BERDEN PARISH COUNCIL
Monday March 7th 2005
Village Hall, 8.15 pm

MINUTES OF MEETING

Present:
John Arnell, Chair
Kate Harrison
Peter Jester
Diana McConaghy
Jane McConnell
Philip Scatchard, Vice Chair
David Williams
Andrew Nelson, Clerk
Richard Wallace, County Councillor

Apologies: Janice Loughlin (ill)

69.0 Apologies were received as above.

69.1 Declarations of interest
No interests were declared on Agenda items.

69.2 Minutes of meeting held on January 10th 2005
These were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

69.3 Matters arising needing further reports.
68.7 Newport Surgery. The Clerk reported that there was at present no Berden representative at Newport Surgery. It was agreed to ask Jenny Arnell if she would be willing to take on this role.

69.4 Finance
Peter Jester proposed and John Arnell seconded approval of the following payments:
Skip Supervision (April 2005) £ 75.00
Clerk's Salary, payable April 1st 2005 £749.32
The Chairman had prepared figures of the third quarter expenditure for 2004/5, which showed that the Council still had to exercise prudence to stay within the Budget figures for the year. David Williams and the Clerk will prepare an up-to-date balance of the Playground receipts and expenditure.
The Clerk reported the following balances:
Current account £4496.42
Deposit account £ 67.89

P 178
69.5 Planning
Garage and extension at 4 Gawlers (Garrett) (UTT/2015/04/FUL) - permission has been granted for this, but the Chairman reported that various neighbours had objected to the District Council over the proposed Garage. Unfortunately the Parish Council were not told of these objections, and had thus raised no query to the original application. One neighbour in particular feels that the light in their house and garden, which is already restricted by a high hedge, will be even further reduced by the proposed garage. The owners of the hedge are unwilling to make it lower, as this would compromise their privacy. The District Council is aware of these concerns and is apparently sympathetic to the residents, but at present the situation is unresolved. Jane McConnell will investigate the laws concerning blocking of light.

69.6 Playground
David Williams reported that the hedge and Leylandii trees had been planted, and that a picnic table and shelter had been ordered. A small sum would be required to build a concrete base for the table, and allowance made for herbicide treatment of the new hedge area. Future projects, depending on funding, include a brick barbecue, goalposts and an improved Litter Bin. He hoped that "Living Spaces" would shortly carry out their final inspection of the project, and be able to release the last tranche of their grant to enable the latest invoices to be paid.

69.7 Licensing Laws Change
The Clerk reported that he had attended a UDC seminar on this. Broadly, the licensing system for the Village Hall and the Social Club will in future be run by the District Council rather than by the Magistrates Courts, and applications for new licences need to be made shortly. The Clerk will liaise with the Social Club and the Village Hall Committee on this. The Council would appreciate being kept aware of the proposals that are to be made.

69.8 AOB
Kate Harrison would like to stand down as Passenger Transport Representative, and will try to find a replacement.
She also reported that the grass round the Pillar Box had been mown in January, which had damaged the daffodils in that area.

Philip Scatchard reported that a complaint had been received about the mound of hedge-cuttings etc on the bank outside Gawlers. The Clerk will telephone the District Council about this.

David Williams reported a complaint about rat infestation in the ditch in the Street. He had contacted the District Council who had put down bait with some appearance of success.

Richard Wallace reported that East Herts District Council were apparently still reviewing their Bus Service provision. He will investigate this further.
P 179

The discussions about the second runway at Stansted, and about additional housing in Uttlesford, continue.

Diana McConaghy reminded the meeting about the Litter Pick weekend. She will also respond to the latest request from the Stop Stansted Expansion campaign.

The Chairman reminded the Council of the response sent to the East of England Plan (copy attached to these minutes). He also pointed that the next meeting would be the Annual Parish Meeting.


There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.30 pm

Date of next meeting: Monday, April 25th 2005 at 8.15 pm.
(Annual Parish Meeting and Council AGM)

p 180