Report of the meeting of the Parish Council of Castle Hedingham held on Wednesday, 19th August 2009 issued by the Clerk

Action

1

Apologies for non-attendance: Cllrs Mr F Swallow, Mr D Finch, Mrs L Moffat, Mr J Cooke, Mr J Philp, Mr G Southgate for late arrival.

2

Declarations of Interest: None.

3

Public Forum: None.

4

Police Information / Report: None received. A car was burnt out behind the Memorial Hall night of 15 August. The matter was reported to the Police.  Very prompt and efficient action was then taken by Braintree District Council to remove the wrecked car and debris.  There is some damage to Memorial Hall windows and the Castle Hedingham Club will address this.

The speed indicator has been in use on Nunnery Street.

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Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The following amendments were made:

1. Item 6.6 ‘Thanks to Cllr Mr J Philp’.

2.  Item 15.1 Amend ‘Nunnery Street’  to ‘Station Road’

The minutes were approved - proposed by Mr R Worley, seconded by Mr G Pewter and signed by the Chairman.

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Matters arising from Minutes:

6.1 Primrose lines in Kirby Hall Road: Action outstanding.

6.2 Bayley Street Pavement: Vegetation across the pavement remains. The reason for this delay is that a wasp’s nest is in the vegetation and the landowner intends waiting to the end of the wasp season before removing it.

6.3    Registering Parish Village Greens: An estimate from Holmes & Hill Solicitors has been received.  It was accepted on condition that Holmes and Hill should be informed that if the estimate of four hours for the work is reached they should not continue beyond this but should advise the Parish Council so that a decision on whether to increase the budget can be taken.

6.4 Ragwort: Papers had been received from DEFRA.  The Parish Council instructed the Clerk to initially write to the landowner asking that action be taken to remove the ragwort urgently.

6.5    7.5mt weight limit in Castle Hedingham area:  A meeting to discuss options has been arranged by Essex CC for September. Chairman Mrs S Allfrey and Cllrs Mr I Higgins and Mr M Scrivens will attend.

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Parking in Falcon Square: It was agreed to write in the first instance to residents in Falcon Square in respect of the continuing problems and seek their views on proposed action to address.  The police have told the Parish Council that if vehicles that are causing obstruction are reported warnings/enforcement proceedings will be taken.

Cllr Mr G Southgate arrived.

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Braintree District Council & Essex County Council Information:  No reports.

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a) Trees on Sudbury Hill: Essex CC has inspected the trees and reported that some are in a poor state and need attention; details have been passed by Essex CC to the landowner and a response is awaited.  A tree on the other side of the road is also in a poor condition. The Clerk was instructed to bring it to the landowner’s attention with a request that necessary action be taken. A further tree on Rosemary Lane/Sudbury Road has also been reported as being in poor condition and in need of attention. The Clerk was instructed to bring the matter to Essex CC’s attention so that it can pursue with the landowner.

b) Trees on Village Greens: The Parish Council decided that all the trees on parish greens should be inspected on a regular basis with details of any in need of attention identified.  The Clerk was instructed to obtain an estimate from a local tree surgeon.

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Weed spraying in the village: The responsible department in Essex CC has not yet provided sufficient details of its procedures and arrangements with contractors to enable the Parish council to consider options; it was agreed to defer this matter to the next meeting.

11

Planning Recommendations: The Parish Council noted that following its comments about the poor state of the retrospective planning application for removal of chimney breast at the former youth hostel, 7 Falcon Square the application has been amended and re-submitted to Braintree D C Planning.

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Correspondence:

12.1 Opportunity to apply for Community Initiative Funds/Greenfield Funds for projects to improve the quality of life in the community: The Parish Council wishes to consider projects that could be submitted for funding.  The Clerk was instructed to obtain the necessary application forms.

12.2 Invitation to consultation event ‘Priorities in the Halstead area for 2010 and beyond’: Parish councillors agreed that this was an important event and a number will attend.  Priorities for the Parish to be drawn up at the next Parish Council meeting.

12.3 Essex CC experiment in Maldon & Uttlesford Districts of turning off some street lighting during some darkness periods - views sought by Essex CC on future options sought:  The Parish Council supports this action and the Clerk was instructed to report this view to Essex CC.

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13.1 Bank Balances:

The following balances were noted:

13.2 The following accounts were proposed by Cllr  Mr G Southgate seconded by Cllr Mr R Worley:

Payments:

Receipts:

Aug. Harvey Darke £99.00

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Any Other Business:

14.1    Cllr Mr R Worley raised concerns in respect of a) vegetation growing over the pavement at 27 Nunnery Street; and b) parking of a vehicle on the Village Green front of 5 Pye Corner.  The Clerk was instructed to write to the respective parishioners asking that they take action to address.

14.2    Cllr Mr R Worley reported that trees recently planted by the Parish Council in Sheepcot Road had been damaged.  This had been entirely accidental.   Cllr Mr R Worley said the trees will be replaced.

14.3    Cllr Mr R Worley said that the Parish footpath map was nearing completion.  It was agreed to discuss further funding for this at the next meeting.

14.4    Cllr Mr G Pewter questioned whether a sinking fund should be set up for the Memorial Hall lease that expires 2051. It was agreed that this should be considered at the next meeting.

14.5 Cllr Pewter reported that: a) Essex CC Highways board on the corner of Rosemary Lane and Sudbury Road advising road works Aug 21/22 was obscuring sightlines and b) bad potholes existed in Bayley Street and Sheepcot Road. It was thought that action to address is planned by Essex CC Highways.

14.6 Cllr Mr I Higgins said that a parishioner had reported a) vegetation was causing obstruction on the footpath between Pottery Lane and Deer Park, and b) tree growth was obscuring the street lamp at the Deer Park end of the path.  Cllr Mr I Higgins reported that he had spoken to the responsible parishioner in respect of a) and the vegetation has been cleared, he still has to contact the appropriate parishioner in respect of b).

14.7 Chairman Mrs S Allfrey asked all councillors to contribute to the forthcoming village fete.

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Next Meetings:

14 September at the Castle Hedingham Club.