Parish Council Minutes 14th January 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

Apologies:

142. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 17 DECEMBER 2009

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

143. MATTERS ARISING

     • There were none.

144. CORRESPONDENCE

     • EALC
       Audit and Risk Awareness Course invite to Chairman and Internal Auditor – distributed.

145. MEETING REPORTS

     • North Uttlesford Community Forum
       meeting same date as this meeting, Clerk to obtain 2010 dates to try to avoid clashes in future. – Action CD
     • Parish Planning Workshop
       no meeting since last report
     • West Essex Area Forum
       12 January 2010, attendance not possible due to work commitments – Clerk to obtain dates for 2010. – Action CD
     • Walden in Transition
       no meeting attended since last report

146. ENVIRONMENT

     Village Green Issues
     ongoing

     Sight Lines
     various cutting back will be considered for next clean up day. – Action DF

147. FINANCE

     Clerk to prepare budget for finalisation at the next meeting. – Action CD

148. HIGHWAYS

     Miss Frost had sent an email to the Highways Department to congratulate them on a good job gritting during the recent cold snap. However, it was noted that two sides of the triangle at the start of Anso Road did not appear to be gritted. The Clerk to write to Highways to advise them of these dangerous missed roads and ask for a gritting route. The lower end of Church Hill was also very icy and should also be mentioned to Highways. – Action CD

     Mr Drane had already contacted Ray Curtis (ECC Highways) with regard to the poor condition of the roads in the parish following the freezing weather. Mr Drane had also reported the broken post at the bottom of Church Hill to the Highways Dept. Discussion regarding speeding through the village once again ensued and Mr Drane was asked to chase our long standing request for a 40mph limit beyond the 30mph limited area. – Action DD

     Community Speed Watch – The clerk had received an email from Georgie Davis, CSW co-ordinator requesting correspondence details of the volunteer who would attend a seminar between the Chief Constable, CSW groups and those on the waiting list. Mr Tupman has been approached for this information, which the Clerk will forward on receipt. – Action CD

149. FOOTPATHS

     P3
     Miss Frost had received a letter from ECC stating that P3 would no longer be involved in cutting PRoW. The reasons given were discussed at length and the Clerk was asked to reply disputing the value for money issue etc. It was understood that management of cutting will return to Robin Wallbank and his team in Highways and past experience showed variable performance. As such, it was decided to ask Robin Wallbank to attend the February meeting to discuss this matter further. – Action CD

     The minor amendments to Walk 1 leaflet had been completed with the exception of a photo – this will be taken in the Spring to match other photos and the leaflet will then be distributed. – Action DF

150. MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

     • Drinking Fountain
       The golden pineapple still outstanding. – Action DH
     • War Memorial Surround
       Miss Frost and Mr McCarthy had met with a representative of Marshalls, suppliers of paving, and reported on his ideas. Mr Drane offered to provide a visual representation based on existing photos. Miss Frost will continue to pursue funding sources and Mr McCarthy will approach a contractor known to him for a quote. – Action DD/DF/SM

151. COMMUNICATIONS

     Website – There is a section under the Parish Council tab regarding the refurbishment of the War Memorial surround.
     Newsletter – next newsletter deadline 20 February 2010. Mr McCarthy reported a number of instances of vandalism in the last few weeks. A note will be put in the next newsletter. – Action SM

152. EMERGENCY PLAN

     Mr Sladen reported the updated version will be emailed shortly. The recent bad weather had not thrown up any need for additions to the Emergency Plan.

153. 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/261/09/B – Hillside
       brick house painted white in conservation area – advised no breach and file closed
     • Enforcement Notice ENF/264/09/B – Harvey House, Hempstead Hall
       business being run without planning permission

154. VILLAGE HALL

     nothing new to report

155. STANSTED AIRPORT

     nothing new to report.

     Future meeting dates – Thursday 11 February, Thursday 11 March and 15 April 2010.
     The meeting closed at 9.15pm.