MINUTES OF LITTLEBURY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 11th June, 2009
AT LITTLEBURY VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 P.M.

Councillors Present: Michael O’Sullivan (Chair), Brian Lewis, Lizzie Sanders, Jean Cowell and Matthew Clare.
Clerk: Tracy Coston
Public: 5

Interests declared:

1. Apologies for Absence Sam Sproul, Peter Farnsworth, Nick Dukes and Jan Menell
   
2. Discussion with Robert Chambers: Cllr Chambers explained that he had spoken to Lord Hanningfield about the problems with admissions into Gt. Chesterford Primary School. Cllr Chambers explained that the funding for the additional pupils would be forthcoming. ECC have confirmed that the extra teaching costs and extra accommodation funding wouldn’t be forthcoming.
   Robert Chambers offered to speak to the Governors to see if the school has any finances in hand, or could make changes to the class system to accommodate the addition children.
   Cllr Chambers admitted that he hadn’t organised a feasibility study as he felt it wasn’t as urgent as speaking about the funding.
   Joe Higham (parent) explained that the Governors minutes recorded that on 9th February, ECC visited the school and suggested using the Junior Library as a classroom.
   The school has applied for funds for the pupils, accommodation and teaching staff from the LA.
   Cllr Chambers agreed to speak to Mr Luke (Chair of Governors) about the funding and start a feasibility study. Matthew Clare offered to carry out an independent feasibility study in a week.
   
3. Discussion with Tom White (Audley End Estate): As a result of the Parish Plan several items arose:
   Allotments in Littlebury: Tom White has spoken to Lord Braybrooke, who supports in principle the idea of allotments. Tom White and Lizzie Sanders will discuss possible locations.
   Walking into Saffron Walden without leaving the main road: Tom White explained that the rights over the land are already let to a number of tenants, which made it impossible to open up to the general public. Tom White agreed that a walk in Bluebell Wood could be organised once a year.
   Ditches at Catmere End: Some of the ditches have been cleaned out, but there is a high water table in Catmere End.
   Trees in Chestnut Ave: There are two problems with the trees, which are protected with TPO’s. If the trees have to be felled, they will definitely be replanted.
   Pond at Littlebury Green: A resident from Littlebury Green asked if the pond could be cleaned up. It was agreed that advice would be sort from Essex Biodiversity Trust.
   Accidents through flint walls: Accidents have reduced in the summer but during the winter it is a problem. Joe Higham had spoken to the police about the camera vans being sent to Littlebury.
   
4. Public Participation:
   Village Hall request for funding: Members of the Village Hall Committee explained that the Village Hall has lost regular lettings over the year. The Village Hall will make a loss of
   £ 1,000.00 if their bookings do not increase.
   
5. Approval of minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting and the Annual Parish Meeting held on 14th May, 09 and Extraordinary meeting held on 21st May, 09: The previously circulated minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.
   
6. Matters arising from the minutes:
   a) Admissions to Gt. Chesterford Primary School: Item discussed at the beginning of the meeting.
   b) Community Speed Watch: The original gun has been sent back to CSW at Essex Police. CSW to meet with the Road Safety Team at Billericay.
   c) Flint wall in village: Two Councillors have spoken to both owners and one of the walls has been repaired. The PC will write to owners of Bakers Row as they are concerned about the low wall which has stone falling out of it.
   d) The Grip: Hardy Landscapes have been asked to clear the debris.
   
7. Highways:
   a) Planned parish visit 11th August, 09: Clerk to circulate the previous list for Councillors to suggest updates to.
   b) Speed limits in Littlebury Green and Mill Lane: Clerk to chase up with ECC.
   c) VAS signs and village gates: The number plate recognition feature on the VAS sign suggested by the PC will not work in area with speeds above 20mph. Clerk to go back to ECC to see if the supplier has a sign that reads the vehicle speed back.
   The PC agreed will pay for the maintenance agreement for a sign in principle, but would need to look at the agreement before a firm agreement was made.
   The PC agreed that the gates should be oak and not painted.
   Speed limits: Clerk to write to Highways requesting that the 30mph speed limit is moved out at the southern approach to Littlebury, because drivers can see the 50mph sign when they are still in the 30 mph limit.
   d) Extension of pavement to recreation ground: Clerk to ask Highways where the pavement extension is on their programme.
   
8. Recreation Ground:
   a) Gate at Littlebury Green recreation ground: The PC thanked Audley End Estate for mending the gate post.
   
9. Littlebury Parish Plan:
   a) Village shop: Local residents are interested in a village shop.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Finance
    a) Approval of cheques

Payments
Tracy Coston	£ 190.08
E-on Energy (D/D)	£ 25.61
P J Dudley Contracts	£ 1,317.69
Hardy Landscapes	£ 294.99
Tracy Coston (3 months expenses)	£ 370.30
Open Spaces	£ 40.00
K Woodhouse (Plants for pond)	£ 11.00
Inland Revenue (¼ Tax)	£ 42.80
TOTAL	£ 2,292.47
b) Request from Littlebury Village Hall Committee for funding: The PC agreed to cover the insurance costs, if the Village Hall doesn’t increase it’s lettings.

 

11. Planning:
    a) For Discussion:
    UTT/0145/09/FUL Keepers Lodge, Chestnut Ave, Audley End
    Erection of new flint wall
    PC Decision: No Objections
    b) UDC Decisions: None
    
12. General Correspondence: All in correspondence file.
    
13. Area Report:
    a) Churchyard: Clerk to ask Hardy Landscapes to spread some grass seed on the raised bed near the black gate by Church Walk.
    b) Triangle at Kents Farm: A few local residents have complained about some of the plants obstructing the view. The PC agreed that the plants were not a problem and acted as traffic calming.
    c) Beating the Bounds: The event was very successful and well attended.
    d) Village Hall Committee: The PC thanked the Committee for organising the 40’s evening.
    
    (The meeting was closed and opened to the public)
    e) Meeting with Governors: Paul Hobbs, Gt Chesterford School Governor attended the meeting and discussed some of the admissions issues with the PC.
    
    (The meeting was re-opened)
    
14. Date of next meeting, Parish Council Meeting on 9th July, 09 at 7.30 p.m. at
    Littlebury Village Hall, Littlebury.



The meeting was closed at 9.30 p.m.

Signed: Date:
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