www.barnstonvillage.co.uk

The website of Barnston, Essex
 


Home

Forum
Notice Board
Parish Council
Village Hall
Football Club
St Andrews Church
Mission Evangelical Church
Where We Are
Historic Barnston
Photo Gallery
Memories
Old Map of Barnston
Map of Public Footpaths
Useful Contacts
 

Links

Village Hall Website
 
Contact the Webmaster
 

Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 12th September 2005 at Barnston Village Hall

 

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mr M LeMasurier

 

Mr G Ball

Mr C Brooks

 

Mrs S Sellens

Mrs S Tuttlebury

 

Mrs H Rothwell

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

 

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

 

 

Apologies:  Mrs S Flack and Mrs P Singleton.

Councillor E Hicks attended the meeting from Items 3 to 13.  Two residents also attended the meeting and Mrs K Collop represented the Village Hall Committee for Item 2.

 

1.0

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

It was noted that there are no cats eyes on the newly resurfaced part of the A130 between Broadfields Farm and Onslow Green.

Clerk

1.2

No accidents reported since the last meeting.

 

1.3

Mr R Townsend stated that two street lights in the village are shaded by trees.  It was suggested that it might be a good idea to put a street light up opposite Onslow Green turning.

 

1.4

It was noted that there are still some sunken drains around the village, one of them being outside New House Villas.

Clerk

1.5

Mr R Townsend stated that the Police had used speed cameras in the village.

 

1.6

It was noted that following an accident at the slip road of the A120 an earth bank had been altered to improve visibility.  This had been requested by the Parish Council some time before the accident but the request had been turned down.

 

 

 

 

2.0

VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK

 

 

The Clerk and Mrs Collop informed the meeting that there have been problems with the contractor commissioned to undertake the re-surfacing of the Village Hall car park.  Ken Rush, the civil engineer who drew up the plans looked at the work that has been carried out so far and has sent a letter advising that kerb was not in accordance with the plans.  The kerb should have been against the existing concrete slab (outside the hall entrance) and the height of the kerb was too low.  Reassurance that the existing surface was proof rolled using a heavy vibrating roller needs to be given. 

 

 

It was noted that the Clerk telephoned the contractor to request that he does not continue with the work until Mr Rush’s recommendations have been forwarded to him.  The contractor stated that he would not be completing the job and would invoice the Parish Council for the work undertaken so far.  All members agreed that the Parish Council needs to write to the contractor to request that the faults are rectified and the contract be completed in accordance with the plans.   A copy of Mr Rush’s letter should also be enclosed.  The letter should offer him the opportunity to put the works right.  It was unanimously agreed that Mr K Rush should be invited to act as agent in this matter. 

Clerk

 

 

 

3.0

MINUTES

 

 

It was noted that Item 1.2 should have read ‘Broadfields Farm’ and not ‘Broadgroves Farm’.  This was amended and the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 11th July were approved and signed.

 

 

 

 

4.0

CLERK’S REPORT

 

4.1

Pedestrian Crossing – A130 It was noted that Highways department are organising a pedestrian survey to be carried out between High Easter Road and The Chase to see whether there is a need for a pedestrian crossing.

 

4.2

Street Lights – Brian Kelly has repaired the six street lights in the village that were defective.  It was noted that the redundant street light on the mini roundabout has been taken down and put up opposite Millers Close as the new light had been damaged by a passing high sided vehicle.  Details of costs to service the lights have been received from Cartledge Lighting and Just Lamps.

 

4.3

Progressive Furniture (Pine Oak showroom) Following the Parish Council’s letter requesting that the numerous signs around the village be taken down, a reply has been received.  It was noted that the company have requested the Parish Council give approval for a professional sign to be erected in a mutually agreeable place.  The Clerk was requested to inform the company that the Parish Council is not empowered to do this; such approval would need to be gained through either UDC Planning or ECC highways.

Clerk

4.4

Hedges It was noted that the some of the hedges have been cut back by the Handyman.  Highways have requested May Gurney to carry out the others.

 

4.5

E.on Energy – The Clerk informed the meeting that she had spoken to several Parish Clerks during the summer to see who they pay their street light power charges to.  It was noted that most use E.on and that the increase in monthly payments was the first for seven years.

 

4.6

Caravan – Berners End – It was noted that PC Hayden has spoken to the owner of the caravan parked in the road.  It is understood that owner has agreed to move it onto his driveway.

 

 

 

 

5.0

FINANCE

 

 

The financial positions as at 31.07.05 were as follows:  £5,329.49 in the current account and £11,388.28 in the NSB account.  Totalling: £16,717.77.  As at 31.08.05: £11,740.19 in current account and £4,388.28 in the NSB account.  Totalling: £16,128.47.  The Chairman informed the meeting that the Parish Council needs to provide further information to the Auditor in order for the Audit to be completed.

Clerk/

Chairman

 

 

 

6.0

PARISH COUNCIL PRINTER

 

 

It was noted that a DELL laser printer and toner cartridges was purchased over the summer holidays for Parish Council use.  A sum of £434.09 was reimbursed to the Clerk for the payment of these items.  This money is part of the £1,000 grant given to all Parish Councils form Lord Hanningfield.  It was suggested that a laptop computer might also be a good idea to spend the remainder of the money on.

 

 

 

 

7.0

PARSONAGE LANE

 

 

Some responses have been returned.  It was noted that fewer than 50% were in favour of a permanent barrier and a significant number of the others suggested speed humps.  Further consultation was requested before a decision is made.  It was noted that Police were against enforcing a speed limit so there was doubt as to whether you speed humps are permitted on an un-restricted and unlit road?   It was agreed that the new Chief Constable should be asked again if this is permissible.  Cllr E Hicks agreed to see whether planning permission had been sought or obtained for the alleged air port parking scheme operating from Parsonage Lane. It was agreed to defer the matter until the next meeting.

Cllr Hicks

 

 

 

8.0

MINOR MATTERS FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

 

 

It was noted that the Watts Close goal posts are loose in the ground.  It was unanimously agreed that the Handyman should be requested to take the posts down before somebody is injured.  The Clerk was requested to look into replacing the posts with new 5-a-side goal posts within a budget of £1,000.   It was also agreed that the rusty link fencing between the hedges in the play area should be taken down together with the concrete posts.  When the new posts are installed the small climbing frame close to the football area should be relocated.

Clerk

 

Cllr. E. Hicks stated that at a recent housing committee meeting members were encouraged to look for opportunities to develop low cost housing.  It was noted that a recently carried out a survey on plots of land that the District Council own in the area.  It was noted that the garages behind the flats in Watts Close was identified as a possible site for this type of development in the future

 

 

The Chairman suggested that Mr & Mrs Dormer should be recommended for a District Council Community Achievement Awards for their involvement in the Scout movement over many years.  This was seconded by GB.

Clerk

 

 

 

9.0

HELENA ROMANES SCHOOL BUS

 

 

It was noted that the HRS school bus had experienced several problems in the first week back at school but now looked as though it was running on time and collecting from the right pick-up points.  A log of incidents is to be kept in case further problems arise.

Clerk

 

 

 

10.0

ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

 

 

Mr G Ball informed members that he had recently attended the Parish Liaison Meeting where a representative from the County Council spoke of a scheme where Parish Councils can obtain funding for capital schemes.  It was indicated that road safety measures would be favourably considered and that such a scheme might give the opportunity to put in additional road safety measures such as ‘Slow down’ flashing lights etc.  The Clerk was asked to find out more information about this scheme from Cllr. S. Flack.

Clerk

 

 

 

11.0

PLANNING APPLICATIONS (dealt with between meetings)

 

 

UTT/1147/05/FUL – Proposed pitched roof, extension at first floor level to replace existing flat roof covering.  Apton Fields, Onslow Green, Barnston.  No objections raised.

 

 

UTT/1041/05/FUL – Retrospective application for 6 No. rooflights in dwelling approved under reference UTT/1029/FUL – The Courtyard, Onslow Green, Barnston.  No objections raised.

 

 

UTT/1230/05/FUL – Erection of rear conservatory.  17 Barnston Green, Barnston.  No objections raised.

 

 

UTT/1341/05/FUL – Alteration to riding arena to create additional accommodation over and erection of attached stable.  Barnston Hall Lodge, Parsonage Lane.  No objections.

 

 

UTT/1296/05/FUL – Proposed extension to side – Garwoods, High Easter Road, Barnston.  (Mr R Burlend declared an interest in this application so did not comment on these plans) No objections.

 

 

RESULTS

 

 

UTT/1055/05/FUL – Proposed single storey garden building.  Taverners, Onslow Green, Barnston.  Permission granted.

 

 

UTT/0966/05/FUL – Erection of two storey side extension and single store rear extension.  5 Mill Field, Barnston.  Permission granted.

 

 

APPEALS:  UTT/1869/04/FUL & UTT/1870/04/LB – Martels Farm, Barnston.

 

 

 

 

12.0

CORRESPONDENCE

 

12.2

AGM – EALC 28.09.05.  Funding available for website.  £750 available for website improvement or promotion.

 

12.3

UDC – Review of Uttlesford Council’s Constitution.  Main aim is to reduce the number of main committees.  Idea is to make these regional committees to reflect the wishes of local people.

 

 

 

 

13.0

CHEQUES

 

 

The following cheque was agreed and signed between meetings:

 

 

Anglian Land Drainage Ltd (Watts Close play area)

£1,022.25

 

Mr K E Weston (re-imbursement for printer and toner cartridges)

   £434.09

 

 

 

 

The following cheques were agreed and signed at the meeting:

 

 

Mr G Bruneau (July & Aug wages & expenses)

   £253.70

 

Mrs C Weston (July & Aug wages & expenses)

   £400.85

 

 

 

 

Direct Debits

 

 

E.on Energy

     £56.53

 

E.on Energy

     £56.53

 

Virgin Mobile

       £7.12

 

 

 

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 10th October 2005 at 7.45pm