Purleigh Parish Council

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

Also in attendance: Mrs. Jane Potter (Clerk)

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

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

Prior to the meeting Mr. Cooper signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and completed his entry in the Register of Members’ Interests.

The Chairman commenced by warmly welcoming Mr. Perriman and Mrs. Stock, who were attending their first meeting as Parish Councillors, and Mr. Cooper who had been co-opted back onto the Parish Council.

Apologies were received from Mr. K. Gower and Mr. G. Strathern who were unable to attend due to prior personal and professional commitments.

2/07/07. THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 8^TH JUNE 2007, having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

3/07/07. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

3.1/07/07 Clerk: The Clerk did not have any matters of information arising from the June 2007 Parish Council meeting to report to Members.

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

4.1/07/07 Decisions taken between meetings: FUL/MAL/07/00598 Proposed annex extension. Sunnycot, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh. Mr. and Mrs. R. Selfe.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

FUL/MAL/07/00654 Change of use of garage and studio to affordable housing unit to replace mobile home. Valentines Cottage, Crown Road, Cold Norton. Mr. M. Ewers and Mrs. V. Jennings.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED REFUSAL, unless the new dwelling constituted an annex or extension which was auxiliary to, and dependent on, the existing dwelling house, and that a separate unit of accommodation was not created in the countryside, outside the area intended for development.

4.2/07/07 Current applications: FUL/MAL/07/00668 Extension to existing manège with external illumination. Land opposite Mount Cottage, Howe Green Road, Purleigh. Mr. J. Stone.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, provided that the external illumination was not used after 10.00 p.m.

FUL/MAL/07/00684 Replacement dwelling and garage. Brambles, Chapel Lane, Purleigh. Mr. and Mrs. M. Taylor.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED REFUSAL on the grounds that the application was contrary to Policy BE1 of the Maldon District Replacement Local Plan which sought to ensure that new development proposals were compatible with their surroundings, and/or improved the surrounding location in terms of their architectural style; scale / bulk / height; or visual impact and also harmonised with the general character of the area in which they were set.

This proposal, for a very modern 21^st century home, did not relate well to other properties in Chapel Lane, which were of good architectural quality and formed an area of valued, historic, local distinctiveness of the type that the Maldon Design Guide Scoping Report (May 2007) was committed to protecting (5.7, 5.11, and pages 16 to18). Chapel Lane was distinctive for the number of historic properties along its length and in its close proximity, such as Green End, a grade II listed period cottage built in 1702; Cameo Cottage, a grade II listed period cottage built in 1778; Little Lea Howe which dated back to the early 17^th century; Chapel Cottage, a small converted chapel dating to 1853, and Pilgrims and Hillside Cottages.

The materials used in the proposed dwelling conflicted with the adjacent historic built environment and conveyed a hard, urban, commercial feel in stark contrast to the ‘softer’ smaller ‘old fashioned’ dwellings nearby which respected traditional Essex building materials and their use (e.g. the use in the proposed dwelling of vertical cladding as opposed to horizontal weatherboarding, and sectional cladding which gave the impression of pre-fabrication).

The Parish Council also took issue with the Design and Access Statement which accompanied the application, in that the dwelling would not ‘snuggle into the landscape’. The proposed dwelling, by virtue of its scale, bulk and height (approximate length 20m, width 11m, height 6.71m to 8.08m) would be detrimental in terms of its visual impact in the lane and when viewed from Howe Green Road, being much larger than the property it was intended to replace. Additionally, the proposed development would not preserve or enhance the attractive character and appearance of its locality.

The design featured split roof levels and the front elevation incorporated a Sedum clad roof of shallow pitch of approximately 8.08m at its highest point falling away to 6.71m. Although this was presented in the application as both a design and environmentally sensitive feature, being well above eye-level it would not reduce the detrimental visual impact of the building nor soften its stark lines on the approach from Chapel Lane.

If this dwelling were to be built in an entirely different and more appropriate setting, the Parish Council would applaud many of its design features and the attempt to create an environmentally friendly and sustainable home. In this context however, the building was entirely incongruous, discordant and alien in the rural street scene. Members believed that the eco-friendly features of the proposed development could be incorporated in a property which harmonised, rather than clashed, with its environment and respected the style and appearance of the historic dwellings nearby.

Essentially, Members believed that this was the right house in entirely the wrong location and urged District Councillors who were unfamiliar with the locality to visit the area to be able to place the application in its proper context.

4.3/07/07 Notification of Appeals:

Appeal by: Mr. D. Carter

Site address: Pale Pit Farm, Latchingdon Road, Cold Norton

Application Reference No: FUL/MAL/07/00357

Appeal reference No: APP/X1545/A/07/2047689/NWF

Description of Development: Barn comprising agricultural store, tractor and machinery store, and farm workshop.

Members noted that an Appeal had been received by the Planning Inspectorate against the decision of Maldon District Council to refuse planning permission for the above development. The Appeal was to be decided following a hearing, the date of which had yet to be arranged.

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

4.5/07/07 Maldon District Local Development Framework – Sustainability Appraisal. Maldon Design Guide Scoping report:

Members noted that Antony Lancaster (Spatial Planning and Implementation Manager, Maldon District Council) had apologised for any confusion caused by the mistakes in this consultation document (minute reference No: 4.5/06/07) and had forwarded an amended copy for Members information.

It was agreed not to make a formal response to the document.

4.6/07/07 Other planning matters: Members did not raise any other planning matters.

5.1/07/07 Deer warning signs in the parish: Members noted that Jackie Roerig (Essex County Council Highways Department) had advised the Parish Council that whilst its concerns had been noted, these signs served little purpose other than to add clutter in a rural area. As with signs warning of ice or wild fowl they were only relevant for short periods during the year and consequently were ignored by drivers, as the hazard was so infrequent. According to Mrs. Roerig, local residents were aware that there was an issue with deer at certain times and in specific locations so should drive accordingly. Therefore unless there was a history of accidents occurring as a result of deer crossing Marlpits Road, Essex County Council did not consider the Parish Council’s request for warning signs to be a priority at this time.

5.2/07/07 HGV signage – Maldon Road/Burnham Road: Members noted that following a routine letter sent by the Parish Council to the Highways Department to request a progress report on the removal of the sign at the junction of Maldon Road / Burnham Road and Main Road, Mundon (at Pillar Box corner) which directed HGV’s away from Mundon and along Burnham Road, Jackie Roerig had advised that she was waiting for a response from Mundon Parish Council regarding the removal of the sign.

The Parish Council requested clarification, since this contradicted the assurance given earlier that the sign would be removed at the beginning of the financial year and that new signs would be erected at the junction of The Street (Latchingdon) / Maldon Road and Cold Norton Road to direct HGV’s towards Palepit Corner.

Members noted that Mrs. Roerig had subsequently held a meeting with representatives from Mundon Parish Council where it had been agreed to remove the sign at Pillar Box Corner, pending the results of a survey being undertaken by County Hall regarding the routing of HGV’s throughout Essex. She advised that at this time the County Council did not intend to erect any signs directing HGV’s in the area, and that it was unlikely that drivers leaving the industrial estates in Maldon Road would pay any heed to ‘turn left’ signs at their exits and would inevitably take the shortest route to the ‘B’ roads. Signs placed at the exits of the industrial estates directing lorries etc. to turn left would be unenforceable and would invite further complaints if they were ignored.

Members noted that Mrs. Roerig’s latest correspondence on the matter (dated 20^th June 2007) advised the Parish Council that she had since heard from Mundon Parish Council requesting that the HGV sign at Pillar Box Corner remained until additional signage was placed at the business parks to direct HGV’s back onto the ‘B’ road by turning left. In order to reach a compromise between the parishes the County Council had therefore decided to arrange for signs to be erected at the exits of the industrial sites in Maldon Road and would remove the sign at Pillar Box Corner at the same time.

Mrs. Roerig pointed out however that these signs would not compel drivers to obey them and the County Council did not have any powers of enforcement to deal with drivers who continued to use whatever route they chose.

5.3/07/07 Access from Novoli Farm onto Barons Lane: Members noted that Robbie Jamieson (Area Highway Manager, Essex County Council) had noted the Parish Council’s concerns about the safety of vehicles exiting from Novoli Farm onto Barons Lane. He had visited the site to assess the problems that Caravan Club use would create. Mr. Jamieson advised that when exiting the farm entrance, the visibility to the right was some 40 to 50 metres. The access was positioned approximately 30 metres from the start of the bend. Although not desirable, this was not unusual. The visibility to the left towards the school was zero which did concern him. The hedge, which caused this restricted vision, was also obscuring existing warning signs, which alerted drivers to the forthcoming junction. Mr. Jamieson had been advised that the Highways Authority had no powers to refuse use of the site by the Caravan Club but if a new access had been proposed in this location, the application could have been considered for refusal on highway safety grounds. Mr. Jamieson would arrange for a letter to be sent to the adjacent landowner asking them to cut back their hedge.

5.4/07/07 Other highway matters: Enhanced gateway signs in the parish (see Minute 15.2/05/07): Members noted that the County Council had advised that insufficient verge width existed at the locations specified by the Parish Council, therefore it would not be possible to enhance the gateways.

Damaged verge at Purleigh Law, Walton Hall Lane: It was noted that the refuse contractor concerned had admitted responsibility and had given Essex County Council an order to rectify the damage. The job had been issued to the County’s contractor and should be completed shortly.

Poor reinstatement of the pedestrian footway in Chelmsford Road: The Parish Council noted that the condition of the pavement had been much improved (see Minute 5.1/06/07). It was agreed to ask the County Council to arrange for vegetation encroaching on the pedestrian footway in Chelmsford Road between Spar Lane and Rudley Oaks to be cut back as pedestrians were being forced into the road at this locality.

Condition of the highway in front of Michelette, The Street: It was noted that the County Council had partially repaired the road surface.

Damaged signs: Members noted that following last month’s request that the signs at Father Howe Green and Purleigh Wash be repaired (Minute 5.1/06/07), Essex County Council had advised that the signs were still serviceable if a little bent, but that they would be cleaned and straightened in due course. Since then, the sign at Farther Howe Green had slid down its poles. The matter had been reported to the Highway’s Department who had agreed to reinstate the sign.

Encroachment of vegetation onto Birchwood Road: It was agreed to ask Essex County Council to cut back the vegetation in Birchwood Road alongside Kent Wood which was encroaching onto the highway.

Up-growth on the verge outside Threeways, Birchwood Road: It was also agreed to ask the County Council to cut the verges adjacent to Threeways, Birchwood Road. Mr. Belsham, the property owner was unable to cut the verge himself and the vegetation was obscuring his sight lines.

Rigby’s Path: The Parish Council agreed to ask Mr. Ovel to cut back brambles emanating from The Old Rectory, which were obstructing Rigby’s Path.

Church Hill: It was agreed to ask the County Council to arrange for overhanging vegetation in the hedge roughly opposite Hill House in Church Hill to be cut back.

Highways Engineer: The Parish Council noted that Stephen Elsey, the highways engineer for the Maldon area, had resigned after just a few weeks in post. The County Council were recruiting for his replacement.

6.1/07/07 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. Mr. Ascott advised the Parish Council that Mr. Perriman, who lived in close proximity to the playing field, had kindly agreed to take over responsibility for inspecting the play area and would conduct more frequent inspections of the site and equipment. The Parish Council thanked Mr. Ascott for all that he had done to ensure the safety of the Play Area and Mr. Perriman for agreeing to take on the role. Mr. Perriman also agreed to carry out regular visual inspections of the exterior and interior of the Pavilion. Where possible external inspections would be carried out on a daily basis and interior inspections twice a week.

Mr. Ascott passed Mr. Perriman the written record of his weekly inspections and the Chairman gave Mr Perriman a key to the Pavilion.

It was agreed that between meetings the Parish Council would arrange for the removal of branches of a damaged tree in the vicinity of the children’s play area. Mr. Graham Platman would be approached in the first instance to carry out the necessary works, and the Chairman would consult with the Vice Chairman and two other Parish Councillors once a quotation had been obtained, before authorising the work.

6.2/07/07 To consider the condition of the tower, bridge and slide unit: Following a site meeting earlier in the evening, it was agreed to ask Mr. Ovel to remove the equipment, it being beyond economic repair.

It was agreed that before the Parish Council set the precept in January 2008, the Clerk would investigate the price of slides or other suitable pieces of play equipment and would identify grant making bodies to apply to, to assist with the purchase of the replacement play equipment.

6.3/07/07 Vandalism at the Pavilion: Members noted that on 18^th June 2007 the Parish Council had been informed that a fire had been lit on the verandah damaging some of the floor boards. The matter had been immediately reported to the Police, who were pursing the matter vigorously and Gary Lynch had subsequently repaired the damage.

Since the original fire, several pieces of information had been passed to the Police to assist them with their enquiries.

6.4/07/07 Damaged flagpole: Members noted that following complaints from parishioners living near the Pavilion about noise coming from the flagpole, with the agreement of the Chairman and Vice Chairman between meetings, the Parish Council had ordered a new counter weight and ring to fit the 120mm aluminium flagstaff in front of the Pavilion, at a cost of £33.50 plus VAT plus £9.00 delivery (total £49.94).

On closer inspection, having ordered the spare parts, the Chairman and Vice Chairman had also agreed to ask Piggott Brothers Ltd. to fit the counter weight and ring, and to replace the flagpole rope, which had subsequently disappeared.

6.5/07/07 Other playing field and open space matters: Members did not have any other playing field or open space maters to discuss.

It was noted that between meetings, the Clerk had circulated an information pack about the production of Village Design Statements for Members’ information.

Members noted that much of the information contained in Parish Plans and Village Design Statements had already been obtained in the Purleigh Parish Appraisal (2001). The Appraisal however did not address where future development, if any, in the parish should take place, the majority of residents favouring no further development at all (261 out of 504 respondents).

Members noted that to add to the Parish Appraisal by asking parishioners where, if any, future development should take place, would require all households in the parish to be consulted. Alternatively, the Parish Council could inform the District Council where it would like to see future development, but any such statement could invite development where none was previously envisioned.

It was therefore agreed not to pursue the matter, given that the Parish Council should be consulted on future development proposals in the parish. Mr. Ascott did however feel that this was an opportunity missed to make an input to the Local Development Framework.

Members noted that Dawn Dack (Headteacher, Purleigh Community Primary School) had asked for the Parish Council’s support in opposing the County Council’s decision to withdraw funding for a bus supervisor at the school, which Mrs. Dack believed would threaten the safety and well-being of children arriving at and leaving the premises.

Since 1992, Essex County Council had funded a bus supervisor for the school, at a cost of £2,000 per annum, following concerns about health and safety with regard to vehicle access around the school site each morning.

No other schools in Essex received similar funding and therefore, following a visit by an Education Transport Inspector and consideration of plans and aerial photographs of the school, the County Council had concluded that continued funding was unjustifiable. The County was of the opinion that congestion around Purleigh School was not unique and that as it did not have sufficient resources to offer similar funding to other schools in the County with access problems, funding would cease with effect from the end of the summer term 2007, after which the buses would be re-scheduled to arrive on school premises at 08.45 a.m. (the same time that children using other means of transport arrived).

The School was concerned that rescheduling the buses to arrive at 08.45 a.m. (rather than at 08.30 a.m. as at present) would heighten the risk to parents and children and would lead to Pump Lane coming to a standstill. Mrs. Dack believed that the arrival of two buses coinciding with the arrival of the other 117 children on roll, most of whom travelled by private car, on a country lane, with poor visibility, only a few metres from a junction and with a single narrow pavement would be a disaster waiting to happen and that the safety of all the children would be compromised. The school also argued that a bus supervisor was essential at the end of the school day to ensure that children who went home by bus actually got on the right one and were handed safely over to the bus escort who assumed responsibility from then on.

It was agreed to write to Essex County Council supporting the School’s request that funding for a bus supervisor be continued, and if this was denied to write and ask for parking restrictions in the form of double yellow lines to be extended along Pump Lane between 8.30 a.m. and 6.30. p.m., to alleviate congestion.

Members were resoundingly of the opinion however that congestion problems outside the school were attributable to too few children being eligible for bus transport and too many parents driving their children to school and not taking advantage of the free parking available at the Village Hall.

9.1/07/07 To receive a report of the internal audit of the Parish council’s accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 to 30^th June 2007 due to be carried out on 9^th July 2007: Members noted that Mr. Strathern had carried out an internal audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 to 30^th June 2007 on Monday, 9^th July 2007. There were no matters arising from the audit to report to Members.

9.2/07/07 To receive a Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 to 30^th June 2007: It was unanimously agreed to approve the Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 to 30^th June 2007:

Bank Statements detailing the transactions to date in all four of the Parish Council’s bank accounts for the financial year 2007/2008 were available for Members’ inspection at the meeting, as part of the internal audit process.

9.3/07/07 To conduct a review of the financial year 2007/2008 and to consider forward estimates of income and expenditure for the financial year 2008/2009: As part of the Parish Council’s internal audit process, Members received a detailed breakdown of receipts and payments for the period 1^st April 2007 to 30^th June 2007, and considered and approved forward estimates of income and expenditure to the end of the financial years 2007/2008 and 2008/2009.

9.4/07/07 Barclays Bank Plc – New Mandate: Members noted that Barclay’s Bank had advised that if the Parish Council wanted to alter the Community Current Account mandate, the exiting mandate would be cancelled and that the terms of the account had been changed, so that henceforth a maximum of three Councillors would be able to sign cheques, which could lead to difficulties, if two of the three signatories were absent from a meeting.

It was agreed not to alter the existing mandate, which still allowed six Parish Councillors to be signatories on the current account.

9.5/07/07 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipts:

9.6/07/07 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.

Members noted that Farleigh Hospice had asked the Parish Council to promote its ‘Cycle for Life for Farleigh Hospice’, which would take place on Sunday, 9^th September 2007. This year there was a 10 mile route in addition to the usual 35 mile ride around the Rodings. There was a £5 registration fee, which covered the cost of a wrist wallet, a personalised sponsorship form and refreshments on the ride. For more information parishioners should contact Farleigh Hospice on 01245 457408 or e-mail Cycleforlife@farleighhospice.org. It was agreed to ask Mrs. Pauline Potter to advertise details of the Cycle for Life campaign in the forthcoming edition of the parish magazine.

Mobile Library Service: Members noted that a fortnightly service had been introduced. The mobile library would stop at New Hall between 10.55 a.m. and 11.20 a.m. and at Pump Corner between 11.25 a.m. and 12.00 noon on alternate Wednesdays from 4^th July 2007.

The Rural Housing Trust invited Parish Councillors to an ‘open house’ at Rams Farm Road, off Plummers Road, Fordham, Colchester CO6 3HS, on Thursday, 26^th July 2007 between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to look around a brand new affordable housing scheme for local people. The scheme was the result of a partnership between Fordham Parish Council, Colchester Borough Council, Flagship Housing Group and The Rural Housing Trust. RSVP’s were required to anne.bishop@ruralhousing.org.uk.

South Essex Catchment Flood Management Plan – Draft CFMP Consultation: A summary document was placed in the Circulation folder for Members’ information, as responses were required by 24^th September 2007. It was agreed that any Councillor wishing to formally respond to the consultation paper would let the Clerk know so that the matter could be put on the Agenda of the August 2007 Parish Council meeting.

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 9.00 p.m.

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