Purleigh Parish Council

4.5/11/10 Other planning matters: North-Western Area Planning Committee: Members noted that between meetings, the Parish Council had been given the opportunity to speak at the North-Western Area Planning Committee on the following applications:

In accordance with the policy agreed at the October meeting (Min 4.5/10/10) the Parish Council had not been represented at the meeting.

5.1/11/10 30mph speed limit – Hackmans Lane: Members noted that Jackie Roerig (Traffic and Road Safety Engineer, Essex County Council) had confirmed that the Parish Council’s request to extend the 30mph speed limit in Hackmans Lane had been added to the list of works to be considered by the Local Highway panel for future funding.

5.2/11/10 Other highway matters: Pot holes, Howe Green Road: It was agreed to question the Highways Department about why the pot holes at the Farther Howe Green end of Howe green road had been marked up for repair whilst the deeper holes and sunken drains at the lower end of the road in the vicinity of its junction with Chapel Lane had been left unmarked.

Seagers Lane: The Chairman agreed to inform the relevant landowner on behalf of the Parish Council that the machinery he had positioned across half of the width of a section of Seagers Lane (Cold Norton end) to deter unauthorised motor vehicles was potentially dangerous to those on horseback as their horses were spooked by the position of the equipment.

Purleigh Footpath 11: Mr. Ascott reported that Essex County Council were shortly to contact the landowner with a view to progressing the diversion of the footpath (cross field path between Birchwood Road and Hackmans Lane).

6.1/11/10 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 did however report that there had been renewed mole activity in the area (13 mole hills detected within the Children’s Play Area) and that he would continue to monitor the situation.

RoSPA playground inspection 6^th June 2010: Members noted that Aon, the Parish Council’s insurers, had noted the Parish Council’s comments regarding the potential trip hazard caused by the joins in the wet pour safety surface moving apart in dry weather. However they were of the opinion that as RoSPA’s report had identified the possibility that an injury may occur as a result, the situation should be rectified. They had therefore asked the Parish Council to go back to the manufacturer and have all the joins in the wet pour filled and the surface re-glued where necessary.

Members noted that to this end, an appointment had been with a representative from Adventure Playgrounds on Thursday, 18^th November at 9.30 a.m. so that they could give the Parish Council a quote for the remedial work required.

Members noted that in the same letter, Aon had requested that the Parish Council resolve the issue of signage with RoSPA. Members were reminded that in their annual report, RoSPA had recommended that signs warning motorists of children playing in the vicinity were erected in Howe Green Road near the entrance to the playing field. The Parish Council had argued that such a sign was unnecessary given the location of the play area in relation to the road and that in a narrow, rural lane such as Howe Green Road the installation of any unnecessary street furniture should be avoided.

Members noted that RoSPA had subsequently suggested that as the Parish Council did not have the power to erect road signs anyway, the matter should be referred to Essex County Council for determination. In light of RoSPA’s comments the matter had been referred to Jackie Roerig (Essex County Council) for her advice.

6.2/11/10 Football Pitch Hire: The Parish Council considered a request from John Holliday (Bradwell United Football Club) which asked Members to consider hiring his club the football pitch and associated facilities on alternate Saturday afternoons during the season.

It was agreed not to hire the facilities to Bradwell United Football Club as the pitch was already used by two different clubs and further use of the field (especially in bad weather) would cause the condition of the pitch to deteriorate, which would be detrimental to other users such as the cricket club.

It was agreed however to explain the situation to Mr. Holliday but suggest that he let the Parish Council know in January 2011 if his club was still seeking a permanent home prior to the Parish Council’s review of its hiring policy for the forthcoming season (2011/12) in February 2011.

It was agreed that prior to that review the Clerk would ascertain how many times the Fox & Hounds Football Club had used the pitch during the 2010/11 season.

6.3/11/10 Purleigh Croquet Club – Pavilion hire: Mr. Ascott declared a non-pecuniary interest in this agenda item.

The contents of a letter from Mrs. Dorothy Oliver (Secretary, Purleigh Croquet Club) were noted by Members.

In her letter Mrs. Oliver explained that four members of the current croquet club committee had asked the Parish Council,

‘If the Croquet Club were to sever its association with the parish of Purleigh, and therefore no longer be under the control of Purleigh parishioners, would the Parish Council be prepared to allow use of the Purleigh playing field and pavilion (and equipment purchased initially via grants from, amongst other Purleigh organisations, the Parish Council) by this club, and if so what charges would be levied?’

After giving this matter careful consideration it was agreed that the Parish Council would not be prepared to hire the facilities to a non-Purleigh Croquet Club in case by so-doing it prevented current or future Purleigh croquet clubs from accessing the facilities.

6.4/11/10 Pavilion maintenance issues: Members noted that Bernard Steeples (Chairman, Purleigh Playing Field Association) had raised a number of maintenance issues with the Parish Council.

It was noted that the Parish Council had previously asked G.J. Lynch Building Contractors to attend to the problems with the guttering, down pipes and windows.

It was agreed to write to Mr. Lynch reminding him of the outstanding work, which would have to be placed with another contractor if he was too busy to attend to it as a matter of urgency.

Members noted the PPFA’s concern about the condition of the garage door and agreed to defer the matter until the December meeting by which time Members would each have had the opportunity to inspect the garage and its contents and assess its worth.

The PPFA’s comments about the large urn were also noted by Members.

6.5/11/10 Other playing field and open space matters: The Parish Council considered a request from a parishioner in Cock Clarks, that she be able to hire 20 chairs and 4 tables from the Pavilion over the Christmas period for a private family function.

It was agreed not to the hire the tables and chairs to a private individual.

Cricket Club mats: The Chairman agreed to remind the Cricket Club that the Parish Council had asked them to remove the old mats and carpet which the club were storing in the corner of the pavilion, now that the season was over.

Members noted the meeting dates for 2011 which would be published on the website in due course:

It was also agreed to try to book the Village Hall for the Annual Parish Meeting to be held on Thursday, 21^st April 2011.

8.1/11/10 To receive a report of the independent audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the period 1^st April 2010 to 30^th September 2010: Members noted that Mr. Stichbury had carried out an independent audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the period 1^st April 2010 to 30^th September 2010, between 8.45 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 19^th November 2010.

There were no matters arising from the independent audit to report to the Parish Council

8.2/11/10 Arrangements for the calculation of the precept 2011/2012: Members agreed that the precept 2011/2012 would be set at the Parish Council meeting to be held on Friday, 14^th January 2011.

It was noted that Maldon District Council required the ‘Parish Precept 2011/2012’ form to be returned by Friday, 14^th January 2011, but had granted the Parish Council an extension of the deadline until Monday, 17^th January 2011.

It was also noted that Maldon District Council had calculated the provisional tax base figure for Purleigh 2011/2012 at 556.1.

The tax base had been calculated based on the number of Band ‘D’ equivalent properties in the area, and it was this figure which enabled the Parish Council to assess the impact of its precept on the local council tax.

It was agreed to consider precepting for the publication of new Points of Contact booklets in 2011/2012 which it was anticipated would cost approximately £50-£60.

8.4/11/10 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.

8.5/11/10 To approve payment of accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

* Members noted that the donation towards the wreath had been paid for pursuant to Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Free Gifts from Staples: Members noted that as part of its rewards system for business account holders, the Parish Council had received two free gifts from Staples: A mini stereo system and a slow cooker. It was agreed to donate the mini stereo system to the Church for its Christmas Bazaar and to give the Clerk the slow cooker.

9/11/10 CORRESPONDENCE

Members noted that the next meeting of the Maldon area Parish, Village and Town Councils would be held on 24^th November 2010 at the Plantation Hall, Heybridge, commencing at 7.30 p.m.

At the meeting Superintendent Steve Robinson (Neighbourhood in Partnership, Central Division, Essex Police) would give a short presentation about policing in the Maldon District followed by question time.

Future meetings would be held on 22^nd June 2011 at Burnham Town Council Offices and 8^th November 2011 (venue to be arranged).

Members noted that Mr. Ascott would be attending the meeting.

Budgets and Service Prioritisation: Members noted that the Chairman and Clerk or two other representatives of the Parish Council had been invited to attend a meeting with Fiona Marshall (Chief Executive of Maldon District Council), the Leader of Maldon District Council and District Councillors to discuss the District Council’s service priorities for the forthcoming three years, and the anticipated impact of budget cuts on the parishes.

The meeting would take place on 15^th November 2011 at 7.30 p.m. in the Henry Samuel Hall, Mayland.

It was agreed that the Clerk and Mr. Potter would attend.

Members noted that the next LCLC meeting would be held on Wednesday, 8^th December 2010 in The Lodge, The Minerva Centre, Roundbush Farm, Purleigh at 10.00 a.m.

Draft School Organisation Plan 2010-2015: Members noted that the Plan was now available for comment and could be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/EssexSOP2010-15. A feedback form was available on line as part of the web based document. Views may also be submitted by email to sop@essex.gov.uk or post. It was noted that the consultation period would close on 13^th December 2010.

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