White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
White Colne
Parish Council
Parish Council Minutes
Meeting held on 17 March 2008
WHITE COLNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at The Village Hall, Bures Road, White Colne
on Monday 17th March 2008 at 7.30 pm.
Present : Cllr M Abrahams, Cllr S Adlem, Cllr J Brace, Cllr K Nolan (Chairman), Cllr C Pearcey,
Cllr J Taylor, Cllr J Watt.
Also Present: Clerk D Williams, and 7 members of the public attended.
904. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
905. DECLARATION OF INTEREST – Clr Adlem declared a personal interest in the planning application for Fox & Pheasant Cottage and will take no part in the discussion or vote. Cllr Taylor said that she had no personal interest in that planning application.
906. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last parish council meeting of 21st January 2008, which had been previously circulated, were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Before the meeting was suspended the Chairman referred to the recent council tax invoices and confirmed that there has been no increase in the parish council precept figure which had been maintained at the same figure of £9,888. This is divided by the tax base figure to establish the amount paid by each household. The parish council has no control over the tax base figure and we were not advised of it when Braintree District Council (BDC) sent the original forms to us for completion. As the tax base figure was reduced instead of increasing as it has done over the last three years, the amount paid by each household has increased by 1.3%. The parish council will clarify the tax base figure before the figures are finalised next year.
The meeting was suspended for questions and statements.
A parishioner asked to be advised of the position regarding the property at the left hand side of the village hall saying that it is very messy with an overflowing skip.
The meeting was resumed.
907. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.
Cllr Nolan said that this issue on land to the rear of 27 Colchester Road off Bures Road had been raised by another resident. Cllr Nolan said that he had been advised that it is used for commercial purposes. It was agreed that this is reported to the planning enforcement officer at BDC.
908. consideration of A REPORT ON THE amended DRAFT HEADS OF AGREEMENT FOR THE
TRANSFER OF WCPC LAND TO ESSEX CC IN RETURN FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE VILLAGE
HALL AND LAND TO WCPC.
The meeting was attended by Rebecca Mason from Holmes & Hills Solicitors who are acting for the parish council in this matter. She advised that there were discrepancies between the plans of the area provided by Essex County Council (ECC) dated 22 May 2007 and the parish council dated January 2004. After discussion of this and issues concerning the footpath and the maintenance of the road, it was agreed that subject to (1) our plan dated January 2004 being used;
(2) subject to the removal of the covenant that the parish council is not responsible for the footpath; (3)that the footpath is the responsibility of the contractor and (4) the footpath goes in a straight line from D to C on the plan dated 22 May 2007 assuming that C is on our boundary, then the amendments are agreed. The other amendments to the draft have been previously agreed.
909. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
08/00210/OUT – Baggaretts Farm, Dawes Hall Road – erection of dwelling for poultry unit manager/stockman –
We propose that any approval is subject to an agricultural licence restricting the occupancy to
workers of Baggaretts Farm and their family, and that the property cannot be sold off separately from
Baggaretts Farm. If the council is minded to approve this they may consider initially permitting a
temporary building for three years before a permanent building is erected.
08/00-
log store – we approve this application subject to neighbours’ views.
08/00368/TPO 7 Colne Park Road, Tree Works – we object to this proposal until we can have sight of written evidence from
Braintree District Council that this tree is dangerous.
08/00509/OUT 7 Colne Park Road – erection of detached single storey three bed bungalow with detached garage,
08/00510/CON together with alterations to existing vehicular access (demolition of existing detached bungalow) –
We approve this application subject to (1) neighbours’ views; (2) no parking of contractors’ vehicles
on Colne Park Road or on the Village Green; and (3) no damage to be made to the Village Green.
910. WHITE COLNE MEADOWS
Cllr Taylor reported that unfortunately the Egg Hunt was cancelled due to bad weather
but has been re-
We shall be planting the fruit trees on 20th March, providing they have arrived from the supplier
911. a bye law restricting the use of the meadows by motorised vehicles, motorbikes and horses
Cllr Nolan said that there is a health and safety issue regarding residents who have been riding quad bikes and horses on the Meadows. When challenged the individuals concerned assumed they had a right to use the Meadows for these leisure activities. There have also been incidents of people riding motor bikes. Cllr Taylor proposed that a bye law be passed to restrict the use of the Meadows by motorised vehicles, motorbikes and horses. Cllr Brace seconded this proposal and all agreed. The clerk was asked to circulate details of the model byelaw 2 which covers this so that members could view and consider the details.
912. THE USE OF CCTV TO CONTROL DOG FOULING
Cllr Taylor said that several years ago the Parish Council paid a one off subscription to Halstead Police for a mobile CCTV unit on the understanding that it would be available at any time for our use, and she suggested that it is sighted along the Meadows Chase using the village hall committee room for any interior equipment. Cllr Adlem provided details of a crackdown on dog fouling announced by Braintree District Council which includes CCTV and the clerk was asked to obtain further information and liaise with Cllr Watt regarding this.
913. VILLAGE HALL
Cllr Taylor reported that the invoice for the majority of the kitchen works has been agreed by ECC for payment under their CIF grant and will be paid directly to the contractor within the next few weeks. She suggested that the new kitchen is launched at the Annual Electors’ meeting in April. We shall apply for a new CIF grant to help to convert the toilets for disabled access.
Cllr Adlem thanked Sue and Peter Norris and Colin Armstrong for their help with the kitchen works. The management committee are reviewing the hire arrangements. She asked that the parish council funds the cost of attendance at a Rural Community Council of Essex course for herself and one other member of the committee at a cost of £10 and this was agreed.
914. FINANCIAL MATTERS
1. Payments
The Clerk reported that since the last meeting, the following payments
had been made:-
Cheque Payee Details Amount £
1031 P Norris, refund for kitchen equipment purchased and returned £ 86.94
1032 R A Mortimer – footpath sweeping & cleaning telephone box £ 72.85
1033 E & J Fire and Security – Village Hall fire maintenance (recharged) £ 103.81
1034 D Williams – clerk sal Feb, March £693.33, use of home for office £26,
ink costs £31.16, post & stationery expenses not charged £ 750.49
1035 White Colne Vill Hall Mgment Comtee – hall hire for History Group £ 12.00
1036 N Lanham – lecture expenses for History Group £ 100.00
1037 Z Connor – exps for refreshments for History Group lecture & mileage £ 57.56
1038 Claire PB & Jonathan PR Ltd – newsletter printing March £ 60.00
1039 C Pearcey – carol service PA hire costs £10,
waste bins for recycling bank £60.75 £ 70.75
1040 Brian Alderman – design & set up of web site www.whitecolne.com £ 150.00
1041 P Norris – shelving and cable for pavilion – Meadows costs £ 87.95
D/D Anglian Water – village hall (recharged) £ 125.45
TOTAL PAYMENTS £ 1,677.80
2.Funds Received
Since the last financial report, the following funds have been received:-
Chef King Ltd – refund for hall equipment he purchased paid out to P Norris £ 86.94
TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 86.94
3. Financial statement & Bank Reconciliation
Following the above transactions there is a credit balance of £ 5,461.53 on current account,
£10,000.00 on reserve account
Total £15,461.53
of which £ 1,732.11 is the current balance held in reserve for the Meadows project
There is £ 4,516.97 held in reserve for the Local Heritage Initiative Fund.
Thus the balance of unallocated funds is £ 9,212.45.
Bank Balance 21.01.08 £ 17,052.39
Plus total receipts £ 86.94
Sub Total £ 17,139.33
Less Total Payments £ 1,677.80
Bank balance 17.03.08 £ 15,461.53
4. The clerk referred to the requirement to have the annual accounts audited by an external auditor, and said that the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2002 needed to be approved. It was agreed that the figures recorded in the account book be recorded on the Annual Return which was signed on behalf of the parish council by the chairman and the clerk. The opening and closing bank statements for that year were produced and agreed. The statement of assurance was completed and it was noted that the external auditor has advised that an internal audit was not required for this year.
915. ALLOTMENTS
Cllr Brace said that some allotments are not being cultivated. Cllr Taylor asked whether this was because plots are too large and therefore should they be reduced. Cllr Nolan said that the parish council should gather in rentals and administer the waiting list giving priority to White Colne residents, and he proposed that a sub committee be formed to draw up rules for plot holders, maintain the site, and propose plot sizes, which at present is making it difficult to gather in rent, for which two years is due. The clerk was asked to forward details to Cllr Brace and Cllr Watt in order that they can make proposals.
916. HIGHWAYS
Cllr Pearcey said that ECC Highways have agreed to abandon plans to introduce double yellow lines at the bottom of the village green which will allow residents to continue to legally park there. This suggestion had been made by Highways, together with the erection of posts, and heightened kerb as a possible remedy to prevent continuing damage to the village green. However after a meeting in November with Highways he said that we are no further forward and he proposed that he ask them for proposals not to damage the village green. This was agreed. It was also agreed that he would query the repair work to the high kerb opposite the village green at the same time. The parish council recorded their thanks to Cllrs Pearcey and Watt for their work with highway matters.
917. PARKING FACILITIES IN THE VILLAGE
Cllr Watt said that the parish council had received a letter from a resident concerned with the parking facilities in the village. This was discussed and it was agreed that as the introduction of double yellow lines at the bottom of the village green was not proceeding, then this matter had been resolved and he would advise the resident of this.
918. WEB SITE
Cllr Watt said that the web site was now live at www.whitecolne.com. He had purchased the domain name for £8.99 plus VAT and the web space for £17 for 6 months, and this will be transferred into the parish council’s name. It was agreed that he will arrange for the previous web site to be removed from the internet and that an article will be placed in the next Newsletter asking for photographs of the village for the web site.
919. STREET LIGHTING IN BURES ROAD
Cllr Taylor said that a grant from Braintree District Council (BDC) for £1,880 had been approved to cover the cost of the purchase and installation of a solar light for Bures Road. It was agreed that the clerk would obtain details from BDC regarding the payment of this grant and Cllr Abrahams will follow up the installation of the light.
920. CHRISTMAS TREE ON THE VILLAGE GREEN
Cllr Adlem provided details of tree lighting which would light trees on the village green at Christmas time. It was agreed that she would obtain details of the costing and the question of planting a Christmas tree on the village green was therefore deferred.
921. STREET SCENE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
It was agreed that the parish council enters into the Street Scene Partnership Agreement with BDC and invoice them with £765.51 which covers the cost of footpath sweeping and the cleaning of the telephone box. The clerk was authorised to sign the agreement on behalf of the parish council.
922. PARISH EMERGENCY PLAN
Cllr Watt said that he was working on the parish emergency plan, having received a copy of the latest district emergency plan from BDC.
923. WELCOME PACK FOR NEW RESIDENTS
Cllr Adlem gave details of the Welcome Pack for new residents. It was agreed that folders costing £1.99 each and detail from the web site would be used, and consideration is to be given whether local businesses will be asked to sponsor these packs.
924. VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
It was agreed that the parish council would not enter the village of the year nor the green village of the year competition this year.
925. TREE WARDEN ANNUAL REPORT
Cllr Nolan said that the tree warden’s annual report had not been received. The council expressed disappointment at this and it was agreed that this is communicated to him with a request that the report be forwarded as soon as possible.
926. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WHICH IS NOT DEALT WITH ELSEWHERE
Details of proposed changes to airspace were circulated and it was agreed that an article would be placed in the Newsletter.
The Campaign Director for Stop Stansted Expansion requested that the parish council
receives a presentation from them. This was discussed and refused by a vote of 4-
BDC have sent details of the next cluster meeting to be hosted by Earls Colne Parish Council. It was agreed that the clerk would ask members for items for inclusion on the agenda.
927. ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
Cllr Taylor proposed that the Annual Electors Meeting be held on April 21st and that the field worker from Rural Community Council for Essex be invited to speak about the Village Design Statement. This was agreed and the clerk was asked to liaise with Cllr Taylor regarding the agenda.
There being no further business the parish council meeting was closed at 9.50 pm.
Chairperson…………………………………………………. Date……………………………………….
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