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
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WHITE COLNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at
The Village Hall, Bures Road, White Colne on Monday 21st July 2008 at 7.30 pm.
Present : Cllr S Adlem, Cllr K Nolan (Chairman), Cllr C Pearcey, Cllr J Taylor
Also Present: Clerk D Williams and 4 members of the public attended.
953. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
954. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – None
955. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING -
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The meeting was suspended for questions and statements.
(a)A parishioner asked for an assurance that the Bures Road street light will be installed before the winter.
(b)Cllr Nolan said that a parishioner had telephoned him and expressed concern at the damage done to the village green by contractors.
(c) Cllr Taylor said that concern had also been expressed by a parishioner regarding speeding vehicles travelling down Colne Park Road.
(d) Cllr Taylor said that a parishioner had telephoned her and pointed out that a pick up truck had been parked behind the village hall for some time.
(e) Cllr Taylor said that concern had been expressed by an allotment holder that the plots will be cut up and also that the minutes of parish council meetings are not in the newsletter.
(f) Cllr Pearcey said that he as a parishioner had written to Essex County Council (ECC) Highways regarding ditch clearing in Bures Road which may cause flooding in Boley Road, and he awaited a response from them.
The meeting was resumed.
956. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.
Cllr Nolan said that all items are agenda items and will be answered at that stage.
957. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(A) 08/00997/FUL Baggaretts Farm, Dawes Hall Road – erection of temporary mobile home for poultry unit
manager/stockman to ensure future sustainability
of existing unit -
1.neighbours' views, 2.subject to an agricultural licence restricting the occupancy to workers of
Baggaretts Farm and their family, 3.subject to the property not being sold off separately from
Baggaretts Farm.
(B) 08/01008/FUL 44 Colneford Hill – erection of two storey extension -
(C) 08/01044/FUL Whites Farm, Bures Road – erection of temperature controlled apple
store -
application subject to: 1. Neighbours views and confirmation that potential noise levels emanating
from the plant room will be thoroughly investigated prior to start up. 2. Consideration that the
facility be screened when viewed from a northerly aspect or for a reduction in height if possible.
3. We consider that the increase in traffic using the premises should necessitate the introduction of
speed limits in the White's Farm locality and possibly other stretches of Bures Road
4. Confirmation that Boley Road will be removed from the SATNAV network and that the
management of Whites Farm will instruct their suppliers/customers not to use Boley Road as an
access route in view of its status as being 'Unsuitable for HGVs'.
958. FUTURE ACTION IN RESPONDING TO PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BETWEEN
MEETINGS
Cllr Nolan said that when the council needs to make a decision on a planning application between parish council meetings either an exceptional meeting can be called, or if it is considered non contentious then the application will be discussed by councilors by e mail. He proposed that a standard line is published in every newsletter edition reminding parishioners that if they have an issue with any planning application then they should contact a parish councillor. Cllr Taylor proposed that a forum is set up on the parish council web site which can be password controlled for councillors and clerk use. This could then be viewed by the public and retained as an audit trail. This was agreed, and the chairman, vice chairman and clerk will arrange to meet with the web site designer to discuss future management and administration of this forum and the site generally.
959. 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 reported that he had recently spoken at the telephone with the solicitor acting for the parish council. She advised that she was now satisfied with the contract as ECC had agreed to pay the parish council’s legal charges. The other parties now wish to include a get out clause if they do not achieve planning permission and a sale of the land within 12 months. There is at present a clause which prevents any party from withdrawing. She recommended that we do not proceed with the proposed get out clause unless ECC pass the hall to the parish council anyway if ECC withdraw. Cllr Nolan proposed that we follow the solicitor’s advice and this was agreed. He will advise the solicitor.
960. WHITE COLNE MEADOWS
Cllr Taylor said that the Heritage orchard had been planted. The LHI grant will fund the interpretation boards. There are no more events organized for the remainder of the summer. She referred to a request for the hire of the gazebo, and after discussion it was agreed that the parish council would charge rental of £25 with a deposit of £250. Cllr Adlem suggested that the Village Hall Management Committee prepares a booking contract and asks the village hall booking secretary to administer the rental scheme, recording the income separately in the village hall accounts. This was agreed.
961. A BYE LAW RESTRICTING THE USE OF THE MEADOWS BY MOTORISED VEHICLES,
MOTORBIKES AND HORSES
Cllr Taylor said that Essex Farm Rides do not have a bridle path across the Meadows – it is a wildlife area. She proposed that a bye law be approved to restrict horses and motorised vehicles and this was agreed. She will complete a model bye law to consider at the next meeting.
962. THE USE OF CCTV TO CONTROL DOG FOULING
Cllr Nolan proposed that the Braintree District Council dog warden and the community warden are invited to the next meeting to discuss this issue which should be an agenda item. This was agreed and the clerk was instructed to ask them to attend.
963. VILLAGE HALL
Cllr Adlem said that the Management Committee was considering the issues regarding weekend hire, and in particular whether to keep availability for villagers or to hire to people and organisations outside the village and so maximise income. Cllr Nolan said that this issue can be left with the Management Committee to decide.
Cllr Taylor said that the Management Committee were applying to ECC under the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) for a grant of £10,000 to assist with funding the refurbishment of the toilets costing £18.000. This will include a disabled toilet accessible from both the interior and exterior of the building.
Cllr Taylor referred to the pick up truck parked at the rear of the village hall and asked the clerk to write to the owner asking him to move it.
964. FINANCIAL MATTERS
1. Payments
The Clerk reported that since the last meeting, the following payments
had been made:-
Cheque Payee Details Amount £
1064 Bright Light Solar Ltd – Bures Rd street light – grant funded 2,210.18
1065 Bespoke Caterers – history group event 701.25
1066 Playsafety Ltd – ROSPA report on play area 70.50
1067 R A Mortimer – footpath sweeping & telephone box clean 72.85
1068 R A Mortimer – Meadows grasscuts 244.40
1069 R A Mortimer – village green, near river & hall grasscuts 371.30
1070 D Williams – clerk salary June & July 714.00
1071 Braintree Assoc. of Local Councils – subscription 10.00
1072 Rural Community Council of Essex – subscription 40.00
1073 Claire PB & Jonathan PR Ltd – newsletter printing 60.00
1074 JRB Enterprise Ltd – poop scoop bags for Meadows 64.98
1075 Fitzpatrick Woolmer – leaflet dispenser – history group 220.31
1076 Mrs V K Devenish – straw craft demonstrator – history group 65.00
1077 White Colne Village Hall – history group 165.00
1078 John Watt – History trail – history group 550.00
1079 Sarah Adlem – history group expenses 121.69
1080 Sarah Adlem – history group expenses 90.86
1081 Sarah Adlem – history group expenses 70.98
D/D E.On – village hall electricity 112.43
D/D Anglian Water – village hall water 108.66
D/D Colne & Stour Countryside Assoc -
TOTAL PAYMENTS £ 6,069.39
2.Funds Received
Since the last financial report, the following funds have been received:-
Allianz Insurance – part premium refund 31.99
Cash donations for history group 21.83
Nat West Bank – interest on reserve account 51.35
TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 105.17
3. Financial statement & Bank Reconciliation
Following the above transactions there is a credit balance on current account of £ 1,723.83
on reserve account £ 10,085.37
Total £ 11,809.20
of which the balance held in reserve for the White Colne Meadows project is £ 1,448.73
and the balance held in reserve for the Local Heritage Initiative Fund is £ 513.36
Thus the balance of unallocated funds is £ 9,847.11
Bank Balance 19.05.08 £ 17,773.42
Plus total receipts £ 105.17
Sub Total £ 17,878.59
Less Total Payments £ 6,069.39
Bank balance 21.07.08 £ 11,809.20
Cllr Adlem said that £6,000/£7,000 is due to be received shortly being a second tranche of grant monies for the Local
Heritage Initiative Fund.
4. Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2008.
The clerk presented the income and expenditure account for the year to 31 March 2008 for consideration. Cllr Taylor
said that the rural grant income and expenditure should be recorded separately and not included with village hall
figures. This was agreed and so revised accounts will be presented in September. The clerk was asked to write to EDF
regarding the lack of wayleaves income, and to liaise with Cllr Taylor regarding low newsletter adverts income.
965. ALLOTMENTS
Cllr Nolan said that Cllrs Brace and Watt had reviewed the allotment plot sizes and had presented a report suggesting a rental of £1.50 per square rod. They were not present at the meeting. Cllr Nolan said that the parish council had agreed a rental of £2 per square rod in July 2004.He proposed that after allowing for inflation, the allotment rental for 2008/09 be set at £2.12 per rod with rentals rounded up to the nearest £1 and rentals reviewed annually. The total annual rental income would then be approximately £245. This was agreed and it was further agreed that the rentals are payable 29th September annually in advance and that when the clerk sends out the invoices, he includes a covering letter pointing out that rentals have not been collected for the last 2 years and back rentals will not be sought, although the parish council have paid the water rates for the allotments, and so plot holders may wish to make a donation for these years.
966. HIGHWAYS
Cllr Pearcey said that he had written to the ECC cabinet member for Highways regarding the council’s request for speed limits on further parts of Bures Road and Colchester Road. Some jobs previously agreed with ECC Highways are still outstanding, and these include the white lines on Colne Park Road and the replacement HGV sign at Boley Road. Cllr Pearcey referred to the ECC CIF fund specifically for Highways matters and proposed that the parish council considers the purchase of a Speed Indicator Device (SID) as a traffic calming measure. Cllr Taylor said that the council should consider other Highways issues and proposed the construction of a pavement from Chalkey Garage to the footpath. It was agreed that Cllr Pearcey and Cllr Taylor both obtain costings for their proposals. This will be an agenda item at the next meeting and the clerk was instructed to circulate the ECC CIF details to all councillors and ask for their Highways proposals for funding by the CIF fund. It was also agreed that this would be published in the next newsletter asking parishioners to contact a councillor if they have any proposals.
Cllr Nolan said that the damaged wall on Colneford Hill has sustained further damage. Cllr Pearcey said that the repairs are due by the end of the summer, and he agreed to advise ECC Highways of this further damage, sending photographs if possible.
Cllr Adlem said that according to the recent cluster meeting minutes, BDC can enforce weight limits, and that this would be relevant for Boley Road. Cllr Pearcy agreed to follow this issue through.
967. STREET LIGHTING IN BURES ROAD
Cllr Nolan said that the column had been delivered, and hopefully the light will be delivered before the end of July. Cllr Nolan agreed to obtain a quotation from a local contractor for the digging of the hole for the light and column installation, which could then be installed by volunteers and the hired cherry picker. The clerk said that EDF had not yet confirmed that they would remove the light and he would chase them regarding this and the light disconnection.
968. TREE LIGHTING ON THE VILLAGE GREEN AT CHRISTMAS
Cllr Adlem gave a report on the lighting kits available. It would cost a minimum of £238.90 to light each tree, and at least 4 trees are required to be lit. Cllr Nolan and Cllr Adlem agreed to consider requirements further and to report accordingly. This will be an agenda item at the next meeting.
969. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WHICH IS NOT DEALT WITH ELSEWHERE
From Essex Association of Local Councils requesting a nomination of a past chairman for a Buckingham Palace Garden Party Nomination for 2009. It was agreed that Mr David Ashby would be nominated.
From ROSPA enclosing their report on the play area. It was agreed that details of the deficiencies would be forwarded to Cllr Taylor who would highlight these to the installer asking them to correct them.
There being no further business the parish council meeting was closed at 9.40 pm.
Chairperson…………………………………………………. Date……………………………………….