Purleigh Parish Council

Members present: Mr. S. Potter (Chairman), Mr. K. Ascott, Mr. L. Cooper, Mr. K. Gower, Mr. B. Oliver, Mr. M. Perriman, Mrs. M. Stock, Mr. G. Strathern.

Also in attendance: Mrs. Jane Potter (Clerk) and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Stephen Butler.

Mr. John Archer and Mr. John Sears (District Council Ward Members) attended the public session prior to the meeting.

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

Apologies were received from Mrs. S. Owen who was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior personal commitment.

At this juncture, with the agreement of all present, the Chairman closed the meeting so that PCSO Butler could give Members an update on local policing. PCSO Butler advised Members that there had been a number of large vehicle, industrial and horticultural machinery thefts in the county and advised the public to ensure that their vehicles and machinery were properly secured. Disturbingly, there had also been a spate of ‘distraction’ burglaries whereby thieves disguised as utility personnel such as gas, water, or electricity company officials gained access to homes under false pretences and then burgled them. PCSO Butler urged the public to be vigilant and not to let anyone into their homes without proof of identity, and to keep their doors locked or on the latch. He also warned that he was cracking down on car tax evasion, which could lead to owners of untaxed vehicles receiving a fine of £1,000.

PCSO Butler informed the Parish Council that he had successfully completed a course enabling him to tutor future PCSO’s, and that he hoped a new PCSO would soon be appointed to the District.

The meeting was then reconvened.

2/01/08. THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 14^TH DECEMBER 2007, having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

3/01/08. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

3.1/01/08 Clerk: The Clerk did not have any matters arising from the December 2007 meeting to report to Members.

3.2/01/08 Members’: Members did not have any matters arising from the December 2007 meeting to discuss.

4.1/01/08 Decisions taken between meetings: FUL/MAL/07/01366 Variation to condition 4 imposed upon planning permission MAL/598/84 dated 11 April 1985, to allow extension of one hour in the morning for food preparation and three hours in the evening for food preparation and washing down. Elbistan Kebabs, Milton House, Maldon Road, Latchingdon. Elbistan Ltd.

Condition 4 of MAL/598/84 being that:

‘No machinery shall be operated and no industrial processes shall be carried out on the premises any time on Sundays or Bank Holidays, and subject to that absolute prohibition in respect of Sundays and Bank Holidays, no machinery shall be operated and no industrial processes carried out on the premises except between the hours of 8.00 a.m. and 12 noon on Saturdays or between the hours of 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. on other weekdays’.

The Parish Council RECOMMENED REFUSAL, on the grounds that such an expansion, within a residential area, would be detrimental to the residential amenity of adjacent and surrounding properties by virtue of noise and nuisance, and would set a damaging precedent for similar development nearby.

Members noted that the Parish Council had received copies of letters of OBJECTION to the above application from Vincent Basham, Paul McGuiness, Adrian White, Mary Bryant (residents of Thatchers Croft) and from Joseph Bonson (a resident of Maldon Road).

4.2/01/08 Current applications: FUL/MAL//08/00001 Single storey side extension and two storey rear extension. 3 Hawkins Close, Purleigh. Mr and Mrs. J.A. Smith.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

FUL/MAL/08/00021 Construction of a new two storey dwelling to replace the farmhouse that was previously burnt down (Amended scheme). Purleigh Barns, Cold Norton Road, Latchingdon. Mr. R.W. Jones.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

Members noted that the District Council had also informed the Parish Council of the following current applications (for information only):

The Parish Council noted that John Archer had assured Members that the Parish Council would be consulted on these two applications.

4.3/01/08 Notification of Appeals: Members noted that the Parish Council had not been notified of any Appeals between meetings.

4.4/01/08 Maldon District Council planning decisions: It was noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following applications:

4.5/01/08 Other planning matters: Members did not have any other planning matters to discuss.

5.1/01/08 Parking restrictions – Pump Lane: Members noted that in the interests of highway safety and to increase visibility and sight lines at the given locations, the County Council proposed to implement the following parking restrictions outside Purleigh Community Primary School and that an Order to this effect had been published.

No Stopping Mon-Fri 8.00 a.m. – 9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. on school entrance markings.

Pump Lane, west side: From a point 65 metres north of the junction with the Westerings, in a north-westerly direction for a distance of 58.12 metres (31.56 metres 100mm gap 25.5 metres)

Pump Lane, west side: From a point 23 metres north of the junction with the Westerings, in a north-westerly direction for a distance of 9.44 metres.

From a point 128 metres north of the northern extended kerb line of the Westerings in a northerly direction for a distance of 23 metres

Pump Lane, west side: From a point 15 metres north of the junction with the Westerings in a north-westerly direction for a distance of 9 metres.

Members noted that comments on the Order were welcomed until 1^st February 2008.

5.2/01/08 Other highway matters: Members did not have any other highway matters to discuss.

6.1/01/08 Children’s Play Area: Monthly report: Mr. Perriman reported that he had carried out his weekly inspections of the Children’s Play Area and that all items of play equipment therein appeared to be in a satisfactory condition.

Mr. Perriman was concerned however about the proliferation of molehills in the Children’s Play Area which were ruining the newly sown grass and undermining the surface of the play area.

It was agreed to take appropriate remedial action.

6.2/01/08 Hire of the pavilion and cricket square: The contents of a letter from Mick Elliott (Chairman, Purleigh Cricket Club) were noted by Members.

In his letter Mr. Elliott thanked the Parish Council for suggesting the way forward for next season and confirmed that there would be nine Saturdays between May and the end of August when Rayleigh Cricket Club would like to use the cricket pitch. Mr. Elliott asked that any contract the Parish Council drew up with Rayleigh stipulated that the dates of hire were confirmed with Purleigh Cricket Club thus giving the latter priority on the dates the club needed to fulfil its Saturday league fixtures. Purleigh Cricket Club hoped that changes made to the Purleigh Cricket Club’s fees would be calculated with this in mind, and that henceforth the club would be charged on a match/daily basis rather than the previous block booking.

It was agreed to ask Mr. Elliott to provide the Clerk with a fixture list for next season so that the Parish Council knew how many days Purleigh Cricket Club needed to hire the facilities next season, prior to setting the hiring fees at the February 2008 Parish Council meeting.

6.3/01/08 Maldon District Council free sports taster session during February half-term: Members noted that Maldon District Council had offered to run a free sports taster session on the playing field for Purleigh children on Tuesday, 12^th February 2008 between 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. (during half term).

It was agreed that the District Council could use the pavilion free of charge and Mr. Perriman kindly agreed to open and close the pavilion.

6.4/01/08 Other playing field and open space matters: Pavilion re-decoration and chairs: Members noted the contents of a letter from Mr. Steeples (Chairman, Purleigh Playing Field Association). A decision on whether or not to redecorate the interior of the pavilion was deferred until the setting of the precept 2008/2009 (Agenda item 8.4/01/08).

Vandalism at the pavilion: Members noted that a hole had been kicked in one of the double doors at the side of the pavilion and that Gary Lynch had been asked to replace both of then as neither now shut properly. It was agreed that the replacement doors would not be glazed.

Dogs in the churchyard: Mr. Oliver reported a complaint that he had received from a dog owner about the signs in the vicinity of the church which asked dog owners to clear up after their pets and to keep their animals on a lead whilst in the churchyard. The owner in question disputed that there was a problem with dog mess and felt that responsible dog owners were being unfairly penalised by being asked to keep their dogs on a lead. The Parish Council agreed that the signs and restrictions should remain.

Members noted that further to the major review of the mobile library service in Essex, which came into effect on 1^st July 2007, the County Council was now implementing some amendments to the routes in light of its experience and feedback from users.

Members were pleased to note that henceforth the mobile library would stop at The Bell Public House.

It was noted that the mobile library would visit Purleigh fortnightly on Wednesdays commencing 2^nd January 2008 as follows:

It was agreed to publicise the reinstatement of The Bell stop in the parish magazine and to encourage parishioners to use this valuable service, which was constantly under review.

8.1/01/08 Internal audit: Members noted that Mr. Strathern would carry out an internal audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 to 31^st December 2007 on Tuesday, 22^nd January 2008, the results of which would be reported at the February Parish Council meeting.

Members noted that during the audit, Mr. Strathern would check statements of balances submitted to the Council against its bank statements and transaction books. He would also inspect the petty cash book, debt register and other subsidiary accounting records as he saw fit, in accordance with the Parish Council’s internal audit procedure.

At the meeting all the aforementioned financial records were available for Parish Councillors to inspect.

8.2/01/08 To receive a Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 to 31^st December 2007: It was proposed and unanimously agreed to approve the Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 – 31^st December 2007:

8.3/01/08 Financial review 2007/2008: Members considered and approved a detailed breakdown of income and expenditure for the period 1^st April 2007 – 31^st December 2007, together with estimated income and expenditure to the end of the financial year 2007/2008. Members noted that this review formed part of the Parish Council’s internal audit procedure.

8.4/01/08 To set the parish precept 2008/2009: Members considered and approved a detailed breakdown of estimated income and expenditure for the financial year 2008/2009, which had been prepared by the Responsible Financial Officer and circulated to Members prior to the meeting.

Members also noted the following estimate obtained by the Clerk, for a potential project to be paid for in the financial year 2008/2009:

Pavilion re-decoration: Members noted that Brian Ellis had provided the following quotation to re-decorate the interior of the Pavilion.

Ceilings: Prepare, touch up any flaking areas before applying one coat of matt emulsion

Upper walls: Prepare before applying two coats of soft sheen emulsion

Lower walls: Prepare before applying one undercoat and one gloss coat

Windows, door frames, doors and skirting: Thoroughly prepare before applying one undercoat and one gloss coat.

All paint to be Dulux

Estimated cost including materials:                     £1,525.00

During the discussion of estimated income and expenditure 2008/2009, the following items of expenditure were approved:

Parish Council Grants: The Parish Council considered grant applications from the following organisations:

Purleigh Community Primary School: Having given careful consideration to the school swimming pool accounts for the 2007 season, and to the school’s request for continued financial support in 2008, the Parish Council agreed to award a grant of £1,200 to Purleigh Community Primary School towards swimming costs for the 2008 season (payable under Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, s19(3)).

The Dengie Project Trust (Knightswood Satellite Service): It was agreed that a grant of £280 be given to the Knightswood Satellite Service during 2008/2009 (payable under Local Government and Rating Act 1997, s29).

Minor miscellaneous grants: It was agreed that the sum of £75 would be allocated from which to award minor miscellaneous grants during the financial year 2008/2009 (payable under Local Government Act 1972, s137).

Members also agreed that the following grants should be awarded in the current financial year: £40 to the Essex Air Ambulance and £35 to Farleigh Hospice.

Historic Buildings Fund: It was agreed not to pay any money into the Historic Buildings Fund (pursuant to s.48 of the Essex Act 1987) at the start of the financial year 2008/2009, given the anticipated level of Parish Council expenditure during the year.

It was also agreed to precept towards the following special projects in 2008/2009:

New piece of play equipment: It was agreed to allocate the sum of £500 in the precept 2008/2009 towards a new piece of play equipment. It was also agreed that the Parish Council would apply for grants to Maldon District Council, the Community Initiatives Fund and any other appropriate grant making bodies towards the equipment. Members noted that Mr. Strathern and Mr. Gower would soon be visiting Purleigh School to find out what type of play equipment the children would most like to see installed.

Pavilion redecoration: It was agreed to allocate the sum of £500 in the precept 2008/2009 towards the re-decoration of the interior of the pavilion.

It was agreed that the sums allocated for both special projects could be reviewed later in the financial year 2008/2009, when additional funding may have become available.

The Parish Council agreed not to precept for the purchase of new curtains and chairs for the pavilion during the financial year 2008/2009.

After a fully comprehensive discussion of estimated income and expenditure for the year 2008/2009, Mr. Oliver proposed that the Parish Council precept for the sum of £24,000 for the financial year 2008/2009. Mr. Strathern seconded the proposal. On being put to the vote Mr. Oliver’s proposal was carried unanimously.

Members noted that this sum did not include a specific amount for contingency since it was estimated that the general fund balance brought forward at 1^st April 2008 should be approximately £7,000, part of which could be used for unforeseeable expenses if they arose.

The Responsible Financial Officer signed the official precept form in the sum of £24,000.

8.5/01/08 To receive report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipts:

8.6/01/07 To approve payment of accounts between meetings: Members noted and approved that the following account had been paid between meetings by Direct Debit:

8.7/01/07 To approve payment of accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

School Organisation Plan 2007 – 2012: Members noted that the plan and feedback form could be found on the Essex County Council website www.essexcc.gov.uk under Learning, Schools, School Organisation and Planning, The Essex School Organisation Plan.

Members did not have any points of information to share.

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 8.35 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: 15/06/2008