Culf Suite: Councillors agreed a quotation of £1,095 to redecorate the entrance, women’s toilet and disabled toilet plus the bar area. All work is to be done around hirings.

Foakes Hall stage lighting: Dunmow Round Table had donated £572 to buy another dimmer for the stage lighting.

Ponds: The Environment Agency had reported no pollution was evident at Talberds Ley pond.

This meant the water in the pond could be pumped directly to the ditch at Talberds Ley prior to desilting.

A search for newts at Crickets pond will be undertaken.

Recreation Ground football pitches: It was agreed the football working group would research changes in match fees and report to the next meeting.

David Cock bequest land: The council’s land agent had been instructed to put the tenant on notice to take the required land back in September 2009 for a community woodland.

The project was on course for 2009/10. The tenant supported the scheme.

Footpath 67 redirection: David Reid, owner of Langleys, requested the diversion of footpath 67 from his drive to the headland of the field to the south of his drive. He would pay all costs.

Ford through River Chelmer: There were problems with four-wheel-drive vehicles entering the small paddock from the ford and causing a nuisance.

A chain costing about £300 would be put across the entrance by the slope and across the river to prevent access.

Litter pick: Due to a clash of dates the litter pick will now be held on Saturday, meeting 9.30am at Foakes Hall car park.

Wildflower meadow: The possibility of sowing wildflowers along the old railway embankment at Langleys is to be investigated, particularly in view of the impending work on the embankment.

Petanque pitch: It was agreed the profile of the facility needed to be raised so people made more use of it.

Hedge: Members accepted a quotation of £1,500 to carry out remedial works to the tree belt from Porters Yard to Three Ways at the recreation ground.

Burger van: A request from Nina Sheppard to park a burger bar at the skate park and Parsonage Downs was refused in view of the council supporting a healthy eating policy.

Circus Tyanna: Members agreed the circus could use the recreation ground from June 28 to July 1 next year, subject to standard conditions of hire.

Skate park: Neil Tuttlebury was preparing a grant application in conjunction with skaters for a fill-in ramp costing £3,700.

Causeway development: Clive Smith said following planning permission for homes at the rear of 41-49 The Causeway, it was probable there would be increased pressure on the recreation ground car park for overspill parking from residents of the new development.

He suggested gate posts and a barrier.

Jubilee allotments: Following legal advice, a letter had been sent to the owner of Pargetters stating the fence should be removed and the land restored to the council’s ownership.

The Lock Up, North Street: Councillors agreed the building be restored as a jail or partially as a soup kitchen. The town clerk is to undertake investigations.

Allowance: Members agreed the town mayor’s allowance be increased to £1,000 a year.

Grant: A grant of £3,050 per annum for the next three years to the Dunmow Museum was agreed.

Queen: Councillors noted with appreciation the modern photo portrait of the Queen which had been donated by the town clerk.