Monday 28 November 2011
in the Village Hall Committee Room
for the purpose of transacting the following business:
AGENDA
1. Apologies for Absence
Members are reminded that the LGA1972, s85 states that apologies for absence must be received prior to a meeting.
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting Held 19 September 2011
To agree and sign the minutes.
3. Declarations of Interest
To declare any ‘personal’ or ‘personal and prejudicial’ interests relating to items on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 8 to 12 (inclusive) of the Code of Conduct for Members part 5/1 of the Constitution and having taken appropriate advice (where necessary) before the meeting.
4. Public Forum
Opportunity for the public to raise issues or ask questions of Councillors.
5. District and County Items
5.1 BDC Issues
5.2 ECC Issues
6. BDC Planning Issues
6.1 Planning Application
This application has been submitted by Pebmarsh Parish Council:
- 11/00310/TPO: Land at the War Memorial Green, The Street – Notice of intent to carry out works to trees in a Conservation Area – Fell 1 Horse Chestnut.
6.2 Planning Results
The following applications were granted:
- 11/00245/TPO: Willow Cottage, Mill Lane – Notice of intent to carry out works to tree in a Conservation Area – Fell 1 Willow tree.
- 11/01052/FUL: Hurst Cote, Cross End – Single storey rear extension and alterations including conversion of existing garage to accommodation.
- 11/00245/TPOCON: Willow Cottage, Mill Lane – Fell 1 Willow tree.
The following application was submitted by Pebmarsh Parish Council: - 11/00310/TPO: Land at the War Memorial Green, The Street – Notice of intent to carry out works to trees in a Conservation Area – Fell 1 Horse Chestnut.
7. Reports from Representatives
To receive any reports from representatives:
- Playing fields/playground/bus shelter: RoSPA Inspection
- Village Hall
- Street Lighting
- Footpaths
- Legal – Street Lighting Contract Renewal
8. BDC Green Heart of Essex – Jubilee Oak Project
To receive an update on this project.
9. ECC P3 – Parish Paths Partnership
To receive any update with regard to volunteer input for this scheme.
10. ECC Winter Salt Bag Scheme 2011/12
To receive any update with the progress of the scheme for this winter.
11. BDC Mi Community Fund
To discuss putting an outline application in to this fund – deadline date 30 November 2011.
12. Finance
12.1 Finance Report
To receive the latest finance reports.
12.2 Cheques to be approved for payment:
12.2.1 £320.64 Clerk Salary (Oct, Nov)
12.2.2 £ 27.37 Clerk Expenses (13 July to 13 September)
12.2.3 £ 80.20 HMRC (Clerk PAYE)
12.2.4 £104.40 RoSPA Inspection Fee
12.2.4 £ 35.00 Data Protection Register Fee
12.2.5 £162.00 Audit Commission – External Audit Fee
12.3 Payments made between meetings:
12.3.1 £ 26.40 A&J Lighting – Maintenance (by d/d)
12.3.2 £ 90.24 A&J Lighting – Annual Maintenance (by d/d)
12.3.3 £1433.33 Public Works Loan Board
13. Budget and Precept – 2012/13
To discuss and agree the budget and precept for the next financial year.
14. Clerk’s Report
The Clerk to go through any correspondence received.
15. Date of Next Meeting
To set the date of the next meeting.
16. Closure
Philippa Potter
Philippa Potter
Clerk to the Council
Under government regulation it is illegal for UK companies to call any individual who has indicated they don’t want the calls. To do this you simply join the telephone preference service register, it takes about 28 days after registering for all to be stopped.
There are two different types of junk mail we tend to receive, and both can be stopped, although this is not a legal right. It depends on whether the letters have your name and address on or they’re just distributed by the Post Office.
There’s nothing more frustrating than people knocking on your door when you don’t want to be sold things. First remember you don’t have to let them in, but there are more protections too. 
These are less of a plague than they used to be as faxes aren’t as common as they once were. However, you can opt out of junk here yet again, with (you’ve probably guessed the name now) the Fax Preference Service register. It takes about 28 days after registering for all to be stopped.
Spam texts are a modern scourge, plaguing our mobile phones with unwanted adverts often from dodgy companies. Yet it is possible to fight back, report them, and minimise the number you get. 
‘How can I stop spam?’ is sadly the million dollar question which has no million dollar answer. There isn’t really a solution that works perfectly.
Is it worth junking it?