MINUTES OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON MONDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2008 AT 7.30 P.M._______________________________________
In the chair: Mrs. J. Beavis
Present: Councillors C. Cannell, R. Falco, R. Green, E. Jones, A. Law, G. Massey, V. Mullender, M. Rudge, J. Skittrall, E. Snarey and A. Stewart.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
Mr. D. Finch (County Councillor)
PC. D. McMaster (Essex Police)
Mrs. H. Carter (Bursar – Hedingham School)
together with 2 (two) members of the public.
128. Apologies for absence
F. Swallow (holiday) and W. Scattergood.
129. Declarations of interest
Mr. A. Law declared a personal interest in connection with the proposed appointment of Mrs. Sheila Smith as he knows her. There were no other declarations of interest.
130. To confirm minutes of previous meeting held 11th August 2008
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on 11th August 2008, having been previously circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
131. Matters arising from those minutes
There were no matters arising.
132. Public Comment
Mr. R. Thorogood and Mr. O. Diamond both of Hedingham Place reported upon “weird goings on” in the BDC car park at the rear of the Co-op including youths dancing on the top of vehicles and making a noise until 2am. Large numbers of youths have congregated during the summer, played loud music and left large quantities of litter. The Police had been called and attended but after the Police leave the youths return. Reference was also made to the ASB problems in Recreation Road. The Chairman reported upon the good work of the SARA meetings with Essex Police and that a further meeting would take place on 10th September when the ASB in the car park opposite Hedingham Place will be discussed. In addition PC McMaster will speak to Mr. Thorogood and Mr. Diamond out of the meeting.
133. Police Report
PC. D. McMaster reported that PCSO D. Green is now on secondment but hopes to return afterwards. The Clerk confirmed he had written to Chief Inspector Gooden who had stated that he intends to return PCSO Green to her role upon completion of her secondment. The Police survey is now ready for delivery and arrangements made with Mr. F. Swallow for the Community Speed Watch leaflet to be delivered at the same time. SHPC agreed to help the Police with delivery of both and Mrs. G. Massey will update the delivery list. Chief Inspector Gooden will be visiting SH on 10th October. The crime figures were reasonably good during last month except for burglaries in Swan Street and Morris Green. PC. McMaster urged everyone to secure their homes. He was thanked for his report and for attending the meeting.
134. Chairman and Vice Chairman’s reports
The Chairman thanked the Clerk for updating the contact details of Councillors and for making a separate list of Councillors who represent SHPC on outside bodies. She also thanked the Vice Chairman for arranging for the grass to be cut along Yeldham Road, which has made a significant improvement.
The Vice Chairman reported that Mrs. T. Thomas had left the village and interim arrangements had been made for Mr. B. Hoadley to lock, unlock and clean the toilets at the same rate as that paid to Mrs. Thomas. Mr. Skittrall is now the second key holder. Mrs. G. Massey asked if these interim arrangements could be reviewed at the next R.A & A.A.G. meeting. A ‘No Dumping’ sign had been erected in Hovis Mill Lane to try and prevent continual dumping problems.
135. Youth Council and THF 08 Reports
In the absence of Mr. J. Tame no report was given.
136. County Council Report
Mr. D. Finch reported that the Essex Police Authority had approved the recruitment of six hundred more Police Officers and outlined the forthcoming recruitment programme. There were now 671 Specials in Essex and extra sources will be provided in the north of the county. He gave an assurance that the Police will not diminish. He also reported upon Waste Strategy, the Corporate Inspection, the creation of the Rural Commission to look at rural issues and urged everyone to give evidence.
Mr. E. Snarey reported that the flood lagoons at Wethersfield Road were working well and enquired about Cobbs Fenn. Mr. Finch stated that it would take about six to eight years for the Cobbs Fenn scheme because the land acquisition still had to be completed. Mr. J. Skittrall reported a sand bin at the top of Brook Meadow was dangerous which Mr. Finch will refer to ECC Highways. At the request of Mrs. J. Beavis, Mr. Finch will help to ensure that PCSO D. Green returns after her secondment.
137. District Council Report
In the absence of Mrs. W. Scattergood no report was given. The Clerk reported on behalf of Mr. F. Swallow that he is dealing with a noise complaint from Mr. Slade of Wrights Wood, Morris Green Road regarding alleged ‘explosions’ on the former Wethersfield Airfield. The MOD is sending SHPC a letter explaining the position. Mr. Swallow has arranged for BDC Print Room to print Speed Watch leaflets for delivery to every household in SH with the Police questionnaire. He is also taking up the five minute parking rule on the double yellow lines adjacent to the Co-op with BDC.
Mrs. J. Beavis reported upon the BDC website and its links to Parish Council websites in the Braintree District of which the SHPC website is very good. An Open Day will take place at Causeway House on 14th March 2009 at which a presentations will be made for, inter alia, the best website. On 11th September 2008 a series will start on BBC1 titled “The Planners are Coming” and BDC will be featured in a future episode. The Halloween Meeting will take place on 11th September 2008 at 7.30 in PC Office. Mrs. Beavis had agreed to be a witness at the forthcoming Stansted Airport Inquiry and the Clerk will prepare a witness statement for her.
138. Planning
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meetings held on 15th and 29th August had been circulated and it was resolved that the minutes be accepted in lieu of a report.
(Mr. V. Mullender arrived at the meeting).
139. Footpaths
Dr. R. Green reported that another way marker had been erected on the Pauline Stevens Walk. FP 34 is overgrown and needs cutting back between Oxford Meadow and Oxford Lane. FP 33 near the Church had been damaged and the Church advised that ECC Highways should be asked to repair. SHPC had not been paid for the previous repairs and the Clerk will pursue the claim. Dr. Green will meet Lisa Cross from P3 on FP 47 on 10 September in the hope of securing a new gate in place of a damaged stile. Mr. J. Skittrall reported that Mr. B. Coe would use weed killer on the nettles at the entrance to FP54 opposite Alderford Mill. The grant from P3 had been exhausted and the Clerk will account to them for the money spent to date and ask for a further advance to carry out further improvement works.
140. Riverside Walk
Mr. A. Corder-Birch reported that a meeting had taken place on 27th August with Mr. Parmee (RCCP), Mr. J. Stack of The Green Light Trust, Miss. H. Crow of BDC, Mr. G. Wood (ECC Mills Support Officer) and Mrs. J. Beavis, Dr. R. Green and Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Parish Council representatives) to discuss the formation of a ‘Friends’ organization. Mr. Wood stated that ECC had decided that the Friends of Alderford Mill should be administered separately and therefore the suggestion of a joint ‘Friends’ organization will not proceed. Arrangements were made for an 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 when a Steering Group of about twelve local people will be elected. This meeting will be open to everyone interested in forming, joining and supporting the ‘The Friends of the Riverside Walk’. Mrs. G. Massey offered to prepare posters for this meeting, which was gratefully accepted. The ‘Wimpey’ site will be handed over to BDC during Autumn 2008 and Hedingham Scouts had offered to help maintain the walk. Discussions regarding the proposed footbridge at Alderford Street are continuing.
141 Recreational Areas and Amenities Advisory Group Report
The minutes of the Recreational Areas and Amenities Advisory Group meetings held on 21st July and 18th August 2008, which had previously been circulated to ALL Councillors were accepted in lieu of a report.
Mr. E. Snarey reported that the sections of Alderford Brook adjacent to the former Swan PH and those parts for which ECC Highways are the riparian owners need clearing in the interests of flood prevention. It was resolved that this issue will be considered at the next meeting of the R.A & A.A.G. on 15th September.
142. Report of meeting with ECC regarding Summerfields, Spring Way and other highway issues
The Clerk reported that a meeting had taken place on 3rd September with Mrs. O. Cowell & Mrs. A. Thornton of ECC Highways at which Mrs. J. Beavis, Miss. C. Cannell, Mr. A. Corder-Birch and Mrs. G. Massey had represented SHPC. The following issues had been discussed:
Vehicles parking on double yellow lines adjacent to the Co-op must be dealt with by BDC parking attendants.
Large lorries turning and unloading at the rear of the Co-op, which obstructed Summerfields, should be discussed with Co-op but if matter not resolved ECC Highways willing to investigate further.
Speeding in Summerfields will be the subject of a survey but this may not take place until next financial year. When results known ECC Highways will advise further.
New priority markings for Spring Way into Summerfields will be provided.
Double yellow lines in front of Car Sales and Hedingham Place cannot be provided just to stop obstructions (which must be dealt with by the Police) but if safety reasons can be provided then ECC Highways will review this again. The Clerk reported that he had notified Mr. P. Williams of the position.
Discussions had also taken place regarding proposed footbridge in Alderford Street. It was explained to ECC Highways that the bridge would connect onto a public open space. Although alternatives were suggested ECC Highways, may be willing to design a suitable scheme if funding is available.
ECC Highways had produced plans of proposed highway improvements in SH, which Councillors perused. It was resolved that SHPC would like to see the improvements carried out in the following order of priority:
i. Station Road.
Improvements to Zebra Crossing opposite Post Office including railings.
Kerbs at Bus Stops in Swan Street near Co-op and Shell Garage.
Spring Way junction priority markings.
Rectory Road junction (to be deferred pending Premdor planning application).
Mrs. G. Massey reported that £6,136.00 should be available for highway improvements under a S106 Agreement from the development of the site of the former Rainer’s newsagents shop.
Miss. C. Cannell enquired when ECC would construct their car and coach park opposite Alderford Mill because this should free their existing parking area in front of the mill. It was agreed to investigate this.
143. Report from VDS Committee
Mrs. J. Beavis reported that she had recently attended the launch of the Castle Hedingham VDS and produced a copy, which will be available in the PC Meeting Room for inspection. Mrs. G. Massey reported that progress was being made with the SH VDS. The photographs and text is to hand, which just needs pulling together. Mrs. J. Beavis, Mrs. E. Jones and Mr. A. Stewart all offered their help and will join the VDS Committee.
144. To consider quote for refurbishment of tennis court area and to approve SHPC contribution
Mrs. G. Massey reported upon the grants secured to date. A further quote had been received from FF&D for £23,207.50, which had not included all items so when remaining items added in the total is £27,000.00. The Foundation for Sports and Arts had been advised of the revised total in case they decide to vary their grant and the decision is awaited. There may be a shortfall in the region of £7,000.00 approx. Mrs. Massey reported that the Finance and Funding Advisory Group had identified under-spends in other areas and there is, sufficient funds in reserves. It was proposed by Mrs. G. Massey, seconded by Mr. J. Skittrall and carried unanimously to accept the quote from FF&D, who can start work immediately and that SHPC will fund the shortfall from reserves to be replaced in the next financial year and that in the meantime Mrs. Massey will continue to pursue other funding possibilities.
145. To consider continuation of grass cutting and clearance work in Yeldham Road
Mr. J. Skittrall reported that the area between the Baptist Chapel and Oxford Meadow had been cleared, the trees trimmed, the grass cut and it was agreed that this area now looks “delightful”. ECC Highways had offered to pay SHPC £64.09 per cut for two cuts amounting to £128.18 per annum. Mr. B. Coe had quoted £120.00 per cut. It was agreed that four cuts per annum were required amounting to £480.00. It was proposed by Mr. J. Skittrall, seconded by Mrs. G. Massey and carried unanimously that SHPC pay the shortfall of £351.82 in order to improve the appearance of this important and visible part of the village.
146. To consider applications to BDC Local Committee for funding
It was reported that the Finance and Funding Advisory Group had approved an application for a grant for the footpaths map being made to a future meeting of the BDC Local Committee possibly in January 2009. In view of the CCTV application being made at the September meeting is was resolved not to make any application to the November meeting.
147. 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 Mrs. B. Robinson was referred to PC McMaster who will visit her.
In connection with a letter and form from BDC relating to Emergency Planning it was agreed to appoint Mrs. J. Beavis as a contact in place of Mr. D. Holmes.
Mrs. G. Massey and Mr. J. Skittrall agreed to attend the Money Market Place on 2nd October 2008 at Hylands, Chelmsford to ascertain further sources for grants.
It was agreed that the Clerk attend the Greens and Commons course on 24th October 2008 at Great Dunmow.
148. Accounts for payment
The accounts listed in appendix 2 were presented for payment. It was proposed by Mr. J. Skittrall, seconded by Mr. A. Stewart and carried that the accounts are paid.
149. Any other business/exchange of information/agenda for next meeting
The Chairman reported that the Annual Dinner would take place on Friday 27th February 2009 at 7 for 7.30pm at the Moot House, Castle Hedingham and those who wish to attend should notify the Clerk.
The Clerk reported that in consultation with the Chairman the April 2009 PC Meeting had been re-arranged for Monday, 6th April 2009 so that it does not clash with Easter.
Mr. A. Stewart thanked Mr. J. Skittrall for getting the footpath cleared between Brook Meadow and Swan Street. The question of cyclists using the footpath between Parkfields and Brook Meadow will be raised with the Police at the SARA meeting on 10th September 2008.
150. 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).