Prior to the meeting Station Commander Dave Moore from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service addressed the Parish Council about fire safety in the community and other related matters. After his presentation, Station Commander Moore left a DVD and assorted literature concerning fire prevention for Members’ information. He also invited all present to attend a Community Safety Day presented by the emergency services, health service and voluntary organisations on Saturday, 30^th August 2008 in Merchant Street, South Woodham Ferrers between 10.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.

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

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

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

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

Apologies were received from Mr. B. Oliver, who was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior personal commitment.

Mr. Strathern apologised for his early departure from the meeting, as he would have to leave at 8.00.p.m. Mr. Strathern left the meeting during discussion of Agenda item 6.3/07/08.

2/07/08 THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 13^TH JUNE 2008, having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

3/07/08. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

3.1/07/08 Clerk: The Clerk did not have any matters arising from the June 2008 meeting to report to Members.

3.2/07/08 Members’: Members did not have any matters arising from the June 2008 meeting to discuss.

4.1/06/08 Decisions taken between meetings: Members noted that the Parish Council had not made any recommendations to Maldon District Council between meetings.

4.2/07/08 Current applications: LDE/MAL/08/00727 Claim for Certificate of Lawfulness: Use of property for a mixed use comprising an equestrian use, a vehicle renovation and maintenance use and a residential use. Rudley Oaks, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh. Mr. Stephen Cawthorne.

It was noted that following an enquiry from the Parish Council, Robin Hardy (Planning Enforcement Officer, Maldon District Council) had searched the site and in a letter to the Parish Council dated 31^st December 2002 had reported that he had found no sign of residential use.

This report followed several visits to the site by Mr. Hardy and Kathryn Matveichuk (the then area development officer for Purleigh) and lengthy negotiations with the owners’ planning agent.

The Parish Council agreed to provide the District Council with the evidence it had which contradicted the claim made in the application that the site had been lived on continuously since 2000. Therefore, either the site had not been lived on continuously since October 2000 as claimed by the applicant or the District Council’s investigations in 2002 were deeply flawed.

FUL/MAL/08/00731 New vehicle access. Framhill, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh. Mr. Michael King.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED REFUSAL, on the grounds that if allowed, an additional access onto this classified road would be detrimental to highway safety. The Parish Council was of the opinion that there should continue to be only one shared access to the property.

FUL/MAL/08/00741 Erection of side extension to garage and use as offices including provision of three parking spaces. Pasadena, Slough Lane, Purleigh. Mr. S. English.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL for the extension, provided that the use of the offices was personalised to the applicant.

4.3/07/08 Notification of Appeals:

Appeal by: Mr. and Mrs. Markham

Site address: The Crib, Hackmans Lane, Purleigh

Application reference No: FUL/MAL/07/00750

Appeal reference No: APP/X1545/A/08/2068994/WF

Description of development: Front, side and rear extensions and new roof over.

Members noted that the Planning Inspectorate had DISMISSED the above appeal. A copy of the Inspector’s decision was placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information.

4.4/07/08 Maldon District Council planning decisions: It was noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following applications:

It had also made no objection to the removal of the public payphone at Three Ashes Corner (in Howe Green Road, Purleigh) which Purleigh Parish Council had not been consulted about.

Members also noted that the District Council had REFUSED to grant planning permission for the following development:

and had objected to the removal of the public payphone in Chelmsford Road, Purleigh.

The Parish Council questioned how the applications at The Old Rectory could have been approved, as they were contrary to District Council planning policy (see Minute 4.1/06/08).

4.5/07/08 Maldon District Conservation & Design Awards 2008: The Parish Council did not have any nominations for the Maldon District Design and Conservation awards 2008.

4.6/07/08 Other planning matters: Little Wood Place: Members noted that between meetings Gordon Nisbet (Enforcement Officer, Maldon District Council) had telephoned the Parish Council at the request of Mr. John Archer (District Council Ward member), to explain that on his visits to the property (which had included a comprehensive site inspection), he had not found any evidence that trade waste had been imported onto the site. Members noted that if the Parish Council could provide evidence to the contrary it should advise him accordingly.

Unauthorised building at Palepit Farm: It was agreed to write to Maldon District Council asking its Officers to investigate the building currently under construction at Palepit Farm, which, as far as the Parish Council was aware, did not have the benefit of planning permission.

5.1/07/08 Request for a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) in Chelmsford Road: Members noted that Jackie Roerig (Essex County Council) had agreed to visit the site to check whether there was a suitable location for a sign.

5.2/07/08 Other highway matters: Signage matters: Members noted that Essex County Council had informed the Parish Council that two new posts, each to have repeater signs visible from both directions, were to be installed in Chelmsford Road, the first of which would be situated within the 30mph limit, the other within the 40mph limit. It was also noted that an order for a new post for the damaged sign (with Bittern) situated between the Round Bush Public House and Clock House had been put in and that the nearby speed limit sign would be straightened. An order for the renewal of the red coloured surface on Chelmsford Road at both gateway speed limits had also been put in, and the work would be carried out by the County Council’s contractor in due course.

Speeding traffic, Chelmsford Road: It was agreed to ask Essex Police to carry out some speed enforcement measures in Chelmsford Road, as the problem of speeding traffic was escalating once again.

6.1/07/08 Children’s Play Area: monthly report: Mr. Perriman 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 winding up of the swing seats remained a recurring problem however.

6.2/07/08 To receive RoSPA’s report on the condition of the play area: Members noted that RoSPA had inspected the play area on 15^th May 2008. The Inspector’s general comment had been that the playground was in good condition and was well maintained.

According to RoSPA work was required however, on the following items:

Site and ancillary items:

RoSPA recommended a minimum distance of 1m between seats and fencing and the Inspector had also recommended installing a sign at the Howe Green Road entrance to the playing field warning motorists that children were playing in the vicinity.

It was agreed that as there was not any play equipment near the road, a sign warning motorists that children were playing in the vicinity was unnecessary. Members also felt that the current position of the seating was satisfactory.

Equipment:

Seesaw:

Members noted that the Inspector recommended infilling damaged wood at the seat. (Low/Medium risk).

2 Junior swings – 1 bay:

Members noted that the item failed to meet the requirements of EN1176 in that there was a finger entrapment risk above 1200mm in the supports. There was some wear on the chains which needed to be monitored, the loose swing seat eye-bolts needed tightening and the bolt holes on the frame needed capping off. One support needed smoothing down to remove splinters (low risk).

2 Cradle Swings –‘T’ type:

Members noted that the distance between the seat side and the support was insufficient (low risk) and that the seats were set at the incorrect height. It was agreed to ask Mr. Ovel to re-set the seats to the correct height (to meet EN1176, the minimum ground clearance was 350mm). A maximum seat surface to ground distance of 635mm was recommended (low - Medium risk).

It was noted that one swing seat had been damaged but did not require immediate replacement, but excess chain links needed removing from the top of the suspensions.

The safety surface was also lifting and needed re-gluing with any gaps and joints filled in as necessary (medium risk).

Spring Dog:

Members noted that no remedial work was required at this time, except to level out the ground around the spring animal.

Tyre Unit and Overhead ladder:

Members noted that RoSPA was concerned by accidents on some types of overhead ladders. There was, however a strong development value in these items. If possible on angled or S shaped bars, consideration should be given to installing level bars with firm grips and even spacing. It was noted that the protective surface under all bars must be kept in good condition.

The Inspector’s report advised that the safety surface was lifting and needed re-sticking and the gaps and joints filled as necessary (medium risk). There was also a trip zone at the edge of the impact attenuating surface and the ground levels needed building up (Medium risk). The report also advised infilling damaged areas on the supports and climbing logs and monitoring the tyres, which were showing signs of wear (medium risk).

It was noted that between meetings Mr. Ovel had been asked to put all the remedial work identified by the Inspector in hand, except for that required on the wet pour safety surface.

It was agreed to ask the manufacturer, Adventure Playgrounds, to repair the safety surface as per the Inspector’s recommendations.

6.3/07/08 New play equipment: Progress report: Members noted that Mr. L. Smith (Neimans Farm, Purleigh) had prepared the ground ready for the installation of an embankment slide outside the children’s play area free of charge. It was noted that between meetings the Parish Council had written and thanked him very much indeed for his kind gesture.

Members noted that the National Lottery (Awards for All) had acknowledged the Parish Council’s grant application and would let the Clerk know the outcome in seven weeks.

6.4/07/08 Pavilion redecoration: Members noted that between meetings it had been agreed to authorise Mr. Bane to paint the exterior doors at the pavilion whilst he was on site redecorating the interior, at an extra cost of £150.00.

Members noted that the redecoration of the pavilion had been completed and complimented Mr. Bane on the quality of his workmanship. It was resolved to pay Mr. Bane’s invoice between meetings and to write and thank him very much indeed for carrying out the work efficiently and to a high standard.

The contents of two letters from Bernard Steeples (Chairman, Purleigh Playing Field Association) were noted by Members.

Mr. Strathern left the meeting at this juncture.

6.5/07/08 Other playing field and open space matters: It was agreed to write to Mr. Ovel complimenting him on the appearance of the playing field and churchyard hedges which he had cut recently, and for the great improvement he had made to the appearance of Telephone Exchange Road. Members agreed that the areas he had worked on looked really nice and greatly enhanced the look of the parish.

It was noted that this item appeared on the Agenda at the request of Mr. Ascott, who with Mrs. Stock, had attended a training course in June on ‘Planning for the Future of your Village’ run by the Essex Training Partnership. Materials from the course, along with Mr. Ascott’s notes, had been circulated amongst Members prior to the meeting.

Conflicting views were expressed on the value of Village Design Statements and on their ultimate usefulness as a tool with which to influence future development in the parish. It was agreed however that Mr. Ascott and Mrs. Stock would write an article for the Parish Magazine inviting anyone interested in becoming involved in the preparation of a Village Design Statement for Purleigh to come forward. If sufficient people expressed an interest the process of preparing a Design Statement to be adopted by Maldon District Council and thus form part of the Local Development Framework could begin. Once adopted by the District Council the Design Statement would act as supplementary planning guidance and should be adhered to by the Local Planning Authority when determining future development in Purleigh. It was a lengthy process however and there were no guarantees at the end of it that the District Council would adopt the statement.

8.1/07/08 Internal audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the period 1^st April 2008 to 30^th June 2008: Members noted that Mr. Strathern would conduct an internal audit of the Parish Council’s accounts in July, the results of which would be reported to the Parish Council at the August meeting.

8.2/07/08 To receive a Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2008 to 30^th June 2008: It was unanimously agreed to approve the Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2008 to 30^th June 2008:

Bank Statements detailing the transactions to date in all four of the Parish Council’s bank accounts for the financial year 2008/2009 were available for Members’ inspection at the meeting, as part of the internal audit process.

8.3/07/08 To conduct a review of the financial year 2008/2009 and to consider forward estimates of income and expenditure for the financial year 2009/2010: 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 2008 to 30^th June 2008, and considered and approved forward estimates of income and expenditure to the end of the financial years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010.

Members noted that due to unforeseen expenditure (e.g. the purchase of a new litter bin, increased insurance costs and national insurance contributions, increased redecoration costs, mole ploughing the playing field, and new showers for the pavilion etc.) the anticipated balance brought forward at 1^st April 2009 had already fallen from approximately £7,000 when the precept was set in January 2008 to £2,300. It was therefore important to bear this in mind when deciding on any additional expenditure.

8.4/07/08 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipts:

8.5/07/08 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.

8.6/07/08 To approve payment of accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

Members noted that the ETP were running the following courses in The Talberd Room, Foakes House, Great Dunmow:

Emergency Planning Update: Members noted that a representative of the Parish Council had been invited to attend an Emergency Planning update at the District’s Emergency Centre in the Borough Council’s Offices in Coval Lane, Chelmsford, on 24^th July at 7.30 p.m.

It was agreed that Mr. Ascott and any members of the Purleigh Emergency Group who wished to, would attend the update.

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.

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