Minutes 5 Feb 07
Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 5th February 2007 at the Church Room, Chapel Cut, Mistley commencing at 7.30 p.m.
Present: - Cllrs Rose (Chairman), French (Vice Chairman), Fairhall, Forrester, Horlock, Peacock, Potter and Worsley
R Ling (Clerk to the Council)
Police Community Support Officer
18 Members of the Public
Apologies Cllrs G Carter, J Carter and Smith
01.07 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Rose declared an interesting item 8.b of the agenda and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.
02.07 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 18th December 2006 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr Horlock
03.07 Matters Arising
a. Feeding of swans along The Walls
The Chairman reported on a meeting held on 26th January to discuss the
problems caused to the condition of the greensward by the practice of Swan
Watch, and other individuals, in regular feeding the swans. It was generally
agreed that there was no wish to discourage the swans but the problem was the
number of Canada geese that were being encouraged to congregate at this
point. After discussion it was agreed to (1) write to the RSPB asking for their
co-operation in controlling the hatching of goslings when the birds nest in
areas managed by that organisation (2) arrange a meeting with Trent Wharfage
to ensure that feeding from the Quay could take place and to agree any safety
measures necessary. This meeting should include other interested parties. (3)
continue investigations into how the birds could be discouraged from gaining
access to the top of the greensward.
b. Footpath in New Road
The Clerk reported that he had received a letter from ECC stating that there was
no intention at the moment to upgrade the condition of the footpath between the
Church and the Church Hall.
c. Green Lane Signs
It was agreed that signs should be erected in Green Lane, and the approaches
thereto, stating that the Lane was a public footpath and vehicle access was only
available to residents living in the Lane. The signs should have reflective black
lettering on a white background with a black border. The Clerk to arrange for
quotations to be obtained
.
04.07 Finance Committee
The minutes of the Finance Committee held on 5th January 2007 were noted and the recommendations contained therein were approved
Proposed Cllr French
05.07 Public Voice
The meeting was adjourned between 7.55 p.m. and 8.35 p.m. to allow members of the public to speak. Matters raised were (1) feeding of the swans (2) condition of Shrubland Road (3) condition of The Pound at the junction of Shrubland Road and Harwich Road (4) proposals for public use of The Maltings, High Street (5) vandalism at the Railway Station (6) PCSOs report on the need for volunteers for traffic speed monitoring and on Local Action Plan meetings.
06.07 Finance
a. The following Standing Order was noted:-
£1264.00 (salaries)
£88.19 (hire of photocopier and copies)
b. The following payments were approved: -
E Dent £221.20 R Ling £76.97
CAB £300.00 Rose Builders £60.97
TDC £75.00 Tendring Water £42.65
May Gurney £203.00
Proposed Cllr Potter
c. A Direct Debit mandate in favour of E.On Energy for electricity supply to
street lights was agreed and signed.
Proposed Cllr French
d. The Chairman reported that three quotations were being obtained for essential
work to the trees on Council owned land. It was agreed to authorise the Clerk,
in consultation with the Chairman, to accept the lowest quotation.
Proposed Cllr Horlock
e. The Clerk reported that he had received one quotation, from TDC’s approved
Contractor, for the erection of a CCTV system at Furze Hill Recreation
Ground. He was asked to enquire the cost of linking this system to TDC’s
Careline and report back to a future meeting.
07.07 Planning
a. Recent planning decisions made by TDC since the last meeting were noted.
b. Four current planning applications were considered and no objections made.
08.07 Public Footpaths
The Clerk reported ECC’s decision not to approve the Council’s application to declare certain footpaths, between footpaths 4, 15 and 16, to be public rights of way. It was agreed to appeal against this decision in the cases of application Nos 208, 212 (part) and 214. It was also agreed the Mr Robert Horlock should be appointed as the Council’s representative in the appeal procedure. Mr Horlock was thanked for his efforts on behalf of the Council.
09.07 Correspondence
Recent correspondence was reported and the following decision made:-
a. CAB – request for a grant. Agreed to give £300.00
Proposed Cllr Fairhall
b. District Councillor M Dew – salt bin at Kiln Lane and condition of the
Gamekeepers Pond. Clerk to respond
10.07 Any Other Business
The Clerk reported correspondence with the new owners of the Secret Bunker which suggested that the Parish Council were partly responsible for the maintenance of the access road to Furze Hill. He was asked to obtain legal advice and report back to a future meeting.
11.07 Dates of Next Meeting
Monday 19th March 2007 commencing at 7.30 p.m. at the Church Room, Chapel
Cut.
Meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.