• Mr Nicholas Turkentine (Vice Chair)
• Mr David Drane
• Ms Diana Frost
• Mrs Laura Saxel
• District Councillor George Smith
• The Clerk

The Parish Council meeting started at 8.00pm

179. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

     Apologies for absence were accepted from Mr Sean McCarthy
     County Cllr Martin Foley sent apologies.
     
     

180. REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS

     District Councillor Smith confirmed that Uttlesford District Council’s budget had passed at the last Council meeting and that the appointment of the new Director of Planning would be announced soon.
     
     

181. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

     The Minutes of 17^th February 2022 were agreed as a correct record, and signed by the Vice Chair.
     
     

182. MATTERS ARISING

     fd None.
     
     

183. FINANCE

     Financial Update – The Clerk confirmed the current account balance as £2457.66 and reserve account at £9251.25.
     Local Government Pay Award – The delayed increase in pay scales for April 2021 had been published. It was agreed that the Clerk’s salary should be increased as per the new pay scale, to £11.05 per hour.
     Water Fountain Budget – Diana Frost confirmed that Essex Heritage Trust have agreed to provide a grant of £1500 for the renovation of the village water fountain. This leaves a shortfall of £1300 to be funded by the Parish Council, £500 above the budgeted amount. It was agreed that the £500 shortfall could be covered by the budgeted £800 for greenery clearance behind the water fountain and pond at the bottom of Church Hill.
     Invoices – Invoices were presented and payment approved as follows: £56.99 to David Boreham for base materials for Glebe bench; £48.55 to the Village Hall Management Committee (VHMC) for paving slabs, and £25 for membership of Essex Heritage Trust. Approval of £110 for the framed Parish map was also confirmed (invoice was signed at the previous meeting on 17th February).
     
     

184. PLANNING

     Fairview Bungalow: The Parish Council had been made aware of possible breach of planning consent for UTT/19/0687/HHF regarding the converted outbuilding at the front of the property, by creating a habitable basement area. Uttlesford Planning Enforcement had been contacted in regard to this possible breach. The Clerk is awaiting confirmation that a case has been raised.
     Hempstead House: UTT/22/0506/FUL. Proposed riding arena. NO COMMENTS REQUIRED
     Anso Corner Farm: UTT/22/0441/FUL AWAITING DECISION
     Lakehouse Farm: UTT/21/1862/FUL. AWAITING DECISION
     
     

185. CORRESPONDENCE

     None
     
     

186. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH & WELLBEING

     Laura Saxel will include some information in the next Newsletter on targeted thefts on vulnerable people. Feedback from the community safety partnership event had been positive.
     
     

187. HIGHWAYS AND RIGHTS OF WAY

     Feedback from the Liaison Forum on Highways to be given at the next meeting, when Mark Welbourn should be present.
     It was noted that the culvert/bridge at the bottom of Church Hill had been repaired and cleared. The Clerk will send a note of thanks to the Essex Highways officer responsible, to be passed on to the contractors.
     
     

188. ENVIRONMENT

     Tree Work – The horse chestnut by the village hall is due to be felled by Josh Watson on 20/21st April, Laura Saxel to contact UKPN to organise for the power to be turned off. Diana Frost and the Clerk have contacted neighbours to inform them when the work is to take place.
     
     

189. FLOODING

     Nick Turkentine is awaiting a response from County Cllr Martin Foley with regard to available funding for ditch and drain clearance.
     
     

190. COMMUNICATIONS

     No update required.
     
     

191. VILLAGE HALL

     VHMC awaiting grant funding agreement for work on improving the car park.
     
     

192. PLATINUM JUBILEE

     Diana Frost updated the PC on the sub-committee’s plans for the celebrations as follows: Thursday, 2^nd June – over 60’s afternoon tea party; Saturday, 4^th June – open church events, including fused glass artwork, a children’s walk and Parish boundary walk; and Sunday, 5^th June – ‘Street style’ party on the village hall patio, games on the Glebe and evening BBQ and disco.
     
     

193. EMERGENCY PLAN

     It was agreed that as there is no requirement for Parish Councils to have an Emergency Plan it can be taken off future agendas, and will only require intermittent attention to ensure it is up to date. Next review to take place in early 2023.