Parish Council Minutes 11th August 2011

• Mr S McCarthy (Chairman)
• Miss D Frost
• Mr David Haylock
• Mr J Sladen
• Mr A Weedon
• Mr David Drane
• The Clerk
• Councillor Simon Howells attended part time.

Apologies:

• Mrs Sara Scott

Before the meeting opened Cllr Simon Howell addressed the meeting and supplied the clerk with a list of Uttlesford District Council staff and their telephone numbers, the new Cabinet structure and a time table of committee meetings. No new information was available about the pedestrian footway project despite Councillor Howell’s efforts.

The possibility of neighbourhood plans being jointly submitted with neighbouring parish councils had met with no support. Uttlesford Council were committed to concentrating on developing solar heating with their housing stock so there was no possibility of including Village Halls at this stage. An Essex County Council office had been moved from Fairycroft to the UDC London Road site as a cost saving measure. There was no news of the Saffron Walden Police Station’s fate in light of the cost cutting measures. The meeting expressed concern as this is the last station in the area.

Mr Howell’s offered his apologies for the next meeting but promised to continue his efforts concerning the pedestrian footway issue.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 8.20pm

54. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 7 July 2011

    were taken as read and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

55. MATTERS ARISING

    Overgrown Hedges – The clerk had written to the owners of several properties and a little improvement had been noted. However overall the situation of hedges overgrowing footpaths and the highway was still unsatisfactory. A letter had been received from one owner that indicated they did not agree a problem existed. It was agreed that the clerk would write to one owner who had shown some co-operation encouraging further cutting. It was also agreed that Mr Drane would endeavour to address the matter and the hedge at Harvey Way with the Highways Department. – Action ML/DD

56. CORRESPONDENCE

    A document on proposed changes to the Waste collection system had been circulated but it was agreed to defer discussion until the next meeting. A consultation by Cambridge Council on waste sites was deemed to be not relevant. – Action ML

57. MEETING REPORTS

    None were reported

58. ENVIRONMENT

    Village Green Issues
    Mr Haylock reported the required changes were now complete. The meeting expressed their thanks and appreciation of his efforts over what had been a long drawn out process.

    Registration of Common Land
    The Chairman was arranging to complete the appropriate declaration in the presence of a Justice of the Peace. – Action SM

59. FINANCE

    Banking – The clerk reported that he had serious issues with the way Barclays Bank had set up internet access. It was not as requested on the mandate and had led to an error which could have been serious and a potential risk to the probity of the council’s banking procedures. It was agreed that the clerk review banking arrangements and look at possible alternative provision and report back to the next meeting. – Action ML

    Financial Report – A brief Financial Report was circulated that summarised the current overall situation and identified no problems.

    Financial Regulations – These are still in the process of being updated. – Action ML

    The following accounts were approved for payment and cheques drawn up:

    Julian Basham, Grass Cutting	£300.00
    Suffolk Acre services, Annual Insurance Premium	£509.03

    Internal Audit Report – The external auditor report had been received and the audit had been successfully completed without comment or issues. The council again thanked Mr John Cockman for his support and diligence. The appropriate notices will be displayed on the notice board and website. – Action ML

60. HIGHWAYS

    Pedestrian Footway
    No progress was reported but the council resolved to continue pursuing this matter diligently.

61. FOOTPATHS

    The first invoice for the work done by Harry Luff had been sent to Essex County Council for payment.

62. POLICING IN ESSEX

    The blueprint for change to policing in Essex had been noted and it was agreed to monitor and implications for the local area particularly changes to the police station at Saffron Walden.

63. COMMUNICATIONS

    It was agreed that the coloured front of the latest newsletter was a great success and effectively highlighted the Gala Weekends’ events but numbers attending all events had been down due to the poor weather. It was also considered that planning for the events to be on different weekends should be explored in the future.

    The website continued to be enhanced with the addition of pages shared with the local magazine, ‘Ambo’.

64. PLANNING

    Three applications were currently being circulated for comment:

    Church Farm Cottage – This was considered to be a slight variation on a previous application and apart from clarifying boundaries on the paperwork no issues were identified. The clerk would pass these comments on to the Planning Department. – Action ML

    Batchelors Meadow – No comments.

    Wincelow Barn – Not all councillors had seen the plans but it was noted that window frames should be black and there should be no ability to extend.

65. VILLAGE HALL

    Mr Sladen reported that the project to install a hearing loop was progressing.

    The chairman agreed to clarify the situation concerning the Village Wheelchair. – Action ML

    Future meeting dates – Thursdays 15 September, 13 October and 17 November at 8pm in the Village Hall.

    The meeting closed at 9.37pm.