Three Parish Councillors were available between 7.15 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. to talk to parishioners.

Members present: Mr. B. Oliver (Chairman), Mr. K. Ascott, Mr. L. Cooper (District Councillor),

Mr. S. Potter, Mr. G. Staines, Mr. G. Strathern, Dr. R. Woodcock.

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

Pc Paul Hughes attended part of the meeting.

Apologies were received from Mrs. S. Owen and Mr. D. Fleming who were unable to attend the meeting due to prior personal commitments, and from Mr. J. Archer (District Council Ward Member) who was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior engagement.

Mr. L. Cooper and Mr. G. Strathern apologised for their late arrival, both having been unavoidably detained. Mr. Cooper joined the meeting during discussion of Agenda item 3.1/02/06 and Mr. Strathern during discussion of Agenda item 4.1/02/06.

2/02/06. THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 13^TH JANUARY 2006, having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

3/02/06. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

3.1/02/06 Clerk: 8/01/06 Voluntary First Registration of Landholdings: Members noted that the Parish Council had successfully completed the registration of Rigby’s Path, the War Memorial site and the playing field. Members understood that The Common should be registered within the next 5 weeks, common land involving a more complex registration process.

9.7/01/06 Payment of S.137 Donations: It was noted that the Essex Air Ambulance and Farleigh Day Hospice had both written to thank the Parish Council for its donations towards their work. Letters from both organisations were placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information.

Mr. Cooper joined the meeting at this juncture.

3.2/02/06 Members’: Members did not have any matters arising from the January 2006 meeting to discuss.

4.1/02/06 Decisions taken between meetings: TCA/MAL/06/00044 Reduce height of two Yew trees by 2 metres and re-shape sides to balance, reduce height of Ash tree by 4 metres and thin by 10%, reduce sides to balance, fell Almond tree, Flowering Cherry tree and Nectarine tree and reduce crown of Cypress tree by 1.5 metres and shape sides, all in accordance with good arboricultural practice. Turnstone, The Street, Purleigh. Mr. and Mrs. Challis.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

Mr. Strathern joined the meeting at this juncture.

4.2/02/06 Current applications: FUL/MAL/06/00097 First floor addition and associated alterations. Hide-Away, Hackmans Lane, Purleigh. Mr. Saville and Miss C. Jennings.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

4.3/02/06 Notification of Appeals:

Appeal by: Mr. I. Brewer

Site address: Charondown, Maldon Road, Latchingdon

Appeal ref: APP/X1545/A/05/1196536

Application ref: FUL/MAL/05/01050

Description of development: Replacement roof raising the ridge height and inserting 3 front dormer windows and 2 rear dormer windows; first floor rear extension.

Members noted that an appeal had been made to the Planning Inspectorate in respect of the District Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the above development.

4.4/02/06 Maldon District Council planning decisions: Members noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following applications:

4.5/02/06 Parish and Town Council liaison with the Planning Authority: It was noted that James Doe (Chief Planning and Development Services Officer, Maldon District Council) had accepted the Parish Council’s invitation to attend a meeting with Parish Councillors at 7.00 p.m. on Friday, 9^th June 2006 (prior to the normal Parish Council meeting which would commence at 8.00 p.m.).

Members noted that Mr. Doe would appreciate advance notice of any specific applications or sites the Parish Council wished to discuss. He would also use the meeting to provide Members with an update on current planning issues, leaving time for discussion and questions.

It was agreed that at the April 2006 meeting the Parish Council would draw up a list of planning matters that Members wished to discuss with Mr. Doe at the liaison meeting.

4.6/02/06 Other planning matters: Mr. Cooper reported that the future of the District Council’s Area Planning Committees was in question, as the number of planning applications they considered did not appear to some to justify the cost and administrative burden associated with them. The District Council was expected to reach a decision about the future of the Area Planning Committees at its meeting to be held on Thursday, 16^th February 2006.

5.1/02/06 Bridleway claim: Birchwood Road to Chelmsford Road via Kent Wood: Members noted that Mary Morris (Essex County Council) had explained to the Parish Council that the report on the bridleway claim was at an advanced stage of preparation, and that she understood that the landowners, Woodland Investment Management, were prepared to admit to the existence of public rights of way over the land.  In this connection Mrs. Morris had advised them to complete declarations under s31 (6) Highways Act 1980, to clearly identify those public rights of way that they had admitted to, and to constitute evidence of a lack of intention to dedicate any further public rights of way over land where there was some possibility that the public may wander.

It was the lack of receipt of these declarations which was delaying the completion, and issue, of the report.  Members noted that Mrs. Morris had inspected the site on two occasions, once in the company of the landowner and once unaccompanied, and that on each of these occasions members of the public had appeared to be gaining access to the woods via a gap in the fence adjoining Footpath 16.  In view of the Parish Council’s complaint, Woodland Investment Management had been asked, and had agreed, to open the gate at the correct entrance. 

It was agreed to monitor the situation and to chase the matter up if the gate had not been opened within the next two months.

5.2/02/06 Road closure: Slough Road: Members noted that Essex County Council had advised that in order to avoid the risk of danger to the public while overhead lines were replaced, Slough Road would be closed (during the day time) from its junction with the B1418 Hyde Lane to a point 350m east of that junction. The work would begin on Monday, 20^th February 2006 and would last for 5 days. The signed diversion would be via the B1418 Hyde Lane, the B1010 Burnham Road, Marlpits Lane, Goat House Lane and vice-versa. Access for the emergency services would be maintained.

5.3/02/06 Highway safety: Roundbush section of Fambridge Road: It was noted that a copy of a further letter from Maureen Humfrey (AGHAST) to Rodney Bass (County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation) had been placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information. Members noted that Mrs. Humfrey’s letter drew the attention of Mr. Bass to another incident in Fambridge Road, which had occurred outside Wheatsheaf Cottage and had been caused by a speeding motorist.

5.4/01/06 Other highway matters: Members did not raise any other highway matters.

At this juncture, with the agreement of all present, the Chairman closed the meeting so that Pc Hughes could discuss the future of local policing in the parish, after his impending retirement, with Parish Councillors. After an informative discussion the meeting was reconvened.

The Parish Council thanked Pc Hughes for his services as Purleigh’s Community Police Officer since his re-deployment in September 2002, and wished him well in his future career.

6.1/02/06 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, although children were still periodically winding the swing chains up.

6.2/02/06 The provision of safety surface beneath the tyre traverse and ladder walk: Members were reminded that during the financial year ended 31^st March 2005 the Parish Council had transferred the sum of £1,000 from the general fund into Mr. May’s Legacy towards the provision of more safety surface in the children’s play area. In addition, the further sum of £1,000 had been transferred into Mr. May’s Legacy, having been allocated in the precept 2005/2006 towards the same project (Min: 10.4/1/05).

Members noted that the Parish Council had subsequently been awarded a grant of £1,400 from Maldon District Council’s Community Grant Scheme towards the provision of safety surface beneath the tyre traverse and ladder walk (Min: 6.3/07/05).

The Parish Council therefore had the sum of £7,073 towards the provision of safety surface (which included the remaining funds in Mr. May’s Legacy, as agreed in November 2003, Minute reference 6.2/11/03).

Members noted that the Parish Council had received an updated quotation in the sum of £4,854 plus VAT from Adventure Playgrounds Ltd to install black, wet pour safety surface beneath the tyre traverse and ladder walk.

It was agreed to accept Adventure Playgrounds’ quotation and to proceed with the installation of black, wet pour safety surface beneath the tyre traverse and ladder walk. At Mr. Potter’s suggestion it was agreed to ask Adventure Playgrounds Ltd to ensure that the new safety surface joined on to that beneath the T-bar swings, to avoid the formation of a narrow, possibly hazardous gap between the two pieces of equipment.

6.3/02/06 Review of letting fees 2006/2007: The Parish Council gave careful consideration to a detailed breakdown of income from, and expenditure on, the Pavilion and Playing Field up to 31^st January 2006, together with estimated income and expenditure for 2005/2006 and 2006/2007.

Members noted that during 2005/2006, expenditure on the Pavilion and Playing Field was expected to exceed the income derived from them by the sum of £1,374.30, and that if letting fees remained at their current levels, expenditure on the facilities was expected to exceed the income derived from them by the sum of £1,133.00 during 2006/2007.

The Parish Council agreed that the fees for 2006/2007 should remain the same as in 2005/2006, which were as follows:

Occasional Bookings:

The rate for occasional bookings remain at £4 per hour.

Regular Bookings:

Purleigh Folk Dance Club: The rate for Purleigh Folk Dance Club remain at £3.50 per hour (hire of the pavilion for two hours every Wednesday evening, except the first Wednesday of the month).

Purleigh Croquet Club: The rate for Purleigh Croquet Club remain at £3.50 per hour (hire of the Pavilion from Mid-April to Mid-October for two hours per week).

Purleigh Playing Field Association (PPFA): The rate for PPFA committee meetings remain at £3.50 per hour (12 evening meetings on the fourth Thursday each month).

Purleigh Brownies: The fees for the Brownies remain at £75 (hire of Pavilion from 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. on Thursdays during school terms only).

Whist Drive: The fees for the Whist Drive remain at £6.00 per evening (hire of Pavilion for 2 hours every Monday evening).

Purleigh Old People’s Home Association: The fees for Purleigh Old People’s Home Association remain at £3.50 per hour (hire of Pavilion from 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. every other 4^th Friday in the month)

Block Bookings:

Purleigh Cricket Club: The fees for Purleigh Cricket Club remain £700 for the forthcoming season (hire of the Pavilion and playing field on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, from May to September inclusive, plus on some mid-week days during the season and for approximately ten evening committee meetings).

Purleigh Football Club: The fees for Purleigh Football Club remain £400 for the forthcoming season (hire of Pavilion for 3 hours on Sunday afternoons from October to April inclusive).

6.4/02/06 Pavilion extension plans: Members noted that Mr. Steeples had been appointed by the Purleigh Playing Field Association to act as project manager on its behalf, alongside Mr. Staines and Mr. Strathern.

Mr. Strathern reported that G.J. Lynch Building Contractors intended to start work on the extension in late February or early March 2006.

The Parish Council rejected a suggestion that UPVC doors could be installed at the rear of the extension instead of timber ones, on the grounds that UPVC doors would be more difficult to repair should they be vandalised, and that they would be out of keeping with the rest of the building.

6.5/02/06 Vandalism at the Pavilion: Members noted that during the weekend of 14^th and 15^th January 2006 the glass in one of the pavilion windows had been smashed and that Mr. Cornell had replaced it with toughened glass at a cost of £109.

6.6/02/06 Notice board: Roundbush area: Members noted that the Parish Council had taken delivery of the new notice board which Mr. Cornell would install on the wall of the Round Bush (café) as soon as possible.

6.7/02/06 Other playing field and open space matters: Car Park barrier: Members noted that Mr. Strathern (Blackwater Baling) had erected the new Pavilion car park barrier. The Parish Council thanked Mr. Strathern for making such an excellent job of a difficult installation. Mr. Strathern agreed to supply the Clerk with the dimensions of the Allen key required to create a gap in the barrier for vehicular access, so that six could be purchased and distributed to grounds maintenance contractors as required.

Members considered the provisions of a ‘Parish and Town Council Charter’, which had been approved and adopted by the District Council at its meeting on 15^th December 2005. The Charter set out how Maldon District Council envisaged working in partnership with Parish and Town Councils in the Maldon District. All Parish and Town Councils were invited to sign up to Part 1 of the Charter (Part 2 relating to Quality Councils only).

The Parish Council appreciated that legislation required the District Council to produce such a document, but questioned its quality. Members believed that prior consultation with Parish and Town Councils could have led to the creation of a more meaningful and workable charter.

It was agreed to acknowledge receipt of the document.

8/02/06 To consider the Draft Agenda of the Annual Parish Meeting – 6^th April 2006

The draft Agenda for the 2006 Annual Parish Meeting, circulated by the Clerk prior to the meeting, was discussed. It was agreed that the Clerk would send out notices of the meeting to the relevant speakers, inviting them to deliver a brief résumé of their organisations’ activities during the last twelve months.

Mr. Potter agreed to ask Mrs. Pauline Potter if she would be prepared to organise refreshments for the evening on behalf of the Parish Council and Mr. Ascott agreed to ask Mrs Ascott if she would be prepared to help.

As the Parish Council had withdrawn the Deeds relating to Rigby’s Path, the War Memorial site and the playing field from the Bank (to facilitate the registration of its landholdings), it was agreed to take the opportunity to display them at the Annual Parish Meeting.

Mr. Ascott gave his apologies, as he would not be able to attend the Annual Parish Meeting due to a prior commitment.

9.1/02/06 Purleigh Community Primary School: Swimming costs 2006 season: Members noted that North Fambridge Parish Council had informed the school that at their recent precept meeting the majority of Councillors had voted not to contribute to school swimming costs during the next financial year as they wished to keep their precept at last year’s level and so cuts had had to be made.

It was noted that Mrs. Dack (Headteacher, Purleigh Community Primary School) had written to the Parish Council thanking Members for allocating a grant of £1,000 in the precept 2006/2007 towards swimming costs in 2006. In light of North Fambridge Parish Council’s decision to withdraw funding Mrs. Dack had advised Councillors that as the viability of the pool relied on support from parents and Parish Councils the school would have to look closely at the projected figures for next year. According to Mrs. Dack, it was more than likely that the school would be forced to increase its charges to parents but it would do its best to keep increases as low as possible.

It was agreed to write to Mrs. Dack to confirm that the school would apply the Parish Council’s grant of £1000 as a direct subsidy to parents of children living in Purleigh.

9.2/02/06 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipts:

9.3/02/06 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.

9.4/02/06 To approve payments of accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

Health Related Consultation Papers: Members were reminded that discussion of these documents had been deferred from the January 2006 meeting:

Department of Health

1. Configuration of NHS Ambulance Trusts in England: The Parish Council was asked to comment on proposals to reorganise the Ambulance Service in England. Responses were required by 22^nd March 2006.

2. Proposals for the reconfiguration of cancer services in Essex: Members noted that the Strategic Health Authority was undertaking a period of formal consultation from 12^th December 2005 to 13^th March 2006 on proposals for the reconfiguration of cancer services in Essex.

3. Formal Consultation on new Primary Care Trusts arrangements in Essex: The Parish Council was asked to comment on four options for reorganising the Primary Care Trusts in Essex. The consultation period ran from 14^th December 2005 to 22^nd March 2006.

4. Formal Consultation on new Strategic Health Authority arrangements in Eastern England: The Parish Council was asked to comment on proposals to reorganise the Strategic Health Authorities in the East of England. The consultation period ran from 14^th December 2005 to 22^nd March 2006.

Members noted that an open discussion meeting on the above four health related consultation papers, hosted by the Essex Strategic Health Authority, would be held on 27^th February 2006 between 6.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. at Maldon Football Club.

Dr. Woodcock agreed to try to attend the open discussion meeting on behalf of the Parish Council. It was therefore agreed to defer a decision on whether to respond to the consultation papers until the March 2006 Parish Council meeting after Dr. Woodcock had had the opportunity to learn more about them. It was agreed to circulate any comments Dr. Woodcock wished to make about the consultation papers prior to the March meeting.

Warm Homes, Warm Toes!: The Parish Council noted that this scheme, funded by Defra and administered by the District Council, aimed to aid the general public to improve the energy efficiency of their homes by acting as an information and grant access scheme. To find out more, parishioners were invited to contact the Warm Front team on freephone number 0800 2814316 or to speak to Oliver King (the District Council’s Energy Efficiency Officer) on 01621 875825.

Energy Saving Training: Members noted that training sessions would take place on Tuesday, 14^th February between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. and between 1.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m., at St Peter’s Hospital and on Wednesday, 15^th February between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. at Maldon District Council. Training would cover: