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White Colne Parish Council Minutes Archive

White Colne

Parish Council

Parish Council Minutes

Meeting held on 18 May 2009

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  WHITE COLNE PARISH COUNCIL

  Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council and the Parish Council Meeting held at

The Village Hall, Bures Road, White Colne on Monday 18th May 2009 at 7.30 pm.

 Present :Cllr M Abrahams,Cllr S Adlem,Cllr J Brace,Cllr K Nolan(Chairman),Cllr C Pearcey, Cllr Taylor, Cllr J Watt

Also Present: Clerk D Williams, Police Community Support Officer, Community Warden and 10 members of the public attended.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

49. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -  None

 

50. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Cllr Nolan was proposed by Cllr Taylor and seconded by Cllr Brace. There being no further proposals Cllr Nolan was duly elected chairman and he took the chair.

 

51. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

Cllr Taylor was proposed by Cllr Watt and seconded by Cllr Brace. There being no further proposals Cllr Taylor was duly elected vice chairman.

 

52. ELECTION OF COMMITTEES

Cllr Nolan proposed that the following sub committees were re elected and all members approved this:-

Footpaths – Cllr Watt

Transport – Cllr Pearcey and Cllr Watt

Meadows Management Committee – Cllr Nolan, Cllr Taylor and Cllr Watt

Village Hall Management Committee – Cllr Adlem, Cllr Pearcey and Cllr Taylor

Allotments – Cllr Brace

Newsletter, Website - Cllr Taylor

 

There being no further business the Annual General Meeting was closed at 7.33pm.

 

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING  

 

53. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - None

 

54. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – Cllr Taylor declared an interest in minute 62 as she is a resident of Boley Road.

 

55. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING - The minutes of the last parish council meeting of 16th March 2009, 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.

(i)A parishioner asked if issues could be discussed by the public during meetings rather than just making statements and asking questions at public question time.

(ii) The Labour candidate for Halstead at the forthcoming Essex County Council elections made a statement.

(iii) A parishioner asked who was paying for Lord Hanningfield’s trip to Europe.

(iv) The Police Community Support Officer said that there had been two road traffic collisions in the last month. He was asked to provide details and liaise with Essex County Council Highways regarding this. Speed gun training is continuing. The neighbourhood policing units are visiting the parishes.

(v) A parishioner said that what has been achieved with the Meadows project is wonderful.

The meeting was resumed.

 

56. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

(i)Cllr Nolan said that he did not want to stifle debate and there were pros and cons for having public questions at both the start and the end of the meeting. If it is specifically helpful to get public views at other times we try to include it.

The Police Community Support Officer and the Community Warden left the meeting.

 

57. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

(a) 09/00515/FUL    Whites Farm, Bures Road -  proposed agricultural building to include controlled apple store and  

                                  general storage area – We supported the previous application 08/01044/FUL but with reservations

                                  regarding the height of the building, considering its visual impact. We therefore consider that this

                                  increase in height is unacceptable and we object to this application. Cllr Abrahams said that he

                                  did not declare an interest but that he abstained from the discussions regarding this application.

 

 

09/00531/FUL          Acorn Cottage, Bures Road – demolition of existing dilapidated Nissan hut, repair/renovate

                                  existing single storey black barn, erection of storage annexe to barn and change use to holiday

                                  cottage/leisure let – A neighbour’s letter was considered. - We object to the entrance to the

                                  development from Parkhouse Lane/Wakes Green Lane as it is a protected lane, and the entrance

                                  should be from Bures Road. We approve the elevation and footprint and that the use should be for

                                  self catering holiday use only. Conditions on lighting not to cause a nuisance to adjoining

                                  properties, and that the extension cannot be sold separately from the main property.

09/00065/TPOCON 14 Colne Park Road – tree works application - We recommend allowing minimal trimming of

                                  branches close to the house now (and indeed at any time) and to allow pollarding to be

                                  undertaken when the leaves are off the tree this autumn, but not before.

09/00078/TPO          2 Colchester Road – tree works application. We object to the removal of the Tree Preservation Orders that would enable this work to be done for the following reasons:-

1.The land is not owned by 2 Colchester Road owners; 2.It is in a conservation area;3.The trees are very important to the local street scene due to their considerable age estimated at 100 years. This was pointed out by local residents in the recent consultation regarding the village design statement currently being prepared; 4.According to a fourth engineer's report which was not included in the application, the extension will probably have to be underpinned anyway; 5.In reading the engineers' reports the heave damage could be worse than the subsidence if the trees are removed; 6.The movement is mainly restricted to the later extension which was constructed we are advised in 1989 even though the tree roots are under the older part of the house as well; 7. Subsidence has occurred in the local area for example the house to the right of the property  we are advised was underpinned; 8. We are advised that Braintree District Council say that the trees are in prime health, considering the local occurrence of horse chestnut tree disease; 9. A local resident advises that the radius of the tree roots is in proportion to the height of the tree and so the heave caused by the possible removal may affect other local properties and the A1124 main road.

     

58. 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 the question of the parish council needing to insure the village hall building has been raised. He said that the solicitor acting for the parish council considers that we do not have to insure the building which should be insured by Essex County Council (ECC), and she suggested that the parish council seek confirmation of this from ECC. This was agreed and the clerk was asked to obtain this confirmation.

Cllr Nolan said that a further letter has been received from Lord Hanningfield, Leader of ECC, saying that ECC will not pay the outstanding additional solicitor’s costs. Our solicitors say that it would be time consuming to continue, and copies of the correspondence have been given to them and they are writing to ECC. It was agreed that the parish council continue to seek repayment, and Cllr Taylor suggested that copies of correspondence are forwarded to our Member of Parliament.

 

59. WHITE COLNE MEADOWS

Cllr Taylor said that there were no issues to report.

 

60. VILLAGE HALL

Cllr Adlem said that the management committee met in May and reported reasonably good lettings. She presented proposals covering the financial relationship between the parish council as landlord of the village hall, and the management committee as tenant. Cllr Nolan proposed that this is studied and considered at the next meeting.

It was agreed that the parish council reimburses the management committee for the cost of the installation of an injected dpc which was £666.71 including VAT, (£579.75 ex VAT). This is paid from the £1,000 budgeted for village hall costs.

Cllr Taylor said that the committee was considering a rain harvesting system for the operation of the toilets and was considering an environment grant application for this.

 

61. FINANCIAL MATTERS

            (a)Payments - The following payments were approved:-

           Cheque      Payee Details                                                                                                Amount  £

          1147       White Colne Village Hall – reimbursement of erection of solar light                          50.00

          1148       Holmes & Hills – solicitors fees for Agreement with Essex CC                           1,347.80

          1149       Braintree District Council – History Group orchard board                                    1,309.31

          1150       Braintree District Council – Community Design Group logo costs                           138.00

          1151       Claire PB & Jonathan PR Ltd - newsletter March                                                  60.00

          1152       C Pearcey – Community Design Group costs                                                         83.28

          1153       R Gourlay - Community Design Group costs                                                           10.00

          1154       Esex Association of Local Councils – annual subscription                                      128.73

          1155       Allianz Insurance – annual premium                                                                     623.91

          1156       Brian Alderman – web site maintenance Feb-April                                                 60.00

          1157       R A Mortimer – grasscuts, village green & bins, village hall, Meadows                   556.60

          1158       R A Mortimer – sweeping paths & clean phone box April                                       73.60

           1159       D Williams – clerk salary April & May                                                                 731.83

          1160       Claire PB & Jonathan PR Ltd - newsletter May and September  08                       120.00

          1161       1&1 Internet Ltd – History group                                                                           34.43

          1162       White Colne Village Hall – History group                                                                 8.00

          1163       White Colne Village Hall -  Community Design Group                                             56.00

          1164        C Pearcey - Community Design Group costs                                                       112.31        

           1165        S Adlem - History group costs                                                                            141.40

          1166        S Adlem -  Community Design Group costs                                                           10.84

          1167        J Taylor – Carols costs £60.21, Trafalgar Day costs £10.50                                    70.71

          D/D         Eon – Village Hall electricity                                                                              126.89

          D/D         British Gas – village hall gas                                                                               140.36

            TOTAL PAYMENTS                                                                                             £   5,994.00

           Since the last financial report, the following funds have been received:-

               Adverts                                                                                                                       100.00

               H M Customs & Excise – VAT refund                                                                        4,151.21

               White Colne Village Hall – chargebacks for 2008-2009                                                1,470.44

               Allotments                                                                                                                     20.00

               Braintree District Council – half precept £4,894 & grant £1,711                                   6,605.00

               Nat West Bank – interest                                                                                                 2.86

                     TOTAL RECEIPTS                                                                                       £ 12,349.51     

           (b)Following the above transactions there is a credit balance on current account of        £ 14,376.04  

                                                                                             on reserve account                   £ 10,168.15

                                                                                            Total                                      £  24,544.19

of which the balance held in reserve for the White Colne Meadows project is £  1,125.32

and the balance held in reserve for the Local Heritage Initiative Fund is          £  - 114.97 *

and the balance held in reserve for the Community Design Group is                £ 4,752.97   

                                                                                 Total of allocated funds is                     £   5,763.32*   

                                                   

                                                                         Thus the balance of unallocated funds is       £  18,780.87*

*NB The VAT refund monies received  are to be allocated to the various funds

Bank Balance 16.03.09                      £  18,188.68

          Plus total receipts                               £  12,349.91                                                                       

           Sub Total                                            £  30,538.19        

           Less Total Payments                          £    5,994.00      

           Bank balance 18.05.09                       £  24,544.19  

           (c)  The clerk advised that the internal auditor is working on the 6 years accounts to March 2008. The accounts for the

           year to March 2009 were being prepared for consideration at the next meeting. The accounts will include a balance   

           sheet, as the only balance sheet asset in the past has been cash. It was agreed that the assets in the parish council

           insurance policy be included in the balance sheet, together with a valuation for the land owned by the parish council.    

           Cllr Taylor said that she would seek a verbal professional valuation of the land.     

 

62. HIGHWAYS

Cllr Pearcey reported on various highways matters:-

The Colneford Hill wall repairs are delayed because of the sourcing of bricks.

The bus shelter installation opposite the former Kings Head is imminent, and a further bus shelter has been agreed on the south side of the A1124 near the Fox and Pheasant business centre.

Parish councillors are meeting Highways representatives on 10th June regarding the village green damage.

ECC Highways have advised that there is £35,000 in their budget to extend the public footpath to Heating and Eating.

The new direction sign to ‘Bures, the Church and White's Farm' on Colchester Road is obscured by the telegraph pole when approaching from the Colchester direction.  The clerk was instructed to ask Highways to attend to this, and also to the last '30 mph' and 'national speed limit' signs as you leave the village in Colne Park Road heading towards Pebmarsh which are at an angle.

Cllr Watt said that on the A1124 opposite Colneford House the sewage manhole is not watertight/gastight as fumes are escaping. The clerk was instructed to ask Anglian Water to attend to this.

Cllr Taylor declared an interest concerning Boley Road. She said that cars are backing out from Boley Road onto Colchester Road because of oncoming traffic. She said that some years ago Highways visited Colne Valley Nursery and understood that the Nursery agreed to a No Left Turn sign as their customers left the Nursery. It was agreed that the clerk writes to Highways, reminding them of this and asking that this be instigated.

 

63. CLUSTER MEETING

Cllr Abrahams said that he had attended the recent cluster meeting, and he reported on items raised that have not been discussed elsewhere at this meeting. He referred to the recent planning application for a restaurant at the Fox and Pheasant Centre and said that once the Planning Committee have made a decision, no further action could be taken apart from a judicial review at the expense of the parish council. The parish council could have attended the planning meeting and spoke against this application.

Cllr Abrahams said that Braintree District Council are setting up peoples panels.

 

64. WHITE COLNE COMMUNITY DESIGN GROUP

Cllr Adlem said that the design group had a photo fun day, and have completed the unstructured liaison with the parishioners. The group are preparing the questionnaire to send out to parishioners.

Cllr Taylor left the meeting at 9.30pm.

 

65. ESSEX AIR AMBULANCE

Cllr Nolan said that Essex Air Ambulance and the landowners have submitted planning applications which have been rejected as they were invalid. There have been three test flights of the Ambulance helicopter. It was agreed that the council will await the planning application before making any comment.

 

66. COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY

Cllr Nolan said that Braintree District Council (BDC) had asked the parish to become involved in times of emergency by storing equipment used in an emergency until BDC officials arrived in the parish. This was agreed and Cllrs Pearcey and Watt agreed to be involved with the scheme. The clerk was asked to advise BDC accordingly.

 

67. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WHICH IS NOT DEALT WITH ELSEWHERE

From BDC regarding an Emergency Planning Awareness meeting on 10th September– Cllr Watt agreed to attend.

From Essex Association of Local Councils sending details of a Statutory Planning Course. It was agreed that Cllrs Adlem and Pearcey could attend, and the joint fees of £104 for the course were also agreed.

 

68. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Watt said that there was a rabbit problem on the allotments and that the fencing was being repaired. He said that the council is writing to plot holders who are not cultivating their allotments, asking them to either cultivate the plot or give up the plot.

Cllr Watt said that BDC are changing over completely from black sacks to wheelie bins for the rubbish collection. There are to be no exemptions and in some cases BDC will use small vehicles to collect the wheelie bins.

Cllr Nolan said that he attended the recent Annual General Meeting of the Braintree Association of Local Councils.

He said that Parish Councils have the power to rename as Village Councils. He also said that 9 parishes out of 52 in Braintree District have Quality Council Status. He referred to the Community Payback scheme and said that labour is available for schemes when needed. He said that social housing could be agreed for schemes that would not normally obtain planning permission. Cllr Nolan said that the Essex Association of Local Councils provide training opportunities, and details were circulated to members.

 

There being no further business the parish council meeting was closed at 9.58 pm.

 

 

 

Chairperson………………………………………………….   Date……………………………………….

 

 

 

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