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Parish Council Meeting Minutes 12th September 2006

A meeting of the Parish Council took place in the Village Hall on Tuesday 12th September 2006 at 7.30pm.

1 Present

• Mr. A Richardson, Mrs. W Fong, Mrs. S Rutter.

Apologies

• Mr. M Taylor

2 Declaration from Members of any item of Interest.

• Mr. Rouse felt he may have a conflict when the Council vote re the Garden Society planting additional bulbs on the village green.

3 Minutes of last meeting

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 11h July 2006 were agreed and signed by the Chairman

4 Matter Arising

• The external audit information has been sent off to Lubbock Fine.

5 Correspondence

• All correspondence received since the last meeting has been circulated to all Councillors

6 Mr. Andy Richbell, Teacher, School Council and Parents from Ridgewell School

• The children who attended are the school council and gave a presentation and had there photo taken with the members of the Parish Council. The school council is made up of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Councillors. A meeting is held every two weeks. The main points that came out are as follows - Christmas tree on the village can it be larger or could one be planted. Speeding. People to help run clubs. Help with painting etc. What could the children do to help the village? Help with the litter picking organised by the Garden Society. The building works are progressing well. There is a Community Notice Board at the school, the school is happy for all information to be posted on it.

• Mr. Richbell would like to see other organisations using the school rather than the village hall, i.e. the play school etc.

• It was suggested that some Ridgewell news letters be left at the school so they can be handed to parents.

7 Finance

It was agreed that the following cheques be signed.

• Mr. L Adams - £56.69 - Notice board for fete.

• Mr. E Mayes - £250.00 - Work to trees on village green

8 Planning

• Trees Barrington Hall agreed but with comments.

• Rose Cottage. Demolition of rear extension and erect two storey rear extension, agreed.

• 9 Orchard Close, Erection of two storey side and rear extension agreed.

• 5 Rose Walk. Hobbies room and replacement of sun room, agreed.

9 Parish Plan

• It was agreed to review any outstanding items at the next meeting.

10 Highways Dept

• Wisperwood Cottage. The completion of replacing the sole plate and lowering the carriageway is in progress.

11 Footpaths

• Mr. L Ellis will establish from the Highway Dept. as to when the work on footpath 11 will be carried out.

• Mr. Ellis will establish as to when the footpaths are cut, also who cuts the hedges back.

12 Travellers Caravan

• The caravan in the lay- by to the Gt. Yeldham end of the village is to be moved by the council to a site at Chelmsford.

13 Rights of Way over Village Greens & Common Land

• 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

• 7 Plots are let. What is the position on the remainder?

• Has there been any feed back re. the grant.

• The VAT is to be claimed on the grant mo

• It is understood the official opening of the allotments would be deferred until they are all satisfied with the standard

• It was agreed that Mr. Taylor, Mr. Rouse and Mr. Richardson would get together to sort some rules that all tenants abide by.

• Mr. Taylor, Mr. Rouse and Mr. Adam Richardson to agree what signage is necessary to be put up, how many and location.

15 Village and Footpath Map

• The cost of 1000 copies, including design and print will be £800.00. The grant has been applied for which will cover the cost less 20% which the Parish Council will have to cover.

• All house names are being checked by Mr. Ellis, Mrs. Fong and Mr. Richardson. The Parish Council voted and approved the funding; the Parish Council have to provide copies to go to all households. Copies to be put in the Public Houses, Village Shop etc. Proceeds to go to the Church, this approved by all Councillors.

16 Affordable Housing

• Mrs. Rutter advised that all the suitable plots of land are not available, and therefore it is looking unlikely to proceed.

17 Bulb Planting on Village Green

• It was agreed to grant permission to the Garden Society to plant additional bulbs for infill on the green, a letter will be sent approving this.

18 Tree Trimming

• Mr. Ellis has obtained a quote from Mr. Mayes to prune all trees on the village green and the conifers at the side of Madura Cottage. Councillors voted to approve.

19 Photo Copier

• Costs and literature was obtained for the replacement unit, but it was agreed to look into it further before purchasing.

20 Neighbourhood Watch

• Mr. Richardson gave the Councillors an update from the recent Neighbourhood Watch meeting.

• It was agreed the Parish Council will make £100.00 available for items the group may wish to purchase.

21 Village Fete

• It was agreed to discuss the fete at the January meeting to establish how we need to improve the stand for next year

22 Cluster Meeting

• Mr. Rouse asked why the Bumpstead Custer minutes did not mention Ridgewell, the Chairman advised that he had forgotten the meeting,  but advised that he and Mrs. Fong would be attending the Birdbrook meeting.

23 Open Meeting to the Public

• Nothing to report.

24 Any Other Business

• Mr. Richardson advised that the Halstead Crime Prevention Panel is of no interest to us, and feels it was not worth attending again, unless we can influence the panel to consider Ridgewell Crime Prevention matters such as Neighbourhood Watch activities. It is a good opportunity to meet with senior officers of Braintree District Council and the Police and be aware of current directives and action.

• Crime is up, mainly house burglaries and Sat Nav’s from cars.

• David Burgh Estate agent sign was on the street furniture.

• The finger sign at the bottom of Stambourne Road needs painting.

• Telephone box door is missing.

• Edges of grass along kerbs and footpaths need trimming back.

• Mrs. Rutter advised she had visited the Travellers site; they are having quite a lot of refurbishment at present, and having fencing around the site. There is a vacant plot which is to be given to a Down Syndrome person, otherwise all is fine.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.30pm