Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council of Castle Hedingham held on Wednesday, 15th September 2010 issued by the Clerk

Action

1

Apologies for non-attendance: Mr F Swallow, PC D Coghill. Mrs W Scattergood.

2

Declarations of Interest: None.

3

Public Forum: 

Mrs Cohen outlined her objections to the planning application for a granny annex at the old police station in Queen Street. Her reasons were overdevelopment within a restricted site and changes at variance with conservation advice for retaining the character of the area.

Mrs Cooke also said she objected to the planning application for the old Police Station for the same reasons as Mrs Cohen. She also said she had raised concerns with Braintree District Council Planning about the use of inappropriate materials, for example concrete fence posts in a conservation area, at the development in Castle Lane. She said holes had been made in the highway outside this development.

Mrs Cooke and Mrs Cohen left.

4

Police Information / Report: None. 

5

Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The minutes were agreed; proposed by Mr Scrivens, seconded by Mr Pewter and signed by the Chairman.

6

Matters arising from Minutes:

6.1 Registering Parish Village Greens: The Land Registry had rejected the maps supplied as not meeting its requirements. New compliant maps have now been drawn up. There is one outstanding issue to be resolved with a landowner in respect of ownership of land part of Rushley Green. 

6.2 Rubbish in River: Nothing further to report.

6.3 Water Leak on Sudbury Hill:  No progress to report on gulley jet washing by Essex CC Highways. As rainfall increases and colder weather approaches addressing this problem is now urgent.  The Clerk was instructed to write to Essex County Council Highways and Braintree District Council asking that early actions be taken to identify and correct the problem(s).

6.4 Village tidy up / bulb planting:  2,500 bulbs expected to arrive this month. Planting planned for the 23rd October.  A number of locations for planting were discussed and agreed.

6.5 Graveyard: Letter has been sent to the Bishop to progress, reply awaited.

6.6 Playing field - Consideration of H&S report and options for future works: Quote from Mortimers for £250 to repair the matting below the swings was accepted.

6.6 Tree Work at Hedingham Castle: Braintree District Council has apologised that the Parish Council was not consulted prior to the work being approved and carried out. Both Braintree District Council and the Parish Council are satisfied with the work carried out.  Matter now closed.

6.7 Pots / troughs / tubs placed on the public highway: Essex CC Highways has visited the village and viewed the flower pots throughout the village. It will advise any further action as necessary.

6.8 Overhanging Vegetation on Bulls Hill: The Clerk was instructed to write to the Castle asking for this vegetation to be cut back.

6.9 Attendance of MP at Parish Council Meeting: Mr Newmark has accepted an invitation to attend the meeting on 19 November 2010.

6.10 Disabled Parking Provision in Falcon Square: Essex County Council Highways have proposed installing a single bay outside the Doctors surgeries.  The Parish Council agreed the proposal.  The Clerk will write to the two Doctor’s surgeries asking for their permission for a sign indicating disabled parking be put on the wall of their building.

7.1 10/01087: Proposed granny annexe at the Old Police Station. The Parish Council had objected to this application on the grounds of:

1. Overdevelopment on the site and
2. Parking/access difficulties.

8

Braintree District Council & Essex County Council Information: 

8.1

9.1 No matters arising.

10

10.1 Bank Balances:

The following balances were noted:

Accounts 28/07/10

10.2 The following accounts were proposed by Mr Higgins  and seconded by Mr Worley:

Payments:

11

Consideration of funding request from Hedingham Club:

12

Allotments: The Parish Council agreed the draft of a letter which could be sent to landowners in the Parish to ask whether they had land which could be made available for allotments. The Parish Council will commence this process when requested by parishioners.

13

Highways: 

Two noticeboards have been demolished in the last month - in St James Street and outside Buckley’s tearoom. The driver responsible for the latter has been identified and the Clerk has written to him asking for details of his insurance. The person(s) responsible for the former has not been identified. The Parish Council’s insurance company has been notified. It will pay out a maximum of £375 being the sum insured - £500 minus the excess of £125. It will attempt to reclaim the £125 excess from the responsible parties insurance. The Parish Council agreed to do the following:

1. Pursue an insurance claim.
2. Replace the Notice board outside Buckley’s only.
3. Obtain 3 quotes.

 13.3 Potholes:

14

Any Other Business: None.

15

Dates & Times of Next Meetings.

13th October 2010 at 19:45 Memorial Hall.