|
Langham Parish Council |
|
|
Roads & Transport |
Recreation Ground |
General Purpose |
Housing |
Community Council |
Ward Councillor |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Langham Parish Council
Roads & Transport
Recreation Ground
General Purpose
Housing
Community Council
Ward Councillor
Langham Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting held on 25th March 2008
1 Attendance and Apologies for Absence
Cllr. E. Schofield Chairman
Cllr. W. Durlacher
Cllr. C. Garnett Borough Councillor
Cllr. A. Stacey
Cllr. A. Ellis
Cllr. R. Watson
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. S. Gallup
Also present was Mr D. Winter, Clerk to the Council
Three residents were present.
2 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
3 Minutes of the meeting held on 26th February 2008
Cllr. Ellis noted that in item 9.4 it should read “reins” and not “reigns”. With this correction, Cllr. Garnett proposed and Cllr. Watson seconded that the minutes be agreed as accurate. This was accepted unanimously and Cllr. Schofield signed the minutes.
4 Matters Arising from the meeting of 26th February 2008
Any items where action is carried forward are shown in the minutes.
Ref
Item
Action By
Status
4.2
Cllr. Garnett proposed and Cllr. Stacey seconded the motion that Peter Martin, the expert in this area from Essex County Council, should be asked to attend the annual parish meeting to speak on this subject. This was agreed.
David Winter
Paul Hinsley from Essex CC has agreed to speak.
7
Mr Ernie Schofield will be asked to keep signs clean and to trim around them. He will also be asked to see if he could repaint the landing lights at the USAAF Monument.
Cllr. Schofield
He has been asked and provided he is well enough will do this.
9.1
Cllr. Gallup is to check that the Essex Design Guide principles are followed.
Cllr Gallup
Done
9.3
The bonfire site was to be cleared and more stones provided when the weather had improved.
Cllr. Durlacher
Done
9.3
The new item of play equipment has been ordered and has yet to arrive
David Winter
Now arrived
9.4
The Emergency Plan needs to be updated.
David Winter
Outstanding.
9.7
Local Development Framework - Submissions have to be made by 28th March and the planning group on the council will prepare this.
Cllr Gallup
These have been prepared ready for submission.
9.8
Cllr. Stacey is to have a word with Mr. Rix about marking the footpath south of Park Lane. It is passable as it has been sown to ley grass, but the line is not obvious to walkers. An alternative is to improve signage
Cllr. Stacey
Outstanding.
9.8
The footpath tools need to be collected from the Homestead School.
Cllr. Stacey
. Done
10
Community Initiatives Fund - The Clerk was to provide further details to the Councillors within the next two weeks.
David Winter
Sent round on 6th March.
11
Best Kept Village - The Clerk and Cllr. Schofield will complete the application form.
David Winter
The information has been assembled and Jill Jones is helping with the completion of the form. This will be despatched by 28th March.
12
Cllr. Ellis reported that the Community Shop had made a surplus of £5,700 and the Council felt it should be congratulated and they hoped it would continue as the asset it has become.
David Winter
Letter delivered to Gill Flack.
13
The Youth Community bus was to visit Dedham on 12th March at 7.30 pm. The Clerk was to contact Rev. Bull to see if he might be interested in attending.
David Winter
Note delivered to Tim Bull.
14
Park and Ride at the Community Centre - The Council rejected this proposal vehemently and the Clerk was to write to Mr. Cadman hoping that the Community Council would do the same.
David Winter
Letter delivered to Alan Cadman
15
Cllr. Garnett reported that CBC’s annual spring clean was to take place in March. Cllr. Schofield was to arrange this, enlisting the help of the WI if possible.
Cllr. Schofield
It was not possible to co-ordinate the date with CBC so if a spring cleaning day is needed, it will have to be at a different time.
16
Clerk’s Contract - this was agreed and the contract will be produced.
Cllr. Durlacher
Cllr Watson
In progress
19
VAT needs to be reclaimed.
David Winter
Over £10,000 has been reclaimed.
19
An asset register has been discovered but will have to be updated
David Winter
Outstanding
19
Grass Cutting contracts must be checked and tenders requested if needed. Repayments for Urban Grass Cutting from Colchester Borough Council are to be investigated.
David Winter
Grass cutting is divided between Troggy and Pinnacle and will continue as is for the next year.
Repayments for Urban Grass Cutting need to be investigated.
21
In appreciation of the work that Mrs Jones has done for the Council at short notice and in difficult circumstances the Clerk has written a letter of thanks to her which is with Cllr. Schofield for her approval.
Cllr. Schofield
This has been approved.
21
Cllr Schofield as agreed at the last Parish Council meeting should use some of her Chairman’s allowance to buy a suitable gift for Jill Jones.
Cllr. Schofield
This is now in hand
5 Residents’ Questions
5.1 Park and Ride
Several comments were raised by members of the public. Cllr. Garnett advised caution as it is not sensible to give too much notice of any objections that might be raised if planning became an issue. He suggested individuals might like to contact Essex County Council giving a copy of their correspondence to him and the Parish Council.
5.2 Road Problems
A resident complained about the poor state of the A12 end of Park Lane, with protruding lumps of concrete and overhanging hedges at Old Park House. The Council would look into this. Action – Cllr. Garnett
6 American Monument
A report on progress was provided by Cllr. Ellis. The plaques on the monument will be unveiled by Councillors, except for the central one. A lot of work had gone into setting up the exhibition for which Cllr. Schofield thanked Cllr. Ellis, Cllr. Watson and Mrs Smerdon.
7 Village Upkeep
Mr Ernie Schofield is not well. Mr Bob Schofield has offered to do his jobs as far as possible until he is better. The Clerk was asked to send a note giving our best wishes to Mr Ernie Schofield. Action – David Winter
8 Seat in Wick Road
We are waiting for Mr. Revett to start.
9 Reports to the Council
9.1 Planning
Cllr. Gallup provided a written report:
Applications:
080282 Certificate of lawfulness for School Farm Buildings.
We accept that it has been used as an informal car park for many years. To the best of our knowledge it has never been used by HGVs and HGVs would find great difficulty in gaining access.
080291 Barnfield, Park Lane. Variation of design of car port.
The new Barnfield will be a replacement dwelling in the countryside. This application would make the car port alone as big as the original bungalow and certainly much more obtrusive. We object to this because it contravenes all three conditions of H12 in that a) in would cause a loss of good agricultural land and make the adjacent agricultural land unworkable, b) it would set a precedent for all properties backing onto the land in Wick Road and Moor Road as well as Park Lane and c) it would cause an adverse impact in that it would cause the loss of the linear boundary.
080319 Orchard House, Langham Lane for an implement shed
We are rather concerned at yet another building on this property, especially as it would be so close to Footpath 39, which runs along the access lane.
The following are all in the consultation process:
080412 Barnfield, Park Lane. Change of use of land to the north
080425 East Lodge, Gun Hill. Demolition of Lodge and replacement building
(This is very similar to the previous application and so our reply is also similar) The proposed new entrance is on a steep part of Gun Hill where there is a bend and the area is dark because of trees. The actual access would be very steep. We request comments from Highways.
It would be a great pity if the present building had to be demolished because it is such a traditional gate house, but if it does have to be demolished we would prefer to see a building of the same height and similar footprint as the present building and a similar appearance from the road. We feel that this would be much more appropriate in an important part of Dedham Vale.
080426 East Lodge, Gun Hill. Demolition of Lodge and replacement building (LB)
080463 The White House, Dedham Road Extensions No objections
080484 Park Farm Barn. Extensions No objections.
080489 Gun Hill Estate. Replacement of existing buildings No objections
Decisions:
Approved:
080086 Gun Hill, Removal of condition about sight splay
080186 Moorleigh, Moor Rd, but with very strict conditions that the glass in the dormer windows must be obscure and that the windows must be fixed or with restricted opening.
080122 Oakcroft, School Road, with conditions that the windows to the west must be obscure.
Refused:
080177 Land adjacent to Alefounders Barn.
9.2 Roads and Transport
Councillors are to approach Essex County Council to see which Langham roads are in their programme for improvements in the financial year 2008/2009.
Action – Cllrs. Garnett and Watson
9.3 Recreation Ground
Nothing further to report other than already covered in the matters arising.
9.4 General Purposes
The Village Design Statement will be available for viewing on 5th April at the Community Centre.
The Emergency Plan will be updated after the next election.
. Action – David Winter
9.5 Housing
There was nothing to report.
9.6 Community Council
Cllr Ellis reported that
The whole council will form the committee for the village fete led by Clare Hawksbee.
The current treasurer Peter Herbert is to resign at the next AGM.
The expenditure for the first two months of the year considerably exceeded the income, though there were a lot of accruals. Fuel costs were almost 75% of the income.
9.7 Ward Councillor
Local Development Framework
Cllr. Garnett reported that there should be no further action until the final sites, if any, are chosen.
Youth Bus
The Clerk was asked to find out details of the scheme, including what qualifications volunteers for this scheme will need. Action - David Winter
Youth Provision within Homestead School
The Clerk was asked to approach Essex County Council to see if any parts of this school could be used for the Church’ s proposed youth worker.
Action - David Winter
Decent Homes
This project is due to be completed by 2010. The Clerk was asked to write to Colchester Borough Homes to ensure Langham houses are improved as soon as possible. Action - David Winter
Mr Rideout
The environmental health authorities have been asked to contact Mr Rideout’s neighbours, and Mr Rideout has been provided with the appropriate contact numbers.
9.8 Footpaths
Footpath 33
Cllr. Stacey is to have a word with Mr. Rix about marking the footpath south of Park Lane. It is passable as it has been sown to ley grass, but the line is not obvious to walkers. An alternative is to improve signage.
Action – Cllr. Stacey
An extra key to the pavilion is needed for Cllr. Stacey. Mr Bob Schofield was arranging for this. Action – Cllr. Schofield
10 Community Centre Refurbishment
A report from the Community Council outlining their plans for refurbishment of the Community Centre was considered. Mr. Clarke outlined the latest proposals on this project. The Chairman made it clear that the Community Council will have to apply for the grants themselves but that the Parish Council would support and help them where possible. Details of the Community Initiative Fund were given to Mr. Clarke. It was pointed out that the Community Council had £5,000 held by the Parish Council for general expenses, but Mr. Clarke indicated that they had other ideas for using this money. Other grants will be available from the “Town Clerks’ Fund”, and when details are known, the information will be passed to the Community Council.
11 Community Initiative Fund
The Clerk has provided further details to the Councillors on 6th March. If Councillors have any ideas for grant applications these should be put on the agenda.
12 RCCE – Best Kept Village Competition
The entry form has been completed and submitted.
13 Park and Ride
The Council has submitted its objections to this and other schemes and Cllr Garnett felt there was nothing further to add. This scheme is a long way from being a certainty. Cllr Schofield proposed that Cllr Garnett be thanked for the way the meeting was taken. This was seconded by Cllr Durlacher and approved unanimously.
It was proposed that any information regarding the proposals should be provided
Through the village newsletter, with the approval of Ian Hollands. This may require inserts at some times.
By adding to the web site.
By posters on the notice boards.
This was proposed by Cllr Watson and seconded by Cllr Durlacher and approved unanimously.
Cllr Garnett was to ask Mr Grant if it would be acceptable to put the minutes of the public meeting on the web site. Action – Cllr. Garnett
14 Local Highway Panels
It was agreed that the Council will propose that Cllr Watson be elected to act as a representative on this panel. Cllr Durlacher will act as deputy. The Clerk will submit Cllr Watson’s name to Colchester Borough Council.
Action - David Winter
15 Web Site
It was proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Watson that we put the following items on the web page
Agenda
Draft minutes
Names, responsibilities and contact details of Councillors
This was agreed unanimously.
16 Correspondence
The following correspondence had been received during the last month and was available for inspection at the meeting.
Letter from Essex CC Highways - regarding the A12
Local Highway Panels - see item 14.
Proposed Alterations to Langham Community Centre – see item 10.
Nomination Papers for Election of a Parish Councillor
Colchester Borough Council – Forward Plan of Key Decisions - 1 April to 31 July 2008
CPRE Membership - it was proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Stacey that we continue with our membership of this organisation. This was agreed.
Audit Commission - a new external auditor has been appointed to replace Lubbock Fine.
Glasdon Catalogues
Enjoy England – Celebrate St George’s Day
Postwatch – Cllr Stacey agreed to submit the questionnaire soliciting our views as to the consultation that took place over post office closures.
East Essex Forum – information regarding the meeting of 8th April.
Waste Management Advisory Board - the draft waste strategy for Essex.
Essex Rural Services Survey 2008 – completed.
Bus Timetable
NATS - Terminal Control North Proposed Changes to Airspace
Essex Partnership News
Wicksteed Annual Playground Inspection - a satisfactory annual report.
E-mails from Mr Rideout – see Cllr Garnett’s report.
17 Administrative Matters
The last few years have been a period of great turmoil with the unexpected and sad demise of the previous clerk. As a result there has been a delay in reclaiming VAT. This has now been rectified and VAT of over £10,000 covering the last two years has been reclaimed. This may not be paid into the bank account until the new financial year.
An asset register has been discovered but will have to be updated.
Action – David Winter
Repayments for Urban Grass Cutting from Colchester Borough Council are to be investigated. Action – David Winter
It has been agreed that the Clerk will be paid on point 19 of the spinal column and the contract is to be produced. Action – Cllrs. Durlacher and Watson
18 Receipts and Payments
A report of receipts and payments had been circulated showing from the previous meeting to date payments of £5,953 and receipts of £100.
In addition, a report of the current financial position against budget, together with a projection for the financial year to the end of March 2008, plus bank balances had also been circulated.
19 Mrs J Jones – Previous Parish Clerk
A garden voucher for £50 and two roses have been given to Mrs J. Jones.
20 Next Meeting
The annual parish meeting will be on Tuesday 29th April 2008, at Langham Community Centre at 7.30pm. All residents of the village are cordially invited to attend and the Parish Council hope for a good turnout. Notices are to be distributed about two weeks prior to the meeting, and distributed by Councillors as follows
Lodge Lane, Old Ipswich Road, Moor Lane - Cllr Garnett
Langham Lane, Chapel Road, High Street – Cllr Stacey
Wick Road - Cllr Ellis
Park Lane – Cllr Watson
Perry Lane – David Winter
School Road – Cllr Gallup
Greyhound Hill – Cllr Schofield
Dedham Road – Cllr Durlacher.
County Councillor Clover is to be invited, but if he is not too well we would understand if he felt unable to attend. Action - David Winter
Paul Hinsley, who is attending from Essex County Council to speak on environmental matters, is to be asked about such items as solar heating. The aim is to ask him not only what individuals can do, but what can Parish Councils do? Action - David Winter
This will be followed by a short Parish Council meeting.
21 Any other urgent business
There being no other urgent business, the meeting closed at 10.10 pm.