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BERDEN PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Monday, April 25th, 2005
Village Hall, 8.30 pm
MINUTES OF MEETING Present: Apologies: Peter Jester (business trip) John Arnell, Chairman Janice Loughlin, District Councillor Kate Harrison Diana McConaghy Jane McConnell Philip Scatchard, Vice-Chairman David Williams Andrew Nelson, Clerk Richard Wallace, County Councillor Members of the Public 1. 1. Minutes of last Annual Parish Meeting, held on April 26th 2004.
These were circulated to all those present, and were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 2. 2. Chairman's Report
The Chairman welcomed all those attending the meeting, and outlined the role of the Parish Council in local affairs, mentioning the particular responsibilities undertaken by each Councillor as follows: John Arnell, Chairman: Planning: Footpaths: Village Hall Trustee Kate Harrison: Trees: Planning: Emergencies: Footpaths Peter Jester: Annual Accounts and VAT Diana McConaghy: Stansted Airport: Village Hall Committee Jane McConnell: Playground Philip Scatchard, Vice-Chairman: Highways: Planning: Website David Williams: Playground Andrew Nelson, Clerk P 2005/1 The main concerns of the Council during the last twelve months had been (i) Planning. Some of the non-contentious Planning issues are dealt with by a small sub-Committee (see above); otherwise the whole Council considers applications. Most of the Planning Applications received during the year were approved by the Council, and passed at District Level. Various issues were raised concerning Barn Conversions at Rooks Farm, Little London and at Potash Farm, and also with local worries about an extension and garage at Gawlers. The former two have been resolved but the Council have at present no powers to prevent blockage of light due to tall hedges at the latter site. However new legislation concerning this is in the pipeline. (ii) Footpaths. These continue to be cut by local farmers under the PPP plan, and in the coming year this arrangement will be extended to include part of the land belonging to Peyton Hall. (iii) Highways. The parking situation round the Triangle has been monitored, and the Council has issued warning notices to motorists who have parked very close to the junctions. At present it has been agreed that the matter of yellow lines here should be put on hold. (iv) Village Hall. This continues to be run by the Village Hall Committee; the Council would like to express their appreciation for their hard work, and are pleased to note their decision that the Hall should be run as an amenity for the Village rather than as a commercial venture. The licensing arrangements are currently being changed, but following a meeting of all interested parties, the Council is confident that Clive Lane and Stephen Griffiths have this well in hand. A recent attempted break-in was averted by prompt action by a neighbour, and the perpetrator was apprehended by the Police. (v) Neighbourhood Watch. Brian Cochran has resigned as Organiser, and in the meantime John Arnell and Andrew Nelson are acting as first contacts for this. (vi) Local Issues. The Bus Service was under threat but this danger seems to have receded after representations from the Council. The Council put in a response to the East of England Plan, pointing out the lack of infrastructure to support large-scale development along the M 11 Corridor. A Conservation Group has been set up in the Village. For further details contact John Burton or visit the Website. The Website has now been running for a year, and in general has been very successful. A few detailed changes are in hand to improve it in the light of this first year's experience, and Denis O'Regan and Philip Scatchard are continuing to manage it, and will take care of any necessary moderating. Denis O'Regan gave the meeting an overview of the growth of the website during the year. The Youth Forum is still meeting from time to time, when there is a particular issue that needs addressing. Rob Talks gave a short address about its activities, which currently include helping to improve the Village Hall garden. P 2005/2 The Fete. John Burton, as outgoing Fete Committee Chairman, read a report about the 2004 Fete, which once again raised a large amount of money for the Church and the Village Hall, and as usual proved popular throughout the area. Copies of the full report, accounts etc are available from John Burton or on the Website.
(vii) Finances. The Precept for the current year has been set at £6,500.00. This, together with payments of approximately £1,800.00 from the Parish Paths Partnership for cutting the footpaths, is the Council's total income. Last year's spending was approximately as follows:
Grass-cutting £2000 Insurance £ 400 Community Skip £ 300 Clerk's salary £1500 Village Hall £ 300 PCC £ 300 Election £ 700
Skip £ 300
Audit £ 300
Mothers Union £ 50
3. 3. Report from Mr. Richard Wallace, Essex County Councillor
Richard Wallace gave a report which covered in outline the concerns of the County Council for the year. He pointed out that Essex County Council has a Budget of £1600 million a year. The Council Tax is set to increase by 2.9%, which is lower than last year's increase of 4.7%. On Stansted Airport, the existing runway will apparently still be able to handle an increased number of passengers a year: the ECC is opposed to a second runway Housing growth is still a major concern for the County, as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is proposing a further 478,000 houses in Essex. Planning changes are in the pipeline, which would give greater powers to Central Government. The responsibility for Highways repairs is being decentralised, which should mean that Uttlesford will be able to target road repairs more efficiently. The new Licensing Regulations are causing problems in many areas. He also told the meeting that he would not be standing for re-election to the County Council in May due to family and other commitments. 4. 4. Report from Mrs. Janice Loughlin, Uttlesford District Councillor
The Chairman read a report from the District Councillor, who was unable to be present. This covered the areas of Stansted Airport, the East of England Plan, the level of Council Tax (an increase of 4.5% for the coming year), ASBO's, Parking, Minor Roads, and Licensing. The Clerk can provide copies of this report on request. 5. Report from Manuden School
Jane McConnell reported that about fifteen Berden children were currently attending Manuden School, which appears to be thriving and successful. The post of Minor Authority Governor is at present vacant, and the Clerk will investigate the situation regarding a new appointment. P 2005/3 . 7. Questions and Discussion - open to all
The Chairman now invited questions from the Public. Since no further issues were raised, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m. P 2005/4 |
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