MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASHELDHAM & DENGIE PARISHES HELD ON 9 th May 8 p.m.

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1 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASHELDHAM & DENGIE PARISHES HELD ON 9 th May 8 p.m. Present: - Messrs Ledger, Moull, Snowdon and Cllr Mrs Hall. 10 members of the public and Mrs Lyn Moull VH committee. Messrs Lee Finch and Phil Stanley of G&B Finch In attendance: Sarah Sayer - Parish Clerk. Cllr Ledger welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending and announced that during the course of the Annual Parish Council meeting he had been re-elected as Chair for another year and Cllr Fluker had been re-elected as Vice Chair. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from: Mr. Hassard (Dengie Crops), Cllr Adrian Fluker as he had to attend a district meeting. Messrs Tony & Ben Skeggs (Skeggs Straw). MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING The Minutes of the previous year's Annual Parish Meeting held on 11 th May 2015 were presented and agreed by those present and these were signed as a true record. The Chairman then signed the minutes. CHAIRMAN S REPORT Cllr Ledger read out the following Annual Report. Planning Planning has once again been a major feature of our workload during the past year, the number of applications amounted to twenty. Your Council supported fourteen applications and objected to the remaining six. All applications are given careful consideration and each is judged on its individual merits. The fact that Maldon District Council had still not had approval for The Local Development Plan and thereby could not demonstrate an adequate provision for future housing supply was a prevalent feature until late Autumn This influenced our considerations and was reflected in a number of appeal decisions. Our largest application was for seven dwellings in Dengie and Councillors unanimously voted against this primarily on the grounds that it was not a sustainable location The proposed development of ninety houses in Tillingham, although not in our Parishes, was a major concern as to the impact on local roads and resources. We raised an objection in support of Tillingham Parish Council The approval by Essex County Council of an application to extend the working time of Asheldham Quarry operated by G&B Finch has proved to be controversial, particularly the number of lorry movements set at 96 per working day. The Quarry opens onto the Asheldham Bends and this is a major concern when considering this proposed volume together with Dengie Crops, Skeggs Straw and agricultural traffic in the peak harvest season. The Council together with the Asheldham Residents Association are represented on the Liaison Committee chaired by Essex County Council. 1

2 The interests and concerns of residents are of paramount importance and we will continue to raise such matters with G&B Finch and seek to find effective solutions in partnership with their management. Highways Always a major aspect of our involvement within the community, the condition of our roads particularly relating to Potholes is a regular cause of complaint. The role of the Council is to act as a conduit, relaying up to date information on the condition of our local roads and footpaths to Essex County Council. The Parish Council has no authority or budget for highway issues, equally the District Council does not control local roads. ECC are the body that maintain, repair and also grit our roads in the winter. Members of the Public are encouraged to report defects directly to ECC Highways. This can often endorse our own reports. Members of the public are encouraged to report road defects using the online system. ECC has announced an extensive programme of work relating to rural roads, acknowledging the need to improve the standard of maintenance in country areas. We hope to see the benefits of this policy reflected across the Dengie. Asheldham Bends During the last year a design team have been working on the scheme to improve the bends, particularly with Health and Safety as a major objective. This has now become a major project with an estimated cost in the region of a million pounds, accordingly three phases have been adopted to spread the work and to increase the prospect of funding. The proposed scheme is now outside the remit and budget of the Local Highways Panel and alternative methods of finance are currently under review. Wind Farms No further proposals have emerged and with the work commencing at Turncole Farm, the third and latest wind farm will add to the visual impact from such structures. Some like them, many don`t but it is hoped that the appetite for renewal power can be satisfied without further detriment to the Dengie Marshes and surrounding areas. Asheldham Residents Group The Group continues to lobby for improvements in the village and lays a positive and active role in this respect. Colin and his team continue to demonstrate that by being proactive things get done, they should be applauded and be an example to others. Dengie Village Hall The committee and their helpers are another shining illustration of good community spirit. The Hall is in fine order and it is a pleasure to see it used for a variety of events not forgetting the famous Panto. We wish Lynn and her team every success in further fundraising and look forward to sharing in their future. Thanks I take this opportunity to thank my fellow councillors and remind parishioners that our work is entirely voluntary and unpaid. Councillors give up a lot of personal time in dealing with council matters and particularly highways and planning issues. I warmly welcome Andrew Snowdon as a new member and look forward to working with him in the future. He has already demonstrated a sound practical approach to matters and has volunteered to spearhead the Dengie Village Sign project. 2

3 I would like to thank Hilary Barnes who continues to be our Internal Auditor, without charge for her services. Jo Griffiths for her help and advice as tree warden. Adrian Fluker as Vice-chair and in his capacity as a Ward Member for Southminster. His membership of various committees within the District Council brings useful contacts and experience to our discussions. Bob Moull always applies common sense to matters and his attendance at various external meetings is much appreciated Shirley Hall makes a good contribution to all of our meetings and her involvement at MDC provides useful insight. Our continued thanks to County Councillor Bob Boyce who has always been a welcome visitor and continues to influence our discussions with his depth of experience. Sarah Sayer, our Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer, offers commitment and loyalty and her considerable knowledge and experience with other councils. The workload imposes a lot of pressure which she copes without complaint. FINANCIAL REPORT The Clerk presented the financial report for the year and informed those present that copies of the accounts were available to view. The year end reconciliation was stated as follows for year ending March 2016 and the carry forward figure for 1 st April 2016 is :- BANK Community account no Business Premium account no Step Saver account no (account closed as per auditor suggestion) Bank Account Total NB this figure includes Asheldham Ayletts.* Income Balance carried forward from 1/4/ Precept LCTS Grant Bank Interest 1.39 William Ayletts William Ayletts money (Asheldham & Dengie) VAT refund Other 0.00 Total Income Expenditure Cheques cleared to date Balance Income less expenditure Less unrepresented cheque Less cheques raised at the meeting Cash Book balance as at *William Ayletts Money for Asheldham account no (inc in above VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE REPORT Mrs Moull told us that it has been a busy and successful year. August brought us first use of our stage, lighting and sound equipment with Hopes and Dreams. This is a stage company we run for children and young adults and we produce a show in a week. It is a week long hire and we provide BBQ lunches and suppers and in the 3

4 breaks they have games outside. We all work full on with rehearsing dialogue, singing and dancing and gathering together costumes and deliver three performances. The children and young adults are a really talented bunch. Everyone enjoys it and we all feel it is a great use of the hall. WE had three concerts this year that were also a success and once again our stage and equipment gave us the means for these to take place. Then in February the Panto used the stage so we are all extremely pleased we now have this facility to offer. We have had two Cream Teas, the last one being to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth s 90 th Birthday. We had around 60 local people join us and it was very enjoyable. The Trustees think that these events really promote the hall and we were provide right as a Christening was booked at our last cream tea. We have successfully purchased 120 new upholstered chairs and were able to do this with the general donations from GB Finch, Crop Driers and Dengie Music Group, we send them our grateful thanks. Our bookings have increased but we have sadly lost our long standing Tai Chi Class. This was mainly due to dwindling participants and even more sadly they decided to book Tillingham Hall as they think people would join as they would walk to the hall. We have had two Trustees retire, Alfie Burton who has been replaced by Andrew Burnett and our Chairman Tom Cooper who will be replaced by Lisa Barker. Lisa has been a tremendous help at our events she is very interested in the hall and we are placed to welcome her as a Trustee. Ann Read has now taken over as booking clerk. Due to increased income we could afford to have security lighting installed and after a few teething problems we are very pleaded with it. We are hoping in the not too distant future to build a large shed to do away with the existing gone and the cabin which brings us to our hopefully next big project which is that of an extension going out to the side, behind the stage with access from hall and outside. This we hope will be used as meeting room and changing room but firstly we have to have enough money for plans and hopefully getting them passed then to win the grants so it will take some time. Our next purchase will be some half length tables and we can thank our Parish Council who have donated towards this project from the Ayletts Trust. This generous donation was presented to the Village Hall to commemorate HM Queen Elizabeth s 90 th Birthday. This purchase is imminent. The Trustees have worked hard to get the hall to this standard and we hope you all feel you have a Village Hall to be proud of. Cllr Ledger thanked Mrs Moull and the rest of the Village Hall Committee for all their very hard work and commitment in obtaining the funding and organising the renovation/refurbishment projects and getting the community to work together it continues to be very impressive. 4

5 ELECTION OF DISTRIBUTION PANEL FOR WILLIAM AYLETT S CHARITY (Asheldham) It was agreed that as in the past the Parish Council would continue to form the panel for the distribution of the Asheldham money. ELECTION OF TRUSTEES SYMPSON S & AYLETT S CHARITY (Dengie) It was noted that in the past the Dengie payments had been overseen by two residents, Mr. Burnett and Mr. Alfie Burton. Mr. Alfie Burton wishes to continue as a Trustee and Mr. Andrew Burnett has resigned and Mrs Burnett would like to stand and it was accepted by all those present AGREED. Mr. Burton and Mrs Burnett were appointed trustees. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR'S REPORT District Councillor Fluker was not available to make comment, but it was mentioned that the Local Development Plan had been examined by an Inspector which had considered to be less than fair. However there is a 5.5 years land supply in situ. The new waste contract was mentioned and would be in effect from June 2016 and bin collections would be fortnightly alternate weeks to the pink bags collection and the food bins would be every week. TREE WARDENS REPORT Joanne Griffiths has kindly consented to continue as tree warden and provided us with the report below which was read out at the meeting. The trees in the area are growing which is good. Ash trees are still in bud, once they leaf I will continue with the as tree wilt checks, please ring me if you have any suspect trees. There has been the loss of several trees in the area due to saturated ground for long periods of time causing tree roots to rot. I hope to see these replaced at some point. I have had no tree inquiries from the local area but quite a few from outside of the area, which is odd. Speaking to Jackie Gilbert, Maldon s tree officer, I learned that there has been a preservation order on the old pits at Asheldham. This is a woodland order covering the whole site. The order is in place as there may be activities detrimental to the habitat, the order will be confirmed at a later date. Jackie is in the process of sending me an up to date list of all the Tree Preservation Orders in the area. The Chairman thanked Joanne for her report and continued hard work on behalf of the Parishes.. HIGHWAYS Cllr Ledger informed those present that the Asheldham Bends project was being pushed forward, but the delay is due to lack of funding. Clerks to chase about getting the gullies chased more regularly as it appears that even the scheduled work has not been done. PUBLIC SESSION Concerns were raised in regard to the speeding traffic along the Dengie Straight and it was mentioned to request if Adam Pipe would be able to do some speed checks 5

6 along that road and at Skeggs apron. Also it was stated that the traffic coming and going via the Skeggs weigh bridge entrance was much heavier. The power station traffic as well as local traffic also uses the straight as a speed track and perhaps some sort of speed reduction/traffic calming measures could be looked into. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Dengie Village Sign Cllr Andrew Snowdon volunteered to organise a committee to get a Dengie village sign sorted out and the likely location would be the triangle on Manor Road/Keelings Road/Hall Road. It was briefly discussed about insurance and the PC pays for the Asheldham sign insurance and would do the same. Mr. Cooper who organised the Asheldham sign said he would be more than happy to give assistance of how to go about it. It just left what to display on the sign and suggestions of Dengue Fever from WW1, the local church, Village Hall, farming, owls, hares were made. A lot a research to be done. There was no other business and so Cllr Ledger thanked everyone for attending the meeting and hoped that they would join him and his fellow councillors for refreshments. Cllr Moull took the opportunity to thank the Chair for his hard work throughout the year. There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.55 pm. and everyone present was invited to join the members for Signed date Chairman Asheldham & Dengie Parish Council 6