April 2007 Parish Council Minutes

Minutes of Great Oakley Parish Council Meeting

Held at the Village Hall 07:30pm Tuesday 17th April

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

Apologies: Mr N Daniels

There were 2 parishioners present who were invited to speak if they so wished.

A parishioner asked Council if the grass was going to be cut this year as it was very untidy at present. The response was that we will be discussing the grass cutting later in the meeting, but tenders for new contracts were going out within the next week.

Mrs Sewell, who had presented Council with a letter two months previously, requested a written reply. Chairman to respond.

Cllr Lines was present and available for questions.

Chairman opened meeting with prayer at 07:34pm.

Declaration of Interest: Mr Spurge declared an interest regarding the grass cutting.

Minutes of the meeting held on 20th March 2007 having been circulated were proposed as correct by Mrs Mason, seconded Ms Schooling, carried unanimously.

Co-Option of Councillors: As we were aware, we were two councillors down before the nominations for the Local Government Elections. Council took the decision to wait until after any potential elections for Co-option, if necessary.

Five councillors had submitted nomination papers by the due date and in the absence of any other nominees, they have been returned un-opposed and there will therefore not be an election in this Parish. Therefore the returned Parish Councillors are:

Mr Huk
Mr Harrington
Mr Spurge
Ms Schooling
Mr Daniels
All of the above will need to sign acceptance of office forms at the next meeting.

Mrs Mason’s nomination papers were not received by the due date and Mrs Hylton did not submit hers. After seeking guidance from Tendring District Council, if these councillors are willing to stand, it is appropriate for us to co-opt them back on to the Council at this meeting.
Both Mrs Mason and Mrs Hylton indicated their willingness to serve and were co-opted. Proposed Mr Spurge, seconded Mr Harrington, carried unanimously.

We now need to address the remaining two vacancies. Notices need to be placed on the village notice boards for 21 days to allow people to apply. Clerk to action.
Clerk to contact Mr Bransby (a previous applicant) to see if he would like to re-apply. Proposed Ms Schooling, seconded Mr Spurge, carried unanimously.

Police Report: Our police representative Ray Aylot was not present. Mr Harrington presented the crime figures from the Crime Prevention panel meeting to Council. After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk should write to Inspector Dearsley requesting that, in the absence of an attendee, the crime statistics should be provided in advance of our monthly meetings.

Clerks Progress Report:

Basketball Hoop
Contractors are due to start work on Monday 23rd April.

Disabled Toilet
Work has now been completed with the exception of modifications to the window.

Pot Holes in road at The Soils
We are still waiting for the work to be carried out.

War Memorial
Full details of work and a start date will be provided at the next meeting.

Accidents in Queen Street/Back Lane
The priority lines have now been reinstated.

Electricity prices for Village Hall
Clerk contacted British Gas and changed supply but then Powergen offered us an even better deal so we transferred back again.

Complaints about the new bus stop regarding safety
We have received a letter from Highways suggesting anyone wishing to cross the road should alight from the bus and walk to the other side of the access to Great Oakley Lodge before crossing Harwich Road so their view to the left is improved. They also commented that the VAS sign should help by reducing traffic speeds on the approach to this location. If we are still concerned about this site, Highways are happy to arrange for the stop to be removed.

Horse Rider signs are needed in Great Oakley
We are still waiting for results of their site visit

School Warning Sign
We are still waiting for the sign to be erected.

Wooden sign volunteers
We have had a couple of local carpenters express interest in the work and we also have the details of some specialist contractors from further a field.
We will draw up a specification and put on next months agenda for discussion with a view to obtaining quotations.

Crime Prevention Panel
We had news that the Crime Prevention Panel felt we should fund our own basketball hoop. As the comments were second hand and we have heard nothing from Mr Wallington Hayes, Chairman decided not to raise it. As far as we are aware, everything was agreed and sees no reason to expect that to change.

Trees from ‘Mandalay’ were overhanging the village hall
Clerk contacted the owner to request the trees were cut back. Mrs Mckenny said they were doing a lot of work cutting their trees back and they will continue with the work.

Glass in phone box smashed
Clerk had contacted BT to report the damage and was told the work would be done. We are still waiting so Clerk is to contact BT again.

The Triangle – Stones Green

The Chairman provided a summary of past events involving the now defunct Stones Green Residents Association to provide context:
:
22/12/98 Land Registry confirmed the Triangle was not registered

21/01/99 Correspondence regarding wish to register the land by acquisition on behalf of local residents

15/02/99 Letter from WS Atkins pointing out Highways claim highway rights and any work would
require their consent

17/02/99 Copy of letter from Highways to land registry asking for note regarding the land forming part of
the highway to be added to the register

03/03/99 Letter from Highways confirming kerbstones would be installed on the three corners of the
triangle

08/03/99 Letter to Highways setting out proposals for triangle and asking, in light of alleged “highway
rights” asking if they have any objection

12/03/99 Letter from Highways acknowledging exact extent of the area and any boundaries are impossible
to determine, effectively can cultivate as we wish

12/04/99 Letter from Tendring District Council following meeting outlining proposals

09/05/99 Parish Council letter regarding ‘conditions’ for the registration.

08/08/99 Letter to Parish Council asking what decision had been reached regarding possible registration of
the land

15/08/99 Letter from Parish Council confirming that, under the “Essex Act 1987 – Powers for Parish
councils to maintain certain lands “that the following applies” – A Parish Council may cut and
keep tidy any land in the Parish which adjoins any highway or is in or adjacent to any public
place if after reasonable inquiry they are reasonably satisfied that the owner of the land can not
be found”. As a consequence of this, maintenance was delegated to the Stones Green
association.

18/05/99 Letter to Parish Council wishing to discuss issues and agree proposals

30/07/00 Letter from Parish Council raising issue of Highway rights and expressing concern over ongoing
Costs.

Due to the unfortunate illness and subsequent death of the Chairman of the Stones Green Residents Association, further progress was not made.

After discussion, it was decided we should take steps to register the triangle on behalf of the Parish Council and invoke the Essex Act of 1987 to authorise volunteers to clear and maintain the area on our behalf. Proposed Mr Spurge, seconded Ms Schooling, carried unanimously
Mrs Mason volunteered to clean up the triangle and agreed to environmentally and sensitively do what is required to make the triangle area look tidy. .

Grass Cutting: As previously discussed, it seems appropriate to re-tender the contracts for the grass cutting in the Parish. Council discussed terms and conditions and the contracts will be sent out as soon as possible with a view to discussion at our next meeting.

Litter Working Party: Cllr Daniels kindly provided us with litter grabbers at no cost to the Council. Clerk contacted Mrs Lord reiterating our offer to liaise with TDC to arrange the litter collection when Mrs Lord and her volunteers were ready. Mrs Lord replied that she is very busy at present and it was our responsibility to arrange litter collection and she would only help when arrangements were in place.
Summary of minutes over the past year on this subject were circulated and it is clear that Council agreed to facilitate with liaison and obtain the equipment, but were not going to get directly involved.
It was the councils feeling that we have done what we can to facilitate a Parishioner’s suggestion and, in view of there not being a significant problem with litter in the village, there will be no further action. Proposed Mr Harrington, seconded Mrs Mason.

Village Hall Heating: There was a village hall committee meeting held on Tuesday 10th April 2007. The work on the disabled toilet is generally finished. After discussion, it is agreed that the window needs to be relocated as had been discussed with the Contractor before the works commenced; also, doorstops to be installed to protect the walls.

A quote will be obtained for the flooring in the Gents/Disable toilet and also a recessed mat by the main doors.

The contractor has been asked for separate quotes for refurbishing the gents toilet and also boxing in the electricity meters over the side door.

The quotes for the new hall heating were discussed and it was agreed that the lowest quote from JCB Heating and Gas Services should be accepted in the sum of £1,625.53 excluding VAT (£1,910.00). To enable the VAT to be recovered the order to be placed by the Parish Council. The work will commence on 9th May 2007.

The economics of the proposed bulk gas tank were discussed. Based on the average consumption over the past two years, the proposal would save approximately 41% - £250.00 per year. On this basis, the installation would pay for itself in less than 3 years, after which we would realise the benefit.
The final location is still to be resolved with the supplier, neighbours and TDC planning, but it seems likely that it would go at the end of the car park.

Planning: There was a planning meeting on Thursday 29th March 2007 to discuss the following applications:

Application No: 06/02070/FUL
Proposal: Proposed new dwelling & garage
Location: Brevelay Farm Road Great Oakley

No Objection

Application No: 07/00341/FUL
Proposal: Two storey side extension
Location: 11 Sparrows Corner Great Oakley

No Objection

Application No: 07/00379/FUL
Proposal: Extension and alterations to existing bungalow
Location: Pyghtle Lodge Harwich Road Great Oakley

No Objection

There was a planning meeting on Thursday 5th April 2007 to discuss the following application:

Application No: 07/00300/FUL
Proposal: Development of seven houses
Location: Haulage Yard Farm Road Great Oakley Essex

After discussion it was agreed that the following comments would be submitted to TDC:

• We are concerned that the proposal as submitted is over development of the site and would request that the large pair of semi-detached houses (Type D) on plots 6 and 7 are replaced by a smaller, single detached house of one of the other types proposed for the site to avoid the construction of buildings that will effectively stretch across the entire horizon of adjoining properties, specifically Maltings Cottage.

• We would request that a condition is imposed to maintain a hedge/fence of the same height as currently exists between plots 6 an 7 and the adjoining Maltings Cottage – to minimise the visual impact of the proposed development.

• The house proposed for plot 5 overlooks the existing neighbouring properties, specifically Farndale and 1 and 2 Westbroom Villas. We would request a condition is imposed to ensure the first floor windows overlooking these adjoining properties are fitted with obscured glass – to maintain the privacy of the existing residents.

• We are concerned about the impact of vehicle movements arising from the development. Farm Road is a very restricted, narrow road and egress from Farm Road on to High Street is already extremely dangerous and has previously been raise with Essex County Council Highways seeking a solution to improve the situation. The proposed 7 houses will lead to a significant increase in traffic in this already problematic part of the village, therefore we would request that a more modest development might be more appropriate – in the interests of highway safety.


Footpaths/Trees: The bridge, as reported at the last meeting, still needs to be repaired.

Mrs Hylton asked about the standing water outside Mill House. Clerk to chase.

Feedback of sub committees:
Fun Day: There are meetings every 3 weeks. There has been a good response and good exposure from the press. There will be many stalls including face painting and a roadshow. The “Strong Arm” competition has had a good response. Inspector Dearsley has promised a police presence along with the fire brigade. Dream 100 radio will publicise the event on their website and on air nearer the time. The next meeting will be held at Great Oakley Lodge at 7pm on Monday 23rd April.

Website: Still a work in progress but the bare bones are on the internet.

Crime Prevention Panel: Mr Wallington Hayes assures us that the basketball hoop will be done and paid for and the references regarding this at the previous meeting are unsubstantial.

The subject of the fun day was raised asking if it was part of the Parish Council. Clarification was provided that the fun day is nothing to do with the Parish Council, the money raised is for the benefit of the village and spent as thought fit by the fun day committee.

Accounts for Payment:

Just Lamps (UK) Ltd Call Out and Repair 700684 £ 66.23
Just Lamps (UK) Ltd Repair 700685 £ 17.92
Powergen Village Hall Lighting D/D £ 43.00
E-On Street Lighting D/D £ 80.91
Just Lamps (UK) Ltd Maintenance D/D £ 37.94
TOTAL £ 246.00

Accounts for payment proposed as correct by Mrs Mason, seconded Mr Harrington, carried unanimously.

An invoice has been received from RSJ Building Services for the sum of £3750.00 for the installation of the disabled toilet, hand dryer and the alarm system.

We need to review the burial ground charges and it was suggested we refer to Tendring District Council’s website for an idea of charges and review at the next meeting.

The first half of the precept of £6750.00 has been credited to Council’s account.

Correspondence:

Clerk has received a letter from Tendring Technology College thanking us for our contribution towards the bus escorts.

Essex National Association of Local Councils – Revisions to Model Contract Employment – This is to be discussed at the next meeting.

Energy Efficiency Advice Centre – This is to be passed onto Coast to Coast.

Tendring District Council – Special expenses presentation evening

Tendring Community Transport – Invitation to AGM

Department of Constitutional Affairs – Memorial Safety

Cllr Lines informs Council that he will not be standing for election in this area and says his farewells to all.

There being no further business, Chairman closed meeting at 09:34pm.

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