Present: Cllrs Dyson (Chairman), Ruffle (Vice Chair), Hayward, Walsh, Slemmings, Hockley

In attendance: Mrs Alex Snell, Mr Peter Benwell, Moira Groborz, Housing Enabler for RCCE and Chris Moor of English Rural Housing Association.

(a) Mrs Snell detailed her concerns regarding the revised application for the development of Rosewood, which is adjacent to her home. The main concerns were regarding access, removal of walls

Moira Groborz & Chris Moor was present to discuss the next stage following the successful completion of a parish survey to assess the need for Social Housing. The survey indicated that there were 31 households in the parish who have a need. An information event would be held to explain the proposals and deal with any questions. It was agreed that Chris Moor would meet with Cllr Hayward to survey the village, to look at both a possible site, and the general layout of the village. The Chairman also reminded Chris Moore of the PC’s request to visit some existing developments and this would be arranged. There was concern among members, about the input the PC would have, to ensure the needs of existing residents and those with a very strong connection to the village, were met. Several experiences, one in the past week, with tenancies at Northampton Meadow, illustrated the influence BDC have and the Council could not support a development that was used to simply reduce the District waiting list.

These were received from Cllrs Ruffle and Slemmings (Finance) and Cllr Walsh (SACT & GCH Grant Funding)

(b) Purchase of additional sand bin: The purchase of a suitable bin from Glasdons, at a cost of £167 net, was approved. This would be sited alongside the existing at Bridge End and BDC had agreed to provide sand.

(b) Street Lighting Survey: The Clerk was able to report that this had been carried out and, of the 42 columns in the village, 22 were in need of urgent attention. They were not dangerous to the public but the lighting units themselves were badly worn and would be expensive to replace. The total cost was £12,944 net, including the less urgent items, and there would be an added benefit of changing the 80w MBFU lamps to 35w CDM-T lamps, representing a substantial energy saving, and the new lanterns cause less light pollution. The Clerk and discussed this with ECC, who had offered to provide 80% of the total cost. It was agreed, therefore, that the opportunity to access this funding should be taken and the remaining 20% would be found from reserves.

09/00152/ful Rosewood – amended application. Members discussed the concerns raised by Mrs Snell, whose property is next to the Rosewood site, and agreed that they would make representation on her behalf to BDC. In order to clarify some details, the meeting was briefly closed at 9.00 pm, and the Chairman also advised Mrs Snell that she must write to BDC herself to reiterate her concerns. Cllr Walsh asked that the Clerk mention the access points in her response, as the creation of an additional separate drive (as opposed to the existing shared drive) may raise concerns from Highways; copy of response to go to Cllr Walters. The Clerk had not been able to find out anything more about the original agreement of July 1960, between the then existing owner of Rosewood and Braintree Rural District Council, or whether this impacted on this application.

Pavilion Project: Cllr Slemmings mentioned the most recent funding application to Greenfield Community Housing, which was one of the few larger funding opportunities available to Parish Councils. Other fund raising opportunities included plans for an Old Time Musical, possibly in April, and a Battle of the Bands event at the High Barn. The Clerk was asked to produce a spreadsheet to illustrate the funding already achieved, including calendar sales.

Town Hall/Bell Lane: A copy of a letter from Mr Graham to ECC had been received, in which Mr Graham expressed his frustration and concern, that his house had been hit once again, and there was still no solution forthcoming from ECC, this despite several site visits. Members agreed that they should write to County, copy Cllr Walters, stating their support for the resident, asking Highways to consider other options, and emphasise safety concerns.

Other Items: Drain at Beslyns still blocked – to chase. Bushetts Farm access road in a very poor state.

Although it was acknowledged that the Council hadn’t achieved quite as much as it would have wished, since the 2008 competition, it was unanimously agreed that Great Bardfield should be entered again. There were many positive aspects to the year, including the production of the 2009 Calendar, the social housing survey, the creation of a footpath to the Blue Egg, the activities of the Youth Club, the commencement of the ‘quiet space’ and the continued involvement with the School Council.

This had all been circulated or included in the meeting Agenda.

(i) The Chairman suggested that additional copies of the Agenda be made available at each meeting for use by the Public Forum. Agree.

(ii) Road Sweeping – check if other parishes undertake this work.

(iii) Pipers Meadow: Cllr Hayward reported on his meeting with the maintenance contractor and a member of Essex Wildlife Trust, to agree the management of this area. A further school planting day was to be held, and a management programme drawn up for when EWT work was concluded and it was handed over to the Parish. It was hoped that Mr Doug Joyce, who had the appropriate knowledge, would be able to oversee the future maintenance of the area.

This will be held on 18 March 2009. Preparation would also have to get underway for the Annual Parish Meeting to be held on 24 April.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.50 pm