Three Parish Councillors were available between 7.15 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. to talk to parishioners.

Members present: Mr. B. Oliver (Chairman), Mr. K. Ascott, Mr. L. Cooper (District Councillor), Mr. D. Fleming, Mrs. S. Owen, Mr. S. Potter, Mr. G. Staines, Mr. G. Strathern, Dr. R. Woodcock.

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

Seven members of the public attended part of the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

2/01/06. THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 9^TH DECEMBER 2005, having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

3/01/06. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

3.1/01/06 Clerk: 11/12/05 Dates of Parish Council meetings: Members noted that the Parish Council had booked the Village Hall on Thursday, 6^th April 2006 from 7.30 p.m. to hold the 2006 Annual Parish Meeting.

12.1/12/05 To consider requests for Parish Council grants - Purleigh Community Primary School: Members noted that Mrs. Dack (Headteacher) had thanked the Parish Council for its grant of £1,150 towards school swimming costs in 2005. She hoped the Parish Council would continue to support school swimming in 2006.

The Dengie Project Trust: It was noted that Jacqueline Sinden (Director of Corporate Services) had written to thank the Parish Council for its financial support of the Knighstwood Satellite Service, which continued to be a popular and accessible service for elderly people in the parish.

13/12/05 Correspondence: Essex Library Service: Members noted that Mrs. Pauline Potter’s comments about the library service had been passed on to Essex County Council.

3.2/01/06 Members’: Members did not have any matters of information arising from the December 2005 Parish Council meeting to discuss.

4.1/01/06 Decisions taken between meetings: LBC/MAL/05/01283 Alteration to rear window and door. Queens House, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh. Mr. and Mrs. Bateman.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

FUL/MAL/05/01353 Erection of agricultural storage building. Land adjacent Rigby Frozen Foods, Fambridge Road, Purleigh. Ronald Greenaway.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

FUL/MAL/05/01344 Single storey extension for kitchen. Purleigh Playing Field Pavilion, Howe Green Road, Purleigh. Purleigh Parish Council.

Members noted that the Parish Council had not commented on this application.

FUL/MAL/05/00745 Three industrial buildings comprising ten individual units. Plot 1, Mapledean Works, Maldon Road, Latchingdon. Mr. A. Goodey.

Members noted that the Parish Council had received a letter from nearby residents OBJECTING to the above application.

It was noted that as the application site lay in Mundon, it had not been possible to obtain an extension to the time period permitted for comments. The Parish Council had therefore expressed its concern that without specific details of the industries to be carried on in the ten proposed units, it was difficult to accurately predict the likely increase in traffic movements, which could adversely affect nearby residents and prove detrimental to highway safety.

The Parish Council noted that the site was currently inadequately landscaped; the buffer strips promised under previous applications had not materialised and the site urgently required dense landscaping to ameliorate the effects of noise and light pollution on nearby residents. The application, if approved, would therefore lead to further light pollution and noise, unless stringent conditions were applied and subsequently enforced.

The Parish Council also remained concerned about the risk of flooding in the area, and repeated its request that water from the site be piped directly into Deadaway Brook and not to the roadside drains, which often proved inadequate.

4.2/01/06 Current applications: OUT/MAL/05/01379 Proposed starter home for young professional teacher. Land adjacent The Cottage, Maldon Road, Latchingdon. Miss S.J. Kirby.

The view was expressed that this application represented logical infilling, especially since a similar application in the same road (land adjacent to Cyn Coed) had recently been granted planning permission on appeal, which had established a precedent.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

4.3/01/06 Notification of Appeals: Members noted that the Parish Council had not been notified of any appeals between meetings.

4.4/01/06 Maldon District Council planning decisions: It was noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following applications:

4.5/01/06 Parish and Town Council liaison with the Planning Authority: Members noted that to introduce more effective methods of liaison and engagement between Maldon District and town and parish councils, the Planning and Development Services department intended to hold an annual planning seminar designed to assist local councils when they considered planning applications and matters of planning policy. The seminar would also review the services provided by the planning department.

It was agreed that the Clerk and Mr. Potter would attend the seminar on behalf of the Parish Council, or, if Mr Potter was unavailable, the Chairman would try to attend in his place.

In addition, to deal with more local issues, it was noted that James Doe (Head of Planning and Development services) or one of his senior officers would be happy to visit every parish/town council on one occasion each year, by arrangement, if wished. Members noted that these visits could be used as an opportunity for a two-way flow of information about planning and, where appropriate, other relevant matters. At the planned parish visits Officers would be happy to discuss the circumstances of individual cases as far as possible, but for this to be effective, prior notice of the cases would be requested.

It was agreed to invite James Doe, or if he was unavailable one of his senior planning officers, to attend a meeting with Parish Councillors immediately prior to the June Parish Council meeting to be held on Friday, 9^th June 2006. It was agreed to commence the planning meeting at 7.00p.m. and delay the public session and start of the normal Parish Council meeting until 8.00 p.m. These arrangements, when confirmed, would be advertised on the parish notice boards and in the Parish Magazine.

Members noted that the District Council was also reviewing the availability of relevant planning information throughout the District and the role that parish/town councils could play in improving the current service.

4.6/01/06 Maldon District Council Draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI): Members noted that the District Council had prepared its formal consultation draft for the Statement of Community Involvement. The SCI explained how the community could be involved with planning applications as well as influence the content of the new Local Development Framework for Maldon.

Responses to the document were required by 2^nd February 2006.

It was agreed that the Clerk would respond on behalf of the Parish Council.

4.7/01/06 Other planning matters: Members did not have any other planning matters to discuss.

5.1/01/06 Rigby’s Path: Members noted that Essex County Council had arranged for Mr. Fleming to lay road planings in the muddy section of Rigby’s Path.

5.2/01/06 Other highway matters: Cold Norton Road: It was noted that Cold Norton Road had been re-surfaced, and that the pedestrian footway extension between Willow Grange and Brooklea would be completed once the necessary permissions had been obtained.

Annual footpath survey: Mr. Ascott reported that he had walked all the footpaths in the parish during the past twelve months and that they were generally in a good condition, with none obstructed. Footpaths traversing Mr. Fleming’s land were singled out for particular praise, and Members acknowledged the good service provided to the parish by Chris Brown (District Public Rights of Way Officer).

Highway safety: Roundbush section of Fambridge Road: A copy of a letter from Maureen Humfrey (AGHAST) to Rodney Bass (County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation) was placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information.

Members noted that Mr. Jamieson (District Highways Manager) had advised that the chevrons to warn motorists of the bend in the vicinity of Greengates, Fambridge Road) had been ordered and would be installed shortly, and that the request for a pedestrian footway in the Roundbush section of Fambridge Road had been added to the list of projects competing for funding from the Locally Determined Budget.

Members also noted that Mr. Jamieson had advised that the re-construction of Roundbush Road would be treated as a priority in the next financial year.

Obstructions on highway verge: Concern was expressed about the proliferation of obstructions within a foot of the edge of the metalled road appearing on verges throughout the parish, and the lack of commitment by Essex County Council to enforce their policy concerning the placing of objects on the highway verge.

Members noted that a sign advertising automatic gates had been cluttering the verge in the vicinity of The Warren, Hackmans Lane, for several weeks.

Fire Hydrants, Birchwood Road: Mr. Ascott reported that hydrants had been installed.

Birchwood Road, road name sign: It was noted that the ‘Birchwood Road’ name sign was still leaning up against the hedge on the north side of the road. It was agreed to remind Maldon District Council that it was there, awaiting officers’ attention.

Bridleway claim: Birchwood Road to Chelmsford Road via Kent Wood: The Parish Council agreed to write to Essex County Council again, requesting a progress report on the claim for a bridleway between the gated entrance to the wood on Birchwood Road and Chelmsford Road near Edgewood, since a padlocked gate was still denying parishioners access to the bridleway which had formerly been in continuous use for a period in excess of twenty years.

6.1/01/06 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.

6.2/01/06 Pavilion extension plans: Grants: Members noted that the National Lottery ‘Awards for All’ programme had verbally confirmed that the Parish Council could accept a donation from the Purleigh Playing Field Association (PPFA), which may include their grant, provided the PPFA commissioned the Parish Council to act as its agent.

It was also noted that Chris Rust (Maldon District Council) had confirmed that the District Council’s grant of £2,000 towards the extension would be carried forward to the next financial year.

Members noted that the PPFA had subsequently transferred the sum of £21,050 to the Parish Council (the full cost of the Pavilion kitchen and toilet extension, assuming that the Parish Council approved the lower roof height option). Members noted that the funds had been paid into Mr. May’s Legacy account, an earmarked reserve for improvements to the Pavilion and Playing Field.

Roof height: The Parish Council agreed to proceed with the lower roof height option described in G.J. Lynch Building Contractors’ quotation dated 14^th October 2005, which reduced the cost of the extension from £24,800 to £24,050, as the original roof would not be disturbed during construction.

Project Manager: It was agreed that Mr. Staines and Mr. Strathern would act as project managers on behalf of the Parish Council, together with a nominee appointed by the PPFA.

Publicity: The Parish Council agreed with the PPFA’s proposal to invite Councillor John Archer (District Council Ward Member) to present them with the certificate indicating their successful grant application for £5,000 to the National Lottery ‘Awards for All’ programme. In addition, the Parish Council would suggest that once the extension was completed a formal opening be held in recognition of the work of all the fundraisers, and the support of the grant making bodies, which had enabled the project to come to fruition. It was agreed to suggest that representatives from the local Press be invited to both events.

6.3/01/06 Damage to Pavilion railings: Members noted that between meetings some of the verandah railings had been removed and left on the playing field. Pc Hughes had been informed and Mr. Ovel had reinstated the recovered railings.

6.4/01/06 Other playing field and open space matters: Car Park Barrier: Members noted that the materials had been ordered from Generation Hire & Sale at a cost of £317.60 plus VAT and would be delivered to Mr. Strathern for installation by Blackwater Baling in due course.

Members noted that the Government had published a discussion paper which set out its vision for a future comprehensive conduct regime for local authority members and employees.

The overall approach to conduct, set out in the paper, would involve the following principal changes to current arrangements:

Conduct regime for local councillors:

The discussion paper was placed in the circulation folder from Members’ information and comments.

Members noted that The Land Registry had confirmed in writing that as the Parish Council was seeking to register recreational ground, common land, land on which a War Memorial stands and a footpath, which it held as community assets, the total fee payable to register the land as being in the Parish Council’s possession, after discount, would be £30.

It was agreed to proceed to register the Parish Council’s landholdings, and to ask for all the Deeds to be returned, as they were a valuable part of the Parish Council’s archive and were of considerable historical interest.

The Clerk was authorised to gain access to the Parish Council’s safe facility at Barclays Bank, and to remove the Deeds required for voluntary first registration of the Council’s landholdings.

9.1/01/06 Internal audit: Members noted that the Chairman had carried out an internal audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the period 1^st April 2005 to 31^st December 2005 on Tuesday, 10^th January 2006, and had checked statements of balances submitted to the Council against its bank statements and transaction books. He had also inspected the petty cash book, debt register and other subsidiary accounting records as he had seen fit, in accordance with the Parish Council’s internal audit procedure.

At the meeting all the aforementioned financial records were available for Parish Councillors to inspect.

9.2/01/06 To receive a Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2005 to 31^st December 2005: It was proposed and unanimously agreed to approve the Statement of Accounts for the period 1^st April 2005 – 31^st December 2005:

9.3/01/06 Financial review 2005/2006: Members considered and approved a detailed breakdown of income and expenditure for the period 1^st April 2005 – 31^st December 2005, together with estimated income and expenditure to the end of the financial year 2005/2006. Members noted that this review formed part of the Parish Council’s internal audit procedure.

9.4/01/06 To set the parish precept 2006/2007: Members considered and approved a detailed breakdown of estimated income and expenditure for the financial year 2006/2007 which had been prepared by the responsible financial officer and circulated to Members prior to the meeting.

Parish Council Grants: The Parish Council considered grant applications from the following organisations:

WRVS: Members noted that the WRVS had asked the Parish Council to consider making a donation during the next financial year to help it continue to provide and develop a wide range of services across the UK, designed to reduce isolation and promote cohesive communities.

It was agreed to consider this request after 1^st April 2006, when any grant made could come from the Parish Council’s minor miscellaneous grants budget for the financial year 2006/2007.

Southminster Parish Council: Members noted that Petra Ellis, Southminster Parish Council’s Clerk, had verbally requested that the Parish Council considered making a donation in the next financial year towards a children’s Halloween Party the Council was organising. The party would be open to all children living in the Dengie Hundred and was, according to Mrs. Ellis, supported by the District and County Councils and the Police. Last year the Council had managed to raise £5,000 from local councils, businesses and from sponsorship but they needed and hoped to raise more to be able to fund this year’s party.

It was agreed not to make a donation towards this event.

During the discussion of estimated income and expenditure 2006/2007, the following items of expenditure were confirmed:

Knightswood Satellite Service: It was agreed that a grant of £280 be given to the Knightswood Satellite Service during 2006/2007.

Purleigh Community Primary School: The Parish Council agreed to award a grant of £1,000 to Purleigh Community Primary School towards swimming costs for the 2006 season.

Local Government Act 1972, s137 – Minor miscellaneous grants: It was agreed that the sum of £75 would be allocated from which to award minor miscellaneous grants during the financial year 2006/2007.

Historic Buildings Fund: It was also agreed to pay the sum of £1,000 into the Historic Buildings Fund (pursuant to s.48 of the Essex Act 1987) at the start of the financial year 2006/2007.

After a fully comprehensive discussion of estimated income and expenditure for the year 2006/2007, Mr. Potter proposed that the Parish Council precept for the sum of £21,000 for the financial year 2006/2007.

Members noted that this sum did not include a specific amount for contingency since it was estimated that the general fund balance brought forward at 1^st April 2006 should be approximately £8,000, part of which could be used for unforeseeable expenses if they arose.

On being put to the vote Mr. Potter’s proposal was carried without opposition.

The responsible financial officer signed the official precept form in this amount.

9.5/01/06 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipts:

9.6/01/06 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.

* Members noted that these donations were made pursuant to s.137 of the Local Government Act 1972

Members noted that the next meeting of the group would take place on 18^th January 2006 at 7.30 p.m. in The Village Hall, Summer Hill, Althorne. Guest speaker, Kris Radley from the Essex Rural Partnership would be in attendance to give a short talk at the beginning of the meeting.

Consultation on the draft Maldon District Youth Strategy 2005-2008: Members noted that the Parish Council had been invited to comment on the District Council’s Draft Youth Strategy. Responses were required by 20^th January 2006.

The Parish Council agreed not to respond to this strategy, which was placed in the circulation folder for Members’ information.

Health Related Consultation Papers:

Department of Health

1. Configuration of NHS Ambulance Trusts in England: Members noted that the Parish Council had been asked to comment on proposals to reorganise the Ambulance Service in England. Responses were required by 22^nd March 2006.

2. Proposals for the reconfiguration of cancer services in Essex: Members noted that the Strategic Health Authority was undertaking a period of formal consultation from 12^th December 2005 to 13^th March 2006 on proposals for the reconfiguration of cancer services in Essex.

3. Formal Consultation on new Primary Care Trusts arrangements in Essex: It was noted that the Parish Council had been asked to comment on four options for reorganising the Primary Care Trusts in Essex. The consultation period ran from 14^th December 2005 to 22^nd March 2006.

4. Formal Consultation on new Strategic Health Authority arrangements in Eastern England: It was noted that the Parish Council had been asked to comment on proposals to reorganise the Strategic Health Authorities in the East of England. The consultation period ran from 14^th December 2005 to 22^nd March 2006.

Members noted that an open discussion meeting on the above four health related consultation papers, hosted by the Essex Strategic Health Authority, would be held on 27^th February 2006 between 6.30p.m. and 8.30p.m. at Maldon Football Club. It was agreed to place the documents in the circulation folder for Members to consider, and to defer a decision about responding to them until the February 2006 Parish Council meeting.

The Essex School Organisation Plan 2005 – 2010: Members noted that the County Council had requested the Parish Council’s views on the plan. Mrs. Owen kindly volunteered to formulate a response to the plan on behalf of the Parish Council, if she felt it appropriate to do so.

Members expressed their appreciation of the redesigned parish website www.purleigh.com, which was now up to date and attracting many more visitors.

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 8.50p.m.

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