6.1/08/07 Children’s Play Area: Monthly report: Mr. Perriman reported that he had carried out his daily inspections of the Children’s Play Area and that all items of play equipment therein appeared to be in a satisfactory condition.

Members noted that Mr. Ovel had removed the tower and chain bridge from the play area and that in addition to the faults with it noted by RoSPA’s play equipment inspector during the inspection carried out in May 2007, four of its upright posts had been rotten and an additional four had started to decay. Members regretted the fact that many insurance companies insisted on RoSPA carrying out inspections of play equipment when other organisations such as the District Council had trained inspectors. The Clerk reported that Essex County Council was in the process of collating information from all Parish and Town Councils in the County regarding their current insurance provision and future needs, with a view to negotiating better terms with insurers. It was hoped that this would give greater freedom of choice to Parish Councils.

It was agreed that the Clerk would obtain and circulate play equipment catalogues for Members to study, prior to the Council choosing a piece of play equipment to replace the tower.

The Chairman agreed to ask Mr. Ovel to remove the redundant metal benches from the playing field, due to their dilapidated condition. Members also noted that the gate in the corner of the children’s play area had moved out of alignment.

The Chairman reported that between meetings, with the approval of the Vice Chairman, Mr. Oliver and Mr. Perriman, Joe Davies had been authorised to remove the damaged tree near the Children’s Play Area which had been identified during the site meeting held before the July Parish Council meeting (Minute reference 6.1/07/07) for the sum of £300. Mr. Davies had also been authorised to remove a damaged branch from a nearby Willow tree at the same time for an additional sum of £50. Members noted that it had been agreed that the work would not be carried out until the beginning of the autumn term when not as many children would be playing in the area.

6.2/08/07 Pavilion internal redecoration: Proposals from the Purleigh Playing Field Association (PPFA): Members noted that Bernard Steeples (Chairman, PPFA) had written to the Parish Council explaining that the PPFA Committee had decided that it was not prepared to bear the full cost for the re-decoration of the interior of the pavilion, as the Parish Council was not currently prepared to allocate funds for the work. The organisation had however already obtained one quote for the work and would seek another so that the likely cost was known for future reference. For future planning purposes the Committee would like to agree a colour scheme with the Parish Council so that proceedings would not be further delayed when a decision was eventually taken.

Members noted that as a possible alternative project the PPFA Committee had decided to investigate the feasibility of replacing the pavilion curtains, which in their opinion were faded, worn and dirty, and with this in mind had considered various options for curtains and blinds which complied with fire regulations in public buildings.

The PPFA had therefore requested the Council’s views on this proposal and also on the preferred type of curtain or blind and colour(s) in conjunction with the future re-decoration of the pavilion.

It was agreed to thank the PPFA for their correspondence and for their continued interest in improving the appearance of the interior of the pavilion. The Parish Council was not however intending to take any action regarding re-decoration or the renewal of the curtains at this time.

6.3/08/07 Other playing field matters: Cemetery hedge: The Chairman reported that between meetings he had been approached by one of the Churchwardens who had asked whether the Parish Council would be prepared to arrange for the hedge between the cemetery and the field to the north, to be drastically cut back. The Chairman had subsequently obtained an estimate from Andrew Macmorland of between £150 and £200 to carry out the work required.

The Parish Council agreed to ask Mr. Macmorland to proceed.

Damaged notice board at Rudley Green: It was agreed to ask Graham Cornell to make whatever repairs were necessary to the notice board at Rudley Green.

Members noted that in January 2007 the Parish Council had received a quotation from the Harry Stebbing Workshop for a new notice board to replace the dilapidated one in Pump Lane. The quotation had been in the sum of £1,217.70 plus VAT. The Parish Council had allocated the sum of £600 in the precept 2007/2008 towards its purchase, leaving £617.70 to find from grants.

Members noted that the Parish Council had now been awarded the following grants towards the notice board:

It was noted and approved that with the consent of the Chairman and Vice Chairman between meetings, an order had been placed with Harry Stebbing for the notice board.

Members noted that Andrew Gregory, Senior Contracts Officer, Essex County Council had thanked the Parish Council for explaining its concerns about the County Council’s decision to withdraw support for a bus supervisor at Purleigh School.

Mr. Gregory explained that all school bus services that were contracted to Essex County Council were required to arrive no earlier than ten minutes before the opening time of the school, due to the unavailability of staff to supervise pupils before this period. Without the knowledge of Essex County Council, Purleigh School had made arrangements with the transport operators serving the school, to arrive much earlier than this. The transport operators had now been instructed that vehicles were not to arrive earlier than 08.45 from September 2007 onwards, so that pupils would not require supervising in the school grounds for longer than was necessary.

It was noted that in conjunction with the Safer Journeys to School Team, the Highways Department was proposing to install a 23 metre bus parking bay which would ensure that buses could stop with the passenger door next to the school gate. The County Council believed that students would be protected from the road by the presence of the vehicle itself. In addition, the County Council was proposing to make the ‘No Stopping Order’ on the existing zigzag lines enforceable.

Members noted that Jackie Roerig (Essex County Council Highways Department) had forwarded a map showing the County Council’s proposals for Pump Lane for the Parish Council’s comments.

Mrs. Roerig explained that the school accepted that a certain amount of parking space was necessary in Pump Lane to allow parents to pick up and drop off. The County Council was of the opinion that if parking restrictions were implemented throughout Pump Lane, vehicle speeds would increase, which would not be desirable near a school. In addition there would be serious implications for residents who would no longer be able to park outside their homes if restrictions were extended beyond the school. It was highly likely therefore that the County would receive many objections to such a proposal and that it would not be successfully implemented.

The Parish Council expressed its concern that the ‘No Stopping Order’ would not be adequately enforced, as was the case with the existing double yellow lines in Pump Lane.

Based on local knowledge, it was agreed to ask the County Council to amend their proposal and extend the ‘No stopping and No Loading/Unloading and No Waiting’ zone from the south side of the bus stop to the junction with The Westerings. It was also agreed to ask the County Council to put pressure on Maldon District Council to enforce all the traffic restrictions in Pump Lane once the new scheme had been implemented.

9.1/08/07 To receive a report of the annual site inspection: Members noted that the Clerk had visited the allotment gardens in Chelmsford Road on 2^nd August 2007 and had carried out the annual site inspection. The Clerk reported that it had again been a genuine pleasure to carry out the annual inspection of the allotments and to see the results of so much hard work by the tenants. In addition, the area around the plots had been generally neat and tidy and the paths had been well maintained.

Members noted that Mr. and Mrs. Paul had asked the Parish Council to consider allowing a toilet to be installed at the site and that Mr. Paul had offered to pay for and erect a shed to house a portable lavatory. It was agreed to inform Mr. and Mrs. Paul that the erection of any structure on the site contravened the Parish Council’s rental agreement with the landowner, so permission for a toilet could not be given.

9.2/08/07 Rent review 2007/2008: Having given careful consideration to the allotment accounts 2006/2007 and to anticipated income from, and expenditure on, the allotments during 2007/2008, it was proposed and agreed that the allotment rents remained at £15 per plot per annum. It was agreed to explain to tenants however that as income from the allotments barely covered the cost of providing them, and with the cost of water rising, the Parish Council expected that rents would rise in 2008/2009 to £20 per plot per annum.

Members noted that there were currently six people waiting for an allotment, four of whom resided in Purleigh parish.

10.1/08/07 To receive a report of the external audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the year ended 31^st March 2007: Members noted that Lubbock Fine had concluded their audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the financial year 2006/2007. Lubbock Fine had concluded that on the basis of their review, in their opinion, the information contained in the Annual Return was in accordance with the Audit Commission’s requirements and that no matters had come to their attention which gave cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements had not been met.

Members noted that the successful conclusion of the audit had been advertised on the Parish Council’s notice boards at Pump Corner, Cock Clarks and Maldon Road alongside a copy of the completed Annual Return.

10.2/08/07 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipts:

10.3/08/07 To approve payment of accounts between meetings: It was noted and approved that the following accounts had been paid between meetings, adhering strictly to the procedures outlined in the Parish Council’s Financial Regulations 5.3 - 5.7.

10.4/08/07 To approve payment of accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

Annual General Meeting: Members noted that the AGM would be held at 6.15 p.m. on Wednesday, 19^th September 2007 preceded by the Annual ‘Making the Links’ event at 3.00 p.m. hosted by Essex County Council, at The Essex Records Office, Wharf Road, Chelmsford. A complimentary buffet would be served at 5.15 p.m.

Mr. Ascott, who was a member of the Executive Committee of the Association, briefly explained the work of the EALC and its links with the National Association for the benefit of new Councillors.

Mr. Ascott also volunteered to take with him any Councillors who wished to attend the AGM.

Councillor Training Day: Members noted that a training day for Councillors and Officers would be held on Thursday, 18^th October 2007 between 9.30 a.m. and 3.40 p.m. in the Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow at a cost of £50 per delegate (lunch included).

It was agreed that if any Councillor wished to attend this course they would let the Clerk know so that a place for them could be booked.

In response to a letter from Mrs. Gower, a resident of The Street, Purleigh, and a user of the mobile library service, it was agreed to write to Essex County Council objecting to the deletion of The Bell Public House as a stopping point on the route and requesting its reinstatement.

Members noted that this year the Croquet Club’s American Tournament would take place on the 19^th September 2007. Spectators would be warmly welcomed.

Consideration was given to the crime and disorder implications of all decisions made at this meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50 p.m.

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