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

Residents in attendance were present to discuss further the concerns raised at the July meeting. There was general disappointment at the manner in which the site meeting on 17 July took place and the apparently negative attitude of some attendees. A lengthy discussion took place which is minuted under Agenda item 4 [the PC had agreed to move item 10 up the Agenda for the benefit of the Public Forum].

Regarding the report of loose dogs on the footpath adjacent to the Watermill, the Clerk would contact the landowner again, to assess the current position.

Declaration from Cllr Ruffle in respect of the August Financial Statement

Apologies had been received from Cllr Walsh.

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

Further to an earlier site meeting and discussions that took place at the July meeting, ECC Highways have put forward an informal proposal for changes to parking in Bridge Street, which was received just prior to the meeting. A lengthy discussion had taken place during the Public Forum and the Chairman advised that wider consultation of the proposed scheme and other traffic issues would be needed and a second meeting was arranged for 23 September at 8.00 p.m. In the meantime, a copy of the scheme together with a covering letter would be delivered to each house in Bridge Street, up to its junction with Crown and Vine Street, requesting a response by midday on the day of the meeting.

The results of the Speed and Volume Survey in Bridge Street, carried out over five days in August had been received; the results showed mean average speeds below the speed limit. As the speeds were not above the intervention level, ECC advise that no further action will be taken. However, residents were concerned that the figures were not a true reflection of their experience.

Motor Bikes: The sheer numbers and noise was a very real concern, shared with neighbouring Finchingfield, and there was general disappointment at the support and ineffectiveness of the police to contain the problem. As a result the Clerk had taken the matter to Brooks Newmark MP, and confirmation had been received that he would be pleased to meet with members of both village Councils and residents to discuss the problem.

20 mph limit: Although this had been refused on previous occasions, and there was no available information on the criteria, a further request would be made. The Clerk advised that the Cabinet member for Highways (County Cllr Norman Hume) had recently stated that very few applications – except around some schools – were being approved.

Community Speedwatch: There was still concern by members about the problems that face groups who engage in this activity; however they agreed to support an application and asked the Clerk to go ahead with this. In addition to the three residents of Bridge Street a further two from Durham Close were interested in joining the group. The Chairman would publicise the scheme in her BT report.

Items were being discussed under relevant Agenda items.

(i) August Statement: The payments approved at the August Finance meeting were confirmed.

(ii) September Statement: The following transactions were presented for approval.

No applications have been received since the last meeting.

(i) Appearance: The forecourt was very untidy and this had been commented on by the judges in the Essex Village of the Year competition – scoring a very low 4/10. With the visit by the National judges due on 7 October, the Clerk has asked Alan Kemp to undertake a one off thorough clearance. She has also written to Jim Bray, Town Hall Committee Chairman, to advise him of the situation.

(ii) Booking: The Clerk had been contacted by people hoping to book the Town Hall, but hadn’t been able to make contact; the Clerk had the same experience.

Cllr Ruffle will raise both these points at the forthcoming Town Hall Committee Meeting.

After a brief discussion on the proposals for the day of the judges’ visit, 7 October, meetings were arranged for 26 September – 11:30 am and 30^th September – 8:00 pm in Town House Cottage. The Friends Meeting House has been booked for the presentation.

Fund Raising: The Chairman wished to minute (i) the hard work in compiling stage II of the Greenfields application and the very professional document produced by Cllr Slemmings; and (ii) the success of the Photographic Exhibition/Competition, over the weekend, which had been a great success.

The Clerk reported that the next meeting of the Management Team would be held in the Town Hall on 6 October at 2.00 p.m. – a copy of the Agenda was passed to Cllr Hayward who hoped to be able to attend and report back

The bridge side fence is in need of repair and the lectern sign is in need of refurbishment.

Cllrs Hayward and Hockley had attended this meeting, on 10 September at Causeway House, on behalf of the Council and a brief report was given. Various items of information would be circulated.

This had now been completed, by the Chair and Clerk, following discussions at the July meeting; a copy had been provided for each member.

(i) Priorities in the Braintree Local Area 29 September 2009. Cllr Walsh is Chair of the Local Area Committee and would be asked to report back to the Council.

(ii) Emergency Tree Work: Carried out on 4 September in Northampton Meadow by BDC on a dead Cherry Tree.

(iii) Braintree District Local Strategic Partnership 13 October 2009: Event to be held at Colne Valley Golf Club to discuss Essex Local Area Agreement

(iv) Cluster Meeting: Great Bardfield is the host for the next meeting and a date of 17 November has been agreed for 7.30 p.m. in Friends Meeting House. It was suggested that Kathy Brown , Emergency Planning, be invited to the meeting.

Cllr Hayward reported:

(i) Long Green: Update on position so far. Doug Joyce had been consulted regarding trees and the Clerk was asked to investigate the possibility of acquiring trees through the County’s scheme. Reports have been received – giving registration and photographs – of vehicles damaging the area.

(ii) Rural Housing – An up date on the current position was required.

(iii) Footpath - Work was continuing on the path to the Blue Egg

(iv) Stile: A kissing gate would replace the damaged stile previously reported.

(v) Fountain Repairs: Mark Hitchcock had made contact with Cllr Hayward with an update. He had jetted the pipes and there was some water flow from the spout. However, although a way forward might be possible with 100M of pipe and three catch pits, the costs were ambiguous (£5K to £10K plus) and the Clerk would contact Mark for more details. She would also ask Braintree to carry out another test of the water quality.

Other items:

(vi) Hill House Land: David Whipps had now written a closing letter to Mr Birkett, which thanked him for removing the shed promptly and acknowledging that the Council were aware of its responsibilities regarding maintenance of part of the access road. The letter would be circulated. A padlock for the gate was being purchased. Cllr Slemmings reported that recent deep ruts on the land had been caused by a large digger, accessing the site without permission, for work at Hill House.

(vii) Environment Agency: In addition to river maintenance, an enforcement officer had written to all the properties along Rutland Place requesting that any ‘bridges’ that had been built be removed. She contacted the Clerk subsequently and advised that the response had been positive but she would monitor the situation.

16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: This would be held on 14 October 2009

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.