Minutes of Barnston Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday 8th March 2010 at Barnston Village Hall

Present:

Mr R. Burlend - Chairman

Mr G. Ball

Mrs D. Jackaman (Clerk)

Mr M. LeMasurier

Mrs S. Sellens

Mrs S. Tuttlebury

Mrs P. Singleton

Cllr E. Hicks

1.0

Apologies – Mr R. Davis, Mr R. Townsend.

2.0

Declaration of Interest – Mrs D. Jackaman signed the Declaration of Interest book (ref 7.9).

3.0

Public Forum – There was one member of the public present who raised the matter of the number of potholes in the area and the quality of the repairs.  Clerk to chase Highways again.

Clerk

4.0

District and County Councillors Report – Cllr Hicks gave a report on behalf of UDC.

5.0

Road Safety – Mr Townsend advised via the Clerk that there had been no accidents this month in Barnston.  It was noted that there had been an accident the Chelmsford side of Ford End. 

6.0

MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 8^th February 2010 were approved and signed.

7.0

CLERKS REPORT

7.1

Community Initiatives Fund – Village Gateways. Chased Highways still waiting for final gateway to be installed.

Clerk

7.2

Safety Barrier at bus stop – Barrier ordered and should be installed by the end of March.

Clerk

7.3

Potholes/drain covers, Buttles Hill – Clerk has chased Highways again and is still waiting for repairs.

7.4

Community Initiatives Fund Pedestrian Crossing – Awaiting decision.

7.5

Salt bin installed at the junction of Chelmsford Road and Berners End. Clerk to arrange for some low planting around the bin.

Clerk

7.6

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

Clerk

7.7

Overgrown Hedge at Onslow Green: Clerk has asked Highways to cut back the hedge which is overhanging the footpath at Onslow Green.  Highways trying to find out who landowner is and will undertake this once the potholes in the County have been filled in.

Clerk

7.8

Civic Amenity Scheme-  4 dates during the year in the Village Hall car park:

11^th April – Morning only                     19^th June – All day (8.00am to 4.00pm)

Clerk

5^th September – All day (8.00am to 4.00pm)      30^th October – Morning only

7.9

Clerk obtained 2 quotes to repair tiles of bus shelters. The Parish Council RESOLVED to use the most competitive quote which was from Austin Property Services.

Clerk

7.10

Street lights – It was noted that the Clerk had reported a faulty light in Berners End and was also asked to report a faulty light in Mill Field.

Clerk

7.11

Garnetts Wood – it was noted that the Clerk had reported a damaged tree to the Rangers.  To contact the Rangers about Garnetts Wood or the Flitch Way please call them directly on 01376 347134.

8.0

FINANCIAL  POSITION

The financial position as at 28.02.10 was as follows: £13014.79 in the current account.  This includes £823.84 from the closure of the NSB account. 

8.1

It was noted that the garage rent has increased to £9.61 per week with effect from the 5^th April 2010.

Clerk

8.2

It was noted that the cost to repair street lights had increased.

9.0

Items from previous meeting  - None

10.00

Planning Applications

UTT/0032/10/FUL – Proposed double garage/store.  Parkers Croft, Sallets Green, Barnston.  This application was reviewed and no objections raised.

UTT/0261/10/FUL – Conservatory to rear.  45 Rayfield Close, Barnston.  This application was reviewed and no objections raised.

10.01

Planning Applications Determined – None received

Clerk

10.02

Planning Appeals – None received

11.00

Litter Pick – A successful litter pick was carried out on Sunday 28^th February with over 15 bags of litter collected.  The Parish Council RESOLVED to purchase further litter pickers, visibility jackets and disposable gloves.  Clerk to write to McDonalds requesting a donation towards these purchases as about a third of the rubbish collected was their branded packaging.

Clerk

12.00

Uttlesford Core Strategy – This was discussed and documents can be found online at www.uttlesford.gov.uk.

13.00

2010 Essex Village of the Year and Best kept Village – The Parish Council RESOLVED not to enter this competition.

14.00

ECC – Developers’ Guide to infrastructure Contributions – No action required.

15.00

Bus Stops at Onslow Green: Highways to install a couple of bus stop flags on either side of the road with a possible hard standing area on the Chelmsford bound side just north west of Bennett’s Lane. On the other side for Dunmow bound traffic they will install a flag sign below the existing warning sign located at the junction splay for the Onslow Green turning.   The Parish Council RESOLVED to accept these proposals.  It was noted that this work will not be undertaken until the new financial year.

16.00

Neighbourhood Action Panel meeting – It was noted that the Clerk and Mrs Singleton attended the February meeting.  The next meeting is in April.

17.00

Homestart Uttlesford request for a donation.  This will be brought forward until the meeting where annual donations are decided.

18.00

General Correspondence to note

19.00

The Playing Field Newsletter

20.00

Bus Passenger News (ST)

21.00

EALC various (SS)

22.00

CHEQUES The following cheques were agreed and signed at the meeting:

£

Mrs S. Jenkins  (February Wages)

23.61

Mrs D. Jackaman (January Wages)

254.86

Essex County Council

35.80

P. Tuckwell Ltd

62.03

Direct Debits/Standing Orders

UDC – Garage Rent

40.39

Virgin Mobile – Parish Council telephone calls

0.20

A&J Lighting Solutions

49.31

E.ON

20.30

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45pm.  The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 12^th April 2010 at 7.45pm.