Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on

Wednesday, 14th January, 2004

in the Village Hall.

Present were:

Mrs Burton, Mr Clark, Miss Collinson, Mrs Oliveira, Mr Rixson, and Mrs Clark (Clerk).

In Attendance:

Cllr Mrs Down, Cllr Mr Whitehead, Mr Norman Mead (SSE) and 18 members of the public

1. Apologies for Absence

   These had been received from Mrs Kesterton.

2. Stansted Airport

   The meeting was addressed by Mr Norman Mead, Chairman, Stop Stansted Expansion Campaign. He gave a brief outline of the way forward following the recent publication of the Government's White Paper on the Future of Aviation in the South-East in which an additional runway at Stansted had been proposed. He then answered a number of questions from the floor.

   Mr Mead was thanked for his attendance, and left the meeting.

   The normal meeting of the Parish Council continued with nine members of the public remaining.

3. Approval of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   The minutes of the meeting held on 12th November, 2003 were agreed and signed.

4. Matters Arising

   1. Membership

      The vacancy was yet to be filled.

   2. Jubilee Village Sign

      An order had been placed with Alpha Signs, with completion anticipated in March. Philip and William Burton had kindly offered to donate the pole upon which the sign would be mounted.

   3. Emergency Planning

      The meeting scheduled for 14th January, 2004 had been postponed following the departure from Uttlesford of the Emergency Planning Officer. The Parish Emergency Plan was still being re-typed.

   4. Community Achievement Award 2003-2004

      Uttlesford had advised that Dick Knowles was to be presented with the award on 12th February. Mr Clark, as proposer, had been invited to attend the reception.

   5. Litter Bin opposite The Old Vicarage

      The Clerk had written to Uttlesford asking if a bin could be provided. A written reply detailing costs had yet to be received. The Clerk was to pursue this.

   6. Highways

      1. Road Markings at Church End

         Highways had been advised that these need replacing.

      2. Flooding at Church End

         It was reported that the ditches had been cleared out by Highways, and that hopefully the problem had been resolved. The Clerk was asked to write and thank Highways.

      3. Missing Road Signs

         Highways had been reminded that the signs had yet to be replaced and had replied asking again for details of all the missing signs in Broxted, information which had been supplied in March, 2003. Mr Whitehead requested copies of the correspondence in order to take the matter up with Highways.

      4. Speeding Traffic at Woodgates End

         The Clerk had written to Highways supporting the request for speed reduction measures in the area.

5. Footpaths

   The matter of the electric fence was still to be investigated.

6. Correspondence

   1. Variable Speed Message Signs

      Details of two trailer mounted signs that could display either 30/40 or 50 mph that Highways had obtained had been received. From the location criteria supplied members felt that there were no suitable sites in Broxted for the trailers.

7. Finance

   1. Balances

      Balances as at 31st December, 2003 at Barclays Bank, Dunmow were reported as follows:

      Community Account (current)	£ 623.68
      Business Reserve Account (high rate deposit)	£5,054.96
      TOTAL	£5,678.64

   2. Signing of Cheques

      Since the last meeting the following cheques had been signed:

      25.11.03	Lubbock Fine–Audit Fee 2002-2003	£141.00
      08.01.04	EALC–Course Fee-‘Raising Public Awareness of the Parish Council’ *	£24.00

      * This was to be held on 22.01.04 and attended by Mrs Burton.

      It was agreed to sign the following cheque:

      Society of Local Council Clerks – annual subscription

      £57.00

   3. Audit of Accounts 2002-2003

      This had been successfully completed with no questions raised.

   4. Grants and Donations

      After some discussion it was agreed to make to make the following grants/donations, and to issue cheques:

      Five Parishes Magazine	£300
      MEDICS	£220
      St. Clare Hospice	£200
      Buffy Bus	£60
      Uttlesford Home-Start	£150
      Essex Air Ambulance	£175
      Stop Stansted Expansion	£500
      Broxted w Chickney Church Committee (towards upkeep of the open churchyard)	£175
      Uttlesford Community Travel	£100

      The above expenditure was unanimously agreed, proposed by Mr Clark, seconded by Mrs Burton.

8. Planning

   The current position on planning matters is as follows:

   1. Pledgdon Barn, Pledgdon Green, storage of cars – certificate of lawfulness

      Awaited

   2. Flemings Hill Farm, conversion of barn to dwelling

      Awaited

   3. 1 Cranham Road, change of use from retail to residential

      Awaited

   4. Aviation fuel pipeline and operations building

      Plans Circulating

9. Any Other Business

   1. Gritting and Salting of Roads

      The Clerk was asked to write to Highways for details of its policy regarding the supply of salt and grit bins, and if residents were allowed to put grit and salt on the highway.

   2. Open Gardens

      SSE had asked if Broxted would open up its gardens again. It was agreed that the event take place on Sunday, 27th June.

   3. Members Allowances

      Notification had been received that legislation allowing members to be re-imbursed expenses had been repealed with effect from 31st December, 2003. Councils would now have to adopt their own schemes in order to have the legal power to pay expenses, if required. It was unanimously agreed to adopt the scheme suggested by the Parish Remuneration Panel recently set up by Uttlesford, proposed by Mr Clark, seconded Mrs Oliveira. The Clerk was to put this in hand.

   4. West Essex Area Forum

      It was noted that, in response to requests, the meeting to be held on 9th June would be in the evening. Mrs Oliveira would endeavour to attend.

10. Date of the Next Meeting

    The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 10th March at 8.00 p.m. in the Village Hall.

Mrs Down, Mr Whitehead and the members of the public present were thanked for their attendance, and the meeting closed at 10.05 p.m.