Minutes
Minutes of a meeting of the WINDMILL SUB-COMMITTEE held on Wednesday 6th December 2023 at 7.00pm in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
PRESENT Cllr J O’Brien (Chair), Cllrs M Caton and J Kavanagh
Richard Thomas and Tony Crosby – Stansted Millers
ATTENDING Mrs Ruth Clifford – Parish Clerk, Cllr Peter Jones, 1 member of the public – via Zoom
280 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Jeff Bowie and Tudor Owen, Stansted Millers. No apologies were received from Cllrs Braeckman and Khan.
281 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
282 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 5th APRIL 2023
RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the meeting held on 5th April 2023 as a true and accurate account.
283 TO RECEIVE ANY UPDATES SINCE THE LAST MEETING
419 – the sign was ordered and ready for collection in the office
422 – Clerk to clarify re maintenance costs for planters
284 TO CONSIDER THE 2023 INSPECTION REPORTS FROM THE MILLWRIGHT
Both reports had been circulated ahead of the meeting and Mr Thomas confirmed that a number of repairs have been completed either by the Millwright or by the Millers. He referred to the comments regarding the replacement of the sails and stocks which will need to be considered before too long as they have gone beyond their life expectancy by some years. Replacement timbers will need to be purchased 2 years ahead in order to weather properly. The costs for this project are likely to exceed £85,000.
The re-pointing project will hopefully continue in 2024. The contractor has agreed to hold his costs into 2024, but the scaffolding costs are likely to increase. Once it is known how much funding is available (see below), a decision can be taken on the extent of the works.
Cllr Caton referred to the “to do” list prepared by the Millwright in May. Mr Thomas commented that some of the items had been completed and others were an “in the ideal world” scenario. It was agreed that an updated list would be prepared in time for the next meeting. Cllr Caton also referred to works undertaken by the Millers and stated the need for risk assessments to be undertaken.
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285 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM THE MILLERS ON MAINTENANCE – covered above
286 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM THE MILLERS ON FUND-RAISING AND ACCOUNTS
The Millers’ interim accounts to 5th December were received.
Mr Thomas reported that the summer Fete had raised £3,300 without any grants for the first year in a while. They have applied to the Lottery for funding for the 2024 event.
Mr Crosby reported that he has been working with Laila on grant applications for funding for the re-pointing project. To date they have secured £1,000 from the SPAB Mills Group and £7,500 from the Essex Heritage Trust. The outcome of an application to the Airport Fund is awaited and they have identified some other potential sources of funding.
Meeting closed at 7.23pm
ACTION POINTS
284 Millers to ask the Millwright to update the “to-do” list and provide ballpark costings
Agenda
You are summoned to attend a meeting of the WINDMILL SUB COMMITTEE to be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 6th December 2023 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex where the following business will be transacted
1 To receive apologies for absence
2 To receive Declarations of Interest
3 To receive the minutes of the meetings held on 5th April 2023
4 To receive any updates since the last meeting
5 To consider the 2023 inspection reports from the Millwright – attached
6 To receive an update from the Millers on maintenance
7 Update from the Millers on fund-raising and accounts
Ruth Clifford Parish Clerk 30th November 2023
The press and public are welcome to attend all meeting of the Parish Council and its Committees. Any intention to record, film or take photographs during a meeting must be notified to the Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.