Purleigh Parish Council

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Members present: Mr. S. Potter (Chairman), Mr. K. Ascott, Mr. L. Cooper (District Councillor),

Mr. D. Fleming, Mr. G. Staines, Mr. G. Strathern, Dr. R. Woodcock.

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

One member of the public attended part of the meeting.

Apologies were received from Mr. B. Oliver who was unable to attend the meeting for health reasons, and from Mrs. S. Owen and Mr. John Archer (District Council Ward Member) who were unable to attend due to prior personal commitments.

Mr. Cooper apologised for his late arrival to the meeting, having been unavoidably detained. Mr. Cooper joined the meeting during discussion of Agenda item 4.2/02/07.

Mr. Strathern apologised for his early departure from the meeting as he had another pressing engagement to attend. Mr. Strathern left the meeting during discussion of Agenda item 6.2/02/07.

2/02/07. THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 12^TH JANUARY 2007, having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

2/02/07. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

3.1/02/07 Clerk: 8.7/01/07 Payment of accounts to hand: Members noted that representatives from The Essex Air Ambulance, Farleigh Hospice, Purleigh Community Primary School and The Dengie Project Trust had all written to thank the Parish Council for making their organisation a donation or grant. Letters from the organisations were placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information.

3.2/02/07 Members’: Members did not have any matters of information arising from the January 2007 meeting to discuss.

4.1/02/07 Decisions taken between meetings: Members noted that the Parish Council had not made any recommendations to the District Council, between meetings.

4.2/02/07 Current applications: FUL/MAL/07/00027 Construction of barns comprising agricultural store, tractor and machinery store and farm workshop. Pale Pit Farm, Latchingdon Road, Cold Norton. Mr. D. Carter.

Members noted that Mark Jackson (Senior Planning Officer, Maldon District Council) had gained access to the agricultural buildings on 30^th January 2007 and had advised that he had observed five tractor type vehicles being stored in the smaller building, which the applicant had stated he was using for farming and contract farming. The larger building had been empty, except for about 50 wooden pallets.

District Council Officers had observed about 10 horses in the west paddock, an ornamental lake and mowed field behind the house, and a field with a crop to the east, which the applicant had said was in his ownership.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED REFUSAL on the following grounds:

Mr. Cooper joined the meeting during discussion of this Agenda item.

FUL/MAL/07/00030 Two storey extension to form annex for dependent relative. Elm Tree Farm, Roundbush Road, Purleigh. Ann and Alan Mills.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

FUL/MAL/07/00075 Treehouse in private conservation area, for observation of wildlife. Scotts Wood, Birchwood Road, Purleigh. Inaki Beguiristain.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED REFUSAL, on the grounds that the treehouse, if permitted, would severely damage a tree protected by Essex County Council Tree Preservation Order 26/29 by being bolted onto it. The Parish Council also considered that such development would be harmful to the wildlife and ecology of the woodland and that, if allowed to proceed, would set a damaging precedent for similar development elsewhere in the wood.

Members also doubted that the treehouse would provide as good a platform for wildlife observation as claimed in the application, given the views it would afford.

AGR/MAL/07/00076 Timber store. Scotts Wood, Birchwood Road, Purleigh. Inaki Beguiristain.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED REFUSAL, on the grounds that the permitted development rights on agricultural units of five hectares or more did not apply in this case, as Scotts Wood was too small.

Members considered that the development would have a significant and detrimental impact on its surroundings, especially given that the wood was protected by Essex County Council Tree Preservation Order 26/29.

The Parish Council opposed the creation of a toilet in this setting and was not satisfied that the method of sewage disposal proposed would be appropriate, nor that the need for such a facility could be justified. In addition, the Parish Council believed that the creation of timber store and toilet would have a detrimental impact on the ability of owners of adjacent woodland to enjoy their parts of the wood.

Creating a wood store implied the intention to cut wood in a protected area. Members noted the applicant’s intention to coppice the wood but understood that the coppicing of protected ancient woodland required permission from the Forestry Commission, which they did not believe had been granted.

Members also opposed the development on the grounds that, if permitted, it would set a damaging precedent for similar development elsewhere in the wood.

Members noted that the Parish Council had received a letter from the parish tree warden objecting to the two applications relating to Scotts Wood, on the grounds that they were potentially injurious to the woodland. Her letter was placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information.

It was agreed to write to Maldon District Council reminding Officers of the Parish Council’s repeated requests for an Article 4 Direction to be placed on what was formerly Kent Wood, to prevent piecemeal and harmful development, such as that described in the previous two planning applications. Members noted that the requests had been denied on the grounds that the County Tree Preservation Order would adequately protect the existing woodland. As experience since the sale of the wood had shown this not to be the case, the Parish Council agreed to repeat its request for an Article 4 Direction to be imposed on the wood.

FUL/MAL/07/00091 Retention of triple garage. Chestnuts, Burnham Road. Mr. and Mrs. C. Davies.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

FUL/MAL/07/00110 Three car garage. Redgate Farm, Fambridge Road, Purleigh. Mr. and Mrs. G. McDonald.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, but agreed to ask the District Council what had happened to the previously existing double garage on the site.

4.3/02/07 Notification of Appeals:

Appeal ref: APP/X1545/A/06/2025260

Appeal by: Miss S.J. Kirby

Site: Plot adjoining The Cottage, Maldon Road, Latchingdon

Application: OUT/MAL/05/01379 Proposed starter home for a young professional teacher

Members noted that the Planning Inspectorate had DISMISSED Miss Kirby’s appeal against the District Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a starter home for a young professional teacher on the plot adjoining The Cottage, Maldon Road. The appeal had been dismissed primarily on the grounds that the development, if permitted, would have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area and would not be a sustainable form of development.

A copy of the appeal decision was placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information.

Appeal ref: APP/X1545/A/06/2023805/NWF

Appeal by: NPower Renewables

Site: Land at Hockley Farm, Proposed Wind Farm, Hockley Lane, Bradwell-on-Sea

Application: FUL/MAL/06/00291 Construct Wind Farm comprising of 10 turbines of maximum 121m to blade tip height, sub-station building, anemometer mast and ancillary infrastructure.

Members noted that an appeal had been received by the Planning Inspectorate against the decision of the District Council to refuse planning permission for the above development. The inquiry was due to commence on 5^th June 2007 at 10.00 a.m. at the Council’s Offices and was expected to last for 10 days.

4.4/02/07 Maldon District Council planning decisions: Members noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following applications:

4.5/02/07 Other planning matters: Members did not have any other planning matters to discuss.

5.1/02/07 Directional traffic signs: Burnham Road: Members noted that the Parish Council had received complaints from residents of Burnham Road that a sign had been erected at the junction of Maldon / Burnham Road and Main Road, Mundon (at Pillar Box Corner) directing lorries travelling towards Maldon along Burnham Road, (a type four road). Residents believed that to comply with the route hierarchy, a more sensible position for the sign would have been in The Street, Latchingdon (at its junction with Maldon Road) to direct lorries along Cold Norton Road to Pale Pit Corner.

The Parish Council also received a copy of a petition against the sign, signed by 24 concerned residents, which had been sent to the Highways Department.

Members noted that residents had subsequently contacted a Highways Officer, who had agreed to relocate the sign, in the next financial year, to the junction of The Street, Latchingdon with Maldon Road, so that Heavy Goods Vehicles would not be directed along Burnham Road or Maldon Road (a type three road).

It was agreed to complain to the Highways Department that the Parish Council had not been consulted prior to the erection of the sign, which in its present location was in blatant disregard of the route hierarchy.

5.2/02/07 Other highway matters: Missing ‘Give Way’ sign in Slough Lane at its junction with Marlpits Road: It was agreed to remind the Highways Department that the ‘Give Way’ sign was still missing in Slough Lane at its junction with Marlpits Road and to ask for it to be replaced as a matter of urgency, given the accident record of this junction in the past.

It was also agreed to point out that the finger post at the same junction was still awaiting repair, having first been reported as damaged to the County Council in September 2001.

Parking outside Purleigh Community Primary School: It was agreed to ask Maldon District Council to send a parking enforcement officer to the school at an appropriate time, to deter parents from ignoring the ‘No Waiting’ restrictions outside the school.

Bridleway, Kent Wood: Members noted that the Bridleway through Kent Wood was now operational, although waiting for the appropriate signage to be installed.

As a result of a complaint from the horse riding community, it was agreed to ask the County Council to install a bridleway gate next to the existing gate from Kent Wood into Chelmsford Road, as the existing gate was heavy and awkward, and as a result, could not be closed by someone on horseback.

6.1/02/07 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.

The Clerk inspected and signed the written record of Mr. Ascott’s weekly inspections of the Children’s Play Area. Mr. Ascott was thanked for carrying out this important task on behalf of the Parish Council.

6.2/02/07 To set letting fees 2007/2008: 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 2007, together with estimated income and expenditure for 2006/2007 and 2007/2008.

Members noted that during 2006/2007, expenditure on the Pavilion and Playing Field was expected to exceed the income derived from them by the sum of £1,247.79, 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 £1,675.75 during 2007/2008.

The Parish Council then gave careful consideration to the increased cost of providing the facilities and to the individual needs of each user group.

Members noted the contents of a letter from Mick Elliott (Chairman, Purleigh Cricket Club) requesting that the fees charged to Purleigh Cricket Club for the 2007 season be reduced, since the Club would be using the facilities less than last season and was experiencing some financial difficulty. The Cricket Club suggested that next season they should be charged on the same hourly basis as the Croquet Club.

The Parish Council acknowledged the considerable fund raising efforts of the Cricket Club and sympathised with them over their financial predicament. Unfortunately however, the Cricket Club’s use of the facilities did contribute significantly to their running costs. At the club’s request for example, the playing field was cut weekly during the season, rather than fortnightly, at a cost of £80 per cut (incurring extra expenditure of approximately £1,000 per year). Unlike the Croquet Club, the Cricket Club used a lot of water to maintain the square, and sewerage charges were levied on each cubic metre of water used. Cricketers and Footballers were the only sports participants who used the showers and consequently they contributed to higher cleaning costs, which otherwise would be negligible. In addition, the wearing of studded footwear such as that worn by cricketers and footballers had damaged the hall floor to such an extent that this year it needed to be sanded and re-sealed at a cost of £987 plus VAT.

The Parish Council confirmed its commitment to subsidising the Pavilion and Playing Field to a certain extent, so that local clubs and organisations could flourish and take advantage of the facilities. Members also acknowledged however that they had a duty to minimise the expense levied on those parishioners who did not use the facilities. The building of the Pavilion extension in 2006/2007 had led to increased running costs such as non-domestic rates (£509.37 to 31^st March 2007), compliance with environmental health legislation and higher insurance premiums (which had gone up by £161.11 to 1^st June 2007). Members noted that the Parish Council had applied for the maximum rate relief available from Maldon District Council but this relief was discretionary, and could not be guaranteed at this stage.

The Parish Council therefore agreed that the letting fees for the Pavilion 2007/2008 should be increased as follows:

Occasional Bookings:

The rate for occasional bookings be increased from £4.00 per hour to £4.25 per hour.

Regular Bookings:

Purleigh Folk Dance Club: The rate for Purleigh Folk Dance Club be increased from £3.50 per hour to £3.75 per hour (hire of the Pavilion for two hours on one Wednesday evening per month).

Purleigh Croquet Club: The rate for Purleigh Croquet Club be increased from £3.50 per hour to £3.75 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 be increased from £3.50 per hour to £3.75 per hour (12 evening meetings on the fourth Thursday each month).

Purleigh Brownies: The fees for the Brownies remain at £75 per annum (hire of Pavilion from 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. on Thursdays during school terms only). It was agreed that the fees charged to the Brownies should not be increased since they had experienced quite a lot of disruption whilst the extension was being built and would not be able to use the Pavilion whilst the floor was being re-sealed in February 2007, and during the elections in May 2007.

Whist Drive: The fees for the Whist Drive be increased from £6.00 per evening to £6.50 per evening (hire of Pavilion for approximately 2 hours every Monday evening).

Purleigh Old People’s Home Association: The fees for Purleigh Old People’s Home Association be increased from £3.50 per hour to £3.75 per hour (hire of Pavilion from 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. on the 4^th Friday of every other month).

Block Bookings:

Purleigh Cricket Club: The fees for Purleigh Cricket Club be increased from £700.00 to £800.00 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 some evening committee meetings).

Purleigh Football Club: The fees for Purleigh Football Club be increased from £400.00 to £450.00 for the forthcoming season (hire of Pavilion for 3 hours on Sunday afternoons from October to April inclusive).

Mr. Strathern left the meeting during discussion of this Agenda item.

6.3/02/07 Pavilion floor: Members noted that Roger Hyde Ltd. would commence sanding and re-sealing the Pavilion floor on Monday, 26^th February 2007.

6.4/02/07 Pavilion heaters: Mr. Potter reported that some heaters in the Pavilion weren’t working properly, especially the one nearest the kitchen, and that insufficient heat was being given out to adequately heat the hall.

It was agreed to ask Turpin Electrical Engineers to purchase and install two heaters in the Pavilion to replace the heater nearest the kitchen and one other. It was agreed that the heaters should emit more heat and be more efficient that the existing ones (and perhaps be similar to those recently installed in the Village Hall). The cost of this work would be paid for from the Pavilion’s general maintenance budget 2006/2007.

6.5/02/07 Other playing field and open space matters: Application for non-domestic rate relief: Members noted that the Parish Council had submitted an application for 100% discretionary non-domestic rate relief to the District Council, in respect of the Pavilion.

7/02/07 To consider the Draft Agenda of the Annual Parish Meeting – 19^th April 2007

The draft Agenda for the 2007 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. Staines agreed to ask Mrs. Pam Staines if she would be prepared to help, and to liaise with Pauline Potter accordingly.

Members noted that Government funding of the Village Link service had been withdrawn after 9 years and that despite the County Council’s efforts no further Government support would be forthcoming. As a consequence, Essex County Council had been forced to consider subsidising the service to the tune of £400,000 from within its existing passenger transport budgets.

It was noted that comments on the proposed (reduced) service, which would be operated by Stephensons, could be made up to 12^th February 2007.

Dr. Woodcock informed Members that he had consulted Mr. John Lucy, a regular user of the Village Link Service, and that Mr. Lucy had provided some written comments on the new service for Members’ consideration.

It was agreed to forward Mr. Lucy’s comments to Essex County Council, and to use them as the Parish Council’s official response to the consultation.

Members noted that the Parish Council had also been approached by Mr. Michael Helm (Chairman, Dengie Hundred Group of Parish Councils) about the cessation of the Ford’s Friday weekly bus service to Chelmsford, which was well used by Purleigh parishioners. The bus apparently cost £5,000 per year to operate (£180 per trip). Mr. Helm had verbally asked Parish Councils in the Dengie Hundred to consider sharing the cost of running the bus, which he had calculated would amount to a contribution of about £500 per parish per annum. The Clerk had asked the Dengie Hundred Group’s Clerk to put this request in writing and to provide full details of the bus and its route, the number of passengers who habitually used it, its timetable and any other relevant information, but this had not arrived in time for Members’ consideration at the meeting.

It was agreed in principle to contribute up to a maximum of £500 per annum towards the provision of the weekly bus to Chelmsford, provided that other parishes in the Dengie Hundred made similar contributions.

Members noted that the Government was consulting on the future of the Post Office Network and that responses to its consultation paper were required by 8^th March 2007.

Mr. Staines kindly agreed to comment on the document on behalf of the Parish Council, if he felt it necessary to do so.

10.1/02/06 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipts:

10.2/02/07 To approve payment of accounts between meetings: Members 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.

Members noted that British Telecom’s account had been paid by Direct Debit.

10.3/02/06 To approve payments of accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

Chelmsford Cathedral - Service for Local Government: Councillor Gerard McEwen, Chairman of the Council invited all Councillors and Clerks (and their partners) serving towns and parishes throughout Essex to join in a special Civic Service at the Cathedral on Friday, 27^th April 2007 at 7.30 p.m.

Courses: Members noted that the EALC was running the following courses in The Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow:

It was noted that comments were required by 2^nd March 2007.

It was agreed that the Clerk would respond on behalf of the Parish Council.

Mr. Cooper reported that at the next meeting of the District Council’s Standards Committee, the composition of the Sub-Committee convened to consider complaints against Parish Councillors was due to be re-examined.

Mr. Cooper hoped to be able to attend the meeting.

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 8.30 p.m.

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