Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of Meeting held on Monday 11th April 2005

At 7.30pm at the Village Hall, Parkfields off Alexandra Road

Present

Councillor G. Massey, Chairman, Councillor J. Skittrall, Vice Chairman.

Councillors C. Chapman, P. Day, N. Edwards, J. Ferrando, J. Hatfield, A. Law, M. Rudge, E. Snarey,

Clerk I. Smith

County Cllr. David Finch, District Cllr. Jo Beavis, District Cllr. Steve Bolter (arrived late due to attendance at another meeting).

P.c. Schultz and P.C.S.O. Debbie Green.

The chairman welcomed 3 members of the public.

Cllr. C. Cannell, Cllr. R. Green, Cllr. D. Holmes (emergency bereavement), District Cllr. W. Scattergood

(attending another meeting).

2. Declaration of Interest

There were no Declarations of Interest.

3. Public Comment

Item 16 was brought forward for public discussion.

Cllr. Skittrall explained Mr. Rose's reasons for his application for no waiting areas in Alderford Street.   Both Cllr. Skittrall and Cllr. Edwards had looked at the proposed no waiting zones put forward by Highways, and are considering whether they are appropriate for the area before making any comment.

Mrs. Gilfillan asked when a decision was likely to made on Resident's Parking at Alderford Street, as the questionnaire had been actioned last year.   The Clerk had updated Mrs. Gilfillan on matters and the final decision now rests with Highways.   Mr. Gilfillan said he had expected a decision to be made before now.   County Cllr. David Finch offered to speak to Highways to ask when a decision on this matter could be expected, and he will inform Mr. Gilfillan of the outcome.   He also promised to keep the Clerk informed of any developments in timescale.   Highways advised that many residents had voted against the proposal, so their wishes must also be taken into consideration.

4. Minutes of the Last Meeting held on 14th March 2005

Item 6, page 224 - "on may occasions" should read "on many occasions".

Item 6, page 224 -   "I the compound" should read "if the compound".

Subject to the above alterations, it was proposed that the Minutes be accepted as a true record.

5. Chairman's Report

The Chairman advised that she had nothing special to report, as she will touch upon various subjects already listed under the Agenda items.

6. Vice-chairman's Report

Recreation Ground - We are now getting into the busy season and the first grass cutting has taken place on the Recreation Ground, and it is our intention to ensure that this area will be enjoyed by everybody throughout the Spring and Summer.

There is very little to do with regards to the RoSPA Report and all the work should be completed by the end of the month.

Burial Ground - Quotes are now being obtained to carry out the necessary work to establish the new burial ground.   Location of established service pipes and electricity cables still to be charted.

The Chairman and I visited the residents of Christmas Fields following a telephone call from a resident with serious concerns, especially as the estate has many elderly residents.   Parking in connection with Hedingham School is a major concern and I will be contacting Jackie Roerig at Essex County Council Highways requesting a site visit to see what can be done to eliminate this problem.

Other matters concerned pupil behaviour, which I will not elaborate on until we have had a chance to talk with the school.

We also visited Rookwood Lane on Saturday and a further request for theClean Team to visit the area as soon as possible was made; also the footpath between Station Road and Swan Street.

Brook Meadow was also visited where the rails opposite the Sugar Loaves have still not been repaired after many requests to Braintree District Council, who passed this problem on to ECC.   This is a dangerous situation and unless the work is done soon the Health & Safety Executive will be informed of the matter.

County Cllr. David Finch suggested channelling problems through him when all other lines of communication fail.

7. County / District Councillors' Reports

County Councillor Finch had nothing to specific to report as he is standing as a candidate at the General

Election.   However, he welcomed questions from Members on any issues.

District Cllr. Jo Beavis

Meeting date set up for the Halstead, Braintree and Witham Care Trust for Public Meeting for consultation on the future of The Hedinghams Doctors' Surgery.  May 12th 2005.  6.30pm - 8.30pm.  Sible Hedingham Village Hall.  This meeting has been set up by the Care Trust and an announcement will be made in the local papers.

A Meeting has been set up for Wednesday 27th April at the Yeldham Police Station.  This will be a continuation of the SARA set up for Hedingham Place and the Co Op.  Looking into the issue of youth congregation, rubbish and security.

Alcohol Free Zone.   I confirm to Parish Members that it is only appropriate to make an Order for Alcohol Free Zones if the area in question has an existing problem with anti-social behaviour caused by public drinking.  By way of example, the District Council has recently made its very first Order for an area in Braintree Town Centre which has a history of litter problems (empty beer cans and bottles) and a range of criminal offences being committed in the vicinity.

28th September 2004 - I confirm that a meeting of the Police Community Consultative Group has been set up for this date.  This will be a chance, once again, for Parishioners to attend for an update and questions on Rural Policing.

District Councillor Steven Bolter

Braintree District Council.

I have now been a Councillor for a year. In that time I have learnt how important Parish Councils are, and seen how much work Parish Councillors do on behalf of their, sometimes ungrateful, parishioners.

I thank Joanne and Wendy, who in the absence of any other Liberal Democrats in the Halstead area, looked after me and guided me through procedures. I have enjoyed working with other Councillors of all parties and view with trepidation the approaching Elections when County campaigns will be focussing on our failings and differences rather than on what we have achieved by working together.

The rural north of the District has featured strongly in the Council over the past year, and our Ward has been very well represented.

Key Decisions to be considered this month

To consider transfer of Witham Technology Centre to Braintree College.  

Realignment of the Council's allocation of Resources to the Voluntary Sector to meet Council priorities.

Community Safety Strategy.

Decisions on Recommendations to Council to be taken in next months

Adoption of Modernisation of procedures for council meetings and organisation.

Housing Options

Best Value Performance Plan.

Housing - external inspection

I joined two officers on their external inspection of Sible Hedingham Council Housing.   Any litter (there was not much about) was noted for attention by the housing handyman. Near Oxford Meadow a skip, which looked abandoned, was to be investigated.

Officers noted several instances of cars or caravans parked in gardens contrary to the tenancy agreement, which requires hard entry and standing for both, with extra conditions for caravans. However some of the most car and van cluttered gardens were no longer in council ownership.

Parking was a problem in many areas. It was agreed to approach Essex CC to ask for an Invalid Only parking bay for a severely disabled man without direct access to the roadway. More parking was needed in that that part of Oxford Meadow.

Even in the middle of the day, it was apparent that there were many three and even four person households. This is something we must consider when planning for the future.

A120   A131 junction.

The planned improvement of the A120 between Braintree and the A12 at Marks Tey caters for traffic between Stansted and the east coast. It is another short term single issue fix. The plan fails to take note of the needs of traffic to or from the north and adds 1 km and 2 roundabouts to the journey from Hedingham to Chelmsford or Stansted. Only 24h traffic flows were available to support the proposals. Peak flow figures are needed to achieve the most appropriate junction layouts.

We need a proper long term plan for the Braintree Notley Gap, which should include easy transfer between road and rail as well as improved north south and east west traffic flows.

8. Matters Arising

Item 3 - Fines are only issuable by a P.c. for unattended vehicles.   P.c. Schulz said that parking fines were usually only issued for unnecessary obstruction.   If the driver is actually sitting in the car then P.C.S.O's, who do not have the power to issue parking fines, may call for back-up from officers   Cllr. Rudge advised that the police had told residents on his estate not to park on the pavement, or penalties would be given.   Cllr. Snarey said he thought this action had come about because dust carts had been unable to access properties, therefore residents had been asked to park responsibly.   Members were very concerned at parking on the pavement in Swan Street by delivery lorries, as pavements are not built to withstand such weight.

The Chairman welcomed our new P.C.S.O. Debbie Green, who replaces Neil Rogers who has moved to other territory.   Debbie will be spending 40% of her time in Sible Hedingham; being available for two days a week.   Debbie was informed that the Parish Council had been considering purchasing a bicycle for Neil Rogers and was prepared to do the same for her, if she thought it would be helpful.   P.C.S.O. Green said she would like to learn more about the village layout before making a decision on this issue.

County Cllr. David Finch and District Cllr. Jo Beavis left the meeting.

Item 10.   This footpath was inspected by the Chairman and Vice-chairman and they found the overall condition to be acceptable.

Footpaths - Cllr. Hatfield will call a meeting of the Foot---path Committee to discuss how best to commemorate the dedication of Pauline Stevens, who was a very keen walker of the footpaths in Sible Hedingham.

9. Correspondence - Appendix 1

Item   4 - The Chairman will attend this meeting.

Item 25 - The Chairman read this letter aloud to Members.

Item 32 - Cllr. Edwards requested a copy of this report.

10. Committee Reports

Planning:

There was NO OBJECTION to the following applications:

05/00422/FUL - 6 Sparrow Close.   Proposed side extension.

05/00424/FUL - Sandpipers, 83 Alexandra Road. Proposed construction of 4-bedroomed chalet and double garage.

05/00449/FUL - Land adjacent 46 to 49 Swan Street. Erection of one and a half storey dwelling and associated garaging.

05/00425/LBC - Red House Farm, Morris Green.   Renew main entrance door and frame.

05/00455/FUL - Washlands Farm Bungalow, Prayors Hill. Proposed amendment to agricultural occupancy condition attached to consent 02/00451/FUL.

The Planning Committee had NO OBJECTION to the following application, subject to the stated provisos:

1) Not to use the barn other than for domestic purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house.

2) Not to use the barn for any industrial, commercial, business, residential or any other use.

3) Not to sell, transfer, lease, let or otherwise dispose of the barn and that part of the site on which the barn is situated separately from the dwelling house.         

05/00557/FUL - Countryside, Swan Chase. Retention of existing single storey building and concrete drive, together with comprehensive landscaping works.

The Planning Committee had NO OBJECTION to the following planning application.

However, the Parish Council felt that there is serious need for additional parking at this site - probably in the region of 30 spaces.   This would stop the obstructive parking that is occurring in Christmas Field.

CC/BTE/36/05 - Hedingham School, Yeldham Road. The erection of a single storey extension to the existing library, including a new entrance to the school, the formal definition and delineation of 11 parking spaces and minor internal road and access improvements.

Proposal to accept Planning Committee's decisions: Cllr. Hatfield.   Seconded: Cllr. Ferrando.   Agreed unanimously.

Burial Ground

As advised under the Vice-chairman's report.

Footpaths - No report.

Recreation Ground

The RoSPA items should be completed by the end of the month.   The signage for the skate park area has been finalised and should be in situ by the end of the month.

Cllr. Rudge queried the grass cutting schedule.   Cllr. Skittrall advised that the first rough cut had been undertaken and he will bring a cutting schedule to the next meeting for Members' information.

Water Management

Cllr. Snarey reported that he had looked at the Wethersfield Road site, where levels are being marked out for the holding ponds.   Signs that the land has been acquired for water management have been installed on the other side of the road from the work site because of better visibility.

Alderford Street negotiations are still ongoing.

Website - No report.

11. Alcohol Free Zones within the village

This subject had been covered earlier under District Cllr. Beavis's report.   The Chairman confirmed that her research had highlighted the same criteria as Cllr. Jo Beavis had reported.   It was suggested that cans found on the Recreation Ground should be documented as criteria.   The Chairman advised that she was hoping for a test-purchasing operation to be carried out of under-age youngsters.

Cllr. Chapman thought that reporting any illegal drinking as incidents, and obtaining an incident number, could also be used as criteria.

12. The Chairman read out Danny Moores' letter of resignation as part-time warden.   Danny had advised the Parish Council of his intent some months ago, as he wishes to pursue his charity work.   However he had offered to take care of the Garden of Remembrance, and this offer was gladly accepted by the Members. The Members thought that a letter of thanks for all Danny's conscientious hard work on behalf of the Parish       should be sent to him.   It was also suggested that a presentation of some kind was in order.   Cllr. Skittrall to ascertain where Danny's wishes might lie in this respect.

Proposed: Cllr. Massey.   Seconded: Cllr. Skittrall.   Agreed unanimously.

13. Cllr. Skittrall explained that the first offer from BDC was very low and he had told Paul Partridge that the Parish Council was very happy for BDC to continue cutting the grass.   The quote we had received from Brian Coe was discussed with Paul Partridge and an agreement was reached on the figure of £4,950.00. for the Parish Council to undertake the new grass cutting schedule which was previously carried out by Braintree District Council.

Proposal to accept this figure: Cllr. Skittrall.   Seconded: Cllr. Massey.   Agreed unanimously.

14. This matter was Proposed to the Members by the Chairman and agreed unanimously.

15. The figure for printing costs would come out at about £1,800.00, and we already have funding for 74.34% of this figure.   Expenses incurred to date are not known, and Cllrs. Massey, Cannell and Ferrando have held frequent meetings to produce this Plan.   Their time, cost of telephone calls etc are eligible to be billed as part of the funded figure.   The Chairman has e-mailed the text of the Annual Report to those Members who use e-mail.

Proposal to agree costs for this one-off Village Plan: Cllr. Skittrall.   Seconded: Cllr. Massey. Agreed unanimously.

The Annual Parish Report should cost in the region of £450.00 to produce and approval of this cost was Proposed by Cllr. Massey.   Seconded: Cllr. Skittrall.   Agreed unanimously.

16. This item was brought forward under Item 3, Public Comment.

17. Use of the Recreation Ground for the May Fair was agreed, subject to the usual proviso that all rubbish was cleared.   The Clerk informed Members that the May Fair Committee had been offered a free skip for collection of rubbish and sought permission to site it on the Recreation Ground; the skip would be collected the next morning.   A donation of £200 towards the costs of the May Fair was proposed by Cllr. Edwards.   Seconded: Cllr. Skittrall.   Agreed unanimously.

18. Castle Hedingham Parish Council sent a representative to Coggeshall to see how their Youth Council had been set up and how it worked.   There is a team from Honeywood School who are involved with this project.   It was suggested to Sible Hedingham Parish Council that it might be a good idea to have a combined Youth Council for both the Hedinghams and that Hedingham School should become involved.   A member of the Youth Council would be a non-voting member of the Parish Council and would attend meetings and put the Youth Council's points of view forward.   Robert Carter was suggested as the non-voting member as he has already gained one of the seven seats in the Essex Young People's Assembly elections.

Cllr. Bolter advised that he has met the members assigned to the BDC but has no other experience of this project.   He also thought this would be a good idea.

Proposal to look at the possibility of a joint Youth Council was put by Cllr. Snarey.   Seconded: Cllr. Law.   Agreed unanimously.

The Chairman will continue discussions with Ian Higgins, the rep from Castle Hedingham who visited Coggeshall.

19. Accounts for Payment - Appendix 2

The accounts were passed for payment.