5.3/09/06 Temporary road closure – Burnham Road, Purleigh: It was noted that Burnham Road would be closed between 09:30 and 15:30hrs for two weeks commencing Monday, 25^th September 2006. The closure was required whilst work to telegraph poles and associated cabling was carried out.

The road would be closed from the junction with the B1010 Fambridge Road in a generally south east direction for a distance of 600m. The alternative route for through traffic would be via Maldon Road, B1018 Cold Norton Road, B1010 Fambridge Road and vice versa.

5.4/09/06 Highway safety: Junction of Lodge Lane with Chelmsford Road: Members noted that the last speed survey carried out within the 30mph speed limit in Chelmsford Road (outside the entrance to New Hall Vineyard) over three days in June 2004 had showed that the 85^th percentile speed of vehicles travelling in a north westerly direction was 38.9, 38.9, and 39.3mph and that of vehicles travelling in a south easterly direction was 40.9, 40.7 and 42.4 mph.

These results had been passed to Essex Police and the Parish Council had requested enforcement action and the deployment of a SID.

Mr. Staines reported that he had been approached by several parishioners who were concerned about recent accidents in the vicinity of the junction, caused by speeding traffic in Chelmsford Road.

It was agreed to ask Essex Police to take enforcement action (with a mobile speed camera) within the 30mph speed limit to increase driver awareness of it and to deter speeding.

5.5/09/06 Other highway matters: Members noted that the Highways Department had been notified about the missing repeater sign from the post opposite Little Birchwood, Birchwood Road.

Hackmans Lane: Dr. Woodcock reported that the work recently carried out to improve the carriageway in Hackmans Lane had been completed to a very high standard. The fear was that now the road surface had been improved vehicle speeds would increase.

Overhanging hedges: Mr. Potter and Mr. Fleming agreed to ask the relevant landowners to cut back their hedges, which were overhanging the highway and obstructing Simmons Lane and Chelmsford Road.

Dog fouling notices: Mrs Owen reported that one of the new signs at the end of Rigby’s Path, which reminded dog owners to clear up after their pets, had been vandalised. The Clerk agreed to provide Mrs. Owen with a replacement sign, which Mr. Owen had kindly agreed to erect.

Grips, The Street: Mr. Potter reported that a parishioner, who had recently retired, had volunteered to clean out the grips in The Street if the Parish Council could find someone to help him. After considerable discussion it was agreed that as volunteers were not insured under the Parish Council’s insurance policy and it was the County Council’s responsibility to arrange for roadside gips to be cleared, the Parish Council should not get involved in this matter.

Broken drain, Chelmsford Road: It was agreed to ask the County Council to arrange for the repair of a broken drain in Chelmsford Road opposite the junction with Lodge Lane. The kerbstone over the drain had been smashed so that water could not escape into the drain.

Speeding traffic Burnham Road: Mr. Fleming reported that he had been asked by a resident of Roundbush Cottages, Burnham Road to raise the issue of speeding traffic in Burnham Road. It was agreed to ask the County Council once again to implement speed reduction measures (such as painting ‘Slow’ on the carriageway) in the road.

6.1/09/06 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.

Chain Bridge: Members noted that the split rungs delivered by Playdale Ltd had been the wrong length and had therefore been returned.

6.2/09/06 Pavilion extension: Members noted that on Thursday, 31^st August 2006 the Clerk had met on site with Sarah Turbutt (Maldon District Council Environmental Health Officer) to discuss the kitchen’s compliance with health and safety (food hygiene) legislation.

Miss Turbutt had advised that the Parish Council was required to purchase an Accident Book from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at a cost of £4.75 plus VAT and to keep it accessible to users of the Pavilion at all times.

Employees of the Parish Council (including contractors) needed to be made aware of the rules for reporting serious injuries at work (RIDDOR) and Miss Turbutt had left the appropriate forms on which to report qualifying accidents etc., which she suggested were kept with the accident book.

Members noted that the Parish Council also had a legal duty to manage the risk from any asbestos in the Pavilion or outbuildings. Members noted the steps that the Parish Council was required to take to identify and manage any risk from asbestos on the site and agreed to inspect the garage and the Cricket Club’s shed to ascertain whether any asbestos was present.

It was agreed to report Members’ findings to the October 2006 Parish Council meeting.

Roller shutter: Although the Parish Council didn’t envisage any occasions when the shutter would need to be locked, it was agreed to ask the Purleigh Playing Field Association (PPFA) to give one key to the Parish Council and to keep the other in the kitchen with the shutter where it could easily be found by users of the facilities.

Completion certificate: It was agreed to inform the PPFA that the Parish Council hadn’t received a completion certificate (No. FP/91/0625/0) from Maldon District Council, and to ask Mr. Steeples for the original (which the District Council had sent him) so that it could to be kept with the planning consent and building regulations.

6.3/09/06 To review the adequacy of the Pavilion’s insurance cover: Members noted that Mr. Taylor had been in touch and had explained that given that his quotation was for insurance purposes, he felt it was only appropriate to provide an estimate for a replacement building on a like for like basis, as this was all the insurance company would consider in the event of a claim.

Members noted that Mr. Taylor had not yet provided the Parish Council with his written estimate to re-build the Pavilion but had verbally advised the Clerk that to replace the Pavilion with a like for like structure would cost less than the £168,000 the building was currently insured for.

6.4/09/06 Hire of Football pitch: Members noted that the football pitch was currently used by Purleigh Football Club (c/o Matt Dowse, South Woodham Ferrers) on Sunday mornings between 1^st October and 30^th April, at a cost of £400 payable mid-season.

The Parish Council received a request from South Woodham Football Club (Veterans) to hire the football pitch on Saturday afternoons during the season. Mr. Potter reported that Mark Lancaster had also approached him with a view to hiring the pitch for the girls under 13 team that he coached.

It was agreed that to protect the pitch from excess wear and tear, it should not be let to another adult team. Members agreed in principle that the local girls under 13 team may be able to use the pitch but would wait until receiving a written request to hire the pitch from Mr. Lancaster before making a final decision.

The Clerk agreed to inform South Woodham FC of the Parish Council’s decision.

6.5/09/06 Other playing field and open space matters: Members noted the contents of a letter from Bernard Steeples (Chairman, Purleigh Playing Field Association) regarding the decoration of the Pavilion and the condition of the playing field.

Plantain and other weeds on the playing field: Mr. Steeples’ letter passed on the Cricket Club’s concern about the proliferation of weeds, principally Plantain, on the playing field.

The Chairman confirmed that Plantain etc. was a problem on the playing field and, in his capacity as secretary of the Croquet Club, informed Members that the Croquet Club would appreciate it if the field were sprayed to eradicate these weeds. Mr. Strathern agreed to check his insurance policy to see if his company was insured to carry out the work. If not, the Parish Council agreed to ask Billericay Farm Services to spray the field.

It was agreed to erect warning notices when the spraying was being carried out to warn users of the playing field that a pesticide had been applied.

The Parish Council re-affirmed that clubs, societies and individuals needed to contact the Parish Council directly about any Pavilion and playing field matters they wished to be addressed.

Painting the exterior of the Pavilion: The Parish Council noted that the PPFA were prepared to form a working party to paint the exterior of the Pavilion, if the Parish Council were prepared to purchase the materials.

It was agreed to thank the PPFA and to offer to purchase black sadolin and any other materials required, up to a maximum value of £100, so that the work could be carried out.

Sports taster session on the playing field: Mrs. Owen and Mr. Staines reported that the sports taster session for children run by the District Council on the playing field had been a great success and had been thoroughly enjoyed by participants.

It was agreed to write to Josh Leeke (Maldon District Council) to thank him very much for organising and running the session, which Members hoped would be repeated in future years.

Members noted that Maldon District Council had not yet confirmed details of the site meeting between the Parish Council, Royal Mail and Maldon District Council, which was due to be held at the beginning of September.

Mr. Potter reminded the Parish Council that the notice board in Pump Lane had been sited in its current location because it was next to the post box where people were likely to look at it. Mr. Potter suggested that as the notice board was in quite a poor condition, it might be worth considering precepting for a new one if the post box was re-located, to re-locate with it.

At this juncture Mrs. Owen left the meeting.

8.1/09/06 To receive a report of receipts: Members noted that the Parish Council had not received any receipts between meetings.

8.2/09/06 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.

8.3/09/06 To approve payment of the following accounts to hand: It was unanimously agreed to approve payment of the following accounts to hand:

Telephone account: The Parish Council agreed to pay the telephone bill by direct debit in future so that the Clerk could subscribe to Broadband.

Members noted that the EALC was running a planning course between 10.00a.m. and 3.30p.m. on Tuesday, 17^th October 2006 in the Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow. The course would be led by Laurie Howes (former University of Gloucester lecturer) at a cost of £50 per delegate (to include lunch).

It was noted that the next quarterly meeting of the group would be held in The Village Hall, Steeple on 13^th September 2006 at 7.30 p.m. It was hoped that Robbie Jamieson of Essex County Council would attend.

Members noted that this organisation’s AGM would be held on Saturday, 7^th October 2006 in the Church Hall, Mistley near Manningtree. Before the AGM there would be a walk around Mistley, which would include the Adam Towers, the quayside and waterfront, swan basin, village green and church. Members wishing to participate in the walk were invited to assemble in the Church Hall car park at 2.00 p.m.

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 9.00p.m.

Top of page