May 2007 Parish Council Minutes

Minutes of Great Oakley Parish Council Meeting

Held at the Village Hall 07:30pm Tuesday 15th May 2007

Present: Mr S Huk, Chairman – Mr B Harrington, Vice Chairman – Mrs J Mason – Mrs J Hylton – Mr N Daniels – Mr T Spurge – Ms K Schooling

Apologies: There were no apologies.

There were 6 parishioners present who were invited to speak if they so wished.

A parishioner brought to our attention the planning proposal for Oak Tree Manor – the former Tendring Heath Hospital. Chairman will find out more information and if the matter needs to be addressed notices may be placed on notice boards and maybe flyers distributed within the Parish.

A parishioner raised the issue of the bus stop at the war memorial. As there is no sign at this site cars park there so the bus is unable to stop there. Clerk will contact Highways regarding the yellow lines and the possibility of a sign for the bus stop.

Our new District Councillor, Tanya Ferguson, was introduced to Council.

Chairman opened meeting with prayer at 07:40pm.

Declaration of Interest: None

Minutes of meeting held on 17th April 2007 having been circulated were proposed as correct by Mr Harrington, seconded Mr Spurge, carried unanimously.

Signing of acceptance of office forms: All Councillors signed forms and returned to Clerk.

Police Report: PCSO Bradley Brown was present and reported that the crime figures for our area are still low.

Clerks Progress Report:

Basketball Hoop
We are still waiting for the basketball hoop to be installed as the contractor damaged his hand. Clerk is to chase and get a start date.

Disabled Toilet
We are waiting for the work to the window to be completed about which the contractor has promised to contact the Chairman to discuss. He has an alternative proposal that could be carried out at no cost to Council and will quote for the other work (gents w/c and boxing in meters) shortly.

War Memorial
Chairman has contacted the stonemasons. Details later in the meeting.

Pot Holes in road at The Soils
Work started in the village, but not sure if this area has been included.

Horse Rider Signs are needed in Great Oakley
We are still waiting for results of a site visit by Highways. Clerk to chase for these results.

School Warning Sign
There is still no warning sign near the school so Clerk is to contact Highways to verify the work to be carried out and when.

Glass in phone box smashed
This still hasn’t been repaired so Mr Daniels to chase.

Need two more Councillors
Clerk contacted Mr Bransby, a previous applicant, to see if he would like to re-apply. Due to work commitments he is unable to do so.
No one else has come forward to date.

Standing Water
Clerk contacted Highways regarding the standing water outside Mill House. Highways do not have any evidence of ‘ponding’ but if there is a problem they would like a photo sent in so they can investigate.

Wix Road is in need of repair
The edges of Wix Road are constantly being eroded by traffic and are now encroaching on adjacent farm land, resulting in collapses of the road edging into the ditches.

Footpaths in Orchard Close and Hamford Drive
Work is due to start at the beginning of June

Street Light not working
Clerk contacted Just Lamps regarding the light outside ‘Boomerang’ on Harwich Road. This light has been repaired a number of times but due to it’s age it needs to be replaced. Prices will be sent ready for the next meeting.

Grass Cutting: Clerk sent out 13 enquiry documents and received 5. These were all sealed bids which were opened at the meeting and circulated to all Councillors. There will be a finance meeting to discuss.

Parking/Congestion – Farm Road:
Issues relating to parking and congestion in Farm Road were raised. Council have been waiting three years for the painting of yellow lines 15 m from the junction. After discussion, it was agreed Clerk to write to Highways and request that they send a senior member of their staff to a site meeting to seek a solution.

War Memorial: The stonemason is going to attend a public meeting on Tuesday 29th May at 7pm at the village hall. Mr Hunnaball will have samples of the materials to be used and the style of the engraving so members of the public have the opportunity to see what is proposed before work commences. Clerk will put notices on notice boards, in the shop and hopefully the press will advertise in the paper.

The Triangle: The Triangle has been cleared but a tree surgeon will be required for the willow tree. Ms Schooling knows a tree surgeon and will liaise with Mrs Mason.
Chairman has received a letter from a concerned parishioner about the clearing of this area. Chairman reads his proposed reply which assures them that only bramble has been cut down and no wildlife has been affected.

Wooden Signs: No further forward, defer to next month.

Burial Ground Charge Review: We have obtained prices from Clacton and Dovercourt cemeteries. These are very expensive and as these cemeteries belong to large towns it is proposed we get further prices from smaller ones. Clerk to action.

Review of Clerks Contract: After Chairman relayed some parts of this contract it was decided Clerk would meet with Chairman and update the old one as appropriate.

Planning:
There was a planning meeting on 30th April 2007 to discuss the following:

Application No: 07/00257/FUL
Proposal: Demolition of rear extension and construction of new extension
Location: Oaklands Cottage High Street Great Oakley Harwich

No Objection

Application No: 07/00430/FUL
Proposal: Rear first floor bedroom extension and new chimney
Location: 1 Hillside Harwich Road Great Oakley Harwich

No Objection

The following application needs to be discussed:

Application No: 07/00476/FUL
Proposal: Rear extension
Location: Sunview Harwich Road Great Oakley

After discussing no objections were raised.

Footpaths/Trees: The positioning of a fence adjacent to a footpath in Back Lane was raised. Historically, there have been a number of discussions relating to this path and issues surrounding it. After discussion it was decided that this matter relates to private property and therefore does not concern the council.

Feedback of sub committees:
Website:
The prototype is up and running and we will be able to add to this at a later date. The inclusion of a “Roll of Honour” was agreed. Details of the war memorial restoration project will be added to the website. It was mentioned that there were some discrepancies between the details on the present memorial and the CWGC database. The Chairman will contact the British Legion and invite their representative to the public meeting to discuss the restoration, at which time it will be agreed what is to be engraved on the restored memorial.

Fun day:
There have been lots of enquiries for stalls and confirmation of a hovercraft. Mrs Tite is unable to stage her archive exhibition so Ms Schooling will contact her and offer to assist.

Crime Prevention:
No report.

Accounts for Payment:
The VAT return has been sent and we should receive a refund of £985.55.

Our insurance is due in June at a cost of £1152.30. Last year it was £1112.53. Proposed Mrs Mason, seconded Mr Harrington, carried unanimously.

Powergen have informed us we are £443.30 in credit. They will credit this sum to our account.

The Annual Affiliation Fee to the Essex Association of Local Councils is now due at a cost of £221.50. The cost last year was £216.70. Proposed Mrs Mason, seconded Mr Spurge, carried unanimously.

Powergen	Village Hall Lighting	D/D	£43.00
Just Lamps (UK)	Maintenance	D/D	£37.94
Miss J Bootyman (April)	Clerks Wages & Expenses	700686	£205.74
ECP & TE Spurge & Son	Grass Cutting football field	700687	£38.78
RSJ Building Services	Disabled Toilet	700688	£3750.00
JCB Gas Services	Village Hall Heaters	500031	£1919.00
Miss J Bootyman (May)	Clerks Wages & Expenses	700689	£236.55
Oakstones	Donation	700682	£60.00
Village Hall Account	End of year transfer as agreed	700683	£2700.00
TOTAL			£8991.01

Correspondence:

Essex County Council

• Online Consultation for the Minerals &Waste Development Framework: How to register
• Making the Links
• Twenty Questions - A Parish and Town Council Facilities Questionnaire
• Case 377 - Application to add a footpath
• Case 582 - Application to upgrade Footpath 17

Tendring District Council

• Forward Plan 67
• Forward Plan 68

EALC

• Freedom of Information Act & Data Protection workshop
• Chairman's Day 2 Modules 3 & 4
• New Councillors Packs
• Report of the Chief Executive
• County Update No. 43

RCCE

• Community-Led Planning Information Events

Miscellaneous

• The Clerk
• Disability Essex is offering free blood pressure monitoring and stroke awareness to your club/organisation
• The Playing Field Essex Partnership - Stakeholder Consultation Meeting
• Huck Catalogue - Playground equipment
• Essex Oyster
• Oakstones - Thank you letter
• Postwatch

There being no further business, Chairman closed meeting at 21:55.

None