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Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 19th May 2008 at Great Waltham Village Hall.

 

1. Record of Members Present

Chairman: Mr P Jackson/Mr A Micklem (see item 2 below).

Councillors: Mrs Harper, Mrs Dickinson, Mrs Slater, Messrs, Greenwood , Bell , Steel (Item 7b), Blaber and Huggins.

Also present: County Councillor John Aldridge, Borough Councillor Taylor.

Essex Police: PC 2739 Suley, PC72390 Willsher and PCSO 71853 Calleja.

Great Waltham School : Nicola Hayes, Diane Wilson, Elizabeth Maycock, Elsie Hayes, Alice Hodge, George Martin and Matthew Wood.

 

2. Election of Chairman.

Mr A Micklem was elected and then took the chair.

 

3. Declaration of Acceptance of Office by Chairman.

Mr Micklem then signed the declaration of acceptance of office, as Chairman.

 

4. Apologies for Absence.

Were received from Mr Braisby, Borough Councillor  Patient and Borough Councillor Ashford.

 

5. Declarations of interests (existence and nature) with regard to items on the agenda.

There were none.

 

6. Public Participation session with respect to items on the agenda.

There were none

 

7. Public Open Session – for any other items

(a) Children from Great Waltham Primary School Council will be in attendance to provide information about what they would like to see regarding the development of Great Waltham Parish and its facilities following consideration of these issues by the pupils at the school and consideration by the School Council.

Mr Jackson had met with the School Council on 2nd May 2008 to talk about the Parish Council and how it wished to work with the young people of the Parish regarding ideas to improve the area.

The School Council representatives attended the annual meeting and put forward the following items:

(a) pupils could check the playground equipment and notify the Parish Council of any defects.

(b) Ideas for Great Waltham were:

·        Local newspaper

·        Reduce speed limits

·        Speed cameras

·        A hut with an information stand for walks around the village.

·        A lollipop lady

·        Better parking

·        Decorated changing rooms at the park.

·        Anti Vandal Paint

·        Signs for no smoking

·        Organised litter pickers

(c) Ideas for the Great Waltham Recreation Ground were:

  • Children’s basketball net
  • Cubs and Beavers Tree Planting
  • New train
  • Multi climbing frame – with a fireman’s pole
  • Assault Course
  • Swings
  • Slides
  • More Bins

The Parish Council thanked the children for their input and indicated that some of the suggestions were already being considered.  The Parish Council would keep the school Council informed on progress.

 

(b) PC Nathan Suley to report and discuss any Police issues that the Parish Council may have.

PC Nathan Suley reported on 13 incidents which had recently happened in the area. PCSO Calleja gave a report on the speed checks which had been carried out in Great Waltham Village .

 

(c) Borough Councillor Malcolm Taylor –answered a question raised regarding the commencing time for the use of concessionary bus passes at 9.30am which had an effect on people travelling from North End and Ford End where the scheduled time for the bus to Chelmsford was 9.27am .  Borough Councillor Taylor indicated that the time had been set by central government and that CBC were not prepared to accept a local earlier time of 9am to be generally applied because of the additional costs that this would impose upon taxpayers. It was agreed to write to CBC requesting greater flexibility with the outlying areas of Chelmsford Borough where there were less frequent services than the town areas.

 

8. Election of Vice Chairman.

Mr Blaber was elected.

 

9. Election of Committees.

 

(a) Finance and General Purposes Committee

Chairman, Vice Chairman, Mr Jackson, Mrs Dickinson, Mr Greenwood and Mr Braisby were elected.

 

(b) Recreation Committee

Chairman, Vice Chairman, Mrs Dickinson, Mr Steel, Mr Huggins, Mr Bell and Mrs Harper were elected.

 

(c) Emergency Planning Sub Committee.

Chairman, Vice Chairman, Mrs Slater, Mr Greenwood and Mrs Harper were elected.

 

(d) Planning Committee

All councillors were elected.

 

10. Appointment of Essex Association of Local Councils representatives

It was agreed that the Chairman, Mr Blaber and the Clerk be appointed.

 

11. Appointment of Chelmsford District Parish Councils representatives.

Mr Greenwood, Mr Blaber and Mr Bell were elected.

 

12. Appointment of representatives to the Chelmsford Borough Council Planning Forum

The Chairman of the Planning Committee was elected and any other members who wish to attend.

 

13. Appointment of representative on Great Waltham Village Hall Committee (one councillor).

Mr Braisby was elected.

 

14. Appointment of a representative on Great Waltham and Ford End Churchyard Committees (one councillor)

Mr Greenwood was elected.

 

15. Appointment of a representative on Great Waltham Community Network (one councillor)

Mr Huggins was elected.

 

16. Appointment of representatives for Great Waltham Parish Jubilee Twinning Association (Chairman plus two other nominations)

Mr Micklem, Mr Steel and Mr Huggins were elected.

 

17. Inspection of Parish Deeds, Agreements and Other documents.

The documents were ‘laid on the table’ for inspection.

 

18. Confirmation of the Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on 21st April 2008 .

The Minutes were confirmed and signed.

 

19. Adoption of Committee Reports.

 

(a)   Planning Committee 21st April 2008

Resolved: That this report be adopted

 

(b)  Recreation Committee 21st April 2008

Mr Micklem pointed out under item 5(b) that the allotment area agreement expired on 29th September 2008 and not 16th October as shown.

Further to item 9 it was agreed to hold a Recreation Committee meeting on 2nd June 2008 to discuss Additional Play Equipment at Great Waltham Recreation Ground and hard surface footpath/cycle track

Further to item 12 Mr Jackson asked whether any feedback had been given to Ford End School .  The clerk indicated that he had not gone back to Ford End School Council.  The Parish Council agreed that a councillor should be appointed to keep in contact with each of the school councils.  These appointments would be considered at the next meeting.

Subject to the items above it was Resolved: That this report be adopted

 

(c)   Finance and General Purposes Committee 28th April 2008

Resolved: That this report be adopted

 

(d)  Planning Committee 12th May 2008

Resolved: That this report be adopted

 

(e)   Planning Committee 28th April 2008

Resolved: That this report be adopted

 

20. Clerk’s monthly report.

20.1 Travellers Encampment, Hyde Hall Lane , Howe Street – on Monday 21st April 2008 a second caravan joined the travellers encampment on the roadside verge in Hyde Hall Lane , Howe Street .  The matter has been reported to Essex County Council. The site was vacated on 12th May 2008 , (see item 32 below).

20.2 Mid Essex Forum 23rd April 2008 the Chairman and Clerk attended the meeting held at the Town Hall, Maldon, Subjects discussed included the future Development of the Bradwell Nuclear Power Station site, the Mid Essex Primary Care Trust’s Strategic Service Development Plan and Highways Localism.  Information on the first two presentations has been circulated to councillors.  The latter item was presented by County Councillor Norman Hume, Cabinet Members for Highways and Transportation who spoke of four new initiatives:

·        The setting up of a Local Highways Panel made up of District Councillors and supported by a local Highways Officer.  The District Councillors would engage with Parish Council’s and communities.  The Panel would be able to prioritise local work and would have a devolved budget.  The Chairman of the Local Highways Panel would also sit on a Strategic Highways Panel.

·        Two Highway’s Rangers and a van would be provided to carry out local work of a minor nature. One team would be allocated to each panel.

·        An additional £1 million would be available for all communities to bid into for highway projects.

·        Surgeries would be set up to report and discuss problems.

Councillor Hume indicated that delivery of the works would still be in the hands of ECC and that the standards of work would also remain with ECC to ensure Safety, Congestion and Conditions were in their control.

The system is currently under trial in two areas and would be rolled out to all areas in April 2009.

20.3 Bury Lane , Great Waltham – Essex County Council (Mr A Vale) reports ‘We included Bury Lane , Great Waltham on our schemes submission for works this financial year.  Unfortunately the agreed programme of capital funded works did not include these works.  Our only course of action is to undertake these works out of our revenue budget.  Until we get a feel for how the new maintenance strategy for pothole repairs is working out I cannot organise resurfacing work to the ford.  Clearly if we are to undertake these repairs they must be done towards the end of summer when the water level is at its lowest.  I am going to Gt. Waltham today and will give the area a look to see if any urgent work is required or regrettably whether we have to wait.  I will let you know if the situation changes’.

20.4 Ford End Church Clock – Rose Braisby writes ‘Excellent news and I would like to thank the Parish Council for being so supportive.  The accounts for 31 December 2007 are to be placed before the Annual Meeting tomorrow and you should have a copy shortly thereafter.  The new PCC will I hope consider the developments at its next meeting (30 April), when Rev. Carla will assume the PCC Chair.

May I say, on a personal level, that I have very much enjoyed working with you and the Parish Council during my stint in the PCC Chair, and that I am very grateful for all the assistance and support you have given’

20.5 New Vehicle Management Sign, Ash Tree Corner, Little Waltham – Essex County Council confirms that when the VMS sign at Little Waltham is operational they will be able to display messages advising drivers to use the route A131/A120 for both Stansted and the M11 and I will ensure that this is done at times when there are no other incidents to report.  This will be supported by the reclassification of the A130 which I understand will be progressing through this year.

It was noted that the message had not been displayed and an email would be sent to Essex County Council reminding them of the agreement.

20.6 CBC Saturday Stand-out Service – Borough Councillor Janette Potter, Cabinet member for Waste and Recycling, Mr Eric Burns and Mr Steve Martin from CBC attended the meeting held on Monday 28th April 2008 to discuss the situation regarding Saturday Standouts. Councillor Potter gave details of the recycling targets that Chelmsford were trying to achieve and the initiatives they were taking, one of which was the change in the Saturday Standout service.

The Chairman, Mr Peter Jackson stated that Great Waltham Parish fully supported recycling but the current posters for display were misleading and the Parish Council did not wish to publicise a service which parishioners might attempt to use only to find that some of the items to be disposed of were not acceptable as recycling material.

It was agreed that greater publicity was necessary to indicate what was acceptable and what was not and then to provide information on how the non-acceptable items could be disposed of.

CBC agreed to review the publicity.

Nothing further had been heard. It was agreed to follow this matter up.

20.7 Speed Checks in Great Waltham – PCSO Karen Garwood informs that the following speed checks were carried out in Great Waltham Village :

Friday 25th April -Seven motorists were recorded exceeding the speed limit.

Wednesday 30 April 2 vehicles were exceeding 40 miles per hour and

4 vehicles were exceeding 36 miles per hour

Their details were recorded and will be sent to the Senior Traffic Management Officer who will send letters to the motorists advising them of their speeds, reminding them of the limit and warning then that they will be issued with tickets should their details be recorded again. Karen also informs that arrangements are in hand for a further six speed checks to be carried out during the next month. The impact of the checks can then be discussed at the meeting on 19th May 2008 .

20.8 Applications for works on Trees – Applications have been received as follows:

(a) The Old Vicarage, Great Waltham – for Yew on boundary overhanging The Ridgeway, South Street – reduce to boundary line, remove lateral that is only partially attached, clean out deadwood

(b) The Ridgeway, South Street , Great Waltham – Leyland Cypress x 2 and Black Pine x1 in front garden – fell to ground and remove stump.

(c) Red House, Larks Lane , Great Waltham – London Plane in rear garden – re-pollard reducing height to 4 metres (TPO/2000/007)

20.9 CBC – A-Z Guide to Chelmsford Borough Council – CBC have sent three copies one of which is under circulation to councillors- CBC ask if the Parish Council were able to display or distribute more A-Z guides across the Parish then contact them for supplies.

It was agreed that these could be delivered at the same time as the Public Meeting re Stansted Airport leaflets were delivered.

20.10 Hiring Charges, Great Waltham Village Hall new hiring charges will apply from 1st June 2008 .  The charges have increased by £1 per hour for the use of the hall and the upstairs meeting room. The library room remains at the same charge.  The increase represents 12.5% over two years.

20.11 RCCE – Best Green Village Competition. – Great Waltham has made it to the final of the Essex Best Green Village Competition 2008 and a final visit will be made by the judges on 6th June 2008 .  Mr Huggins and Mr Micklem agreed to participate in the village representative panel meeting.

20.12 ECC Chelmsford Road , Great Waltham – Proposed Speed Restriction ECC indicate that they are currently looking at this location with the intention of carrying out a Public Consultation in the late summer.  If all goes well with the necessary democratic procedure to be followed then the scheme could be installed by the end of the year.

20.13 CBC Planning Committee 27th May 2008 Two planning applications will be considered by the CBC Planning Committee on 27th May 2008 which relate to the Parish. These are:

(a) Land adjacent to 4, Lakeview Cottages, Chelmsford Road, Great Waltham – 08/00578/FUL

(b) The Gables, Hyde Hall Lane , Howe Street – 08/00586/FUL

20.14 Planning Application – ESS/18/08/CHL – an application has been received for Broads Green Pit, Margaret Woods Road , Broads Green for the importation of inert materials to restore site of old gravel workings for development of land for agricultural use. The application will be considered by the Parish Council Planning Committee on 2nd June 2008 .

20.15 Traffic Conditions, Great Waltham Village – Following the incident which occurred at the junction of South Street and Main Road, Great Waltham (reported last month) the Police have been carrying out a series of speed checks in Great Waltham Village, Essex County Council have reviewed the situation and indicate that they have no further proposals of a traffic calming nature to implement in the village centre. Signing improvements are suggested.  On both approaches to the South Street junction in the vicinity of the existing car park signs it could be desirable to erect a bend/junction ahead sign – the car park signs would be renewed at the same time. The new signs would be reflective and therefore beneficial at night to give a true reflection of the road layout. The Parish Council is asked for their comments on the proposal. The item will be added as an agenda item for the next meeting.

20.16 Official Opening of Ford End Playing Field Car Park and Play Equipment – The Chairman of Essex County Council Councillor Elizabeth Hart will visit Ford End Primary School on Friday 23rd May 2008 at 1.25pm following which she will officially open the car park and children’s play equipment at Ford End Playing Field. Mr Bell would make a short speech of thanks on behalf of the Parish Council.  The event should be completed by 2.30 – 3pm approx.  All councillors are invited to be present.

20.17 Flooding – Lane off Brook Hill North End – Mrs Slater asked for this item to return to the Clerks report.  Although works had been undertaken to remedy the problem it had created a further flooding problem at the culvert during inclement weather.

 

21. To adopt the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2008 – Pre Audit and to sign the Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 2008 .

The Annual Accounts were adopted and the Annual return was signed.

 

22. To confirm and sign the statement of Assurance which forms section 2 of the Annual Return for Local Councils in England and Wales for the year ended 31st March 2008    

The Statement of Assurance was confirmed and signed.

 

23.Bus Stop Markings

Mr Jackson referred to the previously reported policies for bus stop markings (Clerks Report 21st April 2008 item 8.10). Following some investigative work by the clerk and working with County Councillor Aldridge officers of the County Council had now been asked in future to judge each case on its merits and not automatically assume that a bus box is to be provided.  Similarly if there is no specific need to install raise kerbs then these would not be provided.

The clerk was asked to seek confirmation that prior to any works being carried out at bus stops that the County Council would consult with the Parish Council before any decision is made.  

 

 

24. Parish Magazine

Mr Micklem referred to previous discussions with the Parish Press to endeavour to secure a free magazine to all houses in the Parish.  Discussion of the subject took place and it was agreed that following the success of the Annual Report publication to proceed on an experimental basis to produce an A4 quarterly sheet to go to every house in the Parish distributed by councillors.

 

25. To ratify comments prepared by Mr Huggins on the Draft Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Essex (closing date for comments 5th May 2008 )

Comments prepared by Mr Huggins had been circulated to councillors. Mr Huggins presented the comments for ratification. It was agreed that the comments prepared by Mr Huggins be ratified by the Parish Council. Mr Huggins was thanked for looking through the document and preparing comments.

 

26. Arrangements for Public Meeting re Planning Application for second runway and associated works at Stansted Airport

The clerk reported that Great Waltham Primary School Hall had been booked for a Public Meeting to be held on 9th June 2008 and that a representative of the Stop Stansted Expansion Campaign had been booked to speak at the meeting. So far there had been no response to the request for a speaker from BAA. Leaflets would be prepared for distribution.

 

27. To consider the comments to be made to Essex County Council regarding the proposed signing at Parsonage Bridge, Howe Street

As the public display of the proposals had not yet taken place it was agreed to hold this matter over to the next meeting.

 

28. To consider an application for an allotment shed/Chicken run to be erected on Brookmead Allotment.

Mr Micklem and Mr Jackson declared interests.

It was agreed that a shed and a chicken run could be erected at Brookmead allotments.

 

29. To give further consideration to the purchase of a variable speed sign.

The meeting reviewed the position regarding variable speed signs and the results of enquiries with two other parishes appeared positive. The clerk reported that he had managed to obtain a £1000 reserved grant from Essex County Council for such a device. The cost of the equipment was in the region of £2,500. The devices available varied in function and it was agreed to carry out some further investigations into functionality and cost of the devices.

 

30. Request for grant for repair of Parish Maypole

Mrs Dickinson indicated that the Parish Maypole was in poor condition having been stored in the swimming pool at Great Waltham School where it had come into contact with the chemicals. The pole had been re-varnished and a new cap supplied by Pleshey Forge at a cost of the materials only. New ribbons had been ordered in time for the maypole to be used at the Church Fete in July 2008.

The Parish Council agreed to meet the costs of refurbishment of the maypole – estimated cost £50.

 

31. Great Waltham Recreation Ground Treatment

Mr Bell gave a brief history of this item and following discussion it was agreed to allow up to £300 to be expended on a weed and feed operation to be carried out to the grass area of Great Waltham Recreation Ground. The clerk was given authorisation to place an order at the appropriate time.

 

32. Measures to prevent travellers using verges of Hyde Hall Lane for campsites

Mr Jackson drew attention to the nuisance caused by the two caravans parked on one verge in Hyde Hall Lane with up to six cars opposite and the noise created by generators on the site. The clerk indicated that he had been in communication with Mr John Bakewell and Dianne Gable local residents to the site. A meeting had been arranged for Thursday 22nd May 2008 at 10am to talk over the issues to see what could be done. Mr Blaber and the clerk would attend.

 

33. Confirmation of Cheques

Cheques were drawn and signed by two members as follows:

£  342.71 Grounds Maintenance – April 2008.

£   73.47 Electricity Supply, Changing Rooms – based on actual reading on 24th April 2008

£   62.70 Stationery

£2092.08 Annual Insurance Premium

£    62.19 Printing Costs

£  292.22 Handyman’s wages, mileage and out of pocket expenses

£  748.61 Clerk’s salary and administrative expenses.

 

34. Matters for the next agenda.

Signing for Church Lane , Ford End (Mrs Dickinson)