Parish Council Minutes 13th February 2014

• Mr Sean McCarthy (Chairman)
• Mr David Drane
• Miss Diana Frost
• Mrs Sara Scott
• Mr Alan Weedon
• The Clerk

• Mr David Davies

Apologies:

• Mr David Haylock
• Mr John Sladen
• County Councillor Simon Walsh
• District Councillor Simon Howell

Prior to the Meeting the Council listened to representations from Mr David Davies of Southbroom, Anser Road who had experienced flooding on Friday 7th February. They acknowledged receipt of Mr Sladen’ notes on the situation who could not attend the meeting. A tree had fallen into the ditch on the opposite side of the B1053 and the resulting flood entered his property Southbroom.

The tree had been felled previously and apparently left in a position that led to the flooding. It was not ascertained who had carried out this tree work but the environment agency had been alerted and promised to attend but could not give a definite date when any progress would be made. Mr McCarthy volunteered to give Mr Davies some help the next morning. There was nothing immediately that the council could do, though they did advise Mr Davies that there was a supply of sandbags available held by Mr Haylock for any future occurrences.

He also mentioned the inclusion of the Anso Corner Farm site on the list of possible Gipsy and Traveller Sites. It was pointed out that this was a lengthy legal process that meant the outcome would not be known for some time.

He raised the issue of constant lorry arrivals at the pumping station nearby. An Engineer told him that the telemetry monitoring system had failed. He pointed out as this was dealing with sewage so this should be a priority. The council agreed to raise the issue with District Councillor Howells.

Mr McCarthy thanked him for his attendance and he left the meeting.

The Parish Council meeting was opened at 8.30 pm.

102. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

     held Thursday January 9, 2014 were agreed as a correct record.

103. MATTERS ARISING

     There were none, not covered elsewhere

104. PLANNING

     Houses at Anso Corner. The Council noted that the appeal against the refusal for planning permission had been dismissed.

105. CORRESPONDENCE

     The council discussed the email from James Briggs concerning possible participation in ‘The Big Lunch’ planned by Radwinter and decided that they did not wish to be involved at this time.

     The letter from Uttlesford District Council concerning the measures that were being put into place to reduce the number of empty houses and bring them back into occupation was discussed. The case of a house in Harvey Way was mentioned. It was in such a state of repair it was not clear if it was occupied or not. Mrs Scott volunteered to try to get clearer information.

     Miss Frost agreed to be the village contact or champion for the 100 Parishes initiative that was making progress.

     The report from County Councillor Simon Walsh was noted.

106. VILLAGE JOBS

     The clerk mentioned that the noticeboard appeared to be in need of attention and moving in the recent high winds. The base of the posts appeared to show some deterioration. It was agreed to look at this and other village jobs at the April meeting

107. HIGHWAYS

     Pedestrian Footway
     At the meeting with ECC Highways and Local Panel on 3 Feb it was agreed that the start to the project would be delayed. The legal situation regarding the land acquisition had not been completed. An autumn start was now envisaged.

     Miss Frost showed the council old photographs of Mr Julian McCarthy’s cottage with the same fence position and what appeared to be a kerb in front.

     Mr. David Drane
     reported that he was still chasing Highway issues including blocked drains and verges in poor condition due to vehicle use during the poor weather.

108. ENVIRONMENT

     Water Leak
     There was no further news on the re-inspection of this problem at the bottom of Church Hill.

     Mobile phone masts
     The Council agreed that it should pursue the issue of poor mobile reception in the area. It was agreed that the clerk should write to EE to come to a future meeting to discuss the possibility of erecting a mast in Hempstead area.

     Trees at Waterloo Cottage
     Unfortunately Mr Haylock had been unable to attend the meeting. The council were still not convinced about the ownership of the land in question. It was agreed that the clerk should contact Mr Haylock to try to clarify the situation and if possible get up to date maps of the land that had been transferred to the village.

     Affordable Housing
     Moira Groborz has reported that 50 responses had been received so far. It was agreed to put a reminder in the village newsletter.

109. FINANCE

     Slee Donation
     It was agreed to spend the £100 on establishing an archive that was more accessible to the general public with more material on the village website and on memory sticks. Mr Rowden would be doing a talk on 6th June about village links to the First World War and Mr McCarthy would be contacting him about working on the archive. Additionally Mr Haylock may have further material stored. The clerk would write to Mrs Slee again to thank her and explain the plans. He would also include some appropriate material from the archive.

     Cheques
     Yearly subscription was paid to Friends of Essex Heritage: £25

     Affordable Housing survey photocopying to Rural Community Council of Essex £28.80

110. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

     The clerk agreed to contact Rob Venables to remind him of his agreement to attend a future meeting.

111. COMMUNICATIONS

     The Village Website
     had received 400 hits in June. It was moving from a relatively static website to a more dynamic environment where the public could post comments and photographs. The clerk had provided Miss Frost with material for the Parish Council landing page. Mr Kitchen would provide the clerk with the appropriate invoices for the web services incurred.

     Newcomers Packs
     had been distributed by the clerk to Blagdens, Trevor House and Mill Cottage.

112. VILLAGE HALL

     Mr McCarthy mentioned some of the new lettings, fund raising and social events. It was hoped would put the hall on a more secure financial footing. Letting rates had also been raised. It was also planned to provide a letterbox and new entrance matting. Miss Frost offered some notice boards for use in the hall if needed.

113. EMERGENCY PLANNING

     Mr Sladen had updated the plan and it had been sent to the District Council and village website.

114. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

     It was agreed to hold this on Friday 30th May at 8pm

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS – Thursdays March 13,April 10 and May 8 all at 8pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.45 pm