MINUTES OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2009 AT 7.30 P.M._______________________________________

In the chair: Mrs. J. Beavis
Present: Councillors C. Cannell, R. Green, E. Jones, A. Law, G. Massey, M. Rudge, J. Skittrall,
E. Snarey and A. Stewart.
 Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
Mr. D. Finch (County Councillor)

257. Fire regulations
Details were given of the fire regulations relating to the Hall and in particular the whereabouts of the fire exits, the assembly point in Parkfields and that vehicles must not be removed from the Hall Car Park.
258. Apologies for absence
Councillors R. Falco (in London), V. Mullender (family commitment) F. Swallow (on holiday) and W. Scattergood.

259. Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest.

260. To confirm minutes of previous meeting held 12th January 2009
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on 12th January 2009, having been previously circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

261. Matters arising from those minutes
BDC car parks
The Chairman reported that the bollards were in position, the signs erected and the locks and keys should arrive next week. Mr. R. Darkins had kindly agreed to unlock the bollards from Mondays to Saturdays inclusive and another approach will be made to the Co-op to lock them each evening. The Chief Executive of BDC had agreed in principle to SHPC taking over ownership or management of the car park, which will be further considered at a cabinet meeting on 10th February 2009 when Mrs. W. Scattergood will speak on behalf of SHPC and promote its reasons for acquiring the car park. The letters from residents were noted.

262. Public Comment
There was no public comment.

263. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
The Chairman thanked Mr. J. Skittrall for organizing the opening of the MUGA and for the publicity.
The Vice Chairman invited all Councillors to join him for an inspection of the village on Saturday, 28th February 2009 commencing at 9.30am at the PC Office. The inspection will include the greenswards, which are being used for parking and the churchyard.
Mr. Skittrall reported that the area between Grays Hall Meadow and Station Road junction would be cleared to facilitate identification of those dumping garden waste. In addition irresponsible dog owners will be targeted with a view to prosecution.

264. Youth Council Report
In the absence of Mr. J. Tame, no report was given.

265. County Council Report
Mr. D. Finch reported that the ECC Council Tax, is expected to be fixed on 10th February and that a 1.9% increase was proposed, which will be the smallest increase since Council Tax came into being. The small increase was as a result of building up reserves and efficiencies in recent years. He referred to the national shortage of salt and that ECC will review the salting of secondary routes on a daily basis and therefore some roads may not be salted. A daily update will be available on: HYPERLINK "http://www.essex.gov.uk" www.essex.gov.uk Thanks were recorded to ECC for salting roads and pavements in SH and to Mr. Finch for keeping SHPC informed.
Mrs. J. Beavis stated that SHPC will be looking at helping elderly persons and asked Mr. Finch for assistance. Mr. Finch will arrange for Mr. Derek Robinson the ECC Older Persons ‘Champion’ for Essex to attend a future meeting to talk about supporting elderly people.

266. District Council Report
In the absence of Mrs. W. Scattergood and Mr. F. Swallow no report was given. Mrs. J. Beavis reported that BDC should set the Council Tax on 10th February 2009 and that the Local Strategic Partnership had obtained a grant of £50,000 for Village agents in rural areas.

267. Planning
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 16th January 2009 had been circulated and it was resolved that the minutes be accepted in lieu of a report.
Miss. C. Cannell reported that the next SHPC Planning Committee meeting would be on 13th February and arrangements were made for site visits that morning.

268. Footpaths
Dr. R. Green reported that a proof of the footpath map should be received from David Norton of Norplan later this week.

269. Riverside Walk Report
The Clerk reported that the first meeting of the Steering Group to form The Friends of the Riverside Walk had been fixed for 12th February 2009, which would be followed by two further meetings under the guidance of the Green Light Trust. Mr. J. Stack of GLT and Mr. R. Parmee of RCCP will be in attendance.

270. Recreation and Amenities Committee Report
The minutes of the Recreation and Amenities Committee meeting held on 15th January 2009, had been circulated by Mrs. G. Massey and it was resolved that those minutes be accepted in lieu of a report.

271. To review High Street Green issues
Mrs. G. Massey reported that Mr. Jason Parker of Pump Corner, High Street Green had attended the Recreation and Amenities Committee meeting on 15th January 2009 when his issues concerning High Street Green Village Green had been discussed at some length. He was mainly concerned about the dog bin and paths, which had been installed at the request of several other residents. The BDC Dog Warden had chosen the location of the dog bin, as the most suitable, was installed by him and it is unlikely that it will be moved. It was agreed that Mrs. G. Massey and Mr. J. Skittrall inspect High Street Green and report back to the next Recreation and Amenities Committee Meeting on 19th February, which Mr. Parker had been invited to attend, to make recommendations to the next PC Meeting on 9th March. Mr. J. Skittrall reported on his telephone conversation with Mr. Parker on 9th February who had accepted this timetable. It was agreed to reply to Sir Alan Haselhurst MP and to inform him of the position.

272. To consider access/disabled access from existing path to MUGA on Recreation Ground
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that the existing entrance to the MUGA has a step, which makes it difficult for disabled people to get access. It was therefore agreed to obtain quotes for a new disabled access for either a new concrete or tarmac path.

273. To consider purchasing a memory stick for CCTV unit on Recreation Ground
It was resolved that Mrs. G. Massey purchase two memory sticks for CCTV unit on behalf of SHPC and that the Clerk would reimburse her. Mr. A. Stewart advised upon the relevant provisions of the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts, which were noted.

274. To consider request for ‘No Through Road’ sign at Oxford Meadow
The Clerk reported upon requests from residents of the Oxford Meadow estate asking for a ‘No Through Road’ sign at the Yeldham Road entrance because Sat Nav was incorrectly directing large lorries through the estate to the former Tanners Dairy site. It was agreed to ask ECC Highways for ‘No Through Road’ signs for both Oxford Meadow and Summerfields, where there was also a problem. The issue of Sat Nav directing lorries along Hulls Mill Lane had already been taken up with ECC Highways on behalf of Dr. R. A. Green.

275. To consider BDC Draft Affordable Housing Strategy 2009-2014
The Chairman reported that BDC had invited SHPC to make comments upon the Draft Affordable Housing Strategy 2009-2014. Items to be considered are the future of the Premdor site and the former Tanner’s Dairy site, the concern about empty houses in SH and SH residents currently being housed out of the area. Mr. A. Stewart enquired if GCH, which are currently the largest housing provider in SH intend to increase their stock and what is their strategic plan. It was agreed to invite a GCH representative to a future PC meeting. Mr. E. Snarey referred to the ambiguity of the term ‘Affordable Housing’ and that he was sad about the loss of Council Houses. Mrs. G. Massey referred to the need for Social Housing in SH. The deadline for comments is 16th March and the Chairman asked Councillors to let the Clerk have their views by the end of February so that a response to BDC can be prepared.

276. To report upon site meeting with ECC Highways regarding defects in pavements in SH
The Clerk reported that Mrs. J. Beavis, Miss. C. Cannell and Mr. A. Law had met Mr. M. Gardner of ECC Highways on 30th January when the pavements along both sides of Swan Street had been inspected. Numerous defects had been noted including a drain cover, which had been completely covered. ECC will instruct their contractors to rectify these defects, when weather conditions are suitable.

277. To consider arrangements and publicity for Annual Parish Meeting
The Chairman reported that Councillor The Lady Newton, Chairman of BDC, had agreed to attend the SH Annual Parish Meeting on 23rd March and to speak. Another speaker will also be invited to attend. In addition to reports from village organizations, reports will also be invited from the Friends of Alderford Mill and from The Friends of the Riverside Walk. The agenda will be finalized towards the end of February. Mrs. G. Massey kindly agreed to prepare a flier, which Councillors agreed to deliver to all residents inviting them to attend the meeting.

278. Correspondence
The correspondence received and listed in appendix 1 was referred to relevant Councillors for information and action. Arising from the correspondence the following items were noted and agreed:
That Mrs. J. Beavis and Dr. R. A. Green would represent SHPC at the Essex Rural Partnership Conference on 24th February 2009.
That the S137 limit for expenditure for 2009-2010 had increased to £6.15 per elector (3041 electors x £6.15 = £18,702.15)
Six letters had been received from residents asking for double yellow lines on the south side of Summerfields on safety grounds. It was agreed to continue to pursue this with ECC Highways.
The result of the Parish Plan survey from BDC was noted. Arising from this item it was agreed to continue to pursue (i) the flood lagoon for Cobbs Fenn to protect Alderford Street and (ii) affordable housing on the site in Oxford Meadow retained by BDC from the transfer to GCH.
Mr. A. Stewart referred to the decision from The Planning Inspectorate relating to 135 Swan Street, which was very disappointing and in particular the loss of S106 monies for Highway improvements, because BDC Planning Officers had failed to give the Inspector any or insufficient evidence in support.
Mr. A. Stewart asked if licenses had been obtained for flower tubs and it was confirmed that all licenses had been obtained.

279. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment. It was proposed by Mrs. E. Jones, seconded by Mr. A. Stewart and carried that the accounts are paid.


280. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
Mrs. G. Massey reported that streetlight 14 in Swan Street was out of order, which the Clerk will report.
Mr. M. Rudge reported that the salt bin at the bottom of Brook Meadow has water in. The Recreation and Amenities Committee will inspect salt bins on the village inspection.
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that he had requested a quote for a bench in memory of Keith Metson, which SHPC will pay for. Mr. K. Shears and Mr. B. Hoadley had kindly agreed to construct the concrete base free of charge and Mr. Skittrall will arrange the brass plaque.
Mr. E. Snarey reported that the level of the River Colne was very high but the flood lagoons in Wethersfield Road were working well. The Clerk reported that in view of the high river levels he had asked the Environment Agency to open the floodgates on 6th February, which had been done and as a result the high river levels through the village had been reduced. Concern was expressed that the new dam in Halstead was not being used sufficiently as SH was often at risk from flooding and it was agreed to write to Halstead Town Council asking for their support in applying pressure on the Environment Agency about the future use of the dam. Mr. E. Snarey also reported that the Environment Agency had failed to clear the River and tributaries in the vicinity of Alderford Mill as requested some months ago and had also failed to reply to a letter from SHPC sent two months ago. The Clerk reported that he had sent the Environment Agency two reminders, the second of which was particularly forceful and as a result the Environment Agency had telephoned the Clerk to apologise for the delay in replying and gave an assurance that a full reply would be received by the end of the week.
Dr. R. A. Green reported upon continuing litter problems at the entrance to the concrete road to the Anglian Water sewage works in Hulls Mill Lane. Since the recent letter and photograph in the Halstead Gazette the litterbin had been badly damaged. The Clerk had reported the issue to the Police, the BDC Clean Team and the Community Warden on a number of occasions.
Dr. R. A. Green reported that on 20th February, two hundred trees would be planted adjacent to Hulls Mill Lane under the Essex Tree Planting Scheme. Mr. J. Skittrall and other Councillors offered their help. Mr. J. Skittrall reported upon a request for funding for matting for these trees for which the Hedingham Heritage Society will pay half. It was agreed that SHPC consider paying the other half at the next meeting.
Mrs. E. Jones reported that the Old Smithy, opposite the former Tanners Dairy, had been broken into. It was agreed to inform the Police.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9pm




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