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STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET PARISH COUNCILWINDMILL

MINUTES of a meeting of the WINDMILL SUB-COMMITTEE held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 13 April 2016in the Day Centre, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, StanstedMountfitchet, Essex

PRESENT:Cllrs J O’Brien (Chairman), CllrsM Caton, P L Jones, J Kavanagh andF Richards. Mrs M Clark (co-trustee), Messrs T Owen, E Pretty and R Thomas (Stansted Millers)

ATTENDING:Mrs R Clifford – Clerk

Mr T Lloyd – Asst to the Clerk

Cllr M Capell-Helm

454TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE-none.

455TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST- none.

456TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGHELD ON 28 OCTOBER 2015

The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record

457MATTERS ARISING-none.

458UPDATE FROM THE MILLERS ON MAINTENANCE

Richard Thomas reported that:

  • work on the upper deck had taken place
  • paint work had been undertaken as and when weather permitted
  • a crack in a support beam means it will need to be replaced at some point but it is not an immediate safety concern
  • work on the second light box will commence when the weather improves

459UPDATE FROM THE MILLERS ON FUND RAISING AND ACCOUNTS

  • £8,722 is currently held in the bank
  • projects for this year have been budgeted for
  • the increase in the entry fee for adults to two pound has not caused any negative impact

Richard Thomas outlined concerns about the fact that revenue costs for running the Mill are reclaimed by the Parish Council from the capital fund. The Clerk explained that this has always been the case. Richard had understood that these costs were met by the Parish Council, leaving the capital fund to build up to cover future expensive repairs which the Millers would not be able to fund themselves. Cllr Jones assured the meeting that the Council acts as the back-stop if and when no other funds are available and any necessary work would always be undertaken subject to Council approval. The Parish Council pays £4,000 per annum into the capital fund. The costs of the re-painting of the woodwork and re-pointing will be paid from this fund. It was agreed that it would be prudent to wait for the next inspection report and prepare a long term maintenance programme and budget.

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460STORAGE FACILITY - PROGRESS REPORT

RT reported that a contractor had been appointed to lay the concrete base. Materials will be purchased with a view to starting construction work in May.

461TO CONSIDER QUOTES FOR EXTERNAL PAINTING AND RE-POINTING

Following consideration of two quotes, and references, Cllr Jones proposed the following:

RESOLUTIONthat the contract for external painting and re-pointing be awarded to Bill Griffiths on the condition he agrees to a reasonable completion date and works with the Millers to agree the areas that need re-pointing.

The proposal was seconded by Cllr Richards and gained unanimous support.

462TO CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT OF A CONSULTANT MILLWRIGHT

The Clerk and Mr Owen agreed to research potential candidates and agree a recommendation to be put before the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

463AOB

The Chairman put on record the Council's appreciation of the outstanding service given by Derek Honour to the Mill. Derek has now stepped down as Chairman and has been give the position of Honorary Life President. A party is being held at the mill in his honour on Friday 29th April to which all Parish Councillors and Millers are invited.

Meeting closed at 7.45 pm.