Public forum: Peter Sanders of Stop Stansted Expansion gave a presentation.

Signs: The clerk is to chase agencies about changing the signs on the A120 from the A130 to B1008 to direct traffic away from Barnston.

Extra parking: Uttlesford Council is to be asked if it was possible to have additional car parking spaces in Rayfield Close.

Clerk’s report: The clerk had asked highways if it could cut back the hedge on High Easter Road which is overhanging cables and then charge the cost to the utility companies. This is not possible.

The clerk is still waiting for road markings in the area of Parsonage Lane, before the School House, to be refreshed and an additional slow marking added on the approach to the School House.

The clerk had spoken to highways and it was going to chase the contractors to prioritise the job.

Various pathways had been resurfaced in the village and edges tidied up as part of the highways planned parish visit.

A response was awaited from highways to a request to replace the barriers at the end of the Rayfield Close footpath.

It was noted that a rotten post had been removed and bark put down in the Watts Close play area.

The safety mats under the slides in both play areas had been jet washed and the bench repaired in the village hall play area.

Dog fouling in both play areas was still occurring. The clerk had additional signs from Uttlesford Council to put up.

The handywoman had removed graffiti from one of the bus stops.

The clerk is to investigate the possibility of applying for a diversion of the footpath in the Watts Close play area and the cost of fencing off the footpaths.

Wages: It was agreed to pay the handywoman £7.50 an hour from September and offer her a permanent contract. It was also resolved to pay the clerk £10.60 an hour, backdated to April.

Stile on footpath three at Barnston Stud: Highways had visited the landowner and there was some uncertainty as to who owned the land with the stile. Highways is to investigate.

Invitation: The clerk is to invite Charlotte Fellingham, public rights of way officer at Essex County Council, to a meeting.

Next meeting: October 13, at 7.45pm.