Great Bardfield Parish Council  

'ESSEX VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2009'

Mr Ian Ruffle was in attendance in respect of his role as Village Handyman. The Council confirmed they were pleased with his work and he wished to know if there were any areas in particular that needed attention – especially in view of the forthcoming Best Kept Village judging. Regarding disposing of earth and foliage it was suggested that the verge in Mill Road and the far edges of the playingfield might be suitable.

Declarations were received from Cllr Ruffle - Finance (payment to Mr Ruffle) and Cllr Walsh – Correspondence (Stansted Community Trust).

There were no apologies.

These were approved and signed as a true record of the meeting. Proposed Cllr Walsh, seconded Cllr Hutchinson.

(a) School Council: Confirmed that the Clerk had followed up on various items raised at the March meeting and awaiting details of location for an additional bin(s). Chairman mentioned the children will be making a presentation at the Parish Assembly.

(b) PO Transport: Although four residents had come forward for training as drivers only two residents had responded to the questionnaire in the BT. The Chairman would mention this in her BT report.

(c) Speed Indicator Device: The Clerk had met with Bob Wiltshire of ECC who provided details of the manufacturer who would supply the device and discussed further details of the role which Highways will play in handling and instigating the rota. The Clerk would now be able to proceed with the order.

(d) Elections: There would be an uncontested election on 3 May. The Clerk would provide fresh ‘Registration of Interest’ form for those he needed them and where there were no changes an appropriate letter would be sent to the Monitoring Officer.

(e) Parish Cluster: 28 June at Finchingfield Village Hall

(a) EALC Grant £190: This was awarded to enable councils to purchase appropriate software – in our case Microsoft Publisher – to produce leaflets to encourage participation in the forthcoming Elections. This software would be useful for other projects.

(b) Stop Stansted Expansion Appeal Inquiry: The Council agreed they wish to support this and that the question of amount be put to the Parish Meeting to be held on 27 April.

00589/TPOCON Sgt Bendlowes Cottage, tree work. Cllr Walsh reported that this involved trees which are quite prominent from the street. He had no objection to the removal of the Silver Birch which was very close to the property and is of concern to applicant and neighbours. Regarding the Beech, again no objection as long as it is not cut back too hard.

00650/FUL & 556/LBC Vicarage Cottage kitchen extension/conversion. The Planning Committee had commented that whilst the red brick is a sympathetic material the new extension might be better integrated if finished in painted render as the rest of the building. (VDS p.26). Cllr Ruffle also mentioned that there was no indication that the archway – that would presently camouflage the proposed extension – was to be removed or not.

00648/FUL Hillcrest, Dunmow Road, two additional windows NE & SW elevations. A letter of objection had been received from Mrs McHale at Lyngate. Although they did not think the new windows would necessarily be intrusive they supported the neighbours comments that where as the development of this property reduced the light into her main living areas, the applicant now wished to add windows because he felt he needed more light into his property.

Cllr Hayward said the main item that might be of interest is the possible return of the business rate to local councils. One or two other things came up including the extension of unitary authorities with Ipswich and Norwich in the list of prospective U.As. Cllr Walsh explained the County’s approach to extended partnership working and cited the inclusion in Witham library of housing facilities with the result that more people with accessing library facilities.

The first round of voting usually took place during the first week of May and areas of particular concern were discussed including the Town Hall forecourt. The Chairman would make mention in her BT report and at the Parish Meeting on 27 April.

The BDC cheque would be delivered to the architect the day after the meeting and the application can then be submitted. It was agreed that the village handyman should deal with those jobs that would make the playground area more attractive, such as fresh bark, as soon as possible.

Stansted Community Fund : A new tranche of funding was available to community groups within a 10 mile radius of the airport; the closing date was 31 July 2007. This would be reported in the BT.

(a) Pot Holes: Cooks Lane, Brook Street, School area to be reported.

(b) Town Hall AGM 26 April.

(c) Trees at 41 Bendlowes Road had been cleared. Cllr Walsh said the new owners had spoken to him and confirmed they had taken advice from BDC.

This would be held on 16 May 2007

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15 pm

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Last modified: 10/28/09