In the chair: Mr. J. Skittrall
Present: Cllrs. C. Cannell, R. Green, H. Johnson, E. Jones, A. Law, M. Rudge, E. Snarey and
A. Stewart.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
PCSO M. Ling (Essex Police), Mrs. A. Thrussell, two representatives from the Hedinghams Youth Council and one other member of the public.
218. 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 vehicles must not be removed from the Hall Car Park.
219. Apologies for absence
Cllrs. J. Beavis (attending another meeting), R. Falco (eye trouble), G. Massey (eye trouble) F. Swallow (attending another meeting), D. Finch and W. Scattergood
220 Declarations of interest
Mr. A. Stewart declared a personal interest in connection with the item relating to Park Court as a resident of Parkfields. Mr. J. Skittrall declared a personal and prejudicial interest in connection with the parking issue relating to Brook Meadow as a resident of Brook Meadow. There were no other declarations of interest.
221. To confirm minutes of previous meeting held 9th November 2009
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on 9th November 2009, having been circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
222. Matters arising from those minutes
a) Flood Alleviation Scheme
Miss. C. Cannell enquired about the flood alleviation scheme and the Clerk advised that a meeting would shortly take place with Mrs. J. Beavis, Mr. D. Finch and ECC Officers.
223. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
224. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
Mr. A. Corder-Birch reported the following items on behalf of Mrs. J. Beavis:
- That Miss. C. Cannell, Mrs. J. Beavis and Mr. A. Corder-Birch had attended the opening of the Ripper Hall on 20th November and were very impressed with the renovations and refurbishment.
- That Miss. C. Cannell, Mr. J. Skittrall and Mr. A. Corder-Birch had attended the Licensing of the Rev. Lawrence Bond as Priest in Charge of Sible Hedingham with Castle Hedingham on 5th December and had welcomed Rev. Bond to the Hedingham Benefice.
- That the new footpath maps for Sible Hedingham and Castle Hedingham had been launched by Mrs. J. Beavis on 27th November at a well attended and successful event.
225. Youth Council Report
Mr. J. Skittrall welcomed Mrs. Anne Thrussell and two representatives of the Youth Council to the meeting. The Youth Council Chairman, Miss Georgina Streamer reported that the new Youth Council had supported the elderly residents in the community and taken Christmas gifts to Hedingham Place Residential Home. A colouring competition for young persons had been arranged. The Youth Council was trying to improve communications with all age groups in the village. Mr. Skittrall congratulated the Youth Council on their efforts and thanked them for attending the meeting and for their report.
226. County Council Report
In the absence of Mr. D. Finch no report was given.
227. District Council Report
In the absence of Mr. F. Swallow no report was given.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch reported on behalf of Mrs. J. Beavis that at the BDC Cabinet Meeting held on 7th December, PSG would be retained for the foreseeable future but for 2010-11 would be frozen to the same amount as in the current year namely £10,369 for SH.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch read a written report prepared by Mrs. W. Scattergood who will be opposing any proposal to delete the Landscape and Countryside Manager and the Community Landscape Officer posts, which are essential in rural areas. Mrs. Scattergood will continue to inform the Leader of BDC of her views on any reductions in services that would in her opinion be detrimental to rural parishes.
228. Planning
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 11th December 2009 having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report.
229. Recreation and Amenities
The minutes of the Recreation and Amenities Committee Meeting held on 20th November 2009 having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report. Arising from these minutes Mr. Skittrall reported that the flower cart will be installed and planted this week. Mr. A. Corder-Birch reported that GCH had approved the two proposed symmetric crescent shaped shrub beds at Oxford Meadow, which should be prepared during late February, 2010.
230. Finance and Funding
The minutes of the Finance and Funding Committee Meeting held on 11th December 2009 having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report.
231. Footpaths
Dr. R. Green reported that the footpath maps for Sible and Castle Hedingham were successfully launched by Mrs. J. Beavis on 27th November and were available free of charge at various locations in both villages.
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that FP 34 at Oxford Meadow had been cleared and looks very good.
232. Hedingham Riverside Walk Report
Dr. R. Green reported that a HRW meeting had been held the previous week. A very successful and well attended tree planting event had taken place at Molly’s Wood on 5th December when 130 trees had been planted. He was particularly pleased with the large oak tree, which had also been planted to celebrate his forthcoming 90th birthday and thanked the Councillors and Clerk for their contributions. Dr. Green is also planning to establish a community orchard and to plant fruit trees during late February 2010. Mr. J. Stack of the Green Light Trust is trying to secure funds for essential fencing to protect the trees. Dr. Green had attended the recent event at Alderford Mill organized by Mr. A. Law and others which attracted over 200 visitors. It had created great interest, was well organized and it is hoped will become a regular event.
Dr. Green was thanked for his reports.
233. VDS Report
Miss. C. Cannell reported on behalf of Mrs. G. Massey that she had attended meetings with BDC about Social Housing to include in the VDS. The draft text of the complete VDS is awaited for approval. This item was deferred to the next PC Meeting for Mrs. Massey to give a more detailed report.
234. Affordable Housing
Miss. C. Cannell reported that Mrs. J. Beavis, Mrs. G. Massey, Mr. A. Corder-Birch and herself had met Mr. T. Lucas of BDC on 1st December 2009 when some useful guidelines had been provided if various sites in SH are developed.
235. Social Housing
Several Councillors had attended meetings with BDC on 30th November and 4th December 2009 regarding social housing, which had been very useful. The allocation of Housing Association properties for rent and the application of regulations were outlined. The scheme was designed to make allocation of social housing more transparent and offer customers more choice. Mr. A. Stewart reported on the points system and the priority to be given to applicants living in or having close connections to SH. The scheme should be included in future S106 Agreements but cannot apply to old housing stock.
Mr. A. Stewart stated that there were no real plans to increase Social Housing stock or to encourage young persons to stay in the village. Miss. C. Cannell reported that 30% of houses on developments of over fifteen houses should have a mixture of affordable and social housing.
236. Parking issues in Brook Meadow
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that the parking issues in Brook Meadow had been satisfactorily resolved but the situation will continue to be monitored.
237. Maps Meeting
The MAPS meeting which was to have taken place on 9th December was cancelled by the Police and a new meeting will be arranged in the New Year.
238. National Grid
Unfortunately no Councillors were able to attend the briefing meeting by National Grid on 10th December and therefore no report was given. It is hoped to attend future consultation meetings on 5th January and 11th February 2010.
239. Planning Training course
Mr. J. Skittrall and Mr. H. Johnson reported upon the training course which they had attended on 16th November with Mrs. G. Massey. They explained the changes in the planning process including permitted development. There are strict guidelines and the future process should be easier with more flexibility but the new system may be open to abuse. Further information is awaited.
240. Tree Planting
Mr. J. Skittrall reported upon a meeting with Mr. H. Johnson, Mr. E. Mayes and Mr. P. Robinson when various potential sites for tree planting had been visited including Rippers Court, Brook Meadow, Alderford Street and Yeldham Road. A list of trees is being compiled for these sites and the tree planting scheme should be completed next year.
241. Grass cutting contract with GCH
Mr. J. Skittrall reported upon a meeting with GCH which he had attended on 27th November with Mrs. J. Beavis and Mr. A. Corder-Birch. Representatives of five other Parish Councils in the Braintree District had also attended. BDC had lost its grass cutting contract with GCH and both had mistakenly overlooked the fact that six Parish Councils have grass cutting contracts with GCH, through BDC up to 31st March 2010. GCH had entered into a new contract with Countrywide Grounds Maintenance (CGM) for grass cutting in the whole of the Braintree District with effect from 1st January 2010. All Parish Councils had made it clear that they wish the existing contracts to continue to (a) ensure a better appearance and (b) to honour existing contracts and retain existing workforce namely Brian Coe for SH, with whom SHPC has a three year contract from 2008 to 2011. GCH had agreed to negotiate with CGM to endeavour to remove the six parishes concerned from its contract and if successful to offer new contracts to the six parishes based on the areas involved. GCH had since notified SHPC that SH had been removed from its contract with CGM. Mrs. J. Beavis and Mr. A. Corder-Birch will attend a meeting with GCH on 22nd December when a new contract will be offered to SHPC for consideration.
A new contract will also be required from BDC for their areas of grass in SH and despite reminders from both the Clerk and Chairman no information or arrangements for a meeting had been forthcoming and will be pursued with BDC. The benefits of both contracts are that SHPC will control grass cutting in the village and can ensure a good appearance.
242. 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:
- The letter from Holmes & Hills confirmed the completion of the Grants of Easements relating to Hill Farm and Southey Green Village Green. The deeds will be placed with the PC’s other deeds.
- The letter from Mrs. B. Robinson relating to the water leak at Charlie Brown’s shop in Swan Street had been reported to Anglian Water, which will again serve a waste water order on the owner/occupier.
- The letter from Mrs. J. Beavis of BDC relating to future liaison with Parish Councils was deferred to the next PC Meeting when it will form an agenda item and enable Mrs. Beavis to provide further details of the proposals.
243. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment. It was proposed by Mr. A. Stewart, seconded by Mr. H. Johnson and carried that the accounts are paid and that the following item of expenditure should be a payment under the provisions of S137 of the LGA 1972:
Speedy Asset Services Limited – balance of account for hire of equipment for Halloween event £53.31
244. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
a. Mrs. E. Jones expressed concern about the burnt out house at High Street Green and enquired the position. Mr. J. Skittrall reported that the situation was confidential and refused discussion.
b. At the request of Mrs. Jones it was agreed to place blue plaques on the agenda for the next meeting.
c. Mr. M. Rudge reported that quad bikes were using the field at the rear of the former Dairy. PCSO Ling agreed to investigate and deal with the problem.
d. Mr. E. Snarey reported upon recent issues with opening and closing the floodgates at both watermills to prevent flooding in the village and requested clarification. Mr. A. Law expressed concern about the lack of water, which stops the mill wheel at Alderford Mill from turning and prevents corn being ground. Mr. J. Skittrall advised that people and property must be protected from flooding. Dr. R. A. Green reported that since Mr. A. Law had been liaising with him the level of water across the ford at Hulls Mill Lane had been well controlled. It was advised that the control of floodgates was initially the responsibility of mill owners but in default (ie an absentee mill owner) the Environment Agency would act to prevent flooding. It was resolved that Mr. E. Snarey and Mr. A. Law should meet and arrange to regularly monitor the opening and closing of the floodgates and the consequent water levels and that the issue should be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
e. Mr. E. Snarey produced the report of the ECC Public Transport Review, which it was agreed to include in the correspondence file for Councillors to peruse and let Mr. Snarey have comments ready for the next Public Transport meeting in April 2010.
f. The Clerk reported that a resident of Station Road had expressed concern that an application had been made to BDC for variation of hours for the sale of alcohol at Hedingham Village Club. The resident would be writing to BDC and copying in SHPC. It was understood that the closing date for representations is 8th January 2010 being three days before the next PC Meeting. It was resolved to await the letter, to obtain further information about the application and if necessary arrange an extraordinary meeting to consider the application. In the meantime Mr. F. Swallow had been consulted and will check his position as a member of the Licensing Panel and as a Ward Member for SH.
g. PCSO Mark Ling reported that he would be leaving SH on 3rd January and will be stationed at Witham Police Station with a view to eventually becoming a full time Police Officer. Mr. J. Skittrall thanked PCSO Ling for all his work for SH and gave him the PC’s best wishes for his career change.
245. Private Session
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).