MINUTES OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON MONDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2008 AT 7.30 P.M._______________________________________
In the chair: Mr. J. Skittrall
Present: Councillors C. Cannell, R. Falco, R. Green, E. Jones, A. Law, G. Massey, V. Mullender, M. Rudge, E. Snarey, A. Stewart and F. Swallow.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
181. 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 that vehicles must not be removed from the Hall Car Park.
182. Apologies for absence
Councillors J. Beavis (attending BDC briefing) D. Finch and W. Scattergood.
183. Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest.
184. To confirm minutes of previous meeting held 13th October 2008
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on 13th October 2008, having been previously circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
185. Matters arising from those minutes
Path at High Street Green
Mr. R. Falco referred to the minutes of the previous PC Meeting and also to the minutes of the Recreation and Amenities Committee Meeting held 25th October and asked if ‘costings’ for the new concrete slab path to the dog bin at High Street Green had been obtained. Mr. Skittrall confirmed that quotes would be ‘on the table’ for the Recreation and Amenities Committee Meeting on 21st November.
186. Public Comment
In the absence of any members of the public there was no public comment.
187. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that SHPC had been represented by Mrs. J. Beavis, Mrs. E. Jones, Mr. J. Skittrall and Mr. A. Corder-Birch at the SH War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. The Congregation and the Royal British Legion were pleased to see the Parish Council represented and it was agreed that the PC should be represented annually in future.
188. Youth Council Report
In the absence of Mr. J. Tame no report was given.
189. County Council Report
In the absence of Mr. D. Finch no report was given save for an update about the flood lagoon at Cobbs Fenn (please see minute 200 below).
190. District Council Report
In the absence of Mrs. J. Beavis and Mrs. W. Scattergood no report was given. Mr. F. Swallow reminded Councillors of the BDC Halstead Local Committee meeting on 12th November. He reported that he is a member of the Fees and Charges working party to review charges for next year to try and reduce Council Tax. In addition BDC is setting up a Bus and Train services working party of which Mr. Swallow will also be a member. Mrs. E. Jones reported upon the proposed withdrawal of the 352 bus to Chelmsford which is well used by people visiting Broomfield Hospital. Mr. E. Snarey reported that as SHPC Passenger Transport representative he had made representations to ECC who claimed to have only made minor revisions to the timetable but the proposed termination of the service from 8th December 2008 is more serious. ECC claim they have no control over weekday services only over weekend and evening services. Mr. Snarey had also spoken to the Bus Company and the service will be replaced by another service but this is dependent upon connections and that more information about the replacement service is awaited. It was proposed by Mrs. G. Massey, seconded by Mrs. E. Jones and carried that the Clerk writes to the authorities concerned expressing SHPC’s displeasure upon the proposed withdrawal of an essential service.
191. Planning
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 17th October had been circulated and it was resolved that the minutes be accepted in lieu of a report.
192. Footpaths
Dr. R. Green reported that the installation of the kissing gates in place of damaged stiles along FP 47 were under way thanks to Mr. V. Mullender who had kindly spoken to Mr. & Mrs. Downing. However this is subject to them signing an agreement, which Lisa Cross of P3 is writing to them with. It is anticipated that the gates will be ready for erection by SHPC within 2 or 3 months.
The diversion order for FP 21 at High Street Green had been made.
Dr. Green had attended a meeting at Castle Hedingham who have had their preliminary footpath map prepared, which looks very good. A draft of the Sible Hedingham map should be ready in two or three months.
193. Riverside Walk
Mr. A. Corder-Birch reminded Councillors about the Inaugural Public Meeting to form ‘The Friends of the Riverside Walk’ on Monday, 1st December 2008 at 7 for 7.30pm at the Village Hall. Mrs. G. Massey was thanked for the fliers and posters, which were very good. Discussions regarding the proposed footbridge at Alderford Street are continuing and although the Safety Engineer from ECC Highways had visited the site his report is awaited.
194. Recreation and Amenities Committee Report
The minutes of the Recreation and Amenities Committee meeting held on 24th October 2008, which had been circulated to all Councillors was accepted in lieu of a report. Arising from these minutes Mr. J. Skittrall reported, that the contractor would shortly arrange a demonstration of the new CCTV equipment.
195. Report from VDS Committee
Mrs. G. Massey reported that arrangements were in hand for a meeting within the next month. She explained the importance of the VDS in connection with planning and Mrs. E. Jones offered her services.
196. Report of Halstead Traffic Management Liaison Meeting
Mrs. G. Massey reported that she had attended the last Halstead Traffic Management Liaison Meeting on 6th October 2008 when the Culina Logistics survey was discussed. Future traffic movements by Culina will continue to be monitored. The membership of Halstead Traffic Management had been tightened up and following consultation with BALC, Mrs. Massey should continue as SHPC representative. Arising from this report Mr. J. Skittrall and Mrs. G. Massey reported that they had both attended the Sturmer and Bumpstead Cluster Meeting on 29th October when the position of Sturmer Parish Council had changed as Culina now supports the community and were apparently a good company to work for. Culina was only operating to 50% capacity at present but SHPC will continue to monitor traffic movements through SH.
197. Report of Sible Hedingham, Gosfield, Great & Little Yeldham Cluster Meeting
The minutes of the Sible Hedingham, Gosfield, Great and Little Yeldham Cluster Meeting held on 22nd October 2008 had been circulated and it was agreed to accept those minutes in lieu of a report.
198. Report of Area Estates Inspection with Greenfields Community Housing
The Clerk reported that Mrs. J. Beavis and himself, had met Mrs. S. Goldsmith and Mrs. Zoe Burns of GCH on 23rd October. A written report had been prepared and it was agreed to refer this to the Recreation and Amenities Committee meeting on 21st November, which administers street scene matters.
199. Commons and Village Greens
The Clerk reported that he had attended the Commons and Village Greens course at Dunmow on 24th October, which had included three speakers from the Land Registry and one from NALC. It had been a very useful course and a number of points will help with applying for ownership of the remaining Village Greens in SH.
The Clerk reported that SHPC already had absolute titles for Southey Green, (which is designated as Common Land), Forrey Green and two parts of Almshouse Green (the remaining parts being in other ownerships). The Parish Council also had possessory title to Alderford Street (Carters) Green and Church Street Greens and absolute titles would be applied for in due course. Parts of Birds Green are owned by ECC who have declined to transfer ownership to SHPC. Substantial areas of Morris Green have been encroached by neighbouring landowners over the years and registered in other ownerships. However parts of Morris Green were unregistered and the Clerk reported upon current enquiries. High Street Green and Grays Hall Green were also unregistered and ownership will be pursued. The following courses of action were approved:
High Street Green - Mrs. E. Jones who has been familiar with High Street Green for over 30 years will assist by making a Statutory Declaration.
Morris Green – The Clerk will continue to pursue certain enquiries with a view to SHPC acquiring ownership of the unregistered parts of Morris Green.
Grays Hall Green and parts of Birds Green – Efforts will continue to acquire ownership.
In respect of 1,2 & 3 above the Clerk was authorized to enter cautions against first registration if appropriate.
In respect of all land in PC ownership, which had services across, the Clerk was authorized to communicate with the appropriate authorities to enter into wayleave agreements, to enable SHPC to receive wayleave payments.
Arising from this report Mr. E. Snarey reported that some kerbstones had appeared on Grays Hall Green and Mr. J. Skittrall will arrange for them to be removed.
200. Water Management
Mr. E. Snarey reported that the Environment Agency had not yet cleared the Mill Stream and the tributaries into the River Colne in the vicinity of Alderford Mill and will ascertain when this work will be carried out.
The Clerk referred to correspondence from Dr. N. Edwards and Mr. G. Shiffner to Mr. D. Finch regarding the flood lagoon at Cobbs Fenn. An up to date report from Mr. D. Finch was read out stating that the land acquisition is still in progress and thereafter a number of phases have to be completed including Environmental Analysis, Archaeological Surveys, Soil Testing, Scheme Design, Cost Estimation and Budget Approval. As these phases require on site activity they cannot be started until the land acquisition is complete. Funding for the project “design phase” has been requested in the 2009/10 budget round and is likely to be approved. Mr. Finch will be responding to the communications he has received and will copy in SHPC. Mr. A. Law reported that unfortunately Mr. Shiffner’s home could not be protected from flooding.
201. To approve Annual update for Charity Commission
The Clerk reminded Councillors that they were all Trustees of the Recreation Ground. The Clerk had completed the 2008 update and the declaration on it requires that it be brought to the attention of all Trustees. It was proposed by Miss. C. Cannell, seconded by Mrs. E. Jones and carried that the 2008 update is approved.
202. 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 agreed:
A letter from BDC Emergency Planning Officer requesting sandbag requirements was passed to Mr. J. Skittrall who will inspect the existing sandbags and place an order with BDC for future sand bag requirements. Dr. R. A. Green has storage space for sandbags and Mr. Skittrall will arrange for Mr. K. Shears to deliver sandbags to Dr. Green.
The CPRE Countryside Voice was passed to Mr. F. Swallow for perusal.
203. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment. It was proposed by Mr. R. Falco, seconded by Mr. F. Swallow and carried that the accounts are paid.
Arising from the accounts Mr. Skittrall reported that the income from the Halloween BBQ was £79.00 and Mrs. G. Massey reported that a further £20 had been received from the sale of sweets. It was generally agreed that the Halloween event was very successful and Mrs. Massey will place a report on the website.
204. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
Mr. M. Rudge queried the date of the next Recreation and Amenities Committee meeting which was confirmed for 21st November at 7.30pm in PC Office.
Miss. C. Cannell reported some broken glass in the lower BDC car park at the rear of the Co-op, which was spilling over into Summerfields. Mr. Skittrall will arrange to have this cleared immediately.
Dr. R. A. Green reported upon the help recently given by the Colne Stour Countryside Association in connection with opposing a planning application in the village. He explained that they need more support and it was agreed to place an item on the agenda for the next PC Meeting to consider becoming corporate members for £5 per annum.
Mr. A. Stewart referred to the recent emails from PC McMaster and Essex Police regarding help for the elderly and vulnerable. The PC agreed to offer help with publicity and Councillors will discuss further assistance with PC McMaster at his surgery on 11th November.
205. Confidential business
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).