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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mrs Nicola McNeill
District Councillor Simon Howell
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REPORTS OR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
There were none.
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD Thursday July 27, 2017
These were agreed to be an accurate account of the meeting and signed
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MATTERS ARISING
Not covered elsewhere. There were none.
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ENVIRONMENT
Flooding – Mr McCarthy reported that he had received offers to take up the minor waterways monitoring training. As several of the councillors also agreed to take part, depending on the actual date, it was agreed that this was sufficient to ask Mrs McNeill to contact Jo Ludlow to arrange a session as soon a possible.
Highway Signs – The Clerk reported that he had written to Mr Bassett concerning the obscured sign in his hedge but received no reply. Ms Frost had amongst other tasks cleaned the 30 mph signs which were greatly improved. The council expressed their appreciation for these efforts.
Clean-up Day – It was decided that there should be a village clean-up day on Saturday 4th November. Details would be announced in the newsletter.
Base of Fountain – No quotes had been received as yet but would continue to be sought. The clerk reported that he has asked District Councillor Simon Howell when we might receive the promised £650 grant towards this project. It was likely to be in about a month.
Mr Weedon would be attending a meeting of Friends of Essex Heritage soon and would ask for a new version of their plaque and ask about the possibility of a grant.
The encroachment of brambles around the fountain was causing concern and the Clerk would ask Mr Basham if they could be strimmed.
Village Sign – This was showing signs of needing attention. Mr McCarthy volunteered to ask Mark Halls for advice.
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HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
Highways Report – Mr Drane reported that he was pleased with the speed of response to his request for the repair of two areas of damaged railings. The work had now been completed. However, the speed indicator sign and various potholes had still not been repaired.
Public Rights of Way – Ms Frost asked if a second cut was due to be made on the footpaths of the village. This was very unlikely. Since Essex Country Council had taken over the responsibility for this task only one cut per year had been made.
She also asked if a copy of the definitive footpath map was available to update her footpath maps. The Clerk said that he had a copy which he will make available to Ms Frost.
Road Safety Schemes – A recent email from Rissa Long of Essex Highways asked for nominations for schemes to be considered by the Local Highways Panel. It was agreed that Mr Welbourn would put forward a case for a 30 mph limit in the Blagdens/Bramley Hollow area due, to the four barn conversions that would increase the density of housing. Additionally, he would propose a 40 mph limit on Anso Road, whose difficulties had never been adequately addressed, and a 40 mph section from Boytons to link with the Blagdens/Bramley Hollow suggestion.
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FINANCE
The Clerk reported that the Insurance premium for the year was £508.76. This only represented a modest increase, due to insurance tax, from £497.4 last year. It was also time to renew the commitment that gave a loyalty discount. The premium payment was agreed as was a five years commitment that would give a 10% discount each year
It was agreed that the £2000 grant towards the Play Area, that had been previously approved, should be transferred to the VHMC Play Area committee when required. This would probably need a transfer from the reserve fund to the current account. This was also agreed by the council
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COMMUNICATIONS
Broadband provision in the village was discussed. Some misleading information had gone out that had now been clarified by Paul Davies and Ms Frost. The current situation was that the Broadband cabinet had been installed on the village green and connections would start over the next few weeks which should give a better service. County Broadband had installed their equipment some months ago on the church tower but had done little to advertise their services. However, this may still be a better option for those away from the centre of village.
Ms Frost brought up the issue of the very poor mobile phone reception. She referred to the map from EE which showed much of the village only had reception of any sort outside their houses if at all. This is not adequate for the increased numbers of people working from home. Additionally with less immediate access to increasingly centralised emergency services caused by budgetary cuts good mobile phone reception is even more important. The Parish Council had put forward a proposed site for possible use for a mast, but there were no takers. It was agreed that the church tower may be a site worth re-exploring.
The Chairman agreed to contact EE that represented several providers.
Four newcomer’s packs had been sent out. Mr Drane mentioned that another was required for Holmwood.
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VILLAGE HALL
Sadly, the planning permission for the Play Area had suffered delays partly due to additional information being required by the planning department at Uttlesford. Mr Long explained that he was submitting the location and block plans he had put together and hoped they would suffice.
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DATA PROTECTION CHANGES
The Clerk had provisionally, subject to the agreement of the Parish Council, signed up to attend a course on Saturday 16th September at a cost of £12. It was hoped that would give more relevant and focussed information. The Council agreed to the clerk’s attendance.
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ASSETS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
As the original nominations for assets of community interest are due to expire it afforded an opportunity to review the list. It was decided that many of the nominations were redundant or referred to land actually under direct control of the Parish Council anyway. Therefore, it was decided to proceed with the nomination of just three sites. These being: The Bluebell Inn, The Village Green (housing the War Memorial and Bus Shelter) and the Pond with inclusion of other adjacent land on Church Hill.
