Minutes 21st August 2006
GOSFIELD PARISH COUNCILMinutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 21st August 2006 in the PavilionPresent: Councillors M Pawsey (Chairman), C Hough, D Jarvis, T McMillan, G Oates, R Waters. J Main (Clerk)In attendance: District Councillor B Broyd, R Smith (Nature Reserve Warden), and six members of the public.01. Apologies for Absence: Clirs Wardle, Paterson and Tucker02. Declarations of Interest: none received03. Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th July 2006: Proposed Cllr Oates, seconded Cllr Waters and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 17th July be signed by the Chairman as a true record.04. Public SessionCounty Cllr Pike not in attendance. Meeting closed for members of the public. Mrs Edwards raised concerns re the skate ramp, with skaters reported using the ramp after 9pm in the dark. Noise from the ramp reported to be audible in Hall Drive. Sign to be put up re skating after dusk. Situation to be monitored. Mr Turbin concerned at puddles forming on the ramp. Noted that completion of the fence will help keep the ramp out of use during football matches. Cllr Jarvis to meet with quality inspector this week. Noted that the job has not been signed off and invoice will not be paid until the Parish Council is happy with the installation. The meeting was reopened.05. Matters ArisingChurch Road footway - Proposals from Highways discussed. Noted some of theproposals put forward by the PC did not comply with guidelines. Proposed CllrWaters, seconded Cllr Jarvis and agreed that Highways proposals relating to ChurchRd be accepted, signs to be on grey backing boards. Proposals re lay by outside oldpost office to be discussed at the next meeting.Registration of the Nature Reserve - cost approx £140, proposed Cllr Waters,seconded Cllr Pawsey and agreed that this be done.Community Speed watch scheme - volunteers have come forward. Clerk to put thevillage forward for this scheme.VAT position re village hall - meeting to take place this week.Recommended life expectancy of life belts - noted these are SOLAS approved,information awaited from manufacturer, to be held on file.06. Working Party reports
a. Planning 06/01509/TPOCON 17 Park Cottages - no comment. 06/0158 7/TPO rear of 74 Edmund Green - BDC recommended coppicing the ash and surrounding saplings and reducing one bough on the oak by 2m. Noted planning application for Delsarte had been refused. b. The Nature Reserve Wardens report pre circulated and noted. Request from
Roger to purchase cordless drill, screwdriver, charger and battery packs agreed. Nature Reserve Committee to meet with Roger for tour of Reserve. Meeting closed for report on the position re grants for tree work from Roger. Grants are available to the PC for a dedicated conservation programme, only 25% could be grant funded. These grants not available to the public. Such a programme is not considered beneficial to the Reserve nor is the Reserve likely to meet the strict criteria. Mr Crowe from BDC had confirmed that grants are not available for trimming trees overhanging private property, the cost of work falls on the resident whose job it is to obtain permissions, estimates and get the work carried out. Where an overhanging bough is inspected and considered to be dangerous the Parish Council will take responsibility for removing it. An annual inspection is carried out for insurance purposes and this is considered by BDC to be sufficient. Noted that a visual inspection cannot guarantee the safety of any tree. Fire Brigade have inspected Reserve, hold keys to gate and Radar gate and have located nearest hydrant. Noted that the acid grassland may have to be driven oven in the event of a fire and water might have to be drawn from the ponds. A mock fire exercise is to be carried out in the near future. Clerk to write to Sub Officer Robertson thanking him for his work. The meeting was reopened.c. Playing Field Management Committee permission to site additional bin on top fence granted. Clerk to purchase bin, PFMC to reimburse cost. Scarecrow Committee requests noted. Cllr Pawsey to hold additional spare key for Pavilion. Noted car park gates currently close at dusk, which is very late in early summer. Closure of gates to be altered to 9pm in summer, 6pm in winter. Trees overhanging Pavilion causing problems and require trimming, as do trees round play area, car park and on greensward. Cllr Oates to contact Mr Pratt BDC to arrange inspection. d. Footpaths nothing reportede. Skatepark Noted height at either end is as per quote, and that BMX bikes may use the ramp. Ramp committee considering ways to protect the gate from vehicles. Cllr Jarvis to write to thank all those that helped with the finance and erecting the fence.f. Children's Play area Noted that £58 had been spent on emergency repairs to roundabout on 31st July. Rural Communities Development Fund Agreement for grant for new slide signed by the Chairman.07. District Councillor's Report Noted Parish Cluster meeting to be held on 25th October at Sible. Planning - Conditions on approval of Mr Butlers access track noted, Kitani Lodge application refused, 70 Edmund Green to Committee next week and recommended for approval. BDC/ECC/Uttlesford DC objecting to Stansted expansion. Displays for Rivenhall Airfield waste recycling proposal to be held at Rivenhall shortly. Peterfield Antique Village - noted this scheme now bore little resemblance to the original planning application.08. Meetings attended by Members none attended09. Members Items Cllr Oates - condition of Pavilion car park - Football Club had been turned down by the Football Assn for a grant for tarmac. Noted tarmac causes drainage problems and is very expensive.Cllr Wardle - permission sought to attend part 2 of the Chairman's course at Dunmow at a cost of £50 - agreed.10. CorrespondenceHousing Association re Edmund Green properties - noted info on boards. Information to be put in Grapevine for future properties becoming available.11. Any other business the Chair may view as urgentVacancy on the Maurice Rowson Trust - suggestions for nominations to be brought tothe next meeting.Estimate from T Strudwick for seat repairs - proposed Cllr Waters, seconded CllrPawsey and agreed that the estimate in the sum of £56 be accepted. Noted that theseat by the phone box in The Limes is beyond economic repair. Roger to be asked toremove seat. Site to be reused for any future donated seat.Hospitality Book for noting of hospitality received by Clirs introduced.Clerk training for Certificate in Local Council Administration and progress of PC toQuality Status - proposed Cllr Pawsey, seconded Cllr Waters and agreed that thistraining be authorised at a cost of £350.12. Financial Matters Accounts for PaymentProposed Cllr Hough, seconded Cllr Waters and agreed that the cheques be signed as per Appendix 1 in the total of £4046.89The meeting closed at approximately 9.00 pm
| Signed..... Chairman |
| Date. |
