MINUTES OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON MONDAY 14TH AUGUST 2006 AT 7.30 P.M.

In the chair: Dr. N. Edwards
Present:Councillors  P. Day, R. Falco, D. Holmes, A. Law, G. Massey, M. Rudge, J. Skittrall, E. Snarey & A Weatherley.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
Mrs. J. Beavis, Mr. S. Bolter & Mrs. W. Scattergood (District Councillors)
Together with 2 (two) members of the public.

117. Apologies for absence                       
Miss. C. Cannell (in Hospital), Dr. R. Green (at Hospital), Mr. J. Hatfield (working) Mr. D. Finch (County Councillor),

118. Declarations of Interest
The following interests were declared:
Dr. N. Edwards declared a prejudicial and personal interest and all Councillors declared personal interests in connection with two planning applications relating to a field in Hulls Mill Lane.
Mr. D. Holmes declared a personal interest in connection with the planning application relating to Oaklands, High Street Green.  No other interests were declared.

119. To confirm minutes of previous meeting held 10th July 2006
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on 10th July 2006, having been previously circulated, were taken as read and subject to an amendment in the fourth sentence of paragraph 102 to read, “There will be one green bin for green recyclable waste and garden waste and one grey bin for non-recyclable waste” and a further amendment to paragraph 91 (g) by deleting the word ‘required’ and inserting ‘trained’, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

120. Matters arising from the minutes
a) Street lights at Swan Chase and Station Road
The Clerk reported that he had chased EDF Energy who would liaise with Just Lamps regarding the reconnection of the electricity supply.            
b) Hearing facilities at Village Hall
Mr. P. Day reported that Sible Hedingham Village Hall Committee would meet next week to consider a hearing loop for the Village Hall. 
c) Parking problems at both Schools
Mr. D. Finch had not yet reported upon the site meeting with Mr. R. Bass at both Schools in Sible Hedingham regarding parking problems.   
d) Illegal BMX track at Parkfields
Mrs. W. Scattergood reported that the illegal BMX track at Parkfields had been filled in and safety fencing erected around the metal stanchions of the former water tower.  These stanchions would soon be removed and the area made good.   Mrs. Scattergood was thanked for pursuing this.
e) Litter problems
The Clerk reported that the meeting with Mr. M. Galley, Street Scene Officer of BDC will have to be re-arranged as Mr. Galley had unfortunately been in Hospital.  With regard to voluntary litter collection, Mrs. G. Massey suggested that Mrs. A. Weatherley liaises with PCSO D. Green who may assist with organizing young volunteers.  The Clerk confirmed that there were two litter pickers in PC Office.
f) Toilets on Recreation Ground
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that he was waiting for Gerald Cook to prepare a specification.
g) Tennis Courts
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that he will attend the next meeting of Hedingham Hawks Football Club and thereafter grants would be applied for.

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h)Riverside Walk
The Chairman reported that a copy of the S106 Agreement relating to the former Premdor site had been received from BDC and thanked Mrs. Scattergood for arranging this.  Unfortunately the S106 Agreement relating to the Alderford Street site had not been completed.
i) Grass cutting in Churchyard
The Parish Council is still waiting for a reply from the Parochial Church Council.  However it was noted that the appearance of the Churchyard is improving.  
j) Closure of Day Centre at Hedingham School
Mrs. G. Massey reported that Mr. D. Finch had provided the costs of the Day Centre which amounted to about £17,000 a year which was not viable as only 11 people were using it.   There was no justification for opposing the closure.  Mr. A. Law reported that the Day Centre at the Baptist Church which had also closed had been replaced with coffee mornings, which were supported by some of the senior citizens who formerly attended the Day Centre at the School.
k) Problems with cash machine at Co-op
It was reported that there were still problems with the old cash machine at the Co-op but it was understood that a new machine was on order.
  
121. Public Comment
There was no public comment.          

122. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
The Chairman reported that a resident who lived near the Co-op was delighted with the Dispersal Order and had noticed a significant reduction in anti social behaviour and a lack of litter.  The Chairman thanked all those involved in obtaining the Dispersal Order namely Mr. J. Skittrall, Mrs. G. Massey, Miss. C. Cannell, Mr. A. Corder-Birch, Mr. D. Finch, Mrs. J. Beavis, Mr. R. Darkins, PC. S. Pike and PCSO. D. Green.  It was agreed that the Dispersal Order was working well, the general re-action from the public was good and the majority supported it.   The Chairman thanked Mr. J and Mrs. A. Skittrall, Mrs. G. Massey, Mr. K. Metson and representatives of the Youth Service for arranging a Barbeque on 11th August for young persons in the village.  They had been very appreciative and had completed questionnaires for the Youth Council.  It was proposed by Mr. P. Day, seconded by Mrs. G. Massey and carried that the PC reimburse, Mr. J. Skittrall for the expenses of providing the Barbeque in the sum of £79.00.  The Chairman also thanked the three District Councillors representing Sible Hedingham for meeting him on site at Alderford Street regarding the issue of responsibility for the brook and for taking it forward.
 The Vice Chairman reported that with Mr. K. Metson they had recovered a motor cycle out of the brook at the junction of Rectory Road and Brook Meadow on 12th August.  He had taken details of the machine and enquiries would be made to trace the owner with a view to further action.  Mr. Skittrall was still waiting to receive a meeting date from the Youth Council to consider the type and location of a suitable Youth Shelter in the village.  This will need to be decided in the near future if grants are to be applied for.

123. Youth Council Report
In the absence of Mr. Robert Carter no report was given. 

124. Essex County Council Report
In the absence of Mr. D. Finch no report was given.

125. Braintree District Council Reports
Mrs. J. Beavis reported that she is pursuing the request for extra parking at Oxford Meadow which will go through the budget process at BDC.  Mrs. Beavis will ensure that BDC provide the PC with plans of the proposed extra parking facilities so that it does not conflict with the location of the proposed new street lights.   The Dispersal Order expires on 14th September but in the meantime there is still time to review it.  The next SARA meeting will be held on 20th September.  With regard to parking problems at Christmas Field, which is now being dealt with by Simon Taylor, BDC has written to all residents asking them to specify exactly what they require and is now waiting for ‘feed back’ from residents.   Mr. J. Skittrall reported that Mrs. O. Cowell of ECC Highways had apparently indicated that the proposed parking scheme

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is not proceeding.  However Mrs. Beavis explained that it is ‘on hold’ pending replies from residents.  The brick wall in the BDC car park at the rear of the Co-op will be repaired and coping stones replaced in the near future.  The height of the street light in the car park will be raised to try and prevent vandalism.
Mrs. W. Scattergood explained the necessity for the consultation with residents regarding the Christmas Field parking problems.  Unfortunately Mr. Ladkin had not signed the S106 Agreement and if he refuses to sign then BDC will have to take enforcement action.   The public meeting regarding the closure of Halstead Post Office had been well attended.  The Post Office admitted that it was a ‘done deal’ and that they failed to carry out any consultations.   The site of the illegal BMX track and the stanchions of the former water tower which are being removed will be the subject of landscaping works in the autumn. 
Mr. S. Bolter gave a detailed report a copy of which is attached to these minutes.   Arising from his report Mr. Bolter will make further investigations concerning the parking issues at Christmas Field.   With regard to Alderford brook he referred to a reply from Peter Crofts of BDC confirming that it is the responsible authority but culverts under the highway remain the responsibility of ECC.
The three District Councillors were thanked for their reports.     

126. Planning
a) Planning applications
Mrs. G. Massey reported that the following applications had been considered by the Planning Advisory Group and recommended as follows:
06/01166/FUL – Land adjacent to 9 School Road – Erection of two detached houses – no objection providing the entrance is leveled to improve visibility for vehicles.
06/01309/FUL – Oaklands, High Street Green – Erection of 2 no. dwellings – it is understood that the existing building is unsafe and there is no objection to it being replaced by one dwelling but there are concerns about two dwellings on this site as it is well outside the village envelope.  However there is ample room on the site for two dwellings so on balance there was no objection.
06/01361/FUL – 55 Alexandra Road – Erection of extensions to dwellinghouse – no objection providing the previous permission under application no: 05/01870/COU for conversion of existing dwelling into two semi-detached dwellings is rescinded.
06/01403/FUL and 06/01404/LBC – Forest Home, 58 Swan Street – Erection of single storey extension and seven car parking spaces – no objection.
06/01492/COU – Kendalls Barn – Southey Green Road – Change of use to residential – no objection - but enquire if listed building consent is required.
06/01533/FUL and 06/01534/LBC – Carters Barns, High Street Green – Demolition of existing redundant grain silos and erection of double car port, 4 no. stables and tack room – no objection – in fact it is a nice development which the Parish Council supports.
06/01548/FUL – Land adjacent to 1 Hawkwood Road – Erection of four bedroom detached house – opposed on grounds of over development on a very small site, access problems, overlooking and previous applications on this site have all been refused.  Mrs. G. Massey advised that the Planning Inspectors reasons for dismissing the appeal in respect of land adjacent to 9 Recreation Ground applied equally to this site.  Letter of objection received from neighbour also taken into consideration.
06/01559/FUL – Melbourne House, Halstead Road – Erection of single storey side extension and two storey and single storey rear extensions together with removal of existing rear extensions – no objections.
It was proposed by Mr. P. Day, seconded by Mr. J. Skittrall and carried that the above recommendations of the Planning Advisory Group are approved.     
The Chairman vacated the chair and left the meeting for consideration of the following two planning applications.  The chair was taken by the Vice Chairman.
06/01556/COU – Field adjoining Hulls Mill Lane – Change of use from agricultural use to horse grazing area and 06/01590/COU – 10.5 acre site off Hulls Mill Lane adjacent to Anglian Water Treatment Works – Change of use from agricultural to wild life meadow and woodland with educational facility for teaching small groups of young children the natural history of the countryside.   It was noted that these two applications, by different applicants, related to the same area of land.   Mrs. G. Massey reported that both applications had been carefully considered by members of the Planning Advisory Group, which unequivocally supported one application which was fully in accordance with BDC guidelines but the other application was opposed.  With regard to the first application namely 06/01556/COU it was noted that

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although the application designated the site as agricultural it was largely woodland.  It was understood that if permission is granted that the existing woodland would disappear which the Parish Council deplored, particularly as some of the trees had been donated.  The Parish Council opposed the proposed grazing of horses as it only has limited use and value.  So far as the second application is concerned namely 06/01590/COU there was a clear indication that it is within BDC policy RLP 78 which was read out as was the applicant’s explanatory note.   It was considered that this was a “brilliant scheme which benefits the village and its merits override any personal interests which may exist”.  Mr. P. Day supported the merits of 06/01590/COU without even realizing that the applicant was another Councillor.   It was proposed by Mrs. G. Massey, seconded by Mr. P. Day and carried unanimously that the Parish Council oppose 06/01556/COU on the grounds of, inter alia, inappropriate use and loss of trees.  It was proposed by Mrs. G. Massey, seconded by Mrs. A. Weatherley and carried unanimously that the Parish Council support 06/01590/COU and encourage the scheme for the reasons set out in the application. 
(The Chairman then returned to the meeting and took the chair).
 
127. Village Design Statement
Mrs. G. Massey reported that a meeting of the Village Design Statement Advisory Group was held on 19th July at which a constitution was adopted and officers appointed of which Mrs. Massey is Chairman and Mrs. I. Goldthorpe, Treasurer.  The Group had commenced work and was applying for grants.  Another meeting was arranged for September.  The Chairman thanked Mrs. Massey for her report and work.

128. Proposal that BDC should take responsibility for the Alderford Street brook

The Chairman referred to recent correspondence with the Environment Agency copies of which had been given to all Councillors.    A further reply from the Environment Agency concerning the designation of Critical Ordinary Watercourses (COWs) in Sible Hedingham was awaited.  He explained that under the former Halstead Rural District Council the watercourse had been very well looked after but this had totally failed under BDC.   All authorities, including the Environment Agency, BDC and ECC, which actually owned relevant land, had all tried to avoid responsibility and the PC requires one authority to take over full responsibility.   He explained that BDC were empowered to adopt care of watercourses.   It would only involve an estimated one day’s work for two men twice a year.  The same principles should apply as for the Sugar Loaves brook, which had been adopted as a COW and would now be looked after totally by the Environment Agency.    Mr. E. Snarey reported that BDC had previously carried out some work in the vicinity of Alderford brook and the PC requires them to continue this work in the future.  Mrs. W. Scattergood reported that BDC had put forward Alderford brook as a COW to the Environment Agency who had refused it.   However it was not known how much BDC had pushed for this if at all and both BDC and the Environment Agency had a lack of correct local knowledge as regards this watercourse at the Swan Inn end of the village.  The Chairman proposed that the PC ask BDC to take over responsibility for this watercourse from beside the Swan to the River.    This was seconded by Mr. E. Snarey and carried.   The Chairman specifically asked the three District Councillors representing Sible Hedingham on BDC to support the PC in this matter.

129. Footpaths and rolling programme

The Chairman reported that the Clerk was writing another letter to Mr. G. Wilkinson of ECC Highways regarding the rolling programme in Sible Hedingham, asking him to specify exactly how much of the survey is complete.   It was noted that Highways had confirmed that the survey in Sible Hedingham would be completed and the necessary work implemented during the current year (April 2006 - March 2007).

130. To consider opposing the proposed closure of Halstead Post Office

Correspondence concerning the proposed closure of Halstead Post Office was considered.  Mrs. G. Massey, who uses Halstead Post Office extensively, reported that there was no parking at Martins, which was an inappropriate location and was not DDA compliant.  For customers posting large numbers of parcels the parking provision at the rear of the present Post Office was invaluable.  Unfortunately the existing Post Office staff would not be moving to Martins and the Post Office Counter would only be managed by shop staff.   It was proposed by Mr. J. Skittrall, seconded by Mr. D. Holmes and carried

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unanimously that the PC write to the Head Office of the Post Office asking for an explanation as to why no local consultations had taken place and explaining that Martins is a completely inappropriate location.
 
131. Grants from BDC Rural Communities Development Fund
The Clerk reported that BDC had offered a grant of £2,384.80 towards the costs of setting up the new PC Office out of their Rural Communities Development Fund.   The offer was accepted and the Chairman had signed the necessary Funding Agreement.  The project needs to be completed by 31st August 2007.  A letter of thanks had been sent to BDC and the PC also thanked Mrs. W. Scattergood and her Panel for the grant. 
As only £2,384.80 had been offered out of a possible £5,000.00 the Chairman and Clerk had immediately applied for a grant of £2,139.75 towards new skate ramps for the Skate Board Park.   It was proposed by Mr. Snarey, seconded by Mr. Skittrall and carried that the action of the Chairman and Clerk is approved.

132. To consider application for grant(s) to ECC Community Initiatives Fund
 The Clerk reported that application(s) for the next round of grants from the ECC CIF need to be made by 10th November 2006.   It was agreed to re-apply for a grant of £7,137.31 towards the cost of a roundabout for the children’s play area on the Recreation Ground, which was deferred from the previous round.

131. To consider arrangements for official opening of new office

The Chairman advised that there was still work to carry out in connection with setting up the new PC Office and therefore suggested that an official opening takes place one Saturday morning in October.  It was agreed to provide refreshments and to invite our County Councillor, three District Councillors, Youth Council representative and some long serving former Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the Parish Council, including Mr. S.L.D. Ripper, Mr. F. W. Pawsey, D.F.C., J.P., and Mr. T. Gaw.  The final compilation of the invitation list was delegated to the Chairman and Clerk.

134. Registration of various parcels of land with the Land Registry
The Clerk reported upon the progress being made with the registration of various parcels of land in the village in the name of SHPC as owner.  Possessory title had been obtained to the ownerless piece of land adjacent to Grays Hall Meadow and the Churchyard, which will be invaluable if the Churchyard needs to be extended in future years.   Possessory title had also been obtained to the path between the Shell Garage and Spurgeon Close.  It will be necessary to convert these titles to Absolute titles in twelve years time.  As the Spurgeon Close application had been successful the Clerk had instructed the PC’s Solicitors to make a similar application in respect of the path between Hawkwood Road and Hills Road.   With regard to Almshouse Green, unfortunately, for some unknown reason, some parts of the Village Green had previously been registered in the name of a local farmer.  However all the remaining parts of Almshouse Green had now been registered in the name of SHPC with an Absolute title.    Applications had been sent to the Land Registry in respect of Southey Green, Forrey Green and the Recreation Ground and the PC Solicitors were now waiting to hear from the Land Registry regarding these applications.   Applications for Alderford Street Green and Church Street Green were in hand but it will be necessary for Mr. D. Holmes, as the longest serving Parish Councillor, to make Statutory Declarations in support of these applications.  With regard to High Street Green, Morris Green and Birds Green applications will be made when the appropriate maps are prepared.  Mr. D. Holmes was thanked for making the necessary Statutory Declarations and the Clerk was thanked for his work in connection with these applications and for his report.   With regard to the path between Hawkwood Road and Hills Road, Mr. D. Holmes reported that Mr. Oakley had carried out some clearance work and it was agreed to send him a letter of thanks.

135. Waste Disposal
The Chairman expressed his concern about the proposal by BDC to only collect food waste every two weeks rather than weekly as at present, which was not acceptable.  He referred to the risk of flies, maggots, rats, etc., and to the health risks and problems, which could occur.   A number of residents in the village had expressed similar concerns to Councillors.   Mr. E. Snarey reported that there was already a problem with rats on the Sugar Loaves Estate and if bins are not collected for two weeks and are over full, they will attract rats.  At promotional meetings BDC Officers had suggested wrapping food waste in newspaper and plastic bags but this would appear contrary to the stated principles of recycling such materials and reducing

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rubbish going to landfill sites.   In addition, if someone is away on collection day it could turn out to be four weeks between collections.  Mrs. G. Massey reported that residents in flats have nowhere to put composting bins.   It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr. E. Snarey and carried that a letter is sent to Mr. M. G. Gage, the relevant cabinet member of BDC and to the appropriate officer, requesting that food waste should be collected weekly.  Upon being put to the vote, Mr. J. Skittrall abstained, but the motion was carried.    

136. Correspondence
The correspondence received and listed in appendix 1 was referred to the relevant Councillors for information and action.   Arising from the correspondence the following items were discussed:

137. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment, with the addition of £100.00 to Mr. D. Moores for work in the Garden of Remembrance and £79.00 to Mr. J. Skittrall being reimbursement for the costs of the youth barbeque, being a payment under S137 of the Local Government Act 1972.   It was proposed by Mrs. G. Massey, seconded by Mr. A. Law and carried that the accounts are paid.

138. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
Mrs. A. Weatherley reported that Alderford Mill is now open to the public on two days a year namely the second Sundays in May and September for National Mills Weekend and Heritage Open Days weekend respectively.   Therefore the next open day is on 11th September from 2 to 5pm. 
On behalf of Miss. C. Cannell, Mrs. G. Massey reported that the Quiz Night for the Friends of St. Peters Church will be held on 7th October 2006. Mr. A. Law reported that Mr. Brian Clayton and family had kindly cleared a section of Alderford brook near his house.  It was agreed to send Mr. Clayton and family a letter of thanks.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.55pm