October 2008 Parish Council Minutes

Minutes of Great Oakley Parish Council Meeting

Held at the Village Hall Tuesday 21st October 2008

Present: Mr S Huk, Chairman – Mr J Tierney – Mr B Eaton – Mrs J Mason – Mr N Daniels

Chairman opened meeting with prayer at 7:30pm.

Apologies: Mr B Harrington

Declaration of Interest: None declared.

Public Participation: There was one parishioner present with nothing being raised.

Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 16th September 2008, after being circulated, were proposed as correct by Mr Eaton, seconded Mr Tierney, carried unanimously.

Police Report: PCSO Ray Aylott attended and reported the following: In September there was an intruder alarm, armed robbery, 3 criminal damages, 2 missing people, a no payment from pub, 1 nuisance neighbour, 1 nuisance noise, 1 nuisance vehicle, 1 nuisance youth, 1 mobile phone stolen.

PCSO Ray Aylott was asked to carry out a speed check in Stones Green as soon as the new speed restriction signs were completed

Progress Report

Recycling Bin at Village Hall
We still haven't received a response from the owners of "Millview". As we are keen to expedite this matter and understand that the resident does not actually oppose the proposed recycling bins, it was decided to write once again, this time including pre-written reply and a stamped addressed envelope in the hope they would sign and return it.

Stile at Pesthouse Lane
Essex County Council said they would chase the landowner to repair the stile. Clerk has had a look but as it was originally reported by Mrs Hylton, it would be best if she could check. Clerk will contact Mrs Hylton to request.

High Barn Farm
The pot hole still hasn't been repaired so Clerk contacted Highways again.

Play Area
Cllr Ferguson had a meeting with Pierre Oxley from Tendring District Council to discuss funding options for the play area. Clerk has set up a community group with some of the mums from the school so the application forms can be filled out. A meeting will be arranged with Cllr Ferguson.

Dog Bin
After getting the new dog bin installed Clerk has contacted Veolia on a number of occasions to arrange to have it emptied. They said they need to visit the site before they can do this. Clerk will keep in contact with them.

Wreath
A wreath has been ordered for the remembrance service.

War Memorial
We are waiting for the final work to be completed before the re-dedication can be arranged. We have been assured that the work will take place the week commencing 27th October. Chairman has spoken to the Vice-chairman of the PCC who assured him that there should be no problem with Phillip Palmer carrying out the re-dedication when we are ready.

Farm Road
Clerk has noticed a telegraph pole leaning over which has been reported to Highways. Pot Holes in Farm Road have also been reported.

BusShelter
Clerk has confirmed with the bus shelter company our order for the "Hassocks". The final breakdown of costs are as follows:

Shelter £4,180.00
Toughened Glass £200.00
Delivery £640.00
Sub Total £5,020.00
VAT £878.50
Total £5,898.50

We have received a grant of £4900. As we will recover the VAT, the total out-turn cost is £120 more than we originally anticipated. After discussion, it was agreed that we would proceed on this basis, proposed by Mr Daniels, seconded Mr Eaton, carried unanimously.

Princes Trust
The Princes Trust have decided that our proposed project for the Stones Green Triangle is not one they wish to help with on this occasion. After discussion, it was agreed to write to them thanking them for considering us.

Highways
Speed Survey Stones Green: lerk has spoken to Highways and they don't feel that our request for a speed survey will be successful as they feel that due to Stones Green being situated on a narrow twisting road there isn’t a suitable place for them to position themselves within the guidelines they have to meet and they commented that they believe it is impossible for anyone to speed on this road!

Mrs Mason commented that Essex County Council have deemed the road dangerous and her children are entitled to school, home transport on that basis.

Council would like Essex County Council to substantiate their reasons for not carrying out a speed survey and Chairman has offered to write to them.

VDS Application: Our application for a VDS in Stones Green does not meet the requirements due to the speed limit signs having been relocated as they need to be in place for a year before we apply. We can apply again in a year's time.

The edges of Red Barn Lane are being eroded and undercut by heavy vehicles. Horse riders frequently use this road and a serious incident could occur if a horse falls on the eroded parts. Clerk will contact Highways to report these issues and will send photographic evidence.

Maybush Sign: Clerk contacted Highways to see if a sign could be placed at the end of Farm Road, highlighting the Maybush. Highway's response was:

"Unfortunately we cannot authorise signs on the highway for public houses. It is assumed that anyone travelling there will have appropriate directions and would not have difficulty finding the Maybush as it is close to the main road."

After discussion, it was agreed to contact the landlord of the Maybush to inform him of Highways decision and to suggest an alternative of a sandwich board positioned appropriately on the pavement near to the war memorial.

Seat: We have sent letters to all householders overlooking the square and have requested that they respond by the end of October.

Burial Ground Seat: Clerk has been contacted by friends and relatives of a person buried in the new burial ground who wish to place a seat there in their memory. They wish to purchase a seat from a company used by Tendring District Council at a cost of approximately £500. The family have said they will maintain the seat and are asking our permission to have the seat installed.

After discussing, a site meeting will be arranged to discuss the final location of the seat. Council are happy in principle to let them proceed. Proposed Mrs Mason, seconded Mr Eaton, carried unanimously.

Chairman brought to Councils attention that some recent burials have been placed in locations away from the main row of graves at the specific request of the families. It is also understood that a small number of further plots in specific positions have already been purchased. Clearly it is too late to do anything about this, however if this is allowed to continue, over time this will cause problems for the grave diggers who will be unable to get between the occupied plots to dig new graves. From now on, each new plot will be allocated adjacent to the last one used. Proposed Mrs Mason, seconded Mr Daniels, carried unanimously.

Wooden Sign: We have received another proposal for the wooden sign. After looking carefully and discussing this proposal, it was decided to go ahead with this one. Proposed Mrs Mason, seconded Mr Daniels, carried unanimously. Clerk will contact the Carpenter and request that he proceeds and also the unsuccessful people, thanking them for their interest.

New Village Hall: Chairman and Mr Daniels attended a relatively constructive meeting with Malcolm Inkster from Tendring District Council Planning to explore the rationale behind our desire to build a new hall on a different site and options which may be available. Overall, there seems to be no objection in principle to the idea, however the final decision from planning will depend upon the details of the application, if and when submitted. We will need to demonstrate why building on the existing site or other potential sites is not suitable. We are now waiting for Mr Inkster to provide guidance as he promised.

Fingerposts: Clerk has contacted Highways to thank them for their offer to install the fingerposts free of charge. They have responded by saying that Steve Mason will liaise with us and organise installation as soon as the posts are available. They will need to visit the site to determine the exact location and material quantities needed.

We will need to remind Jobsihate to tidy the site when we get the go ahead.

Hedge Cutting: Chairman met with Jobsihate at the burial ground on 17th October to discuss exactly what needs to be done. We have been provided with a revised quotation and after thorough discussion it was decided to go ahead with this. Proposed Mr Daniels, Seconded Mr Tierney, carried unanimously.

Planning
Application No: 08/01285/FUL
Proposal: Erection of building to facilitate 10 no. cattery pens and 1 no. quarantine pen following
Removal of existing cattery pens (as approved by planning permission TEN/99/01384)
Location: 1 The Willows Stones Green Great Oakley Harwich

After discussion, no objections were raised.

Application No: 08/01330/FUL
Proposal: Erection of replacement dwelling and entrance walls and gates
Location: Hollands Farm Beaumont Road Great Oakley

Application No: 08/01332/FUL
Proposal: Proposed change of use of redundant farm buildings to storage, cleaning and renovation for resale of 4x4 vehicles. Enclosing existing hay barn with weatherboard, new ménage and grazing of horses in conjunction with new livery yard. Reposition road access onto highway. Erect 2 no.10m high wind turbines.
Location: Hollands Farm Beaumont Road Great Oakley

Although not in our parish, these applications are immediately adjacent to us and on this basis were brought to Councils attention. After discussion, it was decided that we would not make any comment.

Public Rights of Way: A hole in the bridle path opposite Horbridge Hall was brought to our attention. This needs to be repaired for public safety. Clerk to report to Highways.

Feedback of sub committees

Village Hall
A village hall committee meeting was held on 25th September where it was announced that the sewing group have disbanded, leaving Monday afternoons free for hire. The post office has reduced their opening hours, now closing at 13:45 on the days it operates.

An inspection of the hall fire extinguishers have been carried out and a certificate issued. The heaters have also been checked and serviced. An electrical inspection of the hall has been carried out which highlighted a number of issues that need addressing. The list from the contractor was prioritised and a subsequent meeting was held to instruct the contractor to carry out remedial works on 3rd October.

The hall treasurer reported that funds were low, then standing at £178.79 after paying for the various inspection fees. In light of this, it may be necessary for the committee to apply to the Parish Council to make some additional funding available to cover operating costs. No such application has been received to date and we would review on a case by case basis.

The cost of hiring the hall (effective from January 2009) was reviewed and increases of approximately 10% across the board were agreed.

Crime Prevention
For the second month running we were unable to attend as the Chairman did not receive any notification and Mr Harrington only received his on the morning of the meeting. Chairman has spoken to Mr Wallington Hayes requesting appropriate notice.

Accounts for Payment
Jobsihate	Grass Cutting	700773	£306.98
The Green Gardener	Old Burial Ground	700774	£140.00
A & J Lighting Solutions	Street Light Maintenance	D/D	£42.54
E-On	Street Lighting	D/D	£80.91
E-On	Village Hall Lighting	D/D	£25.00
Miss J Bootyman	Clerks Wages & Expenses	700775	£312.24
Royal British Legion	Wreath	700776	£35.00
Mr B Hiles	Dog Bin & Sign Installation	700777	£105.00
School Garden Donation	Fun Day	500014	£200.00
TOTAL:			£1247.67

After being circulated, the accounts were proposed as correct by Mr Tierney, seconded Mrs Mason, carried unanimously.

We have received an income of £12.00 for an additional inscription to a headstone, and we have received the second half of our precept of £6750.00.

Correspondence
Clerk received a letter from the solicitor acting on behalf of people who want to purchase 26 Orchard Close. They wanted to know if we could provide any additional detail on where their boundary is, adjacent to the playing field. Clerk has responded by saying we lease the playing field from Essex County Council and the Land Registry should be able to help with any information they need.

Subsequently, the Chairman met with the potential purchases and, with the aid of plans in his position, was able to establish that the garage of the property was effectively on the boundary line and that the hedge as it currently exist was generally on the playing field side of that line.

Essex Community Foundation – Grassroots Grants - £2m for Essex, Southend and Thurrock
Grassroots grants are a new grant programme that could benefit the community that our Parish Council serves and they have asked if we would kindly display their leaflets to promote the fund.

Grassroots Grants is a £2million grant programme funded by the office of the third sector and managed locally by Essex Community Foundation to support, develop and build the capacity of local voluntary and community groups working in communities across Essex, Southend and Thurrock.

EALC – County Update No 59
Tendring District Council – Forward Plan 84, Forward Plan 85, Statement of Accounts available, Tendring Older People’s Forum AGM, Summons & Agenda
Essex County Council – Making the links
Miscellaneous – Fitzpatrick Woolmer – Recycled plastic signage, Wicksteed Playscapes Brochure

There being no further business, Chairman closed the meeting at 9:37pm.

None