White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
Parish Council Minutes
Meeting held on 16 March 2009
WHITE COLNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at
The Village Hall, Bures Road, White Colne on Monday 16th March 2009 at 7.30 pm.
Present : Cllr M Abrahams, Cllr S Adlem, Cllr K Nolan (Chairman), Cllr Taylor, Cllr J Watt
Also Present: Clerk D Williams, District Cllr C Siddall and 5 members of the public attended.
31. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
32. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – None
33. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING -
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The meeting was suspended for questions and statements.
(i)A parishioner said that he had made a planning application for an extension at 33 Colchester Road and understood that the parish council had issues with the application. He had approached neighbours and shown them the plans and they said that they were happy with the plans.
(ii)A parishioner asked that it be noted in the newsletter that Amanda Hall picks up litter throughout the village.
The meeting was resumed.
34. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
(i)Cllr Nolan said that this planning application would be discussed as an agenda item.
(ii)Cllr Taylor said that there were two other litter pickers who should be mentioned and thanked in the newsletter.
35. REPORT FROM BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
District Cllr Siddall said that a decision regarding the closure of the public toilets at Earls Colne had been postponed pending liaison with Earls Colne Parish Council. Cllr Taylor asked for clarification regarding an application that White Colne Parish Council had made to the District Council for funding for disabled toilets at the village hall as we had been advised that our application was too late although this was due to incorrect information being given to us by the District Council. District Cllr Siddall asked for full information to be sent to him so that he could make enquiries.
36. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) 09/00177/FUL – 33 Colchester Road – erection of first floor rear extension -
(b) 09/00266/AGR – Great Catleys Farm, Catley Road – erection of barn for storage of farm machinery and grain – No objections subject to neighbours’ views. If the council are minded to approve this application we suggest that restrictions regarding light pollution are made to protect the open countryside.
37. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON THE 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 all parties had signed the heads of agreement. The parish council has received a letter from our solicitors seeking payment of the invoice. We have written to the Leader of Essex County Council as agreed and we have received an acknowledgement that it is receiving attention. Cllr Nolan proposed that we await a reply before we plan the next step. This was agreed. Cllr Watt said that he was seeking permission from Essex County Council regarding a footpath along the old railway line and asked whether this agreement would affect this. It was agreed that he continues to seek the permission.
38. WHITE COLNE MEADOWS
Cllr Taylor said that the interpretation board regarding the Meadows Orchard had been installed. She said that there was work to do at the pond, and that there was a problem with a footpath and boundary.
39. VILLAGE HALL
Cllr Adlem said that there has not been a management meeting recently. Budgets have been prepared and were exhibited which show a healthy position and hire fees have been increased. Capital costs of £9,135 are estimated for next year. Cllr Abrahams proposed that an agenda item for the next meeting is to consider the policy of what village hall costs are paid by the parish council. This was agreed.
40. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(a)Payments -
Cheque Payee Details Amount £
1130 Pauline Adlem – history group expenses 84.00
1131 P Norris – history group expenses 18.00
1132 S Adlem – history group expenses 5.00
1133 S Adlem – travel expenses 5.87
1134 Clare PB & Jonathan PR Ltd – printing – newsletter £60, calendar £30 90.00
1135 R Pearcey – community design group expenses 12.60
1136 RCCE – community design group start up package 300.00
1137 S Adlem -
1138 K Nolan – cluster meeting expenses 4.55
1139 P Norris – hall drain clearance expenses 296.70
1140 E & J Fire and Security Ltd – hall inspection (to recharge hall) 91.17
1141 Scott Edwards – hole for lamp post 15.00
1142 D Williams clerk sal Feb & March £714, home as office £26, ink,paper,post £87.04 827.04
1143 R A Mortimer – footpath sweep & clean phone box 73.60
1144 Rural Community Council of Essex – hall affiliation fee 35.00
1145 White Colne Village Hall – hall hire Community Design Group 12.00
1146 White Colne Village Hall – hall hire history group 6.00
TOTAL PAYMENTS £ 1,989.13
Since the last financial report, the following funds have been received:-
Greenfield re Community Design Group 5,000.00
Advert £50, Allotment rental £10 60.00
Allotment rental 26.00
Allotment rental £89, Advert £10 99.00
Advert 25.00
TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 5,210.00
Following the above transactions there is a credit balance on current account of £ 8,023.39
on reserve account £10,165.29
Total £18,188.68
of which the balance held in reserve for the White Colne Meadows project is £ 1,308.17
and the balance held in reserve for the Local Heritage Initiative Fund is £ 1,593.36
and the balance held in reserve for the Community Design Group is £ 5,163.40
Total of allocated funds is £ 8,064.93
Thus the balance of unallocated funds is £ 10,123.75
Bank Balance 19.01.09 £ 14,967.81
Plus total receipts £ 5,210.00
Sub Total £ 20,177.81
Less Total Payments £ 1,989.13
Bank balance 16.03.09 £ 18,188.68
(b) The clerk presented two annual receipts and payments accounts covering the financial years 2002/2003 and
2003/2004 which had been prepared from the cash book records, which were exhibited together with the opening and
closing bank statements. It was agreed that these accounts are accepted and they were duly signed by the clerk and
chairman. The clerk advised that they would now be forwarded to the internal auditor together with the 4 subsequent
annual accounts for his reviews.
(c) The clerk advised that a VAT return had been submitted seeking a repayment of £4,151.21.
41. HIGHWAYS
Cllr Watt said that additional comment on the Draft Speed Management Strategy for Essex 2009 had been sent to
Essex County Council (ECC). These raised our speeding concerns at Fox and Pheasant, White's Farm and Bures/Boley
Road junctions and how the new strategy might be implemented in these areas. He said that the VAS sign has been
installed and we await information whether or not we might receive funding for our own SID sign.
Cllr Watt said that we are in contact with ECC Highways regarding the replacement HGV sign at the top end of Boley Road. Regarding the bus shelter, we will be one of the first capital projects in the next financial year starting in April. Turning to the repair of the wall at Colneford Hill, ECC Highways are contacting EDF to see if the repair has been carried out to the telegraph pole on the wall at Colneford Hill, as the wall itself can then be repaired. Speedwatch continues but has not been so active in the last three months due to the absence of members, sharing of the speedgun with Greenstead Green, the gun having to be recalibrated, and adverse weather conditions.
Cllr Watt said that there had been further damage to the bottom of the village green recently, and it was agreed that representatives from ECC Highways are invited to the Annual Electors Meeting. Cllrs Watt and Pearcey will arrange this.
Cllr Nolan said that he had been asked by a parishioner why there is no raised kerb at the bus stop on the Fox and Pheasant side of the village. It was agreed that ECC Highways are to be asked for a raised kerb and a bus shelter at that location on both sides of the road. Cllrs Watt and Pearcey will approach ECC Highways.
42. WHITE COLNE COMMUNITY DESIGN GROUP
Cllr Adlem said that the group are progressing with the draft questionnaire to be sent out to villagers. A photo fun day will be held on 9th May. She said that she had attended a Rural Community Council of Essex conference which was focused on community led plans. The feedback is that these plans are of benefit.
43. SHOE RECYCLING BANK
Cllr Nolan said that the parish council had received a request from The European Recycling Company Limited asking for permission to locate a shoe recycling bank in the parish. The bank measures 2ft 6 inches high/deep, and 4ft 4 inches high. They have been involved with Braintree District Council for several years, and if this agreed they will collect and inspect the bank weekly and will maintain the integrity of the bank. It was agreed to place the bank in the existing recycling area, and the clerk was asked to advise the company accordingly.
44. REVISED REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS
Cllr Nolan said that the parish council had received advice from Braintree District Council regarding revised refuse collections taking effect in October. Wheeled bins were to replace black sacks in more, but not all, households. It was agreed to advertise these new arrangements in the newsletter and on the web site.
45. VILLAGE WEB SITE
Cllr Taylor said that the web site had been updated, and that a logo should be considered for the village. She also suggested that the web site maintains a village volunteer log, and that anyone who wishes to volunteer time or skills records this in the log. This was agreed.
46. CLUSTER MEETING
Cllr Nolan said that the next parish cluster meeting would be on 11th May, and he said that he would attend. Cllr
Abrahams agreed to attend also. The following agenda items were proposed and agreed:-
White Colne Parish Council wish that Essex County Council take appropriate action to parish requests ie: erosion of White Colne village green by heavy goods vehicles.
Emergency planning in the event of flooding, specifically road diversions.
Responsibility for linear path from Colne Park Road, White Colne to Colne Engaine and what is the progress on the path from Fox & Pheasant, White Colne to Halstead.
47. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WHICH IS NOT DEALT WITH ELSEWHERE
From Braintree District Council regarding the ‘Parish in Springtime’ event, circulated to members.
From Braintree District Council regarding the revised district emergency plan, handed to Cllr Watt.
From Essex County Council enclosing a consultation exercise for new developments, handed to Cllr Watt.
From Braintree District Council requesting emergency planning information. It was agreed that the parish required 100 filled sandbags, and Cllr Watt agreed to advise the clerk of the delivery address.
From Braintree District Council advising that the telephone box service is to be retained as the District Council vetoed the removal because of the high use. The clerk was asked to establish whether or not the red box would be replaced with a modern box, as the parish would then adopt the box.
48. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Adlem asked whether the extension of the conservation area should be an agenda item for a future meeting. It was agreed to include this on the questionnaire being prepared by the design group. Cllr Watt said that he would reproduce maps of the parish showing the village envelope and the conservation area.
There being no further business the parish council meeting was closed at 9.30 pm.
Chairperson…………………………………………………. Date……………………………………….
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