White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
Parish Council Minutes
Meeting held on 21 July 2008
WHITE COLNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held at The Village Hall, Bures Road, White Colne
on Monday 20th July 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 and 5 members of the public attended.
69. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – District Cllr C Siddall & District Cllr G Spray
70. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – Cllr Taylor declared an interest in minute 74 as she is a near neighbour, and in minute 77 as she is a resident of Boley Road.
71. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING -
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The meeting was suspended for questions and statements.
(i)I consider that Braintree District Council (BDC) issued a feeble response to the parish council enquiries regarding the Fox and Pheasant Centre planning approval. I also hear that the restaurant there is applying for a live music licence.
(ii)I am concerned that the parish council is proposing a right turn for traffic travelling out of Colne Valley Nursery, Boley Road. There are a number of blind corners on that road including the right turn itself. I agree that the lorries that visit the nursery are large and have difficulty travelling up Boley Road.
(iii)I also agree that lorries have difficulty in travelling up Boley Road.
(iv)I am a resident of Boley Road and clearly turning right out of the nursery is not feasible.
(v) I object to the Vernons Road Chappel proposed travellers site. Is there a time restriction on any family staying at the travellers site? Are there increased policing arrangements?
The meeting was resumed.
Cllr Brace joined the meeting at 7.35pm.
72. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
(i)Cllr Nolan said that the parish council agreed that the response from BDC regarding the Fox and Pheasant centre planning approval was feeble, and the parish council has made as much representation here as it can. We have no knowledge of an application for a live music licence.
(ii)Cllr Nolan said that turning right out of the nursery was proposed some years ago and is not being considered by Essex County Council Highways (ECC Highways) at present. Other proposals are being considered.
(iii)The parish council has little powers regarding this application which is in Colchester Borough. The parish council was approached by Wakes Colne Parish Council and Chappel Parish Council to consider this application.
73. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
09/00622/FUL Kilcoran Cottage, 7 Colneford Hill – erection of single storey rear/side extension – no comment
subject to neighbours’ views.
09/00102/TPOCON Colneford Hill, adjacent 9 Colneford Place – tree works – first
reply -
on grounds of damage to the street scene. The tree was there before the new development was
built and helps to screen the development from
the road. Second reply -
objection and agree to the application if a replacement tree, of both a more suitable species and in
a more suitable location, is provided to increase the screening of the adjacent housing and
maintain the street scene as per the recommendation of BDC landscape and countryside officer,
Richard Parmee.
090891 Vernons Road, Chappel – stationing of 12 caravans for
use by travellers -
planning application for the following reasons:-
village envelope and in a conservation area of special landscape interest. 2. There is poor road
access, Vernons Road is narrow, with a sharp bend beside the site, and there is no pavement. 3.
The site is in a rural area and should thus prohibit development in the open countryside. 4. The
present local amenities such as sewerage, refuse collection, and parking spaces are insufficient to
support this development.
Cllr Nolan referred to a notice attached by a company to trees near 2 Colchester Road which said that if the owners of the land were not discovered within 30 days, then the company would seek to enter the land and carry out the management works required. It was agreed that the parish council advises the BDC landscape office and also write to the company advising them not to proceed with these unauthorised works as the trees are protected by Preservation Orders. The clerk was instructed to write accordingly.
74. PLANNING APPLICATION FOR FOX AND PHEASANT CENTRE RECENTLY APPROVED
Cllr Taylor left the meeting room whilst this item was discussed.
Cllr Nolan said that the parish council cannot change the decision of this planning approval, and a judicial review is not appropriate because of the legal costs involved. A considerable discussion followed and it was agreed that the way forward was to ensure that BDC dealt with the inaccuracies and breaches of planning conditions in the past at the Centre, and also to ensure that the conditions of the recent approval are adhered to. Cllr Pearcey asked for BDC confirmation that the restaurant at the Centre would not be opened until the conditions had been approved. Cllr Pearcey agreed to prepare an email to BDC regarding the breaches of planning conditions and the conditions of approval of the recent application.
Cllr Taylor re-
75. PLANNING APPLICATIONS IN THE PARISH RELEVANT FOR SECTION 106 CONDITIONS
Cllr Nolan said that it appeared to be standard practice in Colchester Borough to have Section 106 agreements with new buildings whereby developers pay a sum of money to the Borough Council for local amenities. BDC councillors state that to qualify for this, a development must have some impact on the community. The clerk was asked to investigate further and report back.
76. DISTRICT PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
There was considerable discussion whether or not a member of the parish council should attend the BDC planning committee meetings and speak on behalf of the parish council. Cllr Pearcey proposed that where planning applications are considered contentious then a member will endeavour to attend the planning committee meeting. Cllr Watt seconded the proposal which was agreed by all members.
77. BOLEY ROAD AND THE ACCESS TO COLNE VALLEY NURSERIES
Cllr Taylor left the meeting room whilst this item was discussed.
Cllr Watt said that in view of the damage done to Boley Road by large lorries travelling up to the Nursery, he proposed that the parish council asks BDC for the conditions of the current planning approval for trading. Cllr Adlem seconded this and all members agreed. The clerk was instructed to write to BDC accordingly.
Cllr Taylor re-
78. 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, TOGETHER WITH THE DRAFT PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE FUTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE.
Cllr Nolan said that since the last meeting members had received a draft of the outline planning application by ECC for the development of the site at the rear of the village hall. He said that there was no point in considering the detail at this stage until ECC and BDC have considered it themselves. He said that we will act in the best interests of the parishioners of White Colne. ECC Highways want a pavement and so they may need to buy a bit more land.
79. WHITE COLNE MEADOWS
Cllr Taylor said that a shed has been erected on the allotments. She said that she was in favour of sheds on the allotments but there does need to be a clear parish council policy on this. It was agreed that Cllr Brace and Cllr Watt would propose a policy regarding the size and position of sheds. Cllr Brace referred to 2 plots that are currently not fully worked. He agreed to advise the clerk at the end of July whether or not notice to quit can be given to a plotholder who was previously asked to work the plot. The second plotholder is to be advised that notice will be given if the plot is not cultivated in one month.
Cllr Brace asked for an agenda item for the next meeting to consider development of the water supply to the allotments, and he will circulate proposals beforehand. Cllr Watt said that the fencing is deteriorating, and Cllr Nolan said that if he wanted the parish council to consider proposals at the next meeting, then these should also be circulated beforehand and made an agenda item.
80. VILLAGE HALL
Cllr Adlem said that she had circulated a paper before the meeting which outlined the respective responsibilities of the management committee and the parish council. She proposed that this paper be accepted, Cllr Taylor seconded the proposal, and all members agreed.
Cllr Taylor said that at our last meeting she reported that she was looking into
a water harvesting system to provide water for the hall toilets. Having received
quotations for the harvesting system (£15k) it is obvious that the costs of installation
outweigh any environmental gain, the hall being a low user, and it would be hard
for a grant funder to justify such a high expenditure. The hall committee looked
at alternative sources of funding with no success and so looked again at the quotations
for the works with the following results -
The funds could be found by: £5,000 -
The hall committee therefore requests that the PC grants a minimum of £1500 out of their reserves, towards the costs of refurbishing the toilets. It is hoped that the PC will be able to reclaim the VAT and the clerk has been asked to investigate. The hall committee is still seeking a further quote from another contractor.
The Greenfields fund to which we would have applied has a maximum of £50k – it is better to hold this fund in abeyance in order to use it for renovating the roof. It will be very difficult to find grants for the roof but if we include a micro generating system (photovoltaic) this will generate electricity and export it to the National Grid. This will fit nicely into Greenfield’s criteria (and the government’s new strategy) and would obviously supply an income for the hall/PC.
Cllr Taylor proposed that the parish council grants the sum of £1,500 from reserves, Cllr Brace seconded the proposal, and all members agreed.
81. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(a)Payments -
Cheque Payee Details Amount £
1168 White Colne Village Hall – DPC injection 666.71
1169 Braintree District Council – graphic design – Community Design Group 61.64
1170 Essex Assoc of Local Councils – Planning day course 108.00
1171 R A Mortimer – Grass cutting, Village green, hall & Meadows 616.40
1172 R A Mortimer – path sweeping & phone box cleaning 73.60
1173 D Williams – clerk salary June & July 731.83
1174 Rural Community Council of Essex – annual subscription 40.00
1175 Playsafety Ltd – ROSPA report on play area 72.45
1176 Braintree Assoc of Local Councils – annual subscription 10.00
1177 K Nolan – electrical equipment for village green 98.78
1178 White Colne Village Hall – Community Design Group 152.00
1179 C Pearcey – travel costs to course £10, planning book £10 20.00
1180 E.on-
D/D Anglian Water – village hall £ 120.76, allotments £32.50 153.26
D/D E.on – village hall electricity 110.74
D/D British Gas – village hall gas 90.44
D/D Colne & Stour Assoc – annual subscription 5.00
TOTAL PAYMENTS £ 3,026.86
(b)Since the last financial report, the following funds have been received:-
Carol service donations 88.00
Trafalgar day/Apple day donations 24.25
Newsletter advert 50.00
Nat West – interest 1.02
TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 163.27
(c)Following the above transactions there is a credit balance on current account of £ 11,511.43
on reserve account £ 10,169.17
Total £ 21,680.60
of which the balance held in reserve for the White Colne Meadows project is £ 881.52
and the balance held in reserve for the Local Heritage Initiative Fund is £1,523.72
and the balance held in reserve for the Community Design Group is £4,539.33
Total of allocated funds is £ 6,944.57
Thus the balance of unallocated funds is £ 14,736.03
Bank Balance 18.05.09 £ 24544.19
Plus total receipts £ 163.27
Sub Total £ 24707.46
Less Total Payments £ 3026.86
Bank balance 20.07.09 £ 21680.60
(d) The clerk presented the annual accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009 which had been circulated to members
beforehand. These showed total receipts of £34,875.92 and total payments of £26,604.18. A balance sheet prepared
showed total assets of £88,828.76. This included fixed assets of £65,204.60 being Meadows land, street furniture, gates
and fences and playground equipment. The current assets included bank balances of allocated funds of £9,488.43, and
unallocated funds of £14,057.51. It was agreed that these accounts be accepted, and they were signed by the chairman
and clerk on behalf of the council. The clerk was asked to make arrangements with the internal auditor for the audit of
these accounts before submission to the external auditor.
(e)Cllr Nolan said that a reply had just been received from Lord Hanningfield regarding the parish council’s request
that ECC pay the balance of the solicitor’s fees. The reply again refused to fund these fees. It was agreed that a copy of
this letter is forwarded to our solicitors for their information. It was also agreed that a copy be sent to our Member of
Parliament, Brooks Newmark, referring to our previous correspondence with him, and advising him that we do not
regard the letter as satisfactory and consider that we had a previously valid agreement that has arbitrarily been set
aside by ECC.
82. HIGHWAYS
Cllr Pearcey reported on various highways matters:-
There is a further delay to the rebuild of the Colneford Hill wall due to Highway's oversight in sourcing the bricks. Work is to commence at the end of August. A letter has been sent to everybody in the village green area asking them not to park within 50 feet of the junction at the bottom of the green in order to try and prove to Highways that damage to the green is not caused by parking. Hopefully Highways will consider raising the kerb to protect the green and not install yellow lines which has been their only solution to date.
There has been a further delay to the erection of the bus shelter outside the former Old King's Head Pub due to some residents who might be affected by the structure not being properly consulted. A meeting is planned for 3rd August. This year's Communities Initiative Fund (CIF) Highways is to open shortly for applications. We have obtained an updated quote for a SID (Speed Indicator Device) which is a 26% increase from last year at a new figure of £4,363 due primarily to solar panel assembly and increased carriage charge. We are looking at the merits of both systems (solar and conventional) and if the carriage charge can be reduced.
Speedwatch continues but not as often of late. Since October 2007 as a conservative estimate we have identified nearly 1600 traffic offenders, utilised the services of 650 voluntary man hours, of which Cllrs Pearcey and Cllr Watt have contributed nearly 300 hours between them over that time. We are grateful to all volunteers. The HGV sign at the top of Boley Road has been replaced, and the Colne Park Road sign has been repaired.
Cllr Watt said that the roadside bank on the northside of Colchester Road opposite numbers 100 and 102 needs attention by BDC as before, and the clerk was instructed to ask BDC to deal with this.
83. WHITE COLNE COMMUNITY DESIGN GROUP
Cllr Adlem said that the group were preparing a questionnaire to send to parishioners. She said that it was a good opportunity to ask parishioners regarding a wide range of village issues, and comments were requested from all members.
84. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000 AND THE REVIEW OF MEMBERS REGISTERS OF INTERESTS
Members were reminded of their duty to register any interests required to be registered under paragraphs 12 and 13 of the Code of Conduct. They were also asked to review their registers of interests and to advise the monitoring officer at BDC in writing within 28 days of becoming aware of any changes. A compliance checklist confirming this is to be returned to BDC by 31 August and so members were asked to confirm this to the clerk before that date. The clerk was asked to advise them where Registers of Interests Forms can be obtained.
Cllr Nolan proposed that a list of personal expenses paid to parish councillors be published on the web site, and the clerk was asked to send a list to councillors for information.
85. PLAY AREA SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT.
The report received from ROSPA highlighting deficiencies was discussed. Cllr Watt agreed to purchase the signs required, and Cllr Nolan said that the other deficiencies will be addressed.
86. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WHICH IS NOT DEALT WITH ELSEWHERE
From BDC confirming that the Village Hall has been granted 100% Discretionary Relief
from Non-
From BDC enclosing details of Tree Preservation Orders at Weirstock Farm, Wakes Colne Road, and at Coney Byes, Bures Road. The clerk was asked to obtain copies for Cllr Watt and the Tree Warden.
There being no further business the parish council meeting was closed at 9.50 pm.
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