Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 8th February 2010 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R. Burlend - Chairman

Mr G. Ball

Mrs D. Jackaman (Clerk)

Mr R. Davis – Vice Chairman

Mr C. Brooks

Mrs P. Singleton

Cllr S. Barker (Items 1-4)

1.0

Apologies – Mrs S. Tuttlebury, Mrs S. Sellens, Cllr E. Hicks, Mr J. Clyne and Mr R. Townsend

2.0

Declaration of Interest – None.

3.0

Public Forum – There was one member of the public present from 8.05pm.

4.0

District and County Councillors Report – Cllr Barker advised that there is a Community Forum to be held on Tuesday 2^nd March at 7.30pm at Helena Romanes School, Great Dunmow if anyone would like to attend to discuss the Local Development Framework.  Cllr Barker also suggested that the PC write to Highways formally asking for a weight restriction to be considered on the B1008.  Mr R. Burlend requested that Cllr Barker speak to Highways at County Hall to find out what the latest position is regarding the resigning of the B1008.

5.0

Road Safety – Mr Townsend advised via the Clerk that there had been no accidents this month.  He also mentioned about various potholes in the area.

6.0

MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 11^th January 2010 were approved and signed.

7.0

CLERKS REPORT

7.1

Community Initiatives Fund – Village Gateways. Highways have advised the Clerk that this should be completed by the end of February.

Clerk

7.2

Safety Barrier at bus stop – Spoke to Chris Stoneham and he was surprised that it hadn’t been installed in December as promised.  He has said that it will be ordered this week and will be in by the end of March.

Clerk

7.3

Coloured road surfaces near bus stops – Highways maintenance team are not in favour of these coloured road surfaces as they require high maintenance.  It is considered unlikely that this will now be installed.

7.4

Community Initiatives Fund Pedestrian Crossing – Highways have supplied costings to the Community Initiatives Fund.  Now have to wait for their decision.

7.5

Clerk asked Highways if it is possible for a salt bin to be located at the junction of Chelmsford Road and Berners End. Awaiting a response.

Clerk

7.6

Raised drain cover outside 30 Barnston Green – Clerk still chasing for this to be repaired.

Clerk

7.7

Bus Stops at Onslow Green: Clerk has emailed and managed to speak to Chris Stoneham 3/2/10.  He is arranging for a site meeting with the passenger transport section of Highways on Wednesday 10^th February and they will see if it is possible to get road markings and/or flags.  If it is ok it is very unlikely that it will be signed off before April as awaiting new budget.

Clerk

7.8

Overgrown Hedge at Onslow Green: Clerk as asked Highways to cut back the hedge which is overhanging the footpath at Onslow Green.  No date set for work yet.

Clerk

7.9

Civic Amenity Scheme – Clerk has requested 4 dates throughout the year and is currently waiting for UDC to confirm dates.

Clerk

7.10

Clerk to get quotes to repair tiles of bus shelter near The Chase and to replace broken guttering.

Clerk

8.0

FINANCIAL  POSITION

The financial positions as at 31.01.10 were as follows: £13102.41 in the current account and £821.47 in the NSB account.  Totalling: £13923.88.

8.1

The Parish Council signed the appropriate form to close the NSB account and transfer the money to the current account.

Clerk

9.0

Items from previous meeting  - None

10.00

Item for next meeting – UTT//0032/10/FUL – because plans did not come through the post.

11.00

Planning Applications

UTT/1694/09/FUL – Removal of smoking shelter and erection of single storey front extension.  Skyline Hotel, Barnston.  This application was considered and the Parish Council thought that the proposed front extension would fit in better if it was set back a bit from the front of the existing building on either side.  The Council also felt that the alleged ‘airport related parking’ matter ought to be resolved before further plans are approved.

UTT/0032/10/FUL – Proposed double garage/store.  Parkers Croft, Sallets Green, Barnston.  It was noted that the plans for this application did not come through in the post so it will be discussed at the next meeting.

11.01

Planning Applications Determined

Clerk

UTT/1431/09/LB – Hoppits, Onslow Green, Barnston – It was noted that this application has received Conditional Approval.

11.02

Planning Appeals – None received

12.00

General Correspondence to note

13.00

Bus Passenger News (ST)

14.00

EALC various (SS)

15.00

CHEQUES

£

The following cheques were agreed and signed at the meeting:

Mrs S. Jenkins  (January Wages)

51.15

Mrs S. Jenkins (Expenses)

150.00

Mrs D. Jackaman (January Wages)

232.60

Essex County Council

29.88

Barnston Village Hall (Play area rent)

96.00

Barnston Village Hall (Hall hire)

44.40

Uttlesford District Council

227.95

Direct Debits/Standing Orders

UDC – Garage Rent

40.39

Virgin Mobile – Parish Council telephone calls

0.63

A&J Lighting Solutions

49.31

There will be no E.ON direct debit for a few months because the Clerk claimed back some credit due to the part-night street lighting.  Therefore the PC has a credit balance at the moment.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 8^th March 2010 at 7.45pm.