Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 14^th February 2005 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R Burlend (Chairman)

Mrs P Singleton

Mr G Ball

Mrs S Sellens

Mr R Townsend (Item 1)

Mrs H Rothwell

Mrs C Weston (Clerk)

Mrs S Tuttlebury

Mrs S Flack (Item 1)

Apologies:  Mr M LeMasurier.

1.0

ROAD SAFETY

ACTION

1.1

It was noted that a fatal accident had occurred on the Chelmsford side of the Barnston bends involving an Astra van and a Jaguar car.  The Air Ambulance, Police and fire brigade attended the scene.

1.2

It was noted that the Parish Council has been copied in on two letters from residents to Councillor Bass expressing their continued concerns about the increase in heavy traffic through the village.

1.3

It was also noted that the sunken drain outside The Old School House has still not been repaired.

Clerk

1.4

Mr R Townsend stated that a safety railing has been put up opposite New House Villas where children wait for the school bus. 

1.5

Mr G Ball asked whether the funds are available for the agreed advisory HGV route.  Mrs S Flack stated that she would remind Councillor Bass of this.

SF

1.6

The Chairman gave details of the traffic survey which has recently been carried out in the village.  It was noted that between 06:00 – 22:00 hours there had been an increase of 7.6% and from 07:30 to 09:30 hours it was up by 11.4%.  However there has been a disproportionate increase of 12% in HGVs on the combined 18 hour daily flow.  Mr G Ball asked why the survey was only carried out over 18 hours as there is also a higher level of heavy vehicles travelling through the village during the night.  It was agreed that the same level of detail should be requested in future surveys as was provided in a the 1990 survey. It is essential that the data is presented in the same format to enable sensible comparisons to be made.

1.7

It was noted that a letter has been received from Highways asking whether the Parish Council wish for the footway widening request to still be considered for funding.  It was unanimously agreed that it should be left on the Locally Determined Budget Reserve list.

Clerk

2.0

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 10^th January 2005 were approved and signed.

3.0

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

Civic Amenity Skip

It was noted that the civic amenity skip has been booked for three half-days during 2005 at the Village Hall between 8.00am – 11.30am.  The dates being:  Saturday 19^th March, Sunday 27^th August and Saturday 5^th November.  It was agreed that the dates would be publicised on the village notice boards.

Clerk

3.2

Play Area

It was noted that Acorn Services has quoted £500+VAT to amend the ground clearance level on the roundabout in the Watts Close play area.  It was also noted that the cost of a new roundabout would be approx. £3,000+VAT plus delivery and installation.  It was unanimously agreed that Acorn Services should be asked to carry out the necessary work to comply with the new regulations.   It was also agreed that Mr H Jaggard should be asked to provide a quotation to put in some drainage near the goal posts to overcome the stagnant water problem.

Clerk

3.3

Village Hall Car Park

Following Ken Rush Associates detailed plans and suggestion of contacting B. Ketley and M.B. Surfacing again to provide a fresh quote to carry out the work as detailed in the plans, it was noted that B. Ketley are no longer undertaking this type of work and M.B. Surfacing has provided a new quote for £10,200+VAT.  It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should pay for 80% of this work and the Village Hall Committee should be asked to contribute the remaining 20%.  The Clerk was asked to write to the Village Hall Committee with this offer.

Clerk

3.4

Street Lights

It was noted that the quote from DE Contractors to replace the street light and power supply to the telegraph pole damaged in the recent accident in High Easter Road has now been forwarded on to the driver’s insurance company.

4.0

FINANCIAL POSITION

The financial position as at 31.1.05 was as follows:  £2,141.73 in the current account and £15,133.90 in the NSB account.  Totalling: £17, 275.63.  It was also noted that the audit for 2003/04 has finally been approved and signed-off.

5.0

PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY/CO-OPTION

It was unanimously agreed that Mr Christopher Brooks from Onslow Green should be co-opted as Parish Councillor replacing Mr Clive Watkins.  Mr Brooks signed a declaration of acceptance of office form and returned it to the Clerk.

6.0

PLANNING

UTT/0089/05/FUL – Two storey side extension and alterations.  8 Barnston Green, Barnston, DG & M J O’Rourke. This application was considered and there were no objections made.

RESULTS:  UTT/1221/04/FUL & LB –Change of use of building from car port/store and stabling to residential with car port and associated works and retention of 6 stables within building.  Barnston Hall Stud, Parsonage Lane, Barnston...  It was noted that this application has been granted permission subject to compliance with some conditions.

UTT/1996/04/FUL – Erection of detached dwelling with detached garage.  Construction of new access.  Sakers, The Chase, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been refused.

UTT/1984/04/FUL – Erection of 3-bay open fronted garage.  Hoppits, New House Farm, Onslow Green, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been refused.

UTT/1912/04/LB – Retrospective application for retention of stainless steel flue to kitchen roof.  It was noted that this application has been granted listed building consent subject to compliance with some conditions.

UTT/2004/04/LB & FUL – Proposed conversion of garage and store to form a granny annexe; studwork infill wall, with external smooth render finish.  Buttles, Chelmsford Road, Barnston.  It was noted that this application has been granted subject to certain conditions.

7.0

CORRESPONDENCE

7.1

UDC – Uttlesford Local Plan Adoption

It was noted that the plans would be sent through in the near future.

7.2

UDC – Draft East of England Plan

This is currently being put together and a copy will be sent through to the Parish Council in due course.

7.4

Uttlesford Community Travel

It was agreed that the Clerk should request copies of an advert for this service to be placed in the notice boards.

Clerk

7.5

RCCE – Calor Village of the Year Competition

It was agreed that the Parish Council should enter this competition again this year.  Mrs S Flack had stated earlier that she would copy the questionnaire for all Parish Councillors to be able to add their input to each category and then send the completed questionnaire off for inclusion in the competition.

Clerk/SF

8.0

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

8.1

Mrs S Tuttlebury stated that the Dunmow South slip-road off of the new A120 from the Braintree direction can be easily missed at night time as it is not very clear.  The Clerk agreed to write to Highways to see whether anything can be done about it.

Clerk

8.2

The Chairman stated that Chloe Rogers has been successful in the nomination for a Sports Personality Award and he had been invited to attend the presentations.

Chairman

11.0

CHEQUES

The following cheque was agreed and signed:

Mrs C. Weston (wages & expenses)

£230.26

Pleshey Tree Services (Mill Field hedge)

£822.50

Heelis & Lodge (fees for internal audit)

  £65.00

Cattles Ltd (M&B Felsted) – printing of PC letterhead

  £51.70

Wicksteed Leisure (play equipment repairs)

£510.98

BVHMC (hall hire)

  £69.30

Lubbock Fine (audit fees)

£199.75

Direct Debits

UDC (garage rent)

  £38.89

Virgin Mobile (Parish Council telephone calls)

    £4.27

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 14^th March 2005.