Minutes of the Annual Assembly of the Parish Council

held on Wednesday, 12th May 2004

in the Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

Present were:

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

In Attendance:

Cllr Mrs Cecile Down and Cllr John Whitehead.

1. Apologies for Absence

   These had been received from Mr Rixson.

2. Minutes of the Annual Assembly held on 14th May, 2003

   The minutes of this meeting were agreed and signed.

3. Matters Arising

   There were no matters arising.

4. Chairman's Report 2003-2004

   Mrs Oliveira began by looking back on one of the highlights of the year, namely the Vanishing Villages event in June organised in conjunction with SSE, when an estimated 2000 visitors came to Broxted, walking footpaths and visiting gardens. On the negative side it was sad that the event had been organised to highlight what would be lost if a second runway came to Stansted Airport.

   The year had been dominated by the build up to the publication of the Government's White Paper on the future of air transport just before Christmas. Sadly, all the campaigning was to no avail and the proposal to add an additional runway at Stansted had cast a shadow over the Parish Council and villagers alike. A planning application to take the existing runway to 35 m.p.p.a. was expected during the year.

   Mrs Oliveira reported that during the year two new Councillors had been co-opted; Mr Rixson to fill the vacancy after Mr Knowles stood down in May 2003, and Mr Perry who replaced Mrs Flook following her resignation.

5. Parish Tree Warden's Report

   Miss Collinson reported that all the trees planted by the Parish Council appeared healthy and that the Peace Oak would need trimming in the autumn.

6. Parish Footpath Representative's Report

   Mrs Burton had dealt with two complaints about footpaths during the year. One had been solved satisfactorily, and the other was still being dealt with.

7. Public Transport Representative's Report

   Mrs Oliveira reported that the number 5 bus service was still being well used, especially in the morning. She now held a supply of complaint forms for use if problems arose.

8. Emergency Planning Representative's Report

   Miss Collinson advised that the Parish Emergency Plan had now been revised and circulated amongst members with a copy to Uttlesford, and also one to Rev. Gillian Greenslade. Uttlesford was currently without an Emergency Planning Officer, however an appointment was expected shortly.

9. County Councillor's Report

   Cllr Whitehead reported an increase in Council Tax of just over 4%, which had been achieved by general rationalisation and cost-cutting measures. The County Council was totally opposed to further expansion at Stansted Airport and together with other Local Authorities had sought a Judicial Review of the White paper. There was much concern about the proposed imposition of much new housing in the area and the estimated £13 billion it would cost to provide the necessary infrastructure for an expanded airport which would not be borne by the Government.

10. Open Forum

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

Cllr Down and Cllr Whitehead were thanked for their attendance and the meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.