Youth Council Report - The Clerk read extracts from the Minutes of a Youth Council meeting which had taken place earlier in the day.
Battle of the Bands – The Battle of the Bands is planned for 15th July at Hedingham School.
Trip to Houses of Parliament - This will take place on Monday 26th June and Mr Higgins and Mrs Thrussell have been invited to attend as guests of the Youth Council.
Queen Street Traffic Calming – Essex County Council have advised the Parish Council that, despite a number of delays, the Health and Safety Audit of this scheme is now being undertaken. Hopefully they will have a response within the next week or so and will update the Parish Council when it is to hand.
Memorial Hall Garden – Thanks to the help of Councillor Philp good progress has been made on this project. It was agreed that some maintenance work needs to start taking place. It was therefore agreed that the clerk ask the grass cutting contractor to contact Mr Higgins to agree what works are required.
Appln 06/00629/FUL Conversion of existing building to create three separate dwellings - The Old De Vere Primary School, Queen Street, Castle Hedingham – This application had gone before the area committee and had been passed with a restriction prohibiting large vehicles being used in the lane for delivery of goods during the build.
The Parish Council had no objections to the following applications: Appln 06/01084/FUL – Alterations to existing flat roofed garage to form new pitched roof and first floor playroom - 8 Queen Street, Castle Hedingham; Appln 06/01110/LBC – Replacement of 3 no. ground floor timber framed windows of same design - Veres, 8 Castle Lane, Castle Hedingham; and Appln 06/00998/FUL - erection of satellite dish on property, 22 Bowmans Park, Castle Hedingham.
Appln 06/01113/FUL and 06/01114/CON - Erection of one no. two bedroom dwelling – 5 Castle Lane, Castle Hedingham. The cottage has a lopsided appearance and the Parish Council would like to see the inclusion of a third dormer on the southern elevation which would enhance the overall appearance considerably. This would also remove the need for a window on the western elevation to which the Parish Council object, as it did to the last application for this property, as it would overlook a neighbouring property and cause loss of privacy.
Waste and Recycling Collections – Confirming that the Wheelie Bin scheme is being extended to Castle Hedingham from October 2006 and inviting the Parish Council to a seminar on 21st June at 7.15 pm at Causeway House or Halstead on Wednesday 29th June to provide information to the Parish Council about the scheme and its implementation. Mrs Scattergood confirmed that wheelie bins would not be imposed on anyone who did not wish to have one and that they would not be suitable for some areas such as the conservation area or where there was no rear access or for some elderly residents. The District Council will write to and, where necessary visit, parishioners before the scheme is implemented.
Casual Vacancy - Three parishioners had expressed an interest in becoming a Parish Councillor and their supporting statements were read to the meeting. It was agreed that the Parish Council were fortunate to have such a strong field to choose from. A vote was taken and Mr Miles Scrivens was appointed.
Annual Return –The Annual Return was approved and signed.
Pottery Steps – It was noted that Mr Carr will attend to the overgrown vegetation on Pottery Steps shortly.
Bin, Station Road Bridge – It was noted that the bin had been rescued from the river by Mr Cooke. Mr Shears is currently modifying it to make it more vandal proof before reinstalling it.
Parish Council:
Wednesday 19th July 2006, 7.45p.m., Old Court House, Castle Hedingham
Wednesday 16th August 2006, 7.45p.m., Old Court House, Castle Hedingham
