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February 2008 Parish Council Minutes
Minutes of Great Oakley Parish Council MeetingHeld at the Village Hall 7:30pm Tuesday 19th February 2008
Present: Mr S Huk – Chairman, Mr T Spurge, Ms K Schooling, Mr N Daniels, Mrs J Mason
A Parishioner requested that Grass Cutting be discussed earlier in the meeting.
Chairman opened meeting with prayer at 7:30pm.
Accept apologies for absence: Mrs J Hylton, Mr Harrington – Vice – Chairman, Ms T Ferguson, District Councillor
Declaration of Interest: None declared
Public Participation: There were 5 members of the public present.
Mr Baker brought to our attention that the Parish Council news which goes into the Coast to Coast magazine is always past news and asked why this is the case as other Parish magazines manage to print more current information. Unfortunately Coast to Coast’s deadline clashes with our meeting so there will always be previous news printed. Mr Baker asked if there was some way we could let people know what was going to be discussed at our meeting. There is not much space allocated for us to be able to put what has happened and what is going to happen and we cannot foresee what is going on the agenda until a week before the meeting. Mr Baker has commented that people may be willing to pay for the magazine for more information. We have agreed to contact Coast to Coast to see if things can be changed and the agenda will go onto the website a week before the scheduled meeting.
Mrs Ling has suggested that we place the agenda in the local paper which will display the date of the meeting.
Mr Baker mentioned to our police representative that the parking at Chase Lane School Dovercourt is extremely hazardous. Our police representative will report.
Mrs Sewell brought to our attention that the pot holes in Wix Road were unacceptable. We all agree and this has been looked into many times over the last year and Highways have reported that there is no money this financial year. However, we will contact Highways again to see what can be done to improve this stretch of road.
Mrs Thompson has asked Council why we drive into a 40mph limit then a 30mph limit from Harwich into Great Oakley and not straight into 30mph. Chairman explained that this is because of the amount of houses and the space between each house. The 40mph limit was most likely put in place before the houses were built at Partridge Close. Mrs Thompson went on to say that in Manningtree and Brantham there were 30mph limits where there were no houses. This is because it is in Suffolk and not Essex. Chairman reported that areas of Stones Green have been reduced to 30mph. Highways main criteria seems to be the number of road casualties and as no one has been injured they see no cause for the speed limits to be reduced. We will continue to try to get speed limits reduced but it is ultimately down to Highways.
Mrs Sewell brought to our attention that the VDS which is positioned on Harwich Road is not consistent. Being solar powered, it is believed these signs are less efficient after periods of bad/dull weather.
Mr Baker would like more funding to make its way into the surrounding villages rather than what appears to be a current bias towards Clacton or Frinton. These towns do have a larger budget to work with and in order to achieve funding we need to have a specific proposal to put forward.
Mr Thompson has requested that we consider the parking when discussing the planning application for the Methodist Chapel.
Minutes of meeting held on 15th January 2008
Minutes of meeting held on 15th January 2008 were confirmed as a true record. Proposed Mr Daniels, seconded Mrs Mason, carried unanimously.
Grass Cutting: At the request of a Parishioner, this item was moved to the beginning of the Agenda. A letter has been sent to our grass cutting contractors thanking them for the standard of their work last year and inviting them to continue their contract under the same terms and conditions.
The Green Gardener who looks after the old and new burial grounds has replied and is happy to continue the contract for a further year. Mr Daniels proposed we accept the Green Gardeners offer which was seconded by Mr Spurge, carried unanimously.
Jobsihate are yet to respond so Clerk will contact them again to see where they stand. If the grass gets long in the mean time, we will ask them to carry out a cut to keep the situation under control. A parishioner asked how much of our precept is spent on grass cutting and Chairman replied saying that the significant proportion of the precept is spent on this. We do not intend to re-tender as last year we had minimal replies to many tenders which were sent out.
We were asked if we were still in possession of the mower which was used to cut the grass at Partridge Close. It was confirmed that we are and that it is in storage. A group of residents may be willing to get together to cut this area of grass, however the opportunity will not arise until the next time the work is tendered for. Having said that if anyone is seriously interested they can apply through the proper channels and the details will be kept on file for future reference.
Police Report: PCSO Brown reported that there were 11 recorded incidents in January but fortunately, none were of a serious nature.
The parking at Great Oakley Primary School was mentioned and it was confirmed that the police are carrying out regular speed checks.
Progress Report:
Basketball Hoop
Contractors are still waiting for the ground to dry out to be able to lay the top layer of tarmac.
Dog Bin
This has been ordered.
Notice Boards
We have had no response from any of the contractors to revamp the notice boards.
Grants
Ongoing throughout the year.
War Memorial
There has been no further news so Clerk will contact the Stone mason and set a deadline for the end of May, start of June so we can carry out a dedication ceremony.
Highways / Wooden Signs / Seat:
Highways
After it was brought to Councils attention that a letting agent had stated that one of the properties adjacent to the square has its own dedicated parking space, we raised the point with Highways. Highways have responded with a plan of the area and indicated that all the land surrounding the war memorial is public highway.
A suggestion was put forward that we contact the contractor who had supplied the map on Highways behalf, Mouchel, and request a definitive map of our Parish to show which areas Highways own. Clerk is also to contact the Estate Agents to point out that their details regarding the parking space are incorrect.
Wooden Signs
We have received a reply to our letter to Highways saying that the fingerpost signs are the responsibility of the Highway Authority to maintain. The actual costs for the repair and replacement of the signs would be dependent on the level of repair needed to the existing signs. Some may require just painting and up-righting whereas others may be beyond repair and require replacing with modern tubular steel poles and flags. The funding for repairs and replacement of these signs is contained within the revenue budget allocated for a wide variety of maintenance needs. The budget is allocated to ensure that the highway is maintained to a safe standard in accordance with the Maintenance Policy. While Highways appreciate our desire to see these signs replaced, the budget has to be prioritised to address safety issues. Although they do not consider the replacement of these signs to be a safety issue, they do recognise that they provide a useful service to the travelling public who may not be fully aware of the location of some of the rural villages.
If approval is granted for the proposed sign design, a licence would be issued to the Parish Council. We would also need to consider future maintenance and replacement costs for the signs.
Mr Travers will liaise with us and assess the conditions of the fingerpost signing to determine a schedule of repair or replacement.
After discussing Highways response, Mr Daniels offered to phone Highways.
Seat
A copy of our Insurance cover has been sent to Highways and we are waiting for a response. Chairman updated all parishioners present as to the progress with a seat for the village and the ongoing issues relating to insurance cover. Clerk is to contact Highways to get a response.
Sparrows Corner: At our last meeting we discussed the track which leads to Sparrows Corner playing field following receipt of a letter from a parishioner who is concerned about the condition and safety of the track and requesting that we repair the holes.
After looking at our lease agreement it was agreed that the Clerk should contact the householders who have rear access to this track to establish whether they would be prepared to pay a proportionate amount towards the upkeep.
We have received one response from the original resident who is not very happy and along with a neighbour has filled in the holes themselves. They have expressed a wish for some help as they are trying to sort the problem out.
Chairman has been to inspect the track and does not see any significant issue. It is a cinder track which will rut in wet weather if used by motor vehicles. Clerk asked the resident to send a letter with all details she wishes to be raised which will be discussed at our next meeting.
Planning:
Application No: 08/00088/FUL
Proposal: Conversion and extension of existing barn to single dwelling
Location: Park Pale Farm Harwich Road Great Oakley Harwich
After discussion, No Objections were raised.
Application No: 06/01956/FUL
Proposal: Erection of 2 no. semi detached dwellings and conversion and alteration of former chapel to 2 no. semi detached dwellings, following part demolition, plus associated parking.
Location: Great Oakley Methodist Church High Street Great Oakley Harwich
After discussion, Great Oakley Parish Council objected on the following grounds:
Public Rights of Way/Trees: Chairman explained to the parishioners who were present the rationale behind the revision to the heading from “footpaths” to “public rights of way”. It was explained that we monitor footpaths and bridleways within the Parish. A parishioner reported that horse riders are riding along the grass at Partridge Close and in front of Mrs Sewell’s property. If they damage these areas the people concerned will be spoken to.
Feedback of sub committees:
Village Hall
There will be an inspection of the village hall on 8th March to establish the condition of the structure and identify any maintenance needs.
Crime Prevention Panel
No representative attended
Accounts for Payment:
| Just Lamps (UK) Ltd Street Light Maintenance | D/D | £37.94 |
| Just Lamps (UK) Ltd Repair to light at Woodlands | 700738 | £61.04 |
| E-On Street Lighting | D/D | £80.91 |
| E-On Village Hall Lighting | D/D | £25.00 |
| Miss J Bootyman Clerks Wages & Expenses | 700739 | £210.90 |
| Bruce Landscapes Annual Maintenance Sign, Anti wrap chains to swings | 700740 | £970.55 |
| TOTAL £1386.34 | ||
After being circulated, accounts proposed as correct by Mrs Mason, seconded Mr Spurge, carried unanimously.
The village hall electricity meter has been read and the estimated readings are not far out the actual usage. We are currently £268 in credit, so this will cover any shortfall during the winter months.
We have received an income of £24.50 for the erection of a headstone and £60.50 for the internment of ashes. Total £85.00.
Correspondence:
We have received a letter from a resident who read the article in Coast to Coast regarding tree planting in the Parish. They have suggested some trees are planted along Partridge Close which would encourage more wildlife. After discussion it was concluded that this would make cutting the grass more difficult and consequently more costly and so we cannot agree to this location. Sparrows Corner would be ideal but the last time we planted bushes there they were pulled out again.
The Princes Trust Team from Colchester have written to us asking if we have any community projects they could help with. They have a group of young unemployed people aged 16 to 25 who work together to improve the skills needed to do well in life. They organise fund raising for the project as well as complete the work. After discussion, the Clerk will write to them suggesting they may like to take on the renovation and enhancement of the Triangle at Stones Green which we are currently progressing.
We have received a letter from a Community Projects Officer at TDC providing his contact details.
Clerk received a phone call from a Parishioner expressing concern over a basketball hoop erected by his neighbour in the adjoining garden which runs along the bottom of his property. He had previously contacted TDC who has advised him that if the hoop is not over 12 feet in height it is not subject to planning requirements and therefore they can’t do anything about it. We have reiterated this and have suggested that the individuals try to find an amicable solution.
Tendring District Council – Summons & Agenda 2207-08
Forward Plan 76
Forward Plan 77
EALC - Roles and Responsibilities Course
National Awards 2008 1
County Update No 5
Essex Police Confidence & Equality Strategy
Miscellaneous:
Essex Heritage News
Fitzpatrick Woolmer
Clerks & Councils Direct
Essex Community Foundation Annual Review
Coastlines
The Playing Field
There being no further business, Chairman closed the meeting at 8.55pm
None
