Minutes May 2007
BRADWELL (with PATTISWICK) PARISH COUNCIL2 MINUTES of the MEETING held on Monday 14 May 2007
This meeting incorporates the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council and the Annual Parish Meeting.
PRESENT: Mrs K Hill (Chairman), Mr B Saville, Mr T Speakman, Mr R Webb, Mrs D Tyrie, Mr J Marshall
Two members of the public were present.
APOLOGIES: Mr C Evans, Mr P Wigg,
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR 2007/8
Cllr Webb was nominated (Cllr Speakman proposed). Cllr Saville was nominated (Cllr Tyrie proposed). Cllr R Webb was elected Chairman by 2 votes to 1.
Mrs K Hill formally handed over the office of Chairman and was thanked for her 16 years of dedicated service to the Council and was presented with a rhododendron.
Mr B T Hill was retiring having served as Parish Clerk for many years and was thanked for his dedication and hard work.
Cllr Webb completed the Acceptance of Office paperwork, which was witnessed by the outgoing Clerk
Cllr Marshall was appointed Vice Chairman.
Members confirmed the entries in the Register of Interests were correct.
The Council adopted the Standards Board’s Model Code for parish and town councils including paragraph 12(2), which came into force on 3 May 2007.
[Information note: Paragraph 12(2) gives members with a prejudicial interest in a matter the same rights as members of the public to speak to a meeting on the matter, and then leave before the main discussion and vote.]
The Model Code for Parish Councils is available at:
www.standardsboard.gov.uk/TheCodeofConduct/ReviewingtheCode/
or can be viewed by arrangement with the Parish Clerk at any reasonable time.
Cheque signing changes were made to reflect the composition of the new Council
The Annual General Meeting closed at 7:02pm
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The Minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting were signed as a correct record
The Chairman thanked the Village Hall committee and colleagues for their work on the refurbishment of the Village Hall.
The Annual Parish Meeting closed at 7:32 pm
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
PUBLIC TIME: Cllr Saville wrote (on 6 May) to Bradwell Aggregates reporting three incidents regarding HGVs failing to stop at the road crossing with Church Road and a pick-up going down Cut Hedge Lane. The incidents had been reported to the Community Policeman on 30 April. The site manager has promised larger sleeping policemen, repainting of lines and confirmation in writing by customers visiting the site to say they will co-operate with the STOP signs. The matter will be formally reviewed at the next meeting.
DECLARARTION OF INTERESTS: Cllr Saville declared an interest in the Waste and Recycling Plant.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the last Meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
FINANCE
Annual Return – The outgoing Clerk read the Statement of Assurance. The Council confirmed the Statement. The accounts had been signed at the previous meting.
Following this year’s Internal Audit, the Clerk suggested the accounts should, in future, be presented on an accruals basis rather than the previous cash-flow basis. Also the accounts should present major projects, operations and maintenance and VAT separately. The Council approved these changes.
ECC Community Initiatives Fund Grant
A grant up to £7,500-00 has been awarded to the Parish Council for installation of additional equipment on the Playing Field for use by March 2008. A suggestion has been received for picnic benches, a see-saw and football nets. The young people of the village would be asked their views. ECC would be asked for help. Before any expenditure is incurred the expenditure plans will be confirmed with ECC.
The Council welcome ideas on how the Playing Field facilities could be improved. Ideas to the Parish Clerk, Tony Dunn (01376 331409) please.
Grants for developing local facilities, such as improvements to Village Halls, are also available from the Landfill Communities Fund schemes. The Village Hall Committee will be asked to present their proposals at the next meeting.
PLAYING FIELD
Three weekly reports had been received.
The Community Warden had been advised that broken glass was becoming a problem on the playing field and will be invited to the next meeting.
The RoSPA Inspection will be in May.
POLICE
Cllr Saville would be chasing the minutes of the meeting he attended in Kelvedon six weeks ago.
COMMUNITY WARDENS
To attend next meeting. Meanwhile, a survey form had been received for completion and return to Braintree District Council, however, the Council felt it was too early to make an assessment
If any member of the parish has any feedback on the performance of the Community Warden the Council would be grateful for feedback.
STREET SCENE PARTNERSHIP
The Council approved the Street Cleansing Agreement for 2007-8.
Important we need your help with our Street Cleansing responsibilities:
Let us know if you see any fly-tipping, heavily littered areas, graffiti or fly posting in the Parish
A Parish litter pick will be organised shortly.
Channel sweeping – The sweeper has a programmed route concentrating on main highways where there are kerbs. Channel sweeping has been programmed for 31 July 2007, 9 October 2007 and 5 February 2008. Please do not park where the channel sweeper will go on these days.
ROADS – A120 – The Clerk read a letter to Stisted Parish Council which detailed the Highways Agency proposals for the existing A120, subject to funding in 2008/9. It was suggested that additional warning signs should be introduced on the approach to the Kings Lane junction.
OTHER ROADS – Hollies Road. A volume survey will be requested between the hours of 0700 and 0900 outside Bridge Hall Barn entrance on a week-day.
PLANNING
ESS/38/06/BTE Rivenhall Waste and Recycling Facility – The Secretary of State has concluded that this application should be decided by Essex County Council. The Council will be looking for benefits to the village from this decision.
05/01598/FUL Detached double cart shed at 114 Coggeshall Road Bradwell – Doors have appeared on the front of the double cart shed, which were not part of the original planning application. To be taken at the next meeting.
07/00582/COU Pumping Station – This planning application has been withdrawn.
The Slades – BDC had yet again been asked to ensure the planning conditions on this development are enforced. BDC have replied to say they have been given assurances with regard to the removal of the old pig-pen and the issue of a Breach of Condition Notice remains an option.
ESTATE INSPECTION
There was an Estate Inspection on 25 April, the Parish Clerk designate attended. Disintegrating footpaths were noted in Forge Crescent and on the Coggeshall Road, to the East of Riverside, in front of the Bradwell Service Station and along the entire stretch from the Service Station to the Eastern border of the village. The tree on the green in Forge Crescent would be inspected to ensure it was safe. The issue of responsibility for the street-lights in Riverside was raised. Following concern by a member of the public, a “Pram Crossing” has been requested across Hollies Road at the junction with the A120.
VILLAGE HALL PARKING To be followed up at the next meeting
BRADWELL QUARRY LIAISON MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 17 May at 2pm. Cllr Saville and the Parish Clerk to attend.
COUNCILLORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
A list of the previous councillors’ responsibilities was handed out for discussion at the June meeting.
CODE OF CONDUCT – deferred to next meeting
PAYMENTS – The meeting agreed the following payments:
E.ON Energy £ 54-04 inc VAT
Essex Association of Local Councils £120-85
Allianz Cornhill Insurance £673-21
Mr J C Reddington (Internal Auditor) £ 30-00
Apple Store £ 49-95
The meeting closed at 9.33 pm
FUTURE MEETINGS
11 June commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
9 July (provisional)
