Parish Council Minutes 6th April 2006

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 9 MARCH 2006

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

MATTERS ARISING

from previous Minutes, not dealt with in the main agenda

• Ring of Trees etc.
  Work to the trees in the Ring of Trees had been carried out and it now looks superb – well done. It was decided that a notice saying "Ancient Monument No Parking" should be erected – Mrs Midgley would obtain a quote for white painted steel with black letters from Sign and Graphic and also investigate the possibility of obtaining a ‘brown’ sign from Essex County Council (ECC). Mr Haylock confirmed that a length of chain had been retrieved during the works and he would cost the length needed to complete the ring together with the required posts.– Action AM/DH

  Discussion ensued regarding the history of the area and it was agreed that Mr Thomas and Mr Weedon would liaise to put together a few lines which could be put on the back of the "no parking" sign. Everyone was asked to consider any places of historic note that could be bundled together with the Ring of Trees to entice Time Team to come and investigate.– Action AT/AW/ALL

  Discussion ensued regarding the deterioration of the corner at the bottom of Church Hill opposite the War Memorial. It was felt that posts and chain to match that around the War Memorial be placed on this corner to prevent parking up the kerb. All councillors were asked to look at the site with this in mind to decide if this option was too much.– Action ALL

• Footpaths/P3
  A reply had been received from UDC agreeing to an extension of the Community Project Grant to 30 June 2006. Meeting with Saffron Walden Footpaths Association (SWFA) arranged for 12 April. Mr Haylock had discussed various footpath issues with Mr Sills, who asked if footpath maintenance issues be put to him before approaching UDC although he did not want to be involved in any formal maintenance project.

  Miss Frost, Mr Haylock and Mr McCarthy had met with Lisa Cross from P3 who provided a large manual and explained the various forms needed as well as the accounting procedures and timetable..

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING (19/5/06)

The annual report had now been circulated and the agenda was on the website. Mr McCarthy will put an explanation of the "Post It Note" session in the newsletter. The Clerk will buy two distinctly different colour Post It notes for the meeting and will bring along some biros. Draft accounts to be prepared for distribution at the Annual Meeting, therefore a very brief explanation is all that is required for the Financial Report.– Action SM/CD

CORRESPONDENCE

WEBSITE

A slight hiccup in the front page was quickly resolved and the brief for the front page clarified accordingly. A query had been received from a gentleman researching the history of his car, which had previously been owned by Mr Thesiger of Boytons. Mr Weedon was now liaising with him. Overall the website was looking good.

FINANCE

There were no accounts for payment.

NEWCOMERS MEETING

Proposed dates are 2 or 16 June from 8pm to 9.30pm – Mr McCarthy will liaise with society representatives, the clerk to check hall availability. Evening to start with a short introduction by Mr McCarthy – display boards around the room, drinks and nibbles available. Miss Frost to draft invitation and the Clerk to draw up list of newcomers in the last 2 years for review by all. Mr Thomas to organise drinks, nibbles, glasses etc, Gardeners Club offered to donate some wine, other societies will be requested to make contribution to cost. Rosettes with names and society name – provided by Mr Haylock and adapted by Miss Frost.– Action SM/CD/DF/AT

PLANNING

There were no planning issues to be discussed.

HIGHWAYS

A water leak uphill from the fountain had been discovered and reported to the Water Board, who decided it was not their responsibility. Messrs Haylock and McCarthy agreed that Jossaumes should investigate. It appeared that the pipe from the reservoir to the fountain was leaking but since it was within a large concrete block a temporary solution was to divert the water into the pond. Mr Haylock will consider how best to resolve this problem long term and meanwhile Miss Frost will contact the Best Kept Village organisers to inform them of "an eyesore beyond our control".– Action DH/DF

COMMON LAND REGISTRATION

Following discussion it was agreed that there were two issues to pursue:

• Transfer to the Parish Council of the parcel of land including the pond and the pump, inadvertently registered by a local landowner.– Action DH
• Registration of the common land within the parish, to be attempted.– Action SM

VILLAGE HALL

There was nothing to report.

STANSTED AIRPORT

A letter had been received from Stop Stansted Expansion asking for a copy of our comments to the R2 consultation to add to their website. It was agreed the Clerk should email a copy.– Action CD

TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS

The position regarding the cutting back of the leylandii at Turpins Cottage has now been explained to the interested parties. The Clerk had created a list from the UDC website which Mr McCarthy and Mr Haylock believed was incomplete. The Clerk was asked to approach UDC for a complete list.- Action CD.

The dates of the next meetings are 16 May, 13 June and 13 July 2006.

The meeting closed at 10.05pm.