Minutes December 2008

8    MINUTES of the MEETING held on Monday 8 December 2008

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

One member of the public was present for the early part of the meeting.

APOLOGIES: None

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None

PUBLIC TIME: The proposal to introduce single yellow lines in The Street was discussed.
Speeding motorists both through the village and on the A120 were also discussed.

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

VILLAGE HALL IMPROVEMENT
The Design and Access statement from the Village Hall Management Committee is awaiting the return of the architect from holiday.

PLAYING FIELD
Cllr Marshall will inspect the playing fields twice during December and Cllr Webb during January.

Cllr Keepence reported that the damage to the meeting place has been made good.

Cllrs Wigg and Webb are progressing the quotation for a digger to scrape the allotments, orchard and to dig the holes for the goalposts. The opportunity would be taken to start clearing the orchard in February ready to plant trees in March 2009.

Allotments – Cllr Keepence  will be arranging a date in February/March with Mr Forbes-Brown to plough the new allotment area. The Clerk is still investigating grants for fencing.

The Clerk had received quotes for the replacement of the swings at £ 3,400 ex VAT and above and quotes for the roundabout in the range  £ 6,500 to £ 9,000 ex VAT.            
The Clerk had received a further quote for a 2 bay 4 seat swing at £2,293 + VAT plus £260 + VAT to remove the existing swing and £3,152 + VAT for a roundabout. The nature of the surface required beneath the swings and roundabout needs to be investigated as the cost of Wetpour is £6,281 + VAT. The Clerk will investigate grants




FINANCE
At the previous meeting the Clerk had produced a balanced budget with an increase in the Precept of no more than 5%. The Council decided in addition to precept  £1,000 towards the Village Hall improvements and the Council approved the proposed budget.

Braintree District Council have decided to cap Parish Support Grants at last year’s level where the overall increase in Parish Grant exceeds 2.5%.  The Parish Council’s budget was revised to seek a precept increase of 2.5%.

The Clerk was asked to investigate finding a contractor to maintain the street lights – on-going a potential contractor is currently assessing the work.

GRANTS AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
Essex Clerks Bursary Scheme - The Clerk has prepared a training plan and is applying for a grant of £132.

PLANNING
08/01433/AGR Erection of machinery store etc
Braintree District Council had passed the above application as “permitted development rights”. The Parish Council was concerned at the environmental impact of the proposals. The Environment Agency have confirmed that the Council was right to be concerned and is investigating, as a number of permissions are required for these proposals and they have not been obtained from the Environment Agency.

ROADS: A120 
The Highways Agency have asked for advice on the preferred location of a puffin crossing on the A120. The preferred location was to co-locate the puffin crossing with the existing traffic island to the East of The Swan Public House – this location allows both for people from Riverside wishing to catch the bus as well as people from Mill View wishing to visit the garage.

Parking restrictions – The Street –The Clerk has drawn up a petition for restricted parking for 18 metres on both sides of The Street. Councillors will be seeking signatures.

Hollies Road has not been gritted despite assurances that the junction with the A120 would be gritted. The Clerk was asked to investigate.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
The Council resolved to adopt the new model scheme issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office

TWIN OAKS
Councillors were asked to e-mail Cllr Harley seeking clarification on the status of Twin Oaks, Stisted. Clerk to provide Councillors with details.




CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
Cllr Speakman had provided a Christmas Tree outside the Village Hall, which will be decorated at 1000 on Thursday morning in association with the Village Hall Management Committee.

PAYMENTS
    Clerk’s expenses                        £  94-58

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The meeting closed at 8.25 pm

FUTURE MEETINGS
Commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
12 January 2009; 9 February; 9 March; 20 April; 11 May (Annual Parish Meeting)
8 June; 13 July; 14 September; 12 October; 9 November; 14 December

PARISH CHANNEL SWEEPING DATES FOR 2009

3 February 2009
Please keep the roads clear of parked cars on this day.