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Parish Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday 13th November 2007

A meeting of the Parish Council took place in he Village Hall on Tuesday 13th November 2007 at 7.30.

1. Present

1. Mr. L Adams [Chairman] Mr. A Richardson [Vice-Chairman] Mr. L Ellis, Mrs. S Rutter , Mr. T Clegg, Mr. B Teal, Mr. J Atkinson.

2. Declaration from Members of any item of interest.

1. Mr. Clegg told members he was secretary to Ridgewell Parochial Council, and as such may need to abstain from certain items on the agenda today.

3. Minutes of last Meeting

1. The minutes of the meeting held on the 11th September 2007 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

4. Matters Arising

1. The members did not have any objections to the application for the conversion to Cedar Gables.
2. Badges - Mr. Richardson showed the members and example of a badge, they thought a picture of the Village sign with their name would be suitable, Mr. Richardson was asked to get a quote for the badges. A design and quote to be discussed at the next meeting.
3. An application for the licence for the burger van to be renewed has been received, the Chairman wrote to Braintree District Council with the Parish Council comments.
4. The Village Fete is to be discussed at the next meeting.
5. Dates of the meetings for 2008 were agreed and a copy is to be given to the members.

5. Correspondence

1. Early correspondence that has been received has been circulated to Council members. Letters received since were read to members.
2. The footpath in Stambourne Rd should be implemented this financial year.
3. Essex County Council have inspected Meetings Lane and it should be repaired this financial year.
4. Orchard Close has also been inspected and the work required has been identified.
5. Letter received on Health and Social care received from the local authority
6. A letter has been received concerning the new telephone system operating at BDC offices
7. We have received a report from the Community Warden; item 6 of the report was resolved by the Warden.
8. Letter received about the Post Office closures in the area.
9. A letter has been received from BDC about an activity day in the summer of 2008. Mrs. Rutter is to discuss this with the Headmaster at Ridgewell School.
10. The Grant for the village maps has now been finalized and the Grant file is now closed.
11. The Chairman has written to the farmer responsible for the hedge at Meadow End Lane and asked him to trim it.
12. The light in the Ashen Rd hedge has now been fixed. The Electricity Board is to get the hedge cut back by three foot in 2008.

6. Finance

1. Cheque No 000693 Lubbock Fine - £141.00 Audit fee.
2. Cheque No 000694 En-Energy  - £61.44 Electricity
3. Cheque No 000695 Village Hall - £91.00 Hire of Hall
4. Cheque No 000696 STP Stationery - £25.35 Stationery
5. Cheque No 000697 R Mortimer - £703.83 Grass Cutting
6. Cheque No 000698 Anglian Water - £28.18 Allotment Water
7. Cheque No 000699 May Gurney - £90.36 Street Light
8. Cheque No 000700 Warwick Network - £176.25 Transport Need Survey analysis
9. Audit for 2007/8 now completed by Lubbock Fine, the form has been signed and returned.

7. Planning

1. 8 Colne Springs - the application has been refused by BDC.
2. Causeway Hall – the planning application for 2 stables is to be circulated to all members for their comments.

8. Emergency Plan

1. The plan was discussed at the last meeting and it was decided that not all private telephone numbers are to be inserted into the plan, only the copies held by Councillors and Clerk will contain all numbers. The first draft of the plan is now to be circulated to all members for their comments.

9. Highways

1. Wisperwood Cottage – a letter was received from ECC Highways dept. stating that to lower one side of the carriage way was not possible. Another suggestion was to make it a one way system. The Highways dept have also said that the flower pots presently being used to steer traffic away from the cottage could have a temporary licence.
2. The finger signs in Stambourne Rd and Tilbury Green have been replaced.
3. There are planks of wood in the gutters of Ashen Rd that the Council does not believe these are safe to be there. Mr. Ellis has spoken to Mr. Wiltshire about this and it has been suggested that the road be tidied up and the wood removed, however, the council believe that it will be put back again by residents.
4. The manhole cover that lies between Sparks Lane and the lay by is to be replaced.
5. The large tree on the triangle at the junction of Ashen Rd and Tilbury Green is to be pruned.
6. Mr. Wiltshire has suggested putting bollards on the grass verge in Chapel Rd to stop the parking of cars.

10. BT Hedge and Tree

1. The hedge around the BT exchange has been cut back, however, the top is still to be cut and the door painted.

11. Rights of Way over the Village Green

1. This item is still to be finalized.

12. Allotments

1. The official opening of the allotments is to be held next spring.
2. Allotment rules have been issued to all Councillors and Mr. Rouse for comments. All allotments holders will be given a set of these simple rules and they will be reviewed and adjusted if needed.

13. Village and Footpath Maps

1. This item now complete

14. Ditch Survey

1. Still ongoing.

15. Neighbourhood Watch

1. Mr. Mason reported that the 2 bungalows in Sparks Lane had been broken into and a watch and other things had been stolen.
2. It was suggested that a list of all people living on their own in the Village be compiled in order to support people if they should wish to be supported, this item to be discussed at the next meeting.

16. Ridgewell Newsletter

1. The Newsletter is still being compiled by the same person. Mrs. Rutter said she had some news and would be contacting the editor in the next couple of days.

17. Painting of the Bus Shelter, Pumps and Notice Board.

1. The painting is to be started in the middle of November and all items to be done together.

18. Village Sign

1. The sign has been ordered and the colours agreed, a cast mould in aluminum will be made and the sign to be reinstated in February.

19. Edge Trimming of Footpaths etc.

1. Mr. Ellis informed the Council that the contractor had sprayed the edges of the grass where it meets the footpaths, thus keeping the footpaths clear and free of weeds etc.

20. School Involvement within the Community

1. Mrs. Rutter stated that the pupils of the school wish to be involved in the litter pick, but only that area around the school.
2. Mrs. Rutter to get together with the Chairman and Headmaster to agree on sites for the new flower pots that the pupils are to tend. The site of existing planted bulbs need to be ascertained Mrs. Rutter to contact the Garden Society to see if they can point out where these are so the new pots are not placed on top of them. It is possible that by time the pots are bought, the planted bulbs will be up and in sight, thus ensuring pots are well placed.

21. Christmas Tree

1. The Christmas tree is to be erected on the green in early December. Mrs. Rutter to see to the lights this year and then Mr. Atkinson will take over this item for the coming years.

22. Weeds and plants on overspill from Front Gardens

1. A discussion took place on how to ask residents to tidy up the front of their property if needed. A suggestion was made about putting a piece in the Ridgewell Newsletter. Mrs. Rutter is to follow this up.

23. Cluster Meeting

1. A copy of the minutes of this meeting was handed to all members of the Council.

24. Grass Cutting in the Churchyard

1. Mr. Ellis advised the members that a quote from Mr. Mortimer to clear the overgrown area in the Churchyard was £150.00. To cut the grass in the Churchyard on a regular basis the quote was £400.00 for 6 cuts per year. The Church council is to be asked if the church will contribute towards the cutting of the grass.

25. Bell Restoration Project

1. The cost of the restoration of the 5 number bells is £50,000.00. RCCE to be asked if there is a grant for this project.

26. Councillors Responsibilities

1. A list of responsibilities has now been handed to all Councillors and the Clerk.

27. Transport Needs Survey

1. A copy of the survey is on circulation. Birdbrook advised they would like to be involved. A decision is to be made on bus times and arranging of a mini bus that could link with buses. Councillors were asked to give this subject some thought before the next meeting.

28. Open Meeting to the Public

1. No questions from the public.

29. Any other Business

1. Mrs. Rutter asked if there were any planning regulations on keeping chickens. Chickens now being kept at the residence, Sunnyside.
2. The 30 mile speed limit sign has now been moved to the other end of the Village.
3. Mr. Teale reported the electric transformer in Mill Rd is overgrown with vegetation. The Chairman will look at this and report his findings and action at the next meeting.
4. A report was made about dogs fouling the area around Sparks Lane; this is not being cleared by their owners and use of dog fouling bins not being used by some owners.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.10