MINUTES OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON MONDAY 10TH AUGUST 2009 AT 7.30 PM._______________________________________
In the chair: Mr. J. Skittrall
Present: Cllrs. C. Cannell, R. Falco, R. Green, H. Johnson, G. Massey, M. Rudge, E. Snarey & F. Swallow.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
112. 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.
113. Apologies for absence
Cllrs. J. Beavis (holiday), A. Law (holiday), A. Stewart (holiday) D. Finch and W. Scattergood.
114. Absent
Cllr. E. Jones.
115 Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest.
116. To confirm minutes of previous meeting held 13th July 2009
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on 13th July 2009, having been circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
117. Matters arising from those minutes
a) Overhanging hedges, shrubs and vegetation
The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Mr. Richard Winter, Community Warden, who readily agreed to visit and speak to property owners/occupiers about overhanging hedges and vegetation in future.
b) Meeting with Environment Agency
The Clerk reported that the next meeting with the Environment Agency had been arranged for Friday morning, 11th September 2009 at 10.30am at PC Office. It was agreed that SHPC should be represented by:
Mrs. J. Beavis, Dr. R. Green, Mr. H. Johnson, Mrs. G. Massey, Mr. E. Snarey, Mr. F. Swallow and Mr. A. Corder-Birch.
c) Contract
The Clerk reported that the contract referred to in minute 111 had been approved, signed and the matter completed.
118. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
119. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
Mr. J. Skittrall had nothing to report outside the agenda.
120. Youth Council Report
In the absence of Mr. J. Tame no report was given.
121. County Council Report
In the absence of Mr. D. Finch no report was given.
122. District Council Report
In the absence of Mrs. J. Beavis and Mrs. W. Scattergood no report was given.
Mr. F. Swallow reported that BDC Halstead Local Committee would like to invite representatives of Parish Councils to a consultation event at the Queens Hall, Halstead on 23rd September 2009 at 7.15pm to consider priorities for the local area for 2010/11 and beyond. It was agreed that Mrs. G. Massey and Mr. J. Skittrall attend this event on behalf of SHPC.
123. Planning
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 7th August 2009 having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report.
124. Recreation and Amenities
The minutes of the Recreation and Amenities Committee Meeting held on 17th July 2009 having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report.
125. Footpaths
Dr. R. Green reported that Simon Taylor, Footpaths Enforcement Officer, ECC, had visited Mr. Redding at Southey Green Farm who is now conforming, obstructions had been removed from FP66 and he had agreed to keep FP72 free from crops. The stile has been repaired on FP63 and a new bridge constructed.
Mrs. A. Weatherley had reported that two trees had blown down and blocked FP24 through Lowts Wood. Lisa Cross of P3 had been informed but their removal may be the responsibility of the landowner namely Mr. & Mrs. Turtle of Peppers Farm, Forrey Green. The footpath map is progressing well and photographs obtained to include with it. Dr. R. Green and Mr. A. Corder-Birch will be visiting the designer in Lexden to finalize the map.
126. Hedingham Riverside Walk Report
Dr. R. Green reported that a site meeting had been held and agreement reached about future work to be done. A Bugs, Bats and Butterfly Day will be held on 5th September with bat detectors and moth traps for which Mrs. A. Weatherley will be asking Mr. Simon Leatherdale to make the arrangements. Mr. H. Johnson reported that three dog bins had been delivered, one for Summerfields and two for the Wimpey part of the site when the land is transferred to BDC this autumn. Two disabled gates had also been delivered, one for Summerfields and one for the Wimpey part of the site. Arrangements had been made for one gate, one dog bin and four litterbins to be erected on 27th August. Thanks were recorded to Mr. H. Johnson for removing nettles and debris.
127. VDS Report
Mrs. G. Massey reported that meetings were being held every two weeks and that Jan Cole of RCCE had attended the last meeting. The aim is to prepare the draft VDS by the end of September, following which it will need approval by BDC. The residents of SH will be consulted upon the draft before the final version is printed, hopefully by the end of the year.
128. Report of NAP meeting
Mr. J. Skittrall reported upon the NAP meeting held at the Village Hall, SH on 29th July 2009, which had been well attended. Inspector Murray and Sgt. Tompsett of Essex Police were present and had offered to attend future NAP meetings. The date of the next meeting will be arranged by Panel members and be held at the Memorial Hall, Castle Hedingham. Mr. E. Snarey was pleased that statistics were not given at the meeting on 29th July, which had been more positive. The new Inspector will Police the village and is not interested in statistics.
129. To consider disabled gate for Grays Hall Meadow
Mr. J. Skittrall and Mr. M. Rudge both reported upon the need for a disabled gate at Grays Hall Meadow for various users. The Clerk had obtained a quote of £461 to include carriage for the largest size gate, to which erection costs must be added. It was agreed to place an order when appropriate (see minute 132 below).
130. To consider locations for Kassel kerbs at bus stops
The Clerk reported that ECC Highways had offered to install Kassel kerbs in SH in next years Quality Bus Partnership bus stop improvement programme. It was agreed to ask ECC Highways to advise upon the installation of Kassel kerbs at all bus stops in SH.
131. To consider application for grant to ECC CIF Highways
The Clerk reported that ECC Highways had suggested that other highway schemes that could attract CIF funding in SH may be (a) the zebra crossing in Yeldham Road and (b) VAS signage at various locations where PC considers there is a speeding problem. In this respect Mr. F. Swallow advised that there was no need to apply to ECC CIF Highways for funding for Speed Watch. It was agreed to initially apply for funding for the zebra crossing in Yeldham Road and depending upon the estimated cost to secondly consider applying for funding for VAS signage.
In connection with Highway matters it was agreed to ask for the following two items to be included on the agenda for the next Halstead Traffic Management Liaison:
Update on designation of ‘Quiet Lanes’
Policy for horses using roads warning signs
132. To consider applications for grants to ECC CIF
It was agreed to include the disabled gate for Grays Hall Meadow (see minute 129 above) together with kissing gates and disabled gates, as appropriate, in an application for funding from ECC CIF. It was agreed that the Footpaths and PROWs Advisory Group prepare a list of the locations and types of gates. With regard to proposed Petanque course it was agreed refer this to the Recreation and Amenities Committee to find a suitable site and to apply for funding to ECC CIF.
133. 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:
Arising from the two letters from Mrs. B. Robinson it was reported that the problem of fireworks in the village had been referred to the last NAP meeting and the issue was raised with the Police. The other policing issues will be referred to the next NAP meeting for consideration.
A letter from Holmes & Hills on behalf of the Metson family regarding two rights of way at Hill Farm, Southey Green was considered. It was agreed to enter into a Deed of Easement but to ensure (i) that the width of both rights of way is restricted to one vehicular width (ii) there is no detriment or cost for future maintenance to SHPC and the cost of maintenance of both rights of way is the responsibility of the successive owners of Hill Farm.
Consequent upon the email from ECC it was resolved to strenuously oppose the proposed policy of streetlights being turned off after midnight in view of the risk of increase in crime. NAP and SARA/MAPS will be invited to consider this issue and to write separately to ECC.
The email from ECC regarding proposed school crossing person for the Primary School was considered and it was agreed to abandon the idea as SH did not meet the criteria. The request for double yellow lines at the School Road end of Alexandra Road was still under consideration.
The Clerk referred to correspondence and Parish Update from BDC and reminded Councillors that the next SH, Gosfield and Yeldhams Cluster Meeting will take place at Gosfield on 27th October.
The request from EALC to nominate a Councillor to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party was considered. It was agreed to nominate Mrs. J. Beavis.
134. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment. It was proposed by Mrs. G. Massey, seconded by Mr. F. Swallow and carried that the accounts are paid.
135. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
None.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.35pm.
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(Date) (Chairman)