Parish Council Minutes 28th April 2016

• Mr Sean McCarthy (Chairman)
• Mr David Drane
• Mr John Sladen
• Mrs Sara Scott
• Mr Alan Weedon
• Mr Mark Welbourn
• The Clerk

Members of the Public:

The Parish Council meeting opened at 8pm

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

   District Councillor Simon Howell
   County Councillor Simon Walsh
   Parish Councillor Mrs Nicola McNeill

2. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

   Mr McCarthy was unanimously elected and thanked the council for their support

3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Held March 17 2016

   were signed as a true record

4. MATTERS ARISING

   There were none not covered elsewhere.

5. PLANNING

   
   Whitegates: Clerk to contact planning department and confirm previous comments still apply

   The Wilderness: No comments to be forwarded to UDC.

   Anso Corner Farm: Mr Sladen declared an interest and took no further part in the discussion. It was agreed the Clerk would reply that the Parish Council had no objection to proposals concerning change of use, providing that all the conditions contained in previous consents for this site are maintained. In particular those that relate to days and hours of working, noise and movement of vehicles.

6. CORRESPONDANCE

   
   Mr Welbourn had received a positive response from Sir Alan Hazlehurst, MP indicating that he would follow up concerns re the traffic speed and noise, particularly of motor bikes.

7. HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

   Footway No further information concerning the start date for completion had been received.

   David Drane report Mr Drane said that he was still chasing the issue of the poor condition of railings but had heard nothing back so far.

8. ENVIRONMENT

   Flooding The road at Long Corner Cottage and outside Dimmings had flooded after recent heavy rain. The former was, as usual, just leaves and silt blocking the drain. The latter was a new problem and it was suggested that as many people as possible should be encouraged to report these events

   Pond The Chairman said that he had added more grass seed. He also said that the depth of the pond was now greater. The Council agreed with his suggestion that there ought to be warning notices and a lifebelt. The Clerk would cost out these and report back

   Village of the Year Competition Mr Weedon had sent in the entry form

   The Bluebell Inn The Council were pleased to note that this had now re-opened

   Molehills on the green Mr Basham had reported that it was becoming difficult to mow and Mr McCarthy agreed to look at the problem

9. POLICING

   The Council noted the reorganisation proposals that had been circulated prior to the meeting, including the closure of the Saffron Walden Police Station. There would still be some police presence located in the Uttlesford District offices.

10. FINANCE

    Cheques to HMRC, PAYE £37.44 Julian Basham £400 (£300 First Cut, £100 Fuel) were signed. Also a cheque had been signed on 19 April for EALC/NALC Subscriptions for £124.97.

    Grant for Laptop etc £909 had been received from NALC to cover changes to the financial reporting regime. This was more than had been anticipated and would cover the purchase of a laptop, software etc. and also some staff time to put the appropriate information the website

11. PLANS AND OBJECTIVES

    
    The Plans and Objectives document was comprehensively revised and would be published. The main outcomes were the agreement, as no volunteers were forthcoming, to spend some of the £600 available in the budget on maintenance of the Bus Shelter, Benches, Notice-boards, Pump area and war memorial slabs. It was also planned to survey trees on the land that the Council is responsible for

    The standing orders would be reviewed and updated where necessary. Mr Sladen would review the Risk Assessment Schedule

12. COMMUNICATIONS

    Mrs Scott reported that the village Facebook page was now up and running. A note of this would be in the next newsletter. The Chairman thanked her for her contribution

13. QUEEN’S BIRTDAY

    Celebration plans were progressing well and all the tickets for the banquet had been sold

14. ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY AND REPORT

    The Council agreed the Annual Report and Draft Financial Statement. These would be put on the notice-board, website and go out via email next Thursday separately from the newsletter

The meeting was closed at 9.35 pm

FUTURE MEETINGS – Thursdays May 19, June 16 and July 14 at 8pm, Village Hall.