3 November2016 at Great Bentley Village Hall
MINUTES
Present: Cllr J Hills (Chair), Cllr B. Herbert, Cllr K Plummer, Cllr P Drew and Cllr L Edwards.
Public questions: Clothing bank overfilled now emptied.
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PART A11.16.135Apologies for absence: Cllr Adams (holiday) and Cllr Balbirnie (illness), Cllr Taylor and Cllr Wright.
11.16.136Minutes of the last meeting:
Proposed; Cllr HerbertSeconded; Cllr Drew. Resolved: To agree the minutes of the meeting on 6 October 2016 as a true record.
11.16.137Declarations of Interest:Cllr Hills declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 11.16.138c. His company is working with D Lock Associates in Braintree.
11.16.138Information & Reports:
a)It was reported that the Village Christmas lights are to be switched on at approximately 6.15pm on Saturday 3 December 2016.
b)Mr Harry sent an email advising of the TDC Local Plan Meeting and some of the issues to be discussed.Cllr Drewprovided a summarized brief. A discussion ensued.
c)The Clerk advised of an invitation to attend a workshop on 15 November regarding the East Colchester/WestTendring Master plan. Cllr Plummer agreed to attend. Cllr Drew can make it at 6.45pm and Cllr Edwards will check if he is available.
11.16.139County and District Councillors Reports:
a)District Councillor - Cllr L. McWilliams: Clarified her understanding of the TDC Local Plan meeting report. Highways England hasindicated that the new housing development will have a severe impact on A120. She outlined the Boundary Commission proposals for 48 instead of 60 TDC Cllrs.
b)County Councillor – Cllr A. Goggin:
- ECC keen to promote concept of Grammar schools.
- The bollards and lights at Thorrington Crossroads are now operational.
- Cllr G indicated that he would be interested to learn about the impact of the recently introduced restrictions at the municipal tips
- Provided feedback on the recent meeting and demonstration held with the operators of the NPRC.
11.16.140Other Reports:
a)PCSO: PCSO Brandon’s written report was read out by the Chair and noted by members.
b)TDALC: No report this month.
c)Transport: Mr P. Harryhad submitted a brief update report in his absence.
d)Footpaths: The Chair read out Mr Gollifer’s report.
e)Caretaker: The Clerk highlighted the main points in Mr McWilliams report.
11.16.141Correspondence:To consider correspondence.
a)Football Goalposts on the Green – Mrs H Weller:It was confirmed that the goalposts have been ordered and will be installed shortly. It was suggested that defer any decision about a second set of goalposts until we know better what the S106 funds are to be invested in.
b)Xmas Tree Shredding – Gt Bentley Conservation Group: Agreed.
c)Thank you – Mr H Stocks, Stocks Funfair: Noted.
d)Circus Complaint – Mr M Dorling:Noted.It was resolved to take more care of the detail of the next application.
e)Request to use the Green – Mr D Patel: It was agreed that there is not enough detail to enable a decision to be made. The Clerk was asked to write seeking details of; insurance cover, size of marquee, how many guests, precise location of marquee (layout and sketch), car parking requirements and provision, start and finish times, toilet provision, power requirements and provision.
f)Bikers Night Response – FoG: Noted.
11.16.142Parish Clerk Report: The Clerkprovided a summary of his previously circulated report and invited questions. A copy of the report is attached as Appendix A.
11.16.143Finance Report:
a)Monthly expenditure report: The expenditure report (attached as Appendix B) was proposed by Cllr Edwards, seconded by Cllr Drew and agreed unanimously.
b)Monthly bank reconciliation:Noted.
11.16.144Village Green Working Party: Cllr Herbert presented his previously circulated report, which is attached as Appendix C.
a)The Clerk was asked to contact the PCSO and ask her to address the issue of parked cars identified in the report as a priority.
b)The Clerk was asked to write to Openreach and TDC regarding the positioning green broadband boxes.
11.16.145Funfair and Circus Visits to Gt Bentley: This item was requested by Cllr Wright. In his absence, it was agreed to defer it until the next meeting.
11.16.146Highways
a)Relaunch of the Village Speed Watch Initiative:In Cllr Taylor’s absence, it was agreed to defer this item.
b)20’s Plenty for Us campaign:Councillors discussed Cllr Adams initial proposals it was agreed that these proposals are significant and in the circumstances a decision should not be rushed.
11.16.147Consultation for funding for public open space improvements (S106 Monies): The Clerk summarised the contents of the four responses received to date.It was agreed that decisions should not be taken based on such a small sample of opinions. The Clerk was asked to promote this matter again on the website and in the Parish Magazine and to write to appropriate village groups.
Public questions:
- TDC Cllr McWilliams;
- Clarified insurance requirements.
- Noted that the Funfair makes no toilet provision.
- Pleaded for Aingers Green to be included in any 20’s Plenty proposals.
- The Clerk agreed to write to School and consult Pre School and Youth Club and other groups regarding the S106 suggestions.
- Mr Drew asked if the PC is opening a ‘can of worms’by agreeing to a wedding marquee on the Green?
- It was noted with sadness of the end of the Fish N Chip service
- Cllr Goggin suggested a visit to Brightlingsea to see an operational ‘street gym’.
PART B
11.16.148Workplace Pensions:
Proposed Cllr Drew, seconded, Cllr Hills
Resolved: To accept Bentley Admin Ltd’s proposal to administer the Clerk’s pension payments as per their letter dated 20 October 2016.
APPENDIX A
PARISH CLERK REPORT
6 October 2016
- Talbot Express Motor Home: The vehicle remains parked in the Car Park. A request to the DVLA for details of the registered owner was returned a second time. A third submission has now been made and a response is awaited.
- Forge Lane Flooding: Mr S Sawyer has agreed to prepare a specification for the drainage works as requested.
I am informed that a second quotation will be submitted but have yet to receive it.
- Annual Allotment Agreements: There remains one annual payment outstanding. There are currently five vacant plots. Work continues to repair the perimeter fence.
- PCSO: PCSO Julia Brandon has returned to her duties in Great Bentley and Alresford. She called in to see me last week to update me on some of the progress she is making with local issues.
I spoke with Commander Russ Cole on 27 October. He assured me that Essex Police is keen to renew our contract that funds a shared PCSO with Alresford. The Police are currently preparing a new contract (as the previous contract has expired) and will forward a draft for consideration shortly.
- Highway Verges: An instruction was issued to the Council’s contractor to complete a full cut of the highway verges.
- Southside Track: An instruction was issued to level the Southside Track. This is probably a little earlier than would previously happened. The thought is that by undertaking the work more regularly it may avoid the Track deteriorating as badly as it has done in previous years.
- Remembrance Sunday: I have notified Essex Police of the Gt Bentley ceremony for inclusion in the Police Operational Order.
- Tractor Service Update: I await a response form the two companies who have been asked to quote for servicing the machinery.
- 2017/18 Budgets: the timetable is running late this year. I hope to convene a Finance Committee meeting at 10am on 22 November and be in a position to present the revised budgets and 2017/18 budget proposals to the Parish Council on 3 December for consideration.
- Electoral Review of TDC: Warding Arrangements: The Local Government Boundary Commission has circulated information about the process it intends to follow with regard to its review in Tendring. This information will be circulated to Councillors and published on the website.
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX C
Green Report 1116
Meeting at 8.30am, 23 October 2016 Those present Cllrs. Drew, Adams and Herbert and our contractor M. Dorling
Cars Three cars, which appear on the website of a local dealer are, again, parked in our car park and one at the Village Hall. This may be something our PCSO could deal with.
Rubbish A pile of redundant kitchen units have been dumped at the rear of 3, Chapel Terrace by persons unknown. No action has been taken by us yet.
Pond At the time of the meeting we are still awaiting the machinery to arrive.
Overhanging branches At Moorlands and at Restawhile hedges and branches are overhanging the Green. The occupants of both properties have been informed.
Fair Stocks have indicated that they intend to appear again next year. Do we need to question this?
BT Large green boxes are being erected in various locations. At Firtree Corner, Aingers Green the box is in the pavement and could have easily been on the grass. At Birch Avenue the pavement is also narrowed by a box.