Parish Council Minutes 19th May 2016

• Mr Sean McCarthy (Chairman)
• Mr David Drane
• Mrs Nicola McNeill
• Mr John Sladen
• Mr Alan Weedon
• The Clerk

Members of the Public:

The Parish Council meeting opened at 8.07pm

15. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    District Councillor Simon Howell
    County Councillor Simon Walsh
    Parish Councillor Mrs Sara Scott
    Parish Councillor Mr Mark Welbourn

16. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING April 28 2016

17. MATTERS ARISING NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE

    There were none.

18. FINANCE

    Purchase of Pond Safety equipment: – The Clerk showed the ‘Deep Water’ signs that he had purchased and Mr Sladen agreed to install them. The Clerk gave the meeting some figures and details on further safety equipment. It was decided to purchase a lifebelt and cover at the approximate cost of £120 which would be installed beside the pond.

    Cheques to HMRC PAYE £37.44, SafetySigns4Less (Deep Water Signs) (Martyn Long) £8.82.

    The Clerk had received no reply concerning the change of mandate and will now start to chase Barclays Bank.

    Internal Auditors Report was discussed and its contents noted.

    The Council approved the Annual Governance Statement, on the Annual External Audit form and it was signed by the Chairman.

    The Council then approved the end of Year Financial Statement and Documentation to be sent to external auditor. These were duly signed by the Chairman and Clerk/Responsible Officer.

    Discretionary Grant component of the precept has now been received.

    The Council approved the payment of monthly standing orders to Brian Kitchen £80 and the Clerk £149.76

    Updated Asset Register: a copy was distributed to Councillors.

    The clerk had been exploring the options for the purchase of the laptop and associated equipment and hopes to complete the purchase within the next week.

19. PLANNING

    
    Firs Cottage: The Chairman declared an interest and left the room during the ensuing discussion of this item. The council decided that it was not necessary to pass any comments to Uttlesford planning.

20. CORRESPONDANCE

    
    Miss Frost had sent an email concerning issues of maintenance around the village. These were discussed under the appropriate sections of the agenda.

    County Councillor Simon Walsh had sent an annual report which would go on the website and be discussed at the imminent Annual Parish Assembly.

21. HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

    David Drane reported that he was still chasing the issue of the poor condition of railings throughout the village and had now contacted Councillor Walsh.

    Footpath 38 Miss Frost reported that this had been planted but not yet sprayed. The Council thought that this was probably imminent so would monitor it.

    Footway Still no start date had been given.

22. ENVIRONMENT

    Mr Sladen reported that he would be bringing up the problems mentioned in previous meetings at the Annual Assembly the next evening.

    Notice-boards, Benches and Bus Shelter: Mr Sladen agreed to obtain quotes for painting.

    War Memorial The Chairman and Mr Sladen agreed to look at the grouting and the Clerk agreed to clean out the interior of the Bus Shelter.

    Village of the Year Mr Weedon informed the council that the judges would want to speak to three or four local residents as part of the judging.

23. PLANS AND OBJECTIVES

    
    The Council approved the updated document as discussed at the last meeting.

24. VILLAGE HALL

    Action was moving forward on the Play Area. Mrs McNeill mentioned that space should be preserved for football for the older children. This would be looked at during planning of the position of the Play Area.

The meeting ended at 9 pm

FUTURE MEETINGS – Thursdays June 16, July 14 and August 18 at 8pm in the Village Hall.