Current Minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF GREAT HORKESLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD ON 7^th. OCTOBER, 2009 AT 7.30pm, in the Village Hall.

Present:  Cllrs  Knight,  Arnold, Barbrook,  McKay, Mead, Webber & Williams.

 Any matters pertaining to:- Sec. 17 Crime & Disorder Act, 1998 “the need to do all that (the Council) reasonably can to prevent crime & disorder in its area”:

Declarations of Interest : Cllr. Arnold advised that he had a prejudicial interest regarding Item 4 (management of public open space) and would absent himself from the discussion. He also declared

an interest in respect of Planning Application 091172, being for a plot neighbouring his home.

1.                APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – none received.

2.             Minutes of the September 2009  Council Meeting & Matters Arising.

                by a motion proposed by Cllr. Mead and seconded by Cllr. Williams, the minutes

                of the meeting were approved. The Chairman noted that

                Cllr. Chapman advises he was present and did not make a report because of his

                contributions during the meeting & the lateness of the hour. Minutes noted accordingly.  

3.                FINANCE

                Clerk’s Remuneration – approved for payment

                Admin Expenses viz: Stationery - deferred

                Travel Expenses – Cllr. Mead – approved for payment £10.84 (Chq.997)

                Village Hall Grants to remain on Agenda until works completed.

                Reconciled Balances at Bank. BPA £30,926.75 Curr a/c £6,688.48

                Village Hall floor repairs – payment on account: approved for payment

                £3,450.00 (chq.998)

                Transfer between accounts – the Clerk reported that a requested transfer had

                not been actioned for the Bank, with no reason given.

                Second tranche of Precept/Grant – receipt noted £7,340.50.

                2008-2009 District Audit Report

                Cllr. Arnold left the meeting at 9.15pm, before Item 4 was discussed.

4.             Tile House Farm Development

                Proposals for management of public open space (circulated by e-mail)

                Site approach/notices from Coach Road

                The Council considered a letter from Mersea Homes dated 30^th. September, 2009 with map

                attached. The letter outlined a traffic management plan for construction access for the

                second part of the Tile House Farm site. The developers wish to change traffic proposals

                so as to allow site traffic to access the site via Coach Road/A134. The Council noted

                that the road is already a bus route, busy with service vehicles and school traffic. The new

                estate road is considered to be of sufficient standard to support development traffic. The

                existing road pattern at the school entrance will only cause more problems. There is

                the question of mud and debris at the site entrance. Councillors raised issues concerning

                no construction traffic before 9.30am, none at weekends with a ban from 14.45 relating

                to traffic and pedestrians to and from the school. The Council agreed that access should be                 only via the new road estate, from the A134. There should be no parking of contractors’

                vehicles of any sort on Coach Road, and that parking should be provided in Coach Road.

                The Chairman advised that the handover of POS1 is unlikely to take place before next year,

                because of grass area and planting problems. The Council does not value any of the options

                offered. The Council has asked to see a specimen Service Level Agreement, which to date has

                not been forthcoming.

5.                Community Centre Project (this Item was taking out of order in order to enable Cllr.                 Arnold to attend, before Item 4)

                A discussion followed in which the following points were raised – size of hall. Preferred

                option, option 2 which is a basic hall with extras, funded by the Public Works Loans’ Board

                finance facility. The Management Committee of the existing Village Hall do not wish to

                take on the venture of a new hall. The Charitable status/land ownership issues remain                 unresolved. Any loan period has not yet been discussed. Cllr. McKay is considering

                the production of a business plan. Any new community centre will need much more dynamic

                management and Cllr. McKay is sounding out Village Organisations. Cllrs. McKay & Mead

                are due to attend an RCCE meeting shortly (19.10.09) when all such matters will be aired.      Cllr. Barbrook circulated a revised drawing, which illustrates a main hall of 18m x 9.5m.

                The Chairman closed the meeting between 8.10pm and 8.15pm

                The meeting considered that there should be a realistic assessment by the steering group of

                what level of funding is required, and likely sources.

                Cllr. Arnold proposed that a Planning Application should be submitted for the full size

                building, but on a modular basis, and that the Council’s Architects be instructed to

                prepare such an application. (No seconder recorded) This proposal was approved                 unanimously. Cllr. Barbrook will co-ordinate with the Architects.

6.             Anti-Social Behaviour

                Reports have been received of youths siting on the top of the Malvern Way bus shelter.

                The lady of owned the neighbouring garden has, sadly, died. Youths are going into the

                garden to retrieve balls. The Council is at a loss as to what can be done to discourage

                such behaviour. Cllr. Williams will refer the matter to the Neighbourhood Action Panel.

7.                Highways

                Repairs to A134 carriageway – warmly received. Cllr. Barbrook will chase up highways

                regarding to cycle/pedestrian safety.

8.                Planning:-

                Decisions

                090755                    Tim Knighton                Woodhouse Farm. Livestock Building & Temporary                 Mobile Home. GRANTED. Noted.

                090838                    A J Whitby                Blacksmith’s Corner, Ivy Lodge Road. Erect single

                dwelling. GRANTED. Noted.

                Applications

                091172                    P O’loughlin                10, Manor Close. Extension. (re-submission of 090271)

                                                                                The Clerk reported that a notice of Grant has already

                                                                                been received.

                091207                    P Clare                    Martins, Nayland Rd. Alterations, windows, balconey to

                                                                                rear & general repairs. No objection.

                091265                    A. London                Charnwood, Chilton Close. Extensions, garage                                                                                    conversion, & conservatory. No objection.

                090231                    Bunting & Sons                Horkesley Park Heritage & Conservation Centre.

                                                Freedom of Information Act request – continuing.

9.             Ward Councilor’s Report  - none given.

9a.           Risk Assessment – model to be approved – deferred to a later meeting.

9b.                Allotments

                Expressions of Interest have now reached 13 persons. No progress to date on identifying a

                suitable site.

10.          Matters of Formal Correspondence  - noted & circulated as appropriate

                Easy Essex Area Forum

                CBC – Forward Plan of Key Decisions October, 2009/January, 2010.

                North East Essex PCT Annual Report/Accounts 2008/2009.

                ECC – Public Rights of Way CAT – Annual Report 2008/2009.

11.          Items of Correspondence not otherwise covered by this Agenda:  noted and circulated as                 appropriate.

                Essex Police Newsletter – August, 2009.

                ECC “Making the Links”

                Colchester 2020 Update

                CBC “Common Ground” (Parish Councils’ Newsletter.)

                Local Council Review – Autumn 2009.

                “Komplay” – playground equipment brochure

                “Timberline” – outdoor play and play area brochure.

                Essex Playing Fields Annual Review

12.          Any Other Business

                The Clerk is asked to submit an application for a Vehicle Activated Speed sign before

                the deadline (6^th. November, 2009.)

                Cllr. Williams reported that the Neighbourhood Action Panel now has a new name.

                Date of Next Meeting

                 2009 Meetings’ Dates:-                                   4^th. November, 2009.

                                                                                                Financial S/C Committee

                                                                                                2^nd. December, 2009