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MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 17 MAY 2012
were in need of some minor corrections.
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MATTERS ARISING
None not covered elsewhere.
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CORRESPONDENCE
Code of Conduct: It was agreed to adopt the new Code of Conduct as published by Uttlesford District Council with the exception of section 10.3. This to take effect from 1 July 2012. The register of interests forms would be made available for signing at the next meeting. (Action point; Clerk to supply forms and previous information at the next meeting)
Consultation on Proposals for Draft Local Plan: These were noted and Mr Sladen and Miss Frost agreed to attend meetings to view the proposals.
Mobile Library: New timetables from 1 July had been received and would be included in the village diary.
Emails: It was agreed that the Clerk would be more selective in forwarding some of the less useful items. Details of District Council meetings and Agendas, EALC mailing and the Rural Services Network were deemed redundant. This would allow councillors to more effectively focus on relevant items.
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QUEEN’ JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
These were considered to be an outstanding success. The range and quality of events had been universally praised as excellent, especially for such a small village. The Chairman said that the work of the organising committee was outstanding.
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ENVIRONMENT
Village Green
The latest reply had been sent to Lloyd Simpson.
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POLICING
A resident who had contacted WPC Hannah Griffiths concerning a possible offence had received no reply.
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FINANCE
Cheques were signed for :
J. Basham Grass Cutting £600.00
Ridgeons (Nigel Smith) £14.16
H. Luff Footpath Cutting £227.10
Rural Community Council of Essex (Subs) £40.00
The Clerk confirmed that the HMRC PAYE Cheque at the previous meeting was for £199.40
Internal Auditor’s Report: The councillors scrutinised and signed the Internal Auditor’s report. The changes necessary were noted though none affected the overall probity of the accounts. Mr Cockman was thanked for his diligent efforts in undertaking the role of Internal Auditor. The external audit report was also approved and signed.
Clerk’ Salary: It was agreed unanimously to pay the Clerk for the extra hours involved in participating in the Road Improvement Committee. The Clerk would keep a record of hours worked for approval and payment.
The payment of Retirement Gratuities for Clerk is no longer legal for new clerks and is now relatively small in relation to the time spent auditing and maintaining the account. It was agreed to look at discontinuing this in conjunction with a review of the Clerk’s salary at the next meeting. (Action Point: Clerk to appropriate information for the next meeting.)
The revised budget to show a greater sum allocated for the newsletter coloured edition was approved.
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HIGHWAYS
A letter from a Steeple Bumpstead resident was discussed as there were similar concerns about traffic problems. It was agreed the clerk would reply to express possible interest in concerted action.
The clerk had written to the owners of The Old Bakery concerning the state of the hedge which was overgrowing the road and obliterating the white line.
Correspondence continued between the Chairman and Essex County Council concerning the footway project. A meeting between the Chairman and the Highways deputy, Penny Channer was scheduled for the next week.
The Roads Improvement Committee had met and was planning future action. Community Speedwatch:all residents were being leafleted to try to get more volunteers. The Road Improvement committee had also raised the possibility of thee Parish Council purchasing a speed gun if the scheme was effectively underway.
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PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
Cutting of Footpaths: Miss Frost had sent a strongly worded letter to Shirley Clayton-Anglin regarding the counties dismal failure to cut the village footpaths in time for the Jubilee weekend walk. This was in spite of the issue being flagged up at a very early stage. This was in contrast to the timely footpath cutting done by Harry Luff and Julian Basham’s effort in the village, Glebe and Churchyard.
Her letter continued, ‘Based on this performance, for 2013 we wish the County to return all monies to this village so we can cut our own paths to meet the standards we require which are clearly substantially higher than you are prepared to provide and we have a proven track record of 100% success.
The Parish Council endorsed these sentiments.
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COMMUNICATIONS
July Newsletter: Preparations were underway for the July coloured edition but no information had been received from Te Welsh concerning the car event.
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PLANNING
Spitlands: The Clerk had contacted the Planning department to follow up the query concerning the Pagoda-like structure. He had been informed that Sonia Williams had visited and decided that planning consent was needed due to its height.
Church Farm Cottage: No further information had been received on the progress of this application. (Action Point: Clerk to monitor progress on planning website of these issues)
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VILLAGE HALL
Condition of Tree adjacent to Car Park: This issue was being investigated by the Village Hall committee.
Jubilee Fund: Miss Frost and Mr McCarthy agreed to formulate a proposal for a patio area to the rear of the Village Hall in co-operation with the Village Hall Committee.
