Parish council Minutes 3rd November 2008

       

WRITTLE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON MONDAY 3rd NOVEMBER  2008

IN ROOM 4 LONGMEADS HOUSE

AT 7.30PM

 

PRESENT:                    Mr. C J Hibbitt  (Chairman)                                                      

Mr. R J Bray     (Vice Chairman)

                                    Mr. A. Carter

                                    Mrs. W. Walker

                                    Mrs. P. E. Laflin

                                    Mr. J. Drake

                                    Mrs. A. Robinson

Ms. M. Barratt                                      

Mr. P Storry     (arrived 8.00pm)          

Mrs. E A Roe               

Ms. L. Bowser

IN ATTENDANCE:         Mr. R Gray                   Clerk                

                                    Cllr. T Roper                Borough Councillor

                                    Cllr. J F Aldridge          County Councillor arrived 8.45pm

                                    Mr. I. Hilton                  PCSO Essex Police

                                   

                                    Mr. J. McDonald           PCSO Essex Police     

APOLOGIES:                Mrs. C. Knight                         

                                    Mr. J. Menown                        

                                    Mr. T. Sach

                                    Mr. R. Sherwin

                                   

                                   

 

1.         PUBLIC OPEN FORUM

            No public present

 

2.         APOLOGIES

            As above

 

3.         DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

            P. Storry and J. Drake members of Writtle Bowling Club.

 

4.         MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 6th October 2008

Minutes approved.

 

5.         MATTERS ARISING

            5.1        Welcome to County and Borough Councillors.

5.2        Youth Club.  Chair and Vice-Chair have met the Headmistress of Writtle Junior School and established that the school youth club is in reality a crèche and not a formal youth club No agreement reached with her re future of main youth club and Chair also reported that the contribution from the Church will now go to the formation of a junior choir.  The Chair ,Vice-Chair and Cllr. Robinson to meet YMCA next Monday to discuss future of club as they are not providing the content attendees seek.  The £5000 payment will not be made for the time being.  If the meeting with the YMCA does not go well, Chair advises he will give notice of termination of our agreement with them.

            The PCSO's highlighted the good work other youth clubs such as Moulsham achieve under the good leadership of Mr. David Archer

5.3        CCTV.  Cllr. Drake advised on discussions re siting the posts.  Still waiting to hear from CBC re other matters.Clerk to progress as matter of urgency.

5.4        The Green.  Some filling in of cracks taking place tomorrow.  Chair read out letter of thanks from Mrs. Annelli re the memorial bench.

5.5        Shops in Long Brandocks.   No further action needed.

5.6        Bye Laws. Cllr. Knight not present so discussion limited.  Clerk to write to Angela Balcombe re ownership of The Green.

5.7        Fly Posters.  Cllr. Carter expressed dissatisfaction re WCA Boot Sale notices.  Letter to be sent to WCA.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                   

6          COMMUNITY POLICING

6.1      Changes to PCSO personnel now not taking place.

6.2      Remembrance Day arrangements discussed and PCSO Mc.Donald confirmed traffic to be halted for 2 min on the relevant day by the War Memorial.  The Clerk confirmed his discussion with CBC re parking cones.

6.3      Chair, Vice-Chair and Cllr. Walker to meet new Police Inspector at Police H.Q. on 12.11.08. .

6.4.     Speed Guns.  It appears these have still not been supplied by Maztec and follow up to obtain them needed.  Cllr. Roe to progress.

6.5      Parking.  General problems again discussed and the Police advised CBC mainly limit traffic wardens to the Town centre.  Parking is de-criminalised and Police have little control over parking , unless there is a road obstruction when they should be immediately contacted for action to be taken.

6.6      Recent crime.  The recent burglary at the storage barn discussed in depth.  Sgt. N. Marshall disappointed witness did not get criminals white transit van reg,no and it seems the burglary could be the work of professionals as hydraulic cutters were used to gain entry to the barn.  PCSO Hilton confirmed Paradise Park is the centre of petty crime and there have been complaints re bad behaviour at the bus shelter by the Green by youths possibly moving away from Paradise Park. as bus shelters seem to act as a focus for bad behaviour.

6.7.     PCSO Hilton reported that a group of youths have complained that there are no facilities for them in the village . The Chair asked PCSO Hilton to set up a meeting with the youths and members of the Council.

                      

 

7          ALLOTMENTS SUB COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORT

            Cllr. Roe reported on the first Meeting of the Sub-Committee which the Clerk has minuted.  In particular the problems of The Chase and the unrented Meadow were reviewed and the majority felt that using it for equestrian facilities was unrealistic.  Cllr. Bray, said the field would have to be fenced and this could cost £6000 alone.  Also the health of horses can be a concern.

 

8          WRITTLE BOWLING CLUB GRANT APPLICATION

            The Clerk advised of his conversations with the secretary of the above and that a formal invitation to make a presentation to the Council has been progressed.  Cllr. Storry will follow up with the Club at their meeting this Thursday.

 

9          COMMUNITY AWARDS-NOMINATIONS

Clerk advised of the invitation from the Mayor's office of CBC.  Candidates discussed and Mr. Gordon Ingram chosen for services to the village.  Clerk to notify CBC.

 

 

10       ECC COMMUNITY INITIATIVE FUND.

Clerk advised all applications despatched as per deadlines and Essex Community Foundation have acknowledged receipt so far.

 11        RECEIPT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS

The following reports were received

  • a. Clerk's Reports 15th September/14th October 2008.
  • b. Development Committee Report 13th October 2008.
  • c. Playing Fields Committee Report 15th October 2008.

Proposed by Mr. R. Bray and Seconded Mr. J. Drake and approved unanimously.

 

 12        LONGMEADS HOUSE - REPORT ON PROPOSED RENOVATION

Chair provided details of current discussions  A programme of external and internal repairs/redecoration has been prepared and costs allocated to the ECC and the Community Association. The timetable has still to be finalised

             

 

13       COUNCILLORS QUESTION TIME

13.1      Village Christmas Tree.  Agreed, after comment from Cllr. Robinson, the tree should be erected on the 12th December.  Cllr. Drake to liaise with Dave Jarvis after Clerk has spoken to him.

            Clerk to ask M.Little to install a double socket holder for the tree.

13.2      Cllr. Robinson will organise a Christmas lunch for Cllr's on Thursday 18th December.

13.3      The damage to St.John's green road for the laying of the gas pipes was discussed but after advice from Cllr. Aldridge, it was agreed that provided utility companies give proper notice nothing further can be done to stop work which some might consider unnecessary.

 

14         FINANCIAL REPORTS AS AT 15th September/14th October 2008 AND APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS

Not approved due to incorrect allocation of expenses to relevant accounts.  Cllr. Bray, Vice-Chair, stressed that non-approval did not imply an error in the total expenditure.  E&F will discuss further at their next meeting.

 

15         ANY OTHER REPORTS AND BUSINESS

Chair advised all Committee's must complete their budgets immediately and in time for the next E&F meeting.

 

Meeting closed at 9.38pm.

 

Date of next meeting Monday 1st December 2008.