In the chair: Mr. J. Beavis
Present: Cllrs. R. Falco, R. Green, H. Johnson, A. Law, G. Massey, M. Rudge, E. Snarey, J. Skittrall and A. Stewart.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
Mr. D. Finch (County Councillor)
PC D. Coghill (Essex Police) and one member of the public
254. Fire regulations
Details were given of the fire regulations relating to the Hall and in particular the whereabouts of the fire exits, the assembly point in Parkfields and vehicles must not be removed from the Hall Car Park.
255. Apologies for absence
Cllrs. C. Cannell (hospital visiting), E. Jones (illness) F. Swallow (holiday) and W. Scattergood
256 Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest.
257. To confirm minutes of previous meetings held 14th December 2009 and 11th January 2010
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meetings held on 14th December 2009 and 11th January 2010, having been circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
258. Matters arising from those minutes
There were no matters arising.
259. Public Comment
Mrs. G. Massey gave a report of Cut Maple highway issues discussed at Halstead Traffic Management Liaison Meeting held 8th February (please see minute 272 below). Mr. J. Lock of Cut Maple made a statement about the number of serious RTAs at Cut Maple, including four accidents in one day during December 2009, when the occupant of one vehicle had to be cut out and the Air Ambulance landed in a nearby field. On another occasion a motorcyclist had been killed because of oil left on the road from an earlier accident. On 7th February 2010 Mr. Lock had walked along the road and found evidence of debris from at least sixteen accidents. He requested the support of SHPC and Mr. D. Finch to ask ECC Highways for safety improvements, including a 40mph speed limit, which exists on other similar roads. Fire and Rescue had been asked for details of all accidents at Cut Maple because the statistics from Essex Police and ECC Highways were not agreed by residents. Mr. D. Finch reported that the Chairman of Essex Police Authority and the Divisional Commander of Essex Police would be visiting SH on 9th March, which would provide Mr. Lock and Mrs. Martin the opportunity to discuss Police statistics. In the meantime Mr. Finch agreed to “lobby” ECC Highways for a 40 mph limit to be imposed. Mrs. G. Massey urged residents to improve monitoring of RTAs in future including dates, times, vehicles involved, personal injuries, etc. In addition there is a need to get Speedwatch fully operational in SH, which hopefully the residents of Cut Maple will join and support. Mr. J. Skittrall reported upon the speed of traffic along Halstead Road and that driver attitude needs to be tackled.
The Chairman welcomed PC D. Coghill to the meeting who had recently replaced PC D. McMaster. PC Coghill reported upon the revamped Essex Police website and urged Councillors to look at it. PC Coghill hopes to meet the Chairman of EPA on 9th March and will also push for Speedwatch to be established in SH. She will tackle ASB and invited information and details of all incidents.
260. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
Mrs. J. Beavis thanked Dr. R. Green, Mr. H. Johnson, Mrs. G. Massey and Mr. J. Skittrall for attending a very productive estates inspection with GCH on 30th January, which will be fully reported upon at the next meeting of the Recreation and Amenities Committee.
Mr. J. Skittrall reported upon litter clearance along Halstead Road on 6th February and it was agreed to ask the new Highway Rangers to keep it clear in future. The NAP, which will be completely restructured, is moving back to SH, but will remain associated with CH. There will be two large meetings in SH Village Hall each year and other meetings will take place in PC Office on dates to be arranged. NAP will consider its own website, which will be linked to SHPC and Essex Police websites.
261. Youth Council Report
In the absence of a Youth Council representative no report was given.
262. County Council Report
Mr. D. Finch reported upon Fuel Payments, Essex Later Life Expo, Boiler Scrappage, Essex Book Festival, National Grid Objection, Village Agents and Savings Schemes. (The full written report was emailed to Councillors and is attached to these minutes). Arising from this report Mrs. J. Beavis asked Mr. Finch to particularly thank Mr. R. Jamieson of ECC Highways for all his help with highway matters in SH.
263. District Council Report
In the absence of Mr. F. Swallow and Mrs. W. Scattergood no report was given.
Mrs. J. Beavis reported the good news that BDC will remain in Causeway House and not move to Witham and that SHPC had been awarded a grant by BDC towards the construction of a Petanque course.
Mrs. Beavis also reported that as District Councillor she had been approached by and met residents of Station Road regarding the application by the Hedingham Village Club to extend licensing hours. A hearing had taken place at Causeway House on 2nd February, which the applicant and a resident had attended. Although residents had requested an 11pm finish the hours had been extended to 1am, subject to conditions. It was understood that the Club had introduced noise limiting technology and Residents, Councillors and the Police will observe future activities.
264. Planning
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meetings held on 8th and 29th January 2010 having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report. It was agreed that Mrs. J. Beavis should arrange a joint meeting with Castle Hedingham Parish Council and invite Mr. B. Taplin to attend and speak about planning enforcement. Councillors expressed concern that the Beagrie Beauty Banner was still displayed at Crow Court, Swan Street despite Mr. Taplin giving 14 days notice for its removal, which had expired late January. The Clerk had since sent Mr. Taplin two emails which had not been responded to and the matter will continue to be pursued with Mr. Taplin.
265. Recreation and Amenities
The minutes of the Recreation and Amenities Committee Meeting held on 15th January 2010 having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report. Mr. Falco enquired about High Street Green issues and Mr. Skittrall confirmed that the hedge had already been cut and the pump will be repainted. The Petanque course will be constructed when the weather improves.
266. Footpaths
Dr. R. Green reported that the order had been made for the diversion of FP 72 at Southey Green. ECC CIF had awarded SHPC a grant of £3,500 towards the purchase of various types of gates and installation costs in place of stiles along public footpaths in SH to include one kissing gate off Grays Hall Meadow. The order for the gates will be finalized at the next Footpaths Advisory Group Meeting.
A plan to extend the footpath walk along the River Colne from SH to Halstead can be achieved from FP 54 in SH to FP 2 in Halstead. This will necessitate the creation of a new footpath, within SH, through Molly’s Wood and Sparrows Farm, which will fill in a gap in the existing footpath network between SH and Halstead. It was agreed that Dr. Green and Mr. A. Corder-Birch should pursue this and negotiate with the landowners concerned along the proposed route (of which Dr. Green was one).
The recent correspondence from Mr. O. Hawkes regarding footpaths between SH and Halstead was considered and it was agreed to invite Mr. Hawkes to join the Footpaths Advisory Group.
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that FP 87 at Harrow Cross had been cleared.
267. Hedingham Riverside Walk Report
Dr. R. Green reported that Mr. R. Parmee is preparing a management plan for HRW, which will be presented to SHPC when complete. Donations amounting to about £500 had been received towards a Community Orchard and the site may need to be fenced to protect trees from damage from deer. The provision of a surface for HRW is planned for late spring 2010 and will be financed from S106 monies. ECC Highways had agreed in principle to a footbridge near Alderford Mill, subject to designs being approved, which will include a gate for safety purposes. Mr. Parmee and Engineers at BDC are currently preparing the necessary designs.
Dr. Green was thanked for his reports.
268. VDS Report
Mrs. G. Massey stated that she will present a full report at the next meeting and that in the meantime will send a draft to the Chairman of SHPC for approval.
269. Report upon acquisition of Car Park at Summerfields
The Clerk reported that the acquisition of the car park at Summerfields was progressing satisfactorily on the basis that BDC will transfer the freehold to SHPC. Copies of relevant earlier deeds had been disclosed and the Clerk had raised pre-contract enquiries and requisitions on title including clarification of the ownership of the boundaries, particularly the northern boundary and the extent of the vehicular right of way at the western end. He had requested Land Registry office copy entries for not only the car park but also two neighbouring properties to check the boundaries. He had also asked BDC for a copy of the planning consent for COU to car park and a Local Land Charges Search. It was agreed that the Clerk should continue this work with a view to exchange of contracts/completion taking place on 31st March or 1st April 2010 and that SHPC would accept ownership of not only the car park but also any remaining land in the vicinity of it as BDC is able to convey.
270. National Grid
The Clerk attended the briefing meeting by National Grid on 5th January 2010 and the Chairman reported upon representations made by other Local Authorities in the area namely that there should be no more pylons erected and that all cables should be put underground. It was unanimously agreed that SHPC should support other Local Authorities and inform National Grid that the new cables proposed should be put underground to preserve the countryside and areas of Special Landscape Value.
271. Proposed changes to Parish Liaison Service
Mrs. J. Beavis reported that she was leading the proposed changes in the Parish Liaison Service at BDC. Cluster Meetings should continue for 2010 but may disappear in 2011 when replacement arrangements will be in place. As BDC Cabinet Member for Customers and Communications (including Rural Affairs and Civic Pride) Mrs. Beavis will be writing again to all PCs in the District with an update.
272. Report of Halstead Traffic Management meeting
Mrs. G. Massey reported upon the following items discussed at the Halstead Traffic Management Liaison Meeting which she had attended on 8th February:
a. Speed limit and repeater signs from Crouch Green to Hedingham School – The criteria for reduction from 40 to 30 mph were not met but criteria is up for review in 2011 when it may change.
b. Direction sign at T junction at High Street Green – Agreed in principle – SHPC to send plan of proposed location and wording to ECC Highways.
c. Speed limit for High Street Green – does not meet criteria, gateway signs and road markings already provided – nothing more can be done.
d. Speeding at Cut Maple (please see minute 259 above) – Mrs. O. Cowell disputed figures given by Mrs. C. Martin. ECC Highways will only take into consideration RTAs involving PI over past five years. Police reports only show one serious and one less serious RTA at Cut Maple. Safety Engineers have visited site and consider very little can be done except for verge marker posts being installed later this year.
e. Parking obstruction at entrance to Alderford Maltings, Alderford Street – not ECC Highway policy to protect private driveways and parking problems in Alderford Street cannot be treated “piecemeal” and very difficult in the past to achieve a consensus among residents. With regard to the dustcart not being able to get access to Alderford Maltings by reason of parking obstructions Mr. D. Finch had discussed the problem with Mr. R. Walters, BDC Cabinet Member responsible for Refuse and Recycling who had suggested an area be found near the Maltings where residents can place bins and sacks for collection.
f. Mr. R. Walters is arranging a “Snow Summit” on 24th March at Stansted with high profile speakers to advise on rights, the law, responsibilities, etc. Subject to cost, Mr. J. Skittrall will consider attending to raise gritting and salt bin issues.
273. To consider request for blue plaques
This item was deferred to the next meeting to enable Mrs. E. Jones to speak upon it.
274. Report upon site meeting with ECC Highways regarding kassel kerbs and bus shelter
Mr. E. Snarey reported that he had met Mr. B. Jackson and Mr. M. Bridges of ECC Highways, with Mr. A. Corder-Birch, at the Co-op bus stop on 25th January 2010. There was insufficient room to locate both kassel kerbs and a bus shelter and to site a bus shelter a small piece of the Co-op car park will need to be encroached upon. Kassel kerbs will not be necessary from 2015 when new style buses should be in operation, so a bus shelter is favoured. Various alternative sites along Swan Street, both sides of the Summerfields junction, had been explored but the existing site in front of the Co-op was favoured by ECC Highways. Mr. R. Falco enquired about the possibility of a bus stop and shelter in front of the Post Office/Chemist but was informed that the pedestrian crossing there will soon be refurbished to include safety barriers which will prevent a bus stop and shelter at this location. Following some discussion it was resolved that (a) SHPC support ECC in its approach to the Co-op to ascertain if they are willing to relinquish a very small part of their car park to allow a bus shelter to be erected and if so (b) to insist that such bus shelter matches, as far as possible, the existing bus shelters in SH in materials and colour to include the SHPC name and (c) that SHPC also approach the Co-op if necessary.
With regard to the bus stop at Brook House, which is some feet away from the bus shelter, Mr. Snarey will raise this at the next Public Transport Passenger meeting in April.
275. Arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council Meeting
The following arrangements were approved:
- That the SH Annual Parish Meeting is fixed for Monday, 26th April 2010 at 7.30pm at the Village Hall, SH.
- That it should have a planning theme to include key service villages, regeneration areas, S106 agreements, all SH development sites, schools, VDS, etc.
- That Mrs. Eleanor Dash, Planning Policy Manager, BDC (and Mr. Adam Davies or another Planning representative of BDC) be invited as guest speakers.
- That in view of the importance of the planning issues the number of other speakers and reports be reduced.
- That the Chairman prepares a short annual PC report to be circulated to every household together with an invitation to attend the Annual Parish Meeting.
- That a sub committee comprising of Mrs. J. Beavis, Mrs. G. Massey, Mr. J. Skittrall and Mr. A. Corder-Birch be formed to make the arrangements for the meeting including advertising, invitations, format, etc.
- That the date of the SH Annual Parish Council Meeting be changed from Monday 10th May to Wednesday, 12th May 2010.
276. Correspondence
The correspondence received and listed in appendix 1 was referred to relevant Councillors for information and action. Arising from the correspondence the following items were noted and agreed:
- The letter from ECC Highways asking for comments upon proposed disabled parking bay at Alderford Street was carefully considered. ECC had suggested that the disabled parking bay is installed at exactly the same location as the existing bus stop, which would conflict with it. It was therefore suggested that the disabled parking bay is located on the opposite side of the entrance to Alderford Grange so that it does not obstruct the bus stop.
277. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment. It was proposed by Mr. A. Stewart, seconded by Mr. H. Johnson and carried that the accounts are paid.
278. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
a. Mr. E. Snarey reminded Councillors to let him have comments upon the Braintree Transport Review (see item 7 in correspondence for 11th January 2010 meeting) before April when he attends the next Public Transport Passenger Meeting.
b. Dr. R. Green requested an agenda item for the March meeting namely that consideration is given to a grant of £400 to Hedingham Heritage Society towards the cost of boards to store the De Vere exhibition. It was agreed to place this item on the agenda for the next meeting.
279. Private Session
It was resolved that in view of the special or confidential nature of the business about to be transacted it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting and they are instructed to withdraw pursuant to the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. The Parish Council Meeting then continued in private session (see confidential minutes for Parish Councillors only).