Minutes October 2007

6 MINUTES of the MEETING held on Monday 8 October 2007

PRESENT: Mr R Webb (Chairman), Mr J Marshall (Vice-Chairman), Mr B Saville, Mr T Speakman , Mrs D Tyrie, Mr P Wigg, Mr C Evans (from the Finance item on)

Two members of the public were present.

APOLOGIES: Mr C Evans

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: Cllr Speakman declared an interest in Jubilee Villas, Links Road.

PUBLIC TIME: The Green Lane between Glazenwood and Paigels, Links Road is now being used as a race track early in the morning ie 2 am causing inconvenience to local residents. The Green Lane is also being used as an access road to the adjacent fields. The Clerk to write to ECC Highways asking for advice.

Cllr Speakman advised the meeting that there will be a television series on Planning during the new year which may include footage from BDC Planning meetings.

The Clerk informed the meeting that the Chairman of the Governors of Stisted School would attend the next meeting to explain the decision to drop Pattiswick and Bradwell from their catchment area. The Council decided to hold an Open Meeting for the first 45 minutes of the next Parish Council meeting, specifically to discuss the admissions policy of Stisted School.

The Clerk had written to Fr John to ask whether attendance at Bradwell Church would be an acceptable alternative to attendance at Stisted Church as a pre-requisite to attendance at Stisted School.

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

GRANTS AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
The Clerk had prepared a summary of the grants available (appendix to these minutes). Cllr Tyrie offered to make 250 copies. The Clerk was asked to allocate delivery rounds to councillors.

At the request of the Vice-Chairman, the Clerk had provided an indicative price of £399-85 for a small (793mm x 596mm) notice-board with mounting kit for installation in the Council’s passenger bus shelter. It was suggested that a better location for the notice-board might be the Playing Fields. A grant could be available to help with the cost of this notice-board. The Parish Clerk was asked to apply for the grant.

Essex County Council had reminded the Council that grants are available for activities related to the Parish Paths. A new stile is required on Footpath 35 at its junction with Church Road. A replacement sign is required on Footpath 21 at its junction with ??Footpath 19. The Clerk will follow up with Essex County Council.

VILLAGE HALL IMPROVEMENT
The Parochial Church Council have approved the plans for the Village Hall improvement.

The Village Hall Management Committee will be approaching the neighbours before applying for planning permission. An open meeting is planned for a wider audience.

PLAYING FIELD
No weekly reports had been received.

The graffiti on the safety surfaces under the playing frames had been cleaned up. However, there is further graffiti on the walnut tree and the seat.

FINANCE
The Clerk reported that the Council was currently under-spent against budget. The Council considered a number of potential projects, which will be pursued at the next meeting.

Braintree District Council had advised that it was a legal requirement to advertise in a local newspaper – the Parish Magazine was unacceptable, even though it might have a wider circulation in the village than the chosen newspaper!! Council decided to join the BDC advertisement in the East Anglian Daily Times “Revised Code of Conduct for Members – Publication of Statutory Notice” at a cost of £80-32.

Cllr Evans joined the meeting

ECC Community Initiatives Fund Grant
A grant up to £7,500-00 has been awarded to the Parish Council for installation of additional equipment on the Playing Field for use by March 2008.

The Clerk presented a short paper outlining the quotes received to date. The Council decided to buy:

Panelstone Picnic bench with 4 seats and 1 or 2 Access for £425 + VAT
which the Council will install

Wicksteed Windsor Metal Picnic Table with 3 seats on a concrete pad for £989 + VAT

Wicksteed Jolly Gerald See-Saw including safety grass for £3,470 + VAT

The Clerk was asked to investigate the cost of fencing to prevent dogs accessing the play area.

PLANNING
05/01598/FUL Detached double cart shed at 114, Coggeshall Road, Bradwell – garage doors not included in the original application have appeared on the cart lodge. BDC Enforcement had advised that providing the building had been completed to the original specification, the owner did not require planning permission to add doors, windows etc. Matter closed.

The Council has been advised that the following application has been refused:

07/01599/FUL 1 Jubilee Villas, Links Road – Extension.

The Council has been advised that the following applications have been granted:

07/01437/FUL Woodhouse Compasses Road Bradwell Braintree Essex CM77 8BB – Extension.
07/01649/FUL Park Farmhouse, Church Road (listed building) – Erection of rear extension
07/01492/FUL Cashel, Church Road, Bradwell – Extension
07/01638/FUL 40 Old Road – Replace existing garage with carriage house style garage of timber construction – No objections

STREET SCENE PARTNERSHIP
Litter pick will go ahead in the autumn in co-operation with the Village Hall Committee. Litter picking equipment will be hired (free) from Braintree District Council.

ROADS: A120 – Carriageway Maintenance completed
OTHER ROADS – Church Road a number of potholes had appeared. The Clerk was asked to report these to ECC Highways
Glazenwood Road / Hollies Road a large pothole had appeared. The Clerk was asked to report these to ECC Highways

CONSULTATION PAPERS
The views of the Parish / Parish Council are sought on the following papers

- Minerals & Waste Development Framework –Statement of Community Involvement Submission Draft Document had been received for comment.

- Draft Essex School Organisation Plan 2007-2012 - no comments.

- Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation – EERA had acknowledged the Council’s representation. A preferred option paper will be submitted to the Secretary of State early in 2008. The final decision is not expected before Autumn 2009

- Polling Stations

EMERGENCY PLANNING
Sandbag storage – 200 empty sandbags are to be requested from Braintree Council

POLICE
The report detailing the Community Warden’s work up to 31 August 2007 had been circulated.

Braintree Council will be replacing the Glass Bins with new, more secure, bins.

As the owner of the black pipes abandoned on the verge of the Coggeshall Road could not be found, BDC have been asked to remove them.

YOUTH CLUB
The Youth Service Mobile Unit is again back on Monday evenings 7 – 9pm outside the Village Hall.

PAYMENTS
Trustees of Bradwell Estate (Rent for Playing Fields) £ 5-00
Braintree District Council £ 80-32
Parish Clerk’s Expenses £ 75-72

The meeting closed at 9.20 pm

FUTURE MEETINGS
Commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
12 November; 10 December; 14 January; 11 February; 10 March; 14 April; 12 May