Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 13^th June 2005 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs P Singleton

Mr G Ball

Mr M LeMasurier

Mr C Brooks

Mrs S Tuttlebury

Mrs H Rothwell

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Apologies: Mrs S Sellens & Mrs S Flack

1.0

ADOPTION OF STANDING ORDERS & DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

ACTION

The Chairman proposed that the standing orders should be adopted and it was unanimously agreed by all.  All Parish Councillors returned their signed Declaration of Acceptance of Office forms to the Clerk.

2.0

ROAD SAFETY

2.1

It was noted that a caravan has been parked in Berners End which is making visibility difficult for children crossing the road.  It is understood that this matter is being dealt with by the Police.

2.2

It was noted that several letters have been sent by residents expressing their continued concerns about the increase in heavy traffic along the A130 despite the advisory route for HGV’s being put up.  This is of equal concern to the Parish Council and it was understood that the ‘after’ traffic study is due to take place in June with the results being made available in August.  It was agreed that the Parish Council should wait and see what the findings are before acting. 

2.3

The Police are currently looking into the speed of traffic along the A130.  A suggestion was made that it might be possible to have a pedestrian crossing put by the bus stops now that there is a maximum speed limit of 30mph.  It was also suggested that signs could be put up at either end of the village to warn motorists that children are crossing.  The Clerk was asked to contact Highways department regarding these issues.

Clerk

2.4

It was noted that Highways have looked at the Dunmow South slip road off of the new A120 and it was noted that any difficulty in perceiving the beginning of the slip road stems from the physical geometry inherent in designing a new route in which both the horizontal and vertical alignments are on a degree of curvature at the limit of what the standards permit.  Highways do not believe that a high risk situation exists here and that the problem could be made worse by vehicles travelling at unrealistically high speeds.  It is therefore unlikely that any changes will be made to improve the visibility of the slip road.  A copy of the Parish Council’s letter has been forwarded to Mr R. Chenery at the Highway Agency, who is responsible for the main road and slip roads.

3.0

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 9^th May were approved and signed.

4.0

CLERK’S REPORT

4.1

Street Lights

It was noted that the street light cover opposite the Village Hall is still missing.  A revised quotation to supply power to the street light in High Easter Road has been received for £200+VAT.  It was agreed that this should be paid for by the Parish Council then claimed back through the insurance company of the person involved in the accident.

Clerk

4.2

Watts Close Play Area

It is understood that work is currently underway on the new access gate in the play area.  The Clerk agreed to speak to Mr Jaggard to see when he is able to carry out the drainage work in the play area, which hopefully would be before the summer holidays.

Clerk

4.3

Green Waste

The Clerk informed the meeting that the Parish Council can purchase green waste sacks from the District Council for £1 each.  These could then be sold on to pensioners at a reduced rate of 50p.  Once supplies have gone, the Parish Council would be able to purchase more at a discounted rate.  It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should purchase 50 sacks to begin with and advertise this in the next newsletter.

Clerk

5.0

FINANCIAL & NOTICE OF AUDIT

5.1

The financial position as at 31.5.05 was as follows:  £8,303.14 in the current account and £11,388.28 in the NSB account.  Totalling: £19,691.42.  The Chairman informed the meeting that the Parish Council has received its notice from the Auditors for 30^th June 2005.  Copies of the completed annual return were handed to all members together with copies of the bank statements.  It was noted that the total cash balance as at 31.3.2005 was £15,154.  The accounts and statement of assurance were approved by all members of the Parish Council and signed by the Chairman and Clerk.

6.0

PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

It was noted that the Chairman has made a start on the forthcoming newsletter and that several clubs who use the Village Hall have submitted copy for the newsletter.  It was agreed that a notice should be put up on the notice boards inviting people to submit interesting stories and photographs about the village and for any businesses to advertise in the newsletter if they wish.

Chairman/

Clerk

7.0

BARNSTON UNITED CHARITIES

It was noted that Mrs Pam Singleton has resigned from the post of Administrator for Barnston United Charities.  The Chairman thanked Mrs Singleton for the time that she has put into the role and suggested that Mr C Brooks might like to take over the role.  Mr Brooks agreed to this and Mrs Singleton agreed to hand-over the relevant paperwork and explain the role to him.

PS/CB

8.0

SPEED REDUCTION MEASURES – PARSONAGE LANE

It was noted that the Chairman, Mrs H Rothwell and Mrs S Tuttlebury had held a site meeting along Parsonage Lane with Mr C Stoneham from Highways department to discuss what measures could be taken to reduce the speed of traffic along the lane.  It was noted that the Police would not support the introduction of a 30mph speed limit as it does not meet the county speed management strategy and policy.  An alternative option would be to consider the permanent closure of the lane to through traffic.  The aim would be to close the lane at some point with the introduction of lockable bollard which would prevent vehicular traffic from driving from one end of the lane to the other but still allow other road users such as pedestrians and horse riders continued access along the entire length of the lane.  It was agreed that a letter should be sent to all residents and landowners asking their views on this and to suggest where they think would be the best point to block the road. 

Clerk

9.0

VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK

Following discussions with the Village Hall committee, it has been agreed that barriers will not be installed at the entrance to the car park.  However, it was noted that if the car park in being abused at all then barriers will be installed.  The Clerk informed the meeting that she is having difficulty speaking to Mr Bell from M.B. Surfacing to arrange a mutually convenient date for the work to be carried out.  It is hoped that the work will be undertaken during the summer holidays.

Clerk

10.0

EMPLOYEES PAY & PENSION

The Chairman informed members that he has been speaking to EALC about pensions and gratuity pay.  It is understood that employees are encourage to join the ECC pension scheme, with the Parish Council making a contribution.  It was hoped that further details would be available at the next meeting.

Chairman

11.0

MINOR MATTERS FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

11.1

It was noted that the Village Hall Committee has requested that a 300cm x 200cm banner advertising the monthly farmers market be put up in line with the Village sign on the corner of High Easter Road for a few days prior to the monthly market.  All members agreed that the banner is far too large for this site and could affect road safety and may need permission from Highways or Planning.  It was suggested that the sign should be placed outside the Village Hall.

Clerk

12.0

ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA

        I.      Employees Pay and Pension

13.0

PLANNING RESULTS

UTT/0172/05/OP –Erection of buildings to comprise an industrial workshop/storage building, office building, staff welfare building, and cart shed; removal of 5 no. existing buildings.  Mawkinherds Farm, Wellstye Green, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been refused.

UTT/1869/05/FUL & LB – Change of use and conversion of agricultural barn to residential dwelling.  Martels Farm, Wellstye Green, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been refused.

UTT/0455/05/FUL – Retrospective application for partial retention of agricultural land for garden.  Peartree Cottage, Chelmsford Road, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been granted permission.

UTT/0382/05/FUL – Erection of two-storey side extension.  Garwood, High Easter Road, Barnston..  It was noted that this application has been refused.

UTT/0510/05/FUL – Rear Conservatory, 2 Mill Field, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been granted permission.

UTT/0585/05/FUL & LB – Conversion of garden store to residential with associated alterations.  Alterations to barn to accommodate gym and associated facilities.  It was noted that this application has been granted permission.

14.0

CORRESPONDENCE

14.1

ECC – Hanningfield Awards

It was agreed that this application should be displayed on the notice board.

Clerk

14.2

UDC – Appointment of School Governors

It was agreed that this should be displayed in the notice board and forthcoming newsletter.

Clerk

14.3

Essex Air Ambulance

It was noted that a letter of thanks has been received from the above charity following the £250 donation made by the Parish Council.

14.4

BAA Stansted

It was noted that BAA would like to begin a fresh round of informal meetings with community leaders and stakeholders to ensure up to date information on the airport’s future plans are made available.  It was agreed that the Clerk should invite a representative along to Barnston.

Clerk

13.0

CHEQUES

The following cheque was agreed and signed:

P. Tuckwell Ltd (tools & parts for mower)

  £117.34

E.On Energy (monthly street light charges)

    £37.61

Mr G Bruneau (wages & expenses)

  £251.00

Mrs C Weston (wages & expenses)

  £200.77

UDC (green waste sacks)

    £50.00

EDF Energy (connection charge for High Easter Road street light)

  £235.00

Direct Debits

UDC (garage rent)

    £35.92

Virgin Mobile (Parish Council telephone calls)

      £7.68

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 11^th July 2005 at 7.45pm