BLACK NOTLEY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY THE 28TH MAY 2014 AT THE PAVILION MEETING ROOM, BLACK NOTLEY AT 7.30 PM.
IN THE CHAIR:CLLR J. CLARKE.
PRESENT:CLLR’S I. REID, K. JIGGINS, A. HUNT.
APOLOGIES:CLLR’ST. MARTIN, J. COUSINS, J. SMITH, D. TOOMBS,
I. BENDREY.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
5 members of the public present.Including District Councillor T Cunningham and County Councillor J Abbott.
1799/14 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN FOR THE YEAR.
A proposal by Cllr Reid was made for the position of Chairman to be Cllr Clarke.
No other proposals were received.
Proposed - Cllr ReidSeconded - Cllr Jiggins.Vote: 3 in favour, 1 against.
Cllr Clarke took the Chair.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Hunt for her work over the last few years.
A proposal by Cllr Hunt was made for the position of Vice Chairman to be Cllr Jiggins.
No other proposals were received.
Proposed - Cllr HuntSeconded - Cllr ReidVote –Unanimous
The Chairman thanked Cllr Jiggins for agreeing to take on this role.
1800/14 SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.
The Chairman signed the declaration.
1801/14 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Cllr Jiggins declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application numbers 14/00370/FUL and 14/00371/LBC Buck Farm.
Cllr Hunt declared a personal interest also in these application’s, as a planning representative.
1802/14 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.
A resident of John Ray Gardens thanked Cllr Hunt for all her hard work and commitment to the Parish.
Members of the public raised issues over counsellor conduct; the Chairman said that this would be addressed at a future meeting.
A resident had raised concerns of dog fouling along Witham Road; it was agreed that an article was to go into the next Newsletter.
Concerns about parking on Mary Ruck Way were raised; Cllr Hunt suggested that the resident come to the next meeting and speak to the representative from the Colchester Parking Partnership.
Cllr Hunt stated she had received calls regarding the allotments being overgrown; the Clerk advised she had already been in touch with Alvin Mann at BDC regarding this & the drawing up of the Legal Documents is taking longer than expected.
1803/14 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
Report from County Councillor Abbott:
Update on byways seasonal closure; Cllr Abbott was asked to find out the reasons behind the 'planning' which intends to keep the byway open all year round.
Survey of the roads in the village had now been completed.
Discussion concerning speeding traffic along Bakers Lane; a report will be drafted on our behalf to go to the Local Highways Panel regarding this.
Report from District Councillor Cunningham:
Cllr Cunningham wished to personally make a warm tribute to Cllr Hunt for her support dedication and commitment to the Parish. He stated she had been a great Chairman.
1804/14 MINUTES OF THE MEETING ON THE 23RD APRIL 2014.
Proposed - Cllr JigginsSeconded - Cllr HuntVote - Unanimous
1805/14 CLERKS REPORT.
Circulated.
1806/14 CORRESPONDENCE.
* EALC sent details of the following training course Planning Day 5th June.
* EALC subscription is due for the year £448.82. It was agreed to re-new this.
Proposed –Cllr HuntSeconded - Cllr ReidVote - Unanimous
* Subscription to the Essex Playing Field Association £25.00. It was agreed to re-new.
Proposed –Cllr ClarkeSeconded –Cllr ReidVote - Unanimous
* Annual Insurance document had been received, we are now in year 2 of a 3 year contract signed.
* A suggestion had been received from a resident for a village 'Table Top Sale'. The Clerk is to contact the lady and ask her to present this idea at a Parish Council meeting.
* Request for new dog bin near Turner Close. It was agreed that a new bin be purchased.
Proposed - Cllr JigginsSeconded –Cllr HuntVote - Unanimous
* BDC sent a letter introducing the Essex Wide Litter Campaign. It was agreed not to take part in this because of the timescale.
* Friends of Historic Essex –membership is due £10.00 for the year. It was agreed to re-new this.
Proposed - Cllr ClarkeSeconded –Cllr HuntVote - Unanimous
1807/14 CONSULTATION –BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL –SEX ESTABLISHMENT POLICY.
Cllr Cunningham briefly reported on this, however the deadline has now passed.
No comment to be made on this consultation.
1808/14 PLAYING FIELD UPDATE –A) CIRCULATION OF LIME TREE TRIMMING QUOTATIONS.
3 quotes had been received it was agreed to go with Mortimer Tree Surgery.
Proposed - Cllr ClarkeSeconded –Cllr Reid Vote - Unanimous
The Clerk also advised the Parish Council that Shaun Taylor from BDC and the Tree Warden had advised her that we have a tree on the playing field that has the Ash Die Back disease, which will need to be removed as soon as possible. The Clerk to ask Mortimer to do this at the same time.
B)NOTICATION OF PRICE INCREASE OF GRASS CUTTING OF PLAY AREA AND WAR MEMORIAL.
Mr Adair has advised that he has reviewed his grass cutting fees and they will now be £40 to cut memorial green and £80 to cut play area. Cllr Hunt proposed these are accepted as Mr Adair does a good job and it is difficult to get company’s to do the smaller jobs that we often require.
Proposed - Cllr HuntSeconded –Cllr JigginsVote - Unanimous
The Clerk advised the Council that she had to get a pest control company in to remove a bee’s nest that was in the large oak tree near the play area.
The ROSPA play area inspection has taken place and the Caretaker was advised that they would be recommending a replacement piece of play equipment due to wear and tear, a report will follow shortly.
The Clerk advised the Council that she had been approached by an adult football team wishing to hire the pitches next season. The Chairman asked her to invite them to come to the next parish council meeting.
The Clerk advised the Council that she has called an Electrician to look at the outside sensor lights which will not turn off.
1809/14 HIGHWAY ISSUES.
Discussed earlier.
1810/14 FINANCE –A) CIRCULATION OF THE FINANCE LIST- MAY.
E-on energy (lights supply) £136.67 Direct Debit
A & J Lighting Solutions Ltd £59.88 Direct Debit
EDF Energy £19.00 Direct Debit
Scottish power (gas for pavilion) £30.00
BT for Pavilion Office £41.04 Direct Debit
3475Helen Waterfield (salary)£664.69
3476Helen Waterfield (mileage £20.03 + elec £30 + padded
envelope for hospital book postage £5.40 and black ink
cartridge£14.99£70.42
3477Cash (postage)£ 8.01
3478Barry Smith (salary)£289.97
3479Hazel Ward (salary)£203.54
3480Acumen Wages Service (£20.00 + VAT)£ 24.00
3481Braintree District Council (trade waste collection for the yr)£374.00
3482Zurich Municipal (annual insurance payment)£1,704.80
3483C & W Fencing (front boundary of playing field)£10,794.00
3484Anglian Water (29.01- 07.05 playing field)£71.08
3485Lisa West (Internal Auditor)£180.00
3486A Adair (grass cutting of war memorial, play area £105 and
Emergency removal of damaged fencing as posed a Health
and Safety risk at Cokers Peace £40.00).£145.00
3487T J Maples (Pest Control bees at playing field)£ 55.00
3488Braintree District Council (emptying of dog poo bins)£ 46.98
Proposed - Cllr ReidSeconded -Cllr JigginsVote - Unanimous
B) RETROSPECTIVE AGREEMENT OF THE FINANCE FOR APRIL.
E-on energy (lights supply) £140.99 Direct Debit
A & J Lighting Solutions Ltd £59.88 + £104.10 light out Direct Debit
EDF Energy £19.00 Direct Debit
Scottish power (gas for pavilion) £30.00
BT for Pavilion Office £40.80 Direct Debit
3467Helen Waterfield (salary)£664.69
3468Helen Waterfield (mileage £33.75 + elec £30 + car parking
for meeting at EALC £1.20, Hessian sand bags £99.60£164.55
3469Cash (postage)£ 6.00
3470Barry Smith (salary + holiday pay)£609.45
3471Hazel Ward (salary)£203.54
3472Acumen Wages Service (£20.00+ £25 year end + VAT)£ 54.00
3473Local Council Review (subscription)£ 17.00
3474Essex Association of Local Councils (green and commons
Training November 2013)£67.00
Paid in
£7.70 cash for –Hospital book
Proposed Cllr - ClarkeSeconded - Cllr HuntVote - Unanimous
C) CIRCULATION OF THE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE INTERNAL
AUDITOR.Noted.
D) CIRCULATION OF THE ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR
ENDING 31ST MARCH 2014. This had been circulated and was then signed by the Chairman.
Proposed - Cllr Jiggins Seconded - Cllr HuntVote - Unanimous
1811/14 PLANNING.
14/00394/FUL Erection of first floor side extension. 39 Bedells Avenue, Black Notley,
CM77 8LZ. No objection to this application, however the neighbour has expressed concerns that sunlight could be taken from the back garden.
Essex County Council Essex Replacement Minerals Local Plan consultation from 13th
March –24th April. Cllr Hunt reported on this.
14/00471/FUL Erection of first floor extension. 289 London Road, Black Notley,
CM778QQ. No objection to this application.
14/00472/FUL Erection of first floor extension. 287 London Road, Black Notley,
CM778QQ. No objection to this application
14/00513/FUL Erection of side extension and single storey rear extension, front porch,
demolition of existing single garage. 75 Bedells Avenue, Black Notley, CM77 8NA.
No objection to this proposal apart from the side window on the single roof rear extension which looks directly into the neighbour’s conservatory taking away all privacy
14/00370/FUL and 14/00371/LBC Buck Farm, Buck Hill, Black Notley, CM77 8LA.
Conversion of barn into live/work unit alongside existing commercially active office.
This item was moved to the end of the agenda so this could be discussed when Cllr Jiggins had left the meeting.
John Ray Cottage, Barn Repairs. Concerns raised over the length of time it’s taking to be repaired. It is a Historical building to Black Notley the Parish Council had received a request to write to listed buildings people. It is possible that it will be original timbers replaced or replica timbers, this is an important building to the village. It was agreed that the Clerk obtain further information from Cllr Cousins and Smith and write a letter of support.
1812/14 BYWAYS.
Discussed earlier.
1813/14 UPDATE ON DAMAGED FENCING AND FALLEN LIMB OF OAK TREE AT COKERS PEACE.
The Clerk reported to the Council the damaged tree and broken fence, the Clerk to write a letter to highways to chase ownership as this tree is on the boundary of their land and Parish Council land.
1814/14 CONSTUITUTIONAL CONCERN - CLLR CLARKE.
This item to be discussed at a council meeting with all Councillors present, it will be revisited in 6 month’s time.
(Councillor Jiggins left the meeting at 8.55pm, the following application was then discussed.)
14/00370/FUL and 14/00371/LBC Buck Farm, Buck Hill, Black Notley, CM77 8LA.
Conversion of barn into live/work unit alongside existing commercially active office.
A report on ‘bats’is still waiting to be received, the Listed buildings comments are also yet to be received. However BDC suggested it would be found to fit the criteria to be passed.
1815/14 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING –WEDNESDAY 25TH JUNE 2014
The meeting closed at 9.03pm
CHAIRMAN………………………………………….. DATE ……………………………