Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on

Wednesday, 8 June 2005

in the Village Hall at 8.30 p.m.

Present were:

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

1. Apologies for Absence

   An apology had been received from Mrs Burton and Cllr S. Walsh.

2. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   The minutes of the meeting held on 11th May, 2005 were agreed and signed.

3. Matters Arising

   1. Cranham Road Potholes

      The potholes had been repaired.

   2. Bell Meadow

      There was nothing further to report. Mrs Oliveira was yet to speak to the concerned resident.

   3. Uttlesford District Council Planning Workshop, 7th June

      Mr Clark reported on the meeting, which had been well attended. Among the subjects discussed were Quality Parish Councils, the new High Hedge legislation, a proposal by British Telecom to ‘re-align payphone provision to meet public demand’, Parish Plans, the new District Planning system and various other planning issues.

   4. UALC AGM 23rd June

      Mrs Oliveira and Mr Clark hoped to attend.

   5. UALC Meeting 25th May

      Mrs Oliveira had been unable to attend.

4. Footpaths

   In the absence of Mrs Burton there was no footpath report.

5. Stansted Airport

   1. Visit to Control Tower 25th May

      Mrs Burton and Miss Collinson had attended. Miss Collinson reported that it had been fascinating and that they had thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The Clerk was asked to write and thank BAA for arranging the visit. Apparently, a second runway would require another control tower.

   2. SSE Runway Ramble & Grand Fete 26th June

      It was agreed to not now mount the display of photographs of the village but to concentrate all efforts on the crockery smashing stall.

   3. Takeley Challenge to H.O.S.S.

      Takeley P.C. had advised that its legal team have been working on a reformulated argument against the refusal to grant a judicial review to its HOSS challenge, which had just been submitted to the court. It was planning to convene a meeting with local parish representatives in the near future.

6. Correspondence

   1. Uttlesford Voluntary & Community Centre

      An invitation to attend the official opening on 17th June had been received. No-one was able to attend.

   2. Proposal to Withdraw Cash Payment Facility at BT Phone Boxes

      BT had issued a consultation document on its scheme to withdraw the use of cash in a number of rural phone boxes, including both of the boxes in Broxted. It was agreed to object to this move, pending publication of OFCOM's Review of Universal Service later in the year. It was agreed to send a copy of the response to Uttlesford District Council.

7. Finance

   1. Balances

      Balances as at 31st May, 2005 at Barclays Bank, Dunmow were reported as follows:

      Community Account (current)	£838.98
      Business Reserve Account (high rate deposit)	£5,399.73
      	£6,238.71	*

      * (of which £1,000 is committed to the Village Hall, and £1,000 is in the Professional Services Account).

   2. Signing of Cheques

      There were no cheques to be signed.

   3. Internal Audit of Accounts

      The Internal Auditor had advised that the accounts can now been signed off. He had, however, raised a query about the Clerk's reclaim of money put in the village hall electricity meters which had been claimed in addition to the agreed amount of expenses. It was formally and unanimously agreed that the Clerk be reimbursed for money put in the meters, proposed by Mrs Kesterton, seconded by Mr Rixson.

   4. £1,000 Grant from Essex County Council

      There was a further discussion on what this money should be spent, with an agreement to pursue the idea of bursaries for young people. Mr Clark would circulate some ideas for discussion at the next meeting.

8. Planning

   1. Park & Ride at Pledgdon Barn

      The Park & Ride operation appeared to have closed. Mr Clark had spoken with the Enforcement Office who was concerned that the operation had merely moved to another part of the district.

   2. Other Applications

      1. Leswins, Chapel End

         renewal of outline permission for the erection of a dwelling

         Awaited

      2. Clovelly, Brick End

         outline permission for the erection of a replacement dwelling with all matters reserved except means of access

         Refused

      3. Oakmead, Brick End

         permission for a linked extension to the ground floor

         Awaited

      4. Coldharbour Meadow

         erection of telecommunication mast

         Awaited

      5. Flemings Hill farm

         erection of pitched roof over outbuilding, conversion of outbuildings to provide additional domestic accommodation and pool room

         Circulating

9. Election of Other Officers

   The following were all proposed by Mr Clark, seconded by Mr Rixson and agreed unanimously.

   Position	Nominee
   Community Association Rep	Mrs Kesterton
   Village Hall Rep	Mrs Oliveira
   Footpaths Rep	Mrs Burton
   Public Transport Rep	Mrs Oliveira
   Tree Warden	Miss Collinson

   There was no nomination for a representative on the Dunmow & District Road Safety Committee.

10. Any Other Business

    1. Public Transport Representatives Meeting

       Mrs Oliveira had attended a recent meeting where the possibility of funding for the No 5 bus service being withdrawn had been raised.

    2. Civic Amenity Scheme

       The Clerk reported that the skip that had been in the village on Saturday, 14th May from 12.30 to 4.30 pm had been used by only four people. It was next due in the village on Sunday, 6th November from 8.00 to 11.30 am. Usage on this occasion would be monitored so that members could then decide whether to remain on the rota. Each half day visit is costing £78.44.

    3. Post Coding 11th June 11.00 am – 1.00 pm

       Members were reminded that the police will be conducting a post-coding session in the Village Hall.

    4. West Essex Area Forum 14th June, 7.00 pm, North Weald Golf Club

       No-one was able to attend.

11. Date of the Next Meeting

    The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 13th July 2005 in the Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.