Held at Salcott Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 8th May 2012.
Present: Netty Knill-Jones, John Walker, Lynne Simmons, Phil Gladwin, Jinny Gale, Nicky Ellis, Jane Banks, Charles Dymond, Kevin Bentley, I Police Officer, Carys Handley (CBC Zone Warden), and 2 members of the public.
Apologies for absence: Andrew Ellis
The Annual Parish Assembly
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
County Councillor: Kevin Bentley explained that County Hall has, in line with government policy, cut spending significantly but that further cuts were necessary. Their aim is not to cut services but reduce wherever possible. They plan for commissioning and out-sourcing of certain services and staff will be trained to implement this efficiently. ECC has some 18,000 miles of roads to look after, so this alone is a huge task.
Borough Councillor: Kevin reported that pot holes on our roads are being dealt with systematically but that the recent very dry weather and now this very wet weather has made repaired pot holes bad again and new ones appear rapidly. A more efficient job is being carried out with usually just one visit from someone who will actually do the repair and then and by sealing around the edges of a repair.
There is still outstanding work to be carried out by a land owner in Salcott to improve flooding there although this recent bout of rain caused floods all across the county. The pipe work fitted in the last few years at Salcott crossroads appeared not to cope very well and will be reported back.
Road signage that has been missing for some time is on the list of out standing work and will be done eventually but priority is always given to emergency work.
A request from a resident for better signage to inform of Salcott Street being a dead-end will be looked into.
A grant source was suggested for repair work needed to the basket ball pad on Moss Hay at Peldon. This will be followed up.
The salt box in St Stephen’s Lane will be looked into for adding to the refill list.
Police: No crimes of late reported. During the year there have been some burglaries from homes, outbuildings and cars. Speed guns have been used on our roads and this will continue from time to time.
CBC Zone Warden: Carys explained the role and aims of the team who cover problems such as litter, graffiti, dog fouling and any other anti-social matter. They are always out and about and work closely with other bodies such as schools and the police. They will tackle and try their best to resolve any issues. We have asked for help with certain parking problems we have at present. The mobile number to reach them is 07507 665866.
Minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed by the chairman
Parish Council AGM
Phil proposed, Jinny seconded and all agreed for Nicky to take over as Chairman for the next two years. John proposed, Nicky seconded and all agreed for Jane to be Vice-Chairman for the next two years. Jinny proposed, Nicky seconded and all agreed for Sue to be the Financial and Responsible Officer again. We have a vacancy for a parish councillor for the ward of Virley (anyone living within 3 miles of Virley can apply) contact the clerk if interested on 01206 735367.
Nicky expressed enormous thanks to Jinny for her huge contribution to the parish council in many ways. Jinny has proved to be a fair and dedicated leader, offering constant support whenever needed or requested and has moved the parish council forward with its performance. Everyone agreed totally with a round of applause.
Chairman’s Report – the main points were read out and the full version will be in the Gold Edition of the magazine that will go to every door in our villages as in previous years.
Financial Report was also mentioned in brief as the internal auditor was still in the process of completing the work. The full financial accounts will be in the Gold Edition.
Public-Have Your Say: The bus stop for the Visitor Centre on the new stretch of road alongside the reservoir was thought to be in a very dangerous position. This will be brought up at the next Reservoir Liaison Meeting.
Declarations of Interest: Nicky for planning application 120749 at Sampton Wick.
1. Playgrounds annual inspection report was discussed and considered to contain a couple of discrepancies in it that will be investigated. Any outstanding jobs will be addressed. James Faulkner from Peldon has very kindly offered to take a trailer to Salcott for Terry to fill with the old bark which he will then bring back to Peldon for Moss Hay play area. Charles has made a temporary repair to the Basket ball pad at Moss Hay. Specification and quotes will be sort for a proper repair job to be done when the weather is much drier.
2. Gold Edition Magazine is going to plan for the July edition and the cover will be much the same as last year.
3. Abbotts Hall/Essex Wildlife Trust – new meeting room will be finished within the year and it was thought that we would hold parish council meetings there in rotation with Peldon and Salcott village halls depending on cost and availability.
4. Broadband update – permission for an aerial on Peldon Church tower has been given by the PCC. A team of enthusiasts will be formed in preparation of rolling this important project out and also liaise with Abberton and Langenhoe. County Broadband will pay for social aspects and promotion. CBC will look after things for 5 years with agreement from Sue Jackson and then pass over to us. It was requested that all monies connected with this will be kept separately from parish council funds.
5. Churchyards Donations – Phil proposed, Jinny seconded and all agreed to donate the same amount as usual to the 4 churchyards but to write saying that unfortunately, due to the withdrawal of the grant from CBC, we may not be able to give the same level of funding next year.
6. Salcott Jubilee Celebrations – on the matter of their request for a donation it was agreed to write saying that unfortunately, due to rising expenses and with keeping the same level of services, and also not increasing our precept this year, we feel that we are sadly not in a position to donate to this event.
7. Actions and Reminders List – updated
Planning Applications:
120749 Proposal: Certificate of Lawfulness for existing use of outbuilding as residential and alterations at Sampson Wick, Wigborough Road, Peldon
Appeal Decision:
APP/A1530/D/12/2170062 – The appeal against the decision of Colchester Borough Council to refuse this application is dismissed.
Ref: 111662 Proposal: Extension to dwelling to provide additional accommodation at Fourways, Barnhall Road, Salcott
Finances:
| 101659 – R S Pullen – clerk’s fee for May | £353.53 |
| 101660 – Anglia Inspection Services Ltd | £192.00 |
| 101661 – T. Simmons – play insp | £30.00 |
| 101662 – Dawn Harris – VDS expenses | £370.00 |
| 101663 – A E Simmons Ltd. – printing, etc. VDS | £1,534.00 |
The next meeting will be on Tues 12th June 2012 at 7.30pm at Peldon Village Hall
With a Jubilee slant this year’s Peldon Festival runs from 1st to 3rd June with a range of entertainments and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Starting Friday evening with The Shantymen from Mersea entertaining in the Peldon Plough the Festival moves on to a traditional Fayre on Saturday. The Fayre provides a range of fun activities as well as refreshments a beer tent and Jubilee cream teas. More Jubilee cream teas on the Sunday as Gardens are opened for viewing around the village with the festival rounding off Sunday evening with The Medlars and No Strings Attached performing in the Church.
With vocal support from members of Quire (The Colchester World Music Community Choir), Bill Tamblyn celebrates the work of local music historian, Chris Turner, revealing the wealth of music sung in West Galleries in our area from the 18th century onwards.
Working under a Parish Council initative together with the manufacturer, 
