Minutes of the Layer de la Haye Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 8 June 2017

Transcription

1 Minutes of the Layer de la Haye Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 8 June 2017 Present: Mr P Bunting, Mr T Harris, Mrs. A. Hughes, Mr M Jones, Mr D Lennox, Mr R Marriage, Mr B Turner, Cllr J Maclean In Attendance: Mr T Pickard Smith, 3 residents. Parish Clerk Apologies: Mr I Moore, Mr M Strain, Cllr K Bentley, Cllr A Ellis Minutes: The Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed. Declarations of Interest: Mark Jones declared an interest in Planning Application David Lennox declared an interest in Planning Application Matters arising which are not Agenda items: None Borough Councillors Reports: Cllr Maclean reported that there had been problems with Travellers Borough wide. She advised contacting the Borough & County Council and Police, and making access as difficult as possible should travellers arrive. Cllr Maclean was advised that the Travellers who had moved on to the playing field had, following discussions with the Police, left of their own volition. Those on the overflow car park at the Church had been there for 2 days. The PCC had got solicitors and bailiffs involved and notice had been served to move the Travellers on. A similar procedure had been started for the playing field, but this had since been cancelled. The Police had advised that once travellers had accessed a site, they could not be blocked in. Emergency access had to be available at all times. The Publication Draft Colchester Local Plan Consultation was scheduled to start on 16 June and would run until 28 July. It was understood that the MoD land at Middlewick Ranges was now included. Cllr Maclean would ask Cllr Ellis to supply a draft of the plan to the Parish Council. Three issues remained outstanding with Cllr Bentley:- The Parish Council s proposals to improve the parking situation around the school/new Cut which were to be forwarded to the Highways Panel. The meeting Cllr Bentley had offered to arrange and attend between the Police, ECC Highways, ESW, and LDLH and Great Wigborough PCs to resolve the problems with speeding on the B1028 between the Church and the end of the causeway. Action to resolve the issues with the pavements on Malting Green Road. Richard Marriage reported that the re-surfacing of the main road had resulted in there being no discernible difference in level between the road surface and the kerb/footpath. This issue had been raised unsuccessfully before, but was a real safety concern for pedestrians. Cllr Maclean would look into it. Zone Warden's Report Tim Pickard reported two fly tipping incidents on Bounstead Road. The offenders had failed to pay the fine so will be prosecuted. The Fixed Penalty fine for littering and dog fouling had gone up to 100. Tim had been advised of an abandoned vehicle on the estate near the garages on Old Forge Road. The vehicle is SORN but is on the pavement, so has been reported to CBC. Changes to the Waste Recycling collections would come into effect w/c 19 June. Garden recycling bags will be available from the Zone Wardens on presentation of the appropriate vouchers which are available on line. Black bags will now be collected fortnightly (3 maximum) along with glass & tins - blue week. Garden waste (4 sacks maximum), plastic and paper will be collected on green week. The food waste caddies will continue to be collected weekly.

2 Clerks Report: Travellers incident: a strong temporary lock had been put on the playing field gate. Clerk to purchase similar for ongoing use. Mobile skate ramp: unfortunately the Zone Wardens were unable to help. Heatherfields: The felling of the TPO d tree had been reported to Liam McKarry at CBC. A draft letter to residents of New Cut and The Heath advising of the correct procedure for dealing with overhanging trees etc was amended. Clerk to progress. Planning enforcement issues: The owner at 5 New Cut had been given 28 days to submit a planning application, likewise the resident at 16 Hawfinch Road. The Planning Enforcement Officer had also written to the owner of Lone Ash. 84a High Road Cllr Ellis had asked Andrew Tyrrell ( CBC Development Manager) to look into the problems and would advise of the outcome in due course. Planning Applications: Proposed extension, alterations and associated works, Sandilands, Abberton Road, Layer de la Haye CO2 0JU. The Parish Council has no objections Proposed base station installation, Land at Rye Farm, Layer de la Haye, CO2 0JL. The Parish Council understands that this application covers a Permitted Development. Under these circumstances we would wish to see the developers directed to mitigate the significant visual impact of the proposed mast on neighbouring properties, by painting the mast black, as has been done elsewhere Conversion of westernmost bay of barn into pet shop and dog grooming parlour, Wick Farm, Church Road, Layer de la Haye CO2 0EW. The Parish Council has no objections. Planning Decisions: Single storey front extension, 19 Greate House Farm Road, Layer de la Haye, CO2 0LP. Approved. Annual Insurance Cover Two further quotes had been sought for the Parish Council insurance. Zurich Municipal (current insurers) Aon Insurance quoted Aviva had been asked to quote, but had not responded. As agreed at the previous meeting cover would be taken with the cheapest provider. Accordingly, the Zurich Municipal quote has been accepted. Parish Clerk vacancy Three people had applied for the Parish Clerk & RFO role. Following discussion, it was agreed that all three candidates would be invited for interview. The interview panel would be Brian Turner, Mark Jones, Anne Hughes and the Clerk. Interviews would take place on 19/20 June. Clerk to progress arrangements. Finance The Clerk and Richard Marriage had reviewed and agreed the finances for April and May. Richard Marriage had drawn up a new spreadsheet detailing actual and forecast expenditure which was circulated. Internal Auditor s Report The Internal Audit had been completed by Mr Dick Clayton who had found everything to be satisfactory. Governance declaration The Annual Governance Statement, having been circulated at the previous meeting, was reviewed by the members of the Parish Council. The Parish Council resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement. The Annual Governance Statement was signed & dated by the Chairman and Clerk.

3 Approval of Accounts The Parish Council Accounting Statements were considered by the members of the Parish Council. The Parish Council resolved to approve the Accounting Statements which were then signed by the Chairman. The statutory period allowed for the exercise of electors rights runs from June to Monday 25 July. The completed audit papers will now be sent to the auditor PKF Littlejohn. Speeding issues B1026 At the May AGM Cllr Bentley committed to arranging a meeting between the Police, Highways, ESW & the Parish Council s most affected (LDLH & Great Wigborough). His latest communication on the subject had been non-committal, with no mention of a meeting. The Chairman undertook to remind him of his original commitment. Mark Jones will provide updated statistics from the Community Speedwatch. Local Plan Review The Chairman had received an from a resident detailing election material from Priti Patel which stated the MP had been successful in fighting housing development proposals and suggesting that the Parish Council enlist her help to oppose the proposed development in The Folley. The Parish Council felt that the circumstances in which Ms Patel had successfully challenged development were likely to have been quite different to developments proposed under the Local Plan Review. They had firmly stated the Parish s opposition to the Folley development to CBC and had negotiated to achieve the best possible outcome for the village in the light of the proposed development going ahead. They were also awaiting the results of the Housing Needs Survey. Brian Turner would respond to the resident accordingly. Provision of Affordable Housing The RCCE had advised a good response rate (at least initially) on the Housing Needs Survey (98 responses within the first week) which suggested a high level of local engagement in the issue. The closing date for responses is 16/6. Neighbourhood Plan Mark Jones reported that very few neighbourhood plans were moving forward, those that were progressing were in places which wanted to promote growth. It was unlikely that there would be any village support for something that predicates growth, when we are already facing a development of around 50 houses in the village. It was agreed that the process should be shelved again for the time being. Mark Jones would consult with CBC to see whether there had been any change in the reasons for undertaking a neighbourhood plan. Playing Field: CCTV - Brian Turner had met with EJ Vision, who had provided the best of the three quotes received & who came highly recommended from the school. Three questions had been raised: Was it necessary to have a CCTV policy in place? Signage was required. Some parish councils had a CCTV policy and it would be straightforward to arrange one for LDLH which could be displayed on the website. How long were recordings held for? A month at any one time. Ownership of the telegraph pole outside the village hall (for the siting of cameras to cover the play area, village hall car park etc)? ECC had confirmed that the Parish Council were the owners. Bernard Brown would also be asked to provide a price, Brian Turner would provide the appropriate specification to ensure like for like quotation. Ditch clearance Clerk to chase Karl Roots for start date. Play area maintenance work. Three quotations had been received: Sovereign - 2,762 (5 year guarantee) Soft Surfaces 2,130 Playquip - 2,284 Whilst Cheshire based Soft Surfaces quote was slightly cheaper, the PC would prefer to appoint a local and trusted company (Playquip) to carry out the work, subject to a satisfactory guarantee being provided. Clerk to progress. Grounds maintenance contract hedge cutting. A response was still awaited from Pinnacle. Clerk to chase.

4 PROW Footpaths PG Groundcare had quoted to carry out a single cut of the village PROW. ECC were prepared to pay 317. The costs to the Parish of getting two full cuts would be approximately 1,500 which would not be viable. Clerk to ask for a quote to cut a small number of paths, with a view to ECC carrying out their cut as usual and the PC organising a second cut of the most used routes as necessary. Essex Wildlife Trust The next meeting will take place on 5/7 at 3pm Footpaths Malting Green Road - no update. Abberton Rights of Way Committee No update. Parish Council Website Tom Harris and the Clerk would progress Correspondence received: Winter Salt Bag Partnership. The Parish Council would take part in this scheme again, but did not require a further delivery of salt. Clerk to progress. from allotment holder re. adding a spouse s name to lease. The Parish Council agreed that this would be in order. Clerk to progress. Notification of Local Community Meeting on13/6 at West Mersea Town Council offices. Noted. from resident re fallen road sign, Church Road. This sign had been reported to ECC some time ago. The ECC Highways website records This issue has been investigated, risk assessed and recorded in line with our Maintenance Strategy as not requiring immediate action at this time. This will be considered for inclusion in future planned works. At this stage no specific dates or timescales are available for future works at this location. This issue will continue to be monitored. Bus Passenger Transport result of tender round. Noted. Statutory Notice re Lexden Springs School. Noted. Councillors comments: Some small trees had been planted adjacent to the village gates on Church Road. It wasn t known who had planted them, but in time they will obscure the gates. David Lennox would remove them. Brian Turner had received a complaint about building materials being left on the green at the Crossroads. Wall repairs are being carried out opposite, so it is likely to be a short-term issue. Anne Hughes would speak to the builders. A request had been received for the Parish to show support for Seafarers Day by flying the Red Ensign. It was possible that a flag could be flown from the Church Tower. Anne Hughes to consider. The trial earlier start time of 7pm was considered. It was proposed & agreed to continue the trial for another month. Payments approved: S Priestland Grass cutting 11 S Hughes May salary & office expenses 12 Mr R Clayton Internal Audit 13 Zurich Municipal Annual Parish Council Insurance 14 CCVS Bus Hire 3/4 and 24/4 15 Colchester Association of Local Councils Annual subscription BT Village Hub telephone line and broadband provision. Paid by direct debit

5 Receipts: Chariot Bus Bus Fares 8/5 Chariot Bus Bus Fares 22/5 The meeting closed at 8.48pm.