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

The Chairman welcomed members of the Forum.

St Mary’s Villas: Mrs Crisp explained that she had met with Paul Chadwick, a project engineer with Greenfields Community Housing, to discuss the problem of the access road area first visited a few years ago with BDC. Now that the area is in the hands of GCH it was an opportunity to try once again to have work undertaken to improve the condition of the area. The Clerk was asked to write to the Project Manager at GCH. It was also agreed to ask Highways to look at the area of Braintree Road in front of these properties, with the suggestion of a lay by to accommodate car parking, which presently can be something of a hazard.

Police: See notes under Agenda Item.

A declaration was received from Cllr Ruffle in respect of the Financial Statement.

There were no apologies for absence.

These were approved and signed as a true record of the Meeting. Proposed Cllr Hayward seconded Cllr Hockley.

Affordable Housing: It was felt that this project was not developing as the Council wished, and wanted to ensure that before negotiations went too far, further public consultation took place. Other concerns were the size, design and conditions under which the properties were allocated. The Clerk was asked to contact the landowner and write to Chris Moor at English Rural Housing. An invitation had been received from ERHA to a new development in Thorpe le Soken on 28 October – but members were unable to attend.

Fountain: Despite assurances no estimates or specification for the work had been received and therefore could not be approved at the meeting. As three estimates were required, the Clerk was asked to contact other possible contractors; it was agreed that further delays were unacceptable. The Clerk would contact the neighbouring landowners initially to request access.

Town Hall: Forecourt Clearance – This had been carried out successfully by Alan Kemp and it was agreed that the Council’s representative on the Town Hall committee suggests, at the next committee meeting, that this be carried out on a regular basis and the PC would share the cost. Complaint – The resident of 3 Hill House Cottages had complained (i) that his fence had been damaged during recent site clearance work. The Clerk had visited him and repair work was arranged; (ii) a new fence had been fixed to his side fence at the request of the Town Hall Chairman without any consultation - he was extremely upset at the Chairman’s attitude when they met. This would also be raised by Council’s representative.

Village of the Year: It was agreed that the presentation on 7 October had gone well, and given the judges a very good impression of the village, and the four main categories had been addressed as fully as possible. The Chairman wished to record the Council’s appreciation of all those who participated on the day. The regional winner will be announced on 20 October.

(a) Cost of Brook Clearance: The contractor suggested that an efficient way to clear the brook would be by hand, to protect the bank, and would require the hire of a skip. The cost would be in the region of £350/£400 and this expenditure was unanimously approved.

(b) The National Joint Council had agreed a pay award payable from to 1^st April 2009. The Clerk was on Spinal Column Point 23 and the hourly rate had been increased by 0.43p. The new monthly figure would be £566.89 and the back pay £163.73; these payment will appear on the November financial statement.

01256/FUL Rosewood – removal of variation. This referred to the agricultural condition placed on the property when owned by Mr Percy Walsh. There were no objections.

01241/FUL & 01242/LBC Place Farm Barn – erection of double garage. There were no objections.

00246/TPO The Old Vicarage (formerly York House) – application to carry out tree work within the conservation area. Application was received on the day of the meeting and passed to Cllr Walsh for his recommendations.

Long Green: Cllr Hayward gave details of the up to date position. Nicholas Reed has cultivated the area a couple of times, and grass seed will be sown, in the next day or so. Stakes and barbed wire had been purchased to erect a fence and Cllr Hayward would contact the PRoW Officer for further discussion. The Clerk was asked to contact the police in respect of the registration numbers were provided of vehicles that had been seen misusing the area. Doug Joyce was involved with the choosing of trees – unfortunately ECC had used its budget in the parish tree scheme but the Clerk would contact BDC in case they were able to assist. One of the advisory warning signs had been destroyed - two new signs would be ordered.

Pipers Meadow – Oxlip Recovery Programme: Cllr Hayward had spoken with Doug Joyce and Ray Tabor and funds were available to continue the project until next August when it would pass to the Parish Council. Essex Wildlife Trust was going to contact members who lived this area who might assist with the management programme.

Hill House Amenity Land: David Whipps (Solicitor) said he would write to Mr Birkett regarding keeping the gate area clear, if it was considered to be more affective than a letter from the Council; the Clerk would liaise with Mr Whipps. Access Maintenance The Clerk had been contacted by Amanda Cadwallader who owned – and rented out – one of the cottages and wanted to carry out some basic maintenance work on this access road. She was under the impression that BDC still had this shared responsibility but had been directed to the Clerk. She asked to meet someone on site, with a copy of the appropriate extract from the property register, to compare with her own paperwork. It was hoped to make a suitable arrangement.

Greenfield Funding Application: A decision was expected on 5^th November. Other activities had carried on as normal and the youngsters were delighted with the graffiti project. The next event was Bonfire Night on Friday 6 November.

Police: Sgt Reynolds and PC Carter were present mainly as a result of the letter from Brooks Newmark MP to the Police Authority. The Clerk had written to the MP, on behalf of both Great Bardfield and Finchingfield PCs, regarding nuisance bike riders, their speed and the apparent lack of monitoring by the police. Sgt Reynolds said they were monitoring the situation and were attending both villages over the weekend periods; PC Carter would be attending again on Sunday 18^th October. In addition there was a publicity campaign aimed at addressing inappropriate behaviour and leaflets would be distributed with village magazines A meeting was being arranged with Brooks Newmark MP when the problem of resources could be discussed; manpower was a real issue when monitoring such problems.

In general, the crime rate continued to be low, although there had been a state of thefts from gardens and sheds, and it was important that people took adequate security precautions. There continued to be problems for farmers with hare coursing and poaching.

Community Speed Watch: The latest information was that, due to lack of funds, training had been suspended. However the opportunity was being taken, by the police, to address some of the problems that emerged during the current scheme. PC Carter said they supported the scheme as it helped them with their work.

Highways: Robbie Jamieson had received the Council’s letter outlining the results of the meeting with residents, and has requested a further meeting, asking that it be restricted to just a few to make discussion easier. As mentioned during the Public Forum, the opportunity would be taken to ask him to inspect the area fronting St Mary’s Villas and the Clerk would request that he allow some extra time for this.

BT Telephone Kiosks: An ‘invitation’ to buy the kiosks for £1 – the Clerk would check regarding listed boxes.

Lottery Registration: Confirmation of registration under the Gambling Act 2005 had been received, to cover the forthcoming prize draw.

Section 106 Agreements: The BDC Overview and Scrutiny Committee is carrying out a study of these as part of this year’s work programme.

East of England Plan – 2031: A meeting would take place on 3^rd November, 7:00pm at Foakes Hall. The Chairman hoped to attend.

Transport Representatives Meeting: Next meeting would be held at Causeway House on 3 November 2009 at 10.15 am

ECC Essex Telecare Home Safety Service: Launch of free trial to all Essex residents over 85.

Posters had been displayed.

New Stile: Cllr Hayward asked if the PRoW Officer had carried out any work in respect of the proposed new kissing gates. The Clerk had no further information; therefore Cllr Hayward would discuss this with him, when contacting him regarding Long Green.

Dates of 2010 Meetings: A list had been prepared, giving dates earlier in the month than had previously been the case, to assist the BT to meet its publishing deadline. These were agreed as follows:

13 January

10 February

10 March

14 April

07 May Friday Parish Assembly

12 May AGM

16 June

14 July

No August Meeting

15 September

13 October

10 November

15 December

This will be held on 18 November 2009

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9:40 p.m.