Parish Council Minutes 11th October 2018

• Mr Sean McCarthy (Chairman)
• Mr Mark Welbourn
• Mr John Sladen
• Mrs Sara Scott
• Mrs Nicola McNeill
• Mr Alan Weedon
• The Clerk

Members of the Public:

• Mr and Mrs Cockman attended part time

The meeting started at 8.03

50. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    None received

51. REPORTS OR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS

    None received.

52. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD 6 September 2018

    were agreed as a correct record and duly signed.

53. MATTERS ARISING NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE

    There were none

54. DEFIBRILLATOR

    It was agreed that the Clerk should order the defibrillator and it should be funded partially from reserves until further fundraising took place. Some voluntary donations had been received from residents. The grant application to Stansted Airport Passenger Fund had been unsuccessful but the clerk would continue to look for grant opportunities.

55. PLANNING

    An application had been received by Uttlesford for a house on the small triangle where Anso Road meets the High Street. Mrs Mc Neill, as a neighbour, declared an interest and took no further part in the discussion. Mr Cockman expressed his views on the unsuitability of development on this site due the possibility of it causing flooding and traffic difficulties with a new access on an already problematic junction. The siting of house with an aluminium roof amongst traditionally built village house was also deemed to be inappropriate. Additionally, there were factual errors in the application regarding the proximity of a water course and the trees on the site. It was agreed that the clerk should summarise these issues and declare the Parish Council’s opposition to this highly unsuitable proposed development.

56. HIGHWAYS AND RIGHTS OF WAY

    Footpath Cutting – There was still little or no evidence of cutting on the footpaths around the village. Nothing had been heard from County Councillor Simon Walsh. The Chairman had asked Mr Drane to look at the possibility of organising the work ourselves. The clerk had some figures from previous years when Essex had paid grants for the work to be carried out.

    Local Highways Panel – Mr Welbourn volunteered to put in a submission to the panel for the declassification of Anso Road. This very narrow road is not suitable for the large transport and agricultural vehicle that use it. In places it is difficult for two large cars to pass and even more difficult for large commercial vehicles. There had been some previous indications that this scheme may be looked upon favourably. The Council agreed, and the Chairman thanked Mr Welbourn

57. ENVIRONMENT

    Flooding – There had been no new action or communication on the outstanding potential flooding issues in the village.

    Wellyard Trees – Mr Chas Johnson had removed the potentially dangerous tree and the invoice had been presented to the Chairman who would pass it on to the clerk for payment

58. FINANCE

    Payments had been authorised on the website to J Basham for grass cutting, £330 and Stop Stansted Expansion subscription of £25. The appropriate invoices were signed by the Chairman

    The Clerk presented a first draft of the Budget for next year. Payment of the yearly support payments for the defibrillator and Election Expenses would have to factored in. This was discussed, and it was agreed to finalise it at the next meeting in preparation for the precept setting process. A report of the last three months financial transactions was also circulated

59. ARMISTICE CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY

    Mr Weedon had been working on biographical details of the soldiers mentioned on village memorials prior to their being laminated. There had been some confusion about the size of crosses ordered and only small ones had been ordered which would not hold the laminated sheets. Mr Sladen agreed to purchase the wood and the larger size of cross would be made. A grant of £100 had been received from Essex Community Initiative Fund thanks to Mr Welbourn’s application. Ms Frost had been working on the planters behind the war memorial in preparation for the ceremony.

60. VILLAGE HALL

    A quote had been obtained from BT for the installation of WiFi. A £400 grant from Essex Community Initiative Fund has been agreed but an invoice or receipt is needed to trigger payment of installation costs.

FUTURE MEETINGS – Thursdays 15th November and 10th January both at 8pm in the village hall. There will be no meeting in December unless a specific need arises.

Meeting finished at 9.27 pm