WINSTRED HUNDRED PARISH COUNCIL

Peldon   Great Wigborough   Little Wigborough   Salcott   Virley

Draft minutes of the meeting of Winstred Hundred Parish Council held at Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 9th September 2014

Present: John Walker, Nicky Ellis, Lynne Simmons, Phil Gladwin, Charles Dymond (chair), Jinny Gale, Netty Knill-Jones, Bob Holmes, Rob Surface, Andrew Ellis, Laura Chase CBC Planning Policy Officer, and 3 members of the public

Apologies for absence: Kevin Bentley

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

Police and Zone Warden Reports – None received

Borough and County Councillors: Highways issues at Salcott are being addressed. There was a request that signage for the recently closed Birch Tearoom should be taken down which will be followed up.

Public-Have Your Say: None

Declarations of Interest: Lynne for item 3.

1.   Reviewing Colchester Borough Council Local Plan – Laura Chase gave us a very informative and useful presentation and questions were answered. There will be various stages in developing the CBC Local Plan which will be adopted in 2017. Our Village Design Statement and Parish Plan will be reviewed as we had planned but construction of the new Neighbourhood Plan is not considered to be appropriate for us as this is a document to complete when substantial development is required.

2.   Playgrounds and Playing Fields – Salcott is in good order and the playground perimeter fence has been repaired and painted. Peldon is receiving attention with the rubber chippings being placed in the playground in a couple of weeks when equipment and manpower will be available including a work-party yet to be appointed.  Wire to prevent birds landing above the swings is being erected and signage for the new pieces of equipment on the field are being made and will be erected including a plaque from Cory Environmental Trust who has given us a substantial grant for this equipment. More hedge trimming is to take place on Moss Hay when a date can be arranged with the volunteer group.  

3.   Salcott Telephone Box – Following more discussions it was agreed to make further enquiries about lighting and insurance but keeping an open mind as to our final decision as to the future of the box. 

4.   Email Protocol – It was agreed to add to our email protocol list of dos and don’ts that the emails requiring an answer should be done so within 48 hours, with holidays or illness etc. taken into account.  

5.   Salcott Trees – Phil proposed, Nicky seconded and all agreed for the lowest of three quotes to be accepted for trimming the trees alongside the playground and adjacent property.  All three professional contractors gave a verbal opinion that the Chestnut trees along the road edge did not need immediate attention at this time but of course they will be monitored periodically. 

6.   Abberton Reservoir Community Fund, Rights of Way Meeting – a prepared map, etc for the footpath was distributed to all and Phil proposed, Charles seconded and all agree to adopt John’s carefully considered plans. The parish council gave Phil a mandate to take to the Community Fund meeting to agree that the remaining funds are allocated to Layer de la Haye Church for improvements and that any money not spent at the at the end of the given time should be allocated to the church up to the amount they have requested.

7.   CALC Meeting – was not attended but the minutes will be received and circulated shortly.

8.   Broadband Update – Salcott launch event has been put on hold and further coverage for parts of our villages is still to be developed.

9.   Actions and Reminders List – update and to include that the Peldon noticeboard catches are made easier to open.

The next meeting will be on Tues 14^th Oct 2014 at 7.30pm at Peldon Village Hall