Pebmarsh Parish Council

MINUTES

OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 18 JULY 2011

Present:                                                                      In attendance:           

Cllr J Burlo                                                                 Mrs P Potter (Clerk)                                       Cllr H Anderson                                                          District Cllr Anthony Shelton           

Cllr J Tufnell                                                               County Cllr David Finch

Cllr S Nott                                                                  

                                                                       

            1.         Apologies for Absence

            Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Jim Holder.

 

            2.         Minutes of the Previous Meeting Held 16 May 2011

                        The minutes of the meeting held 16 May 2011 were accepted as a true record and signed                          accordingly.

 

            3.         Declarations of Interest

            None.

 

By full agreement of the Council, the following item was moved up the agenda:

 

            6.         District and County Items

                        6.1       BDC Issues
                                    Cllr Shelton attended the meeting and gave a brief report including the following                                             items:                         

·       Recycling has increased to 54.07% of all refuse which is a record high and Cllr Shelton thanked all BDC residents for their hard effort in making this possible.

·       BDC’s Green Heart campaign is offering a Jubilee Oak Tree to every parish, which Pebmarsh are actively taking up.

·       BDC are looking at forming partnerships with other District Councils, notably Colchester District Council where they are looking to share directors and senior staff to enable cost savings to be made.

 

                        6.2       ECC Issues

                                    Cllr Finch spoke to the meeting regarding a few items – the entire Parish Update can                              be viewed on his website – www.davidmfinch.com.

·       Roadworks in Pebmarsh over the next few weeks were notified as follows:

o      15 August: Maplestead Road

o      w/c 29 August and w/c 5 September: Dagworth Road and Oak Road for one week each.

o      Water Lane is to be programmed in to the works schedule shortly.  The date is to be confirmed.

·       ECC transformation programme has currently saved £150M and further savings have been identified for the next three years.

·       An upcoming meeting between ECC and the district councils will discuss the changes being made to local government finance, such as the redistribution of the new homes bonus.

·       A question was asked regarding business rates being too high as they are based on pre 2008 property values which have since come down – can they be based on more realistic current property values to assist businesses create more jobs? The reply was that it is possible to apply to BDC who have limited powers to change/vary business rates and this is a good place for businesses to start if they wish to challenge their current rate. 

            4.         Election of Vice-Chairman

                        Cllr Jim Holder put himself forward for nomination as Vice-Chairman, which was seconded                     by Cllr Joe Burlo.  Cllr Holder was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman for this year.

 

            5.         Public Forum

·       A query regarding the website was raised but this issue has been resolved.

·       A member of the public stated that it is possible to engage a professional to help with an

application to change/vary business rates.

 

Item 6 was discussed earlier in the meeting, as above

           

            7.         BDC Planning Issues

            7.1       Planning Application

·       11/00813/FUL: Broomhills, Catley Cross – Erection of temporary agricultural worker’s dwelling.  This application will be looked at by Councillors and any comments will be emailed to the Clerk to enable a reply or a return of no comment, to be made.

 

            7.2       Planning Results

                        The planning results were noted as follows:

                        The following applications were granted:

·       11/00479/FUL: Cooks Cottage, Twinstead Road – Erection of single storey and two storey rear extension.

·       11/00578/FUL: Rafe Hall, The Street – Erection of rear extension to kitchen.

            8.         Reports from Representatives

                        To receive any reports from representatives:

·        Playing fields/bus shelter – none

·        Village Hall – none

·        Street Lighting – none

·        Footpaths – Essex County Council are now cutting the paths but Pebmarsh and ECC would like to return to the paths being cut locally. The Clerk will forward the P3 form to Cllr Nott to enable a bid to be put in to ECC in the New Year. Headland paths have now been cut.

·        Legal – none

            9.         ECC Big Society Fund

                        It was agreed to put in an expression of interest form to this fund for the hard court area                                     project.  Cllrs Burlo and Tufnell are looking into completing this.

 

            10.       Finance

                        10.1     Finance Report

                                    The latest finance reports were received.

                        10.2     The following cheques were approved for payment:

                        10.2.1  £400.82           Clerk Salary (June, July)

                        10.2.2  £  43.25           Clerk Expenses (7 May to12 July)
                       

                        It was also agreed to pay the £10 subscription to BALC, which arrived after the agenda was                  circulated.

                       

            11.       Street Lighting Contract

                        An alternative quote for street lighting maintenance has still not been received.  The Clerk               will chase this to enable a comparison with the current supplier to be undertaken.   

 

            12.       Clerk’s Report

• The Clerk went through correspondence received.

·                   Quality Parish Council Status: the current criteria will be sourced and summarised by the Clerk for Councillors to gauge the amount of work that would be involved.

 

13.       Date of Next Meeting

                        The date of the next meeting was set for Monday 19 September at 7.30pm.

 

            14.       Closure

                        The meeting was closed at 8.45pm.          

           

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday the 18th July 2011 at 7.30pm in the Pebmarsh Village Hall committee room.

All Parishioners are welcome.

Joe Burlo

Chairman  Pebmarsh Parish Council

01787 269999

You may have noticed Daffodils along the street in Pebmarsh this month. The Parish Council obtained 2000 free daffodil bulbs last year and with the help of a few brave volunteers planted them along the main verges before Christmas.   I am sure you will agree that these lovely blooms enhance our village still further.  Many thanks to the working party who worked till they dropped – never knew that it was so tiring planting daffodils – especially into hard ground……

Joe Burlo

Chariman

01787 269999

Pebmarsh  Annual Parish Assembly

To be held on Tuesday 15 March 2011 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm

 

 

1.          Apologies for absence

2.          Minutes of  the Previous Annual Parish Assembly

• held 11 May 2010, to be agreed and signed.

 

3.          Parish Council Elections – 5 May 2011

4.          County Councillor Report – Cllr David Finch

5.          District Councillor Report – from Cllr Anthony Shelton

6.          Conservation Area Appraisal – Second Draft

          Alan Massow, Senior Policy Planner – Braintree District Council

7.          Chairman’s Report

8.          Parish Councillor Reports

9.       John Nott Charity Report

 

10.          Closure

Cllr Joe Burlo

Chairman

8 March 2011

The next meeting of Pebmarsh Parish Council will be held on

Tuesday 15 March 2011

in the Village Hall Committee Room,  immediately following the Annual Parish Assembly

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 31 January 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.         BDC Planning Issues

            5.1       Tree Preservation Order

03/2011/TPO: Le Mote Hall, Cross End, Pebmarsh – to receive the notice of the above TPO.

 6.         Reports from Representatives

            To receive any reports from representatives:

• Playing fields/bus shelter
• Village Hall
• Street Lighting
• Legal

7.         John Nott Trustee Change

            To consider the proposed trustee change and agree recommendation.

 8.         Footpath Mainteance

            To discuss the way forward.

 9.         Flooding Protection Scheme

            To receive information regarding the scheme

 10.       Finance

            10.1            Finance Report

                        To receive the latest finance reports.

             10.2            Cheques to be approved for payment:

                        10.2.1            £400.82            Clerk Salary (Feb, Mar)

                        10.2.2            £  42.96            Clerk Expenses (Feb, Mar)

                        10.2.3            £    1.44            A&J Lighting Solutions – VAT shortfall (Jan,Feb,Mar)

             10.3            Payments made between meetings:

                        10.3.1            £  22.74            A&J Lighting Solutions Maintenance (Feb)

                        10.3.2            £  22.74            A&J Lighting Solutions Maintenance (Mar)

            10.4     Monies received since the last meeting

                        Nil

 11.       A&J Lighting Solutions

            Discuss whether to implement a direct debit rather than standing order.

 12.       PAYE Implementation

To receive information regarding the changes being made by HMRC to the payment of Clerk salary.

13.       Broadband

To receive a report.

14.            Correspondence

            The Clerk to go through any correspondence received.

 15.       Date of Next Meeting

            16 May 2011 – Annual Parish Council Meeting.

16.       Closure

Mrs Philippa Potter

8 March 2011

Third Party Insurance Cover Warning

Suffolk Police are warning motorists who are driving a vehicle not belonging to them using their own fully comprehensive insurance, they may no longer be covered to do so.

Despite the assumption by many that a fully comprehensive insurance policy would cover drivers to use another persons vehicle with their permission, there has recently been a change in a lot of insurance policies and this often no longer comes as standard.

One issue that officers specifically want motorists to check is in relation to driving another person’s vehicle with the owner’s permission when the vehicle does not have an insurance policy in place. With recent changes the majority of insurers now stipulate that the vehicle being driven must at least have third party cover.

If a person is stopped in a vehicle that is not their own and are unsure if their policy covers them to drive another vehicle, officers will have to complete a check. If it is discovered that the driver is not correctly covered it could result in a fixed penalty notice fine of £200 and 6 penalty points or a day at Magistrates Court. The vehicle will also be seized.

Inspector Julian Ditcham of the Roads Policing Unit said: “Stopping vehicles and checking insurance policies will take up the time of the members of public and of our officers. This information will appear either on the front of your certificate or in the small print, so it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure they are covered.

“We do realise that there is a lack of awareness of this policy change so this is a polite reminder to all motorists to have a double check.  However, we are also aware that there will be people out there who are deliberately offending and therefore appropriate action will be used wherever necessary.”

Police Direct Team

Dates of Next Meetings

      The following dates are provisionally agreed, subject to venue booking:

• Annual Parish Assembly – to be held on Tuesday 15 March, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall – This is being held in the Village hall and not in the Committee room – Braintree District Council will present the 2nd draft of the Pebmarsh Conservation Area Appraisal which has taken into consideration some of the views expressed by parishioners at the last meeting – All Parishioners welcome to attend and discuss.
• Annual Parish Council Meeting – to be held on Monday 16 May, at 7.30pm, in the Village Hall Committee Room.

Joe Burlo

Chairman

01787 269999

MINUTES

OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 31 JANUARY 2011

Present:                                                                       In attendance:     

Cllr J Burlo                                                                Mrs P Potter (Clerk)                                        Cllr H Anderson                                                          District Councillor Anthony Shelton

            Cllr J Fenner                                                              County Councillor David Finch

            Cllr J Holder                                                              Jan Cole, RCCE

            Cllr S Rawlinson                                                         Peter Darlington, Village Agent

                                                                                                6 members of the public

      1.    Apologies for Absence

             All Parish Councillors were present. 

2.            Consideration of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 November 2010

      The minutes of this previous meeting were agreed as a true record and signed accordingly.

 

3.            Declaration of Interests
Cllr Jim Holder declared a personal interest in item 7.1: Planning Application, Dairy Cottage.

It was agreed to bring Item 6, District and County Items forward to this point in the meeting:

6.   District and County Items

      County Councillor David Finch spoke to the meeting about the ongoing budget review at ECC following cuts from central government, which equate to decreases of around 25-30%.  There have been reductionsof around £13m in specific local area improvement grants but ECC are promising to protect front line services and make savings from back office, administration and procurement.  ECC are making their reductions over four years rather than one, to ease the impact and using reserves where necessary.  Under their transformation programme, there were savings of £60m last year and this year of £90m, with a further £40m needed next year.  Council tax was not increased, as set by government and the books have been balanced for 2011/12.  No major services are being cut but all services are being reshaped and indeed there is an increased budget for Highways of £12m.  Reshaping is being undertaken by looking at things such as shorter opening hours for various call centres or libraries etc.

      Cllr Finch also spoke about the ‘Big Society’, where individuals are encouraged not to depend upon the state for everything but to take some things on ourselves, such as devolving services and/or powers to authorities lower down the hierarchy, such as district and parish councils, together with rearranged funding systems to increase parish precepts.  More details on the parish’s role will be sent out shortly.  Cllr Finch also confirmed that the Community Initiatives Fund was still operating.

      District Councillor Anthony Shelton then spoke to the meeting regarding BDC’s budget cuts which are on a similar percentage to ECC.  The formula grant has been reduced by 15.8% for 2011/12 at around £1.429m, which is £500m less than was anticipated.  BDC are looking at ways of working more closely and in conjunction with other district/borough councils where work can be joined up, such as enforcement, trading standards and on street parking services, to reduce costs but maintain service.  Each household will have received the latest edition of BDC’s ‘Contact’ magazine, which includes a survey for everyone to complete and return to give their own views of where savings could and should be made and he encouraged everyone to respond. Cllr Shelton confirmed that the travel token scheme has been retained but that taxi fares would be increased by 20p for every journey starting in the district, reflecting the increasing cost of fuel.

      Cllr Shelton also confirmed that the Halstead Local Committee would cease, along with its grant system and it is not yet known whether this will be replaced by another scheme.              The issue of planning applications only being available online was briefly discussed and  a suggestion for the improvement of measuring plans online was made.  Cllr Shelton also paid tribute to the work of the Village Agents and conveyed his appreciation of their work on behalf of the district’s rural communities.

      Peter Darlington, Village Agent, spoke to the meeting and thanked the Parish Council and BDC for their support in keeping the service going.  They are covering costs at present and have helped over 1500 people since the scheme was launched.  The kinds of services provided include collecting prescriptions, taking people to and from doctor and hospital appointments and helping during the snow and icy weather where carers were not able to access villages and homes.  The Village Agents have been instrumental in helping to change how cross county border health services are arranged and funded.  Peter is also available to help people deal with the digital switchover, which is due to happen in July, for those who need it.  There is a meeting in Bulmer on 11 February at 2pm about this subject.  The Parish Council thanked Peter for attending.

      It was agreed to bring Item 5, Community Led Plans, forward to this point:

5.            Community Led Plans

      Jan Cole, from the RCCE, attended to speak to Councillors regarding starting up a Parish Plan for Pebmarsh.  Jan explained that the plans are made by the community, usually under the facilitation of the Parish Council.  These plans research the views and opinions of parishioners regarding their village and how they wish to see things progressed in the future.  The results of this kind of survey are put together in a publication which concludes with an Action Plan for the village.  This Action Plan is then used by the Parish Council to inform their decisions and help to steer future projects in the direction that residents wish it to go.

      Parish Plans can be instrumental in gaining grants, funding or services, as the need for a particular item or project has already been established.  There are grants available, up to £2,400, for Parish Councils to take this project on , which can cover expenses from starting up to publishing.  Jan explained that RCCE run a Community Led Planning network, for a charge of £35 to become a member. 

      Jan also spoke about Village Design Statements, which are documents produced by the village regarding how they wish to see their neighbourhood reflected in planning decisions.  They set out the character of the village as a whole and in different areas, which may require the application of planning policy in different ways.  A VDS is drawn up within existing local authority policies but sets out the desires of the village as a whole as to how things should/should be treated.

      Jan left it with the Parish Council to look over some example plans and other information and to contact her if they wish to take this project on.  The Parish Council thanked Jan for an informative discussion and for the time taken to explain it to them.

The meeting then reverted to the original running order of the agenda.

 

4.   Public Forum
The outgoing tenant of a property in Pearson Close attended the meeting to inform the Parish Council of recent difficulties experienced during the termination of her lease and the proposed transfer to a new prospective tenant.  It has transpired that the property was incorrectly advertised because it barred applications from single people and couples by Gateway to Home Choice and as a result it has been readvertised.  This has resulted in confusion for the proposed new tenant as the offer of the house (pending confirmation of  qualification under the ‘local connection’ s106 agreement)  has now been withdrawn and the process restarted.  The Parish Council explained that the correction and readvertising was necessary to be fair to everyone but they would be able to write to the new tenant’s current Housing Association to explain the problem, if her resignation in her current home could not be rescinded.

7.   BDC Planning Issues

      7.1      Planning Application

            11/00074/FUL: Dairy Cottage, The Street, Pebmarsh – proposed loft conversion.  The Parish             Council will look at this application online, as it was not possible to view the plans at the             meeting.  The deadline date for comments is 22 February.  Councillors will forward their             views to the Clerk who will respond as per the majority view. 

      7.2      Planning Results

            The following results were noted:

            The following applications were granted:

• 10/01072/FUL: Old Mill House, Oak Road – Change of use of redundant agricultural land to domestic garden and erection of summer house.
• 10/01394/FUL: Catley Cross House, Catley Cross – Proposed tennis court and fencing in existing paddock.
• 10/01488/FUL: The Old Baptist Church, Clay Hills – Erection of two storey extension.

            The following application did not require approval/permission:

• 10/01284/AGR: Broomhills, Catley Cross – erection of grain store

            Tree Preservation Order

• TPO No. 27/2010 – Cornerways, Cross End: This order was confirmed (made permanent) on 23 November 2010.

 

8.            Reports from Representatives
            8.1            Playing Fields/Bus Shelters:

§        ROSPA Play Area Safety Inspection Report:  a few items need to be addressed:  some rotten fence posts need to be replaced, weeds to be killed and the gate is not able to close.  Cllr Rawlinson will arrange for these issues to be resolved.

            8.2       Village Hall:

§        Approval of new store room – the Parish Council noted that a letter of support was passed to the Village Hall Committee regarding the building of a new store room at the Village Hall.

            8.3       Street Lighting

§        It  has come to light that the a recompense payment of £20 per annum has not been paid to the owner of Brook Cottage towards the electricity bill for this street light.  The Clerk will look into this and arrange for payment up to date.  It was also noted that the lamp needs painting and a new bulb is required.

            8.4       Legal

§        No current issues to discuss.

9.   Winter Gritting

Cllr Burlo reported that the Parish Council currently has almost 2 tonnes of grit/salt which is being             stored at a farm in the village.  This supply has come from ECC as part of its current pilot scheme.              The Council needs to identify appropriate places for small amount of grit to be stored around the             village so that quick application of grit can take place at the appropriate times.  

Cllr Fenner will organise volunteers for this and to be responsible for gritting when the need arises.              The Clerk will             contact ECC regarding the £120 grant which is being offered towards equipment for             this pilot.

     10.  Speed and Volume Survey

            The survey identified that the areas surveyed contained speeds above the intervention level and as             such, police enforcement would be requested.  The Clerk will follow this up to ensure that it is             implemented and also write to ECC regarding how the Council can go about requesting the             installation of traffic calming measures.

     11.            Footpath Maintenance

            An ongoing maintenance issue on FP8 was discussed, where the path is overgrown.  This has been             flagged up by ECC P3 team to be addressed.  Cllrs Fenner and Burlo will look into this, along with             completing the P3 work proposal form for 2011/12 to ensure that funds are secured for next year’s   grass cutting.

     12.            National Grid Undergrounding Consultation

            The Parish Council agreed to send a response to this consultation supporting the undergrounding of         power cables as per the report.

     13.            Affordable Housing – Letting Vacancies

            This issue was discussed in the public forum, above.

14.    Finance
14.1            Finance Report
             The latest finance reports were received by Councillors.

        14.2            The following cheques were approved for payment:
                        14.2.1            £400.82             Clerk Salary              

                        14.2.2            £  88.81                        Clerk Expenses

                        14.2.3            £250.00             Strutt & Parker – Glebelands Rent

14.3            Other Payments made since the last meeting – this was noted:

                        14.3.1            £  22.74                        1 Dec  10            A&J Lighting – Maintenance

14.4            Monies received since the last meeting were noted:

                        Nil

15.            Correspondence
The Clerk went through various items of interest in the post to bring Councillors up to date.

 

16. Date of Next Meeting

      The following dates were provisionally agreed, subject to venue booking:

• Annual Parish Assembly – to be held on Tuesday 15 March, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
• Annual Parish Council Meeting – to be held on Monday 16 May, at 7.30pm, in the Village Hall Committee Room.

 

17. Closure

      The meeting closed at 10.10pm.

Signature ………………………………………………………

Chairman

     Date …………………………………………………………….

1. Have a Local Connection – see below for definition of ‘Local Connection’ as per the Section 106 agreement. – There is a priority order when defining ‘Local Connection’
2. Have a Housing Need.
3. Have registered with Braintree District Council Housing Assesment team as having a housing need BEFORE the bidding starts on Thursday 3rd Feb 2011.  You will need to contact the BDC Housing Assessment Team at Causeway House, Braintree on telephone number 01376 551414, for an application form to join the housing register.You should clearly indicate on the application that you are specifically applying and wanting to be considered for the impending vacancy at the Peason Close Affordable Housing at Water Lane, Pebmarsh.  Please indicate that there is an urgency in your application as the bidding starts on Thursday 3 Feb 2011. Ask how the bidding process works.

• single persons and couples WILL be allowed to bid for this property.
• Local Connection takes priority over housing need – remember you must have a ‘Local Connection’ AND a Housing Need  AND be registered with Braintree District Council  on their Housing Register before applying in order to qualify. 

1. the prospective occupier of an Afforable Housing Dwelling lives in the Parish of Pebmarsh and has done so continously for a minimum period of two years immediatly prior to making an application for an Affordable Housing Dwelling.
2. the prospective occupier of an Afforable Housing Dwelling has lived in the Parish of Pebmarsh for not less than 5 years during the immediately preceeding ten year period.
3. the prospective occupier of an Afforable Housing Dwelling is employed full time in the Parish of Pebmarsh and has been so employed for a minimum period of two years immediately prior to making an application for an Affordable Housing Dwelling.
4. the prospective occupier of an Afforable Housing Dwelling either lives or is employed in the Parish of Pebmarsh and has done so for a period of less than two years or  is a member of a family ( as expression is defined in the Housing Act 1985) of a person who lives in the Parish of Pebmarsh and has done so continously for a minimum period of five years immediately preceeding the application for an Affordable Housing Dwelling.
5. if there are no prospective occupiers for the Affordable Housing Dwellings who comply with the criteria set out in Paragraphs 1 to 4 above then the criteria and priority order contained in Paragraphs 1 to 4 above shall be applied to a prospective occupier from the Parishes of Alphamstone, Bures Hamlet, White Colne, Colne Engaine, Greenstead Green, Halstead Rural, Little Maplestead, Great Maplestead, Gestingthorpe, Wickham St. Paul, Twinstead, Lamarsh or Great Henny.
6. if there are no prospective occupiers for the Affordable Housing Dwellings who comply with the criteria set out in Paragraph 5 above then the criteria and priority order contained in Paragraphs 1 to 4 above shall be applied to a prospective occupier from the remainder of the administrative district of Braintree.

The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) in conducting research into the issues raised by lack of mobile phone coverage in rural areas. Your Parish Council will respond to the queries below and is asking for your comments to help us formulate a response that takes into account all your comments.

Please help us by e mailing  your response to your Parish Council Chairman, Joe Burlo on joe@faze7.com by Monday 24 May.

Please look at the e mail below from the CRC.  The more replies we get will strengthen our case and response to the CRC.

Joe Burlo

Chairman – 01787 269999

—————————————————

CRC look into mobile phone coverage
Are you or your community affected by a lack of mobile coverage? The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) is investigating how mobile coverage is affecting the rural economy, service provision and community life. If mobile coverage is an issue in your area, the CRC would be grateful if you could respond to the following questions:

 Mags Lambert

Secretariat for East of England Rural Forum

01473 345346
eerfenquiries@ruralactioneast