Present: Mrs. J. Beavis (Chairman), Cllrs: C. Cannell, R. Falco, Dr. R. A. Green, G. Massey, M. Rudge, J. Skittrall, E. Snarey, A. Stewart, F. Swallow and A. Corder-Birch (Clerk).
Mr. D. Finch (County Councillor), Lady Newton (Chairman of BDC), Mrs. W. Scattergood, Mrs. J. Smith, Mr. R. P. Ramage (District Councillors), Ms. C. Callow, QPM, (Community Development Officer, BDC), Sgt. B. Tompsett (Essex Police), Mrs. R. Johnson (Hedingham Heritage Society), Mr. A. McCoan (Churchwarden), Mr. B. Stacey (Hedingham Riverside Walk), Mr. B. Mills (Friends of Alderford Mill), Mr. C. Applebee (Twinning Association), Mrs. J. Jelley (Thursday Club), Mrs. C. Lewis (WI) together with about 45 (forty five) other members of the public.
The Chairman read out the fire regulations namely that in the event of fire or other emergency, the Village Hall emergency exits are located to the sides and rear of the Hall and everyone should assemble by foot at the assembly point at the top of the hill in Parkfields. Vehicles should not be removed from the car park as they may obstruct the arrival of the emergency vehicles.
Chairman’s welcome
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and in particular the guest speakers, Councillor The Lady Newton, Chairman of BDC and Cheryl Callow, QPM, Community Development Officer, BDC.
2. Apologies for Absence
Mr. A. Law, Mr. J. Tame, Mr. P. Corson, Mr. O. Hawkes, Mr. & Mrs. C. Radford and Mr. & Mrs. L. Mitchell.
3. Minutes of previous Annual Parish Meeting
The minutes of the previous Annual Parish Meeting held on 28th May 2008 were read, confirmed by those present and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
4. Matters arising from those minutes
There were no matters arising.
Essex County Council Report
A written report read by Mr. D. Finch is attached to these minutes. In addition to this report Mr. Finch added that ECC had allocated funding of £90,000.00 for the flood prevention scheme for Alderford Street. The Chairman thanked Mr. Finch for this good news and hoped that the flood prevention scheme can progress. Mr. Finch was thanked for his report.
6. Braintree District Council Reports
The Chairman reported that SH is represented by three District Councillors namely Mrs. W. Scattergood, Mr. F. Swallow and herself. Mrs. Beavis is Cabinet Member for Community and Communications and the theme of the meeting is the Community, which is the subject of the addresses by the guest speakers.
Mrs. Scattergood is Chairman of the BDC Planning Committee and the River Colne Countryside Project. She reported upon the good work of the RCCP during the last 19 years including work with Hedingham School. BDC and Colchester Borough Council have been funding the Project in equal shares. Unfortunately CBC recently decided to withdraw funding with effect from June 2009. As a result BDC will endeavour to find further funding to continue the scheme. This should not affect the work of the Hedingham Riverside Walk, which is well in hand. Mrs. Scattergood is determined to see the Project continue and was thanked for her report.
Mr. F. Swallow reported upon a very small increase in Council Tax by BDC this year through the hard work of Councillors and Officers. A series of working parties had been set up including public transport and fees and charges. With regard to bus services Mr. E. Snarey and the Parish Council are trying to fill in gaps in services to serve outlying parts of the village to connect with existing services. Mr. Swallow was thanked for his report.
7. Youth Council Report
In the absence of Mr. J. Tame no report was given but the Chairman added that Mrs. G. Massey and Mr. F. Swallow had attended a meeting with the Youth Council earlier in the evening to arrange the THF09 event.
Police Report
Sgt. B. Tompsett of Essex Police referred to the bad figures five years ago with high crime figures and poor detection rates of only 20%. This had improved to 35.2%, which is 15.2% better than five years ago and 5.2% better than last year. Details were given of Police statistics. This year the Police is looking for a significant reduction in crime particularly in criminal damage. Significant progress had been made during the last five years with the Crime and Disorder Partnership. The Chairman confirmed that there had been a vast improvement and a reduction of ASB through the partnership between the Police, BDC and SHPC. Mr. R. Thorogood of Hedingham Place reported ASB in the BDC Car Park, which the Police will investigate. The Chairman thanked Sgt. Tompsett for his report.
9. Fire Brigade Report
In the absence of a representative from the Fire Brigade no report was given.
10. Hedingham Heritage Society Report
Mrs. R. Johnson, Vice Chairman of Hedingham Heritage Society gave the annual report a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Mrs. Johnson was thanked for her report.
11. Sible Hedingham Village Hall Report
In the absence of Mr. O. Hawkes the written report prepared by him was read by the Clerk and a copy is attached to these minutes.
12. Sible Hedingham Church Report
Mr. A. McCoan, a Churchwarden, gave the annual report and stated that the Rev. D. Kelly had retired as Rector last autumn and therefore there is an interregnum in the Hedingham Benefice until a new Rector is appointed. During the interregnum, the Churchwardens were dealing with the affairs of the Church and other Clergy were taking the services. Unfortunately there were only 59 people on the Church roll. The footpath through the Churchyard was the responsibility of ECC and therefore they will be erecting rails at the steps. The lead stolen from the roof should be replaced this summer. The Churchyard was causing some concern as there were only a few spaces left for burials. Thanks were expressed to SHPC for continuing to cut the grass in the Churchyard.
13. Hedingham Baptist Church Report
In the absence of the Minister, Mr. P. Corson, his annual report was read by the Clerk and a copy is attached to these minutes.
14. St. Peters C of E Primary School Report
In the absence of a representative no report was given.
15. Hedingham School Report
Mrs. G. Massey, a Governor, reported that Hedingham is a happy school and well ordered. Credit was given to the teachers and pupils. Mrs. J. Beavis and Mr. F. Swallow had both attended events at the School during the year and had also found it a happy school. Mrs. Massey was thanked for her report.
16. Hedingham Hawks Youth Football Club Report
In the absence of a representative no report was given.
17. Hedingham Twinning Association Report
Mr. C. Applebee gave the Hedingham Twinning Association report a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Mr. Applebee was thanked for his report.
Women’s Institute Report
Mrs. C. Lewis gave the Women’s Institute Report a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Mrs. Lewis was thanked for her report.
19. Thursday Club Report
Mrs. J. Jelley gave the Thursday Club report a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Mrs. Jelley was thanked for her report.
20. Friends of Alderford Mill Report
Mr. B. Mills gave the Friends of Alderford Mill Report a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Mr. Mills was thanked for his report.
Hedingham Riverside Walk Report
Mr. B. Stacey, Chairman of Hedingham Riverside Walk, gave a brief report of the new organisation, which had been formed the previous week. He expressed thanks to the Green Light Trust for their guidance and to SHPC for their start up grant. The new walk will be a good amenity for the village.
Mr. Stracey was thanked for his report.
Address by Cheryl Callow QPM
Cheryl Callow, Community Development Officer with BDC and Vice Chairman of the Domestic Violence Panel gave an address upon community engagement and community cohesion. She referred to her Police background, her interests in photography and wildlife, particularly otters and passion for the community. Members of the public who have no community role were urged to do something to help the community. She supported engaging young people with older people in the community and helping neighbours. She offered to help SH to solve some of its community issues and to seek funding to help groups and organisations. Details were given of the Youth Offending Team and their reparation work in the community and of the work of the Braintree District Community Safety Partnership. The Chairman thanked Cheryl Callow for her address.
23. Address by Councillor The Lady Newton
Lady Newton, Chairman of BDC, was impressed by the well-attended meeting and of everything, which happens in SH as revealed in the reports. This reminds us to focus on the good things in SH and across the Braintree District. She congratulated everyone for what they do for the community. Lady Newton referred to her civic role, leadership and the responsibilities as Chairman. The community organisations, voluntary sector, churches and faith groups were all very important. Lady Newton asked SH to grow its volunteer base to keep the community together and to keep young people involved. BDC will help to support organisations through, inter alia, Local Committee grants. She thanked both District and Parish Councillors and representative of organisations for all they do, which makes a real difference to the life of the parish. The Chairman thanked Lady Newton for her address and for her hard work in the District.
24. Chairman’s Address
Mrs. J. Beavis gave a brief address and thanked everyone who had given reports so eloquently. She also thanked all members of SHPC and especially Mrs. G. Massey for preparing the Parish Meeting leaflets and Mr. J. Skittrall for flood prevention and other street maintenance work.
25. Public Question Time and Any Other Business
A resident referred to people parking on the double yellow lines in Summerfields and of the problem caused by large lorries turning and unloading at the rear of the Co-op. The Chairman reported that a meeting had taken place with ECC Highways that afternoon who were aware of the issues and will investigate them.
Mrs. M. Judd stated that vehicles parked on double yellow lines in Summerfields had prevented her getting through and had reported the obstruction to the Police.
A resident of Swan Street referred to the litter dropped by pupils from Hedingham School, who do not use the litter bins provided. Mr. D. Finch, as a Governor of the School will take this matter up with the Headmaster and see what can be done.
The same resident asked why School Road could not be gritted in bad weather and was concerned about children’s welfare. It was confirmed that there was a grit bin in School Road but apparently it had run out of grit before the bad weather ceased. Mr. Finch reported that gritting School Road was a longstanding issue and he outlined ECC gritting policy. He offered to meet the resident concerned out of the meeting.
A resident raised concern about the possible loss of local newspapers as reported on the television news and asked if Councils will support newspapers. Mr. Finch explained that all newspapers were suffering from the recession, with reduced revenue from advertisers and circulation and confirmed that ECC was watching the situation carefully.
A resident expressed concern about some narrow pavements along Swan Street and lorries exceeding the speed limit. The Chairman reported that SHPC had met ECC Highways who were looking at schemes in Yeldham Road and Swan Street to include crossings, which will also slow down traffic.
Mr. A. Stewart asked for more volunteers for Speed Watch and also requested training for the existing volunteers from the Police.
Mr. P. Day reported that he is running the SH website. ( HYPERLINK "http://www.siblehedingham.com" www.siblehedingham.com). There were already many local organisations and over 80 businesses on it as well as local history information. He asked for further contributions.
Dr. R. A. Green expressed concern about the future of RCCP by reason of the reduced funding. Mrs. W. Scattergood confirmed that BDC will continue funding but unfortunately CBC had withdrawn but BDC is trying to find Mr. Parmee other work in the Braintree District.
A resident referred to the bad state of the Churchyard and was informed that SHPC are meeting SHPCC to discuss the situation and try to find a solution. Ms. C. Callow advised that work in Churchyards is suitable for reparation work by the Youth Offending Team.
There being no further questions, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.15pm.
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