MINUTES OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON MONDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2009 AT 7.30 PM._______________________________________

In the chair: Mr. J. Skittrall
Present: Cllrs. C. Cannell, R. Falco, R. Green, H. Johnson, E. Jones, A. Law, M. Rudge, E. Snarey and A. Stewart.
 Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
Mr. D. Finch (County Councillor)

162. 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.
163. Apologies for absence
Cllrs. J. Beavis (attending Cabinet Meeting at BDC), G. Massey (eye trouble), F. Swallow (attending another meeting) and W. Scattergood.

164 Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest.

165. To confirm minutes of previous meeting held 14th September 2009
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on 14th September 2009, having been circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

166. Matters arising from those minutes
a) Annual Reports
The Clerk reminded Councillors that large quantities of Annual Reports were awaiting delivery. Councillors agreed to collect them from office and deliver them a.s.a.p.

167. Public Comment
There was no public comment.

168. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that he had ordered the Parish Council wreath from the Royal British Legion for the Remembrance Sunday service on 8th November to which all PC representatives were invited to attend.
Mr. Skittrall had received a telephone call from Mrs. Henry of Church Street who was concerned about persons surveying the stream beyond Church Street. Mr. E. Snarey reported that Surveyors were also active in Rectory Road. The Surveyors were believed to be from the Environment Agency with whom Mr. Snarey will make enquiries. Hedingham School had agreed to clear the pipe under the former railway embankment to help alleviate flooding. A gate on the Recreation Ground will be repaired and the area around the gate concreted. The emergency plan for SH had been revised and will shortly be available when Mr. Skittrall will arrange an Emergency Planning meeting.

169. Youth Council Report
In the absence of a Youth Council representative no report was given.

170. County Council Report
Mr. D. Finch gave a long report a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He circulated leaflets about telecare and gave further details about it. Arising from his report Mr. Snarey asked for a list of occupations which people can be trained for under the Essex Apprenticeship scheme, which Mr. Finch agreed to provide. Plans for the Alderford Street Flood Alleviation Scheme were progressing well and an update will be sent to the Clerk. Mr. Finch had reminded ECC Highways that culverts and gulleys need clearing. Dr. R. Green emphasized the importance of the proposed footbridge over the stream near Alderford Mill and Mr. Finch agreed to pursue ECC Highways for the necessary consent. Mr. A. Stewart expressed concern about Library opening hours for persons who cannot get to a Library during work hours. Mr. Finch explained a new procedure and the efforts to expand opening hours. Mr. Finch was thanked for attending the meeting and for his report.

171. District Council Report
In the absence of Mrs. J. Beavis, Mrs. W. Scattergood and Mr. F. Swallow no report was given.

172. Planning
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 2nd October 2009 having been circulated, were accepted in lieu of a report.

173. Footpaths
Dr. R. Green reported that the Footpaths map was ready for printing. Miss. C. Cannell had introduced Mrs. Patricia Volkwyn to the Footpaths Advisory Group who will monitor the footpaths in the High Street Green area. Mr. Andrew Smith had reported that FP 87 is completely blocked and he will be invited to join Footpaths Advisory Group. FP 47 at Cobbs Fenn is obstructed by an electric fence, which will be investigated by P3. Lists are being prepared of kissing and other gates to replace stiles in connection with an ECC CIF grant application. Mr. J. Skittrall reported that he had met Dr. N. Edwards on FP 62 from Brickwall Farm, behind Hawkwood Manor, to Lamb Lane on 10th October. This path is partly obstructed by brambles, which PC will clear under P3 scheme.

174. Hedingham Riverside Walk Report
Dr. R. Green reported upon the HRW meeting on 5th October 2009. A disabled gate together with a dog and litter bin had been erected. Any fishing rights along the river were uncertain so HRW will make enquiries with the Environment Agency to ascertain the position. Fishing was generally welcomed as it creates an interest, makes good use of the river and keeps it clear. HRW is approaching Mr. D. Finch to try and get the necessary consent for proposed footbridge near Alderford Mill. HRW members will attend GLT training day. HRW members had visited Dr. Green’s field and agreed it would make a good community facility. It was unanimously agreed that the name of Molly’s Wood should remain. A tree planting day, with working party was arranged for Saturday 5th December 2009. Mr. J. Skittrall confirmed that litter bin now on PC collection round and that BDC would empty dog bin. Dr. Green was thanked for his reports.

175. The Phyllis Cox walk
It was unanimously agreed in principle that a circular walk of footpaths in the vicinity of Burnt House Farm should be named in memory of the late Phyllis Cox, a former Councillor, who had carried out much work in connection with SH footpaths. It was agreed that Dr. Green and Dr. Edwards consider suitable footpaths and make a recommendation to the Footpaths Advisory Group. Thereafter it was agreed that a special leaflet be prepared, similar to that for the Pauline Stevens Walk and also a notice/map for which Mr. A. Law offered to make a notice board, which was gratefully accepted. It was also agreed to arrange an official opening and to invite Mrs. Cox’s family.

176. VDS Report
Miss. C. Cannell reported that the VDS is progressing very well and that drafts will shortly be available for perusal.

177. Report of Village Agents Meeting
Mr. A. Corder-Birch gave a report of the Village Agents meeting, which he had attended on 16th September 2009 at Great Saling. Six Village Agents had been appointed in the Braintree District to work with disabled, elderly and vulnerable residents and the six areas decided. Unfortunately Sible Hedingham was not included in any of the six areas for the duration of the pilot scheme. The scheme will be launched on 15th October 2009 at The Community House, Belchamp St. Paul.

178. MAPS report
Mr. R. Falco reported that at a meeting held on 16th September at Great Yeldham Police Station the former SARA had been renamed as MAPS – The Multi Agency Partnership for Sible. Unfortunately it was a poorly attended meeting and Police statistics were not available (but produced later). The car park in Summerfields was being observed by the Police who will also patrol the village on Halloween. Mr. J. Skittrall expressed concern about various mistakes and omissions in the MAPS minutes and that he had emailed WPC Ford (Pike) regarding these.

179. Weight restriction meeting
Mr. H. Johnson reported upon a weight restriction meeting, which he had attended with Dr. R. Green in Halstead on 22nd September. ECC Highways propose placing a weight restriction limit on the river bridge in Station Road to protect this historic bridge. Signage will be erected near Rippers Court in Station Road. Maps are awaited from ECC Highways showing alternative routes for heavy vehicles but it was generally felt that the proposed weight restriction should not affect SH too much.
Dr. R. Green reported that the condition of the former railway bridge between Hulls Mill Lane and Purls Hill was deteriorating. Unfortunately SAT NAV directs heavy traffic along Hulls Mill Lane but it cannot negotiate the sharp corner at Hulls Mill and therefore has to reverse all the way back up the lane to the main road. Mr. D. Finch reported that he was encouraging Mr. R. Jamieson to look at “DO NOT FOLLOW SAT NAV” signs but consultations need to take place with the Department of Transport.

180. BDC Priorities in the Halstead Area
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that he had attended the BDC Priorities in the Halstead Area Meeting with Mrs. G. Massey on 23rd September. The meeting had been well attended and five main priorities had been identified as follows:
Public Transport and connections.
Policing, level of crime and job prospects
Affordable Decent Housing
Health Services
Activities for teenagers.
It was hoped that the above items will be carried forward.

181. Deeds of Grant of Easement
The Clerk reported that the Solicitors acting for the Metson family had sent two draft Deeds of Easement relating to vehicular rights of way over Southey Green (which was owned by the Parish Council) to (1) Hill Farm and (2) to a field opposite. The attestation clauses had since been amended. It was resolved to approve the draft deeds and plans and to authorize Mrs. J. C. Beavis (Chairman) and Mr. J. T. Skittrall (Vice Chairman) to sign the engrossments on behalf of the Parish Council.

182. S106 Agreements
The Clerk reported that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of BDC is carrying out a study of S106 Agreements and in particular the way in which contributions are managed by BDC. He reminded Councillors that Mrs. J. Beavis and himself had recently been reviewing all S106 Agreements relating to SH. It was resolved to authorize Mrs. Beavis and Mr. Corder-Birch to respond to BDC on behalf of SHPC.

183. 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 Chairman and Clerk were authorized to respond to the letter from BDC relating to Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. The extremely short consultation period allowed by BDC was not acceptable. Arising from this letter Mr. E. Snarey requested that industrial and employment land is required for workers and BDC needs a programme to encourage industry to come to SH. Councillors considered that this was unlikely as existing industrial units in SH were not occupied but it was agreed that this should be raised as a separate issue as it was not relevant to the Housing Assessment.
Dr. R. Green referred to the letter from Floodsax and their new type of sandbags. Mr. J. Skittrall reported that he was trying to arrange an exhibition/demonstration in SH Village Hall in the near future on the use of these new sandbags.
Arising from the leaflet about bus shelters, Mr. E. Snarey reported that there were very few sites in SH for new bus shelters but he hopes that they will be provided at the Co-op and Shell Garage in the future. It was noted that Kassel kerbs were being constructed at the Sugar Loaves bus stop.
Councillors were disappointed that the application for grant for petanque course to Braintree District LSP was unsuccessful. Mr. F. Swallow had agreed to promote an application for a grant to the BDC Halstead Local Committee meeting in January 2010.

184. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment. It was proposed by Mr. A. Law, seconded by Mr. R. Falco and carried that the accounts are paid and that the donation of £50 to the Royal British Legion should be a payment under the provisions of S137 of the LGA 1972.

185. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
a. The Clerk reported that ECC Highways had stated that work on the junctions and crossings at Station Road and Rectory Road would commence in late November 2009 and the crossing near the Post Office would commence in February 2010.
b. Mrs. E. Jones reported that Youths had been seen in the launderette at 5.15am. Mr. A. Stewart advised that this was not a PC concern as private property and if they were not causing a problem the Police would not be interested.
c. Mr. M. Rudge reported that numerous vehicles were parking in Parkfields but GCH was dealing.
d. Miss. C. Cannell reported that SHPC should be invited to the induction of the new Rector at Castle Hedingham Church on 5th December.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.55pm.



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(Date) (Chairman)