Minutes April 2009

1    MINUTES of the MEETING held on Monday 20 April 2009

PRESENT: Mr R Webb (Chairman); Mr J Marshall (Vice-Chairman), Mr B Saville, Mrs D Tyrie, Mr P Wigg, Mr M Keepence,

APOLOGIES: Mr T Speakman; PC John Hallworth apologised for absence and had sent a written report which is recorded below.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None

PUBLIC TIME: No members of the public were present

MINUTES
The Minutes of the last Meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Vice-Chairman.

VILLAGE HALL IMPROVEMENT
Quotations for the work are being sought.

PLAYING FIELD
The Cllr Keepence will inspect the playing fields twice during April and the Cllr Webb during May.

The Parish Council confirmed continuation of the Grass Cutting Contract for the Churchyard and Playing Fields with STK Garden Services at the 2008/9 prices and a reduced price for cutting the Churchyard hedge.

The Annual Inspection will take place during May.

Orchard and Allotments – Arrangements will be made to rabbit fence the new allotment area, which has been cleared. The Parish Council will pay for this. The allotments will then be allocated.

Swings and roundabouts – the Clerk is waiting for details of grant funding, which may become available during 2009/10. Meanwhile, the swing frame will be painted

FINANCE
The Accounts for 2008/9 have been prepared and are currently with the Internal Auditor; they will be presented to Council for approval at the May meeting.

PLANNING
09/00320/FUL Fourwinds, Coggeshall Road, Stisted – Boarding Kennels
A revised application had been received and had been supported.





    09/00364/FUL Baytree Garden Centre, Stisted – A120 widening
While the proposal would improve the entrance to the Garden Centre, concern was expressed by two Councillors that the construction of a right turn lane would restrict visibility (due to queuing traffic) in both directions and would make the turn towards Bradwell particularly hazardous.

    09/00352/FUL Baytree Garden Centre, Stisted – Informal Recreation Area
On a majority vote, there were no objections.

08/02286/FUL The Slades, Cuthedge Lane, Bradwell – Temporary Agricultural Dwelling for 3 years in connection with existing fish farm
No objections and the Council will visit the site.
   
Twin Oaks – a letter had been received from Cllr Harley advising that there were no current formal applications for this site

Rivenhall Airfield – The Council’s view has not changed since its representation to Essex County Council at the previous planning application.

ROADS: A120 
Cllr Keepence noted there was a broken manhole cover on the A120.

ROADS: OTHER
Essex County Council Highways had advised that the replacement Pattiswick Gateway Sign has been ordered.

The Clerk was asked to investigate the provision of a grit bin on the corner of Hollies Road and the A120

STREET SCENE PARTNERSHIP
The Council agreed to continue the Street Cleansing Agreement with Braintree District Council

COMMUNITY LED PLANNING
RCCE are offering to help Parishes with the preparation of Parish Plans and Village Design Statements (14 May 1000-1230 at RCCE offices)

BEST KEPT CHURCHYARD
The Council’s entry had been acknowledged.

The Council asked Cllr Tyrie to ask Fr John whether he would welcome the deployment of bird and bat boxes and the addition of primroses in the churchyard.

POLICE
There have been two burglaries in the parish since the last meeting:
The first at Cemex ready mix a container burglary on 23/03 and also the theft of 130 litres of diesel from the same site.
The second at the trout farm off of Cut Hedge Lane on 07/04 where containers were again targeted for tools.
This type of incident has been on the increase in rural areas so members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious vans in rural locations at night time.
 
Also a five vehicle minor injury road traffic collision on the A120 in the area of Hollies Road junction on 24/03 and an instance of criminal damage on the A120 where an object was thrown from a moving vehicle which caused damage to another vehicle on 09/04.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Community Development Team correspondence – The team would like to know of any local events so they can help to market them. There will be a Sports Day on 16 May 2009.

Peoples Panel – The newly formed Marketing and Communications Team at Braintree District Council is looking for 1,000 people to join the “Peoples Panel” to tell Braintree Council what they think of them. The requirement is to complete a questionnaire four times a year. Cllr Wigg volunteered.

PAYMENTS
E-On (Electricity for street lights)            £  52-09
    Allianz Insurance                    £692-77
    EALC                            £134-43
    CPRE                            £  29-00

PLAN FOR ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Chairman’s report
Village Hall Management Committee Report
Fr John – feedback on Churchyard maintenance
A representative from Stisted Parish Council to be invited

The meeting closed at 8.35 pm

FUTURE MEETINGS
Commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
11 May (Annual Parish Meeting); 8 June; 13 July; 14 September; 12 October;
9 November; 14 December

PARISH CHANNEL SWEEPING DATES FOR 2009/10

11 May 2009;  4 August 2009;  13 October 2009; 9 February 2010