Report of the meeting of the Parish Council of Castle Hedingham held on Wednesday, 26th May 2010 issued by the Clerk

Action

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Apologies for non-attendance: WPC D Coghill, Mr G Pewter, Mr G Southgate, Mr F Swallow, Mrs J Beavis.

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Declarations of Interest: None.

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Public Forum: Mrs Laken introduced herself as the village agent covering Castle Hedingham. She explained that village agents: a) put people in contact with organisations that provide services they need, b) provide high quality information and advice to local residents, c) promote health and independence. Mrs Lahen said advice and consultations given were strictly confidential, all age groups are covered.  She is available on 07540 720607, can be found normally at the Sible Hedingham library 10-12 Thursday mornings and she also works from home.  The village agents scheme runs from November 2009 to March 2011 and is funded by Essex and Braintree Councils. 

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Police Information / Report: None. 

Youth Council: None.

Election of Vice-Chairman: Mr Worley was proposed by Mrs Allfrey, seconded by Mr Higgins and was elected Vice-Chairman.

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Minutes of the Previous Meeting: Two amendments - item 8 “Hopper” not “Hooper” and item 13.3 insert “at the top” before of Castle Lane. The minutes were then approved; proposed by Mr Scrivens, seconded by Mr Worley and signed by the Chairman.

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Matters arising from Minutes:

9.1 Registering Parish Village Greens:  Further required map has now been obtained; Mr Worley will complete marking village greens and papers will then be returned to Solicitors for action.

9.2 Surface of Churchyard path:  Remedial work now carried out. The Clerk was instructed to so notify the appropriate authority at the Diocesan Registry, Chelmsford. 

9.3 Noxious Smells pumping station Nunnery Street: Anglian Water has reported that following its odour monitoring exercise it has reintroduced chemical dosing at its pumping station at Poole Street, Great Yeldham and carried out some remedial works. No further problems have been reported.

9.4 Rubbish in River: The continuing work taken and meetings between Sible Hedingham Parish Council and Environment Agency were noted. However whilst rubbish had been reported as removed at various locations nothing had been done in respect of the stretch of river downstream from Nunnery Street Bridge to the Station Road Bridge. The Parish Council will attend the next meeting planned between Sible Hedingham Parish Council and Environment Agency in July to pursue this matter.

9.5 Potholes: This has been previously reported and acknowledged for action by Essex CC Highways. One pothole in Sudbury Road close to Rosemary Lane is of particular concern; the Clerk was instructed to ask Essex CC Highways to deal with this as a matter of urgency.

9.6 Pylon Proposals: National Grid has invited all Councillors to a meeting in June when it will outline in more details its proposals.  Mrs Scattergood subsequently said that National Grid has told her that the proposed sub-station will be the length/breadth of 1½ football pitches and the height of a DIY superstore. Two of the three possible sites for this station are in Castle Hedingham Parish.

9.7 Water Leak on Sudbury Hill:  Anglian Water has reported that there is no leak on its pipe work at this location however there is a drain at the site that could be the cause of leaks.  Essex CC Highways says it has no drains in the area and on inspection can find no problem. It will however jet wash gullies to see if a drain close is blocked/broken.  It was noted that the site is currently dry.

9.8 Damage to railings/sign Forge Green: The driver/vehicle responsible has not been traced. The matter has been referred to Braintree District Council for its action to repair.

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Braintree District Council & Essex County Council Information:

Constitution of Committee & Delegation of Function

The existing constitution, delegation and composition of committees was proposed by Mr Worley, seconded by Mrs Moffat and agreed.

The Parish Clerk reminded all Councillors present of there duties and responsibilities to meet code of conduct.  All Councillors had been asked to tell the Clerk of any changes in their declarations of interest; one change has been reported - Mrs Moffat is now retired from fulltime employment.

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Planning Recommendations:

Two had been received: 

1. Conversion of two dwellings and extension to stable block at 28-30 Queen Street. The Parish council had not objected to this application but had said it would resist any future application to convert stable block into a third dwelling. 
2. Replacement of various windows at Maplecroft, Sudbury Road. The Parish Council had not objected to this application.

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Correspondence: No matters arising.

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14.1 Bank Balances:

The following balances were noted:

14.2 The following accounts were proposed by Mr R Worley seconded by Mr Cooke:

Payments:

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Audit Return & Annual Accounts 2009/10

Audit return.  The independent auditor has agreed the statement to the Audit Commission in respect of the annual accounts, audit procedures and controls for the year 2009/10.  The return was signed by the Chairman and Clerk.

Annual accounts. The accounts certified at the last meeting were incorrect - VAT repayment due had not been properly shown as o/s on the balance sheet. The accounts have now been amended, agreed by the independent auditor and signed by the Chairman and Clerk.

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Highways

16.1 Water Pressure / Leaks: There have been several leaks in the village.  Several residents have commented that water pressure has been very high on occasions.  The Clerk was instructed to write to Anglian Water asking for its comments and explanation(s).

16.2 Dangerous Parking: Vehicles have been parked on Queen Street close to Sheepcot Road junction such that sightlines were obscured and it was hazardous.  The Clerk was instructed to report the matter to the Police.

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Any Other Business:

17.1 Tree work at Hedingham Castle: Various trees have been cut down in the conservation area without the required procedures being followed and the Parish Council was not properly consulted. The Parish Council felt that whilst it would not have objected the correct procedures should have been followed.  The Clerk was instructed to write to the Director of Corporate Planning at Braintree DC in respect of this.

17.2 Premdor Site re-development: The Clerk was instructed to invite Mrs E. Dash, Planning Policy Manager to the next meeting to outline the state of play with this.

17.3 Bird Scarers: Mr Worley said residents had complained of these going off very early in the morning. In the absence of timings and identification of where the scarers were located no action could be considered by the Parish Council. It was noted that in a rural area such noise could be expected.

17.4 Village /Parish Magazine: Mrs Moffat said the Rector was considering introducing this and she wished the Parish Council to consider what input/contribution the Parish Council should make.  It was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting.

17.5 Stansted: Mr Scrivens said he had been told by Stop Stansted Expansion that it had been announced that there will be no second runway built at Stansted.

17.6 Doctor’s Surgeries Falcon Square: Mr Higgins said that there had been correspondence in the local press originating from a District Councillor regarding the potential closure of the surgeries in Falcon Square and their transfer to new premises on a re-developed Premdor site. The Parish Council had no knowledge of any such plans and had not been consulted or briefed by the District Councillor.  It was agreed that the Chairman will write to the District Councillor asking him for an explanation.

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Dates & Times of Next Meetings.

Annual General Meeting: 16th June 2010 at 19:45, at the Memorial Hall.