Parish Council Minutes 17th September 2009

• Mr S McCarthy (Chairman)
• Mr David Drane
• Miss D Frost
• Mr David Haylock
• Mr J Sladen
• Mr A Weedon
• Parish Clerk

• Mrs Sara Scott

Apologies:

• Cllr Simon Walsh, County Councillor

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Scott who had expressed her interest in becoming a councillor. The Chairman then opened the meeting.

82. CO-OPTION OF NEW COUNCILLOR

    Mrs Sara Scott was co-opted as Parish Councillor and signed the Notice of Co-option, Declaration of Acceptance of Office and Register of Members’ interests. The Clerk will forward these papers to UDC within 28 days. The Clerk will provide Mrs Scott with various other paperwork, as appropriate. – Action CD

83. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 13 AUGUST 2009

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

84. MATTERS ARISING

    Mr Weedon attended the Annual Meeting of Essex Heritage Trust.

85. CORRESPONDENCE

    • Mr McCarthy
      notification of change of house name

86. MEETING REPORTS

    • North Uttlesford Community Forum
      Mr McCarthy attended the meeting on 10 September and reported that the presentations were interesting and the subsequent discussion time was useful. He had spoken to Inspector Lowe to complain about the lack of police presence in the village and to reiterate our request for speed traps.
    • Parish Planning Workshop
      no meeting since last report
    • West Essex Area Forum
      15 September, no attendance possible
    • Walden in Transition
      no meeting attended since last report
    • Community Action Team ECC
      meeting for P3 issues among others – Miss Frost was to attend, however last minute work commitments prevented this. She did however have the booklet issued, including the annual grant report, which was put in circulation.

87. ENVIRONMENT

    Village Green Issues
    Miss Frost had contacted Land Registry at Peterborough and established title ownership of 2 adjacent parcels with a sliver of land between the two with no title. It was thought that this was probably the entrance to the footpath that used to run from the road over the bridge to the green lane at the rear of the houses. It was considered too small to worry about. It also appeared that the land containing the bus shelter was not registered to any particular owner. Miss Frost will enquire as to how the Parish Council go about obtaining title to common land. – Action DF

    Sight Lines
    Miss Frost had identified four ashes which were obscuring the view of the church from various areas in the village. Mr Haylock will liaise with Ben Smeedon, UDC Tree Officer about felling these trees. – Action DH

88. FINANCE

    The following accounts were approved for payment and cheques drawn up:

    J. Basham	Grass cutting including churchyard	£300.00
    Audit Commission	2008/09 Audit fee	£155.25
    Miss D Frost	Fess for obtaining information from Land Registry	£16.00

89. HIGHWAYS

    Ian Hurwood provided Mr McCarthy with an update which was circulated. The safety audit report had been received and did not appear too onerous. Approach for Executive Decision to obtain the land and carry out the accommodation works is now in progress.

    Mr Drane reported that alterations to the access to Harvey Way were due to commence on 7 October. The section of the B1054 by Bramley Hollow had been resurfaced. Other jobs were ongoing including white lines, surface repair and painting of railings. Mr Drane was to ask about the painting of the white directional sign at Campions End. The issue of the overgrown hedges along Finchingfield Road had been reported to Highways. Mrs Drane’s comment regarding the new road surface was noted. – Action DD

    Community Speed Watch
    eight volunteers had come forward but the Clerk was still awaiting information from Georgie Davis (Essex Police) with regard to training etc.

90. FOOTPATHS

    Re-alignment scheme
    there appears to be a misunderstanding due to lack of communication regarding Turners Lane. The field edge where the path should be has been ploughed, so Miss Frost has asked for the area to be flattened as best as possible for now and a sign will be put up to advise that walkers should not be on Turners Lane. – Action DF

    The second cut of the footway network had been completed and Miss Frost reported on the inaugural walk held on 12 September. A lovely walk thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended, unfortunately turnout was low.

91. MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

    • Drinking Fountain
      Our bank details have been provided to the Community Initiative Fund and the grant monies are anticipated in the week commencing 21 September. Mr Haylock has reminded Mark Halls again that the golden pineapple still needs attention. – Action DH
    • Village Sign
      Mr Drane will liaise with Dirtbusters with regard to the cleaning work.

92. COMMUNICATIONS

    Website – general updates have been done recently
    Newsletter – next newsletter deadline 20 September 2009

93. EMERGENCY PLAN

    A meeting is due in October. It is anticipated that the ditch will be walked during October to ensure it is free from obstructions.

94. PLANNING

    • UTT/1803/08/FUL – Lakehouse Farm
      no decision to date
    • UTT/0820/09/LB – Anser Cottage
      replacement door/window – conditional approval
    • UTT/0906/09/FUL – Pollards Cross
      new entrance gates and walls – conditional approval
    • UTT/0971/09/FUL – Anser Cottage
      installation of a swimming pool – conditional approval
    • APP/C1570/A/09/2108227/WF – Highbanks
      appeal lodged

    The proposals to alter 2 footpaths to bridle ways – no decision to date

    Enforcement Notice ENF/170/09/B – Anso Corner – tyres dumped in ditch
    area is alongside driveway to barn on Anso Road. Notice served on landowner to remove. Clerk to write to Enforcement Officer UDC to reinforce need for removal as potential for blocking of ditch and subsequent flooding. – Action CD

95. VILLAGE HALL

    redecoration of the hall completed by Mr McCarthy and his team of volunteers – looks super, well done. The AGM is scheduled for Monday 19 October. A larger shed has been ordered to allow rearrangement of storage to accommodate the new chairs.

96. STANSTED AIRPORT

    nothing new to report.

    Future meeting dates – Thursday 15 October, Thursday 12 November and Thursday 17 December 2009.

    The meeting closed at 9.30pm.