Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held on Monday 13th December 2004

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

Present

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

Cllrs C. Cannell, C. Chapman, P. Day, N. Edwards, J. Ferrando, R. Green, J. Hatfield, E. Snarey,

Clerk I. Smith

District Councillor J. Beavis, District Councillor S. Boulter

Rural Community Support Officer Neil Rogers

10 Members of the public

County Councillor D. Finch, Cllrs M. Rudge, D. Holmes

2. Declaration of Interest

      Item 7 - Councillor Day

      Planning application 04/02517/FUL - Councillor Edwards

3. Public Comment

Four young people attended the meeting and were warmly welcomed by Chairman Gillian Massey. They expressed their pleasure with the skate park equipment which they were using; they had also brought their skateboards along to the meeting!

A member of public advised of the litter problem since the skate park equipment had been installed. Another member of the public asked whether lighting would be installed, as children were using the equipment when it was dark.   The Chairman said the litter problem was being dealt with and had arisen because of the earlier than envisaged installation of the equipment in time for the school holidays.   No lighting was planned for the area, and signage would be put in place as soon as possible concerning safety aspects of using the equipment. 

4. Minutes of the Last Meeting held on 8 th November 2004

Cllr. Hatfield advised that he was present at this meeting, but was not shown as such.

Page 194 - Salt/grit boxes.   Should read Parkfields, not Summerfields.

Subject to the above alterations, it was proposed to accept the Minutes as a true record.

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

5. Chairman's Report

The Chairman explained that the swift installation of the skate park equipment had come about due to the Parish council being offered the equipment they had ordered at an extremely advantageous price, together with possibility of early installation.   However, because the installation had been earlier than planned, litter cleaning schedules had not yet been put into place, resulting in complaints about the litter which had accumulated in the area.   As a start, a new broom was suggested by Cllr. Green and the youngsters present confirmed they were willing to make good use of it to keep the area clean!   The Chairman reminded the youngsters who use the skate park equipment that they were responsible for keeping the area reasonably tidy and litter-free.

Braintree District Council had agreed matched funding for the project and £5,000 had been promised. Braintree District Council thought it would be good publicity to have an official Grand Opening, maybe during the week preceding Christmas.   Tony McDonald and Chris Trimm at BDC to advise.

The Chairman was also pleased to report that the Parish Support Grant, paid by BDC, would see an increase to 10% in the next financial year.

Arising from the letter sent by the Clerk after the last Cluster Group meeting, a meeting was held with Inspector Tony Sale on Sunday 12 th December.   Both the Chairman and Vice-chairman were pleased to hear that a PCSO Neil Rogers had been appointed to serve both Gosfield and Sible Hedingham.   The role of PCSOs within the community was explained by Inspector Sale.

The Chairman went on to thank Cllr. Snarey for all his hard work in getting the Saturday night bus route 32 off the ground.   The first bus service had been run on Saturday 11 th December, which served Freeport and was timed to meet late night trains from Chelmsford and London.

Cllr. Snarey advised that it looked as if it would be a successful venture, but if it isn't used it would be terminated.   He went on to say that he thought that the politicisation of the new bus service had been completely unnecessary as it had been instigated by local people for local people.

6. Vice-chairman's Report

Councillor Skittrall reported that following a recent complaint about noise from the recently installed skate board equipment a modification will be made to the kicker panels as soon as possible to stop this problem.   With regards to the increased litter problem Mr. Moores has been requested to attend the recreation ground on a regular basis until new rubbish bins have been installed. Continued monitoring will take place.

Following a request from BDC for the parish to take over the grass cutting responsibility for the village, the allocation of funds that BDC would allow for this task falls well short of the tender received. BDC to be informed.

Burial Ground Course - Councillors Massey and  Skittrall attended the first day of this two day course, and found it to be of great use to the village pending the new burial ground. Councillor Skittrall clarified a few points with the Rev. Des Kelly.

Swan Street Hill - Councillor Skittrall to meet with Jackie Roerig  of Essex County Council early in the new year to discuss the possibility of double yellow lines on the top of the hill following a recent accident, parking at this location causes a traffic hazard. Local police support this action.

7. District / County Councillors' Reports

District Cllr. Jo Beavis expressed her delight that the skate park equipment had been installed.   She stressed that, because of the complaints about litter and noise, residents will be advised that the Parish Council has these matters in hand.   A joint project with BDC to employ a Park Warden was being explored.

Concerning the general litter problem in the parish, Cllr. Beavis suggested that takeaway outlets be sent a letter requesting that they keep their own areas clean and provide litter bins for their customers.   This approach had worked well with the Co-op.

Cllr. Green advised Cllr. Beavis that there was a litter problem in Hovis Mill lane, which was now more apparent since the grass was dying down.   Cllr. Skittrall to ask Mr. Moores to do a one-off clean of the area.

Cllr. Beavis spoke briefly on the following points.

•  Youth Elections - Sible Hedingham resident Robert Carter was a candidate in this elections for election to the Young Essex Assembly.   He spoke well and Jo wished him good luck.   She clarified the role of the elected candidate, saying the person would represent the views of the 14-19 years group and was entitled to vote on issues.   This person would also bring youth issues to the attention of the District Council.

•  Service delivery

•  War on Waste

•  Anti-social Behaviour

•  Licensing Laws January 2005

•  Disability Discrimination Act 2004

•  Decent Homes option

•  Halstead Flood Scheme - work beginning January 2005.

Alderford Street work is behind schedule, no good reason for this.

Cllr. Beavis also advised that the planning application for land adjacent 45-49 Swan Street was up for rejection.

District Councillor Stephen Boulter reported that there are no funds to bring Wheelie Bins (and the associated fortnightly collections) to anywhere in the Hedingham and Maplestead Ward in the near future. Weekly Black Sack collections will continue.

Fortnightly recycling collections will come to the remaining parts of the Ward in January. Everyone should have had an information card by now.   As the Recycling collections should reduce the amount of Black Sack refuse, Braintree District Council is now supplying only 52 Black Sacks per year. Collectors will take more, but householders will have purchase any extra sacks they need.  

To be as environment friendly as possible, residents should try to avoid making special journeys to bottle banks or recycling centres, but incorporate them into other trips. Taking glass to a bottle bank within the district helps Braintree District Council meet its targets. However where that means a special journey, but dropping them off at an out of District supermarket does not, the latter is to be preferred.   

Some Recycling information cards do not mention the Essex and Suffolk Recycling Centre in Sandy Lane Bulmer. It is accessible from Ballingdon and also via the reopened narrow lane from Bulmer.

Planning

Next week's Halstead Area committee will be considering four applications Sible Hedingham applications. [45/49,   99   and   165/167 Swan Street plus 61 Alderford Street].

Police can be contacted by e-mil for non-urgent matters. Format   number@essex.pnn.police.uk for PCs and PCSOs, firstname.secondname@essex.pnn.police.uk for other ranks.

8. Matters Arising

Page 193 - Chairman Massey advised that she and District Cllr. Beavis and met and discussed the issue of a Park Warden for the Recreation Ground.   Cllr. Beavis is chasing the issue with BDC.

Page 193 - The Chairman advised that the Halstead Flood Defence scheme would commence in January 2004.   A one-way traffic scheme would operate at Doe's Corner whilst the work was in progress.

Page 194 - SARA for Recreation Ground.   The Chairman reported that incidents are still being monitored.   She stressed that incidents should always be reported by all residents.   Cllr. Chapman advised that a SARA was being put in place for St. Peter's Church because of accelerating vandalism there.

9. Correspondence - Appendix 1

The Chairman read through the correspondence and passed items to

Councillor concerned.

Item 7 - Cllr. Cannell suggested donation be made.   Agreed unanimously to donate £50.00

to The Teddy Charity.

10. Committee Reports

Planning:

There were NO OBJECTIONS to the following applications:

04/02050/ADV - 132 Swan Street. Proposed illumination of existing signage.

04/01933/FUL - Kimberley Lodge, 5 Swan Street. Erection of extension and alterations to existing dwelling and erection of new double garage.

04/02134/FUL - The Old Coalyard, 61 Alderford Street. Proposed variation to application No. 04/00372/FUL; alterations to elevation, details to east elevation facing river.

04/02209/FUL - Greys Hall Stables, Rectory Road. Proposed extension to dwelling house and erection of summerhouse.

04/02216/LBC - Greys Hall Stables, Rectory Road. Proposed extension to dwelling house and erection of summerhouse.

04/02294/FUL - Lamb House, Lamb Lane.   Erection of stables.

04/02322/FUL - 23 Alexandra Road.   Erection of single storey rear extension.

There were OBJECTIONS to the following applications:

04/01684/OUT - Land adjacent 45-49 Swan Street.   Proposed residential development.

We feel that this proposed development is too crowded and we would prefer one single storied dwelling; but again with the black weather-boarding to fit in with the surrounding buildings.   A single building would create more space for parking, garden etc.

04/02157/FUL - Land fronting Alderford Maltings, Alderford Street. Erection of timber building for storage of householder waste and recyclable materials.

The committee conclude that the building was too large and unsuited to the site.   Local residents against such a large building.

Water Management.

Alderford Street culvert.   The current wording of the document from the Environmental Agency is unacceptable to the Drs. Bainbridge.   To be taken up with the Agency.

The electric machinery for the mill gate will be ready by the end of January, and the Parish Council was assured that the stream will be cleared by BDC at the end of January.  

Wethersfield Road - matters are progressing slowly due to the necessity for an Environmental Study to be carried out concerning the great crested newt, which returns to mate in March.   Had this issue been raised a year ago, a whole season of work would not have been lost.   However, negotiations with landowners concerning the holding ponds are progressing well.

11. Anti-Social Behaviour.

It is envisaged that PCSO Neil Rogers will prove to be a great help in this matter.

12. Dog Fouling Bin and Notices for Oxford Meadow.

It was agreed that 2 notices and a large bin be installed on this site as there was evidence of

great need in this area.   Another bin to be installed at Brook Meadow.   Clerk to liaise with Paul

Partridge to arrange provision of these items.

13. Candidate for co-option; see copy letter.

Members were given a copy of the candidate's letter and agreed to co-opt Mr. Anthony Law to the Parish Council.

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

14. Salt/grit bins

Cllr. Snarey asked that ECC Highways be contacted to further ascertain that no FREE bins were available this year, as we carried out manual gritting on their behalf.   Clerk to pursue and advise accordingly.

15. Egress of large stones onto pavement.

Cllr. Cannell drew this problem to the Members attention because she had fallen over after tripping on these large pebbles. Passing lorries also cause stones to be shot up at pedestrians.   A tarmac surface where the path immediately joins the pavement, down to the dropped kerb was suggested.  

Clerk to approach BDC to ascertain who is responsible for this area.

16. Accounts for Payment - Appendix 2

The accounts were passed for payment.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00pm.