MINUTES OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2008 AT 7.30 P.M._______________________________________
In the chair: Mr. J. Skittrall (for items 154 to 173) and Mrs. J. Beavis (for items 174 to 180)
Present: Councillors C. Cannell, R. Falco, R. Green, E. Jones, A. Law, V. Mullender, E. Snarey, F. Swallow and A. Stewart.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
154. 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.
155. Apologies for absence
Councillors G. Massey (illness), M. Rudge (recovering from operation), D. Finch, J. Tame and W. Scattergood.
156. Declarations of interest
Mr. A. Law declared a personal interest in connection with the application by Hedingham Baptist Church for a grant towards renovations as he is a member of the Church. There were no other declarations of interest.
157. To confirm minutes of previous meeting held 8th September 2008
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on 8th September 2008, having been previously circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
158. Matters arising from those minutes
a. Relief Clerk
The Clerk reported that Mrs. S. Smith had worked very well as Relief Clerk in his absence and recommended that the arrangement continues when necessary in the future, which was agreed.
Halloween
Mrs. E. Jones queried expenditure for the Halloween event and was advised that provision had been made in the budget and that, a further £200 had since been granted by Halstead JAG.
159. Public Comment
In the absence of any members of the public there was no public comment.
160. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that a wreath had been ordered from the Royal British Legion for laying, at the SH War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. It was agreed to make a donation of £40.00 to the Royal British Legion to include the cost of the wreath.
161. Youth Council Report
The Clerk reported that Mr. J. Tame had sent a message that the Halloween posters would be completed and circulated this week.
162. County Council Report
In the absence of Mr. D. Finch no report was given.
163. District Council Report
In the absence of Mrs. J. Beavis, Mrs. W. Scattergood and Mr. F. Swallow no report was given.
164. Planning
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 26th September had been circulated and it was resolved that the minutes be accepted in lieu of a report. Miss. C. Cannell reminded members of the Planning Committee that the next Planning Committee meeting would be held on 17th October and asked members to make site visits and read applications before the meeting.
165. Footpaths
Dr. R. Green reported that the current representative could no longer walk the footpaths in the Cobbs Fenn area. Miss. C. Cannell, Mr. A. Law and Mr. V. Mullender all offered their services to walk and check these footpaths.
Dr. Green has a meeting with Lisa Cross of P3 on 15th October to arrange the installation of the kissing gate in place of damaged stile along FP 47 and requested details of the landowner. Mr. V. Mullender kindly offered to speak to the landowner in advance of the P3 visit. All footpath issues at Southey Green had been satisfactorily resolved.
166. Riverside Walk
Mr. A. Corder-Birch reported that a meeting had taken place on 10th October with Mr. Parmee (RCCP), Mr. J. Stack of The Green Light Trust and Mrs. J. Beavis, Miss. C. Cannell, Dr. R. Green and Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Parish Council representatives) to discuss the arrangements for the Inaugural Public Meeting to form ‘The Friends of the Riverside Walk’ on Monday, 1st December 2008 at 7 for 7.30pm at the Village Hall. Mrs. G. Massey had kindly agreed to print invitations and posters for this meeting, which was gratefully accepted. These invitations will be delivered by hand with the Speed Watch leaflets and the Police Questionnaires towards the end of October. Discussions regarding the proposed footbridge at Alderford Street are continuing and ECC Highways are arranging a site visit by their Safety Engineer.
167 Recreational Areas and Amenities Advisory Group Report
The minutes of the Recreational Areas and Amenities Advisory Group meeting held on 15th September 2008, which had been circulated to all Councillors was accepted in lieu of a report. Arising from these minutes Mr. J. Skittrall reported that the new surface to the tennis court area was being laid and CCTV cameras and signs should soon be erected. With regard to the Halloween event the fencing and lights will be delivered on the morning of 31st October and Messrs. Hoadley and Shears will help on site.
168 To form Recreation and Amenities Committee
It was proposed by Miss. C. Cannell, seconded by Mr. R. Falco and carried that the former Recreational Areas and Amenities Advisory Group be reconstituted as the Recreation and Amenities Committee comprising the same membership with meetings on the third Friday of each month.
169 Report of meeting with BDC regarding S106 Agreements in SH
The Clerk reported that Mrs. J. Beavis and himself had met Sarah Burder in Causeway House on 12th September when S106 Agreements relating to SH were discussed and in particular the monies payable for community benefits. The Clerk gave brief details of these benefits, the amounts involved and the relevant dates. It was confirmed that from monies available for public open spaces the design of a suitable footbridge for the Riverside Walk at Alderford Street could be prepared. Unfortunately one relevant file was not available as it was being scanned and when the information from this file is available a complete schedule will be prepared.
170 Report from VDS Committee
In the absence of Mrs. G. Massey this item was deferred until the next meeting.
171 Report of SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment) meeting
Mr. R. Falco gave a brief report of the SARA meeting held at Great Yeldham Police Station on 10th September 2008 at which Miss. C. Cannell and Mr. J. Skittrall also represented SHPC and Mrs. J. Beavis attended as District Councillor. In view of the confidentiality agreement there was little upon which Mr. Falco could report save for the CCTV being installed on the Recreation Ground and problems at the Village Hall. Miss. C. Cannell reported that on 10th October Chief Inspector Gooden had visited the Parish Council Office and met Mrs. J. Beavis, Mr. A. Corder-Birch and Dr. R. A. Green. The Chief Inspector is keen on the SARA model for solving ASB problems in SH but suggested a new name is considered.
172 Report of Halstead Traffic Management Liaison Meeting
In the absence of Mrs. G. Massey this item was deferred until the next meeting.
(Mr. F. Swallow arrived at the meeting)
173 Water Management Report
Mr. E. Snarey gave a report of a meeting, which he had attended with Mr. A. Stewart in Chelmsford on 19th September regarding flooding problems in the UK. Several Parish Councils were represented but it was disappointing that the Water Authority was absent. Mr. Snarey explained the position regarding Wethersfield Road and Alderford Street and gave details from a report, which contained recommendations some of which were not relevant to SH. It was emphasized that the Environment Agency and the Met Office need to work together and concern was expressed about the proposed powers for the Environment Agency. There is now a presumption against any building on flood plains. More funding and grants should be available to help people affected by floods. It was agreed to place the report in the correspondence file so Councillors can read it before the next meeting.
Mr. E. Snarey reported upon a site meeting with Mr. Robert Brooks of the Environment Agency, which had taken place at Alderford Street on 9th October 2008. The Environment Agency had agreed to clear the Mill Stream and the tributaries into the River Colne in the vicinity of Alderford Street depending upon the availability of funds. Mr. Snarey was thanked for his reports.
(Mrs. J. Beavis arrived at the meeting and took the chair)
174 To consider extending concrete slab path at High Street Green
Mrs. E. Jones reported that the residents of High Street Green were very pleased with the concrete slab path between the road and the letterbox and proposed its extension from the letterbox to the dog bin to facilitate access to the dog bin through the long grass. A letter from Mr. & Mrs. Thompson of High Street Green requesting the extension and giving reasons was included in the correspondence.
Mr. J. Skittrall opposed the extension as the slabs obstruct grass cutting and may lead to requests for more slabs to access dog bins in other parts of the village.
Mr. R. Falco stated that the slabs should be sunk into the grass to facilitate grass cutting and emphasized that residents need to use the dog bin, which had recently been provided at their request and in addition residents were now using the new dog bags, which SHPC was promoting.
Mr. A. Stewart supported the extension and explained that possible requests elsewhere in the village should be considered on their own merits and that an extension at High Street Green should not create a precedent.
The Chairman reminded Councillors that the path was requested by the residents of High Street Green who do not get much provided for them and supported the request. It was proposed by Mrs. E. Jones, seconded by Mr. R. Falco and carried by 10 votes to 0 votes with 1 abstention that the extension to the path is referred to the new Recreation and Amenities Committee to investigate and obtain quotes.
175 To approve existing Nat West Reserve Account being used for THF transactions only
The Clerk explained that SHPC was holding funds on behalf of THF and they required interest on the amount held. Rather than opening a new account the Clerk suggested using the existing Nat West Reserve Account, which had not been used for some time, for this purpose. It was therefore proposed by Mr. F. Swallow, seconded by Miss. C. Cannell and carried that the existing Nat West Reserve Account be used for THF transactions only in future.
176 To consider issue of vehicles for sale obstructing public highways
The Clerk reported that during the last few months the Parish Council had been inundated with complaints about cars for sale, which were parked on public roads, causing an obstruction and lack of parking space for residents. The principal problem areas were the Bewick Court junction with Swan Street, Spurgeon Close and Alderford Street. Miss. C. Cannell also reported cars for sale parked in the BDC car park at Summerfields. The Clerk explained that under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 “A person is guilty of an offence if at any time he leaves two or more vehicles parked within 500 metres of each other on a road or roads where they are exposed or advertised for sale….”. Magistrates could impose a fine of £2,500. The residents of Alderford Street had been particularly diligent and had regularly sent BDC photographic evidence but no action had been taken to date. So many complaints had been made to BDC by SHPC and residents of Alderford Street that BDC had made a decision that one Officer namely Mr. Gary Philp, Environmental Protection Officer will be the investigating officer and that all communications must be addressed through him. It was resolved that Councillors obtain photographic evidence and the Chairman agreed to continue ongoing discussions with Mr. Trevor Lawrence to ensure that the Community Wardens also continue to collect evidence to pass direct to Mr. Philp.
177 Braintree Association of Local Councils
The Chairman reported that unfortunately the BALC meeting on 9th October clashed with another event at Braintree Town Hall, which the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Clerk attended. It was hoped to attend the next BALC meeting.
178 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 agreed:
A letter from Mrs. B. Robinson was referred to PC McMaster who will visit her.
A letter from Hedingham Baptist Church requesting a grant towards repairs to the North Wall of the Church was considered. The Friends of Essex Churches had recently made a grant towards the cost of repairs but there was a shortfall. Following some discussion the request for a grant was declined.
The contents of a letter from AON Insurers declining to insure SHPC for tree damage in view of an ongoing claim was noted.
Mr. A. Stewart queried a letter from BDC regarding Equalities Standard Assessment. The Clerk explained that he had been asked by BDC to represent Parish Councils in the Braintree District and attend a Focus Group/Assessment on 17th September to support BDC’s application and as a result BDC had been successful in obtaining Equalities Standard Level 3 being one of the few District Councils in the country to have achieved this level.
The following items were passed to the Chairman:
Stop Stansted Expansion
The Friends of Historic Essex newsletter
RCCE – Village Hall and Community Building Conference
ECC – Community Action Team – Annual Report 2007-2008
ECC Highways – License to Plant
EALC County Update September 2008
179. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment. It was proposed by Mr. J. Skittrall, seconded by Mr. F. Swallow and carried that the accounts are paid.
180. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
The Chairman reminded Councillors that the Sible Hedingham, Gosfield, Great and Little Yeldham Cluster Meeting would be held on 22nd October 2008 at 7.30pm at the Village Hall, Sible Hedingham.
Mr. R. Falco enquired about the missing sign at High Street Green, which had been reported to the Police. As nothing further had been heard it was agreed to order a replacement sign from Concept Signs.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm.
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(Date) (Chairman)