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Parish Council Meeting Minutes March 2006

A meeting of the Parish Council took place in the Village Hall on Tuesday 14th March 2006 at 7.30pm.

1. Present:

1. Mr. L Adams (Chairman)
2. Mr N Rouse (Vice Chairman)
3. Mr M Taylor
4. Mr L Ellis
5. Mrs S Rutter
6. Mrs W Fong
7. Mr A Richardson

2. Declaration from members of any item of interest.

1. Nothing to declare from Councilors.

3. Crime reduction talk.

1. Due to E-mail not getting through to Mr C Stewart, and then found not to be available, his talk will now take place at the July meeting.

4. Minutes of last meeting.

1. The minutes of the meeting held on the 10th January were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

5. Matters Arising

1. Mr Rouse has now obtained a copy of Mr B Coe's Public Liability Insurance Certificate, which is valid until March 2007.
2. Mr Ellis has removed the No Parking sign from the Village green.
3. Councilor's responsibility spreadsheet still to be updated.

6. Correspondence

1. Pamphlet re Open Spaces Society - Claiming footpaths that are not recorded on the maps and could be lost.
2. Essex playing field association newsletter.
3. Better homes, better neighborhoods newsletter January 2006.
4. Tenants voice newsletter.
5. The community broadband network.
6. Letter and brochure from St Helena hospice 18th January 2006.
7. Essex schools organisation plan 2005-2010.
8. Parish Council forum 20th April 2006 and agenda.
9. Braintree District Council local plan review draft supplementary planning document - Affordable housing Draft Sustainability appraisal public consultation.
10. BDC submission statement of community involvement.
11. BDC Local development framework - statement of community involvement - submission to Secretary of State.
12. BDC - Letter re recycling road shows 2006.
13. BDC - Changes to development control processes.
14. Pamphlets re North Essex mental health partnerships.
15. Details of dates for garden waste collections for the summer, copies placed in notice board and at The White Horse.
16. Letter from BDC re funding opportunities dated 30th January 2006.
17. BDC re Events in your parish dated 9th January2006.
18. BDC re business continuity management presentation.
19. Letter and pamphlet re Sports Drainage Solutions Ltd dated the 20.2.2006
20. EALC and ECC re making the links - working for the future of Essex.
21. Letter from ECC Highways and speed survey dated 20.2.2006.
22. Forms for the Calor village of the year competition. It was decided that we would not enter this year.
23. Correspondence re the local channel linking our website.
24. Letter from ECC re David Finch letter on news from County Hall.
25. Letter re trading standards meeting 2.3.2006.
26. Letter from ECC highways re Footpath Stambourne Road and our reply dated 1.3.2006.
27. Letter from BDC re cancellation of business Community management presentation.
28. ECC re Bus passenger news.
29. BDC planning letter re Apiary Hall dated 8.3.2006.
30. Letter from ECC re changes in the Braintree road safety team.
31. Letter re North Essex catchments flood management plan.
32. BDC Town and parish council newsletter.
33. Letter from Essex police re dates and locations of mobile police unit.
34. Letter from landscape and countryside management re Madura cottage.

7. Finance

It was agreed the following cheques be signed

1. Cheque No 00620, Lubbock Fine £687.38 external audit 2002, 2003, 2004.
2. Cheque No.00621 Parochial Church Council £400.00 donation for clock & burial ground.
3. Cheque No.00622 Heelis and Lodge £55.00 Internal Audit.
4. Precept amount agreed as £5247.00 plus Parish Support grant £1720.00.
5. Parish tax rate at £24.99 as confirmed from Braintree District Council.
6. VAT of £1092.07 has now been received.
7. £20.00 received from the shop towards the Christmas tree lights.

8. Planning

1. Madura Cottage - planning application to fell a pear tree agreed.
2. Ridgewell School re new classroom agreed.
3. Popular Cottage re new door agreed.
4. Apiary Hall re cart lodge, councilor's comments sent to Braintree District Council.
5. St Laurence Lodge re garage, comments sent to Braintree District Council.

9. Parish Plan

1. There is no further action at this stage, although there are a few issues still to be cleared, they are for individual Councilors to resolve and report back.

10. Highways Department

1. No further action on Whisperwood Cottage other than that stated in the January meeting minutes.
2. Information was requested by the Highways Department as to extent of the footpath to be constructed in Stambourne Road. The Chairman replied advising it should commence at the first house and end at Sparks Lane. Pedestrians can then cross the road and walk along the footpath on the other side of Drury Lane down to the junction.
3. A Letter was received from Oak Cottage re constructing a new driveway from their front boundary to the back of the footpath. It was proposed by Mr Rouse and seconded by Mr Richardson all members in favor.
4. The Highways Dept. has carried out a speed survey to both ends of the village on the A1017. It was established the speed was greater from the south side.

11. Footpaths.

1. Mr Ellis has prepared a report for the RNL looking for volunteers to walk the footpaths during April / May. Anyone wishing to do this should contact Mr Ellis or Mr Adams.
2. Mr Ellis will also look into the possibility of getting a map produced showing all the footpaths on one sheet. It was also agreed to look into a map of the village showing all houses and names. Mr Richardson thought it would be possible to get a grant for these.

12. Surface Water Drainage.

1. Following the clearing of the ditch at the bottom of Madura Cottage, the Highways Dept established that the pipe were blocked. These have now been replaced. Following this work a section of footpath has to be reinstated; the Chairman will make contact and request this work be completed as soon possible as it is a hazard.
2. The Chairman has asked Mr Tullett of Braintree District Council for some dates for a meeting to discuss the problem at the congregational church. Mr Rouse and the Chairman will review the file prior to the meeting.

13. Rights of Way over Village Greens & common land.

1. The Chairman advised he has only one property that he is waiting on information from, as soon as he has this, he and Mr Ellis will visit County Hall Chelmsford and hopefully get all the information added to the registers.

14. Allotments

1. Mr Taylor advised there were now 2 small plots remaining to be let. Mr Taylor advised that he has done an article for the RNL and following that, they may be taken. Mr Taylor also advised that these two plots are to be rotorvated by Mr Pickess prior to them being let.
2. Letter received from the Rural communities development fund asking for a report, accounts and invoices covering the work. This information to be submitted by 31 August 2006. Mr Rouse will be able to meet this date.
3. It was agreed that a gate, recessed back in order for a car to be able to park off road, prior to opening it. It was also agreed for the headland to be graded and leveled and left to grass over. It is also hoped that Mr Coe will cut this when cutting the grass.
4. Mr Rouse thought it would be nice to have a formal opening of the allotments when complete and all plots worked.
5. Mr Taylor has completed a book with names and addresses of all tenants. Only one person has still to pay. Receipts have been given when payments have been made and copies are kept in the receipt book.
6. A point was raised re Public Liability Insurance, covering the allotments. It was agreed that Mr Adams would contact Essex County Council to see if they have cover. If not, Ridgewell Parish Council will have it added to its own insurance.

15. Insurance

1. The Clerk will arrange to obtain a quotation for the renewal including the War Memorial and if needed, Public Liability for the allotments. The renewal date is the 3rd June 2006 and the renewal information must be available for the May meeting to be approved and the cheque signed.

16. Garden Society.

1. A letter was received from the garden society requesting permission to hold a plant-sale on the village green on the 20th of May 2006. Councilors voted to allow this as in previous years.

17. Affordable Housing

1. Mrs Rutter advised members on the progress to date. It is understood that funding has been applied for. It was agreed that the Chairman and Mrs Rutter would relook at the rankings.
2. A number of Councilors felt the allotment site was no longer a desirable location in view of the recent upgrading and ongoing work to upgrade the site.

18. Church Clock and Burial Ground.

1. A letter was received from Mr T Clegg of the Church Council requesting a donation towards the upkeep of the Church and Burial ground. Councilors voted and agreed to donate £400.00. The clerk to write advising that further requests for a donation should be made by the beginning of January 2007 so it can be considered and if approved added to the budget.

19. Local Channel

1. Councilors voted and agreed to have our website linked to the local channel. A link will be set up and it will then be possible to get into our site from this channel. The Chairman will make contact to see what has to be done to set this up.

20. Village Fete

1. Mr Rouse felt it would be a good idea if the Parish Council had a display at the Village Show. This was agreed. Mr Rouse, Mr Ellis and Mr Richardson would get involved in the organising; also possibly get some input from Braintree District Council. All councilors would get involved on the day if possible.

21. Litter

1. Mr Rouse advised that following the first grass cut, he was appalled by the amount of litter about. Mr Rouse advised that the Garden Society would carry out a litter pick on the 1st April and are looking for volunteers to help. Meet at the village Hall at 10.00am. Mr Richardson said he though he could obtain the pickers and bags. Mr Rouse will arrange Council to collect on the Monday morning.

22. Open Meeting to the Public.

1. There being no questions from the public as no one was present.

23. Any Other Business.

1. Mr Richardson felt the burger van in the lay-by was displaying illegal signage, it was agreed the Chairman would have a look at this and speak to the Planning Enforcement Officer.
2. Trading Standards meeting, Mrs Putter was able to attend and has asked for copies of the minutes to be sent.
3. Mr Taylor advised there was an estate agents sign on the green, it was agreed that he would phone and request its removal.
4. Mr Taylor advised that the stones from the White Horse car park were all over the footpath and it was very easy to twist your ankle. Also the possibility of the stones getting onto the road and being propelled into the air by moving vehicles. It was agreed Chairman would speak to Mr R Briggs.
5. Mr Ellis asked why the landscape scheme to the White Horse has not been completed as the first planting season has now passed. Mr Rouse advised that the planting around the buildings appeared to be complete but nothing has been done to the perimeter. It was agreed that the Chairman would discuss this with Mr R Briggs.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.50pm.