Minutes 20th March 2006
GOSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 20th March 2006 in the Maurice Rowson Hall
Present: Councillors M Pawsey (Chairman), A Tucker (Vice Chairman), C Hough,
D Jarvis, G Oates, J Paterson, R Waters. J Main (Clerk)
In attendance: District Councillor B Broyd, and five members of the public.
01. Apologies for Absence: County Cllr J Pike, Cllr McMillan and Cllr Wardle
02. Declarations of Interest: Cllr Jarvis declared a personal interest in planning application 59 Greenfields and 40 Nuns Meadow. Cllr Paterson declared a personal interest in planning application 40 Nuns Meadow.
03. Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th February 2006 proposed Cllr Waters, seconded Cllr Jarvis and agreed that the Chairman sign the minutes of the meeting on 20th February as a true record.
Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 6th March 2006 proposed Cllr Jarvis, seconded Cllr Waters and agreed that the Chairman sign the minutes of the meeting on 6th March as a true record.
04. Public Session Cllr Pike unable to attend. No issues raised by the members of the public present.
05. Matters Arising
Church Road smell – noted this is with Anglian Water legal department, who are to take legal action against Mr Turp if he fails to install a chemical dosing plant in the near future. AW commented on the lack of written evidence of problems and asked if residents would continue to keep a log of smell problems. Cllr Waters to ask Mr and Mrs Hewson to keep note of problems.
VAT position re MR Hall – Cllr Waters awaiting reply from Mr Edwards.
Lighting repairs update – EDF still to reconnect Church Road light and quote for reconnection of light outside The Grange.
Implication of Pavilion charges/donations – BDC have confirmed that the rating of the Pavilion is unaffected by whether donations or charges are set. Conditions of grant from Sport England to be supplied by Cllr Waters and circulated for consideration before the next meeting.
06. Working Party reports
a. Planning 06/00415/FUL 40 Nuns Meadow – erection of first floor side extension over garage – proposed Cllr Oates, seconded Cllr Hough and agreed – no comment.
06/00481/FUL The Maples, Hedingham Road – erection of ground floor and first floor extensions – proposed Cllr Waters, seconded Cllr Oates and agreed – no comment.
06/00413/FUL 59 Greenfields – erection of rear extension and alterations – proposed Cllr Waters, seconded Cllr Paterson and agreed – no comment.
06/00399/FUL 1 Meadway – erection of front and rear extensions, new roof and alterations – proposed Cllr waters, seconded Cllr Pawsey and agreed – no comment. Noted the tree on this site that had been the subject of a previous application had not been cut down. Proposed Cllr Waters, seconded Cllr Pawsey and agreed that the Clerk check progress on this matter with planning.
b. The Pits Wardens report circulated, and the proposal re new procedure considered. In view of the difficulties in arranging meetings of the Pits Committee at short notice and the desire not to over formalise proceedings, it was agreed that any issues would first be discussed with Roger. If the issue cannot be resolved it will be referred to the Clerk in the first instance and then to the Parish Council at the next meeting. Emergency tree work – proposed Cllr Pawsey, seconded Cllr Paterson and agreed to retrospectively authorise the expenditure of £120 for emergency tree work by Mortimers.
c. Playing Field Management Committee Minutes of the last meeting about to be circulated. Noted the sum of £1000 had been awarded to the Community Skate Board Project as a one off donation. The ongoing management of the ramp would be the responsibility of the PC. The Terms of Reference to be agreed at the next meeting. Concern raised at unsightly stump regrowth on greensward outside playing field. Proposed Cllr Pawsey, seconded Cllr Paterson and agreed that Cllr Waters may cut down cherry tree and grind out stump, subject to necessary permission. Date of next PFMC meeting 27th March at 7.30.
d. Footpaths Nothing to report
e. Skate ramp Noted approx 25 young people had spent a cold morning collecting leaves on the field as requested by PFMC in return for their generous donation. Fence quotations received, all in the region of £2,500. Materials for fence and gate costed at approx £500. Skate ramp committee to organise volunteer labour to erect fence. GBH consulted and happy. All information re skate ramp to be circulated to all Cllrs before the next meeting for final approval for the scheme to commence. Noted the continued involvement of the young people in the management of the skate ramp is anticipated.
07. District Councillor’s Report Village issues currently causing concern -
Problems in Park Lane re use by commercial vehicles-Clerk to copy in Cllr Broyd on previous correspondence.
Use of premises in The Street for commercial activity – Clerk to check on previous correspondence.
Petersfield Antique Village – concern had been expressed at reports of the encouragement of coaches to this site, contrary to assurances given re traffic. Also increased size of café. Site to be monitored closely as it develops.
Hairdressers operating in Halstead Road – Clerk to check position re planning. Council tax increase – noted increase necessary to balance lack of funds from Govt. Failures in planning enforcement – noted BDC very short staffed in planning enforcement and rely on local feedback re breaches. Demand for services is increasing faster than inflation.
08. Meetings attended by Members None reported
09. Members Items
Cllr Pawsey – Best Kept Village Competition – Cllr Pawsey offered to purchase plants for tubs from chairman’s allowance, and plant up and water. PC happy to agree. Clerk to put notice in next Grapevine re Competition.
Cllr Tucker suggested that planning committee should be used for all applications rather than just when necessary. Cllrs felt they would like the opportunity to see planning applications whenever possible, and agreed that applications would only go to the planning committee when time scales dictated, and that applications would go before the Council when possible and always if controversial.
Cllr Tucker – printing costs for TPO map – noted A4 colour map would be 25p per sheet. Clerk to request up to date map from BDC.
10. Correspondence
BDC Activity Days – Clerk to check with Mr Harrington and copy letter to Cllr Patterson.
Mr Everard – letter of thanks re the Nature Reserve read and noted.
Essex Police – noted the mobile police unit would no longer visit Gosfield due to low visitor numbers. Clerk to note in Grapevine.
Essex History Fair invitation – no Cllrs available.
11. Any other business the Chair may view as urgent
Adoption of Parish Emergency Plan – proposed Cllr Pawsey, seconded Cllr Waters and agreed that the Parish Emergency Plan dated February 2006 be adopted.
12. Financial Matters
Adoption of revised Financial Regulations – proposed Cllr Pawsey, seconded Cllr Waters and agreed that the revised Financial Regulations be adopted.
Accounts for Payment
Proposed Cllr Oates, seconded Cllr Waters and agreed that the cheques be signed as per Appendix 1 in the total sum of £3679.54.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.35 pm
Noted that the date of the next meeting will be one week early, 10th April 2006.
Signed………………………….. Date………………………
Chairman
