Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on

Wednesday 6th December, 2006

in the Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

Present were:

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

1. Membership

   Mrs Oliveira advised the meeting that Mrs Burton had resigned from the Council. It was agreed to write to Mrs Burton, thanking her for her services to the Council. The Clerk had been advised that in view of the Parish Council elections on 3rd May, 2007 there was no need to fill the vacancy. The Clerk was to advise Uttlesford District Council of the vacancy.

2. Apologies for Absence

   Mr Rixson and Cllr C. Down.

3. In Attendance

   Mr W. Barry, Chairman of Great Easton Parish Council.

4. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   The minutes of the meeting held on 8th November, 2006 were agreed and signed.

5. Village Hall

   Mr Barry, Chairman of Great Easton Parish Council, explained the steps that his Council had taken when they took over responsibility for their village hall. It seemed that their circumstances were very similar to ours, and their experience would be of great benefit to us. Mr Barry answered a number of questions concerning the legal process to be followed.

   It was agreed to write to the Charity Commissioners to start the process of having the Parish Council named as the Trustees of the Village hall.

6. Matters Arising

   1. East Area Panel Meeting 21st November

      No-one had been able to attend this meeting. It was noted that Stansted Airport was not an agenda item, (although the subject had been raised during the meeting). Mrs Oliveira undertook to take the matter of the agenda item up with Cllr Gregory in the New Year.

   2. UALC Meeting 23rd November

      Mrs Oliveira, Mr Clark and Mr Rixson had attended this meeting, but unfortunately the guest speaker failed to appear.

   3. Parish Council Liaison Meeting 5th December

      Mr Clark had attended this meeting, where the subjects discussed were the Local Government White Paper, Emergency Planning and Parish Elections.

7. Stansted Airport

   1. Stansted Generation 1 Planning Application

      It was reported that at its meeting on 29th November, the Development Sub-Committee of Uttlesford District Council had unanimously rejected BAA's application. It was understood that BAA had appealed that decision and that a public inquiry would be held in the spring.

8. Footpaths

   There was nothing to report.

9. Brick End Bus Shelter

   The Clerk reported that three estimates had been received for the rebuilding of the bus shelter. These had been passed to the insurance company and a reply was awaited.

10. Correspondence

    1. Mobile Libraries

       A consultation document had been received from Essex County Council concerning the future of the mobile library service. It was agreed to respond to the consultation by saying that:

       1. The service should be maintained at both locations in the village. A large number of elderly people live in the vicinity of Cranham Road, and the library's visit to Brick End only would be too far away for them

       2. The service could be reduced to fortnightly instead of weekly

       3. If the service were be reduced to fortnightly, the loan period for books etc. should be increased to four weeks from three, to avoid penalties for those who were unable to visit the library on every occasion.

    2. Electoral Arrangements

       A letter had been received from Uttlesford District Council concerning electoral arrangements. It was agreed to reply, saying that we were content that the number of councillors should remain at seven.

    3. Uttlesford District Council Budget 2007-2008

       A questionnaire concerning Uttlesford District Council's budget for 2007-2008 had been received. Mrs Oliveira offered to complete it.

    4. Common Land at Cherry Green

       A letter had been received from Essex County Council regarding a complaint it had received that a chicken coop had been erected on the common land at Cherry Green. Mrs Oliveira had visited the owners to advise them that structures were not allowed on common land. She had contacted County which had agreed to allow 30 days for the structure to be removed, and had agreed to furnish the resident with some explanatory notes concerning common land.

    5. Heritage Quest Centre

       A letter had been received seeking financial assistance with the establishement of the Centre. It was agreed to defer a decision to the meeting where grants and donations were considered.

    6. Dog Control Orders

       A letter had been received from Uttlesford District Council asking if there were any public open spaces in the parish that should be included in any forthcoming Dog Control Orders. It was agreed that there were no such open spaces in the parish.

11. Finance, including Signing of Cheques, Verification of Cashbook and Setting of Precept

    1. Verification of Cashbook

       No cheques had been drawn since the last meeting so no verification was required.

    2. Balances

       Balances as at 30th November, 2006 at Barclays Bank, Dunmow were reported as follows:

       Community Account (current)	£3,887.57
       Business Reserve Account (high rate deposit)	£5,337.40
       	£9,224.97	*

       * of which £1,000 is committed to the Village Hall, and £1,000 is in the ECC Grant Account.

    3. Signing of Cheques

       It was agreed to sign the following cheques:

       CPRE	annual membership	£26.00
       Society of Local Council Clerks	annual membership	£55.00
       Harry Stebbing Workshop	2 noticeboards	£2,227.80
       SSE	donation	£1,000.00	**
       EALC	fee for The Funding Game	£10.00	**

       ** See Any Other Business below.

    4. Precept 2007-2008

       After some discussion it was agreed to set the precept for 2007-8 at £9,000, proposed Mr Perry, seconded Mr Clark – four in favour, one abstention.

12. Planning

    The current situation on planning applications is:

    1. Bell Meadow

       change of use from paddock to smallholding for keeping pigs and poultry

       Awaited

    2. Woodview, Pledgdon Green

       conversion of bungalow to two storey building

       Awaited

    3. Wood Farm

       erection of two triple garages

       Awaited (it was understood that this decision was now going to committee).

13. Any Other Business

    1. Stop Stansted Expansion

       It was reported that SSE had launched an appeal for the estimated £100,000 required in order to be represented at the Public Inquiry (see Item 7 above). It was agreed to make a donation of £1,000 now rather than later in the financial year, proposed by Mr Perry, seconded by Mrs Oliveira. Mr Clark declared an interest and withdrew from voting.

    2. Broxted Directory

       The Clerk produced copies of last year's directory and sought amendments for the 2007 edition. It was agreed to feature the new noticeboards on the cover, and to explain how notices could be displayed on the new boards (which will be locked).

    3. The Funding Game

       Mrs Kesterton volunteered to attend this EALC–run course on how to obtain funding from various bodies. It was agreed that she should go, and that a cheque should be drawn for the £10 booking fee.

14. Date of the Next Meeting

    It was confirmed that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday, 10th January at 8.00 p.m. in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 10.05 p.m.