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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
District Councillor Simon Howell
County Councillor Simon Walsh
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ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE FORMS
These were signed by all elected Councillors namely Mr Sean McCarthy, Mr John Sladen, Mr Alan Weedon, Mr David Drane and Mr Mark Welbourn. The Clerk reminded all councillors to submit election expenses by June 4th.
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ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Mr Sean McCarthy was proposed and unanimously elected Chairman and he signed the Acceptance of Office Book.
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CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLORS
The two vacancies were discussed and only two candidates had come forward from the advertising. Mrs Sara Scott and Mrs Nicola McNeill were proposed and co-opted unanimously. Mrs Scott who was present signed the acceptance of office form. Mrs McNeill was not present and given leave to sign at a later date.
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APPOINTMENT OF PROPER OFFICER AND RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER
Mr Martyn Long, the Clerk was unanimously confirmed in these positions.
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APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR
Mr John Cockman was confirmed as the Parish Council’s voluntary Internal Auditor. The council expressed their gratitude for his continued service.
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ALLOCATION OF SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Due to the change of in personnel it was necessary to review these.
The following areas of responsibility were agreed:
| Sean McCarthy |
Chairman and Police Liaison |
| John Sladen |
Village Hall representative, Emergency Planning and Flooding |
| David Drane |
Highways and Public Footpaths |
| Nicola McNeill |
Village Website |
| Sara Scott |
Neighbourhood Watch, Tree Warden and Affordable Housing |
| Alan Weedon |
Environment |
| Mark Welbourn |
Traffic and Legal Issues |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Thursday 9 April, 2015 were approved.
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MATTERS ARISING
None arose not covered elsewhere.
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PLANNING
The clerk had contacted the Planning Enforcement Officer at Uttlesford concerning the excessive and potentially dangerous signage at Bullsbridge Farm. She had visited and spoken to the owner about this and other issues that became apparent. She reported that it had been a positive meeting and he had agreed to address the issues and apply for planning permission for agreed changes.
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HIGHWAYS
David Drane reported that the extensive re-surfacing programme was mostly very encouraging, but some of the roads yet to be completed had issues that he would continue to monitor.
Footway Project: Sean McCarthy reported the contractors had completed the backfilling, so it had not been necessary to spend the money allocated at the previous meeting. He had contacted Rissa Long and Phil Hope the engineer for updates on the completion of the project but had no yet received any replies.
Submissions to the Local Highway Panel: It was agreed that Mark Welbourn and the Clerk would attend the next planned meeting on 22nd June.
It was agreed to decide on the future of the Road Safety Committee at the Annual Meeting.
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ENVIRONMENT
Pond Refurbishment progress: Another contractor had visited the site and his quote was awaited.
The reply from Essex Legal Services concerning the application to register the Village Green was discussed now that Mr Welbourn had had time to study it in detail. He advised that we may have to strengthen the claims concerning usage of the green over 20 years. Additional ideas were put forward for activities that might be mentioned if further evidence were needed. As it is not his specialist area Mr Welbourn said that he would look at it further and draft a reply.
Mr Weedon said that he had submitted the forms for the Best Kept Village competition and the judges had probably already been on their visit, The Chairman thanked him for his efforts.
For this item the Chairman declared an interest and took no part in the discussion or voting. The mowing of a newly cleared part of the Glebe had been held up by the presence of roots and debris that could damage the mower. Miss Frost, before relinquishing her role as councillor, had discussed the issue with Julian McCarthy and he was willing to do the work. The Clerk had clarified what needed to be done with the mowing contractor and it was not as complicated as it first seemed. Roots only had to be cut off to ground level, rather than dug up, then the mower could keep all new growth down without damage. Julian McCarthy had quoted £100 for a day’s work. The councillors voted unanimously to accept this quote.
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POLICING
The problem of Fly Tipping in the lay-by at Anso Corner was mentioned by Mr Sladen. It was agreed that the only deterrent is for people who witness it to report it to the district council or police.
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FINANCE
The following cheques were signed:
Cheques for April and May to HMRC PAYE £37.44 each
Julian Basham Village green and churchyard mowing plus annual fuel charge total £400
EALC/NALC Subscription £119.34
An unaudited end of the year financial statement was circulated to all councillors. At the next meeting, after the completion of the internal audit, the final year end papers will be signed and sent to the external auditor.
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VILLAGE HALL
The Maintenance Day on 12th April was successfully completed and the Bluebell 2 event had also been a success and raised £199 for the hall funds.
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING
No reply had yet been received from Tim Sills concerning the possibility of using land to the right of the B1054 going towards Steeple Bumpstead. The Chairman was awaiting a phone call.
