Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of Meeting held on Monday 10th January 2005

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, D. Holmes, A. Law, M. Rudge, E. Snarey, Clerk I. Smith

Six members of the public

The chairman welcomed newly co-opted Councillor A. Law and the members of the public.

1. Apologies for Absence

District Councillor Jo Beavis, District Councillor Wendy Scattergood, due to attendance at other meetings.

County Councillor David Finch and District Councillor Stephen Bolter arrived partway through the meeting, due to their attendance at other meetings.

2. Declaration of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.     

3. Public Comment

Two members of the public commented on the parking problems along Swan Street outside nos. 186 & 188.

This area has been earmarked as a dangerous spot, due to vehicles blocking the sightline at the brow of the hill.   As such, Cllr. Skittrall met with Jackie Roerig, Highways, to discuss installing double yellow lines to ensure safety in this area.   It was decided that 50 metres of double yellow lines should be put in place, before the brow of the hill, which would help solve the problem of potential accidents here.   The residents of numbers 186 and 188 pointed out that they had nowhere else to park, although their house Deeds stated they had a right to park in Cygnet Court.   However, one of the residents there took exception to this and had proved to be antagonistic.   Vice-chairman Skittrall and Chairman Massey urged the residents to look into this matter on a legal level, and they would be prepared to give guidance on this issue.   Clerk to approach BDC Planning Dept to see if they are able to provide any record of this agreement when the planning application was made.

Another member raised the issue of the dangerous state of the Citroen site in Swan Street.   Despite the owners being sent a letter requesting they board up the areas where broken glass is hanging dangerously, no response had been received.   Clerk to write to the owners again, requesting a meeting on site with the Chairman and Vice-chairman.

Other members of public spoke about the problem in the skate park area concerning extremely bad language.   Signage is to be erected concerning Health & Safety issues and the use of the area after dark, also setting out standards of behaviour and language.   Hedingham School Science Club is to undertake a project to monitor noise levels in this area, so it will be interesting to see the problems which might be highlighted. The members of public also asked if the bare area of the recreation ground opposite their property could be hedged, which might cut out some of the noise and will certainly help to screen the area.   Cllr. Skittrall to arrange planting of hedges in this area.

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

Item 8 - should read January 2005, not January 2004.

Item 14 - Cllr. Snarey insisted that it be recorded that he thought it was the responsibility of the Highways Department to provide free salt/grit bins as they had a duty to keep roads free of ice and snow.   Despite calls made by the Clerk, Highways still insisted that bins had to be purchased.   Cllr. Finch will investigate the matter and report back.

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

5. Chairman's Report

The Chairman wished everyone a Happy New Year.   She went on to say that the skate park had now been formally opened and hoped it would prove beneficial in providing a place for the youngsters to enjoy their leisure activities.

6. Vice-chairman's Report

Cllr. Skittrall had already reported on his meeting with Jackie Roerig, Highways Department, under Public Comment. He went on to say that a collection for the Tsunami appeal had been made in the village on Saturday.   The sum of £283.56p. had been raised, and a New Year's Eve dance had raised a further £344.00.

Cllr. Chapman had also been busy collecting bags of clothing.

7. District / County Councillors' Reports

District Cllr. Wendy Scattergood's report was read, in her absence, by the Chairman.   The report covered the following topics:

•  East of England Plan RSS14

•  Local Plan Review

•  Modernisation of the Council

•  Rate Support Grant

Full report to be appended to the Minutes.

The Chairman began to read District Councillor Stephen Bolter's report in his absence, and he arrived halfway through the report and took over.   The main points of his report were:

•  Essex Young People's Assembly Elections.   Robert Carter, Hawthorns, Sible Hedingham, gained one of Braintree's seven seats.

•  East of England Plan

•  Skate Board areas and Clean Team

•  Full Council Meetings - meetings to be held on Wednesdays as from April 2005

•  Planning - Citroen Garage Site and land opposite Alderford Street.   Both rejected.

The Chairman suggested that Robert Palmer be invited to a future PC Meeting.   Full report to be appended to the Minutes.

The Chairman thanked District Cllr. Bolter for his report.

District Cllr. Beavis - no report submitted.

County Cllr. David Finch reported briefly on the following issues:

•  Budget/Precept and the Council Tax.   There is to be a full Council meeting on February 15 th when the tax rates will be announced.   However, the issue will be in the public domain as from 1st February 2005.

•  Highways - issues of congestion and road maintenance.   Significant funds are to be made available in the new budget for repair of pot holes etc.

•  Community Care - to help with independence and living at home, either to help people remain in their own homes, or after hospitalisation.   £250,000 will be made available to support agencies and voluntary bodies.

•  Children's' Services - this issue has now been allocated Beacon status, which is specific and different from other Councils.   This will enable other Councils to learn new ways of dealing with the problem.   There are less numbers of children being reported as being at risk now.

•  Asset Management - this issue has also been allocated Beacon status.

The Chairman thanked County Cllr. Finch for his report.

8. Matters Arising

Item 7 - Hovis Mill Lane.   Clean Team to be approached to clear the area.

Rookwood lane - Report of builders' waste being dumped.   Cllrs. Skittrall and Day to investigate and advice Clerk of appropriate action.

Item 12 - Clerk to order one bin and two notices.   BDC to liaise with Cllr. Snarey concerning placement.

Item 15 - Chairman and Vice-chairman to visit properties sited at bottom of right of way to ascertain responsibility for track and advise of problems caused by pebbles being pushed onto the pedestrian way

by cars using this path.

9. Correspondence - Appendix 1

The Chairman brought specific items of correspondence to the Members' attention.

10. Committee Reports

Planning:

There were NO OBJECTIONS to the following planning applications:

CC/BTE/90/04/REV    -    Hedingham School, Dedham Road.

Single storey extension to existing library including the formation of a new entrance into the property.

04/02023/FUL - Park Pastures, Rectory Meadow.

Extension and alterations to main house, erection of detached garage and ancillary outbuildings, external works including landscaping, construction of swimming pool, tree felling and underground parking area - amendments to 04/00922/FUL.

04/02411/COU - Wash lands Farm. Prayers Hill. Change of use of barn to stables, including outdoor manège.

04/02466/FUL - Land adjacent 83 Alexandra Road. Erection of 1no. 4-bedroomed detached chalet bungalow and double garage. However, the Parish Council advised that they would like to see energy saving and solar capture facilities incorporated into all new build properties.

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

Water Management

Nothing further to report.   Cllr. Snarey will check that ditch clearances have been carried out by BDC, as agreed.

Footpaths

Cllr. Green reported that a new gate is to be installed by the farmer on the footpath which runs between

Hovis Mill Lane and Alderford Street.

11. Parish Finances - Budget and Precept setting

The chairman presented the Budget for the financial year 2005-2006 to Members.   The Chairman read down the list and several issues were specifically discussed by Members, resulting in a few minor alterations.

It was Proposed by Cllr. Skittrall to accept the budget.   Seconded: Cllr. Hatfield.   Agreed unanimously.

12. Purchase of 2 litter bins for skate park area

Cllr. Skittrall asked that £250 be approved for expenditure on these items.   Proposed: Cllr. Cannell. Seconded: Cllr. Massey.   Agreed unanimously.   Cllr. Skittrall to look into size and type of bins required for efficient litter control and advise Clerk accordingly.

13. Signage for skate park site

The Recreation Committee will meet to discuss legal and social requirements and report back to the Members.

14. Website

Cllr. Ferrando has offered, at his own cost, to produce leaflets to advertise the Website and is proposing to distribute these to local businesses and households.   Proposed: Cllr. Cannell. Seconded: Cllr. Green.  

Agreed unanimously.   This item to be placed on Agenda forthwith.

15. Bulb and shrub Planting around the village  

Cllr. Hatfield advised Members that £32 had been spent on bulbs, leaving just £43 in hand of the original budget allocation of £75 to spend on shrubs.   He asked whether another £75 could be made available to ensure a good display of shrubs around the village.  

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

Cllr. Chapman has kindly offered to waive his costs on expenditure for slabs and chippings as a goodwill gesture towards the village.   The Chairman thanked Cllr. Chapman for his generous action.              

16. Accounts for Payment - Appendix 2, including Balance of Accounts

The accounts were passed to Members for payment.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.50pm.