Parish Council Minutes 11th February 2010

• Mr S McCarthy (Chairman)
• Mr David Drane
• Miss D Frost
• Mr David Haylock
• Mrs Sara Scott
• Mr J Sladen
• Mr A Weedon
• Parish Clerk

• Cllr Simon Walsh, County Councillor

Apologies:

• There were none

Before the meeting opened, Cllr Simon Walsh reported on recent County matters with particular reference to both highways and police matters. The current progress with regard to the footway on the B1054 was discussed and Mr McCarthy reiterated to Cllr Walsh the need to keep up the pressure on the Highways Department to ensure that progress does not falter. Cllr Walsh was thanked for his continued support of Hempstead and he then left the meeting. The Chairman opened the meeting at 8.20pm

156. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 14 JANUARY 2010

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

157. MATTERS ARISING

     • There were none.

158. CORRESPONDENCE

     • ECC
       notice of public consultation on relocation/enlargement of St Mary’s CE Primary School, Stansted – advised.
     • UDC
       Notice of diversion of FP11 Gt Sampford and FP46 Hempstead – discussed and no issue raised.
     • UDC
       letter from Michael Perry clarifying paragraph 12.2 of the Model Code of Conduct – circulated for all to consider – if issues raised, will be discussed at next meeting. – Action ALL
     • UDC
       emails re briefing meetings about the Core Strategy consultation with an extra meeting arranged at The Great Dunmow Maltings, Mill Lane, Great Dunmow at 7.30 pm on 22 February 2010 – Miss Frost will try to attend. – Action DF

159. MEETING REPORTS

     • North Uttlesford Community Forum
       no meeting since last report – Clerk liaising with UDC to obtain 2010 dates.
     • Parish Planning Workshop
       no meeting since last report.
     • West Essex Area Forum
       no meeting since last report – Clerk liaising with ECC to obtain 2010 dates – next meeting 9 March 2010
     • Walden in Transition
       no meeting attended since last report

160. ENVIRONMENT

     Village Green Issues
     ongoing – Action DH/DF

161. FINANCE

     Clerk presented the budget which was briefly discussed and then finalised. Following Mr Sladen’s proposal, which was seconded by Mr Weedon, the budget was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. – Action CD

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

     Essex Heritage Trust	Annual subscription	£15.00
     Miss Frost	Expenses – stationery and postage	£21.34

     Miss Frost will chase the receipt of the final P3 grant from ECC.

162. HIGHWAYS

     Mr McCarthy reported on the update recently received from Iain Hurwood (ECC) which indicated that he thought that the Executive Order for accommodation works etc had been signed off.

     Mr Drane was liaising with Ray Curtis (ECC Highways) with regard to the poor condition of the roads and other outstanding issues. A resident’s complaint regarding freezing water on the road outside Pollards Cross Cottage was discussed and Mr Drane will discuss this with Mr Curtis. Mr Sladen reported that the drain on Anso Road between Shepherds Cottage and Moss’s Farm was still getting blocked – Mr Drane will advise Ray Curtis accordingly. – Action DD

     Community Speed Watch – The Clerk reported there had been no communication at all since the last meeting.

     Mr Sladen had removed the dog litter bin from the stream and required a new post to re-erect it – this was approved.

163. FOOTPATHS

     P3
     A reply to ECC’s letter withdrawing P3 funding for path cutting was sent in January. However, since then the withdrawal has been rescinded and is under discussion within ECC. . Cllr Walsh had stated that he had discussed the issue and had cited Hempstead as a very good example of a “value for money” project. It was noted that Miss Frost’s hard work in this area was responsible for the successful liaison with P3. Further communication is awaited.

164. MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

     • Drinking Fountain
       Mr McCarthy had again reminded Mark Halls of the outstanding work.
     • War Memorial Surround
       Mr Drane had circulated a visual representation for which he was thanked. Miss Frost had received two rather expensive quotes from specialist contractors but reported that her attempt at finding funding was not at all successful. There are few grants available and none that were accessible to the Parish Council, until possibly the summer. It was decided that two local contractors would be approached and funding from Parish Council reserves should be considered. Miss Frost will provide Mr McCarthy with two briefing packs. – Action DF/SM

165. COMMUNICATIONS

     Website – A review meeting is needed
     Newsletter – next newsletter deadline 20 March 2010. Mr Sladen reported non-delivery of Newsletter and Diary along Anso Road – Mr Weedon will investigate. – Action AW

166. EMERGENCY PLAN

     Mr Sladen reported the updated version will be emailed shortly.

167. PLANNING

     • PLANNING – UTT/1803/08/FUL – Lakehouse Farm
       no decision to date
     • Enforcement Notice ENF/170/09/B – Anso Corner
       tyres dumped in ditch
     • Enforcement Notice ENF/264/09/B – Harvey House, Hempstead Hall
       business being run without planning permission
     • New Case – Waiting Investigation
     • Enforcement Notice ENF/93/08/B Barn at Hempstead Hall, Finchingfield Road
       Possible breach of condition C.6.2 of planning permission UTT/1604/04/FUL

168. VILLAGE HALL

     nothing new to report

169. STANSTED AIRPORT

     nothing new to report.

     Future meeting dates – Thursday 11 March, Tuesday 20 April (revised date) and Thursday 13 May 2010.
     Annual Meeting Date – Friday 14 May 2010.

     The meeting closed at 9.25pm.