RIDGEWELL PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 13 MAY 2014 AT THE VILLAGE HALL Present: Mr Nick Rouse (Chairman) Mrs Janet Ridsdill-Smith Miss Nicola Williams Mrs Susan Rouse () 14/39 Election of Chairman Although he had stated at the last meeting that he wished to step down for 2014-15, given that the Council is in the processing of taking over management of the Village Hall, Cllr Rouse indicated in response to a question that he would be prepared to stand. He plans, however, not to stand for re-election in 2015. Cllr Rouse elected Chairman (proposed: Cllr Williams; seconded: Cllr Ridsdill-Smith). In her absence, Cllr Hale was re-elected Vice Chairman (proposed: Cllr Rouse; seconded: Cllr Williams). ACTION 14/40 Welcome and apologies for absence The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received from Cllr Hale (away on business). Cllr Mackay-Yau was representing the Parish Council at a meeting of the BDC Planning Committee. 14/41 Declaration of Members interests None. 14/42 Public Open Forum There were 4 members of the public present. No matters of substance were raised. 14/43 Minutes of last meeting Minutes of meeting held on 28 April 2014 were agreed as a true record and signed. 14/44 Visitors reports No visitors present. 14/45 s Report Street name signs requests have been made to BDC for reinstatement of Drury Lane sign at junction with Stambourne Road and Sparks Lane; repair of fingerpost at bottom of Stambourne Road and repair of The Causeway sign at the top of Five Ash Hill. The top of a missing bend sign (near the Travellers Site) has been reported to ECC Highways. A speed indicator device (SID) has been installed by the Congregational Chapel on the existing VAS post. A second SID will be installed shortly in Mill Road. The post is in position but we have received a complaint from the resident outside whose house the pole is located. ECC Highways is responsible for determining the location of the SID and the resident s complaint has been passed to them for their attention. Cllr Rouse cleared damaged glass pane in the telephone box. The is arranging for this to be repaired and some peeling paint to be addressed at the RPC Minutes 13/5/14 Page 1
same time. The footway across Chapel Green has been resurfaced. Representatives from the Ridgewell community speed watch team will be participating in a combined speed watch offensive organised by Essex Police through neighbouring villages on two dates in May. A further volunteer has stood down from the team so we now number only 6. Allotment 5B has been re-let. Welcome Packs have been delivered to 3 homes in the village. Sandbags around 15 remaining in storage. ECC Highways are not proposing to adopt the planned footway to the new affordable homes if it goes behind the allotment hedge nor will the Chelmer Housing Partnership take on this responsibility. The contractor feels this is the safest location for the path but ECC Highways view is that routes behind hedges are seen as personal safety hazards and can be dark and overgrown. The 30mph speed limit will be extended to beyond the new houses so the path will be within the speed limit. After discussion, Members agreed that the Parish Council should not adopt this path as this would be a financial burden for parishioners in the future. It was resolved that the contractors should be advised accordingly. It was likely then that the hedge would be removed, the ditch piped and the footway placed alongside the highway. The hedge would be re-instated subsequently. 14/46 Co-option of Councillor Mr Robert Whittle had volunteered to become a Councillor and was duly coopted. (Proposed: Cllr Rouse; seconded: Cllr Williams). 14/47 Planning/Housing Detailed responses can be viewed on the Braintree District Council website using the reference numbers given below where appropriate. 47.1 Applications for discussion at meeting: 14/00544/FUL Wash Farm Barn, Three Chimneys Lane Alterations to building to include creation of recess on the rear elevation, double narrow casement window on the first floor master bedroom in lieu of single casement, new double doors in lieu of triple casement window at south elevation No comments 47.2 Planning Applications Observations conveyed to BDC under delegated authority since last meeting 47.2.1 14/00323/FUL Minerva-Langley, Drury Lane Erection of single storey rear extension No comments 47.2.2 14/00345/FUL 2 Tilbury Green Erection of ground floor rear extension and alterations Minor comments 47.2.3 14/00086/TPOCON Greenswards, Drury Lane Remove decayed branches on one walnut tree No comments 47.2.4 14/00087/TPOCON Morvine House, Drury Lane Fell one Trachycarpus fortuneii No comments RPC Minutes 13/5/14 Page 2
47.3 Planning Applications Decisions received from BDC since last meeting 47.3.1 14/00223/FUL Portland Lodge, Chapel Road Alterations to existing single storey extension, erection of single storey extension and replacement of UPVC windows and doors - Granted 47.3.2 14/00064/TPOCON Ridgewell Village Hall Various tree work Granted 47.3.3 14/00086/TPOCON Greenswards, Drury Lane Remove decayed branches on one walnut tree Granted 47.3.4 14/00087/TPOCON Morvine House, Drury Lane Fell one Trachycarpus fortuneii Granted 47.3.5 14/00323/FUL Minerva-Langley, Drury Lane Erection of single storey rear extension Granted 47.3.6 14/00345/FUL 2 Tilbury Green Erection of ground floor rear extension and alterations - Granted 47.3.7 13/00051/FUL Ridgewell Airfield Essex Gliding Club Change of use from agricultural to use as part of gliding club including winch launching of gliders Approved in principle subject to negotiation of a Section 106 agreement to be determined at a future BDC meeting. 47.4 Village Stores The Council has been advised that the BDC Planning Development Manager has consulted with the Area Conservation Officer and has now taken the view that it is not expedient to pursue outstanding planning enforcement notice with respect to the UPVC doors and windows installed by the previous owner without permission. Replacement with wooden fittings would result in little or no improvement for planning purposes and action by way of prosecution cannot therefore be justified. It is therefore the case that the notices requiring replacement of UPVC materials have been withdrawn under Section 173A(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended. Members resolved to discuss this matter further once a decision had been made on the current application for The King s Head. 47.5 The King s Head It was noted that the current application for The King s Head was being discussed at the BDC Planning Committee meeting this evening at which Cllr Mackay-Yau was representing the Parish Council. 14/48 Finance 48.1 Payments made to meet the end of the financial year 2013-14 of 116.75 were noted and approved. App 1 48.2 Completion of the 20-13-14 Audit 48.2.1 A satisfactory report had been received from the internal auditor. The annual return to the external auditors including confirmation RPC Minutes 13/5/14 Page 3
of governance statement was approved. It was confirmed that Members are satisfied that the Council s methods of internal control are adequate. The return will be signed later this week by the Vice Chair in accordance with standing orders and financial regulations. /CH 48.2.2 The proposed earmarking of reserves for 2014-15 was agreed. 48.2.3 It was noted that the Employer s Annual Return to HM Revenue & Customs was made online on 1 April 2014. 48.3 It was noted that the Annual Report and Accounts had been distributed to parishioners in Newsletter No. 7. App 2 48.4 As the Ridgewell News has reserves of over 800 at present, it was agreed not to award them a grant at this time. Members, however, remained supportive of the Ridgewell News and would consider future approaches from the editorial team in this respect. 48.5 Payments to the value of 3,986.43 were approved and the financial report as at 13 May 2014 was noted. 14/49 Environmental/Grounds Maintenance 49.1 Review of condition of street furniture It was agreed: To seek volunteers at the summer show to paint the bus shelter To obtain a quotation for painting the Council notice board To see volunteer at the summer show to clean and oil unless Len Ellis willing to undertake as previously 49.2 Marking the centenary of commencement of World War I It was resolved to grow poppies in pots for placement around the war memorial. App 3/4 NW 14/50 Events 50.1 Reports on events attended Cllr Hale, Cllr Rouse and the had attended a Network 5 meeting with neighbouring parishes in March. Nothing of significance to report. Cllr Williams had attended a meeting on the summer show. Possible items for Council display board are sign up for bus shelter painting, speed watch and broadband speed. 50.2 Nominations for new events (None) 14/51 Information exchange/future agenda items No additional items noted. RPC Minutes 13/5/14 Page 4
14/52 Next meeting The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 15 July 2014 at 8.30pm at the Village Hall. Meeting closed at 9.45pm. Signed:... Date:... BDC = Braintree District Council ECC = Essex County Council SID = Speed Indicator Device RPC Minutes 13/5/14 Page 5