Minutes October 2008

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

PC John Hallworth was present for the early part of the meeting

APOLOGIES: None Mr T Speakman was absent

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: Cllr Wigg declared an interest in the Rivenhall Airfield Planning Application. Cllr Webb declared an interest in the planning application relating to 4, Rectory Meadow.

PUBLIC TIME:
The phone kiosks on the Coggeshall Road, Bradwell and at Pattiswick had been removed due to lack of use.

The disappearance of ex-railway sleepers from the Bottle Bank was brought to the attention of PC Hallworth.

The Parish Council had been asked to request that Pattiswick Green not be used for car parking. It would appear that this land is part of Pattiswick Cemetry and therefore owned by the Church, to whom the request should be directed.

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

MATTERS ARISING
The Council decided unanimously that all criminal offences should be reported via mobile phone to the Community Police.

VILLAGE HALL IMPROVEMENT
The Clerk is in the process of preparing the Planning application.

PLAYING FIELD
Cllr Wigg will inspect the playing fields twice during October and Cllr Saville during November.

Cllr Tyrie reported there was some damage to the meeting place, to which Cllr Keepence agreed to attend.

One set of 12 foot by 6 foot steel goal posts have been ordered. Cllr  Wigg agreed to discuss the arrangements for erecting the posts with Cllr Speakman.

The Clerk was asked to remind Angela Norton, BDC of the offer to provide details of old varieties of trees for the orchard.

Allotments – Mr Forbes-Brown had offered to plough the new allotment area. Cllr Keepence agreed to discuss.

The Clerk had been asked to apply for a grant for the replacement of the swing – on-going

FINANCE
A grant of £600 in 2008/9 and £800 in 2009/10 has been promised by Blackwater Aggregates towards the Churchyard upkeep. The Council recorded its thanks for the generous offer.

The Clerk presented the Half-year Finance Report.

The Clerk had prepared a draft budget for 2009/10
The Council decided to produce a balanced budget with a target increase in the Precept of no more than 5%.
The Clerk was asked to investigate finding a contractor to maintain the street lights.

PLANNING
08/01433/AGR The Slades
The Council had been advised that planning permission was not required for this application.
The Clerk was asked to query this decision on-going.

08/01494/FUL The Chapel, The Street
The Council was advised that the above application has been granted.

08/01760/MIN Rivenhall Airfield
A meeting has been arranged by James Abbott at 7.30pm on Friday 17 October in the Village Hall.

08/01830/ELD Baytree Garden Centre
The Council felt unable to support Stisted Parish Council in their objection to this planning application

08/01898/FUL Baytree Garden Centre  Coggeshall Road  Stisted  Braintree  Essex  CM77 8AE 
Change of use of land from agriculture to informal recreation, including engineering works for a pigmy goat mountain and earth banking, creation of miniature railway and operational works
The Council would not support his application if it disturbed the neighbours.

08/01461/FUL Baytree Garden Centre  Coggeshall Road  Stisted  Braintree  Essex  CM77 8AE 
Change of use of 2 no. areas within the garden centre for the parking of goods vehicles and the erection of a 2.4m high security fence
The Council objected to this application

Tree cutting The Gables, 4 Rectory Meadow
No objections

TWIN OAKS, STISTED
The Clerk had written to Cllr N Harley BDC (28 July 2008) who chaired the July Cabinet meeting to seek clarification on the status of Twin Oaks 1, but had received no reply. The Clerk has again asked for a response and received no reply, so was asked to chase his secretary.

PUBLIC PATHS PARTNERSHIP
The Clerk was in receipt of a new sign-post for Footpath 21. Clerk to ask Cllr Speakman to help with the erection of the sign-post.

ROADS: A120 
Parking restrictions – The Street – Clerk was asked to contact Essex Highways to arrange to discuss parking restrictions (single yellow line).

CONSULTATION PAPERS
The making and enforcement of bye-laws

POLICE
PC John Hallworth reported on police activity in the village. Villagers are warned to be aware that damage through the spraying of luminous paint from a moving car has occurred in Coggeshall recently – the culprits have not yet been caught so may re-offend in the neighbourhood.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
The Council decided to allocate up to £150 for a Christmas Tree and decorations, subject to permission from the Village Hall Management Committee. Suitable celebrations would then be arranged.

YOUTH OFFENDING SERVICE
The Clerk has written to thank YOS for the work they had completed for the parish.   
PAYMENTS
    Trustees of Bradwell Estates (Playing Field Rent)        £  5-00
    E-On Street Lighting electricity                £54-04

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Clerk has written to the Fete Committee thanking them for their efforts in running a successful fete.

The Council agreed to invite Sharon Bryan to discuss Right benefit, Right time to the next meeting

The meeting closed at 9.10pm

FUTURE MEETINGS
Commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
10 November; 8 December 2008
12 January 2009; 9 February; 9 March

PARISH CHANNEL SWEEPING DATES FOR 2008-9

4 November 2008,   3 February 2009
Please keep the roads clear of parked cars on these days