Minutes of the Annual Assembly of the Parish Council held on

Wednesday, 14th May 2003

in the Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

Present were:

Mrs Burton, Miss Collinson, Mrs Flook, Mrs Kesterton, Mrs Oliveira & Mrs Clark (Clerk)

In Attendance:

P.C. Rout from Dunmow Police Station.

1. Apologies for Absence

   These had been received from Mr Clark, Cllr Down and Cllr Whitehead.

2. Minutes of the Annual Assembly held on 8th May, 2002

   The minutes of this meeting were agreed and signed.

3. Matters Arising

   There were no matters arising.

4. Chairman's Report 2002-2003

   Mrs Oliveira began by noting that during the year Cathy Burton had filled the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mike Clark, and that Dick Knowles had not stood for re-election at the recent elections. He had faithfully served as a Councillor for forty-five years, sixteen of which as Chairman. He would be sorely missed. Mrs Oliveira then reported that the cars dumped at Brick End had finally been removed by Uttlesford, ending a saga that had first been minuted on 27th November, 2000. She ended by noting the impact on the village of the proposal to expand Stansted Airport by up to an additional three runways, as well as the approval to go to 25m p.p.a.

5. Parish Tree Warden's Report

   Miss Collinson reported that all the trees planted by the Parish Council in recent years appeared to be thriving.

6. Parish Footpath Representative's Report

   Mrs Burton noted that she had very little to report, having served for only part of the year. She had attended a seminar staged by ECC and new consolidated definitive maps were now in use. County was continuing with its programme of repairs/replacing stiles and general maintenance of footpaths.

7. Public Transport Representative's Report

   Mrs Oliveira reported that passenger numbers on the number 5 bus service were gradually increasing and that there had been requests for it to run later and also on Sundays. She now held a a supply of complaint forms for use in connection with the service.

8. Emergency Planning Representative's Report

   Miss Collinson advised that the Parish Emergency Plan was still to be updated. A copy had been requested by the Rev. Gillian Greenslade.

9. P.C. Rout

   P.C. Rout reported a quiet police year in the village with only four reported thefts, three shed burglaries, one attempted car theft and six road accidents (three with injury and three without) reported.

10. Open Forum

    There was no Open Forum as no members of the public were present.

P. C. Rout was thanked for his attendance and the meeting closed at 8.35 p.m.