Minutes January 2009

9    MINUTES of the MEETING held on Monday 12 January 2009

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

Four members of the public were present for the early part of the meeting.

APOLOGIES: None

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None

PUBLIC TIME: The Council received a presentation on the proposed Four Winds Kennels, Stisted and was supportive.

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

VILLAGE HALL IMPROVEMENT
The Planning Application is still in progress. It is proposed to renovate the toilets first.

PLAYING FIELD
Cllr Webb will inspect the playing fields twice during January and Cllr  Speakman during February.

Cllr Keepence reported that the holes for the goalposts have been dug.

Allotments – Mr Forbes-Brown has continued the clearance of the new allotment area. The Council thanked Mr Forbes-Brown for his efforts. Clearing the orchard has produced felled trees much of which was dead wood, which can be cut into logs for firewood – the Parish Council is proposing to deliver the logs to elderly people in the Parish with log burners. Anyone wishing to receive logs should advise the Clerk or a Councillor. There will be a working party on Sunday 18 February at 10am.

The Clerk is still investigating grants for fencing.

FINANCE
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 has applied for a grant of £132.




PLANNING
The Slades
A Sky contractor reported that he had been asked to provide service to the Slades – there is no planning permission for habitation at the Slades – BDC would be advised.

Twin Oaks
Cllr Harley has confirmed that neither site at Twin Oaks, Stisted is authorised. He did mention that a planning application is in progress and he has been asked for details as none are shown on BDC’s web-site.

Rivenhall Waste Management
Cllr Saville asked that a letter from Brooks Newmark be circulated to Parish Councillors.

ROADS: A120 
The Clerk has asked Highways Agency for the junction of the A120 and Hollies Road to be gritted and has received a positive reply.

Cllr Saville asked that a letter from Robinson and Hall be circulated to Parish Councillors.

ROADS: OTHER
Parking restrictions – The Street – As there is no consensus of opinion regarding parking restrictions the matter will be dropped.

PUBLIC FOOTPATHS
The Clerk has been asked whether assistance could be provided to help clear FP7 and FP56. The Council noted that the map provided showing FP56 was incorrect – ECC would be advised.

POLICE
John Hallworth reported on recent police activity in the Parish, three RTAs and incidents of escaped animals on the A120 predominated. Hare coursing incidents trebled during 2008.

CONSULTATION
The Clerk was asked to respond to the Essex Schools and Colleges Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy 2007-2011 pointing out that their aims could better be achieved by reviewing the school catchment areas.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
Father John had thanked the Parish Council for providing the Christmas Tree and had offered to conduct carols around the tree next year.

PAYMENTS
    E-On Electricity (Direct debit adjustment)            £27-26
    E-On Electricity (Revised quarterly Direct Debit        £52-09
Audit Commission                        £138-00
    T Speakman & Son (Allotment clearance)            £293-75
    R Webb (Christmas decorations)                £  75-30

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The meeting closed at 9 pm

FUTURE MEETINGS
Commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
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.