Lack of Community facilities:

Living ‘as an integral part of their local community’ was an unattainable aspiration for residents of Walnut Lodge, as the property was situated in a short length of ribbon development devoid of accessible community facilities (other than by car or other means of private transport). The dangerous nature of Fambridge Road would render residents virtual prisoners within the boundaries of the property, wholly dependent on a driver to take them to centres of learning, sporting and recreational facilities, places of social interaction (e.g. shops, pubs, restaurants, libraries, youth clubs, theatres, cinemas etc) and places of worship.

Detriment to the amenities of neighbouring properties: The conversion of the existing property into a care home would be unacceptably detrimental to the amenities of adjacent properties. The conversion of an existing en-suite bathroom and dressing room into a bedroom and bathroom would expose the occupants of Newbury to intrusive overlooking, and deny them any privacy whilst using their garden, patio and lounge. The proposed intensified use of the site, incorporating two bedrooms for residents which overlooked the adjacent property to the south (Ashlea), would also be detrimental to the enjoyment of its garden and residential amenity.

In summary, Members believed that this application should be refused on the grounds that the property would provide inadequate accommodation and access to community facilities for residents, was unsustainable in terms of local services and infrastructure, and was detrimental to highway safety, the local environment and to the amenities of neighbouring properties.

It was also agreed to ask the District Council whether retrospective planning permission was required for the elaborate shed, complete with services, which was built immediately prior to the construction of Walnut Lodge by the former owners and was referred to in the application.

FUL/MAL/07/01048 Treble garage with roof storage. Roundbush Farm Cottages, Burnham Road, Mundon. W. R. Hendry.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

4.3/10/07 Notification of Appeals: Members noted that the Parish Council had not been notified of any appeals between meetings.

4.4/10/07 Maldon District Council planning decisions: Members noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following application:

4.5/10/07 Other planning matters: Maldon District Design and Conservation Awards 2007: Mr. Potter was congratulated on being appointed to the judging panel of this year’s awards.

Elbistan Kebabs Ltd: In response to the Parish Council’s request that enforcement action was taken to ensure that work was not taking place at the site outside permitted operating hours, and caravans were not being occupied on the site without the benefit of planning permission, Gordon Nisbet (Senior Planning Enforcement Officer, Maldon District Council), advised the Parish Council that the Council was already aware of the planning matters affecting these premises. A number of meetings had taken place with the owners, their agents and Council Planning Officers, and where appropriate planning applications had been invited to regularise the situation.

Mr. Nisbet was still investigating the position with the caravans on the site.

Maldon District Council consultation, ‘Facing the Future – Some Further Questions’: Members noted that the Council was launching a further consultation to look at some of the issues raised by the original responses to the ‘Facing the Future’ document. Comments were welcome up to the close of business on 9^th November 2007 and an on-line questionnaire could be filled in at www.marketing-assistance.co.uk/clients/mdc/index.htm.

Essex County Council’s Guide to Development Contributions and the Provision of Community Infrastructure – Consultation Document: A copy of this consultation paper was placed in the circulation folder for Members’ consideration.

5.1/09/07 Proposed school keep clear markings: Pump Lane: Members noted that Jackie Roerig had thanked Mr. Oliver for attending the site meeting on 21^st September 2007, where proposed parking restrictions outside Purleigh Community Primary School had been discussed.

A plan showing new proposals drawn up after the site meeting were considered by the Parish Council. Mrs. Roerig pointed out however that where the plan indicated a section of ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ Mr. Oliver had requested that driveway protection marking be implemented to assist the residents at this location. However, after talking to the residents of Tavistock, it had been agreed to propose restrictions that were legally enforceable instead. Members noted that it had been Mr. Oliver’s understanding that the driveway protection markings discussed were legally enforceable.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Oliver very much for attending the site meeting on behalf of the Parish Council.

It was agreed to write to Essex County Council requesting that ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restrictions should be implemented which extended to either side of the driveway of Tonnawanda, as had been verbally agreed at the site meeting.

Overgrown hedge in front of Goosepatch, Pump Lane: Members noted that following the site meeting, the Parish Council had written to Essex County Council requesting that Officers ensured that the hedge in front of Goosepatch was cut back as a matter of urgency, since it was impossible to walk safely on the pavement in this part of Pump Lane. As a consequence, parents and children were deterred from using the Walking Bus or parking at Purleigh Village Hall and walking to the school. The Parish Council also asked the County Council to address the inadequate width of the pavement and adverse camber between Pestles and Crofters, which the County Council had agreed to do over a year ago.

5.2/10/07 Other highway matters: Appointment of new District Officer: Members noted that the Highway’s Department had appointed a new District Officer to cover the South Area of Maldon and that he was due to start on 22^nd October 2007.

Verge outside Purleigh Law, Walton Hall Lane: It was agreed to write to Essex County Council once again reminding the County Council that they had agreed with Maldon District Council to repair the damage to the verge outside Purleigh Law, Walton Hall Lane, caused by the District Council’s waste collection contractors, the last reminder being sent in June 2007.

Pot hole, Simmons Lane: It was agreed to ask the County Council to repair the pot hole in Simmons Lane just before its junction with The Street and Roundbush Road.

6.1/10/07 Children’s Play Area: Monthly report: Mr. Perriman reported that that he had carried out his daily inspections of the Children’s Play Area and that all items of play equipment therein appeared to be in a satisfactory condition. Graffiti remained on the swing seats however, the chains on the swings were still being wound up, although less frequently, and one gate remained misaligned.

It was noted that Mr. Davis had attended to the dangerous trees in the vicinity of the children’s play area.

New piece of play equipment: Mr. Strathern reported that he and Mr. Gower would be addressing a Purleigh Community Primary School assembly in January or February 2008 to launch the Parish Council’s consultation with pupils, who would be asked to come up with ideas for a piece of play equipment that they would like to see replace the tower, slide and chain bridge unit, which had been removed on safety grounds in August 2007.

6.2/10/07 To consider providing a dog waste bin in the vicinity of All Saints Church: The Parish Council was asked by All Saints Church Parochial Church Council to consider providing a dog waste bin outside the Churchyard (South entrance) as dog waste had apparently become a real problem in the churchyard.

It was agreed that given the location, before deciding whether a dog waste bin would be effective, in the first instance notices should be displayed at both entrances to the churchyard and at the southern end of Rigby’s Path reminding dog owners of the consequences of failing to clear up after their pets and reminding them that within the churchyard dogs should be kept on a lead at all times. It was agreed that this information should be repeated in the Chairman’s forthcoming article for the Parish Magazine.

6.3/10/07 Other playing field and open space matters: Purleigh Playing Field Association (PPFA) Annual General Meeting: Members noted that the AGM would be held at 8.00 p.m. on Thursday, 25^th October 2007 in the Pavilion. The PPFA requested that a report be given by the Parish Council, either by letter or representative.

Members noted that the PPFA’s AGM clashed with the Essex Association of Local Council’s Maldon District meeting. It was noted that Mr. Oliver might be able to attend the PPFA meeting, but only to answer any questions which may arise relating to Parish Council business.

PPFA meeting 27^th September 2007: The Parish Council thanked Mr. Oliver for attending the PPFA meeting held on 27^th September 2007, where various issues relating to the pavilion and playing field had been discussed.

It was agreed that the Parish Council would ask Mr. Brian Ellis for a quotation to re-decorate the Pavilion during the financial year commencing 1^st April 2008.

Damage to the pavilion corridor wall: It was noted that Purleigh Cricket Club had admitted responsibility for the damage caused to the corridor wall and had volunteered to arrange and pay for the necessary repairs.

General maintenance at the pavilion: It was noted that Mr. Ovel had mended the tap and installed two mirrors in the disabled toilet and that Gary Lynch had moved the light previously above the kitchen hatch and removed a shower in the changing rooms, as requested.

The Chairman agreed to ask Mr. Ovel to repair the damaged light fitting in the pavilion corridor.

Stile, Rigby’s Path: Concern was expressed that the extension to the stile step at the end of Rigby’s Path was not in keeping with the original and lacked stability. It was agreed that Parish Councillors would inspect the site.

Repairs to the notice board in Rudley Green: It was noted that Mr. Cornell was making replacement doors for the notice board, and that they would be installed in due course.

The Parish Council reviewed details of the grasscutting contract for Purleigh Village, as the current contract (awarded to Andrew Macmorland) was due to expire at the end of the 2007 season.

Members agreed to amend the current contract so that area (G) included the cemetery extension.

It was then proposed and agreed to invite the following contractors to tender for the grass cutting and hedge trimming contract for the 2008 and 2009 seasons:

M & H Landscapes, M. J. Hawes, and Andrew Macmorland.

Members noted that quotations would be opened by the Chairman at the Parish Council meeting due to be held on Friday, 9^th November 2007.

8/10/07 FINANCIAL MATTERS

8.1/10/07 To consider purchasing a wreath for Remembrance Sunday: It was unanimously agreed to purchase a wreath to be laid at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. The Clerk agreed to provide Mr. Don Nowell with the sum of £25 (from Petty Cash) and to ask him to purchase a wreath which Mr. Ascott agreed to lay on behalf of the Parish Council at the Remembrance Day Service.

Members noted that the wreath would be purchased pursuant to s137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

8.2/10/07 To consider an application for a grant from Purleigh Village Hall: Members noted that Judith Prestwich had written to the Parish Council on behalf of the Village Hall Committee informing the Parish Council that the Committee were considering replacing the kitchen floor, as it was worn, cracked and considered a trip hazard. The Management Committee wondered if the Parish Council would consider making a contribution towards the cost of replacing the floor and enclosed three quotations for the Parish Council’s consideration.

The quotations were as follows:

Members noted that Graham Cornell’s quote was for labour only, the tiles to be purchased separately at approximately £8 - £10 per metre (10 square metres required) plus grout and adhesive.

It was unanimously agreed to make the Village Hall Committee a grant of £250 towards the new kitchen floor.

8.3/10/07 To receive a Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 – 30^th September 2007: It was proposed and unanimously agreed to approve the Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 to 30^th September 2007:

Bank statements detailing the transactions to date in all four of the Parish Council’s bank accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 to 30^th September 2007 were available at the meeting for Members’ inspection, as part of the internal audit process.

8.4/10/07 To carry out a financial review 2007/2008 and consider forward estimates 2008/2009: Members considered a detailed breakdown of income and expenditure for the period 1^st April 2007 to 30^th September 2007; estimated income and expenditure for the financial year 2007/2008 and a breakdown of anticipated income and expenditure 2008/2009.

This review formed part of the Parish Council’s internal audit procedure as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003, Regulation 6 as amended by the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006.

Members noted that Mr. Stichbury would be carrying out an independent audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 to 30^th September 2007 at 8.45 a.m. on Thursday, 18^th October 2007 or Friday, 26^th October 2007.

8.5/10/07 To consider contributing to the cost of a marquee for use by members of the Dengie Hundred Group of Parish Councils: Members noted that the Dengie Hundred Group of Parish Councils had asked all parishes in the group to consider purchasing a tent/marquee as a combined project whereby all parishes contributed to the cost of the purchase, thus being in possession of their own tent to borrow as and when was required.

Members noted that this matter had been brought up by Councillor Beale who had received complaints from several parishes that the equipment owned by Maldon District Council, which should be available for Parish Councils to hire, was almost always unavailable.

It was agreed that as the Parish Council was fortunate enough to be able to access adequate facilities within the parish, it would not be able to contribute towards the purchase of a tent/marquee, but would thank the Dengie Hundred Group for the opportunity to participate in such a scheme.

8.6/10/07 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipts:

8.7/10/07 To approve payment of an account between meetings: Members noted and approved that the following account had been paid between meetings, adhering strictly to the procedures outlined in the Parish Council’s Financial Regulations 5.3 - 5.7.

8.8/10/07 To approve payment of accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

Annual Quiz for the John Mardon Trophy: Members noted that the Annual Quiz would be held in the Royal Burnham Yacht Club, Burnham on Crouch on 14^th November 2007 at 7.30 p.m. for 7.45 p.m.

50^th Anniversary: Members also noted that this year the Dengie Hundred Group would celebrate its 50^th Anniversary. The group was unique in that it was the only group of its kind that was still active, many other similar organisations having ceased to function through lack of support. The Group had agreed that a celebration dinner, possibly at the Three Rivers Country Club, Cold Norton, should be held with former and present Councillors, Clerks, their partners and invited guests. The cost would have to be borne by each individual attending.

It was noted that Mr. and Mrs. Ascott would attend and that any other Parish Councillors and their partners wishing to book a place would let the Clerk know as soon as possible.

Members noted that Maldon District Council had made a ring-fenced grant of £600 to the EALC to subsidise Parish Council training.

The Parish Council received an update from Craig Robertson (Chief Inspector, District Commander – Maldon) on the current provision of Police Community Support Officer cover. With the resignation of Heather Owen, Steve Butler was now having to spread himself across two neighbourhoods and as other PCSO’s, left or in one case became pregnant, the force was experiencing considerable difficulties across the District. It was hoped however that the shortfall of PCSO’s would be addressed as soon as possible. A copy of Chief Inspector Robertson’s letter was placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information.

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 8.47 p.m.

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