LITTLE BADDOW PARISH COUNCIL
An Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Memorial Hall on March 7, 2013. The Meeting commenced at 7:30pm. In attendance:-
Mr P Willington - Chairman
Mr R Barrett Mrs M Buckley Dr N Cooper Mr K Ferguson Mr M Richmond Mr J Robinson
Mr R Upward (Clerk) Members of the Public – none
34/13 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were accepted from Councillors Shepherd and Irvine.
35/13 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Councillor Willington declared an Interest in all planning applications. Councillor Ferguson declared an Interest in the Planning Application for the Boaters’ Car Park.
36/13 MINUTES
It was resolved that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on February 7, 2013 are accepted as correct record of the meeting.
37/13 MATTERS FROM PRIOR MEETINGS
Minute No/Date/Councillor / Subject / Status41/08(e) VDS issues
March 6, 2008
Councillor Robinson / The Chairman and Councillor Jones are to meet with Conservation Society and Mr D Stebbing on May 7 to discuss upgrade of the VDS to an SPD>. / All information now with CCC.
144/11 Memorial Hall
September 1, 2011
Councillor Ferguson / Develop a proposal, including costs and funding, for a storage room to be added to the Memorial Hall / Tender notice published and responses received.
200/12 Memorial Hall
December 6, 2012
Parish Clerk/Cllr Ferguson / Investigate costs for electronic flushing systems in the men’s toilets (hall and pavilion) / Systems installed. CLOSED
21/13 Flooded Roads
February 7, 2013
Councillor Barrett / Investigate installation of depth marker posts visible from each end for flood risk roads. / Highways contacted to arrange site visit.
38/13 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
None
39/13 DEVELOPMENT IN THE VILLAGE
40/13 CORRESPONDENCE
Writer / Subject / Outcome1. RCCE / Best Kept Village Competition - entry forms / Councillor Buckley
2. CCC / Best Kept Garden Competition – entries requested / Notice to be displayed
3. EALC / Update on Broadband UK Project / Noted
4. Springfield PC / First Aid in the Work Place Training – April 17. / Noted
5. CCC / Parish Cleansing Days / Hurrells Ford is suitable project. Clerk to advise.
6. Mr Tim Clayton / Hedges at Mill House Caravan Park and visibility at the nearby bridge. / Noted
7. Danbury PC / Invitation to their Assembly on April 22. / Noted
8. Cllr Peter Martin / Requesting corrections to be included in Correspondent Report for the composition of the Highways Panels and the monies for the Big Society Fund come from ECC. Essex Waterways have been asked to cut back the hedges at Black Bridge. / Councillor Buckley to include in the Correspondent report.
9. EALC / Plans for revised Quality Council requirements. New standards to be implemented from January 2014 / Noted
41/13 ACCOUNTS
It was proposed by Councillor Willington and seconded by Councillor Cooper that the accounts are approved for payment. The proposal was carried.
42/13 PARISH ASSEMBLY
The Clerk advised that Councillors should be available to help with the set-up of this event from 4:30pm and to assist with the bar during the evening. Councillor Richmond will be preparing the rota. Full details will be provided at the next meeting.
43/13 MEMORIAL HALL
It was agreed to get the third quote for the roof repair and a detailed understanding of the source of the leak from each builder.
It was agreed to get a second quote for the proposed garden work with details of the plants required clearly identified.
The Clerk will obtain a quote to replace the broken posts at the front of the hall.
44/13 LITTER PICK
It was agreed to hold the litter pick on April 20. Councillor Buckley agreed to provide a flyer to be circulated with the April edition of Little Baddow News and posters for the notice boards in the village. The Clerk will arrange for litter picking equipment from CCC.
45/13 ALDERMANBURGH GREEN
Councillor Robinson advised that the ECC young offenders team has cut back all the trees that are within its capability using hand saws. A contractor will be providing a quote to cut down the cherry tree and to remove the cut branches etc.
46/13 FINANCE
It was resolved to open a 7 day account with Scottish Widows Bank to improve the interest income from Council reserves.
47/13 INFORMATION ITEMS
Councillor Barrett advised that the vegetation around the bus stop on North Hill opposite Stanhill has been cut back. Also that ECC Highways are investigating damage to the pavement and gardens at Wickhay Cottages due to contractors’ vehicles.
Councillor Ferguson reported on the CCC Development Policy Committee that discussed the Focused Review. He had presented evidence of the cumulative impact on the village demographics of the continual replacement of small houses with significantly larger rebuilds. There will be an opportunity to present this information in written and oral form to the Planning Inspectorate.
Councillor Ferguson advised that he was pursuing the reporting of flooding at the canal and the water flooding across North Hill with ECC Highways.
The Clerk advised that the Kick Boxing Club was closing due to lack of members.
48/13 NEXT MEETING
The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Thursday April 4, 2013 commencing at 7:30pm.
The meeting closed at 8:50pm.
Chairman
April 4, 2013
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