Minutes April 2007

PRESENT: Mr P Wigg, Mr C Evans, Mr B Saville, Mr T Speakman, Mr R Webb (from 8.25pm)

APOLOGIES: Mrs K Hill, Chairman,

ACTING CHAIRMAN: In the absence of the Chairman, Members nominated Cllr Wigg as Acting Chairman and this was carried unanimously.

PUBLIC TIME: Two members of the public were present: Jeffery Marshall, Debbie Tyrie

Cllr Saville reported that he had a near miss at 0940 today with a lorry heading from the A120 and crossing Church Road – the lorry did not stop at the cross-roads despite Cllr Saville having sounded his horn on approaching the cross-roads. Cllr Saville will write to Blackwater Aggregates.

DECLARARTION OF INTERESTS: Cllr Wigg declared on interest in the Pumping Station and an indirect interest in the Waste and Recycling Plant. Cllr Saville declared an interest in the Waste and Recycling Plant.

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

UNCONTESTED ELECTION
Seven submissions were received and accepted by the Electoral Registration Officer – there were seven vacancies, so the seven submissions were accepted

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 14 May 2007 at 6.30pm.

The Parish Clerk noted that the following need to be covered
- Election of Chairman for 2007/8
- Acceptance of Office
- Register of Interests
- Revised Code of Conduct
- Cheque signing changes

FINANCE

An Internal Audit has been conducted by John Reddington – he required some minor changes to the wording for clarification of the Summary Receipts and Payment Account, but no changes to the numbers.

The Cash Book and Summary Receipts and Payments were approved.

The Financial Control Document for 2007/8 was approved.

ECC Community Initiatives Fund Grant
A grant up to £7,500-00 has been awarded to the Parish Council for installation of additional equipment on the Playing Field for use by March 2008. A suggestion has been received for picnic benches, a see-saw and football nets. Discussion was deferred to the next meeting.
Before any expenditure is incurred the expenditure plans will be confirmed with ECC.

No application to the Rural Communities Development Fund – closing date 15 June 2007 – will be made this year. However, a proposal will be developed for next year starting in July 2007.

PLAYING FIELD
Three weekly reports had been received.

Broken glass is becoming a problem on the playing field. The Community Warden will be advised.

The RoSPA Inspection will be in May.

POLICE

Cllr Saville attended the meeting on 29 March in Kelvedon. Parishes were asked their common problems. There should be a follow-up meeting in eight weeks time. Cllr Saville will attend and will raise the issue of double yellow lines in the Street.

The Mobile Police Unit will visit The Street, Bradwell at 1115-1215 on Tuesdays:
3 April, 1 May, 29 May, 26 June, 24 July, 21 August, 18 September, 16 October,
13 November, 11 December

COMMUNITY WARDENS

A report had been received from the Community Warden.

ROADS – A120 – Repair work on Storm Drains – Highways Agency have notified that work should be carried out starting 16 April.

OTHER ROADS – Speeding traffic on Hollies Road – the Council noted that a complaint had been sent to the Highways Agency and was supportive.

- Temporary closure of Hollies Road 30 April to 4 May was noted.

PLANNING
BDC/07/00582/COU Pumping Station for use as offices. The Clerk, Cllr Webb and Cllr Saville had responded to this application, as there had been no Council meeting before the deadline for responses. The Council had objected on the grounds that the proposal provided excessive capacity when compared to the requirements.

ESS/38/06/BTE Rivenhall Airfield Recycling and Composting Facility
The Parish Council was represented at the Essex County Council Planning meeting on 30 March and has subsequently written to Go-East and the Secretary of State objecting to the application.

BDC/07/00694/FUL Jubilee Villas Links Road Side and Rear Extensions. The Council commented that they believe the design is not in keeping with its surroundings.

The Slades – BDC had been asked to ensure the planning conditions on this development are enforced. BDC would be asked again to enforce and ensure planning conditions are complied with.

ESTATE INSPECTION
There will be an Estate Inspection on 25 April, the Parish Clerk designate will attend.

PAYMENTS – The meeting agreed the following payments:

Citizens Advice Bureau £ 40-00
CPRE Annual Subs £ 27-00
Stop Stansted Expansion £ 10-00
Parish Clerk’s Salary (2006/7) £1500-00
Training (New Clerk) £ 250-00
Bradwell Village Hall Management Committee (Hall Rent) £ 125-00

The meeting closed at 9.05pm

FUTURE MEETINGS14 May commencing at 6.30pm and will incorporate the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council and the Annual Parish Meeting.