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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr Mark Welbourn
Mrs Sara Scott
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REPORTS OR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Simon Howell reported that the Draft Local Plan would be on the Uttlesford District Council website as from Friday 23rd June. It was yet to be approved by the full Council which could be problematic. Then there would be a period of consultation. He hoped there would be agreement on a substantial area of development which could be planned with the correct infrastructure in the area of the M11/A120 corridor.
He also outlined the investment opportunity that is planned with Aviva pension fund to develop the Little Chesterford Business Park. If it is as successful as planned it could ameliorate future budgetary problems.
Councillor Howell also mentioned the prospect of further expansion of Stansted Airport since it is judged to have the most capacity to grow.
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD May 18, 2017
These were agreed as a correct record.
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MATTERS ARISING
Not covered elsewhere. There were none.
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MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY HELD MAY 19
These were agreed as a correct record of the meeting
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MATTERS ARISING
Issues mentioned by the public:
School Places were causing concern with little likelihood of children from the village being unable to attend Saffron Walden schools even with siblings already attending.
Road signs it was mentioned that hedges were overgrowing and obscuring some of the 30 mph signs at the entry points to the village especially on Hill Road. It was agreed that the clerk should write to Mr Basset asking him to remedy the situation. The Chairman would speak to those responsible for the sign on the left entering from Steeple Bumpstead direction. It was also suggested to ask the Highway Ranger team to clean the signs and reaffix the bin on the Bus Shelter.
Saffron Walden infrastructure. The effect of all the new housing development in the town was discussed in terms of traffic difficulties and services being stretched. Until Essex County Council is willing to recognise the problems and fund adequate solutions there seems little prospect of improvement.
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PLANNING
Pollards Cross There was no further news from Uttlesford on this issue.
Newlands, Howe Lane No councillors felt the need for comments so none were passed to Uttlesford.
Hill House, Hill Rd The Clerk read out a reply from Uttlesford that indicated that they are aware of the development but to contact them if the Parish Council had specific concerns. It was agreed that there were none.
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CORRESPONDANCE
Rural Community Council of Essex AGM: An invitation had been received and it was agreed that Alan Weedon should attend.
Sir Alan Haselhurst, the Saffron Walden MP had decided to step down after many years service. As agreed, the Clerk wrote on behalf of the Parish Council wishing him well for the future and had received a courteous reply that he read out.
It was also agreed that the Clerk should write to Uttlesford District Council regarding the lack of Secondary School places.
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HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
Mr Drane reported the emails had that been exchanged on the issues that he is always chasing but no real progress made. He had circulated these emails prior to the meeting in which issues such as the poor condition of railings along Anso road were referred to as ‘not meeting the criteria for urgent repair.’
Road Safety Schemes – Mr Welbourn emailed that he had nothing to report, other than still awaiting clarification as to what requests, if any, of ours are on the LHP agenda for this financial year.
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ENVIRONMENT
The ‘Where does Water go?’ project was to be revived to try to establish riparian ownership and encourage landowners to act responsibly in maintaining the condition of ditches and waterways. The Council was in favour of supporting this project and Mrs McNeill agreed to establish contact and invite a representative to a council meeting.
The base of the water fountain was again discussed and although possible contractors had been identified it would be necessary to seek advice on its conservation status.
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FINANCE
The Internal Auditor Report that had been circulated prior to the meeting was discussed.
The matter of the transfer of the Village Hall account that had been transferred to the Village Hall Management Committee was discussed with the internal Auditor and representatives of the VHM committee. It was agreed that the VHMC treasurer would open a new account for the money but the signatories would have to be from the custodian trustee body ie. the Parish Council.
The Clerk had contacted EALC to discuss the anomalous spending of the Transparency Grant The clerk had been to a meeting and it was agreed that some of the items could be agreed retrospectively and others claimed under the continuing grant scheme this year. The Council agreed that a further claim should be made.
Replacement Internal Auditor. Ross Midgley had kindly agreed to take up this role.
Payments
Mrs McNeill for refreshments £28.15 this had been awaiting for authorisation for over a month and was cancelled. It had now been put back on the website. Councillors were urged to get involved in this process of authorisation.
Brian Kitchen had missed a payment of £80 due to the bank altering the requested date of payment. it was agreed to make this payment to compensate.
Julian Basham had increased the prices for grass cutting as this had been anticipated the increases were readily agreed.
£90 to £100 for all areas except the churchyard which would be £60 to £65 per cut. The clerk reported that he had also discussed the clearer marking of invoices as raised in the internal audit and the possibility of further changes when the Play Area is built.
So far, we have paid him £925 for the first five cuts and the yearly petrol allowance of £100 Campaign to Protect Rural England £36 annual membership fee was approved.
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COMMUNICATIONS
Electoral Roll information on the Village Website had now been removed.
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VILLAGE HALL
Planning permission for the Play Area was now about to be submitted, although Mr Long awaits details of UDC Payment required to complete the application.
Mr Long has signed up for a playground inspection course which will enable him to perform the interim monthly checks in between the more stringent annual inspections. The latter will, at least for the first few years, be undertaken by the supplier. VHMC is looking into the insurance implications of personal indemnity for the monthly inspections.
