ASHINGDON PARISH COUNCIL Clerk to the Council: Mrs Kelly Holland Tel: 01702 441493 33 Rowan Way Email: ashingdonparishcouncil@essexinfo.net Canewdon Essex SS4 3PD Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at Ashingdon and East Hawkwell Memorial Hall on Monday 4 th April 2011 at 7.30pm. Present: Chairman Cllr. D. Constable Councillors Cllr. N. Drayton-Thomas Cllr. G. Dryhurst Cllr. T. Flowers Cllr. S. Gunn Cllr. A. Powell Cllr. R. Prestige Cllr. P. Shaw Officers Members of press and public Kelly Holland, Parish Clerk Two 11/1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Vice Chairman, Cllr. C. Turner and Cllrs. L. Brand and R. Clark. the apologies be accepted. 11/2 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 7 th March 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, D. Constable. 11/3 CLERK S PROGRESS REPORT 10/114 The Clerk was in the process of applying for funding from Cory Environmental Trust for the benches at Ashingdon Road and South Fambridge. 10/171 Written confirmation has been received from Rochford District Council for the basketgoal. The Clerk will be meeting with a representative from Playdale Playgrounds, installation is expected six weeks after the site visit. 10/173 The consent form has been returned to the District Council for permission to hold the reenactment of the Battle of Ashingdon in King George Field. Ironwork Designs have advised that the price for the two notice boards is 500 each. As the Parish Council only have 800 funding available, the Clerk has authorised the fabrication and installation of the board at the Memorial Hall. 11/4 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS None. 11/5 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION 11/6 FINANCE No issues were raised. Cllr. S. Gunn advised that there was a new P3 representative at Essex County Council. She also advised that there was a problem with dog mess at South Fambridge. The Chairman, D. Constable, advised that the issue with dog fouling was under investigation with Rochford District Council.
Members received that schedule of payments for approval. The bank reconciliation figures for February 2011 were received. The Chairman, D, Constable, proposed that the Parish Council purchase an ordnance survey map of the parish at a cost of 7.99. The map shows paths, footpaths and gives detailed information regarding sites within the parish. The Clerk would hold the map for reference. The following payments/cheques be approved for payment and signed: Mrs K Holland (Clerk) 301541 969.65 Mr C Proctor (Litter Picker) 301542 252.00 HMRC 301543 418.81 Essex Pension Fund 301544 22.70 Acumen Wages 301545 21.00 Rochford District Council business rates 301546 49.04 EALC 301547 553.91 Open Spaces Society 301548 40.00 CPRE 301549 29.00 Essex Regalia 301550 55.00 Mrs D Constable 301551 51.40 Mr G Dryhurst 301552 66.00 Rochford District Council spray art 301553 150.00 A & J Lighting Solutions 301554 670.74 the bank reconciliation figures for February 2011 be approved and accepted; 11/7 PLANNING The Parish Council purchase an ordnance survey map of the parish at a cost of 7.99. A list of applications received and determined during March was received. Members received a letter from Rochford District Council regarding an appeal in respect of planning application 10/00778/FUL, Victor, Canewdon Road. the District Council be informed of the comments as set out below the following applications:- Application No: Proposal: Location: NO OBJECTIONS 11/00102/FUL Construct two storey extension and pitched roof dormers to one side of roof of resultant building and convert into pair of semi-detached 1 bed chalets and construct new crossing and parking area. 1 Nansen Avenue, Rochford the list of applications received and determined during March be noted; the information regarding the appeal to planning application 10/00778/FUL be noted. 11/8 KING GEORGES PLAYING FIELD Members received an email from Richard Evans, Head of Environmental Services at Rochford District Council. The Parish Council could not pay an apportionment of the District Councils insurance premium as any damage to the facilities as a result of longer opening hours would have a negative impact upon the District Councils insurance claims history and premiums. The need for longer opening hours was still an issue that the Parish Council wanted to address.
the Parish Council do not pursue taking over the Ashingdon Pavilion toilets; the following opening hours for the facilities be requested and pursued; (i) open until 5pm on weekdays; (ii) open every weekend; (iii) during school holidays. the information be put into the August edition of the Parish Council newsletter. 11/9 ST THOMAS ROAD CAR PARK Following a Councillor surgery held at the Mews Bar, the residents unanimously opposed the Parish Councils proposals to install a height barrier and mark out parking bays. Members received two quotations for the works required to the fence at the car park. the Parish Council do not pursue the proposal of a height barrier and parking bays; the quotation of 1525.00 plus VAT from Pleasure Pools & Leisure Landscapes for the work to the chain link fencing be approved. 11/10 FOOTPATHS Members received the confirmation from the Planning Inspectorate regarding the modification of footpaths 15 and 2 in Ashingdon parish and footpath 7 in Hawkwell parish to bridleway 43. Cllr. S. Gunn advised members that a complaint had been made to Rochford District Council regarding the mud in Malvern Road. As a result of the complaint, a barrier preventing horse access had been installed, even though the barrier adjoins a bridleway. Chris Brown at Essex County Council had visited and believes it is possible to split the area to allow both pedestrian and horse access. Information was received regarding evidence required for a public right of way claim with respect to Vincent Road. Members were uncertain as to public opinion regarding the closure of the road. the Clerk write to the District Council and request that the barrier in Malvern Road be removed to allow access for all users; the Clerk request a hard surface be installed on site to prevent slipping during wet condition; a notice be displayed in all Parish Council notice boards to ascertain if there is any objection to the closure of Vincent Road. The consultation will last 28 days and residents should lodge comments with the Clerk. Cllr. G. Dryhurst opposed the resolution 11/10 as he believed the consultation period should be longer. 11/11 WORKS REQUIRED TO THE AREA OUTSIDE ASHINGDON SCHOOL Vandalism had occurred to the bus shelter and the notice board outside Ashingdon School had been completely removed from the ground on 20 th March 2011. A quote of 454.17 had been received from Queensbury Shelters to replace the damaged Perspex panels in the bus shelter, quotes were still awaited to install the notice board. The Clerk advised that the excess on the Parish Council insurance premium was 250.00. the Clerk be authorised to instruct Queensbury Shelters to replace the damaged Perspex panels in the bus shelter; once the quotations had been received to re-site the notice board, the Clerk instruct the contractor with the cheapest quote to carry out the works;
the Parish Council claim on the insurance for the repairs to the bus shelter and notice board. 11/12 FLOWER BEDS AND ROADSIDE VERGES Members noted that the rose beds outside the Memorial Hall needed some attention as there is a lot of deadwood and some of the roses are spindly. Cllr. N. Drayton-Thomas offered to carry out the work free of charge. The verges that run from Cllr. P. Shaw s house to the card shop have been driven over and there were a lot of gaps were the plants have been killed. Members noted that some of the trees had died and would need replacing. Members noted that the Church Road flower bed needed further plants. (d) Cllr. N. Drayton-Thomas carry out the required work to the rose beds outside the Memorial Hall; the gaps in the verges between Cllr. P. Shaws house and the card shop be replanted during September/October; the consideration as to what plants to purchase be deferred to the June meeting of the Parish Council, with quotations to be presented to the July Parish Council meeting and the installation of the trees in September or October; Cllr. N. Drayton-Thomas be authorised to purchase and plant some dianthus plants for the Church Road flower bed. 11/13 TREE AT THE CORNER OF CANEWDON VIEW ROAD The highways authority had refused permission to plant a further tree at the corner of Canewdon View Road due to the location of overhead cables. Members received a letter from the resident of the property on the corner of the road in support of planting as it would enhance the area. The planting of shrubs was considered. shrubs be planted at the corner of Canewdon View Road during September/October; the consideration of shrubs to purchase be deferred to the June meeting of the Parish Council, with quotations to be presented to the July Parish Council meeting and the installation of the trees in September or October. 11/14 RE-ENACTMENT OF THE BATTLE OF ASHINGDON Cllr. S. Gunn advised that she had been unable to make contact with the leader of the re-enactment. One quotation of 1580.00 was received for a hog roast at the event. Members believed that it would not be viable to provide a hog roast due to the significant cost. As the re-enactment would take several hours to pack away, it was felt that further entertainment was not needed. (d) Cllr. S. Gunn continue to attempt to make contact with the re-enactment; the Parish Council do not pursue the hog roast; the Clerk look into alternative caterers that supply burgers, jacket potatoes etc; no further entertainment is required after the re-enactment has taken place. 11/15 FUNDING FOR FLOOD PROTECTION A new scheme was available to install property-level flood protection to dwellings that flooded frequently. the following properties be submitted for funding for flooding:
(i) (ii) (iii) Moons Farm, Moons Bungalow, Moons Cottages; Hyde Wood Cottages; Canewdon Road cottages next to the free Church. 11/16 ASHINGDON TEEN CAFÉ Confirmation had been received from Mark Hughes the Schools Children and families integrated youth services manager at Essex County Council, that the café closed due to the level of staffing and safe practice. As the Parish Council granted funds to purchase a pool table, air hockey table and table football, members considered other organisations to donate the equipment to. the Parish Council do not mentor the re-opening of the teen café; the Clerk write to the free Church youth club and the Scouts to offer the equipment. 11/17 NEWSLETTER A template for the first edition of the Parish Council newsletter was received. The issue would include the annual report for 2010/11. The Clerk advised that she hoped to get the newsletter printed during the second week of May and have them delivered during the third week in May. the template be approved for publication, following the results of the election. Cllr. R. Prestige left the meeting, 9.00pm Cllr. R. Prestige returned to the meeting, 9.03pm 11/18 CONSULTATIONS Essex County Council requested comments regarding proposed shadow local healthwatch organisation in Essex during 2011/12. Canewdon Endowed Primary School and Nursery were consulting local organisations regarding the closure of the nursery and the opening of a pre-school in its place. the Parish Council have no comments to submit to Essex County Council regarding the proposed shadow local healthwatch organisation; the Parish Council have no comments to submit to Canewdon Endowed Primary School regarding the closure of the nursery school and the opening of a pre-school. 11/19 CRIME AND ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR There were reports of older children purchasing alcohol for the younger children, thirty children had been caught underage drinking in King Georges Field. No alcohol signs had been displayed in Magnolia Park which deterred drinking in the area. There had been some excessive noise in King George Field over previous weekends, there were also incidents involving children attempting to start fires. the Parish Council approach Rochford District Council for permission to display No Alcohol signs in King George Field. 11/20 REPORTS FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR OUTSIDE COMMITTEES Standards Committee Chairman, D. Constable No meetings had taken place. Ashingdon and East Hawkwell Memorial Hall - Cllr. P. Shaw Cllr. P. Shaw advised that the memorial plaque for the local soldier who had died in Afghanistan had been sent away for modification. Twelve grant applications had been submitted for the work required to the roof of the hall.
(d) (e) East Area Committee - Cllr. P. Shaw; The minutes were available from Cllr. P. Shaw, the main discussion at the meeting was potholes within the district. Rochford Hundred Association of Local Councils - Cllr. P. Shaw; No meetings had taken place. Neighbourhood Action Panel - Cllr. T. Flowers. A report from Cllr. T. Flowers was given to members regarding various thefts and burglaries within the parish. There had been an increase in dwelling burglaries which the Police are addressing. 11/21 TRAINING/NOTIFICATIONS Members received a list of training sessions being held by the Essex Association of Local Councils in Great Dunmow during April 2011. 11/22 ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA Update regarding the re-enactment of the Battle of Ashingdon Update regarding Malvern Road Village sign refurbishment 11/23 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING The Annual Parish Meeting is on Monday 9 th May 2011 at 7.30pm, followed by the Annual Parish Council meeting. The meeting was closed at 9.30pm Chairman s Signature Dated 9 th May 2011