Minutes - July 2008

Held on Thursday, 18th September, 2008 in the Committee Room of the Tipps Cross Remembrance Hall. Commenced at 7.30pm.

Members present: Cllr. Henwood (Chairman), Cllr. keeble (acting Chair), Cllr. Alvarez (newly co-opted cllr), Mrs Barnes (Parish Clerk), Cllr. Bennett, Cllr. Dean, Cllr. Lennon, Cllr. Marr, Mrs Nelson (Treasurer), Cllr. Smith, Cllr. Spiers (newly co-opted cllr), Cllr. Thomas, Cllr. Town, Cllr. Giordan,

Terry Smith - Editor - Herald Magazine was also present.

Apologies for absence were received from: Cllr. Brown

Unauthorised: Nil

Cllr. Keeble welcomed the newly co-opted Cllr. Spiers to her first Parish Council meeting as a councillor and was asked by the Parish Clerk to sign the Acceptance of office register.

AMENDMENTS

The Minutes of the previous Meeting, having been circulated, were signed as a correct record with the following amendments:

Salaries to be omitted.

No. 0127 was mistakenly used twice. Therefore Blackmore Millennium Park, Progress Report should be number 0128. Numbers should follow subsequently to this amendment.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest to report to items on the agenda.

OPEN FORUM

Mr James Wallace of the Leather Bottle Pub, Blackmore was present to raise the issue over parking outside the Golfing Holiday shop and general parking facilities by the green. The Clerk was requested to write to Essex County Council (ECC) for a response to Mr Wallace’s letters he had sent to them which he provided the Parish Council with. There is an issue concerning the erected bollards and re-positioning of the Council waste bin outside the golf shop which the Clerk will investigate. Mr Wallace left the meeting at 7.45pm whereby the meeting resumed with the following correspondence being read out by the Clerk:

CORRESPONDENCE

0170. An email from Cllr. Giordan advising of a missing drain cover from a meter by the pond. Cllr Giordan advised it was in hand and Brentwood Borough Council (BBC) would fit a temporary cover whilst they looked into who was responsible for the meter.

0171. Alteration to register of elector’s notification (x2) which will be held at the Clerks office.

0172. Letter from BBC regarding the removal of certain pay phone boxes around the Borough. However the Parish is not affected by this at present.

0173. The forms from BBC regarding the consultation it is currently undertaking regarding the proposal to implement a cabinet system. The forms were passed to all Councillors to complete and send to BBC with their comments.

0174. The Mayors’ Charity music quiz night on Friday 14th November. Venue: The Boston Room/Lounge Bar, Courage Hall, Middleton Hall Lane, Brentwood. Time: 7.30pm for 8.00pm. Ticket Price: £10.00 including bar meal. Tickets available on: 01277-312740.

0175. Invoice received of £3,466.25 inc VAT from Hanson Aggregates for sanding the football pitches. Clerk to forward to Essex Initiatives Fund for reimbursement. Cllr Keeble to confirm address and reference details and place order with supplier.

0176. Cllr. Giordan raised the matter of planning information provided on the BBC (Brentwood Borough Council) website which the public would have access to where planning applications are concerned. He feels mentioning the Parish as ‘Tipps Cross ward’ is misleading and people may miss planning applications nearby to them thinking this does not apply to them. It was agreed that Cllr. Marr would write to BBC asking if we could be shown as the Parish of ‘Blackmore, Hook End & Wyatts Green’ in order to resolve this. Also Mr Giordan also confirmed, with the Councils permission, he could supply any Community news to the Gazette as other Parishes do, this could be taken from the minutes. He would also supply a copy of the minutes to the mobile library. This was agreed.

0177. Mr Ray Potter had emailed the Clerk updating the Council of his wife’s condition who was rushed into hospital on 15th August with a brain aneurysm. The Council understand that maintenance and grass cutting services will have to be dealt with as and when, the most urgent items taking priority and wish her a speedy recovery.

0178. The Clerk advised receipt of the Community Initiatives Fund (Highways) letter and application form. The Clerk will apply for 5 VAS (vehicle activated signs) for the Parish.

0179. The Clerk read out the RCCE ‘Calor Essex Village of the year and Best Kept Village competition 2008’ results. The winner was Danbury for Best kept village and Langham for village of the year.

0180. The Clerk read out the thank you letter for the donation to their swimming pool fund. Details of opening times for Community use will be displayed in the village post office.

BROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORTS

Cllr. Keeble advised he had attended a meeting recently and the subject of a proposed cabinet system was mentioned. Cllr. Keeble also advised that Cllr. Frank Kenny, chair of the Planning committee, BBC and ex Mayor, had resigned.

POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE

A Meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee had taken place on 28th August at 7.30pm at Tipps Cross Remembrance Hall. All matters were dealt with by the Committee.

0181. FINANCE

The following cheques were approved for payment:

CHEQUES DRAWN AT JUNE 2008 P C MEETING

£	Addressee	Description
238.38	Essex County Council	Clerks pension contr.
-	S Barnes	Clerks salary
-	S Barnes	Contributions to Clerks office
-	S Barnes	Contribution to Clerks internet
136.26	HM Revenue & Customs	Clerks Tax/NI contr.
-	R Nelson	Book keeping
354.90	T Smith	Herald Magazine
79.98	Alan’s DIY	Goods supplied
286.40	R D Potter	Repair to Mill Lane Fence – RTA – to be reimbursed by Insurers
99.69	E-On	Electricity – Blackmore Millennium Park
1138.00	Kelhatch Press	Sept magazine edition
305.50	R D Potter	Maintenance/cutting etc
130.70	BT Payment services	office phone/fax bill
425.00	Blackmore Parochial Charity
30.89	Canon	photo copier
144.00	Heatherland Ltd	Skip hire
121.10	J Oddy & Sons	goods to R Potter
1104.97	MD Landscapes	Aug Grass cutting

Receipts:

The Clerk confirmed cheque receipt of £1600.00 received from Blackmore Village Hall for the service charge for the Sports arena – 6 months to 30 June 2008.

The Clerk also confirmed receipt of the claim form for the VAT return which she passed to Mrs Nelson.

Payments:

Nothing to report.

0182. FINANCIAL POWERS

Mrs Nelson read to the meeting details of the Parish Accounts in accordance with the financial reports distributed by the Clerk prior to the meeting.

Mrs Nelson reported it was a fairly quiet month and most works carried out were pretty much to schedule. The repairs to the stocks, Blackmore had been carried out and there was nothing further to report.

The grass contracts as given to the Recreation and Environment Committees had been looked at and the Clerk was requested to contact the Parks department at BBC as they should be responsible for cutting the grass around the children’s play areas and inside the dog pens at the playing fields and it would appear they have stopped doing this. We are effectively paying for this service twice or the area ends up overlooked and overgrown.

0183. COMMUNITY POLICE MEETING

Nothing to report

0184. COMMUNITY BUS

The Clerk reported the estimate for bodywork repairs was £1650.73 from Fords. The Council have requested the Clerk obtains two further estimates in consideration of the cost and Cllr Alvarez and Cllr Town will supply details of two body work repair companies in the area. Cllr Marr also gave details of a bodywork company as a third contact.

0185. BLACKMORE CENTRE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Cllr Keeble reported that we had been quoted £4,000 for an experienced handling company to assist with completing the application forms for the Big Lottery, which was underway. Tenders had been received for the work, one was £254,000 with others ranging from £306,000 to £320,000. The lower quote, upon inspection had not included all works and upon re-evaluation the quote had been submitted for £274,000 which was still more cost effective and therefore the likely candidate. Cllr Keeble also advised that there is an initial examination on 29th September 2008 from the Big Lottery and we had received a lot of support for this project so hope we may be rewarded with the funding.

0186. BLACKMORE SPORTS ARENA – (formerly MUGA)

Cllr Keeble advised that bookings are going well and the facilities are well used. Susan Payne is continuing to organise football games with the youths maintaining they do not climb the fences and play unauthorised games amongst themselves.

0187. BLACKMORE VILLAGE WEBSITE

Cllr Giordan confirmed the website is running OK. Items were also covered as per item 0222.

0188. RURAL HOUSING

Cllr Henwood suggested the Clerk could contact Diane Mills to ask if she knew the land owners name for the area called ‘Woodbines’ near Red Rose Lane.

0189. MOBILE LIBRARY

Nothing new to report.

0190. BRENTWOOD BOROUGH PARISH COUNCIL ASSOCIATION

Dealt with under ‘Borough and Essex County Councillor reports’ by Cllr Keeble.

0191. ROADWAY RENTS (2008)

The Clerk advised that so far only Mr Brown of Jericho Priory had paid the £25.00 as invoiced against invoice no. 2008/SB/BR dated 1 April 2008. The Clerk will continue to chase.

BLACKMORE MILLENNIUM PARK

0192. PROGRESS REPORT

A meeting had taken place on 27th August 2008 and all items had been dealt with and minuted as distributed by the Parish Clerk. Items discussed in addition as follows:

Cllr Keeble advised that John Daldry is currently drawing up plans for the kissing gate and proposed 5 bar gate. Also drainage for the new gate and hedge work has been offered by a local company free of charge which will be gratefully received. He also advised the nett profit from the fund raising quiz night on Friday 12th September of £793.55. There were the maximum 16 tables sold and it was again a very successful night.

The budget for the fireworks which had been ordered is £2,300 and John Daldry is installing the safety fencing required for approximately £280.

Cllr Keeble also requested the help of volunteers on the Fireworks night (1st November).

The next meeting is scheduled for 8th October when final plans will be discussed.

PLANNING COMMITTEE

A meeting of the Planning Committee had taken place on 29th July and 12th September and all items relating to this had been dealt with as per the minutes distributed by the Clerk.

0193. PLANS

Plans received and considered at the Planning Meetings were discussed and minuted on the above dates. These were distributed by the Parish Clerk to the members of the Council prior to the Parish Council meeting.

In addition Cllr Marr advised the following:

The Planning committee met with Peter Geraghty, Head of Planning, BBC. The meeting was very well presented. Regarding enforcements and outstanding Issues – BBC advised it is a technical process now, not legal and the Council have to consider action and outcome and enforcement is complicated and often ineffective. Cllr Marr also raised the subject of Policy H7 – Loss of bungalows : It is permitted to have velux windows to the back of the building if building regulations approval sought, however the front requires planning consent. In the event of an appeal, the process is quite long-winded and complex. Cllr Marr also raised the issue of the planning drawings which are often not suitable with not enough detail being shown and therefore being sent back. Hopefully with the new changes afoot in the Planning department, BBC will show improvements to the above issues.

0194. OUTSTANDING ENFORCEMENT ISSUES

Bluebell Farm - Spriggs Lane - Nothing new to report.

Oak Tree farm, Chelmsford Road, Blackmore, CM4 0PZ – Cllr Marr writing to Peter Geraghty and Brian Keene, BBC requesting update.

Lilliput, Chelmsford Road, Blackmore – Cllr Marr to write to BBC regarding the hard-standing which has ‘unofficially’ been erected adjacent to the property.

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

A Meeting of the Environment Committee had taken place on 8th September 2008.

ALL ITEMS 0195 – 0211 were dealt with and minuted at that committee meeting as per the minutes distributed by the Clerk and received by the Council prior to the meeting, with the following exceptions which were discussed at the Parish Council meeting :-

0198 – PARKING – BLACKMORE VILLAGE

The Clerk advised receipt of an email from BBC confirming that the closing date for objections to the proposed plans is 24.9.08.

0200 – PONDS

Cllr Town confirmed that the pond project would not take place this year as planned. Mr Gaymer had decided he would have to drill the seed now so cannot assist with taking the silt onto his fields as discussed. Lunnons waste cannot take the silt in skips as this would be too messy on the roads and Ted Hall is looking into the grants being carried over to next year with the grants governing body. Cllr Town is also going to obtain a quote to remove the rushes in the interim.

0206 – BUS SHELTER

The Clerk had given all details to Cllr Town regarding the possibility of moving or applying for a new bus shelter in Blackmore, by the Green. Cllr Town will speak with local residents this may affect for their views/comments. The Clerk will also speak with Adrian Summons, Essex County Council (ECC) regarding discussing this in greater detail with Cllr Town. We would welcome his inspection if possible.

OUTSTANDING ITEMS:

Clerk is organising a meeting with Cllr Town and Roger Hulse, BBC to discuss/inspect the following outstanding items in greater detail and to organise deadlines etc.

(0195) Drain clearance & Road sweeping

(0199) Cats Eyes

(0201) Yellow lines – Church Street (Tarmac area)

(0203) Hole – Church Street

(0205) Meadow Rise – grass seeding

(0207) Beehive Chase – pavement

(0208) Blacksmiths Alley – poor condition (refer photos sent)

(0209) Gunnells Corner – wheelchair access - still poor

(0211) Church Street – grate

0212 – DOG LITTER BIN – BLACKMORE GREEN

Cllr Keeble has made a request to the Environment Committee to consider transferring the dog bin from Walter Hobbs or Millennium Park to position somewhere on the Green. This has been put back on the agenda for consideration.

0213 – HEDGE TRIMMING – NINE ASHES ROAD

Height of hedge needs reducing. Clerk to organise with BBC.

HERALD MAGAZINE

0214. NEXT EDITION

Terry Smith advised that the magazine is running very well and that the next edition deadline is now the weekend of 4th October 2008. He also advised that Keith Ashton will no longer be advertising as they are moving office.

RECREATION COMMITTEE

A meeting of the Recreation Committee had taken place on 12th August and 9th September 2008 at 7pm at Tipps Cross Remembrance Hall.

ITEMS 0215 - 0217 were dealt with and minuted at the committee meetings as distributed by the Clerk and received by the Council prior to the meeting, with the following exceptions which were discussed at the Parish Council meeting :-

0217. WALTER HOBBS RECREATION FIELD

d) Replacement slide – Clerk advised receipt of payment from Insurance Company for £2446.00 in full settlement of the above. This can now be deleted from future agendas.

CLERK’S REPORT

0218. COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Planning	6.10.08	3.30pm	60 Orchard Piece
Recreation	7.10.08	7.00pm	Tipps Cross R. Hall
Environment	13.10.08	7.30pm	Crossehouse
Millennium Park	8.10.08	8pm	Blackmore V Hall
Tipps X Trustees	25.11.08	7.00pm	Tipps Cross R Hall
Tipps X Mgmnt	25.11.08	8.00pm	Tipps Cross R Hall
Parish Council mtg	16.10.08	7.30pm	Blackmore V Hall
Community Police	TBC

0219. FOOTPATH NO (19)

The Clerk had received a follow up from Laura Dunnell, BBC regarding the reported overgrown footpath, which we reported as footpath no.29, it should actually be no. 19. She advised she had already been made aware of the issue and she had surveyed it herself and sent a contractor for works to be carried out. The contractor is currently occupied with works which he had programmed in before this order was placed but as soon as his outstanding jobs were done, he would clear the footpath. To be monitored for completion.

0220. BLACKMORE BRING SITE

Cllr Henwood advised of a letter received from BBC regarding the recycling site at Blackmore Village Hall. John Daldry as President of Blackmore Village Hall had sent a letter to BBC raising concerns about the popularity of the Bring Site and the adverse impact it has on letting the hall. BBC had deferred to us for suggestions perhaps for an alternative location which Cllr Keeble will discuss with the Village Hall committee for ideas.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS – (for discussion only)

0221. TRIP HAZARD – OUTSIDE 35 MEADOW RISE

Clerk read out an email received from a Parishioner bringing to our attention the trip hazard resulting from damage to the pavement outside of 35 Meadow Rise following recent construction traffic. The Clerk had asked them if they knew who was responsible as without this it would be difficult to trace back. To be monitored.

0222. DOG LITTER – BLACKMORE MEAD AREA

Clerk advised of a telephone call from a Parishioner at 12 Blackmore Mead who has brought to our attention the problem with dog litter and the lack of a dog bin in this area. To be included on September’s agenda for discussion.

0223. LOOSE KERBSTONE – ORCHARD PIECE

Cllr Marr reported some loose kerbstones in Orchard Piece. Cllr Town will raise this at future meeting with Roger Hulse, BBC.

0224. LETTER OF THANKS

Cllr Henwood advised and read out a letter received from a Parishioner thanking us for the use of the wheelchairs we provide to the Parish which she found to be very useful.

0225. FLAG POLE

Cllr Town mentioned it might be a good idea to put up the flagpole in Blackmore village and consider buying a flag. To be included in September’s agenda.

0226. WAR MEMORIAL

Cllr Town advised that the wording on the war memorial is now undecipherable. Clerk to try and locate a company who can restore this and re-paint it.

0227. 2012 OLYMPICS

Cllr Keeble mentioned the idea of people or parishioners ‘hosting’ visitors attending the 2012 Olympics.

0228. CYCLE EVENT – 17 MAY 2009

Cllr Keeble mentioned the possibility of using Blackmore Village for the cycle event on 17 May 2009. He advised a letter will be coming to us in the post for future discussion.

0229. TREE INITIATIVES

The received Tree Initiatives application form received was passed to Cllr Keeble. He will apply for trees as and when needed.

There being no further business, the Meeting closed at 10:15pm.