March 2008

Chairman: Cllr Paul Stirland Clerk: Angela Balcombe

Tel: 01376 330230 Tel: 01376 528081

E-mail: Chair@greatnotley.gov.uk E-mail: Clerk@greatnotley.gov.uk

6 Shires Close, Great Notley

Braintree, Essex, CM77 7FT

GREAT NOTLEY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GREAT NOTLEY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 11 MARCH 2008 AT 7.30 PM
AT THE DISCOVERY CENTRE, GREAT NOTLEY.

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Present: Cllrs Mansfield, Prosser, Sandbrook, Stirland and Walters.

In the Chair: Cllr. Stirland

Clerk: Angela Balcombe

Also present: 3 members of the public

08/62. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Barltrop, Butland & Dunster.

08/63. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.

To receive any ‘personal’ or ‘personal and prejudicial’ interests relating to items on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

08/64. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.

The minutes of 12 February 2008 were approved as a correct record of events.

Proposed: Cllr Mansfield. Seconded: Cllr Prosser. All agreed.

08/65. MATTERS ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES.

Brief progress check only.

08/60. Dog bins are emptied 3 times a week

Recycling at Tesco - the size and quantity of the bins are being reviewed.

08/66. PUBLIC FORUM.

	Allotments – it was suggested that now is the time for the Parish Council to resolve to vigorously pursue a new site – this was generally agreed by the Council, however, it will need to go on the next agenda for a decision. It was also suggested that the Parish Council should start negotiating again with the District Council for the land at Queenborough Lane which was previously turned down.
	New basketball/goal unit at Panners – a resident was not happy about the new unit, he asked why it was put there and why was it yellow?

EX-AGENDA.

District / County Councillors Report.

Cllr Walters explained about the task and finish group set up to look at the allotment sites around the District. A brief report of the Braintree Local Committee was given with examples of successful grant applications. There was brief discussion about community led plans and whether the Parish Council should revisit this idea. It was suggested that the Council start with a youth consultation.

08/67. FORMATION OF DIGITAL CAMERA CLUB.

To discuss and agree the Parish Council’s involvement. Football Club are going to sponsor a photographic exhibition. A meeting to be arranged, the Parish Council agreed to provide light refreshments

08/68. FINANCE.

The following cheques were approved for payment and signed:

100846 £579.59 A Balcombe (Salary & Expenses)

100847 £401.03 F Illman (Salary & Waterproofs)

100848 £136.91 ECC (Pension Contributions)

100849 £19.39 Acumen Wages Service (Monthly Salaries)

100850 £193.80 Braintree District Council (Hall Hire)

100851 £695.60 Marshalls Street Furniture (New Seat)

100852 £80.00 T Perkins (£12.00 P3, £68.00 Play Areas)

100853 £76.60 British Telecom (Phone Charges)

100854 £840.00 Bruce Welton Ltd. (Removal of walls and posts, RAFT)

100855 £6871.40 Zaun Ltd (3 x basketball/goal units)

100856 £35.25 Braintree District Council (Misc. Admin)

100857 £90.00 P Stirland (Times Expenses £60.00, Chairman’s Allowance £30.00)

08/69. TO DECIDE THE VENUE FOR FUTURE PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS.

Venue Hire will cost £48 per hour, the discount already agreed (15%) by the District Council will remain. From April car parking will cost £2, free tickets will be provided for half the number of attendees to encourage car sharing. A season ticket currently costs £100 but it may be reduced to £50 depending on a decision from Cabinet. As no other venue was available it was agreed to stay at the Discovery Centre for now.

For information:

Staff at PARC can park free of charge, parents are allowed a 10/15 minute drop off/collection period. Parents dropping off their children for football are allowed the same drop off/collection period.

08/70. EACL TRAINING COURSES.

15 April – Law & Procedures 9.30 – 3.30, cost £52.00

30 April – Employment Issues Course 9.30 – 3.30, cost £52.00

8 May – Minutes & Agenda Course 9.30 – 12.30, cost £32.00

08/71. PLANNING APPLICATIONS & RESULTS.

Application No: 07/02560/FUL. change of use of waste land to garden use and proposed first floor rear balcony, patio door and dormer window.
Location: 24 Grantham Avenue, Great Notley. Granted.

08/72. INTRODUCTION OF 1 APP AND LOCAL VALIDATION CHECKLISTS.

Information from ECC explaining new Government legislation. As from April 2008 all planning applications (except for minerals development) must be submitted on 1app which is the singular National Standard Planning Application Form. The draft checklists can be viewed on the ECC website www.essexcc.gov.uk/planning.

08/73. APPOINTMENT OF PARISH CLERK.

Interviews are to take place on the 14 March. The current Clerk will stay for a months’ handover period.

08/74. REPORTS.

Great Notley Times is ready for delivery.

08/75. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

Information exchange / next agenda items only.

· Community Warden – due to illness, temporary cover is being provided.

· Pavilion – meeting with the architect to be arranged.

· Fete – may not be held this year.

· War Memorial - thanks to the Football Club who helped with the flags.

· Thanks to the retiring Clerk.

· Village in Bloom (Football Club).

· Litter Pick Day.

· Emergency Plan – May agenda.

· Cuckoo Wood – not open to public despite the Parish Council asking otherwise.

08/76. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING.

The next meeting is on the 8 April 2008 at 7.30 pm at the Discovery Centre, Great Notley. Cllrs Mansfield, Sandbrook and Prosser gave their apologies for this meeting. The Annual Assembly will be held in May.

THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9:20 PM

SIGNED (CHAIRMAN): DATE: