Great Bardfield Parish Council  

'ESSEX VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2009'

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

There were no members of the public present.

Declarations were recorded from Cllr Ruffle (Finance) and Cllr Walsh (Clerk’s Report).

Apologies had been received from Cllr Dyson who was absent on holiday.

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

Gibraltar Mill: In response to an enquiry at the July meeting, Cllr Walsh advised that funds were in place and the sails were being made for installation by next Spring.

Fountain: There was disappointment that, despite the Clerk speaking to and writing to Mr Hitchcock, the requested work had still not been undertaken nor the schedule of proposed works been received. The Clerk was asked to speak to Mr Hitchcock and suggest that if he were unable to commit to the work then the Council would, reluctantly, have to approach another contractor.

Affordable Housing: The survey forms had been delivered as planned, however there had been queries from many residents that the questionnaire was ambiguous, and for some people too inquisitive. The Clerk had already advised RCCE of the feedback which could seriously affect the number of responses received.

Beslyns Lane Drain: Major work had been carried out by ECC and the area would be monitored. It was hoped that the work, which had improved the drainage that ran through the garden of Wellington Cottage, alleviate the problems experienced in this area of the village, following heavy rainfall.

Footpaths: Several residents had expressed their appreciation, for recent works carried out on footpaths in the area, following lobbying by the PC.

Advertising Boards: The signs on Crown Green were causing concern as they blocked the sight lines of motorists. The Clerk was asked to write to the licensee of the Vine requesting that the sign be moved to prevent this and that only one sign could be displayed. Also that signs were permitted at the discretion of the PC and that the matter would be the subject of periodic review.

Town House: This property has been hit yet again despite some preventative measures undertaken by ECC. Mr Graham, the residents, had copied recent communication with ECC to the PC, and he was understandably concerned that so little could be done to protect his property.

(i) August 2008. The following payments, approved by the Finance Committee on 11 August, were confirmed.

There had been no fresh applications received since the last meeting, however details of the proposed development of a Grade 1 listed barn at Great Lodge, had been received. These had been passed to Cllr Slemmings who arranged an informal meeting with the applicant, Mr Alan Jordan, to discuss his proposals. The formal application will be received from BDC in due course.

The Council were brought up to date with progress on the site, and the problems experienced in gaining access. It became obvious that there was a lot more work involved once clearance began, and the amount of rubbish discovered considerable, including a dish washer and bathroom fittings. It has become obvious that the cost to complete the project would increase and the Clerk would obviously seek additional funding opportunities. The original quote provided by Alan Kemp was for £3950 to include a post and rail fence around the site. However, the invoice approved in the September Financial Statement was for £2538 inc. without the fencing but did reflect additional labour costs and the hire of a digger to clear the site. The next stage of the work would be to fence the perimeter, which was in two stages, (i) a post and rail fence with stock wire stapled to rails/posts to mark the boundary with Town Hall property and prevent access by the caretaker’s dog, which would cost £705 inc. and (ii) a solid close board fence at 1.2m high to run the length of the Jolly’s land to prevent incursion by brambles, bindweed etc. at a cost of £2270 inc. It was agreed to go ahead with (i) as this was within the approved expenditure, however (ii) would hopefully go ahead once additional funding was achieved. The Clerk would advise Alan Kemp of the Council’s decision.

Regarding access, this was still a problem, and despite letters and notices to residents, the main access point was blocked by vehicles (presumably owned by residents at Hill House). The Clerk was still awaiting confirmation from BDC regarding the access area, and once this was received other action could be taken, as necessary.

The Clerk reported the number of complaints she had received, not just in respect of the arrival of wheeled bins but the removal of the garden refuse facility. Some residents were concerned that they would have to leave the bins outside on a permanent basis as they could not manoeuvre them single handed. The Clerk was asked to write to BDC detailing concerns raised by residents.

Cllr Slemmings outlined the fund raising plans, and the production of a 2009 calendar which was to incorporate village people and events, with each page including an appropriate photograph and dates. They would be priced at £5 each, £9 for two, £12 for three and come with an envelope for posting – encouraging multiple purchase. The timescale for the building of the new pavilion and funding proposals was discussed and a letter and leaflet, which would be delivered to each household was circulated, which it hoped would also encourage donations; the leaflet would also be used to accompany any funding applications. Cllr Hayward suggested that the £150 received from Mr Weston for pavilion hire could be transferred to the pavilion fund. This was unanimously agreed.

Old Pavilion: Proposals for painting the existing building involving the children, and combining logos and graffiti art was approved. It is hoped this would make the building more inviting and fun.

(i) Shalford Community Police Office has closed without any notification; the Community Police Officer advised the Clerk, stating that they had very little advance warning and told to report to Braintree Police Station. This was very disappointing, and coupled with the failure to attend the June Cluster meeting, not really acceptable. It was suggested that Robert Chambers be invited to the November Cluster meeting.

(ii) Footpath 12, Dunmow Road. The Clerk reported that Mr Taylor, the resident of Yew Tree Cottage had a problem when a recent search showed that this path went across his land and through his garage, and he sought the Council’s help. This diversion had actually been approved in 1964 but never implemented however his prospective purchaser was concerned. The Clerk prepared a letter to the effect that, to the best of her knowledge, the existing path had been walked for many years and there had been no challenge to the route from any organisation or individual. Holmes & Hills (PC’s solicitors) had kindly checked the letter and applied an appropriate caveat to protect the Council position, before it was forwarded to Mr Taylor’s solicitor.

(i) Request from Great Bardfield PTA requesting use of the playingfields for Saturday 1 November. It was anticipated that the event would end no later than 9pm and that spirits would not be served in the bar. This was agreed, with the usual terms and conditions of use.

(ii) Greens & Commons Course: Organised by EALC to be held on 24 October 2008 at Foakes Hall, with a charge of £52 per delegate.

(iii) Village Hall & Community Building Conference: Organised by RCCE to be held on 18 October 2008 at Copford Village Hall, with a charge of £20 for member delegates.

(i) Cllr Hayward wish to record that he had been asked for assistance by Panfield PC, following the sudden death of their Clerk, in organising the financial side of things to help the incoming Clerk.

(ii) Long Green: Cllr Hayward said that at some point the hedge and/or fence should be erected to prevent access to a part of the Green which is being churned up by unauthorised vehicles.

(iii) RCCE Project Management Course: Cllr Slemmings had attended this but felt it was too basic for our needs

(iv) Causeway Green – dead tree: Following a query from Cllr Slemmings this area would be checked.

(v) Causeway Green – rail and posts: These were in need of repainting and the Clerk would ask County if they could help with this.

(vi) Community Achievement Awards: Cllr Walsh reported that there had been very few applications so far.

(vii) Cluster Meeting: This would be held on 18 November 7.30 at Finchingfield Village Hall.

This would be held on 15 October 2008. Cllr Ruffle apologised as she would be absent on holiday.

A list of the dates of the 2009 meetings was circulated.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40 pm

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