Purleigh Parish Council

CHAIRMAN’S OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR

During the year the Parish Council met on 12 occasions with Members making 88 out of a possible 108 attendances. Two Councillors attended every meeting. We remain very grateful to District Councillors, John Archer and John Sears, who regularly attend the public sessions prior to each meeting so that we can discuss with them any issues in the parish which relate to the District Council. During the year we made recommendations on 39 planning applications, and individual Councillors attended seminars on shaping the future of the Maldon District, Parish Plans and the Members’ Code of Conduct. The precept for the year 2009/10 was £28,000 and after careful budgeting in January, we will be precepting for the same amount in 2010/11.

This year saw major improvements to the Children’s Play Area. After some initial problems, the new play equipment has been installed, is being well used, and was complimented by RoSPA during their annual safety inspection of the area in May. The Inspector noted in his report that the children’s play area was in good condition, was well maintained and that the considerable investment made in it had resulted in a much higher standard of play provision. As previously reported, this work would not have been possible without a £15,000 grant from Essex County Council. Unfortunately, since the new play equipment was put in, the junior swings have had to be removed as they were found to be beyond economic repair.

As usual, highway matters have taken up a great deal of time this year, but we have seen some real improvements. Following a very successful site meeting, the County Council has agreed in principle to extend the 30mph speed limit in Chelmsford Road as far as Edgewood Veterinary Surgery. The Order is now out to public consultation. Essex County Council have also agreed to make the Speed Indicator Devices in Chelmsford Road, Fambridge Road and Hackmans Lane permanent as soon as funds permit. It was not however prepared to give us a grant to purchase more SID’s for the parish, but our application to install a new Gateway in Rudley Green has gone forward to the judging panel. Of on-going concern is the persistent flooding in Howe Green Road and Maldon Road, which has been drawn to the Highways Department’s attention.

The Parish Council continues to provide and maintain the pavilion the playing field for the benefit of parishioners. This year we spent just over £3,700 on general running costs, which in addition to utility bills, rates and cleaning costs, included replacing three window panes, 75m of perished verandah decking, and repairs to the exterior lights, guttering, drains and washroom fittings. An additional £3,070 was spent on insurance, grasscutting, spraying the playing field and cleaning out the ditch near the Telephone Exchange. Fortunately, income from the facilities was unusually high this year (£4,380) as Cold Norton Village Hall has been unavailable for hire. We are grateful to members of the PPFA for their help in painting the exterior of the building and for the organisation’s commitment to make a considerable donation towards the cost of installing new windows on the north side of the pavilion and some exterior maintenance of the pavilion in the next financial year. Vandalism has again been a problem this year, with damage to the safety surface beneath the new ‘quip-trail and to trees on the playing field. Particularly upsetting however was the theft of the new salt bin in Walton Hall Lane, which was stolen within two days of its installation. All incidents were reported to the Police and the Parish Council will continue to take appropriate action to combat vandalism in the parish.

Congratulations must again go to the allotment tenants whose plots are so well cared for. It is always a genuine pleasure to see the results of such good gardening. There are currently eight people on the waiting list for an allotment. The Parish Council would also like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Challis for maintaining the War Memorial garden so beautifully, Rose and Brian Dilworth for the work they do at the pavilion, Jim Ovel for all that he does to enhance the appearance of the parish and the clerk for continuing to administer the business of the council. During the year the Parish Council gave grants to the school to subsidise the cost of swimming lessons for Purleigh children, to the Village Hall towards a new cooker and to the Knightswood Satellite Service who take some of Purleigh’s senior citizens out to a local venue for lunch and companionship once a month. We also made small donations to the work of the Essex Air Ambulance and Farleigh Hospice.

To conclude, it is my duty to report that the Parish Council has one employee, white British, who received training during the year but did not apply for promotion. The Council cannot detect any patters of inequality arising from this data.

During the year 1^st April 2009 to 31^st March 2010 the Parish Council received £69,884.00 and spent £50,516.80 on parishioners’ behalf. At 31^st March 2010 the following monies were held:

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Copyright © 2005 Purleigh Parish Council                                 Last modified: 06/02/2012