Minutes of the Meeting of the HEYBRIDGEPARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the HEYBRIDGEPARISH COUNCIL

held on THURSDAY 22nd JULY 2010 in The Claydon Room, Plantation Hall,

Colchester Road, Heybridge.

PRESENT

CHAIRMAN : COUNCILLOR CLIVE GIFFORD

VICE-CHAIRMAN : COUNCILLOR PROF LEW SCHNURR

Councillors:Anne BealeColin DykesMichael Edwards John Harrison Ron Mckay Veronica Miller

Kay RyderGill TullyLaurie Wiebe

10/54Apologies for absence.

None.

10/55Chairman’s Announcements.

No announcements.

10/56Minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 24th June 2010 were received.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 24thJune 2010 be approved and confirmed.

10/57Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interests

None.

10/58Progress Report from the Clerk

Minute 10/36 – Submitting articles to the local newspapers will not fulfil the Communications section within the Quality Status criteria.

Minute 10/37(f) – Confirmation has been received from Maldon District Council that the fingerpost at The Street with Hall Road is not listed.

Minute 10/39 – 123 Connect have advised that the website will need to be changed to full online administration at a cost of £450 plus VAT.

10/59Public participation session

A member of the public spoke regarding the fingerpost at The Street with Hall Road. She believed that it had been agreed at a previous Parish Council meeting to proceed with the listing status.

10/60District Councillors’ and Emergency Services Reports

A written report was received from PC S Mirrington detailing new priorities for the Neighbourhood Action Panel. These included dog fouling and illegal fishing at Hall Road canal and anti-social use of motor vehicles at Stock Chase.

The Council was advised that there had been:

Three dwelling burglaries at Navigation Cottages, Larch Walk and Hall Road.
Eight criminal damage reports which appear to be domestic related.
Seven thefts relating to retail outlets across the neighbourhood.
A small scale cultivation of Cannabis discovered in Stock Chase. Three suspects are currently on Police bail while the investigation is ongoing.
A separate search warrant was executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act in Creasen Butt Close. One person received a street caution for possession of Cannabis.

Councillor John Harrison advised the Council that the cultivation of Cannabis was discovered in Barnfield Cottages and not Stock Chase.

10/61Property Management Committee

A report on the meeting of the Property Management Committee held on 8th July 2010 was received, the Minutes having been circulated.

The Chairman of the Committee explained the new procedure for Committee working groups for reporting to the Clerk.

The maintenance programme was being reviewed by the Chairman of the Committee with the amenity lighting being reviewed first.

The use of the football pitch at King George V playing field had been requested by various clubs and it was noted that the condition of the pitch is cause for concern. This would be investigated with Maldon District Council.

10/62Planning, Highways and Environment Matters

(a)Planning Applications

RESOLVED that the District Council be informed of the comments as set out below the following applications:-

HOUSE/MAL/10/00575

Porch to side elevation

3 The Stiles, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4SF

Support

HOUSE/MAL/10/00585

Two storey rear extension

49 Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4QR

Support

(b)Appeal to application number FUL/MAL/10/00208

The Parish Council had previously objected to this application on two occasions. Members agreed that these comments still stand and therefore, no further representations are to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

Councillor John Harrison disagreed with the comments made by the Parish Council and believes that the application should be supported.

(c)Report from the Tree Warden

Nothing to report.

Councillor Gill Tully advised that the Willows that align the canal from the new bridge are very high and the will crack when they reach a certain height.

Councillor Kay Ryder advised that the Willows were on Blackwater and Chelmer Canal property but she will report them to their tree warden.

(d)Report from Public Rights of Way Liaison Officer

A report having been circulated with the agenda, was received and noted.

(e)Tactile paving road crossings and cycle parking facilities in Heybridge

A report was received detailing sites for consideration.

Further sites were suggested and Members agreed to send further recommendations through the Clerk in preparation for a final decision to be made at the Parish Council meeting on 19th August 2010.

(f)Footpath Naming Project

Councillor Michael Edwards advised that he had walked some of the routes to ascertain which paths had already been named. He advised that some are named, some are vehicle accessible and some are blocked.

RESOLVED that

(i)members agreed to resume the footpath naming project.

(ii)a footpath signage working group be created to establish what footpaths need naming, whether they are vehicle accessible and whether they are blocked.

(iii)Councillors Veronica Miller, Colin Dykes, Gill Tully and Kay Ryder would form the working group.

(iv)Councillor Gill Tully be the lead Councillor on this working group.

At this point District Councillor Harker arrived at the meeting. The Chairman of the Parish Council agreed to move the District Councillors report to this part of the meeting.

10/63District Councillor Report

Apologies were given for late attendance.

(a)Public Transport

When the Tesco extension was agreed, section 106 money was secured to provide a bus service from the store to Heybridge. This has now been implemented and a free service, number 289, now runs from the store every 30 minutes at 15 minutes past the hour and 15 minutes before the hour.

District Councillor Harker advised that there is a public transport timetable on every bus stop in Heybridge.

(b)Flooding

There was an issue at Coopers Avenue and Wagtail Drive. On some occasions the water was almost up to the front door tread of the houses.

(c)Overgrowth

A complaint had been received regarding an overgrown back garden in Wagtail Drive. The planning department and Environmental Health will visit.

10/62Planning, Highways and Environment Matters

(g)Fingerpost at The Street with Hall Road

Further to minute 10/37 (f), members agreed to pursue listing the fingerpost. It was suggested that the lamp on the top of the fingerpost be restored.

RESOLVED that

(i)the Parish Council should pursue the listing status of the fingerpost

(ii)the Parish Council apply for a grant from the Essex Heritage Trust to restore the fingerpost.

(h)Heybridge Village Sign

Various ideas were discussed regarding the design of the village sign.

RESOLVED that

(i)the Parish Council will proceed with the Heybridge Village Sign

(ii)a working group be created for the design of the sign. Councillors Anne Beale and Clive Gifford volunteered for the working group.

(iii)that Councillor Anne Beale be the lead for the working group.

(iv)that Councillor Prof Lew Schnurr will help with the implementation of the sign once a design has been finalised.

Councillor Anne Beale agreed to bring a concept for discussion and decision to the next Parish Council meeting on 19th August 2010.

(i)Blackwater Link 90 bus service

Councillor Michael Edwards advised the Parish Council that around 800 houses in the Blackwater and Elms Farm Estates did not have any public transport to Maldon or Witham. Councillor Michael Edwards suggested delivery a survey to every house in the affected area to see if a service would be used.

Councillor Prof Lew Schnurr advised that Essex County Council understood the difficulty but it is unlikely that the modification in the bus route to include the estates would attract the authority’s support. Concern had also been raised by the bus companies regarding the delay that a modification would cause.

RESOLVED that

(i)Councillor Michael Edwards can proceed with a survey to be delivered to each house in the Blackwater and Elms Farm estates

(ii)Councillor Prof Lew Schnurr request the item be added to the Parish Passenger Transportation meeting in October.

(j)New Barbers shop in the Old Copsey Fish Restaurant

A petition was received in protest to the opening of a new barbers shop. As this is the responsibility of the District Council, the petition and accompanying letter were noted.

10/64Heybridge Basin

a)A report was received from Councillor Prof Lew Schnurr

(i)Public Convenience

When the Parish Council was formed the right to provide a public convenience in the parish was given away to Maldon District Council. As Maldon District Council have removed the public convenience from Heybridge Basin, the Parish Council is unable to provide a new facility until article 9 of the deed of transfer is removed.

RESOLVED that Councillor Prof Lew Schnurr can approach Maldon District Council to remove article 9 from the deed of transfer and restore to the Parish Council the legal right to provide public conveniences.

(ii)United Reform Church Chapel

The chapel was deemed unfit for use in 2005. It has been valued at £7000 and it is anticipated that demolishing and reconstructing the building would cost approximately £100,000. The facility could provide public toilets and a community hall.

RESOLVED that the item be deferred to the next Parish Council meeting on 19th August 2010 for discussion and decision.

(iii)Timber yard

This area has been offered for informal tender by the end of September 2010. The area is 4.5 acres and is unsuitable for housing due to the flood risk. The land could provide allotments or additional car parking.

RESOLVED that

(i)the Clerk write to the owners of the land for a price for the land.

(ii)that the item be deferred to the next Parish Council meeting on 19th August 2010 for discussion and decision.

b)Daisy Meadow Car Park

Members discussed applying for revaluation of the car park. As there are other car parks in the district that do not generate revenue for parking, it was suggested that the Parish Council research what the rates are for these car parks.

RESOLVED that

(i)the Parish Council investigate the rates charged on other car parks in the district.

(ii)that the item be deferred to the next Parish Council meeting on 19th August 2010 for discussion and decision.

10/65Financial Matters

(a)Accounts for Payment

The Parish Council received the following accounts (inclusive of VAT) for payment as set out in the payments schedule circulated at the meeting –

D G Chinnery / £45.00 / Window Clean Plantation Hall / 2201
Maldon Printing Company Ltd / £521.00 / Herald Newsletters / 1202
Alison Hughes / £95.94 / Delivery Newsletters / 1202
Playsafety Ltd / £81.08 / Annual Inspection Fee re play equipment / 3501
Elecom (Europe) Ltd / £337.47 / Flood light repairs Plantation Hall / 2401
Maldon District Council / £5,086.03 / Grounds Maintenance April - June 2010 quarter / 3001
David J Moore / £581.62 / Waiting time charged whilst the youth shelter was relocated. / 3401
M & G Fire Protection (Essex) Ltd / £912.98 / Rewire panel relay link at Plantation Hall / 2401
A Marven / £100.00 / Replacement cheque - prev agreed at 24/6/10 Council Mtg / 3501

Councillor Michael Edwards advised that the printing of the Heybridge Herald was £25 higher than the original quote but the distribution of the Herald was slightly lower than originally quoted.

RESOLVED that the above accounts be approved for payment.

(b) Statement of Accounts

An updated statement of the income and expenditure account was circulated at the meeting.

10/66Website Operation

Further to minute 10/39, the Parish Council was advised that the cost to change the website to full online administration would be £450.00 plus VAT.

Councillor Prof Lew Schnurr suggested that the Parish Council should outline any changes to the template of the website and research other possibilities and prices.

RESOLVED that Councillor Prof Lew Schnurr and the Clerk research the possibilities and prices for changing the template and maintenance of the new template.

10/67Reports from Parish Council Representatives

(a)Working Groups

Events Working Group (Lead Councillor –vacant)

Nothing to report.

Councillor Michael Edwards proposed that Councillor Laurie Wiebe join the Events working group and be lead councillor.

RESOLVED that

(i)Councillor Laurie Wiebe joins the Events Working Group

(ii)Councillor Laurie Wiebe is the lead Councillor of the Working Group.

Heybridge Herald Working Group (Lead Councillor - Cllr. M Edwards)

Report received. Councillor Michael Edwards advised that some properties have not yet received a copy. Councillor Michael Edwards will investigate.

Heybridge Youth Project Working Group (Lead Councillor –Cllr. K. Ryder)

Report received. The Committee had been formed, a Chairman and Treasurer having been appointed. Six volunteers had come forward to help with the project and it was hoped that the first session will be on either the 7th or 9th September 2010.

At 9.48pm, Councillor Prof Lew Schnurr left the meeting.

At 9.50pm, Councillor Prof Lew Schnurr returned to the meeting.

Playground Equipment Working Group (Lead Councillor –Cllr. K. Ryder)

Report received. The swing seats have been replaced but the bushes have not. The repairs to the multi unit are awaited. The RoSPA report had been received and circulated to the members of the working group. The Brownies had written to the Parish Council with their thoughts on the play area.

Remembrance Sunday Working Group (Lead Councillor –Councillor Gill Tully)

Nothing to report.

Risk Assessment Working Group (Lead Councillor –Cllr. M Edwards)

Nothing to report.

(b)Outside meetings/training events

Parish Passenger Transportation(Rep Cllr L Schnurr)