MINUTES OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON MONDAY 6TH APRIL 2009 AT 7.30 P.M._______________________________________ .
In the chair: Mr. J. Skittrall
Present: Cllrs C. Cannell R. Falco E. Jones A. Law G. Massey M. Rudge E. Snarey & A. Stewart.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
1. 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.
2. Apologies for absence
Councillors J. Beavis & F. Swallow (attending BDC Meeting), Dr. R. Green (in Hospital), D. Finch and W. Scattergood.
3. Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest.
4. To confirm minutes of previous meeting held 9th March 2009
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on 9th March 2009, having been circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
5. Matters arising from those minutes
135 Swan Street
The Clerk confirmed that he had written to Mr. P. Munson of BDC who had passed the letter to Ms. T. Lambert for reply.
6. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
7. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
The Clerk gave a report on behalf of the Chairman. Mrs. J. Beavis had spoken to Mr. D. Lowe on 6th April who had informed her that a meeting had taken place on Thursday, 2nd April 2009 of all staff at Premdor who had been served with a 90 days review process notice, giving time for consultation with all staff on the future of the site. Unfortunately there will be no relocation and all redundancy notices will be served within the 90 days. After the 90 days the site will close unless a proportion of the workforce or management come up with a viable option, which will be considered by the Directors of Premdor that a small area of land might be considered by a smaller operation of some of the Premdor components. If not, after the 90 days consultation period expires a meeting will be arranged with SHPC to discuss plans for the site. Three master plans are being prepared, which all include Community facilities. In the meantime a meeting between Premdor and Mrs. J. Beavis, Mrs. G. Massey and Mr. A. Corder-Birch will take place on 8th April.
Mr. E. Snarey elaborated on the legal position and the trade union rules. Councillors were very disappointed that Premdor will not relocate and that 103 people will be out of work. SHPC is very concerned and will try and do what it can to alleviate the position.
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that daffodils and been pulled out along the Yeldham Road by persons unknown and he had reported this to the Police. Miss. C. Cannell reported the loss of daffodils in Summerfields. The seat in memory of Keith Metson had been erected in the Garden of Remembrance.
8. Youth Council Report
In the absence of Mr. J. Tame no report was given.
9. County Council Report
In the absence of Mr. D. Finch no report was given.
10. District Council Report
In the absence of Mrs. J. Beavis, Mr. F. Swallow and Mrs. W. Scattergood no report was given.
11. Planning
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 27th March 2009 having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report. The Clerk reported that, the application for erection of two dwellings on land rear of 132, 134 and 136 Swan Street would be considered by BDC Planning Committee on 14th April 2009. The recommendation included proposed S106 Agreement. Mrs. G. Massey agreed to represent SHPC at BDC Planning Committee meeting.
12. Footpaths
Mr. A. Corder-Birch reported that he had sent Mr. D. Norton of Norplan additional information to enable him to prepare a revised proof of the SH footpath map. This will include an enlarged map of the centre of SH on the reverse. In addition the Pauline Stevens, Mills and Hawkwood walks will be featured. Mr. Norton will prepare a revised proof and copies will be circulated to the Footpaths Advisory Group. Mr. A. Law produced a new waterproof sign for the Pauline Stevens walk, which he will erect. Mr. Law was thanked for his refurbishment work and it was agreed to reimburse him with the cost of materials.
13. Hedingham Riverside Walk Report
Mr. A. Corder-Birch reported that Mr. R. Parmee and pupils from Hedingham School had carried out coppicing and planting work on 26th March 2009. PC M. Mullender and Mr. R. Winter (BDC Community Warden) had also been in attendance. Mr. Winter had since assisted with resolving issues with a minority of residents of Spring Way and he is keeping the Riverside Walk under regular observation. The next meeting of Hedingham Riverside Walk will take place on 21st April 2009 at the Parish Council Office.
14. Recreation and Amenities Committee Report
The minutes of the Recreation and Amenities Committee meeting held on 3rd April 2009, having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report.
15. Report of Law and Procedure course held 11th March 2009
Mrs. G. Massey and Mr. J. Skittrall gave a report of the Law and Procedure course, which they had attended with Mrs. J. Beavis on 11th March 2009, which had been a very good course. The Recreation and Amenities Committee, is now a properly constituted committee and its meetings have been re-scheduled for the Clerk to attend and take the minutes. It was agreed to review Standing Orders and Financial Regulations once a year and to include these on the agenda for the annual PC meeting.
16. Report of Parish Event held on 19th March 2009
The Clerk reported that the BDC Parish Event held at Causeway House, Braintree on 19th March was very successful and well attended. It had been a good opportunity to meet representatives of all departments within BDC and also representatives from other authorities and organizations such as ECC, GCH, P3, RCCP, etc. The event had been well organized by Mrs. J. Beavis and her team at BDC.
17. Report of Public Transport “Kick Start” meeting
Mr. E. Snarey reported that with Mrs. J. Beavis and Mr. F. Swallow a meeting had taken place in PC Office on 20th March with representatives from De Vere Travel. Under the “Kick Start” scheme money is being allocated by ECC towards improving bus travel in Essex. De Vere is keen to cover outlying areas with bus travel including a circular route around the Hawkwood Road estate and High Street Green. De Vere will formulate some proposals for consideration by SHPC and thereafter applications need to be submitted to ECC by June 2009. In the meantime Mr. Snarey and Councillors will have another meeting with De Vere Travel to identify routes and to avoid those already covered by other operators. Mr. Snarey is hoping for success with more routes and was thanked for his report.
18. Matters arising from Sible Hedingham Annual Parish Meeting
Mr. J. Skittrall reported upon an excellent meeting, which was well attended, well planned, with entertaining speakers and informative reports. He thanked Mrs. J. Beavis and Mr. A. Corder-Birch for making the arrangements and Mrs. G. Massey for the flyers. It was agreed to arrange flyers and have a similar format next year. Mr. A. Stewart was disappointed that there was no representative present from St. Peter’s Primary School, despite an invitation being sent to Mrs. A. Donovan, Governor, who attended previous meetings and given a report. Mrs. E. Jones stated that SHPC used to appoint a Governor. Unfortunately in recent years it has not been invited to do so and the number of MLA Governors has decreased. Mr. E. Snarey was also very disappointed that there were not better links with the School as in former years. Mrs. G. Massey agreed to speak to Mrs. A. Donovan to ascertain who is Chairman of Governors and who the ECC, MLA and Community Governors are. Councillors also offered to visit the School to speak about the work of SHPC.
19. Report of Sible Hedingham, Gosfield, Great and Little Yeldham Cluster Meeting
The minutes of the Cluster Meeting held on 31st March 2009 having been circulated, it was resolved that they be accepted in lieu of a report. There were no matters arising.
20. Proposed meeting with Environment Agency
The Clerk reported that he had sent a long letter to Sir Alan Haselhurst MP, with copy correspondence, detailing all flooding and other issues with the Environment Agency during the last four years. Sir Alan had acknowledged the letter, which is receiving attention. A date for a meeting with the Environment Agency and others to include Sir Alan and Brooks Newmark MP is awaited.
21. Disabled access on pavements
Mr. E. Snarey reported that he had prepared a survey of locations in SH where dropped kerbs were necessary to assist wheelchair users. The Chairman and Clerk had met representatives of ECC Highways on 23rd March and some improvements will be made to the Sugar Loaves and Yeldham Road locations.
22. Affordable houses in SH and GCH funds
A written report from Mr. A. Stewart of his conversation with Mr. M. Woodward of GCH on 30th March was circulated. Mr. Stewart elaborated upon his report and was concerned that there were no plans for affordable houses for some time and it is difficult to pursue affordable housing in the present financial climate. Some land at Oxford Meadow had been specifically retained by BDC for affordable housing but no progress had been made. It was agreed that SH needs affordable and social housing now and in the future and the Chairman and Clerk were asked to request BDC and GCH to provide more affordable and social housing in SH. GCH has a CHIP fund containing £11 million and two other funds, including an environmental fund, which may be of interest to SHPC.
23. 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:
a. Mr. E. Snarey referred to bus shelters and reported that he had asked ECC for a suitable bus shelter at the Co-op, which will not obstruct the pavement. Mr. Snarey will continue to pursue this at a forthcoming public transport meeting.
24. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment. It was proposed by Mrs. E. Jones, seconded by Mr. R. Falco and carried that the accounts are paid.
25. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
Mr. R. Falco reminded Councillors that the May meeting would commence at 6pm.
26. Confidential business
It was resolved that in view of the special or confidential nature of the business about to be transacted it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting and they are instructed to withdraw pursuant to the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. The Parish Council Meeting then continued in private session (see confidential minutes for Parish Councillors only).