, Barnston.  This application was considered and there were no objections raised.

 

 

RESULTS

 

 

UTT/0487/05/FUL – Erection of detached dwelling and garage.  Sakers, The Chase, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been refused.

 

 

UTT/0596/05/FUL – Erection of a single storey dwelling.  Construction of new access.  Land to rear of Barfield & Hillingdon, Chelmsford Road, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been refused.

 

 

 

 

11.0

CORRESPONDENCE

 

11.1

ECC – Law & Administration

 

 

It was noted that a letter has been received from Lloyd Simpson, Legal Assistant in the Law & Administration department at ECC, is enquiring further into the owners of The Caravan’s application to become the owner of the land.  Mr Simpson has written to the District Council asking them to explain their reasons behind issuing a certificate of lawfulness in 2000 when the land is registered as Common Land.  The Parish Council will be kept informed of any responses received.

 

11.2

Just Lamps

 

 

It was noted that the above company are offering a maintenance package for street lights.  It was agreed that this should be compared with other companies with the view to using them in the future.

Clerk

 

 

 

12.0

CHEQUES

 

 

The following cheque was agreed and signed:

 

 

Acorn Services (repairs to Watts Close roundabout)

£587.50

 

Mrs K Coyne (internal audit)

  £25.00

 

Mr G Bruneau (wages & expenses)

  £75.00

 

Mrs C Weston (wages & expenses)

  £50.00

 

RCCE (Annual subscription)

£251.00

 

E.On Energy (street light charges)

  £54.93

 

Direct Debits

 

 

UDC (garage rent)

  £35.92

 

Virgin Mobile (Parish Council telephone calls)

    £4.80

 

 

 

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 12th September 2005 at 7.45pm