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

Two members of the public attended part of the meeting.

Apologies were received from Mr. G. Strathern and Mr. J. Sears (District Council Ward Member), who were unable to attend the meeting due to prior commitments.

2/03/09. THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 13^TH FEBRUARY 2009, having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

3/03/09. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

3.1/03/09 Clerk: The Clerk did not have any matters arising from the February 2009 Parish Council meeting to report to Members.

3.2/03/09 Members’: Members did not have any matters arising from the February 2009 Parish Council meeting to discuss.

4.1/03/09 Decisions taken between meetings: Members noted that the Parish Council had not made any recommendations to the District Council between meetings.

4.2/03/09 Current applications: FUL/MAL/09/00164 Single storey rear extension. Penquit, Howe Green Road. Mrs. Katy Taylor.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

4.3/03/09 Notification of Appeals:

Appeal by: Mr. G. Holmes

Site address: The Thatched Cottage, Birchwood Road, Cock Clarks

Application reference No: FUL/MAL/08/00504

Appeal reference No: APP/X1545/A/08/2084615

Description of development: The erection of a replacement two storey dwelling and cart lodge; modification of existing accesses and formation of parking and turning area (demolition of existing buildings)

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

Appeal by: Mel Bajic

Site address: Land opposite the Post office, Latchingdon Road, Purleigh

Application reference No: FUL/MAL/08/00397

Appeal reference No: APP/X1545/A/08/2082893

Description of development: The erection of two new build chalet bungalows.

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

4.4/03/09 Maldon District Council planning decisions: Members noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following applications:

4.5/03/09 Other planning matters: Le Howe Farm, Howe Green Road: It was noted that an investigation by Maldon District Council’s planning enforcement section had commenced.

Noise complaint, Kismet Kebabs, Maldon Road: Members noted that a parishioner living in Cold Norton Road was still concerned about the persistent noise, which he believed was emanating from Kismet Kebabs, Maldon Road. The Environment Agency had visited him, taken noise readings and agreed there was a problem. The parishioner felt however, that he wasn’t getting any assistance from the District Council in terms of planning control.

Members noted that John Archer (District Council Ward Member) intended to visit the parishioner concerned, prior to attending a site meeting on Wednesday, 18^th March 2009, which was being held to try to reduce noise levels and would be attended by District Council Officers, the Environment Agency and Kismet Kebabs.

5.1/03/09 Parking on the grass verge opposite Purleigh School: Members noted that Neil Stotter (Headteacher, Purleigh School) had put a request to parents not to park their vehicles on the grass verge opposite the school in the March newsletter. Mr. Stotter’s letter explained that he was very aware of the parking issues around the school and regularly requested that parents were considerate of the school’s neighbours. Members noted that the School would continue to do all it could to encourage parents to park at the village hall and walk their children to school.

Members noted that Essex County Council had removed the rails and most of the fence posts from around the verge at Pump Corner and that some of the redundant posts had been re-used and positioned on the grass verge opposite the school to prevent parking.

5.2/03/09 Other highway matters: Unauthorised use of Seagers Lane: In response to a question about the out of season use of Seagers Lane by cars, it was agreed that the Maldon Definitive Map Review be put on the Agenda of the April 2009 Parish Council meeting, with a view to having Seagers Lane reclassified as a Bridleway rather than a Byway.

Speeding traffic, Hackmans Lane: Members noted that speeding traffic was of growing concern in the Cold Norton section of Hackmans Lane. It was suggested that affected residents should contact Cold Norton Parish Council.

Vegetation overgrowth, Mill Hill: It was agreed to write to the Highways Department requesting that it arranged for the overgrowth in the narrowest part of Mill Hill to be trimmed back, thus improving highway safety for pedestrians. It was agreed to pass the name of the relevant landowner to the County Council so that Officers could contact him.

Obstructions on the verge: It was agreed to ask Essex County Council to arrange for the removal of the stone obstructions on the grass verge in front of Briar Cottage, Roundbush Road, and the concrete obstructions outside Wayside and Ferndale, Birchwood Road, as they were obstructing the highway, contrary to County Council policy.

6.1/03/09 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. The level of mole activity in the play area was still hard to assess however, given current ground conditions.

6.2/03/09 Children’s Play area: New play equipment: Members noted that Playquip Leisure hoped to install the new play equipment in April 2009.

6.3/03/09 Football pitch hire: Members noted that the Fox and Hounds Football Club would prefer to hire the pitch on a match by match basis and pay accordingly and that they expected to play 9 to 11 games during the season. The club had advised that they were not very keen on sharing the pitch with another team in case of over use.

By contrast, Woodham Athletic Football Club (who used to hire the facilities until last year and were now under new management) would be happy to pay for pitch hire by the season, irrespective of the number of games the team actually played on the pitch.

It was noted that both teams would only need the pitch every other Sunday. They both played in different leagues, so if they had to share, they would need to know well in advance so home matches didn’t clash.

It was agreed to hire the football pitch to both teams for one season on a trial basis so that at the end of the season the condition of the pitch could be assessed. Woodham Athletic Football Club’s matches would take priority as the club had previously hired the pitch for a number of years, and were prepared to pay for a block booking.

It was agreed that the hiring fee for Woodham Athletic Football Club 2009/2010 would be £600 for the season and that the Fox & Hounds Football Club would be charged £50 per match.

6.4/03/09 Other playing field and open space matters: Ditch in the vicinity of the Children’s Play Area: Members noted that ditch in the vicinity of the play area needed clearing out, as it was full of debris, including sections of the brick retaining wall which had originally been installed around the drain to prevent the bank from caving in.

Members noted that Mr. Ovel had already been asked to clear out the ditch, but needed to wait until it was dry enough to allow vehicular access to the playing field, so that the waste matter could be removed from the site.

Preparation of the croquet lawns: Members noted that the croquet lawns were being prepared for the forthcoming season.

Members noted that the Sustainable Communities Act provided a way for local people to ask central government to take action to improve the environment in which they lived. Under the Act, District and County Councils had been invited to propose ways in which central government could help them promote the sustainability of local communities. Maldon District Council was therefore consulting parish and town councils to try to establish what local people wanted.

Any proposal submitted to central government needed to promote one or more of the following areas of sustainability:

Economic

Social

Environmental well being

Participation in civic or political activity

Members noted that the deadline for proposals was 27^th March 2009. All ideas would then be considered by the Maldon District Citizens’ Panel in May 2009. Full Council would be asked to endorse the recommended proposals on 16^th July 2009 and final proposals would be submitted to the Local Government Association before 31^st July 2009.

It was agreed to complain to the District Council about the insufficient time allowed for the Parish Council to consult its parishioners about this Act. Members felt that at least two months notice was essential, given that Parish Councils generally held full Council meetings on a monthly basis and time was needed to consult parishioners and collate their responses.

Confidence and Admission of Strangers: Under the terms of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 the Parish Council resolved to exclude members of the press and public whilst this Agenda item was being discussed, since the business was confidential (in that it may lead to the preparation of a case in legal proceedings).

The contents of two letters from Mr. Humfrey were noted by the Parish Council, as was legal advice from Jane Moore (Solicitor, National Association of Local Councils).

It was agreed not to take any action unless Mr. Humfrey commenced legal proceedings against the Council for libel, whereupon an extraordinary meeting of the Parish Council would be convened.

At this juncture the Parish Council came out of Committee.

Members noted that all the names of the fallen on the congregational ‘Roll of Honour’ inside All Saints Church were listed on the War Memorial.

Mrs. Stock agreed to place further information from the War Graves Commission in the circulation folder for Members’ information, once Mr. Nowell had had the opportunity to study it.

10.1/03/09 Clerk’s expenses 2009/2010: The Chairman declared a prejudicial interest in this matter and left the pavilion, along with the Clerk, whilst the matter was discussed.

In Mr. Potter’s absence Mr. Oliver chaired this part of the meeting

On their return to the pavilion, Mr. Potter and the Clerk were informed that Members had noted advice from Joy Sheppard (Chief Executive Officer, Essex Association of Local Councils) and from the National Association of Local Councils on the ability of clerks to claim an allowance for working from home. In light of this it had been agreed to increase the clerk’s salary for 2009/2010 by the sum of £400 in lieu of this allowance, which would no longer form part of the Clerk’s annual expenses.

Mr. Potter then resumed the chair.

10.2/03/09 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipts:

10.3/03/09 To approve payment of accounts between meetings: Members noted that there had not been any accounts paid between meetings.

10.4/03/09 To approve payment of the following accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to pay the following accounts to hand:

Members noted that the Town Mayor had warmly invited Parish Councillors to purchase tickets to attend a charity ball on 2^nd May 2009 at the Three Rivers Country Club. Tickets cost £35.00 each and included a welcoming drink, dinner, live music and dancing. All proceeds from the evening were to support SSAFA – Forces Help.

Members noted that Sgt Richard Miller, Neighbourhood Policing Team had invited a representative of the Parish Council to attend an event on Tuesday, 31^st March between 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. at Maldon Town Hall. The event would be hosted by Maldon Police and was aimed at the agricultural community, small businesses, retailers, and sailing clubs etc. to facilitate crime prevention, and there would also be training in counterfeit note recognition provided by the Bank of England. The event was free, but by invitation only and places would be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Members did no 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 8.20 p.m.

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