Minutes November 2008

7    MINUTES of the MEETING held on Monday 10 November 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

PC John Hallworth and Sharon Bryan were present for the early part of the meeting. John Bedford attended for the Village Hall item.

APOLOGIES: None

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None

PUBLIC TIME:

Sharon Bryan, Braintree District Council attended to seek support and guidance on the “Right benefit, Right time” initiative.

The Clerk was asked to provide Sharon with Parish Magazine details. Sharon was asked to send 300 information leaflets to the Clerk.

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

VILLAGE HALL IMPROVEMENT
The Clerk has completed the preparation of the Planning application and is currently awaiting a Design and Access statement from the Village Hall Management Committee.

PLAYING FIELD
Cllr Saville will inspect the playing fields twice during November and Cllr Marshall during December.

Cllr Saville reported there was damage to the meeting place and paint had been sprayed on the Playframe. The Council decided that the meeting place will be removed if it is damaged again and the Youth of the village would be given the opportunity to repair the current damage.

One set of 12 foot by 6 foot steel goal posts are ready for delivery. A digger needs to be organised, Cllr Wigg and the Chairman will determine costs and source concrete. The opportunity would be taken to start clearing the orchard. Target March 2009.

Allotments – Mr Forbes-Brown will be arranging a date with Cllr Keepence to plough the new allotment area. The Clerk will investigate grants for fencing.

The Clerk had received quotes for the replacement of the swings at £ 3,400 ex VAT and above and a quote for the roundabout in the range  £ 6,500 to £ 9,000 ex VAT.            

The Clerk will investigate grants

FINANCE
A cheque for £600 had been received from Blackwater Aggregates towards the Churchyard upkeep. The Clerk had written to record the Council’s thanks for the generous gift.

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.

With the above modifications, the Council approved the proposed budget.

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 would prepare a training plan and apply for a grant.

PLANNING
08/01961/FUL Holed Stone Barn, Hollies Road, Bradwell CM77 8DZ
The Council had no objections.

ROADS: A120 
Parking restrictions – The Street – Essex County Council Highways have again refused to consider parking restrictions restrictions (single yellow line this time) in The Street, however, they will be investigating the stones placed on the verge opposite the proposed site of the parking restrictions on-going.

The Clerk was asked to draw up a petition.

CONSULTATION PAPERS
The making and enforcement of bye-laws – No comment
Communities in control: Real people, real power – Codes of conduct for local authority members and employees

POLICE
PC Hallworth confirmed that Mr Metzen’s body was found in Coggeshall last week – an inquest will be held in due course.
PC Hallworth reported on recent police activity in the parish.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
The Council decided to site a 12-14 foot Christmas Tree and decorations outside the Village Hall.

PAYMENTS
    STK Garden Services                        £  520-00
    S Thoroughgood (goal posts)                    £  381-87

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The meeting closed at 9.25 pm

FUTURE MEETINGS
Commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
8 December 2008
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.