December 2007 Parish Council Minutes

Minutes of Great Oakley Parish Council Meeting

Held at the Village Hall 7:30pm Tuesday 18th December 2007

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

Our District Councillor arrived and was available for questions.

Chairman opened the meeting with prayer at 7:30pm.

Apologies: Mr B Harrington

Declaration of Interest: None

Public Participation: No public present.

Minutes of meeting held on 20th November having been circulated, after two amendments, were proposed as correct by Mr Daniels, seconded Mr Spurge, carried unanimously.

Police Report: In the last month there has been 1 abandoned vehicle, 1 flooding, 1 nuisance neighbour and 2 thefts from cars in the Parish. Police are reminding everyone not to leave anything on show in your car such as handbags or sat navs.

Pc Leach who attended is a neighbourhood specialist from Harwich and we can contact him if there is anything to report.

The problems previously experienced on the playing field have moved to the vicinity of the Old Rectory, causing a nuisance. The Police are aware and are monitoring the situation.

It was reported that while the B1414 was closed recently, HGV’s were rerouted from Little Oakley Cherry Tree to the Soils using the extremely narrow back road.

Our police representatives brought to our attention that even if you pop to the local shop with your car outside, it is advisable to lock it, as a number of cars have been stolen in this way.

Progress Report:

Hedge Cutting – Recreation Field
The contractor had previously left hedge cuttings over the road and the clerk contacted him to see if the road could be cleared when they return to complete the work. The contractor said he will be finished within a week. Due to the age of the hedge, the wood was old and tough so consequently some mess had arisen. Clerk has received positive comments and a negative comment about the hedge.

Basketball Hoop
The basketball hoop was erected at the end of November. The contractors had a problem due to a lorry getting stuck on the field so they had to empty the planings onto the field and a local farmer pulled them out. Consequently, the planings were a hazard to the football players and the field was rutted. On 14th December the contractors came to lay the tarmac but the field was so wet they will return when it is drier to lay the top layer. The line markings will be put on 3 weeks after completion. On their return in December the contractors cleared the planings from the field and filled in the ruts.

Dog Bin
Clerk contacted TDC requesting they waiver the fee for emptying an extra dog bin if we provide it. They are not prepared to do this as it is the Parish Councils responsibility to arrange and pay for it. After discussion it was decided to still go ahead with the new dog bin in the High Street.

Notice Board
Clerk will contact contractors to obtain quotes to revamp notice boards in the New Year.

Grants
Clerk has sent off an application to the Big Lottery Playful Ideas as a preliminary application to see if they would be prepared to fund our project. Other grant applications will take place in the New Year including contacting East Essex Area Forum in Feb/March. Community Initiatives Fund have sent an application form to the Clerk who will apply to try to get funds for a bus shelter, new notice boards and the possibility of a village seat.

Sign at Play area
The new sign has now been erected and we are awaiting the invoice.

Insurance for Village Seat
We are still waiting for a reply to our letter.

Mobile Skate Park
Clerk spoke to the Headmaster from the village school who thought the skate park was a good idea in principal, providing it fits in with school holidays and they have their own insurance.

Post Office Deliveries
Clerk contacted the manager of the post office in Harwich raising our concerns over postal deliveries in Stones Green and asking for an explanation. We have had no response from the post office. After being discussed at our previous meeting the issue were incorrectly reported in the newspaper. Chairman has raised this with the Gazette.

Highways
Clerk contacted Highways supporting the proposals for the traffic calming at Farm Road, High Street.

Highways contacted the clerk to say there had been an objection raised to the double yellow lines which were to be placed opposite the Maybush.

Clerk was asked to contact Mr Travers from Highways requesting the map of land which Highways own, as promised at a site meeting 18 months ago. Mr Travers replied saying they do not hold highways records at their office but he can obtain specific locations from Highway Records Services at Chelmsford. The County Council does not usually own highway ground in rural areas as most highways other than modern housing estates are historical highways (pre 1836) over which the highway authority has highway rights. The only land Essex County Council, as the highway authority, may own is land purchased for highway improvement purposes. If we advise Highways of any specific locations that we may be interested in Mr Travers will arrange to investigate.

Highways had previously indicated that they would resurface the road East of Great Oakley on the A1414. We are still waiting for a response on the progress of this work.

Grass Cutting Contractor
Clerk has contacted Matthew Ford requesting an initial budget costing.

Revision to Standing Orders: The revisions to our existing Standing Orders required by The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 have now been made. At our last meeting these new standing orders were adopted in principle. Copies were circulated to all. Chairman reminded everyone of changes and if a Councillor needs to add an item this will now be Standing Order 16 not 12. Proposed Mr Spurge, seconded Mrs Mason, carried unanimously.

Precept: Making an estimated allowance for committed expenditure for the remaining part of this year, the out turn spen for this year will be in the region of £12,000, potentially allowing us to replenish some of our reserves and provide a buffer against any unanticipated emergency expenditure.

The breakdown of this cost (including committed sums) is as follows:

Parks and open spaces £ 4,075.00
General Administration £ 4,340.00
Burial Ground £ 875.00
Village Hall Lighting £ 370.00
Street Lighting £ 2,005.00
Donations £ 245.00
TOTAL £11,910.00

After discussing it was brought to Councils attention that we only pay for the electric at the village hall and rely on the village hall income to maintain the fabric of the building. Due to the age and condition of the building, there is a likelihood of significant spending in the future. It was suggested we check if the electricity meter has been read recently to ensure out current level of payment is adequate to cover the bill.

After discussing our expenditure over the year it was decided to maintain the precept the same as last year - £13,500.00. Proposed Mrs Mason, seconded Mr Daniels, carried unanimously.

Sparrows Corner: Clerk has received a letter from a resident next to the track which leads to the playing field at Sparrows Corner. It is reported that the track is in a very bad state of repair and needs attention. When the holes are full of water it splashes their fence. Neighbours have been putting in ash which helps for a while but when it dries the wind blows it over their fence. After checking our lease, some of the residents do have a right of access along this track.

After discussing this matter, Clerk will contact Tendring District Council to see if we have an obligation to maintain this track. The general feeling from the meeting was concern over spending public money for the benefit the 4-5 households using this track and even though Mr Spurge has kindly filled these holes in the past, we shouldn’t rely on his goodwill. Clerk will write to the resident and obtain further information for discussion at the next meeting.

Wooden Signs: The letter has been sent to ECC to see if they approve of the designs and to see if they are prepared to make a contribution to the cost, as previously suggested. We are awaiting a response.

Letters have been sent to Stones Green residents to see if there is any support for a village sign. We have received 3 responses, including the suggestion of holding a competition to come up with a design. After discussing it was suggested we have something put in the local paper, seeking suggestions.

Mr Thompson contacted us as he is concerned about the road sign on Wix Road/The Avenue. The sign has been damaged and HGV’s coming to his farm are having difficulty finding it; Chairman to contact him to thank him for his concern. As it could be 3 months until the new sign is ready, it may be appropriate to erect a temporary one.

Planning:

Application No: 07/01769/FUL
Proposal: Erection of detached single garage
Location: 4 Sunnyside Cottages, Stones Green

A planning meeting was held where no members of the public attended. We have received no comments on this proposal, therefore the outcome was no objection, however it was suggested that the disposal of rain water from the roof should be addressed.

We have received two planning decisions:

Application No: 07/01470/FUL
Proposal: 2 Bedroom Cottage
Location: Adjacent 1 Sunnyside Cottages, Stones Green

Application No: 07/01546/FUL
Proposal: 2 Bedroom Cottage
Location: Adjacent Langdale Cottage, Stones Green

Both applications have been refused permission. There are concerns from Council that TDC have deleted Stones Green from the emerging local plan and are are acting as if Stones Green no longer exists as a community.

The following two applications to be discussed:

Application No: 07/01795/FUL
Proposal: Erection of detached goose building
Location: Field No. 4989 East of Friths farm Colchester Road

This application was discussed in August and the planning committee opposed the development on the following basis:

Visual impact on open rural environment – applicant already obtained permission for large store building. Current application for very large building, positioned in centre of field will have huge impact on rural environment.

Recent applications for much smaller stable blocks in adjacent plots have been refused for this reason.

Not in keeping with rural location.

Noise – Flock of geese in currently very quiet rural area.

Smell.

Pollution – waste disposal.

Rats – vermin after food.

The appeal plans for this application are not available to view. A planning meeting will be called if they are substantially different, otherwise we will reiterate our previous objections.

Application No: 07/01591/FUL
Proposal: Erection of building to facilitate 10 no. cattery pens and 1 no. quarantine pen following removal of existing cattery pens
Location: 1 The Willows Stones Green Great Oakley Harwich

The proposal replaces an existing facility and is located behind the property and will therefore not be visible from the village. The neighbours to this property have raised no objections, therefore Council do not object.

Clerk has received an e-mail from a concerned resident regarding an extension to a house in the High Street. We looked at the records and an application has been approved. If it transpires that the development in question is not being carried out in accordance with the approval, TDC will be contacted.

Public Rights Of Way/Trees:

Public Rights of Way
Nothing to report.

Trees
Mrs Hylton reported that funding is available for tree planting. Sparrows Corner was suggested so Mrs Hylton will investigate.

Feedback of sub committees:

Village Hall
No Meeting.

Crime Prevention
Mr Harrington not present.

Accounts for Payment:

Just Lamps (UK) Ltd Street Light Maintenance	DD	£37.94
E-On Street Lighting	DD	£80.91
Powergen Village Hall Lighting	DD	£25.00
Jobsihate Grass Cutting	700726	£153.49
Rural Community Council Subscription	700727	£55.00
Shaw & Sons Ltd Burial Receipt Book	700727	£69.02
Miss J Bootyman Clerks Wages & Expenses	700729	£261.85
Village Hall Account Transfer of fun day profit	700730	£280.00
Jobsihate Grass Cutting	700731	£171.34
TOTAL £1134.55

Having been circulated, the accounts were proposed as correct by Mr Spurge, seconded Mr Daniels, carried unanimously.

After discussion, Council decided to donate the usual sum of £50 to Coast to Coast. Proposed Mrs Hylton, seconded Mr Spurge, carried unanimously.

The Society of Local Council Clerks membership is up for renewal. Council decided to renew at a cost of £70. Proposed Mrs Mason, seconded Ms Schooling, carried unanimously.

Frinton and Walton Town Council have contacted us again this year to request a donation towards the bus escorts scheme. As in previous years, Council agreed a sum of £100. Proposed Mr Daniels, seconded Mrs Hylton, carried unanimously.

Chairman has requested reimbursement of expenses incurred on Council business over the past year in the sum of £149.54. This consists of 240 miles; postage and mobile and other telephone calls. Proposed Mr Daniels, seconded Mr Spurge, carried unanimously.

Correspondence:
Clerk received a phone call from Tendring District Council who have received a phone call from a resident of Great Oakley stating that the accounts and minute books were difficult to get hold of to view. Clerk has assured TDC that no such requests had been made and that the information is readily available, by appointment. Clerk also pointed out that her contact details were on the notice boards.

Tendring District Council – Local Plan Appeal Procedure. After discussing it was decided to take no further action as the only redress is via the High Court..

Tendring District Council – Open Space Audit. Support of Local Plan. It was noted that the survey suggested that our village Play Area was inadequate. After discussion, Councils view was to question why they thought this. Clerk to contact.

Tendring District Local Development Framework – Statement of community involvement. Any views to be submitted by 1st February 2008. This is being circulated to all Councillors.

Training Day – How to raise the profile of your parish - £30.

Training Day – Health & Safety Course - £75.

There being no further business Chairman closed the meeting at 9:15pm.

None