Purleigh Parish Council

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

Mr. D. Fleming, Mrs. S. Owen, Mr. G. Staines, Mr. G. Strathern, Dr. R. Woodcock.

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

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

PCSO Stephen Butler, his colleague and two members 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.

2/03/07. THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 9^TH FEBRUARY 2007, having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

3/03/07. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

3.1/03/07 Clerk: 7/02/07 To consider the draft Agenda of the Annual Parish Meeting – 19^th April 2007: Members each received a copy of the finalised Agenda.

9/02/07 The Post Office Network – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consultation Document: Members noted that Mr. Staines and Mrs. Penny Barber had liaised over this document, and that Mrs. Barber had formulated a response, which had been forwarded to the DTI, based on her experience in Purleigh Post Office. Mrs. Barber’s comments were placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information.

5.2/03/07 Parking outside Purleigh Community Primary School: Members noted that Maldon District Council had sent Officers to the school to enforce parking restrictions. On the day of their visit most vehicles had moved immediately when their drivers had seen the parking attendants and so no penalties had actually been issued. It was noted that District Council Officers would continue to patrol the area in the interests of highway safety.

3.2/03/07 Members’: 12/02/07 Points of Information – Standards Committee composition: Mr. Cooper reported that the District Council had resolved not to change the composition of its Standards Committee i.e. the Council had confirmed its decision to establish a three-person sub-committee and that there was no need for a Parish Councillor serving on such a sub committee to be neither a County or District Councillor.

4.1/03/07 Decisions taken between meetings: FUL/MAL/07/00146 Single storey rear extension. The Red House, The Street, Purleigh. Mr. and Mrs. L. Montgomery.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

4.2/03/07 Current applications: AGR/MAL/07/00076 Timber store, Scott’s Wood, Birchwood Road. Inaki Beguiristain.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED REFUSAL on the following grounds:

The Parish Council saw no need for a building of this nature on a site of approximately 6 acres, and was concerned that the application was misleading and contradictory in places.

The application stated that the timber store was required to store equipment, timber from coppicing and safety equipment such as ropes and a harness etc. To carry out coppicing in an ancient, semi-natural woodland such as this, which was protected by a Tree Preservation Order, required a Forestry Commission Licence and the removal of the TPO. Members believed that as neither permission was in place, the application should be refused.

Members understood that coppicing had to be carried out by a registered and qualified contractor, and that on a site of this size intensive coppicing would only take approximately six days to complete. Similarly, the Parish Council understood that harnesses were only used for aerial work, and as coppicing is carried out a ground level Members couldn’t see the need to provide storage for a harness.

Having areas of diversity such as one of ‘predominantly large Oaks with some native regenerated species beneath (i.e. Hawthorn and Blackthorn) and other areas with a wide range of native hardwoods both in age and type’ is indicative of a healthy, bio-diverse woodland plot. The primary intention of the applicant as stated in the application was to return this richly diverse wood to a coppiced Hornbeam wood, which would be detrimental to the existing biodiversity of the wood.

Dead and dying timber were universally recognised as essential elements of a diverse woodland habitat. Cuttings etc. were therefore best left on site and not stored in a shed.

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

The Parish Council also 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 a timber store and toilet would have a detrimental impact on the ability of owners of adjacent woodland to enjoy their parts of the wood.

Members were also concerned about the security implications of storing power tools in such a vulnerable setting, especially in a shed with windows in it.

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

It was noted that the Parish Council had not yet received a reply from the District Council to its request for an Article 4 Direction to be placed on the wood.

FUL/MAL/07/00209 Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of new dwelling and garage. Midrivers, Fambridge Road, Mundon. C. McKenzie and G. Pegler.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

4.3/03/07 Notification of Appeals: Members noted that the Parish Council had not been notified of any appeals between meetings.

4.4/03/07 Maldon District Council planning decisions: It was noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following applications:

4.5/03/07 Construction traffic for proposed wind farm: The Parish Council considered a letter from District Councillor Michael Helm regarding the possible effect of the proposed wind farm on local traffic movements.

The Parish Council also received a letter plus enclosures from BATTLE (Bradwell and Tillingham Tackling Lost Environment) a pressure group, campaigning against the construction of the wind farm.

It was agreed that as the Appeal was not to be heard until 5^th June 2007, the information from BATTLE should be circulated and further discussion deferred until the April 2007 meeting.

4.6/03/07 Consultation period for planning applications: Members noted that Mark Jackson, Development Control Manager, Maldon District Council, had advised that in order for the District Council to avoid appeals against it for failure to determine planning applications within the prescribed time limit, and to achieve the District Council’s own targets, the Council was requesting that henceforth, in all circumstances, the Parish Council’s recommendations were received within the 21 day consultation period, otherwise the Authority would not be able to take on board the Parish Council’s observations.

4.7/03/07 Other planning matters: Members did not have any other planning matters to discuss.

5.1/03/07 Lorry signage – Maldon Road / Burnham Road: Members noted that Iain Jones (Essex County Council, Highways Department) had advised that the County Council intended to direct Heavy Goods Vehicles along the ‘B’ roads from Latchingdon to Maldon via Palepit Corner. Preparations would be carried out over the next few weeks, so that at the beginning of the new financial year the County Council would be able to order the signs when the new budgets were released. In the meantime, the sign at the junction of Burnham Road, Maldon Road and Main Road (Mundon) would remain.

Members noted that Mr. Jones’ letter also advised that despite the comments of residents, the County Council’s definitive records showed that Burnham Road was a Class 111 road, which, in the past, had held the higher classification of the B1010. This had probably been considered when the HGV sign had been erected in March 2006 [sic], together with the fact that it was the most direct route to the B1010 Fambridge Road, which was the preferred route for lorries.

Mr. Jones apologised for the lack of communication with the Parish Council, which had obviously occurred in the past.

His letter concluded that the existing sign would remain in place as it was not improperly used or in the wrong location, but it would be removed as part of the scheme that would introduce HGV signing to encourage the use of ‘B’ roads between Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch.

5.2/03/07 Byway 32, Purleigh, Temporary Prohibition of Traffic Order: It was noted that Byway 32 would be closed from its junction with Roundbush Road at Lower Barn Farm, southwest to its junction with Howe Green Road, for a distance of approximately 1500m, from 19^th February 2007 (weather permitting) for a period of approximately 6 weeks.

The closure was required whilst maintenance and remedial works were undertaken.

5.3/03/07 Gate at the Chelmsford Road exit from Kent Wood: Members noted that in response to the Parish Council’s complaint about the difficulty being experienced by Purleigh’s riding community when closing the gate from Kent Wood into Chelmsford Road, the County Council had agreed to replace the mechanism so that the gate could be opened and closed easily whilst mounted.

5.4/03/07 Other highway matters: The Parish Council considered a request from Cold Norton Parish Council, sent via Chris Brown (Essex County Council, Public Rights of Way Officer) that a structure such as a staggered barrier be erected on the site of the former stile at the entrance to Footpaths 13/14 Purleigh in Hackmans Lane. Cold Norton Parish Council was concerned that walkers were at risk emerging from the footpath onto Hackmans Lane.

Members noted that Essex County Council did not support this proposal.

It was agreed to inform the County Council that the Parish Council did not feel that a barrier was necessary.

Birchwood Road sign: Mr. Ascott reported that the Birchwood Road sign remained on the grass verge, even though the Parish Council had reported it to Maldon District Council some weeks ago.

Members noted that John Archer had agreed to remind the District Council about all the other outstanding road name sign matters in Purleigh, most of which had been outstanding for at least 4 years.

Damaged 30mph sign in Chelmsford Road: It was agreed to ask the County Council to repair and reinstate the 30mph sign near the Allotments in Chelmsford Road as the sign had been hit be a lorry.

The Street: It was agreed to inform Essex County Council that the surface of The Street was badly damaged and eroded in the vicinity of Michelette. Members would also ask the County Council to investigate the width of the highway in this area, as larger vehicles were finding it difficult to access properties further up The Street towards Purleigh Hall, especially if any cars were parked in the vicinity of Purleigh Hall Cottages. Members were concerned that this would be particularly dangerous if the Emergency Services needed to gain access.

6.1/03/07 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.

6.2/03/07 Pavilion floor: Members noted that work to sand and re-seal the Pavilion floor had been completed on schedule, on Wednesday, 28^th February 2007 and that Mr. Potter had removed the redundant fridge from the hall, as the PPFA had not disposed of it before the work commenced despite frequent reminders.

At the suggestion of Roger Hyde Ltd, the Parish Council considered replacing the coir matting currently in situ in the Pavilion, which the company had advised was extremely inefficient and contributed to the amount of dirt and grit entering the hall and damaging the floor.

Members noted that Mr. Hyde had explained that by using sufficient matting, up to 85% of dirt could be prevented from reaching the wooden floor. Mr. Hyde recommended a high quality, easy to clean mat to avoid ‘creeping’ and supplied some mat samples for Members’ information.

It was agreed to purchase one 6 foot by 4 foot green ‘guzzler’ mat, which was a heavy duty mat with a rubber bevelled edge, to go in front of the double doors, at a cost of £150 plus VAT, plus £9.95 carriage.

It was also agreed to write to Purleigh Cricket Club asking its Members to remove their studs before entering the hall.

6.3/03/07 Other playing field and open space matters: Croquet Club fees 2006 – 2007: Members noted that the Croquet Club had miscalculated the hours that that they had used the Pavilion for during the season, and had therefore asked for a refund of £231.00, being the 66 hours @ £3.50 per hour calculated in error.

It was agreed to issue a cheque in that amount.

Members noted that the Local Government White Paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities published in October 2006, had announced the Government’s intention to put in place a clearer, simpler and more proportionate code of conduct for members of local authorities, which would include changes to the rules on personal and prejudicial interests.

With that in mind a consultation paper had been published and circulated amongst Members.

It was agreed not to respond formally to this document.

Members noted that contrary to the information given to the Parish Council at the February 2007 meeting (See Minute 8/02/07), the Dengie Hundred Group of Parish Councils had subsequently advised that it was the ‘Malbus’ service operated by Fords Coaches on Thursdays and not the Friday Chelmsford bus Service which was under threat.

Members noted that Cllr. Michael Helm (Chairman, Dengie Hundred Group of Parish Councils), believed that it would be a sad loss to the Dengie if the ‘Malbus’ was allowed to cease, and had suggested that the Parishes serviced by this bus may want to keep the amenity running and fund it collectively for the good of their communities.

The Parish Council noted that the parishes serviced buy the bus were: Asheldham & Dengie, Tillingham, Bradwell, St. Lawrence, Steeple, Mayland, Latchingdon, Cold Norton and Purleigh. The service cost approximately £180 per trip and the bus went to Maldon on Thursdays only. The annual cost to run the ‘Malbus’ was approximately £9,360 (working on 52 weeks) which would amount to a contribution of approximately £1,040 for each parish served by the bus, per annum.

The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Mr. Ford, who had already given notice to the County Council that the service would be cancelled. Members also understood that the service was not well used by Purleigh parishioners and that its route should be covered by the new Stephensons’ operated Dengie Link buses.

The Parish Council agreed therefore not to contribute to the continuation of the ‘Malbus’ service at this time, but to wait and see how the new Dengie Link service worked.

9.1/03/07 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipt:

9.2/03/07 To approve payment of accounts between meetings: Members noted that the Parish Council had not paid any accounts between meetings.

9.3/03/07 To approve payments of accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

At this juncture, with the agreement of all present, the Chairman closed the meeting so that PCSO Butler could discuss local policing with Members. After an informative discussion, during which PCSO Butler advised Members how successful his recent session in Chelmsford Road had been in identifying speeding motorists in the vicinity of the Vineyard, the meeting was reconvened.

Number of Rough Sleepers: In response to an enquiry from the District Council, Members confirmed that they were not aware of any ‘rough sleepers’ in Purleigh parish, given that the definition of a people sleeping rough was, ‘ People sleeping, or bedded down, in the open air; people in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as barns, sheds, car parks, cars, derelict boats, stations etc.)’

Local Election Timetable: Election timetables were distributed amongst Parish Councillors.

Consultation: The Commons Act 2006, the Protection of Common Land in England: Members noted that was a consultation paper on this subject available from Defra’s website. Responses were required by 9^th April 2007.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Dengie Hundred Group of Parish Councils would be held in The Victory Hall, Mundon on 21^st March 2007 at 7.30 p.m.

The Chairman congratulated Mr. Staines on the marvellous job he had done tidying up the Village Hall frontage and planting a new quick thorn hedge. The front of the Hall had been vastly improved by his efforts.

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 8.25 p.m.

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