White Colne

White Colne

White Colne

White Colne Parish Council Minutes

November 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 15th November 2010 at 7.30 pm.

                                               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, PCSO Lesley Bentley,

                                                                                     the Village Agent and 4 members of the public attended.

227. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -  Cllr Brace.

228. CHAIRMAN – Cllr Taylor said that Cllr Nolan had resigned as chairman and parish councillor. He was thanked by all councillors for his considerable involvement in parish affairs during his time as councillor and chairman.

Cllr Taylor vacated the chair and the clerk called for nominations as chairman. Cllr Taylor was nominated and seconded, and there being no further nominations she was duly elected as chairman and took the chair. Cllr Taylor asked for nominations for vice chairman, no nominations were made, and this will be held over until the next meeting.

229. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – None

230. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING - The minutes of the last parish council meeting of 20th September 2010, which had been previously circulated, were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

231. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES NOT DEALT WITH ELSEHERE –  Cllr Taylor asked if any car sales had been seen at 44 Colchester Road. Only one was reported and so this matter was left. Cllr Watt referred to the Emergency Plan that he circulated, and asked for feedback to be sent to him.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The meeting was suspended for questions and statements.

(i)Mr P Darlington, The Village Agent said that the scheme had helped over 1000 people in the District and the scheme was awaiting details of further funding. He will send a cold weather handout to the parish.

(ii)I would like to congratulate the Design Group on a good Village Design Statement.

(iii)Heavy goods vehicles are still using Boley Road and going to the Nursery. What action can be taken and has the Nursery been approached?

(iv)I would also like to congratulate the Design Group on the Village Design Statement.

The meeting was resumed.

232. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

(iii) Cllr Taylor declared an interest as she is a resident of Boley Road and a neighbour of the Nursery and will take no part in this discussion. Cllr Pearcey said that the parish council has contacted both Braintree District Council (BDC) and Essex County Council (ECC).The meeting was suspended and District Cllr Siddall said that he had proposed a visit to the Nursery but this has not yet occurred and he will follow up for a meeting. He said that the Nursery considers that deliveries have reduced and that ECC considers it difficult to take action. The meeting was resumed.

233. REPORT FROM BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

District Cllr Spray said that the recent summit between BDC and parishes was helpful, when it was announced that there were no plans to cut the Parish Support Grant for the forthcoming financial year 2011/2012, but that there were no guarantees after that.  There was a discussion at the summit that parishes could give assistance to other parishes.

District Cllr Siddall was advised that the parish path sweeper would not sweep the footways as they are in a poor state of repair, and he suggested that the parish council may wish to submit a plan for repairs to the Halstead Local Committee for health and safety reasons. He also said that he would help with contact with BDC if required.

234. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

(1) 10/01317/FUL - Land at Colne Park Road, White Colne, and at Coggeshall Road, Earls Colne - retrospective application for the retention of an existing building including a change of use to a mixed use for agricultural and equestrian purposes associated with adjacent farmland, and retrospective change of use of agricultural land to a mixed use including agricultural use - No comment subject to neighbours' views and subject to the guidelines as set out in the village design statement adopted by White Colne Parish Council. 

(2)10/01342 /FUL - Chalkney House Rest Home, 47 Colchester Road - change of use of 3 bed residential bungalow on care home site to office accommodation used in conjunction with care home - No objections subject to;-1.the condition that this property remains part of the Rest Home and cannot be sold as a separate dwelling,2 neighbours' views, 3.the guidelines as set out in the village design statement adopted by White Colne Parish Council.

(3)10/00224/TPOCON – Yew Tree Farm, Colne Park Road – tree works – The parish council objects to this application as this is an important tree for the village. There is a wish to maintain the character of the village and as far as practical this includes the trees. This objection is supported by the tree warden, and his information is that the owners are unaware of this application.

(4)10/01364/OUT - Former Goods Yard, Bures Road - application for outline planning permission for residential development ( up to 5 dwellings) and creation of new access/highway alterations - This site is at the rear of White Colne Village Hall which is controlled by White Colne Parish Council. The parish council in principle has no objection to the erection of 5 dwellings in the former goods yard, subject to all neighbours’ views and the guidelines in the Village Design Statement now adopted by Braintree District Council. The parish council would prefer that the dwellings be limited to one and a half storeys to protect local residents’ amenity and privacy and would recommend that parking is increased to more than 2 places per property in view of the lack of parking in the village. We strongly suggest that a contamination survey be undertaken on the site as previous contamination has been found here. We have had issues with surface water affecting the table tennis court and small sports area so we ask that surface water is correctly dealt with and not allowed to soak away into existing residents’ or community use land. We support the provision of a footway from Colchester Road to the Doorstep Green access. With regard to the demolition of the wall on the corner of Bures Road we suggest that the bricks are re-used therefore preserving the original fabric. We trust that the approval would be subject to a 106 agreement whereby funding should be made available for children’s play equipment which was highlighted in the recent Village Design Statement.

(5)10/01449/FUL - Glebe Cottage, Boley Road, White Colne - erection of a two bay cart lodge with garden store and studio/games room over linked to the existing dwelling with a single storey study - We do not support this application. The property is dominant in the locality of the church and this extension would have a detrimental impact on the traditional character and appearance of the dwelling and would have an adverse impact on the setting of the church. If any works were undertaken we would recommend an archeological survey. This is in accordance with the White Colne Village Design Statement, page 6.

(B) OTHER PLANNING MATTERS  

Letter received from BDC advising of an application to remove the restrictions on the monitoring of flight movements from the last planning approval for Earls Colne Airfield. Cllr Watt said that this had been agreed in principle at the last aircraft liaison committee meeting, and it was agreed that there were no comments to be made.

235. 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 Taylor said that the decision for the recent outline planning application was awaited.

236. WHITE COLNE MEADOWS                                                                                                                              Cllr Taylor said that the only issue was that the pond needed dredging. The meeting was suspended and District Cllr Siddall said that this could be a possible grant funding topic. The meeting was resumed.

237. VILLAGE HALL

Cllr Adlem said that plans had been drawn up for internal alterations to the hall, and a quotation of £34,000 had been

received. Further quotations were awaited and grant funding was being sought.

238. COMMUNITY LIAISON

Cllr Taylor said that the pub event was successful. Cllr Watt agreed to contact the Nursery to seek a donation of a Christmas tree for the Village Green. The clerk was asked to obtain a Temporary Event Notice for the carols on the green, but a road closure was not required, neither was it necessary to ask residents not to park at the top of the green during the carols. Cllr Pearcey said that the quiz was successful with £165 raised for the 50 Club, and Cllr Watt said that the Halloween event went well with 24 people attending.

239. FINANCIAL MATTERS

The Clerk reported that since the last meeting, the following payments had been made:

Cheque      Payee Details                                                                                 Amount  £   

1269      J Taylor – Olympic Challenge Grant costs                                                                £     48.21

1270      The Thatchers Arms – Trafalgar Day pub event to be reimbursed.                           £   269.57

1271      Rural Community Council of Essex – councillors at hall conference                       £     30.00

1272      Audit Commission – external auditors fees for audit 2009/2010                              £   158.63

1273      Braintree District Council – temporary event notice for carols on the green            £     21.00

1274      R A Mortimer – grasscuts V Green(2),V Hall(2),Meadows(2),empty bins(2)          £   326.65     

1275      R A Mortimer – grasscuts V Green(1),V Hall(1),Meadows(1),empty bins(1)          £   163.34    

1276      R A Mortimer – path sweeping and cleaning phone box                                           £     79.90     

1277      D Williams – clerk salary April & May                                                                     £   739.16

1278      White Colne Village Hall – hire of village hall – Community Design Group           £   314.00

1279      P D Norris – costs re play area matting (£85.72) & play area sign (£56.40)             £   142.12

1280      P D Norris – costs re village hall (to be charged back to hall less VAT)                  £    457.16

D/D      British Gas – village hall chargeback                                                                         £       9.26                                                  

              TOTAL PAYMENTS                                                                                              £ 2,759.00

Funds Received

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

            Braintree District Council – 2nd half precept                                                           £   4,894.00

             Garage sale proceeds                                                                                               £        30.00

            EDF Energy – wayleaves                                                                                        £         44.73   

           NatWest – bank interest                                                                                           £           1.02              

              TOTAL RECEIPTS                                                                                              £    4,969.75

Financial statement & Bank Reconciliation

Following the above transactions there is a credit balance on current account of              £    10,762.43

                                                                                            on reserve account                  £    10,174.26

                                                                                            Total                                       £    20,936.69

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   £ 3,028.71

                                                                                Total of allocated funds is                  £      4,211.45                                                   

                                                                        Thus the balance of unallocated funds is   £    16,725.24

Bank Balances 20.09.10                      £  18,725.94

Plus Total Receipts                              £    4,969.75                                                             

Sub Total                                             £  23,695.69

Less Total Payments                           £     2,759.00

Bank Balances 15.11.10                      £  20,936.69

Draft Budgets were considered for the financial year 2011/2012 as the council had been unsure whether or not the

parish support grant would be paid by BDC. Confirmation has now been received that this grant will be paid. The draft

budgets were considered and amended as necessary, and will be circulated to members for further consideration prior

to the next meeting. Cllr Taylor suggested that members consider whether a reduction in the precept could be made.

The clerk advised that the external auditor had forwarded the report for the financial year 2009/2010 and they

stated that no matters had come to their attention giving cause for concern. They also stated that the Accounts

were not approved by the statutory date of 30 June. The clerk said that because the council met every two

months, it was not possible to meet that date. This was agreed.

240. HIGHWAYS

Cllr Pearcey said that installation of the posts for the Speed Indicator Devices is awaited. ECC have started on the repairs to the wall at Colneford Hill, and public notices have been issued regarding the installation of double yellow lines on Colne Park Road from 19 November. A review is requested by 19 May 2011. This will be diarised.The clerk showed a letter received from Brooks Newark MP advising that he had received confirmation from ECC that the double yellow lines will be installed shortly.

241. WHITE COLNE COMMUNITY DESIGN GROUP

Cllr Adlem said that the Village Design Statement had been printed and distributed, and good feedback has been received from parishioners and from the Rural Community Council for Essex. It was a good team effort from all the Committee. Cllr Adlem said that page 30 listed both the positive and negative comments of living in White Colne, and she said that the parish council should bear these issues in mind and seek to improve the negative comments. Cllr Taylor said that the parish council should have a policy document concerning this and said that she would contact BDC to seek further guidance.

242. ALLOTMENTS

Cllr Watt said that notices had been placed around the area for vacant allotments. Costs for the proposed improvements will be considered in January.

243. RETENTION OF DOCUMENTS

Guidance has been given by the Essex Association of Local Councils in their Legal Topic Note dated September 2010, detailing the documents that have to be retained for legal reasons and the periods of retention, and this guidance has been considered and adopted.

244. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WHICH IS NOT DEALT WITH ELSEWHERE - none

245. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Watt agreed to approach local businesses to seek sponsorship for Christmas lights on the Village Green.

There being no further business the parish council meeting was closed at 9.32 pm.

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

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