Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

Held on Monday, 9th August 2004 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

Present:

Councillors: G. Massey, Chairman, J. Skittrall, Vice-chairman,

Dr. N. Edwards, J. Ferrando, Dr. R. Green,   J. Hatfield, D. Holmes, E. Snarey, I. Smith (Clerk).

County Cllr. David Finch.   District Cllrs. Jo Beavis, Wendy Scattergood and Stephen Bolter.

 

Twenty-two members of the public were present.

1. Apologies:

Cllrs. C. Cannell, A. Fish, M. Rudge.                                                                 

2. Declaration of Interest

Vice-chairman Skittrall declared an interest in planning application

04/01469/FUL as he is a Committee member of the Village Hall and also

a member of the Planning Committee and would therefore decline to comment.

 

3. Public Comment

Members of the public voiced their objections to the possible future installation of

lights on the Skate Park.   The Chairman assured them that any lights, if installed, would be controlled by a time switch and would not be left on all night.

Other concerns about noise levels were raised.   Cllr. Skittrall assured them that equipment would be firmly bolted to the ground and will be coated with an anti-noise material and would be professionally installed and maintained. The Skate Park would not be anywhere near as large as the one in Braintree.   Members of the public said that the Skate Park project had crept in by the back door.   The Chairman read out a list of Parish Council meetings, going back to 2001, when the item had been discussed.   The Minutes were always posted on the notice boards.

The question was raised as to whether the Parish Council would take responsibility for spending public money on this project, should the equipment have to be removed?   The Chairman advised that the Parish Council was accountable for any monies expended on any project.

The question of vandalism was raised, together with concerns that it may escalate around the Skate Park.   The Chairman said that vandalism was a problem all over the village and was being addressed.

District Cllr. Jo Beavis advised that she was working closely with the Co-op and the police to alleviate problems in the area behind the Co-op and that more surveillance had been requested.

Many members of the public said that they had phoned the police to report incidents and nothing had been done about it.   In many cases it took hours for a police presence to arrive, if it arrived at all!   The Chairman stressed the importance of reporting all incidents to the police, irrespective of anticipated response.

District Cllr. Jo Beavis advised of a meeting to be held at Sible Hedingham

Village Hall at 7pm on 18 th October 2004 at which the police would be present.

She urged the people present to attend and voice their opinions and experiences to the police at this meeting.

The issue of the state of the tennis courts was raised, and it was acknowledged that refurbishment was required to put them in good order.

4. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The Minutes of the last meeting were circulated, read and accepted, subject to the following corrections:

         Item 10 - 'shorter' to read 'longer'

         Item 18 - add 'subject to public liability'.

5. Chairman's Report

The Chairman stressed the importance that if a   Councillor had need to visit parishioners at their homes, it would be wise practice if two Councillors attended together.  

District Cllr. Bolter added that BDC has advised against accepting any kind of hospitality, as this could be misconstrued.

The Chairman advised Councillors to be extremely careful.

A parishioner had instigated a CCTV initiative for the businesses of the village - further details available at a later date.

6. Vice-chairman's Report

The Vice-chairman had nothing to report.

7. District Councillors' Reports

Cllr. Beavis reported that the replacement matting had now been laid down underneath the equipment in the play area near the Sugar Loaves.   She is pursuing the replacement of the old equipment, which has been removed.

Cllr. Beavis reported on the partnership between the Co-op and the Police concerning Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, which involved the use of curfews.

The Riverside walk at Alderford Street is moving ahead slowly.   Plans were being prepared for further discussion and she will bring it to the Parish Council when finalised.   The removal of the tree in the river Colne is being dealt with.

Cllr. Beavis again advised of the meeting to be held on 18th October in Sible Hedingham when the Police will be in attendance to hear the public's Concerns on Anti-Social Behaviour. The Skate Park is a bone of contention, she added, there is animosity to the scheme and feelings are running high.   BDC and RoSPA recommend solid railings around the Skate Park, but several local skate parks have no railings. However, the Recreation Ground as a whole has ongoing problems.   The toilets have been closed for some while and need to be reopened and she is seeking matched funding from BDC to pay for a warden at the Rec.

Cllr. Wendy Scattergood also advised that there is a ruling in some areas that lights and railings are essential in a skate park.   The areas she mentioned were Ashen, Feering, Gt. Yeldham, Rayne and Toppesfield.   There was some funding available for youth beneficiaries.

Concerning planning issues, Cllr. Scattergood asked if Councillors would direct any parishioners who had objections in the direction of District Councillors, as BDC no longer sent copies of letters of objection to District Councillors.

A new Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act is due to come on line in October and the District Plan will eventually become redundant when the East of England Plan comes on stream.   She will suggest to BDC that Parish Council Planning Committees be trained in readiness for this event. District Councillor Steven Bolter spoke about planning decisions which had recently been made. He added that he had received newspaper cuttings from an unknown source concerning the closure of the Glemsford skate park.   As members of the public at this meeting had said that they had not known about the Sible Hedingham Skate Park, he advised that when canvassing in the local election this year, this item had been on all the leaflets which had been delivered to every household.   He failed to understand how people could miss this, it might be that they didn't read communications or notice boards. He went on to report that BDC is reforming the Licensing Act concerning noise levels and disorderly behaviour.

County Councillor's Report

County Cllr. David Finch advised on the flood defences in the area of the Sugar Loaves, where an Environmental Study is to take place in 6-9 months.   In the meantime matters are proceeding well and a start should be made in early December/the New Year. Arising from Chancellor Gordon Brown's Spending Review, it had been decided to increase the Education budget by 5.9%, a 7 1/2 % increase would go to Children's Services, with Highways seeing a decrease down to 2.5%.   A report had been produced by Sir Peter Gershan which showed that greater savings could be made by Police, Councils and other local authorities, which would result in something like £6-8 billion, if a more efficient way of working was adopted.   Central purchasing was one idea. Cllr. Finch then spoke about the Draft Regional Assemblies Bill, which would mean the creation of regional assemblies which comprised of 25-35 elected members.   This would give local areas more powers, one of which would be the purchase and disposal of property.   The North of England Assemblies Bill had been stopped because of the corruption of the electoral process there.

The Freedom of Information Act comes on stream in 2005, meaning that any written information held by Councils may be accessed by the public.   Once a request had been made to see a document by a member of the public, access must be granted within 20 days.   The cost of implementing this is being assessed at County level.

Cllr. Holmes asked about the poor police response times, which members of the public had reported, and what could be done about them.   Cllr. Finch advised that the heads of the force were acutely aware of communication problems and time lags in attending the scene of an incident.   He added that Essex had the largest police force in the area.

Cllr. Skittrall reported his personal experience of having to wait for 28 minutes before being able to report an incident.   The police stations at Gt. Yeldham, Halstead and Braintree were unobtainable and he had to go through to the main switchboard before any help could be summoned.

Cllr. Snarey said that villagers were now apathetic about contacting police concerning incidents because of their slow, or no, response.   More patrols are really necessary at weekends.

Cllr. Finch said he would follow up the lack of the promised surveillance patrols.

Cllr. Scattergood added that vandalism was now rife all over local villages.   When police had to record incidents it gave them an indication of problem areas, which they note.

8. Correspondence

The file was passed to Members for perusal and comments.

9. Matters Arising

Item 7 - Quality Status.   The Chairman advised that the Countryside Agency had been in contact with the Council concerning last year's funding for the Village Plan.

She had explained that an appraisal had been undertaken, but no plan had been printed and is awaiting their decision as to whether any monies may have to be returned to them.

Item 15 - The shelter had now been repaired and was in good order.   Brick piers had been chosen to replace the original design and the overhanging tree had been cut back.   She advised the meeting that she and Cllr. Skittrall had made forays to the shelter and had posted two notices telling the youngsters that the shelter was to be repaired, not removed.   She was heartened to see that at least one of the notices still remained in situ!

Item 17 - Shell Footpath.   The Chairman told Members that the meeting with the lady who has the footpath shown on her house Deeds had had to be postponed, at her request, but would be reinstated.   She had visited the two ladies who had been concerned at comments made by a Member that it would be best to close the footpath.   She has assured them that the footpath will remain open, and that it is not within the Council's jurisdiction to close it.

Item 21 - Water Management.   Alderford Street site had been surveyed and a scheme had been received and was promised for September.   Cllr. Edwards passed the plan round the table for Members to peruse.

Item 21 - Transport.   Cllr. Snarey asked what would happen to funding when the Countryside Agency was disbanded.   Cllr. Scattergood advised that another funding mechanism would obviously take its place.   The Agency was soon to make a decision on matters, but the funding of present projects would come to an end.

Item 21 - Retired Cllr. T. Gaw.   Cllr. Holmes had spoken to Mr. Gaw who had indicated that he would like a tree planted, either on the Burial Ground or in the Garden of Remembrance, with a plaque attached to it.   It was thought best to ascertain what kind of tree Mr. Gaw would prefer.

Proposed: Cllr. Holmes.   Seconded: Cllr. Massey.   Unanimously Agreed.       

Planning      

There were NO OBJECTIONS to the following applications:

04/01309/FUL - The Cottage, Wethersfield Road. Erection of boundary fencing.

04/01310/LBC - The Cottage, Wethersfield Road. Erection of boundary fencing.

04/01301/FUL - 10 Yeldham Road. Erection of extension.

04/01321/FUL - 25 Hawkwood Road. Erection of extensions.

04/01328/FUL - 49 Station Road. Erection of two storey side extensions, loft conversion and redevelopment of porch.

04/01358/FUL - 4 Hawkwood Road. Proposed partial demolition and reconstruction of garage, including new pitched roof.

04/01375/FUL - 159 Swan Street

Demolition of existing building and erection of dwelling and construction of vehicular access.

04/01409/LBC - 19 Alderford Street.   Internal alterations.

04/01332/FUL - Wynyates, 33 Swan Street. Erection of garden shed.

04/01333/LBC - Wynyates, 33 Swan Street. Removal of modern stud wall in bathroom.

04/01441/FUL - Greys Hall Stables, Rectory Road. Erection of extensions and summerhouse.

04/01442/LBC - Greys Hall Stables, Rectory Road. Erection of extensions and summerhouse.

04/01469/FUL - Land adjacent to Village Hall, Parkfields. Proposed residential development comprising 1 no. 4-bed Detached dwelling and 7 no. 5-bed detached dwellings.

04/01186/LBC - Land adjacent 45-49 Swan Street. Proposed single storey dwelling - Plot 1 (amended scheme under Approval No. 02/01666/FUL).

04/01184/FUL - Land adjacent 45-49 Swan Street. Proposed single storey dwelling - Plot 1 (amended scheme under Approval No. 02/01666/FUL).

04/01484/FUL - 3 Harrow Cross. Proposed single storey rear extension.

The Planning Committee OBJECTED to the following application on the grounds that it was a significant overdevelopment, with crowding of houses and the loss of trees and hedges.   The turning area would not cope with visiting cars for 3 houses, and the exit is right on the corner near the traffic island, with no other safe parking.

04/01295/OUT - 2 Station Road.   Erection of two houses.

Proposed: Cllr. Massey.   Seconded: Cllr. Holmes.   Agreed, with 2 abstensions.

There was some discussion concerning the application for housing adjacent to the Village Hall.   Several Councillors thought a better mix of housing, with perhaps some low cost housing, would better serve the community.

Recreation Ground

Cllr. Skittrall advised that further damage had been done to the children's play area.

This item to be placed on the Agenda for the September meeting.

Grass Cutting

Cllr. Skittrall met with Brian Coe to discuss next year's contract, which will now run from April until October, as the season is getting longer.   There will be   a 3% increase on last year's costs.   He had also asked Mr. Coe to quote for cutting the grass at the children's play area once a week from April to October, in order to keep the area safe and easier for picking up glass and undesirable objects.   The quote for this work was £450.00.

As Mr. Coe had given excellent service to the Parish and was absolutely reliable, he proposed that his current contract be continued.   Seconded: Cllr. Massey.   Unanimously agreed.

Burial Ground

Cllr. Skittrall reported that he had contacted the Chairman of Gt. Yeldham PC and had been able to look at, and measure, their burial ground as a guide to running the burial ground here.   Costings will be brought to the next meeting for the Members' information.

Co-option of two Councillors

No requests had been received for an election and there had been only two applications from the public.   These applicants had already been interviewed earlier in the year when an earlier vacancy had arisen, and as nothing detrimental had become known about them during the intervening period, the Chairman proposed their co-option in order to bring the number of Councillors up to the required level.

Proposed: Cllr. Massey.   Seconded: Cllr. Skittrall.   Unanimously agreed that Mr. Colin Chapman and Mr. Peter Day be co-opted onto the Parish Council.   The Clerk to write and invite them to the September meeting.

Disposal of second-hand Road Sweeper

This item was discussed and Mr. Danny Moores had kindly attended the meeting to give his opinion on the machine.   He told members that it was unsuitable for the many differing types of terrain within the village, making it impractical for many of his cleaning operations.   There are 3 cleaning rounds in the village, plus nine footpaths where the machine cannot be used because of its size.   There are also 15 litter bins which need emptying and the machine cannot be used for this purpose either.   It was a good machine for enclosed, hard surfaced areas, but could not cope with the differing terrain within the village. It was decided to contact Paul Partridge to see if any kind of deal can be negotiated by way of exchange with a tractor.

Proposed: Cllr. Massey.   Seconded: Cllr. Holmes.   Unanimously agreed.

Mr. Moores then told Members that he planned to retire next May and had mentioned it this evening in order that a new operative could be found and trained. It was generally agreed that Mr. Moores might be able to find someone suitable.

Cllr. Snarey said the Parish had received excellent service from Danny over the years and his diligence would be sorely missed.

13. Purchase of new Monitor

It was generally agreed to purchase a new Monitor for the PC office at a cost of no more than £80.00.   Proposed: Cllr. Massey.   Seconded:   Cllr. Skittrall.   Unanimously Agreed.

14. Water Management

Cllr. Snarey advised that an Environmental Survey was being carried out, and the next meeting was to be held on 27 th September.   The Sugar Loaves scheme was proceeding well, but Alderford Street was lagging behind and would have to be pursued.   The issue of flooding in Station road had not been addressed and must be taken into account, as it flooded badly last year.

Approval and Acceptance of Accounts for 2003-2004

Members were given a copy of the accounts to peruse.   The Chairman proposed acceptance of the accounts, and it was Unanimously Agreed to do so.

16. Accounts for Payment - Appendix 2

The accounts were passed for payment.

17. Cluster Group Meeting - 25 th October 2004

It is Sible Hedingham's turn to host this meeting, which take place in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday, 25 th October 2004.   It was decided to offer tea, coffee, water and biscuits, which the Clerk will organise.

18. Members' Items

Cllr. Edwards advised that he spent some money on laminating a plan for the office and a cheque had been made out to repay him in the sum o £4.00.   He thought it would be a good idea to reinstate a Petty Cash system so that small sums of money were readily available.   It was Resolved to have a kitty of £50.00 and the Clerk will keep an accurate record of expenditure.  

Proposed: Cllr. Edwards.   Seconded:   Cllr. Massey.   Unanimously agreed.

Cllr. Snarey reported that he had been approached by people saying that they could hear water running in the toilets on the Recreation Ground.   This is because there is a continual flushing mechanism in the Men's toilets to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Cllr. Green advised Members that he had obtained a kissing gate for footpath No.54.   He asked for volunteers to help install it.   Cllrs. Skittrall and Hatfield offered their services and will liaise with Cllr. Green.

Cllr. Hatfield raised the issue of the poor paving at the junction of Alexandra Road and Swan Street.   One of the parishioners, who uses a wheelchair, had experienced a narrow escape when his wheelchair had toppled over.   Cllr. Beavis said she would pursue this issue.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.15pm.