Minutes of the Parish Council Annual General Meeting

Minutes of Meeting held on Monday 13th June 2005

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

Present:

Cllr C Cannel

Cllr C Chapman

Cllr P Day

Cllr N Edwards

Cllr J Ferrando

Cllr R Green (Arrived 7.40 pm)

Cllr J Hatfield

Cllr M Rudge

Cllr E Snarey

Cllr A Law

Cllr G Massey (Chairman)

Cllr J Skittrall (Vice Chairman)

Mrs P Roberts (acting clerk)

1. Apologies for Absence

Due to a cabinet Meeting at County level the District and County Councillors J Beavis, S Boulter and D Finch were unable to attend the meeting.

2. Declaration of Interests

No Councillor present declared any interests.

3. Public comments

No members of the public present

4. Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 9 May 2005

Cllr N Edwards stated that Item 244 Water Management should read Now being undertaken instead of no undertaken.   This was duly amended.

It was then agreed that the minutes were an accurate and true record of the meeting of the 9 May 2005

Proposed: Cllr G Massey

Seconded: Cllr J Ferrando

All in agreement

5. Chairman's Report

The Chairman's Report covered possible improvements for the next AGM, details on the Cluster meeting and also a report from the BDC Community Action Team led by Ms H Goodwin.

The Chairman also asked for volunteers from the Councillors to open and deal with mail in the Council office until a new Parish Clerk is appointed.

A letter to be sent to the former clerk Iris Smith thanking her for all her hard work and endeavours on behalf of the Parish Council.

6. Vice Chairman's Report

The Vice Chairman's Report covered various issues including the cutting of hedges, dangerous driving by a pony and trap in the Rookwoods Lane area.   Parking and double yellow lines in the areas of Swan Hill, Christmas Field and the bottom of School Hill.

Items for next agenda:

Provision of a Wheelie bin collection from the Village Hall, approximate cost of £230.

Donation towards Village Hall Disco for young people .

7. District/County Councillors Reports

A brief report received from the District/County Councillor was read out to the meeting.

8. Matters Arising

The Right of Use in   Mr Rose's yard in Alderford St. has been confirmd by BDC

Agreed that costs re Distribution of Parish Council leaflet will be cheaper in-house.

Oak Tree in   Grays Hall Meadow    to be moved at no extra cost to the Parish Council.

Maintenance and Repair Tender from McAlpine re Street Lights has been withdrawn, a new contractor to be contacted.

9. Correspondence

The Chairman distributed correspondence received to the relevant Councillors for information and possible action

10. Committee Reports

The Planning Committee reported on the following planning applications with No Objections to:

05/00846/FUL - 34 Hawkwood Road. Proposed two storey extension

05/00935/FUL - 30A Station road.   Construction of vehicular access

05/01007/FUL - Pest House, Lamb Lane.   Erection of conservatory, single storey side extension and dormer window.

To refer to Listed Building Officer BDC:

05/00977/FUL - Land adjacent to 45-49 Swan Street.   Erection of one and a half storey dwelling.

Proposed Cllr G Massey

Seconded Cllr J Hatfield

All in favour

Burial Ground

Letter to be sent to Jean Cox thanking her for all her welcome work re the supplying and planting of plants in the Garden of Remembrance

CCTV

Nothing to report

Footpaths

Nothing to report, Cllr Edwards to investigate the possibility of setting up a volunteer group.

Recreation Ground

Signs in Skateboard area in place

Village Walden

Nothing to report

Water Maintenance

Nothing to report

Website & Village Plan

Village Plan finished, prices to be obtained for the distribution of the Village Plan

Next Agenda - Costs re distribution of Village Plan and Annual Report

Transport

Contact Halstead Gazette to advertise the times of Saturday Buses (Braintree- Sible Hedingham)

11. New Bank Mandate

All Councillors to complete required forms and provide ID as required for Bank Mandate

12. Proposal to apply for matched funding under Rural Communities Development Fund

£5000 match funding available from the Rural Communities Development Fund, with this year's criteria being the reduction of local levels of crime and facilities for young people.   Funding to refurbish the tennis courts and toilet block may meet the criteria, so quotes to be obtained to enable a better idea of possible costs involved.

Proposed: Cllr G Massey

Seconded: Cllr J Ferrando

All in agreement

13. Sub Committee for appointment of New Clerk

All councillors present agreed which applicants for the position should be offered an interview.   It was agreed that a committee consisting of the Chairman, Vice chairman and Cllr N Edwards should conduct the interviews and make recommendations as to the successful candidate for the position.

14. Salary review for Council Employees

To be increased to £6.50 per hour and reviewed again before next Precept meeting.

Proposed: Cllr P Day

Seconded: Cllr G Massey

All in favour.

15. Proposal to include item Any Other Business on future Agendas

Item for next agenda.  

Joy Sheppard, County Secretary of the EALC to be asked to speak on the matter at the Council meeting

16. Approval of Annual Accounts 2004-2005

Auditors report concerning the Annual Accounts to be put on next agenda

17. Accounts for Payment

Due to an error Item 20 to be ignored

All cheques approved for payment

Proposed: Cllr J Ferrando

Seconded: Cllr C Cannell

All in agreement

Meeting Closed   9.55 pm