White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
Parish Council Minutes
Meeting held on 21 January 2008
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Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held at The Village Hall, Bures Road, White Colne
on Monday 21st January 2008 at 7.30 pm.
Present : Cllr S Adlem, Cllr K Nolan (Chairman), Cllr J Taylor, Cllr J Watt.
Also Present: Clerk D Williams, and 3 members of the public attended.
887. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
888. DECLARATION OF INTEREST – Cllr Taylor declared an interest in minute 896 if Boley Road is to be discussed, as she is a resident of that road.
889. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last parish council meeting of 19th November 2007, which had been previously circulated, were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The meeting was suspended for questions and statements.
(a)A parishioner said that cars are parked on the footpath in front of the former public house on Colchester Road making it difficult for pedestrians to walk safely.
(b)A parishioner asked to be advised of the present position regarding the replacement of the street light in Bures Road.
(c)A parishioner said that the condition of the driveway alongside the Village Hall to the recycling bins is poor, he has filled in some potholes but asked if anything can be done?
The meeting was resumed.
890. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.
Cllr Nolan said that items (b) and (c) would be covered later in the meeting. He proposed that the issue raised by question (a) be referred to the community warden together with the problem of vehicles parked on the verge outside Chalkney House, and this was agreed. The clerk was asked to refer this.
891. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) 07/02326/FUL –11 Colneford Hill –Erection of single storey extension –No comment subject to neighbours' views.
(b) 07/02481/FUL & 07/02482/LBC – Great Catleys Farm, Catley Road – refurbishment
of barn -
(c) 07/02487 & 07/02488/LBC – Great Catleys Farm, Catley Road – proposed cartlodge –No comment subject to neighbours' views.
(d) Woodfields, Bures Road – erection of annexe extension to provide accommodation
alongside and attached to the existing house for applicant’s son and his family -
892. white colNE meadows project
Cllr Taylor said that the Essex Biodiversity Project has agreed to fund the purchase of 12 fruit trees to form our Community Orchard on Gosses. We hope to plant these in the next few weeks. A notice has been put in the Newsletter reminding dog owners to clear up after their dogs. A restriction notice has also been advertised in the January Newsletter asking residents not to ride horses, motorbikes or quad bikes on the Meadows. The owner of land adjacent to the Meadows is again querying the boundary line between lower Finchams and his field. We have arranged to meet him on site to discuss the situation.
893. village hall
Cllr Adlem said that the kitchen alterations were well underway, and lettings are healthy. The committee are promoting the 50 Club. Cllr Nolan thanked the volunteers Peter Norris and Colin Armstrong who had done a lot of work on the alterations. Cllr Taylor referred to the poor condition of the village hall drive and said that she would seek some planings and have them spread at an approximate cost of £50. This was agreed. Cllr Taylor said that there had been no news from Braintree District Council concerning the funding application for a solar light in Bures Road.
894. FINANCIAL MATTERS
Financial statement & Bank Reconciliation
Following the above transactions there is a credit balance of £ 17,052.39 of which £ 1,820.06 is the
current balance held in reserve for the White Colne Meadows project. This includes the sum of £400.00 allocated to the Meadows fund from the budget for 2007/08. There is £ 4,656.53 held in reserve for the Local Heritage Initiative Fund. Thus the balance of unallocated funds is £ 10,575.80.
Bank Balance 19.11.07 £ 20,279.60
Plus total receipts £ 2,663.41
Sub Total £ 22,943.01
Less Total Payments £ 5,890.62
Bank balance 21.01.08 £ 17,052.39.
The bank statement was initialled by the chairman in confirmation.
.The precept and budget for 2008/09 was considered. After discussion it was agreed to keep the precept at the same figure of £9,888 with no increase for inflation. The budget was agreed showing estimated expenditure of £12,356 and income including the precept and grant was estimated at £12,722. It was also agreed that the clerk’s salary be increased by 3% to £4,284.
/contd.
895. WEB SITE
The clerk advised that the web designer Mr B Alderman was unable to access the existing web site at present, and it was agreed that if he was unable to do so, then alternative names of www.whitecolne.com or www.whitecolne.org were agreed. Cllr Watt agreed to contact the previous web designer regarding access to the existing site, and also to take councillors’ photographs for the site.
896. HIGHWAYS
Cllr Watt said that Essex County Council Highways Department (Highways) had responded to our latest correspondence and agreed that they would grit Bures Road when necessary when returning to their depot. The request for speed limits for the Whites Farm area in Bures Road and the A1124 from Chalkney Garage to Wakes Hall cannot be agreed as those lengths of highway do not meet current Highways policy. They are carrying out consultations regarding waiting restrictions and implementation of kerbing regarding the village green at the bottom of Colne Park Road. Signs stating ‘Unsuitable for HGVs’ are to be erected at both ends of Boley Road. White lines on Colne Park Road at the top of the village green have been ordered. Finally Highways confirmed that the flooding in the dip by the old railway line in Colne Park Road had been corrected by a new culvert which was working.
Members thanked Cllrs Watt and Pearcey for their work in arranging for the recent highway improvements.
897. PARISH EMERGENCY PLAN
Cllr Watt said that he was completing the plan and will prepare a report for the next meeting. He confirmed that 200 sandbags and sand had been delivered to Bridge House for distribution as necessary during flood emergencies. It was agreed that the clerk continues to receive the flood warnings from the Environment Agency and advises Cllr Watt or Mr J Bond only. All residents receive flood warnings in addition.
898. WELCOME PACK FOR NEW RESIDENTS
Cllr Adlem distributed a draft welcome pack to members and proposed that a copy is also placed on the web site. It was suggested when the welcome pack is launched then a note is placed in the newsletter inviting all existing residents to look at the web site and if this was difficult then they contact a councillor. It was agreed that members would consider further and Cllr Adlem was asked to produce a prototype at the next meeting.
899. TREE SURVEY OF THE PARISH
Cllr Taylor said that it was apparent that a tree survey was required as the trees felled at 41 Colchester Road may have been saved if Tree Protection Orders had been issued. It was agreed that the tree warden be requested to provide an annual report for the year to 31 March for the March meeting. He is also to be asked to undertake a tree survey of the parish, and to advise us of the timescale involved and what assistance he would require from council members. Cllr Nolan offered to discuss this further with him if required.
900. CAROL SERVICE
Cllr Taylor said that approximately 150 people attended the carol service. The lighting worked well for a while and then fused half way through. The gazebo was excellent. The catering was well supported and the music was excellent. Plenty of people helped with the collection and dismantling of the tree but more people were needed for the erection of the tree. The Father Christmas grotto was not really used. Donations received were £100.05 and costs were £64.81. Cllr Watt said that a proper distribution board is required on the village green, and it was agreed that this will be replaced before this year’s service. Cllr Nolan proposed that this year’s service is on Sunday 21st December and this was agreed. He said that he would write and thank the vicar and advise her of this year’s date. Cllr Nolan said that if the parish council purchased a 1.5/2 metre high potted Christmas tree the cost would be approximately £30 and it could be used side by side with the existing arrangements for a few years. It was agreed that this would be considered at the next meeting when it would be an agenda item.
901. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WHICH IS NOT DEALT WITH ELSEWHERE
From Essex County Council forwarding details of the Community Initiatives Fund for 2008/09. Cllr Taylor will consider.
From Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advising that the annual inspection of the play area should be undertaken in May, this was agreed.
From Braintree District Council forwarding the monthly Community Warden Report.
902. ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS .It was agreed to circulate to members for approval the proposals for the wording on signs for the play area recommended by ROSPA at the last annual report.
903. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON THE AMENDED DRAFT HEADS OF AGREEMENT FOR THE TRANSFER OF WCPC LAND TO ESSEX CC IN RETURN FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE VILLAGE HALL AND LAND TO WCPC.
Cllr Nolan said that he had spoken to the solicitor acting for the parish council who had reported that amendments had been made to the draft heads of agreement and she will send to the council a written report.
There being no further business the parish council meeting was closed at 9.30 pm.