PC Minutes 10th May 2011

WINSTRED HUNDRED PARISH COUNCIL

Peldon   Great Wigborough   Little Wigborough   Salcott   Virley

Draft minutes of the meeting of Winstred Hundred Parish Council held at Peldon Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10th May 2011.

Present: Lynne Simmons, Phil Gladwin, Jinny Gale, Jane Banks, Netty Knill-Jones, John Walker, Terry Sutton, Kevin Bentley and 3 members of the public

Apologies for absence: Charles Dymond, Nicky Ellis, Les Lapwood, Andrew Ellis

The Annual Parish Assembly

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited participation by all.

County Councillor, Kevin Bentley spoke of huge savings of around £300 million made by the County Council which was essential and predicted well in advance. £5.3 million was given to the County Council by the government for tackling the huge pothole problem which is being successfully implemented. It was with regret to hear that Norman Hume was stepping down from his position of Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transportation. He has proved to be a worthy holder of the position, always being helpful and willing to actually go out to see people when asked.

Kevin announced that he had been promoted into the cabinet for which we gave him our hearty and sincere congratulations.

Borough Councillor, Kevin Bentley expressed his congratulations to Andrew Ellis for winning the election so convincingly and we all joined in with that sentiment.

Abberton Reservoir works has not caused any major problems to date but more extensive works are to be carried out shortly.  There was disappointment over the parish council grants being cut by CBC and next year would probably be worse but very few district or borough councils in the country do actually give money to parish councils. The flooding summit meeting focusing on Salcott had proved difficult to organise as certain members of ECC Highways have left positions but we are assured that it will take place hopefully in the not too distant future.

Kevin said that he and Andrew enjoyed the good relationship that they have had with their parish councils and hoped that we could continue working well together.  We thanked them and returned the compliment.

Borough Councillor, Terry Sutton also offered his thanks and willingness to help us in anyway he could.

Parish Council AGM

Phil proposed, John seconded and all agreed for Jinny to carry on as Chairman for another year and thanks were expressed to her for her excellent job of chairing us through the last year.  Jinny proposed, Jane seconded and all agreed for Nicky to carry on as Vice-Chairman for the next year. Phil proposed, Jinny seconded and all agreed for Sue to carry on as Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer for the next year.

Minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed by the chairman

Chairman’s Report: Les and Netty, our two new members were welcomed again to the parish council. Thanks were given to the public for their input during the meetings and many more thanks will be given to people in a full chairman’s report that all the houses in our villages will be receiving soon.  Many tasks have been successfully accomplished this passed year including commenting on nearly 50 planning applications, a huge amount of work towards the Village Design Statement, an Affordable Housing Survey to establish our needs or requirements, flooding matters, dog fouling issues, many meetings with other bodies attended and much more.

Financial Report – finances for the year were explained and had been internally audited by Steve Copeland to whom we are very grateful for carrying out this task for us yet again. Phil proposed, Jinny seconded and all agreed to accept this financial report as a true and accurate account of our finances for this last year.  It was suggested and agreed that the fact that we are holding in our surplus funds a sum of nearly £2000 set aside for the completion of the Village Design Statement should have been included.  We are also holding funds of about £4600 on behalf of the Wigboroughs Village Hall project until it is possible to open an account for that purpose.

Declarations of Interest – None

  1. Church Cottage, Peldon – a discussion took place as to how much involvement the parish council should take in people’s planning ideas before submitting an application. The majority thought it was not the pc’s place to advice at this stage and that consulting a Borough Councillor or CBC Planning Department was the proper course of action.
  2. Specialist interest roles for individual Parish Councillors – between now and next month parish councillors are invited to list the roles they would or would not like to take on.
  3. Playground Maintenance – due to absence this will be reported on next month.
  4. Distribution of the Annual Report – options were discussed but cost and delivery contributed to the decision that was proposed by Jinny, seconded by Jane and all agreed for this to be the same as last year in a Gold Edition of the Peldon and Wigboroughs magazine that will include Salcott and Virley and be delivered to all the houses by various volunteers and including our sponsorship on the front cover. The extra cost of £100 to produce this bumper edition will be shared with the Five Parishes Show.
  5. Dog fouling on Moss Hay – following much surveillance and paint spraying work by certain parish councillors the main perpetrator of this offence has been tracked down and with a named witness coming forward CBC Animal Control will be writing to the offender with the view of taking further action if necessary.
  6. Affordable Housing – Moira Groborz, the Affordable Housing Enabler will be contacted in due course if we do not have an answer to our letter explaining our position on this matter following the completed survey.
  7. Salcott crossroads bus shelter alterations – contact and therefore delivery of the timber has proved difficult to date but will be addressed as soon as possible.
  8. Actions and Reminders – our list was updated

Planning:

110662 Proposal: Prior notification for installation of Schott solar panels on two central roof section of a pair of grain storage buildings at Newpots, Newpots Lane, Peldon

110482 Proposal: Change of use from C3 dwelling house to A2 offices at 2 Abbotts Hall Cottages, Maldon Road, Great Wigborough

110636 Proposal: Erection of 50cm freesat dish on chimney facing east, top to be less than 60cm above ridge of roof. Resubmission of 110185 at Sampton Wick, Peldon

110534 Proposal: Change of use of land to domestic equestrian use, construction of manege and retention of store building at 2 Sherwins Cottages, Abbots Wick Lane, Great Wigborough – amendment to plans, comments to CBC by 17th May 2011

Notice of Planning Decisions:

110058 Proposal: Erection of five houses with garages at Former Peldon Garage – Permission Granted subject to additional conditions

Finances:

101605 – R S Pullen – clerk’s fee for May                                                                £353.53

101606 – Peldon Village Hall – hire                                                                          £114.00

101607 – T Simmons – grass cuts x 2, play insp                                                       £110.00

The next meeting will be held at Salcott Village Hall on Tues 14th June 2011 at 7.30pm

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Homefinder

homefinder_schemeJoin Colchester Borough Council’s (CBC’s) Homefinder scheme today and you could secure a steady return on your property with no arrangement fee. CBC urgently need landlords for families waiting to be housed. Many of their customers want to rent in the private sector. This is a positive choice and CBC can help them, and you, sustain a positive tenancy.

Before CBC put any families forward for a private tenancy they check they are capable of sustaining a tenancy and make sure that this is the best option for them.

When you join Homefinder you can choose either:

  • a full property and tenancy management service which offers guaranteed rent, together with regular property checks and protection against tenant damage…. Call 01206 244700 OR
  • if you’d prefer to manage your property yourself, we can give you peace of mind with our free property checks and the first month’s rent and deposit paid directly to you…Call 01206 506513

Download the Homefinder leaflet by clicking here.

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PAWS – July Great Britain Report

paws-jul11-241 members and 18 visitors, in a wonderful creation of hats, attended our July “Great Britain Night” on the 26th July. We were welcomed with a glass of Pimms before being entertained by Singer Helen Abbey (pictured right) and Ted Beameant on the Piano with renditions from Summertime, Down at the Old Bull and Bush,  A Nightingale sang in  Berkeley Square and Roll out the Barrel to name but a few. Hopefully something for everyone.

paws-jul11-1Between the music sessions we had a lovely selection of sandwiches and cakes made once again by talented member of the committee. The best hat, as judged by Helen and Ted, went to Marianne Smith in her own creation as seen on the left. It was another lovely evening.

Our next get together will be on September 27th at 7.30pm and Linda Scoles will be telling us about “Around the World in 23 Years”. Membership is full but visitors are very welcome, at a cost of £3.50.

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Peldon Village Hall – annual report

Home made sausage rollsThe annual report and accounts of the Peldon Village Hall management committee are now online to review on the Peldon Village Hall webpage.  Reviewing the year the committee’s chairman, Keith Banks, considers the progress made towards building of a new Village Hall as well as the huge amount of work needed going forward to turn it into a reality.  He gives thanks to volunteers perhaps the most notable being 79-year-old Ethel Miller who, whilst standing down from the committee, still intends volunteering as a cleaner and regular provider of home made cheese straws and sausage rolls.  Yum!

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Colchester Customer Survey – be heard

cbc-survey-jul11Colchester Borough Council has launched a Customer Service Survey to understand why residents access Council Services in the way that they do. From 11th July the Council begun to gather customer feedback to ensure it is providing the right services at the right location. Customers visiting the Customer Service Centre, High Street will be asked to take the opportunity to have their say, by participating in the survey and shaping the future delivery of Council services. The Customer Service Survey asks:

  • Why customers prefer to visit their office rather than use the phone or email and
  • Where they have travelled from and what mode of travel they use when they come into town to visit CBC.
  • Whether they would prefer to access Council Services within their local community from locations such as library or Parish Council premises.

Cllr Beverley Oxford, Portfolio Holder for Customers, said: “The Council is committed to providing excellent customer service to residents and the business community, and wants to future proof its services so that we can ensure we are providing customer service in a format and location that meets our customers changing needs. “Residents’ views are very important in helping us to shape the future of Council services. Complete our customer survey and communicate your priorities and needs to the Council.”  

Customers can also complete the survey online at www.colchester.gov.uk/customersurvey until 2 September 2011. Following the 2 September we will collate and consider responses as part of the first stage of the Council’s customer services consultation. 

 

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Essex Police 101 & other updates

Essex Police Authority - bannerFrom July 1st, Essex Police becomes one of the first forces to switch to the new, national, police non-emergency 101 telephone number (replacing 0300 333 4444).  You can use this number if you need to contact Essex Police about any non-emergency crime issue, to contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, to seek crime prevention or personal safety advice, contact your nearest police station or to speak to us about any other non-emergency issue.

Please be assured that the emergency 999 number remains. unchanged and should continue be used if you have an emergency

Essex Police is currently undergoing a major change programme in order to save money, whilst continuing to provide a first class service to the public, and has already begun to make positive changes. The views of those who visit, live or work in Essex are extremely important to Essex Police and Essex Police Authority to enable them to take this programme forward and they would therefore be grateful if you could take a couple of minutes to answer the questions in their public on-line survey.  To do this, please go to www.essex.police.uk/authority and click on the Reform Survey link which will take you into the survey, or go directly to www.surveymonkey.com/s/7GSFLG5. This public survey is open to everyone and they are committed to seeking the views of as many people across Essex as they can and hope representation will be wide and varied. So, if you know of someone who you think might be interested in having their say and making a difference in their community, could you please take a moment to pass these details on to them and ask them to do the same with their contacts?

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PAWS – July Search & Rescue Report

matt-cloke

37 members and 4 visitors attended our June meeting when Matt Cloke, Chairman of Essex Search and Rescue, came along to tell us all about this worthwhile charity. He explained that it was run by a highly trained and experienced group of volunteers who came from all sorts of backgrounds and work alongside the police to help search for high risk and vulnerable people that go missing in Essex and the surrounding area.   We were surprised to hear that every year this is some 5,000-6,000 people.  They receive no public funding but manage on donations, street collections, grants and the lottery.  Their most recent involvement was with the Steven Reis case in June this year, a local Rowhedge man, which involved 500 man hours over 6 days covering some 375 acres of land but resulting tragically in his body being found by a member of the public.  Matt was very obviously passionate about his work and was very interesting to listen to.

Our next meeting is at 7.30pm on July 26th when we will be having our annual Social Night. This year’s theme is “Great Britain Evening” and we will be having music and singing provided by Helen Abbey and her accompaniment and suitable refreshments.  There will also be a prize for the best hat!  Membership is full but visitors are very Welcome, at a cost of £5.00 for July’s evening, by contacting any of the following committee members.

If you would like any further information about P.A.W.S. please ring any of us on any of the following numbers. Alice 01206 735510, Jane 01206 735004, Julia 01206 735053 or Sue 01206 735212.

 

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The 79th 5 Parishes Show 2011

79th-5-parishes
Sponsored by es-water
Sunday, 7th August 11.00 a.m -5.00 p.m
THE FINGRINGHOE RANGES
(By kind permission of the Commander Defence Training Estate East)
Attractions include:
  • 5-parishes-iconsMedieval Combat Display team
  • Tall Guy (Country & Western)
  • Colchester Birds of Prey
  • Suffolk Kite Flyers
  • Colchester Model Flying Club
  • Tendring Dog Agility Display Team
  • Annie’s Fantasies
  • Suffolk Punches
  • Carriage Display
  • East Anglian Fighting Vehicles
  • Colchester History Alive
  • Horse Show
  • Exemption Dog Show
  • Go Karts
  • Mega Slide
  • Archery
  • Licensed Bar
  • Lazer Shooting
  • Horticultural Marquee (Entries on Saturday, 6th August)
  • Food Stalls
  • Over 60 Stalls and Side Shows

 

5-parishes-mapMain show schedules available as PDF download (print 2-sided on A4 to make A5 booklet) or from:
  • Sally Abbott –Tel : 01206 735931
Horse show schedules from: 
  • Linda May –Tel: 01206 735552

Dog show contact

  • Jinny Gale – 01206 735846

rhs

FREE CAR PARKING
ENTRANCE £5.00 CONCESSIONS £4.00 CHILDREN £1.00

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PAWS – June Waifs & Strays Report

jane_maylon46 members and 6 visitors attended our May meeting when Jane Maylon (right in the photo) told us all about “Adopting an Attitude”.  It was a most intriguing title and most of us had guessed incorrectly when Jane proceeded to tell us all about her Adoption in the mid 50’s, at the tender age of just 6 weeks from the “Waifs and Strays” now known as “The Childrens Society.”  She talked about the change in attitude to adoption relaying many amusing stories along the way.  She also told us how she had tracked down her birth Mother in Canada, and having written to her for several years, finally meeting her.  It was a very uplifting experience and Jane was a delight to listen to.

Our next meeting is at 7.30pm on June 28th when Matt Cloke will tell us all about “Search and Rescue.”  We will also be having a silent auction of new and nearly new items.  Membership again is full but visitors are very welcome at a cost of £3.50.

 

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