Parish Council Minutes 11th February 2015

• Mr Sean McCarthy (Chairman)
• Miss Diana Frost
• Mr John Sladen
• Mr Alan Weedon
• Mrs Sara Scott

• District Councillor Simon Howell

Apologies:

• Mr David Haylock
• Mr David Drane

Prior to the meeting a discussion was held with District Councillor Simon Howell. The three submissions to the Local Highways Panel were discussed. Mr Howell fully supported the Council’s efforts to make the village safer as his mail was always full of complaints about speeding and poor driving. He made some other suggestions but appreciated that some of these would lead to increased signage which the Council was anxious to avoid.

The closure of the Bluebell Public House was discussed. Whilst it may mean a lengthy closure he was adamant that Uttlesford District Council would strenuously oppose any change of usage, particularly as the Parish Council Had listed it as a Village Asset. He was optimistic that a new landlord would eventually come forward.

He was pleased to note the progress towards the start of work on the footway through the village. He congratulated the council, particularly the Chairman, on their persistence over the last few years. He described it as a really significant achievement.

He explained that the Uttlesford Local Development Plan had been vetoed by central government. It would have to be re-submitted with even higher targets for housing. The latter would endanger the local infrastructure and may lead to a ‘suburbanisation’ of the area.

The Parish Council Meeting opened at 8.22 pm.

93. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    Mr David Haylock
    Mr David Drane

94. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

    January 15, 2015 were approved.

95. MATTERS ARISING

    None arose not covered elsewhere.

96. HIGHWAYS

    Redrafted submissions to the Local Highway Panel were reviewed. It was agreed to possibly include some of the comments from Mark Welbourne who has been lobbying Essex County Council about the issue of speeding traffic.

    David Drane had sent, a report it was noted that he continued to pursue outstanding issues. Some repairs had been done in a temporary fashion but he was doubtful as to their effectiveness.

    Hedges: The clerk informed the Council that he had reported Mr Bassett’s hedge to Essex county Highways. It was agreed that he would ask County Councillor Walsh to chase up this issue.

    Footway Project: Only one of the residents involved had yet to complete signing but it was anticipated that this would be done soon. All parties are optimistic for an imminent start to the vegetation work that would precede the construction work.

97. ENVIRONMENT

    Mr Sladen still awaited replies to his mail to Essex County Council regarding flooding issues.

    Pond Refurbishment progress: As before, still no definite communication had been established with John Jossaume. Clarification was needed on the issue of digger access.

    The planned tree and shrub cutting by Chas Johnson was now complete.

    The tree in the Car Park was still standing but this is the responsibility of the resident concerned.

98. FINANCE

    The following cheques had been prepared and would be signed and sent off in the next few days:
    Two cheques to HMRC, each for £36.80 for PAYE.
    £350 to Chas Johnson for tree work as agreed.
    Friends of Essex Heritage Subscription £25
    Radwinter Parish Council, contribution to Green Waste Skip £322.96
    Payment for Speed Gun Repair £194.40 Unipar services Ltd.

99. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

    Indications from Essex County Council are that there will be no devolved funding and Essex County Council will take over the cutting of footpaths.

100. COMMUNICATIONS

     There are still concerns about the quality of broad band service and there does not seem to any imminent prospect of improvement.

     Information about the Footway works and consequent disruptions will go on the front of the website.

101. VILLAGE HALL

     The position of the Pre-School group seems more optimistic, with more children accessing the facility due the closure of other local provision.

102. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

     No updates or further information had been received from Hastoes.

103. RADWINTER SCHOOL COMMUNITY WEEK

     Mrs Scott distributed invitations for this event.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS – Thursdays March 12, April 9 and Thursday May 14 at 8pm in the Village Hall. The Annual Parish Meeting would be on Friday May 15.

Meeting ended at 9.55 pm