White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
Parish Council Minutes
Meeting held on 21 September 2009 at 7.30 pm.
held at The Village Hall, Bures Road, White Colne
Present : Cllr M Abrahams, Cllr S Adlem, Cllr J Brace, Cllr K Nolan(Chairman), Cllr C Pearcey, Cllr J Taylor, Cllr J Watt
Also Present: Clerk D Williams and 4 members of the public attended.
92. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
93. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – None
94. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING -
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The meeting was suspended for questions and statements.
(i)I have received comments regarding the parking on the raised area of the bus stop outside the Old Kings Head pub, Colchester Road.
(ii)We would like to have swings and slides for the children.
(iii)I understand that
there is a gypsy and travellers’ site in Bures as well as at Chappel.
(iv)Is there any chance that the old railway line will be brought into the development behind the village hall?
(v)Can we put a bridge at the corner of the Meadows with the consent of the adjacent owner?
(vi)Can we have the steps repaired going up to the footpath on the other side of Colne Park Road?
(vii)Can we have a definitive map of the parish showing trees that have Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)?
The meeting was resumed.
Cllr Brace joined the meeting at 7.35pm.
95. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
(i) Cllr Nolan said that we will ask the Community Warden to look into the parking issues, and the clerk was asked to attend to this.
(ii) Cllr Nolan said that we could consider this in any Section 106 agreement for new builds in the parish so that funds could be used
for leisure activities. We shall see what response we have from the village questionnaire.
(iii)Cllr Adlem said that we understand that the planning application for the site at Bures has been rejected.
(iv)Cllr Nolan said that we will follow the question regarding the proposed boundaries of the development.
(v)Cllr Nolan said that we could include the bridge in development that we would like for the village.
(vi)Cllr Watt said that he mentioned this repair two months ago to the Essex County Council (ECC) Ranger responsible, who agreed
to arrange for the repair.
(vii)Cllr Watt said that all TPOs are being re-
he could forward a definitive map showing trees with TPOs.
96. PLANNING MATTERS
Cllr Nolan said that there were no planning applications to consider.
The clerk said that he had been advised that the planning applications for the Essex Air Ambulance will be considered by the Planning Committee on 22 September.
Cllr Taylor left the meeting as she declared an interest in the Fox and Pheasant restaurant licence application, being a close neighbour.
Correspondence was read out from District Cllr Banthorpe as chairman of the Licensing Committee, in reply to the parish council’s enquiry, confirming that the licence application for the restaurant at the Fox and Pheasant has been advertised correctly, and that there is no legal requirement to consult with the parish council. Cllr Brace said that we could do no more. Cllr Nolan said that we have complained that the notice of the licence application was put in the wrong place and we are not happy with the outcome but we cannot change the position. We will watch the terms of approval of the planning permission and the conditions of licence.
The clerk said that no reply had been received from the Head of Governance at Braintree District Council (BDC) regarding the parish council complaints of the handing of this matter, and the clerk was asked to write again.
Cllr Taylor returned to the meeting.
97. 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 there have been no further developments.
98. WHITE COLNE MEADOWS
Cllr Taylor said that the Meadows are to be cut at a cost of £350, and the pond has blanket weed which needs to be cleared. A date to deal with this was arranged.
99. VILLAGE HALL
Cllr Adlem said that the hall committee met recently and agreed that the works to the toilets would start on 19th October. At that stage a portable toilet will be available for users. The main hall has been decorated, and the quiz covers the cost of the materials. The labour and expertise had been supplied free of charge by villager and local builder Nick Burrows for which he was thanked. She said that the 50 Club are looking for a new administrator.
Cllr Pearcey said that a litter bin was required at the rear of the hall, and he was asked to make proposals which should include the cost, and how it would be emptied.
100. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(a)Payments -
Cheque Payee Details Amount
1181 JRB Enterprise – dog poop bags – Meadows £ 63.02
1182 Brian Alderman – web site maintenance £ 60.00
1183 Sarah Adlem – Earls Colne hall rental – History Group £ 63.00
1184 R A Mortimer – path sweeping and phone box clean £ 75.90
1185 R A Mortimer – grass cuts, 3 village green, village hall & Meadows £ 462.30
1186 D Williams – clerk salary August & Sept £731.83, use of home as office £26 £ 757.83
1187 Capel Plant Holdings Ltd – village hall chargeback £ 161.00
TOTAL PAYMENTS £ 1,643.05
Since the last financial report, the following funds have been received:-
TOTAL RECEIPTS £ Nil
Following the above transactions there is a credit balance on current account of £ 9,868.38
on reserve account £ 10,169.17
Total £ 20,037.55
of which the balance held in reserve for the White Colne Meadows project is £ 635.65
and the balance held in reserve for the Local Heritage Initiative Fund is £ 1,460.72
and the balance held in reserve for the Community Design Group is £ 4,539.33
Total of allocated funds is £ 6,635.70
Thus the balance of unallocated funds is £ 13,562.85
Bank Balance 20.07.09 £ 21,680.60
Plus total receipts £ Nil
Sub Total £ 21,680.60
Less Total Payments £ 1,643.05
Bank balance 21.09.09 £ 20,037.55
(b)The clerk reported that the Internal Auditor, Mr P Norris, had submitted his report
for the examination of the accounts for the six years 2002-
The Annual Returns for the six years from 2002-
(c) Cllr Nolan thanked the Internal Auditor, Mr P Norris for many hours work. He said that Mr Norris had indicated that he wished to donate his fee to a village charity. Cllr Nolan proposed that the sum of £300 be paid to the 50 Club, and all members agreed.
101. HIGHWAYS
Cllr Watt said that with Cllr Pearcey he will prepare the Highways Community Initiative Fund application for the Safety Display SID by 2 October. The locations have been agreed with Highways who will charge £400pa to rotate the signs. A training course is available at a cost of £180 per person to ensure that people are NRSWA accredited so that they can supervise the movement of the signs. Cllr Taylor proposed that two people are accredited and this was agreed.
Cllr Pearcey said that the wall on the verge on Colneford Hill is being rebuilt at present.
102. WHITE COLNE COMMUNITY DESIGN GROUP
Cllr Adlem said that a questionnaire has been delivered to all the properties in the parish. She thanked the Committee for all their work, especially Rita Pearcey. The next meeting will concentrate on the design statement. The results of the questionnaire will be available in one month’s time.
103. ALLOTMENTS
Cllr Watt said that the current agreement included approval of a shed on an allotment, and he proposed that it be a maximum size of 6 foot by 4 foot, and to be of wooden construction and painted brown or green, and that formal permission of sheds was required. This was agreed. A discussion followed regarding the state of the fencing, and Cllr |Nolan proposed that the parish council looks at a proposal for the renovation of the fencing, the revision of water provision and the replacement or refurbishment of the gates, and then consider whether a future increase in plot rental is appropriate. He proposed that the plot rental invoices covering rent for the 12 months from 30th September be sent out with no increase in rent this year. This was agreed. Cllr Brace said that the reallocation of water was being considered, and the clerk agreed to seek a quote for a water tank 4 foot by 3 foot by 4 foot deep. Cllr Watt said that there are 2 plots that are now vacant. These will be divided into 2 and he will approach people on the waiting list and give the details to the clerk of the new allotment plot holders. He asked that the newsletter and the web site advertise that plots are becoming available for parishioners, and that parishioners can approach a councillor or the clerk if they want to put their name on the waiting list. Cllr Watt proposed that that he reviews the utilisation of the plots and then forward details of those that are not fully utilised to the clerk, who can write to the plot holders giving them notice to utilise the plot or give it up. This was agreed.
104. FORTHCOMING CLUSTER MEETING
The following agenda items for the next cluster meeting were agreed. 1. Progress regarding the linear path. 2. Travellers sites in the area and Braintree District Council’s response to illegal sites. 3. Progress regarding the cycle route from Fox and Pheasant Business Centre to Halstead.
105. VILLAGE GREEN
A request had been received to use the village green for a Christmas Nativity event. This was discussed in detail and is was agreed to decline the request, saying that the parish council already organise a traditional non denominational Christmas event on the village green which this year is on 20th December, hoping that they will attend. The parish council do not feel that is appropriate therefore to have a further event on the village green, thanking them for their interest.
Cllr Nolan said that the Christmas Carol Service is on Sunday 20th December, and he will enquire whether a Christmas tree will be donated this year. Cllr Taylor proposed that it was not necessary for the parish council to apply for the road closure at the top of the green, and this was agreed. Cllr Nolan asked the clerk to establish if a Temporary Event Notice licence is required, and if so to apply for one.
106. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WHICH IS NOT DEALT WITH ELSEWHERE
From Braintree District Council (BDC) advising that the refuse collection day will change to Friday week 2 from Wednesday week 2, and posters will be put up advertising the change.
107. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Taylor proposed that the subject of Community Liaison
becomes a permanent agenda item, and this was agreed.
Cllr Taylor left the meeting.
The clerk referred to the response from Braintree District Council replying to the parish council’s enquiry regarding planning permission for Colne Valley Nurseries, and Cllr Abrahams proposed that this be an agenda item at the next meeting. This was agreed.
There being no further business the parish council meeting was closed at 9.35 pm.
Chairperson…………………………………………………. Date……………………………………….
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Parish Council
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