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.