Purleigh Parish Council

 Richard Holmes, the Maldon District Council Officer responsible for emergency planning and business continuity, briefed Members of the Parish Council about the duties and responsibilities placed on local authorities as category one responders by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, prior to the start of the meeting.

 After a very interesting presentation about the risks faced by the Maldon District and the local authority’s plans to assist people in the aftermath of an emergency e.g. flood, road or rail disaster, flu pandemic, or chemical, biological or nuclear incident, Mr. Holmes left the Parish Council with an Emergency Planning Resource folder for completion.  He also agreed to supply the Clerk with a copy of the slides used in his presentation and with some articles about dealing with emergencies for inclusion in the Parish Magazine.    Mr. Holmes also agreed to liaise with Mr. Ascott (Co-ordinator of the Purleigh Emergency Group) with regard to the group’s training needs.

 Mr. Holmes asked for the Parish Council’s support in raising awareness of the newly created website www.maldonresilience.info, which provided lots of information to residents and businesses in the District designed to help them cope with an emergency.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Members present:  Mr. S. Potter (Chairman), Mr. K. Ascott, Mr. L. Cooper (District Councillor), Mr. D. Fleming, Mr. G. Staines, Mr. G. Strathern.     

 Mr John Archer (District Council Ward Member) attended the presentation and public session prior to the start of the meeting.

 Also in attendance: Mrs. Jane Potter (Clerk).

 The meeting was not attended by any members of the public.

 1/12/06  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 Apologies were received from Mrs. S. Owen who was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior personal engagement and from Mr. B. Oliver who was unable to attend due to ill health.  Members wished Mr. Oliver a speedy recovery and sent him their best wishes.

 Mr. Strathern apologised for his late arrival, having been unavoidably detained.  Mr. Strathern joined the meeting during discussion of Agenda item 4.2/12/06.

 2/12/06 THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 10^TH NOVEMBER 2006, having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

 3/12/06 TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

 3.1/12/06 Clerk:  7/11/06 To award the ground maintenance contract for the 2007 season:  It was noted that Andrew Macmorland (A.G. Macmorland Farming Partnership) had accepted the grass cutting contract in Purleigh for the 2007 season.

 3.2/12/06 Members’:  Members did not have any matters of information arising from the November 2006 meeting to discuss.

 4/12/06 PLANNING MATTERS

 4.1/12/06 Decisions taken between meetings: FUL/MAL/06/01281 Two storey rear extension to lounge/bedroom and altered fenestration to front elevation. Futtocks End, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh. Mr. S. Gibbs.

 The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

 4.2/12/06 Current applications:  Mr. Strathern joined the meeting during discussion of this Agenda item.

 FUL/MAL/06/01310 Variation to design and position of dwelling as approved under planning permission FUL/MAL/06/00612.  Framhill, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh. Mr. M. King.

 The Parish Council RECOMMENDED REFUSAL on the grounds that:

 1.       Planning permission FUL/MAL/06/00612 granted consent for the creation of a smaller dwelling, nearer in size to the mobile home it was replacing, and not for a property of these proportions.  Members believed therefore that the proposed dwelling was too big and that only a small dwelling should be permitted on the site.  

 2.       The proposed dwelling, situated on rising ground, was too large and prominent and would dominate the rural street scene to the detriment of the visual amenities of the area

 FUL/MAL/06/01339 Widen vehicular access by removing hedge at front.  Penn Cottage, Hackmans Lane, Purleigh.  P.A.R. Meyer.

 The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

 4.3/12/06 Notification of Appeals: Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Appeal by: Mr. D. Carter

Site address: Palepit Farm, Latchingdon Road, Cold Norton

Appeal ref: APP/X1545/C/06/2024174

Application ref: ENF/1233/16/06

Description of breach of enforcement notice:  The unauthorised erection of two agricultural barns without planning permission.

 Members noted that an appeal had been made to the Planning Inspectorate in respect of the District Council’s Enforcement Notice ENF/1233/16/06 – breach of planning control under section 171A(1)(a) of the above Act.

 It was noted that it was the policy of the local planning authority, as contained within the Adopted District Replacement Local Plan (Policies S2 and BE1), to ensure that all development was necessary within the rural area, appropriate in design and appropriate to its setting.  In this instance, the District Council considered that the buildings by virtue of their scale, height, bulk and utilitarian design were excessive and inappropriate within the rural area and were having a detrimental effect upon local visual amenities.

 It was agreed to write to James Doe, Head of Planning Services, Maldon District Council, reiterating the Parish Council’s concerns about this site.  The Parish Council wished to know what the agricultural buildings were being used for and the result of the Enforcement Officer’s inspection of the premises. 

 4.4/12/06 Maldon District Council planning decisions: Members noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following applications:

¨        FUL/MAL/06/00991 Replacement dwelling. Wickhams Cottage, Wickhams Chase, Purleigh.

¨        FUL/MAL/06/01106 Construction of new dwelling. Old Whitmans Farm, Hackmans Lane, Purleigh.

¨        FUL/MAL/06/01177 Conservatory.  New Redgates Farm, Fambridge Road, Purleigh.

4.5/12/06 Maldon District Council Conservation and Design Awards 2006:  It was noted that the Building Conservation Award 2006 had been won by Queens House, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh, which had been nominated by the Parish Council.  The judges had been delighted with the project and had commented on,

 ‘ The dedication of the owners to detail and the impeccable quality of workmanship.’

 Members noted that the Chairman had attended the awards presentation at Maldon District Council on Friday, 1^st December 2006, on behalf of the Parish Council.

 4.6/12/06 Other planning matters: Members did not have any other planning matters to discuss.

 5/12/06 HIGHWAY MATTERS

 5.1/12/06 Access to the Public Rights of Way in Kent Wood (Purleigh 51 and 52):  Members noted that Chris Brown (Essex County Council) had advised that the County Council intended to install a bridleway gate at the Chelmsford Road end of the wood, but were waiting for the contractors to move the existing gate further into the wood to allow vehicular access, before installing it.

 A gap of 1.5m would be created alongside the existing gate in Birchwood Road to allow those on horseback to access the bridleway.  Matt Searle (Essex County Council Tree Officer) had been asked to check that there weren’t any trees or overhanging branches, which might obstruct riders’ safe passage along the bridleway.

 It was also noted that the County Council was waiting for footpath flags to be delivered before erecting the appropriate signs.

 5.2/12/06 Condition of the steps over the railway line near The Street (FP25 Purleigh): The Parish Council was informed by Stephanie Eraut that she and Heather Hendry had both had nasty falls on the wooden steps over the railway embankment near The Street.  The steps apparently became dangerous when wet, damp and muddy. Members noted that Mrs. Eraut had reported her fall to Chris Brown in October, but since then Heather Hendry had fallen in the same way, despite being warned by Mrs. Eraut of the danger.  Mrs. Eraut had suggested to the County Council that chicken wire could be wrapped round the steps (as was the case over a sleeper bridge near Danbury Lakes and one in South Woodham Ferrers) but this had not been forthcoming.  Members noted and approved that in the interests of public safety, the Parish Council had contacted Chris Brown and asked him to make the steps safe.

 It was noted that Mr. Brown had subsequently advised that he had examined the steps and had concluded that they were bound to be slippery at this time of year due to the weather and the woodland surrounding them. He explained that there were handrails to assist walkers using the steps in wet weather.  Mr. Brown agreed to take a further look at the steps with a view to having them cleaned and painted with non-slip paint, although he didn’t think this would solve the problem entirely.  Mr. Brown went on to advise the Parish Council that it was not Essex County Council policy to wrap wire round steps and bridges, due to maintenance and health and safety issues.

 The Parish Council agreed to wait for Mr. Brown to have the steps cleaned and painted to see if this made them any safer.

 5.3/12/06 To assess the danger posed to motorists by loose deer in the parish:  Members noted that the Parish Council had been informed of an accident in Fambridge Road (between The Royal Oak and Purleigh Wash), which had involved a deer running into a passing car.  The Police had been informed, but the question had been raised whether signs warning motorists of the presence of deer were required. 

 Having made enquiries, the Parish Council agreed that the most likely explanation was that this was not a wild deer but a farmed deer, which had escaped from its enclosure. Members understood that there were a considerable number of loose deer in the parish, since the production of venison had become more popular with farmers.  It was agreed however that it would be impractical to erect warning signs, since the deer could occur anywhere in the parish.

 5.4/12/06 Other highway matters:  Footpath signs:  Members noted that Chris Brown (Essex County Council) had made arrangements to replace the footpath posts and flags in The Street (near Purleigh Hall and in the vicinity of Roundsmans Cottage) with wooden or wooden style ones.

 It was also noted that the concrete footpath sign near Frost Barns, Hackmans Lane, needed replacing.

 Highway Encroachement – The Street, Purleigh: Members noted that Essex County Council had advised that following the Parish Council’s concerns regarding possible encroachment on land adjacent to Turnstone, Purleigh, a highway engineer had obtained details of the highway boundary outside the development and had visited the site.  The footway at present measured approximately 1.8m in width and the boundary details showed approximately 2m of highway.  This meant that there would not be a substantial encroachment on the highway if a wall/fence were to be built adjacent to the footway.

 It was noted that the engineer had contacted the contractor and had requested that he left a 2m width between the kerb edge and any permanent structure.  The engineer had also noted whilst on site that there was some obstruction of the footway by excavation material.  This had been discussed with the contractor who had been asked to ensure that the footway was kept clear.

 The storage of highway materials, Hackmans Lane:  The Clerk reported that the Parish Council had contacted Essex County Council and their contractors, about the superfluous highway materials which remained uncollected from Mr. Fleming’s land adjacent to Hackmans Lane, and which was attracting fly tipping. Neither the County Council nor their contractors would agree to remove any more material from the site, since both organisations believed that the residue was not their responsibility.

 It was suggested that Mr. Fleming dealt privately with the matter and put it in the hands of his solicitor.

 6/12/06 PLAYING FIELD AND OPEN SPACES

 6.1/12/06 Children’s Play Area: Monthly report:  Mr. Ascott reported that he had carried out his usual weekly inspections of the Children’s Play Area and that all items of play equipment therein appeared to be in a satisfactory condition.   Mr. Ascott reported that the grass was growing and that the surface of the play area was looking good.

 6.2/12/06 Spraying the Playing Field to eradicate Plantain etc:  It was noted and approved that due to the current ground and weather conditions Billericay Farm Services would not spray the playing field until the spring.  Their quotation of £200 plus VAT would remain valid.  

 6.3/12/06 To consider quotations for a new dog waste bin:  (See Minute 6.5/11/06):  The following quotations for a new dog waste bin to be installed at Pump Corner were considered by the Parish Council: 

Members noted that all the above quotations did not include Vat or delivery.

 It was agreed to purchase a Retriever 35 litre capacity dog waste bin from Glasdon UK Ltd at a cost of £276.46 plus VAT and delivery.

 The Parish Council agreed to ask Mr. Ovel to install the bin, and to ask Maldon District Council to add it to their contractor’s collection schedule, once it had been installed.

 6.4/12/06 Alteration to the 2005 Rating List re: The Pavilion:  Members noted that an Officer from the Valuations Office had visited the Pavilion following the completion of the extension and had included it in the Rating List as follows:

Maldon District Council (the billing authority) had subsequently advised that the Parish Council would have to pay business rates in the sum of £509.37 to the end of the current financial year.  The Pavilion did not qualify for a 50% small business or rural area reduction as it had been added to the List after 1^st April 2006, but the Parish Council could apply for discretionary relief next year. 

According to the Valuation Office the billing authority may decide to give up to 100% business relief to any other business in rural villages, with a rateable value of up to £12,000, (apart from Post Offices and general stores) if it was satisfied that the business was of benefit to the community and having regard to the interests of its council tax payers. 

It was agreed that the Clerk should apply for 100% discretionary non-domestic rate relief as soon as it was possible to do so.

6.5/12/06 Other playing field and open spaces matters: Re-location of the post box in Pump Lane:  Members noted that the post box in Pump Lane had been re-located to the bottom of Church Hill, in the vicinity of the village sign.

 Outstanding items: Pavilion extension:  The Parish Council considered the contents of a letter from Mr. Steeples (Chairman, Purleigh Playing Field Association (PPFA)).

 It was agreed to thank Mr. Steeples for his correspondence, and inform him that th matters he raised had been noted.

 It was also agreed to write to Gary Lynch (G J Lynch Building Contractors) asking him to put the following matters in hand:

 1.       Remove one shower from the south side of the Pavilion and disconnect its power supply, as previously requested.

2.       Install a metal strip on the join in the floor between the hall and the corridor leading to the kitchen and changing rooms, as the edge of the non-slip flooring in the corridor was lifting and constituted a trip hazard.

3.       To relocate the light above the kitchen hatch onto the ceiling, at right angles to the existing lights.

4.       To grout the tile, which was put in after a shower was removed from the north changing room  

5.       To provide the Parish Council with a quotation for re-sealing the hall floor, as previously requested.

 It was also agreed to write to Karen Elliott, (Purleigh Brownies) asking her to provide more detail about the problems the Brownies were experiencing with the hall floor, as the Parish Council had learned that the girls were having trouble via Mr. Steeples’ letter and would appreciate further information prior to the January meeting.

 7/12/06 TO CONSIDER PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTING COPIES OF AN HISTORICAL SETTLEMENT ASSESSMENT

 Members noted that All Saints Church would charge the sum of £40 to print 100 copies of the Historical Settlement Assessment of Purleigh produced in 2004 by Steven Potter at the request of Maldon District Council. The document had been circulated amongst Members after the November Parish Council meeting (See Minute 4.6/11/06).

 It was also noted that 100 spine binders would cost an additional £21.20.

 It was agreed to ask All Saints Church to print 100 copies of the Assessment and to purchase 100 spine binders at a total cost of £61.20 plus VAT (on the spine binders only).

 It was agreed that once the document had been printed, Mr. Potter would place a notice in the Parish Magazine inviting any parishioners who would like a copy, free of charge, to contact the Clerk.

 8/12/06 MALDON DISTRICT COUNCIL STANDARDS COMMITTEE (SUB-COMMITTEE COMPOSITION)

 Members were reminded that in May 2006 Simon Quelch (Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, Maldon District Council) had consulted the Parish Council under the Local Government Act 2000 about the proposed composition of a Standards Sub-Committee.

 To streamline the procedure, which then involved District Councillors facing an investigating committee of six members and Parish Councillors a committee of nine, the District Council were proposing that when a District Councillor’s conduct was being investigated a three person Sub- Committee would be convened, consisting of two District Councillors and an independent member, and when a Parish Councillor’s conduct was to be considered a three person Sub-Committee would be convened consisting of one District Councillor, a Parish Council representative and an independent member. It was further proposed that Cllr. Bass (a  Parish, District and County Councillor) be the Parish Council representative who would always sit on the aforementioned three person Sub- Committee.   

 Whilst the Parish Council had been in favour of reducing the number of Committee Members Parish Councillors would have to appear in front of to answer any complaint referred by the Standards Board, Members did not feel that Cllr. Bass was an appropriate choice for the position of Parish Council representative.   

 Members had believed it to be essential that the Parish Council representative should not be a District or County Councillor, but should approach their duty on the Committee from a Parish Council perspective only, be it as a Parish Councillor, trainer or other expert in Parish Council matters.  It was felt that any individual who held a position in more than one tier of local government would not be able to assess a Parish Councillor’s conduct without reference to their experience in other Councils, and that this may be detrimental to the interests of the Parish Councillor being called to account for their actions.   

 The District Council had received 6 responses to this consultation which were considered by the District Council’s Standards Committee at its meeting held on 16^th October 2006.  At that meeting the Committee had decided that a three person Sub-Committee should be established and that Councillor D. Keighley of Maldon Town Council should be invited along to attend any Sub-Committee meeting as an observer, to ensure that proper processes were followed whenever a Parish/Town Councillor was brought before the Sub-Committee on an allegation of misconduct.

 At the November 2006 Parish Council meeting it had been agreed to write back to Mr. Quelch requesting some clarification.  Members wished to know why an observer was required to ensure proper processes were followed whenever a Parish or Town Councillor was brought before the Sub-Committee and whether that meant that different procedures applied to Parish and District Councillors.  There had also still been some confusion about the composition of the Sub-Committee, which Mr. Quelch’s letter hadn’t fully explained (See Minute 8/11/06).

 The Parish Council noted that Mr. Quelch had responded to this request for clarification by explaining that the processes and procedures followed by the Sub-Committee were the same for an investigation into a Parish Councillor’s conduct as they were for a District Councillor.  The reason the Standards Committee had decided that Councillor D. Keighley should be invited to act as an observer when a Parish Councillor was the subject of an investigation, was simply so that he could report back to that particular Parish Council that a fair hearing had been given.  As an observer, Mr. Quelch anticipated that Councillor Keighley would simply be watching on in relation to the proceedings and would be able to ask him or the Chairman of the Sub-Committee at the end why certain matters had been dealt with in a certain way so that he was clear in his mind that a fair hearing had been given.

 Mr. Quelch further explained that when a Parish Councillor's conduct was investigated, the Sub-Committee would consist of an Independent Member, a District Councillor and a Parish Councillor.  That Parish Councillor could be from any Parish Council.  The intention therefore was that, as Councillor Bass sat on the Standards Committee and was also a Parish Councillor, he would fulfil that role.

 It was agreed to ask Mr. Quelch to provide the Parish Council with copies of the other five responses received to the original consultation, and to advise him that the Parish Council was very disappointed that its objections to the Parish Council Member of the Sub-Committee sitting on more than one tier of local government (as outlined in its correspondence dated 9^th June 2006) had not been acted upon.

 9/12/06 CLERK’S SALARY AND REVIEW OF REMUNERATION FOR SERVICES

 Under the terms of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, this item of business was held in Committee due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

 National Minimum Wage: Members noted that From 1^st October 2006 the National Minimum Wage had been increased from £5.05 per hour to £5.35 per hour for workers aged 22 years and over.

 9.1/12/06 Pavilion cleaner:  It was agreed to offer to pay Mrs. Dilworth a fee of £5.75 per hour (an increase of 25p per hour) for her services, effective from 1^st April 2007.

 9.2/12/06 The Clerk:  Members noted that the Clerk was contracted to work an average 100 hours per month and currently earned an annual salary of £7,200 (i.e. £6.00 per hour).

 Mr. Potter declared a prejudicial interest in this matter and left the Pavilion, as did the Clerk, during the Parish Council’s discussion of this Agenda item.

In the absence of the Chairman and Mr. Potter (the Vice Chairman), Mr. Ascott chaired this part of the meeting. 

 On Mr. Potter and the Clerk’s return to the meeting they were informed that it had been proposed and agreed that the Clerk be paid an annual salary of £7,800 (i.e. £6.50 per hour) effective from 1^st April 2007 and that the Council recommended that her salary be increased to £8,400 per year (i.e. 7.00 per hour) effective from 1^st April 2008.

 Expenses 2007/2008 would be increased by the sum of £78 to £1,673, and were comprised as follows:

 ¨        A lump sum of £1,023 per annum for the essential use of a motor vehicle (1200 - 1400cc), as agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services 2006 recommended in the National Association of Local Councils, ‘2002/3 National Salary Award for Local Council Clerks’ (October 2002).

¨        A sum of £350 per annum for the use of a room as an office (£50 more than that recommended in a letter dated 25/11/97 from Inland Revenue to the Essex Association of Local Councils, circulated to all Parish Council Clerks in December 1997).

¨        A sum of £300 per annum for the use of the Clerk’s personal word processing equipment for Parish Council business (as advised by the EALC and a local firm of Chartered Accountants in 1999).

 10/12/06 FINANCIAL MATTERS

 10.1/12/06 Community Initiatives Fund 2007/2008:  Members noted that funding was available in each local district area for the financial year 2007/2008.  The County Council wished to work with local organisations to identify projects which were suitable for funding and which took into account the main criterion that:

 ‘The project would promote the social, economic or environmental well-being of the locality and would result in the creation of a new physical asset’.

 Members noted that this could include such projects as community, social and recreational facilities, community transport initiatives, land purchases, playground equipment, environmental works and any related feasibility, design and planning work.

 The project should take account of Essex County Council and Essex Partnership priorities, which included tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, improving local environmental features, gaining access to services and supporting communities.

 Projects would be given preference if they could attract matched funding, had the potential to add value to other work being undertaken in the locality and had been identified in local health checks or parish plans.

 Members noted that applications for funding had to be submitted by 25^th May 2007 and funds had to be spent by 31^st March 2008.

 The Parish Council discussed the merits of several projects that might qualify for funding. It was agreed however that the purchase of land to create a footpath between the Village Hall and The Westerings was unlikely to meet the Fund’s criteria as it would involve the compulsory purchase of land.

 It was agreed to wait for the results of RoSPA’s next inspection of the equipment in the Children’s Play Area and then to decide whether to apply for Community Initiative’s funding to replace the tower, slide and suspension bridge.

 10.2/12/06 To consider a request for a donation from SWANS:  The Parish Council considered a request for a donation from SWANS (Sometimes We All Need Support), an organisation set up 12 years ago to give support to residents within Maldon District, who as a consequence of physical and sensorial disability, needed a boost, by encouraging them to participate in activities such as computer learning, handicrafts and educational projects, which in turn increased their social mobility and employment prospects.

 Members noted that the Parish Council had set aside the sum of £75 for minor miscellaneous grants in the precept 2006/2007. 

 It was agreed not to make a donation to SWANS but instead to make a donation of £40 to Farleigh Hospice and a donation of £35 to the Essex Air Ambulance.

 10.3/12/06 Parish Precept 2007/2008 – To agree a date for discussion: It was agreed that the precept 2006/2007 would be set by the Parish Council at its meeting to be held on Friday, 12^th January 2007.

 It was agreed that the Parish Council would inform parishioners via the Parish Magazine that the precept would be set at the January meeting, and would suggest that if any organisation wished the Parish Council to consider making them a grant for the forthcoming year, they should apply in writing to the Clerk as soon as possible.

 Mr. Staines agreed to inform the Village Hall Committee, whom he understood were trying to raise funds for new heaters for the Village Hall and might like to apply to the Parish Council for a grant towards them.

 Members noted that the provisional tax base figure for Purleigh 2007/2008 had been calculated by Maldon District Council at 542.5.

 The Clerk agreed to obtains estimates/quotations for the following items, to inform the precept discussions:

 ¨        New notice board – Pump Corner

¨        Re-sanding and sealing the Pavilion floor

¨        Interior re-decoration of the Pavilion

 10.4/12/06 To review Parish Council subscriptions: The Parish Council reviewed its current subscriptions, which were as follows:

Members noted that the cost of subscriptions had risen by £44.22 between 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 (EALC + £11.42; Local Council Review + £24.80 for a three year subscription, SLCC + £2, Dengie Hundred Group of Parish Councils + £5, CPRE + £1). 

 It was agreed to continue to subscribe to all the aforementioned organisations.

 10.5/12/06 To receive a report of receipts: The Parish Council received a report of the following receipts:

10.6/12/06 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.

 10.7/12/06 To approve payment of accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

 It was agreed that the Clerk should purchase a suitable gift up to the value of £10, for Mr. Ovel as a token of the Parish Council’s appreciation for all his work in the parish during the year.

 11/12/06 CORRESPONDENCE

 Essex County Council

Review of Mobile Library Services in Essex:  Members noted that Essex County Council was considering an agreed set of criteria against which decisions on the provision of a mobile library service would be determined in the future and would like the Parish Council’s comments on the criteria and on what these would mean in the parish.  The criteria once adopted would clarify what services local communities could expect to receive.

 It was noted that the criteria were as follows:

§         A Mobile Library service would only be provided at localities which were more than two miles away from a static library unless there was specific identified need.

§         A weekly service to communities, both rural and urban, with specific identified need would be provided

§         The frequency of service delivery to all other localities more than two miles distant from a static library would be fortnightly

 Specific identified need would be defined as follows:

§         Communities who may suffer social isolation and deprivation

§         Specific communities or localities which the Council identified as requiring a weekly service to progress its agreed objectives

§         Communities who because of age or disability were unable to access services in any other way.

Members noted that the mobile library currently visited Purleigh on Wednesdays and stopped at New Hall, Pump Corner, The Bell and in Cock Clarks.  All these stops were more than 2 miles away from the nearest static library.

It was agreed to confirm with Essex County Council that the mobile library would continue to visit Purleigh on a weekly basis.

 Maldon District Council

Civic carol service:  The Chairman of Maldon District Council (Councillor RL Bass) invited the Chairman and Parish Councillors to attend a Civic Service as part of the Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols, to be held at St Leonard’s Church, Southminster on Tuesday, 12^th December 2006 at 7.30p.m.

 Mr. Cooper advised the Parish Council that he would be attending the service.

 Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC)

Members noted that the EALC was running the following courses:

 ‘Election training day’ on Wednesday, 31^st January 2007 between 9.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. in the Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow at a cost of £30 per delegate.

 ‘The funding game and how to win it’ on 1^st March 2007 between 10.00 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. in the Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow, at a cost of £20 per delegate.

 Important dates:  Members noted that the EALC had given advance notice that the Annual General Meeting of the Maldon District Parish and Town Councils would be held on 20^th June 2007.

 Members also noted that in January 2007 the New Sustainable Community Strategy and the Local Development Framework would be put out to consultation.

 12/12/06 POINTS OF INFORMATION                                          

 Members noted that the Parish Council had sent a card to Jackie Lane, former clerk to the Council, expressing Members’ and the Clerk’s sympathy following the sudden death of her husband Paul.  The Chairman and Vice Chairman had attended the funeral, which had been held in Bowers Gifford on Monday, 27^th November 2006. 

 Members noted that Mr. Cooper had placed some correspondence in the circulation folder from Debby Brand, a Purleigh resident, on behalf of the National Autistic Society, which enquired about local educational provision for children with autism.

 CRIME AND DISORDER ACT 1988 (SECTION 17)

 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 8.40 p.m.

 Top of Page 

______________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer                              Privacy Policy

Send mail to webmaster@oaktreeservices.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2005 Oaktree IT Services Ltd and Purleigh Parish Council                                 Last modified: 14/12/2008