Great Bardfield Parish Council  

'ESSEX VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2009'

Mr Jim Irish was present, to comment on various matters. He was concerned about the poor condition of the Walk – which the Clerk had already reported following a call from another resident – and this would be followed up. Overgrown trees on the estate, which was a matter for the District Council, however the Clerk would report this and the fact that they were interfering with overhead cables. Traffic problems and the speed at which they travelled along Braintree Road was an ongoing problem but the Chair asked that, if it were possible to get a license number, he pass the details to the Clerk. Dog mess was also mentioned. Mr Irish did say how well he thought the churchyard looked which was of course a matter for the PCC although the PC did contribute towards its upkeep.

Cllr Ruffle declared her interest under Finance

Apologies had been received from Cllr Walsh who was attending a BDC meeting.

These were approved as a true record of the meeting, proposed Cllr Slemmings, seconded Cllr Hayward.

Community Bus: The first trip had taken place on 17 July and included visits to the Blue Egg and Dunmow. Feedback from the driver – Mr Philip Clark – would shape the way this service was developed.

Speed Indicator Device: An order had now been prepared which was awaiting confirmation from Bob Wiltshire before being placed.

Lordship of the Manor: The Clerk said she was concerned that no additional historical documentation had been received and had asked Holmes & Hills to look into this. Cllr Hockley advised that the seller had spoken to him recently and stated he had some related paperwork that he would pass to him.

Bottle Bank: Following the PC’s request new bottle banks had been installed at the playingfield and new labelling will allow more space for green glass.

Mapping Software: Cllr Hutchinson had spoken to the company, Pear Technology, and felt the software would have some uses for the Council, however, definition would not be as good as in the more expensive version, e.g. property boundaries would not be clearly defined. As it was possible to share training a decision would be deferred until Finchingfield had made a decision and the Clerk had the opportunity to speak to someone already using the software.

BDC Options & Issues Consultation: Cllr Hayward had not circulated related paperwork but had written to the Leader of BDC, which letter would be circulated to parishes.

Village Maintenance: Various jobs had been carried and some still needed to be attended to, such as weeds on the bridge, which were difficult to access. The bridge had been damaged again but Members felt it might better if rather than being rebuilt a large bollard was installed at its present level.

The Council’s Accounts for the 2006/07 financial year had been approved by Lubbock Fine, the external auditors, and the necessary documents signed. They have, however, recommended that, although Fidelity Insurance cover had been recently increased to £25K, there should be a further increase to £51K, in view of the Council’s balances. This recommendation was before recent expenditure on the Lordship of the Manor title, but the Clerk would contact Allianz Cornhill to make the necessary arrangements.

(a) 01245/FUL Warren Place 2 Little Lodge Cottages, erection of two storey extension. From the information provided it was not possible to establish what the finishes were to walls, doors, windows etc. The property is a great distance from the public road and so cannot be seen. If this was not the case a better description of the proposed materials would be required The only other observation was that the pillars incorporated into the design were out of place in this rural setting.

(b) Proposed Changes to Parish Consultation. The new proposals had been discussed by the Planning Committee and their comments circulated. The main problems would be the inability to view the plans on line in enough detail to make meaningful comments; it would be impossible to compare existing and proposed drawings simultaneously on screen; and the need to have access to the internet by both Councillors and members of the public.

(c) Use of UPVC. It was agreed that some clarification was needed from Braintree District Council. There are examples of residents being advised that they must use wooden window frames or, as in a recent case, where UPVC replacement windows appear to have been allowed but not the erection of a UPVC conservatory on the same property. Both properties are within the conservation area but not listed. The Clerk would make enquiries.

(a) Site Visit 10 July. Following vandalism that took place on 29/30 June when a car was driven through the fencing and across the playground, a meeting was arranged with Mick Galley (BDC), PC Carter, the Community Warden, Cllr Hayward, Cllr Ruffle and the Clerk. It was suggested that one answer would be for the fence to be replaced and for large tree trunks to be placed alongside, sited on the playingfield. These would form a very strong barrier and could also be utilised as additional seating. Members supported this plan and the Clerk would liaise with Mr Galley.

(b) Playground/Playingfield Gates. Cllr Hayward would enquire into the cost a new gate for the playground and make arrangements for repairs to the metal gate to the playingfield.

(c) Cllr Hockley said that the security camera that he had enquired about was not suitable to be pole mounted but it was agreed that even one sited on the pavilion could help in deterring vandalism.

(d) Skate Park. Cllrs Dyson, Ruffle and Hutchinson had met with seven young people aged between 11 and 16 to discuss the possibility a skate park sited on the playingfield. The youngsters had done research and were aware of the cost implications but said they were willing to undertake fund raising. More importantly they would carry out a survey to assess the possible use. Positive results of a survey together with the fact that the young people are very involved can be significant when applying for grant funding. The Clerk would contact Rayne PC regarding the cost of their equipment, which is fairly basic and might be suitable.

The BDC consultation document was circulating and although there was general agreement that indiscriminate fly posting could be a nuisance, it was felt that advertising village events should be allowed – perhaps with certain time conditions to ensure they weren’t in place too long – as these were an important part of community life and very often main fund raisers.

Following the Council’s request for road repairs in the Braintree Road and complaints about parked vehicles making it difficult to see oncoming traffic, ECC forwarded a letter regarding possible parking restrictions. The difficulty is that many of the vehicle owners do not have anywhere else to park and the main problem was caused by larger vehicles and those that parked nearest to the build out; a limited restricted area might help with the latter. If improvements had been carried out by BDC outside St Mary’s Villas as requested sometime ago this could have provided suitable off road parking.

Various pot holes to report – Beslyns outside Stone Cottage, several near the School.

Cllr Hockley had started work on this project and hoped to have a full report for the September meeting.

Pavilion: Three items of correspondence had been received from building companies interested in tendering for the pavilion project – these were passed to Cllr Slemmings.

Appeal Decisions: BDC had written to say that from July 2007 copies of appeal decisions would no longer be sent to Parish or Town Councils.

Best Kept Village: Although Bardfield did not win the marks were fairly good. The highs were 10 for the War Memorial, with nines in 10 categories including the playingfield, village hall, churchyard, seats and benches, litter control/bins, streams and ponds, footpaths and verges. The one low mark was seven, for the children’s playground, with particular comments about the surface and the missing gate.

Community Bus: Cllr Slemmings asked if consideration had been given to purchasing a bus for community use. The Clerk confirmed she had spoken with the Clerk of Stebbing PC, sometime ago prior to arrangements made for use of BDC’s bus, and was advised that it was not organised by the PC but by a group in the community; the difficulties attached to the purchase, insurance, maintenance and management can be very onerous for smaller parish councils. However, in the light of the imminent closure of the youth club, the use of such a vehicle could get youngsters to events outside the village, and enquiries would be made regarding additional use of the BDC mini bus.

Parking on the Mill Close Green: Signing might be an answer to this problem but in the meantime the Clerk would ask the Community Warden to keep a check on this.

Litter Bin outside Co-op: The staff had agreed sometime ago that they would help control the litter but despite the village handyman emptying more frequently, the bin still overflowed. It was suggested that a larger bin be purchased and the existing be relocated. A suitable location might be near to the museum. The Historical Society would be consulted.

Footpath: A report had been received that the gate across one of the paths was difficult to lift. Cllr Hutchinson would check on this and advise the Clerk of any necessary action.

This would be held on 19 September 2007.

The Finance Committee would meet on 13 August, 7.30 in the CIP to approve the Financial Statement and sign any cheques. Cllrs Dyson and Hutchinson will be on holiday and it was agreed that Cllr Ruffle and Slemmings attend in their place.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.50pm

Send mail to clerk@greatbardfield-pc.gov.uk questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2003 -2004 Great Bardfield Parish Council
Last modified: 10/28/09