MINUTES OF THE MEETING 0F THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE

YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE ON MONDAY,

1st FEBRUARY 2010 AT 7.30 PM

PRESENT

Cllr J Couzens in the Chair

Cllrs R Bellamy, J Cutting, De Vaux Balbirnie, Mrs S Dass, J Dunnett, Miss L Gray, R Smith, P Watson and Mrs A Wood

There were 3 residents and PCSO  Barnes present.  

ITEMS RAISED BY RESIDENTS

A resident thanked the Parish Council for its works on the Firs planning application

APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Leatherdale and Ward

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 4 JANUARY 2010

There were approved and signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

(a)                Vacancy for Parish Councillor

Authority to co-opt a member has been received from Tendring District Council but no requests to join the Parish Council have yet been received by the Clerk

MATTERS BROUGHT FORWARD

(a)   Internet – the Clerk asked if she should obtain the Coral Paint X programme as some information sent is in this format.  It was agreed to ask the EALC if this was necessary

(b)   Highway Matters. – Cllr Watson said he has not had any response from County Highways regarding clearing the footpath along Harwich Road down to Ricebridge and is chasing them for some action.   Cllr Skeels has informed him that despite cash restrictions the footpaths in Hazelwood Crescent are to be refurbished.

(c) Affordable Housing – the copy of the 106 agreement is still in circulation.

(d)   Parish Archives – these have been transferred to a store room in the pavilion and will be housed in the new Parish Room, when the extension is finished.

(e)   Youth and Community Building Extension – Cllr Watson reported that fortunately, during the four week period of bad weather over Christmas and New Year, two of those weeks were holiday for the construction industry.  This allowed the ground work and drainage to be completed more or less to schedule.   Resulting from this work we have found that there are irregularities with the surface water drains where they pass into the ECC compound.  We have been in contact with their agents and await a site visit from them.

The walls to the end of the building have been demolished to enable the new work to be keyed to the existing and new brickwork laid to support the suspended floor beams.   The floor beams have been delivered and are now being laid, giving a good indication of the size of the new building.   A meeting has been held with the architects and builders to specify lighting, kitchen equipment and door furniture.  Further items will be finalised as the work progresses.

Quotations have been obtained to enlarge the intruder alarm system for the extended building and modify the CCTV system coverage.   The existing cameras will remain in position.  Without going into too much detail on the operation of the equipment, it is proposed by Cllr Watson, seconded by Cllr Cutting and agreed that we proceed with these improvements on the understanding that the tender used is the most cost effective.

POLICE/CRIME PREVENTION

PCSO Barnes reported that there had been occurrences of suspicious circumstance in The Street;  theft from motor vehicle in Harwich Road; nuisance youths in Sunnyside Way, The Street and Springfield Meadows; assaults in The Street and two in Harwich Road;  criminal damage at the Lodge (2) and The Street (paint thrown at church);  dangerously parked vehicle – a large transporter parked on zigzag in The Street; road traffic collisions in The Street and Harwich Road.

The problems emanating from the Apple Tree Public House were mentioned to the PCSO and following some considerable discussion on the difficulties raised, the PCSO agreed to knock on doors of residents concerned to discover the extent of the problems.   He agreed to liaise with the Vice-Chairman on this matter.

WORKING PARTY REPORTS

Maintenance and Services

Cllr Watson reported that the`temporary Parish Council equipment store has been fabricated and is being erected in the compound at the back of the pavilion.   On completion and when the items stored in the two containers are re-housed the containers will be removed.  When completed, it is then hoped that the Parish Fields committee will level the area with top soil and apply grass seed to reinstate the area.

Street Lights – problems in Elm Road, Clapgate Drive and Peartree Way

Footpaths – nothing to report.

Planning and Development

Cllr Wood reported on the following applications;

09/01329/FUL   Additional parking areas to rear of existing at Hayes Garages at 24 The Street

The Chairman wrote that the proposed parking area is outside the Village Development boundary and , if permitted, represents development in the countryside and would render the site ‘brownfield’ for later development applications.  No details are given of nature of surfacing or drainage or screen planting.   Parish Council is opposed to approval in present form.  However, if TDC is mindful to accept, permission should be time limited to prevent ‘development creep’.

10/00001/FUL   Proposed two storey side and first floor rear extension to form additional living space including demolition of existing garage and outbuildings at 124 The Street

Agreed to write to TDC saying not opposed in principle, but feel there should be a much more sympathetic side extension

10/00057/FUL   Proposed construction of 2 semi detached dwellings at 23 Amerells Road

Agreed to write to TDC with no objection but feel that the block paving must be permeable.

Applications determined:

09/00698/LBC – Bovills Hall – approved:  listed building consent

09/01252/FUL  -  The Orchard, Grove Road – refusal:  full

09/01180/FUL  -  Firs Caravan Park – refusal:  full

TDALC

Nothing to report

LITTLE CLACTON PARISH FIELDS AND YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Cllr Bellamy reported a very quiet month on the playing fields due to the adverse weather conditions although football has now resumed.

The Youth and Community hall continues to be well used nothwithstanding the current building work.  He is pleased to report good co-operation by both hirers and contractors.

Discussions are being undertaken with SureStart Tendring regarding a possible Family Day in April.

VILLAGE HALL

Cllr Dunnett said that the lunch club which has used the hall once a week is now closing due to falling numbers.   The Chairman said that he had been making enquiries about the viability of this facility.  Following some discussion on this matter, it was proposed by the Chairman that the Parish Council supports this lunch club with a donation of £25 per week subject to review in June 2010.  This was seconded by Cllr Dunnett and agreed.

MILLENNIUM GREEN

An order has been placed  for the picnic table/seat for the Millennium Green and should be delivered in the near future.

TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL

Cllr De Vaux Balbirnie referred to the item in the Forward Plan 100 concerning the abatement of mercury at the Weeley Crematorium.   He also produced copies of the Regeneration Plan.   The Chairman said that he was to meet with Cllr Nigel Stock.  TDC has refused funding for shop mobility and lunch clubs.

The Chairman raised the matter of the conduct of our District Councillor Skeels regarding the planning application for the Firs Caravan Park.  He is concerned that Cllr Skeels called the matter into the committee and declared a personal interest but not a pecuniary one and that he sat at the first meeting.   Cllr Skeels did not attend the second meeting and did not vote.   The Chairman felt that this was rather dubious behaviour and that we should take a view as to whether or not this matter is honourable.   It was agreed to make official representation to the Monitoring Officer.

CORRESPONDENCE

FINANCE AND CHEQUES AUTHORISATION

The up-to-date balance of the Council’s funds were noted.

Receipts:

Business Tracker Account Interest:  £5.45

Cheques issued:                                                                    £

E.ON Energy                                                                    273.17

Bendale Web Design                                                         44.00

May Gurney Ltd                                                              155.65

Euro-Fire Ltd                                                                      91.83

Romadorns (electricit  lights)                                          108.94             

Kendall Contract Services                                               387.99

Kendall Contract Services (tree work)                            218.50

                                                                                            _______

ITEMS DEEMED URGENT BY THE CHAIRMAN

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Watson asked for a donation of £35 to the Little Clacton Methodist Chapel towards the electricity for the Christmas lights on Galloway Green.   It was also agreed that the Chairman would make available a copy of the Village Envelope for the Planning Committee.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00pm

The next meeting will be held at the Youth and Community Centre at 7.30 pm on Monday, 1 March 2010

Chairman

1st March 2010