White Colne
White Colne
White Colne
White Colne Parish Council Minutes
September 2010
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
WHITE COLNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at
The Village Hall, Bures Road, White Colne on Monday 20th September 2010 at7.30 pm
2
Present : Cllr M Abrahams, Cllr S Adlem, Cllr C Pearcey, Cllr Taylor (Chairman), Cllr Watt.
Also Present: Clerk D Williams, District Cllr C Siddall, District Cllr G Spray, the Village Agent and 2 members of the
public attended.
208. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
209. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – None
210. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING -
211. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES NOT DEALT WITH ELSEHERE – None
212. REPORT FROM VILLAGE AGENT, RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF ESSEX
Mr P Darlington, the Village Agent for the Rural Community Council of Essex who is responsible for White Colne, gave a report on this service which puts people in contact with organisations that provide services they need. The take up of the service has been good and he has seen 2 people and contacted another 2 by telephone in White Colne. He can drive a 12 seat Community Bus if required.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The meeting was suspended for questions and statements.
(i)What is the procedure for tree works in a Conservation Area?
(ii)Why was the planning application for Land South of the Village Hall, Bures Road, refused?
(iii) I am advised that 44 Colchester Road seems to be a car sales area with several cars for sale.
The meeting was resumed.
213. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
(i) Cllr Taylor said that permission is generally required
(ii) and (iii) Cllr Taylor said that these items will be discussed later in the meeting.
214. REPORT FROM BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
District Cllr Siddall said that Halstead Local Committee has funds available held over from last year to fund good projects. There is an Open Space Consultation Action Plan which refers to possible S 106 planning application funding in the future. Cllr Watt agreed to liaise.
Cllr Abrahams asked for an update on the funding cuts at Braintree District Council (BDC). District Cllr Siddall said that BDC is considering all service costs before a meeting on 20th October.
215. PLANNING MATTERS -
(1) 10/01144/FUL -
access -
(2)10/00966/FUL -
two parking spaces -
1. The scale, height and mass for this development which is on a very small plot would adversely effect the Conservation Area RLP 95 and RLP 3 section 1,2. 2.The application should comply with the guidelines as set out in the village design statement adopted by White Colne Parish Council. 3.There are surface water issues on Bures Road where heavy rain or melting snow washes stones and debris down the road and on to the A 1124. 4. We have also received a copy of a letter of objection from a neighbour.
(3) 10/01046/FUL -
rear extension and new conservatory -
(4)10/00224/TPOCON – Yew Tree Farm, Colne Park Road – tree works – a report had been received from the tree warden and it was agreed that he would be asked if he had visited the correct property before comments were sent.
(5) 10/01242/OUT -
The meeting was suspended.
District Cllr Spray said that BDC usually consider farm workers’ houses for care of livestock.
The meeting restarted.
We unanimously object to this application for Outline Planning Permission for the
erection of any dwelling because:-
1.It is a new building in the countryside. 2.The hours of working do not justify a full time farm manager. 3. The footprint and the height of the building are totally inappropriate. 4. The position of the proposed building is too dominant. 5. It is in contravention of the White Colne Village Design Statement and BDC planning policy.
(B) BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL POLICY FOR PLANNING APPLICATION CONSULTATIONS
NOT TO SEND PLANS IN 2011
Cllr Watt said that applications could be loaded onto the history group laptop computer from the BDC web site and viewed by all at parish council meetings on a projector either purchased for £50 to £100 or borrowed from the local Business Cafe group. The clerk was asked to bring the details of the applications to the meeting for loading.
Cllr Watt referred to future events being considered, and said that whilst a TV licence was not required, the council may require a PRS licence and a PPL licence, and further investigation is necessary.
(C) OTHER PLANNING MATTERS
It was agreed that the question of possible car sales at 44 Colchester Road would be monitored by the council.
216. 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.
MR D SMITH OF PERCIVAL & CO HAS WRITTEN TO SAY THAT HE HAS BEEN ADVISED BY THE AGENTS FOR ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL THAT A REVISED OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION INCORPORATING THE LAYOUT AND INDICATIVE SKETCH PLANS REQUESTED BY THE CONSERVATION PLANNER IS BEING PREPARED AND SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY 30TH SEPTEMBER AT THE VERY LATEST. WITH REGARD TO THE OUTSTANDING LEGAL FEES, THESE ARE TIED IN TO THE AGREEMENT BEING AMENDED TO MAKE PROVISION FOR A FOOTPATH TO THE FRONT OF THE VILLAGE HALL SITE AND ECC ARE RELUCTANT TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE PLANNING QUESTION HAS BEEN FULLY RESOLVED. THERE IS NOTHING AT PRESENT TO PURSUE.
217. WHITE COLNE MEADOWS
Cllr Taylor said that the hay has not been cut, and at this stage it can now be left.
218. VILLAGE HALL
Cllr Adlem said that some work had been done to the play equipment following the ROSPA report, and further work was required, namely a new sign for the gate, new matting and turf at a total cost of approximately £150. This cost was agreed. Cllr Adlem said that a tree branch is overhanging the table tennis table. The tree warden recommends that it is removed and he would do it. It was agreed that the clerk is instructed to write to the agents for ECC as they are the owners of the land on which the tree is sited, and advise them of the situation and that the parish council are to cut the overhanging branch in one month.
Cllr Adlem said that the hall committee plan to use the Committee room more and this entails enlarging the room by removing internal walls. The approximate cost including the installation of a ramp is between £15,000 and £20,000. Cllr Taylor said that the source of funding included ECC Community Initiative Fund and Halstead Committee, the 50 Club and the Hall Committee. Approval would be required from ECC as owners. Cllr Abrahams said that a structural engineer or architect is required together with a detailed quote based on detailed plans to enable a grant request to be submitted. All agreed in principle to the proposal of improvements, but the further detail is required with a structural report to consider further. The cost of professional advice will be considered as matters progress further. Matters will be crystalised by the end of October.
219. COMMUNITY LIAISON
Cllr Taylor said that the Olympic Challenge event was well supported, and the next event is the Trafalgar celebrations on 21st October with a pub. Cllr Taylor said that Cllr Nolan is to make arrangements for the Christmas tree on the green. The Christmas carols will take place and there is no requirement to apply for a road closure. The clerk was asked to apply for a Temporary Events Notice to cover this event.
220. FINANCIAL MATTERS
Cheque Payee Details Amount £
1259 White Colne 50 Club – internal auditor fee donated 50.00
1260 Reward Matrix -
1261 Braintree Association of Local Councils – annual subscription 10.00
1262 Rural Community Council of Essex – 50% support package Community Design 300.00
1263 R A Mortimer – grasscuts V Green(2),V Hall(2),Meadows(2),empty bins(2) 326.65
1264 D Williams – clerk salary April & May £739.16, use of home as office £26 765.16
1265 Claire PB & Jonathan PR Ltd – newsletter printing September (inc extra page) 90.00
1266 Brian Alderman – web site maintenance May -
1267 P. Norris – village hall chargeback 229.00
1268 R Pearcey – Olympic Challenge grant costs 64.39
D/D Eon Energy – village hall electricity chargeback 83.63
TOTAL PAYMENTS 2,073.07
Funds Received
Since the last financial report, the following funds have been received:-
Allotment rental 13.00
R Pearcey – re Olympic Challenge 139.57
TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 152.57
Financial statement & Bank Reconciliation
Following the above transactions there is a credit balance on current account of £ 8,552.70
on reserve account £ 10,173.24
Total £ 18,725.94
of which the balance held in reserve for the Heritage Fund is £ 1,182.74
and the balance held in reserve for the Community Design Group is £ 3,342.71
Total of allocated funds is £ 4,525.45
Thus the balance of unallocated funds is £ 14,200.49
Bank Balances 19.07.10 £ 20,646.44
Plus Total Receipts £ 152.57
Sub Total £ 20,799.01
Less Total Payments £ 2,073.07
Bank Balances 20.09.10 £ 18,725.94
221. HIGHWAYS
Cllr Pearcey said that there had been no developments to the installation of the double yellow lines on Colne Park Road, neither had ECC Highways repaired the wall at Colneford Hill. Brooks Newmark MP has replied to the council’s letter requesting him to support the cancellation the double yellow lines, saying that he will write to ECC. Cllr Watt said that ECC have visited Colneford Hill to look at the required wall repair.
Cllr Pearcey said that he has received a map from ECC regarding the Speed Indicator Devices (SID) locations which did not seem to be in line with the original agreement. The first post should be on Colchester Road coming from the Colchester direction. Cllr Pearcey and Cllr Watt agreed to discuss and respond to ECC.
222. WHITE COLNE COMMUNITY DESIGN GROUP
Cllr Adlem said that the Village Design Statement has been adopted by BDC and is now to be printed.
223. ALLOTMENTS
Cllr Watt said that 5 allotment plots were empty and 4 plots are to be rented by
holders outside the parish. The remaining plot is to be advertised in the newsletter
and on the parish notice boards. It was agreed that estimates for improvements are
to be considered at the next meeting, and that there would be no rental increase
for the financial year 2011-
224. GREEN HEART OF ESSEX CAMPAIGN
The meeting was suspended.
District Cllr Siddall said that the campaign supports cleaner areas in the locality, including litter control. Projects for planting will be considered. The Green Heart local award scheme funds local projects.
225. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WHICH IS NOT DEALT WITH ELSEWHERE
ECC have forwarded the Speed Management Survey, which has been given to Cllr Watt.
Copy correspondence received from Earls Colne Parish Council and BDC regarding the possible withdrawal of the Parish Support Grant. It was agreed that the parish council writes to BDC advising of concern at the possible withdrawal of the grant, and when the budgets for 2011/2012 are considered, one is to include the Parish Support Grant, and one to exclude the grant.
BDC have sent a copy of their emergency plan which has been given to Cllr Watt.
From Brooks Newmark MP saying that he would like to keep in touch with any local issues which may arise.
From BDC asking whether the council would like a battery recycling collection box at the village hall. It was agreed not to accept this offer.
From the Land Registry asking whether the council would like to register its property. It was agreed not to proceed in view of the cost and the minimal benefit.
From BDC confirming that the Protected Lane designation of Boley Road starts at the junction with A1124.
226 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Adlem said that she would draft a response to the Rural Services Survey and circulate it to members.
Cllr Watt advised that the Speedwatch equipment had been returned to the parish.
Cllr Adlem said that it would be beneficial to attend a village hall network day run by Rural Community Council of Essex. It was agreed that 2 members could attend at a cost of £30.
There being no further business the parish council meeting was closed at 9.55 pm.
Chairperson…………………………………………………. Date……………………………………….
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