Great Bardfield Parish Council  

'ESSEX VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2009'

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

There were no members of the public present.

(a) Chairman: Cllr Dyson was proposed by Cllr Ruffle, seconded Cllr Hockley and unanimously agreed. Cllr Dyson confirmed she was willing to stand again and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office register was duly completed.

(b) Vice Chairman: Cllr Ruffle was proposed by Cllr Dyson, seconded by Cllr Holmes and unanimously agreed.

(c) Committees: Membership remained the same except where vacancies had to be filled and a detailed list would be e-mailed to all members. Proposed Cllr Walsh seconded Cllr Holmes and unanimously agreed.

This was an opportunity to review registered interests. The Clerk would then advise the Monitoring Officer in order that any changes or amendments could be noted:

Cllr Walsh: His role with ECC had changed in that he was no longer a member of Essex Fire Authority but was a Cabinet member for Schools.

Cllr Slemmings: Chairman of the Great Bardfield Youth Club and no longer a committee member for the pre school and after school club.

Cllr Dyson: No longer a committee member on BALC.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies had been received from Cllr Hayward who was attending the NALC conference.

Agenda item 2 was corrected - Cllr Walsh had attended a Fire Authority engagement. The Minutes were approved and signed as a true record of the meeting. Proposed Cllr Ruffle seconded Cllr Slemmings, unanimously agreed.

Pipers Meadow: The Clerk had left several messages with Mr Stock of Brambles, regarding the tree work, for which his quotation of £320 plus VAT had been accepted. She would liaise with Cllr Hayward to clarify the situation before an alternative contractor is sought.

Fountain: The Clerk would write to Mr Hitchcock, confirming the Council’s request that the work on the cover to the source be dealt with urgently, as this would address the concerns of BDC Environmental Services, regarding contamination.

Speed Indicator Device: This was working well and was having the desired effect. At the moment it was being maintained by Ian Fox but it was agreed that the work needed to be shared. Ian Ruffle could deal with the device when it was located in Braintree Road and Cllr Holmes suggested her husband would be willing to help when the device was located in the Bridge Street area. Appropriate training would be given.

Amenity Land behind the Town Hall: A decision was still awaited from the EET following which the quotations could be discussed in more detail. It was agreed that any work should not interfere with the nesting season.

Affordable Housing: The Clerk was waiting to hear from Moira Groborz, the Rural Housing Enabler for RCCE, as it had been hoped to progress the survey before the summer.

Co-op Store: The stock levels are still unsatisfactory which the Manager has explained is due to late deliveries from the Thurrock depot. Nevertheless it was felt that a complaint should be made which would be copied to Lord Hanningfield – Leader of ECC – who was undertaking a survey of rural services.

Water Leak High Street: This had been resolved on the 15 May, as promised by Anglian Water.

(a) The Clerk wished to highlight several items contained in the Statement:

(i) Item 1 was increased by 41p and item 10 was reduced by 2p however the amount needed to be transferred to meet the total payments remained at £2130.

(ii) Direct debit payments to Eon (Powergen) had remained at £11.50 for some time, however, following a recent meter reading, the Clerk had received an invoice for £186.15 to clear the accumulated underpayment and a request to increase the monthly DD to £54. This amount was challenged as it was finally agreed that, if the debt was cleared (item 8) then the monthly amount could reduce to £35. This would be monitored and arrangements made to enable regular meter readings to be taken.

(iii) Local Area Committee Grant: This had been received in the sum of £2465 and was credited to the New Pavilion bank account.

(b) ECC Verge Cutting Grant: This had been increased by 2% to £830.87 for a single width cut in the spring and a full width in the autumn; the Council would cover any additional cost to allow a full width cut for both spring and autumn.

00588/ADV Erection of signage at Bardfield Centre entrance. BDC Development Services had written advising that this application had been withdrawn.

00949/TPOCON 22 Durham Close, work on a purple plum, conifer, redwood cedar and a fruit tree. Cllr Walsh - Tree Warden – recommended no objection.

00950/TPOCON 24 Durham Close, work to reduce the height of a Rowan. Cllr Walsh - Tree Warden – recommended no objection.

Pavilion Project: Cllr Slemmings outlined some of the changes necessary to accommodate the criteria set by the Essex FA, who could be one of the largest sources of funding, for the project. The changing area has doubled in size, the officials’ changing room has increased and the disabled toilet is now large enough to include a shower. As a result of these changes the kitchen will be reduced in size and the staircase is to be moved with the loss of the downstairs meeting room, but there is a slight increase in the length of the hall. He also pointed out that now that the minutiae of the internal space have been studied, the external areas need to be planned, so that the opportunity is taken to make best use of the available area. Fund raising activities need to be organised and Keith Potter is to resurrect the Fun Run, to be held on 20 July, with the proceeds going to the pavilion project.

Playingfields: Cllr Ruffle mentioned that, as previously discussed, site visits to the playingfield and playground area needed to be organised, to ensure that any necessary maintenance work was carried out on a regular basis.

(a) Town House: The most recent damage to this property was discussed and the need restrict the type of traffic movement along Bell Lane. This was a difficult problem, as to get a weight restriction on any public road needed the support of highways and the police. The matter would be discussed further at the Cluster Meeting on 25 June 2008.

(a) Braintree Green Spaces Strategy: A response to this detailed document was discussed, and the Clerk was asked to make reference to the Glebe Meadow, the land acquired under the Lord of the Manor title, the Oxlip Project involving Pipers Meadow, and the valley of the Brook. She would also thank BDC for their concern to preserve green spaces in both rural and urban areas.

(b) UDD - Land within the vicinity of the existing boundary of Stansted Airport and provision of a runway etc. : Comments required by 26 June. The Chairman would meet with other members to prepare a response.

(c) BDC Invitation from Lady Newton, Chairman: A letter had been received asking if we would consider hosting a visit to the Parish by Lady Newton. There were a number of projects and initiatives that it was felt Lady Newton would be interested in and the Clerk was asked to write accordingly. Members thought the Oxlip, Pavilion and Museum Projects, as well as proposed affordable housing, and on the business side, the relocation of the Post Office and High Barn, could all be of interest. If appropriate a light lunch could be provided.

(a) NATS – Terminal Control North Proposed Changes to Airspace. Cllr Ruffle mentioned that comments were still required in respect of this and the Clerk would obtain a copy of the leaflet and DVD.

This would be held on 18 June 2008

Three Fields Cluster meeting 25 June 2008 7.30 p.m. at the Friends Meeting House.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.

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Last modified: 10/28/09