Minutes May 2009

Roy Webb, Chairman Parish Council, welcomed those present.

Fr John Corbyn, Bradwell Parish Church, reported that the Church was still in a good state of repair. Fr John expressed his gratitude to the Parish Council for taking responsibility for maintenance of the Churchyard – it was looking better nowadays than in the past ten years. To help with the Best Kept Churchyard Competition, Fr John was keen to allow the installation of bird boxes but was content that adequate accommodation was already provided for bats. On the first Sunday of the month, the family service was attracting a growing congregation from the village. Financially, the Church was just about balancing the books, but the current low interest rates had reduced the income from legacies.

John Bedford, Village Hall Management Committee reported that the Village Hall has had a good year – planning permission had been obtained to improve the Hall and quotes for the work were being sought. The usage of the Village Hall had been increasing and there was a good team supporting the local events. The Village Sports Day will be held on Saturday 16 May.

Roy Webb, Chairman Parish Council said that there had been no changes to the membership of the Parish Council during the year.

The Parish Tax provides the Parish Council with £3,506 to which Braintree Council add £2,188. This year, the Parish Council had sought and gratefully received grants from Blackwater Aggregates and Bradwell Estates in total of £1,380.

The Parish Council regularly inspects and maintains the Playing Fields and ensures the equipment is maintained to RoSPA’s satisfaction. They also insure all of the play equipment, the dog bins and the bus shelter. During the year, the resurfacing of the extended base-ball area was completed and the five-a-side goal posts were replaced with full-size goal posts.

The Parish Council pays for the maintenance of the entire Churchyard, except the gravestones, and the Common Land in front of the Church, the latter is being cultivated to encourage wild-life.

The Parish Council pays for the operation and maintenance of the nine street lights, which are not on the A120.

During the year, the Parish Council had arranged for, and helped with, the clearance of additional allotment land to the North of the current allotments. Logs from the felled trees had been distributed to the elderly of the Parish. The Council were grateful to Cllrs Speakman and Keepence and Mr Forbes-Brown for their help. The Clean Team removed the rubbish uncovered by the Parish Council. Demand for new allotments has been very encouraging.

Cllr Speakman provided a Christmas tree, which was sited outside the Village Hall and was erected and decorated with the help of Simon Kinsella.

Following a petition from the members of the Parish in support of the revitalisation of the Orchard, the land has been cleared and will be replanted with Heritage fruit trees in the autumn. Planning permission was obtained to extend and improve the Village Hall.

The Parish Council receives regular reports on Police activity in the villages. Relationships with Essex Police have improved during the year.

The Parish Council is grateful to the Youth Offending Service for carrying out a litter pick around the village during the summer.

The Parish Council has represented the villages at two Mid-Essex Area Fora, two Blackwater Aggregates Liaison meetings, at Neighbourhood Action Panels, at meetings of the Parish and Town Councils affected by the A12 Inquiry and at joint meetings with Cressing and Sisted Parish Councils on subjects of mutual interest.

At around £16-00 per household Roy Webb considered that the Parish Council offered good value for money.

The Annual Parish Meeting closed at 7.20 pm.


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

APOLOGIES: None

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR 2009/10

Cllr Marshall was nominated (Cllr Wigg proposed, Cllr Keepence  seconded). Cllr               Marshall was elected Chairman unanimously

Cllr Tyrie was appointed Vice Chairman.

Councillors were reminded of their obligations to observe the Code of Conduct and advised of their duty to register any interests under paragraph 12 and 13 (1) of the Code of Conduct

Members confirmed the entries in the Register of Interests were correct.

Councillors were advised of their duty under paragraph 13 (2) of the Code of Conduct to provide written notification to the Monitoring Officer within 28 days of becoming aware of any changes

Cllr Tyrie proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Webb.

The Annual General Meeting closed at 7.35 pm



DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None

PUBLIC TIME: Four members of the public were present

Cllr Saville advised the meeting that the single track road / single carriageway road, which provides access to Bradwell Pit may be widened to a single carriageway road for its entire length except for the road crossings.

Cllr Keepence advised there was still a manhole cover missing on the A120 near the Swan Public House.

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

VILLAGE HALL IMPROVEMENT
Quotations for the work are being sought.

The last Village Hall event was very successful – people had to be turned away as full capacity was met.

PLAYING FIELD
Cllr Webb will inspect the playing fields twice during May and the Cllr Wigg during June.

The Annual Inspection will take place during May.

Orchard and Allotments – Cllr Saville proposed, Cllr P Speakman seconded that a rabbit fence should be provided. The Clerk was asked to seek grant funding.

Swings and roundabouts – the Clerk is waiting for details of grant funding, which may become available during 2009/10.

FINANCE
The Accounts for 2008/9 had been prepared, audited and circulated before the meeting. The Accounts were duly signed as a correct record of the year’s financial transactions.

Notification of the Precept and Parish Council Grant payments had been received.

PLANNING
There were no new planning applications or issues.

ROADS: A120 
The parking of cars on the A120 / Hollies Road verge creating a hazard was raised by Cllr Tyrie – the Community Warden will be advised.

ROADS: OTHER
The Clerk is investigating the provision of a grit bin on the corner of Hollies Road and the A120.

The verges throughout the Parish need to be cut – the Clerk was asked to chase Braintree District Council / Essex County Council.

STREET SCENE PARTNERSHIP
The Council decided to join the Community Champion Scheme.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Peoples Panel packs were distributed.

PAYMENTS
J C Reddington (Internal Audit)                £45-00
EALC Training Course                    £34-00

ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Councillor Training Course - date

The meeting closed at 8.35 pm

FUTURE MEETINGS
Commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
8 June; 13 July; 14 September; 12 October; 9 November; 14 December

PARISH CHANNEL SWEEPING DATES FOR 2009/10

4 August 2009;  13 October 2009; 9 February 2010