MINUTES OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON WEDNESDAY 19TH APRIL 2006 AT 7.30PM

Present:  Dr. N. Edwards (Chairman) C. Cannell, P. Day, R. Falco, J. Hatfield, M. Rudge, J. Skittrall, E. Snarey and A. Corder-Birch (Clerk).

In attendance: Mr. R. Carter (Youth Council), Mr. C. Bird (Hedingham Heritage Group), Mr. H. Johnson (Tree Warden), PCSO D. Green (Essex Police), Mr. O. Hawkes (Village Hall), Mr. P. Corson (Baptist Church), Mrs. J. Jelley (Thursday Club), Mrs. S. Brooker (W.I.), Mrs. A. Donovan (Primary School), Mr. F. Ranson (Hedingham Hawks) and 5 (five) other members of the public.

1. Apologies for Absence were received from:  Dr. R. Green, D. Holmes, A. Law, Mrs. G. Massey, Rev. D. Kelly, County Councillor D. Finch and District Councillors J. Beavis, S. Bolter and W. Scattergood.

2. Minutes of the 2005 Annual Parish Meeting
The minutes of the previous Annual Parish Meeting held on 11th May 2005, were read by the Clerk, confirmed by those present and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

3. Matters arising from those minutes
There were no matters arising.

4. Chairman’s address and presentation of Annual Report
The Chairman read the annual Parish Council Report, which is to be delivered to every household in the village during the next few weeks.   He particularly thanked the Planning Advisory Group for all their hard work in connection with considering so many planning applications during the previous year.

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

6. Braintree District Council Reports
In the absence of the District Councillors, written reports prepared by Mrs. W. Scattergood and Mr. S. Bolter were read on their behalf by the Clerk.  Copies of these reports are attached to the minutes.

7. Youth Council Report
Mr. R. Carter reported that the Youth Council had a busy first year and at the Youth Council elections over 3,000 votes had been cast.   Mr. Carter continued to serve on the Essex Youth Assembly.  Representatives of the Youth Council had regularly attended meetings of both Sible Hedingham and Castle Hedingham Parish Councils.  Discussions are taking place with both Parish Councils regarding a proposed Youth Shelter.  Sir Alan Haselhurst MP and representatives from various local authorities will be attending the Youth Council launch on 28th April.  Discussions had taken place with the Police in the hope of reducing anti-social behaviour.  Mr. Carter was thanked for his report.

8. Tree Warden’s Report
Mr. H. Johnson presented the annual tree warden’s report a copy of which is attached to these minutes.  Mr. Johnson was thanked for his report and for his sound advice to the Parish Council during the year. 

9. Essex Police Report
PCSO Deb Green presented the annual Essex Police report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.   She emphasised that Special Constables were needed and that members of the public who witness crimes should report them and make witness statements.  Residents were encouraged to support Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.  PCSO Green was thanked for her report and for her good work in Sible Hedingham.

9. Sible Hedingham Village Hall Report
Mr. O. Hawkes presented the annual Village Hall report a copy of which is attached to these minutes.   Arising from the report the Chairman enquired about the ‘odour’ in the Village Hall.  Mr. Hawkes reported that the Committee were trying to prevent it and two fans will be replaced and a new fan will be provided in the apex.  Mr. Hawkes was thanked for his report.

10. Sible Hedingham Church Report
In the absence of the Rev. D. Kelly his written report was read by the Clerk.

11. Hedingham Baptist Church Report
The Minister, Mr. Paul Corson, attended and presented the annual Baptist Church Report a copy of which is attached to these minutes.  Mr. Corson was thanked for his report.

12. Auxiliary Fire Station
In the absence of A.D.O. W. Seccombe no report was given.     

13. Hedingham Heritage Society Report
Mr. C. Bird, Vice Chairman, gave the annual Hedingham Heritage Society Report.  He stated that the Society had been in existence for seventeen years and had a good membership with over 70 members.  It had a proper constitution to enable it to obtain grants.  The programme of events included nature walks and visits had taken place to the Warner Textile Collection at Braintree and to Epping Forest.  Meetings take place in the Memorial Hall or the Disraeli Room and the AGM will take place on 4th May at the Memorial Hall.  The De Vere exhibition had been shown at both Castle Hedingham and Earls Colne.  The Heritage Society looks after Edeys Lane and Rushley Green at Castle Hedingham.   The Chairman thanked Mr. Bird for his report and congratulated the Society on the superb De Vere exhibition.    

14. Thursday Club Report
Mrs. J. Jelley presented the annual Thursday Club Report a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

15. Women’s Institute Report
Mrs. Sue Brooker gave the annual Women’s Institute Report on behalf of Mrs. E. Jennings.  A copy of the written report is attached to these minutes.

16. St. Peter’s C. of E. Primary School Report
Mrs. A. Donovan presented the annual St. Peters Church of England Primary School Report a copy of which is attached to these minutes. 

17. Hedingham School Report
In the absence of Mrs. G. Massey no report was given.

18. Hedingham Hawks Youth Football Club
Mr. Fergus Ranson presented the annual Hedingham Hawks Youth Football Club report a copy of which is attached to these minutes.   Arising from this report it was stated that Hedingham Hawks have difficulty finding pitches to play on as those at Hedingham School are so poor, with goals the wrong height; that the Hawks now play at Great Yeldham.  The Recreation Ground was not big enough because of the skate board park, but the Hawks wished to work with SHPC with a view to making more use of the Recreation Ground.  Mr. J. Skittrall was thanked for attending the Hawks recent AGM.   It was confirmed that a five a side football pitch would fit on the former tennis courts.   Mr. Skittrall and representatives of Hedingham Hawks will look at various sites in the village during the ensuing week.     
Mr. F. Ranson was thanked for his report.

19. Public Question Time

a) Parking problems at School Road
The continuing problem of cars parking in School Road was raised.  It was understood that staff cars should park within school grounds to relieve congestion along the road.  Parents should park at the White Lion or Village Hall car parks and walk their children to school.  An alternative route for residents of Harrow Cross was via Lamb Lane.

b) Development at Premdor site and Highway issues
Mr. P. Corson enquired about the development of the Premdor and Coopers Yard sites, highway issues and the parking problems at the Alexandra Road and Swan Street junction.  Parking on pavements was a problem and sometimes pavements were impassable for pedestrians and disabled users.   The Chairman reported that Essex County Council Highways Department had carried out various surveys and claim that the roads are not unsafe and that the Police need to witness obstructions.  Unfortunately PCSO’s have no power to deal with parking issues.