A meeting of Margaretting Parish Council took place at The Village Hall on Thursday 12^th June at 7.30 p.m.

Present: H Blurton, T Boem, W Cant, J Currie (Vice Chairman in chair) N Marshall, M Scott, A Smith.  In attendance Cllr I Grundy, two members of the public and Samir Pandja (Essex County Council - Acting Highways Manager)

13. Apologies for absence were received from P Savill and J Shedley

Samir Pandja attended the meeting and outlined his job role: The main functions were maintaining footpaths, footways, carriageways, road & traffic safety and street lighting. He is given a budget of £500,00 a year to fill all the pot holes which have become a big issue, all reported potholes that have a depth of 50mm must be filled, any measuring less will be put on a list and filled at a later date. He was to look at the pothole that had been reported outside Little Bridges. Over the next three years more money was to be spent on estate roads. M Scott asked about the scoring system which showed where different roads were given points that made up a list  for priority schemes, P Savill had previously e mailed Mr Pandja about the list and he was to send one out so that the PC could see how many points were needed for different schemes.

14.   The minutes of the meeting dated 08/05/2008 were agreed and signed as a true and correct record.

15.Matters Arising

1. Traffic Schemes - a sub committee (H Blurton, J Currie, P Savill, M Scott) would be putting proposals together to make traffic safer throughout the village. It was reported that Vicky Duff would attend the September meeting.
2. Village Sites/Bollards - H Blurton reported that the saddlery site had been approved; CBC had also sent a plan of all the services. The bollards were to be the same distance apart as those by the school and had to have reflectors on them.
3. War Memorial - It was reported that it was now the Parish Councils property. H Blurton to get a revised quotation for work at the memorial for the next meeting. M Scott reported that Whitewebbs was a listed building. While doing his research he also found out that the milestones had been listed since last year. H Blurton.
4. Bus Shelter - H Blurton reported that work was to commence on 30^th June. Barry Pattern was the man in charge at Lisnick.
5. Pond Cottage/Village Pond - H Blurton and N Marshall had both been to look at the pond and thought that the surface water on the drive could probably be sorted out by Mr Lincoln himself. T Boem to speak to Mr Lincoln and explain that there is not much more the Parish Council can do. T Boem. Tree to be lifted when the weather is dryer A Smith.

16.   Allotments.

The clerk explained that there was a waiting list in Ingatestone and some people waiting may be prepared to take on an unused allotment in the Maldon Road playing field. P Savill had sent a memo for permission to apply for a grant for more play equipment, this was agreed. Agenda item for July.

17.   Whistle Boards

I Grundy outlined a copy of an e mail from Steve Day (Network Rail). J Currie suggested the PC apply for a 116 of the Highways Act 1980 on the grounds that the path is unnecessary J Currie to contact EALC and ask their advice. N Marshall reported that the old wooden stile had been replaced with a metal one during the last month. M Scott and J Currie to look at before July meeting.

18.   Accounts

Authority was given for payment of the following;

            W Henderson              £763.75           Water Supply for Allotments  100835

            M D Landscapes         £661.53           Grasscutting                            100836

            C Kochan                    £473.75           Clerks salary & Expenses        100838

            M Scott                       £491.74           Projector                                  100840

Cheque number 100839 was cancelled

Cheque number 100834 was cancelled

            Allianz Insurance        £1095.37         Insurance                                 100839

19.    Planning

Whitewebbs Cottage              08/00987/FUL                        No Objections

Roman Road                           Conversion of existing house into 5no. 1 bed apartments including 2 storey rear extension.

Land south of Bramble Hall   08/00917/OUT            No objections

Ivy Barn Lane                         Erection of a 12,000 bird free-range egg laying unit

11 Orton Close                        08/05097/TPO             (TPO/2004/026)

T1 - Lime in side garden adjacent boundary - fell and replace.

Decisions

08/00546/FUL            Beech Lorne   First floor side extension        Granted

08/00244/FUL Lay-by, Margaretting A12                             Refused

Retrospective change of use of 20 foot container modified to sell fresh cut flowers.

20.       Correspondence

a.         Chelmsford Borough Council A-Z Guide of Council's Services.

b.         Chelmsford Borough Council. Life - Summer 2008 - Issue 51.

c.         EALC/ECC - Making the Links - Monthly Bulletin - J Currie to read

d.         ECC - Agenda for Mid Essex Area Forum on 3^rd June and dates for future meetings.

e.         NATS - Proposed Changes to Airspace (Stansted)

f.          The Playing Field - Newsletter - P Savill to read

g.         The Rural Housing Trust (affordable housing) Invitation to view houses, clerk reported she had taken up the invitation on 30^th May with P Savill. There would be another opportunity for councillors to view houses when finished.

h.         Clerk to write to Mr McGroaty of Rhymers and explain the PC is not responsible for cutting the grass verge outside his property.

21.   Any Other Business

a. I Grundy explained that the Licensing Committee were meeting to discuss whether the number of people attending the V Festival could increase. There were no objections from the Parish Council.

b. N Marshall asked where the land was that had been offered for affordable housing. Harry explained that the area didn't meet the criteria of butting onto the village envelope.

c. W Cant asked if a hand held speed camera could be requested in Maldon Road.

d.  H Blurton reported that the electric company had cut back the willow tree from the cables and were to cut back the branch on the BT line as well.

e.  A Smith was concerned about the parking at the garage. It is to be brought up at the September 11^th meeting and also addressed by the newly formed sub-committee.

f.   T Boem reported that A Radley had suggested distributing the tree leaflet that had been produced by CBC. I Grundy reported it was posted on CBCs website. H Blurton had a copy that he would show T Boem.

g.   T Boem to speak to the owners of the tree that is overhanging onto the post-box (Pilgrims) to request it be trimmed back after permission from CBC.

h.  T Boem thought it would be a good idea to have the information about the war memorial printed for the summer show to be sold; they would cost about £3.00 each.

i.  M Scott had read the Urban Space Document, Public Art Guide and Essex Design Guide. They were important documents especially the Essex Design Guide. It was agreed that they would be circulated for all councillors to read.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.47 p.m

Next meeting Thursday 10^th July 2008 at 7.30p.m.