Parish Council

PCSO Angela Greneski reported that investigations had been made to try to improve the High Street parking problems, but no satisfactory answer had been found.

Football club: A meeting had taken place between the Essex FA representative, two parish councillors, two football club members and the clerk.

The application for new changing rooms was progressing and final application forms should be ready for the next meeting with the FA on October 18.

A letter of complaint was received following the fun day on August 23 from a resident in Mill Lane. A car had been driven at speed, turned round and the driver made an impolite gesture to the resident.

Village handyman: Mr Riley had requested an increase in the rate he charges for tractor use. It was agreed the hourly rate when Mr Riley is using his tractor should be increased by 15 per cent to £23 per hour.

The hourly rate for other works, which include the use of petrol mower and strimmer, will also be increased by 15 per cent to £17 per hour. This increase to be backdated to July 1 and the charge will be reviewed again in January.

Village sign: This was on display at the meeting and Mark Lanyon and Roy Howland agreed to cement in the post and affix the sign. The date for the unveiling ceremony is to be arranged at the next meeting.

Unpaid wayleaves: Two wayleaves are outstanding. It was agreed the clerk would chase these again and if no payments were forthcoming, a letter would be sent pointing out that should any of the properties be sold in the future, the parish council would be obliged to inform the agents that they were in dispute with the owner over unpaid wayleaves.

Allotments: These are now all taken and two people are on the waiting list.

A request had been received to install a polytunnel on one allotment. Although the height could be intrusive, no objections were raised. A request to put in a small garden shed was also unopposed.

Highways: Railings have been installed on the pavement outside the school.

The kerb in Mill Lane below the site for the street light had been reinstated. Unfortunately, this was a concrete kerb when it should be a granite kerb as it falls within the conservation area.

It was agreed that Essex County Council be requested to replace the concrete kerb with granite and that Ben Outdoors should remove the soil, line the area with a waterproof membrane and fill the area with lime chippings.

Village noticeboards: All the necessary documentation had been completed.

It was agreed that £1,500 be transferred from the Alcott Car Parking reserve of £4,000 to meet the costs of purchasing and installing the two village notice boards.

The Alcott Car Parking reserve is to be repaid on receipt of the 2009/2010 precept.

High Street car parking: Andrew Martin had prepared a parking scheme for High Street that included a 20mph speed limit outside the school, chicanes and parking areas.

The draft scheme is being checked for legal requirements and will be available for comment.

Streetlighting: The ordered lamps had arrived and were with the electrician awaiting installation at Squirrels, Mill Lane, the Green Man and Bakery House.

A new control box had been provided by EDF for a light in Mill Lane.

Play areas: Various improvements and repairs were reported and quotes would be obtained.

Footpaths: The clerk reported that the registration number of the vehicle driving by badger setts had been passed to Co-Op Farms.

Stebbing Society wished to organise village walks and requested they were organised under the parish council’s name.

The clerk is to check the insurance cover for walkers. The two footpaths off Garden Fields had been cut.

Grant application: A donation of £150 will be made to Stebbing Guides.

Village hall: Christina Cant had resigned as village hall representative due to it conflicting with her Uttlesford Council planning position. Sandi Merifield was elected to replace Mrs Cant.

A request has been received from the village hall to allow the restrictive covenant to be removed on 2 Chapel Cottages, which only allows the property to be used for residential purposes.

It was agreed the covenant should remain and only be reviewed if/when a specific reason for it being removed was communicated to the parish council.

Village shop: Following an informative meeting between the steering group and a representative from ViRSA, a public meeting is to be held on November 2, at 2pm in the village hall to give the village the opportunity to hear how a community shop works. A site/building is still being sought.

Gipsy caravans: Several caravans had been parked over the summer at the Lindsell turning.

The clerk had reported each incident as it occurred.

Next meeting: October 9.