- Present
- Cllrs C. Hamilton (Chair), D. Botterell, L. Fitzpatrick, T. Spong, K. Millar and K. Green. Also in attendance were 5 members of the public (MOP) and Cllr Dan Land (ECC)
Apologies
- Apologies received from Cllr. Beady and Cllr. Cauvain. Cllr. Hamilton proposed and Cllr. Botterell seconded and it was RESOLVED to accept the apologies.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
- The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19th January 2026 were proposed by Cllr Botterell, seconded by Cllr Spong and it was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19th January 2026 as an accurate record of proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
- Cllrs Green and Spong declared an interest in item 11/26.9
Clerk’s Report
The Clerk presented the previously circulated report attached as Appendix A. All Councillors confirmed they had read the report and there were no questions.
Public Participation
2 Members of the Public standing for Co-Option presented for 3 minutes each.
Co-Option of New Councillor
Councillors voted and Cllr Hamilton proposed and Cllr Botterell seconded and it was RESOLVED for Peter Gould to join the Council. He signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and joined the Council at the table. ACTION: Clerk to provide information to new Councillor.
Reports
ECC Cllr. Land
- Essex Elections will go ahead in May
- Been made Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways for the whole of Essex
- £6 million extra money for Highways in Essex
- Potholes on approach to Weeley on A133 to be fixed when road is resurfaced in Spring
- Gutteridge Hall Lane ongoing and is doing what he can.
- Railings fixed by the school
- Clerk to speak to Dan re Speed Signs
Barleyfields Lighting
Cllr. Hamilton presented all the information from Rose Builders and the Council decided to request Rose to switch off our 3 street lights but not remove them. ACTION: Clerk to inform Rose and ask if they would be willing to remove the posts / lights once the new lighting is established and working successfully.
Reed Pond Quotations
Cllrs. Green and Spong left the room. The Council discussed the quotes and Cllr Botterell proposed and Cllr Hamilton seconded and it was RESOLVED to accept Quote 2. Any money left over from the donation will be used to improve the immediate area. ACTION – Clerk to notify all quotes of result.
Bins
Councillors agreed to move bins from Village Hall to replace the Petanque and Basketball ones. ACTION: Clerk to get a quote to move bins.
Asset Register
All Councillors have approved the new Asset Register just needs information from Cllr Botterell to complete and then be adopted. ACTION: Cllr Botterell to provide detail and then add to next Agenda.
Social Media Policy
All Councillors had read and reviewed the previously circulated policy and Cllr Hamilton proposed and Cllr Millar seconded and it was RESOLVED to adopt the Social Media policy with indicated changes. ACTION: Clerk to publish policy on website.
Memorial Seats Policy
Councillors discussed the policy and it was agreed to completely rewrite it to fit the current situation. ACTION: Clerk to rewrite the policy.
Playground Reports
Cllrs had reviewed the report. Issues with Petanque fencing still to be resolved. ACTION: Cllr Green to contact Alpine directly.
Fingerpost (Crow Lane)
Cllr Hamilton will clean the fingerposts. The wood is starting to rot. Possibly place a new sign there. Awaiting information from TDC. ACTION: Clerk to follow up.
Correspondence
The Clerk read out all correspondence as follows:
- Noted Consultation on Preferred Options, Tendring District Local Plan Review. The consultation period runs from Monday 9th February until Monday 23rd March 2026
Planning Applications
Councillors considered the applications listed in Appendix B and determined as shown.
Finance and Budget
The list of monthly payments was proposed by Cllr. Botterell and Cllr. Spong seconded and it was RESOLVED to approve the list of payments set out in Appendix C.
Weeley Parish Council Reports
- Street Lighting: Nothing to report
- Tree Warden: All new trees now planted with one to be moved location.
- Playing Field: See agenda item 11.26/14
- Children’s Play Area: See agenda item 11/26.14.
- Highways: Clerk presented Cllr Beady’s report which is published on the Council’s website.
- Footpaths: Footpath 11 is overgrown and has been reported to Highways.
- Transport (including Tendring Transport Meeting if held): see appendix D
- TDALC: Cllr Botterell was unavailable for the last meeting.
Other Reports
- Rural Policing: Cllr Hamilton reported 14 crimes in December.
- Speedwatch: Clerk presented Cllr. Beady’s report which is published on the Council’s website.
- Weeley Residents Ass: presented their report which is available on the Council’s website.
- Weeley in Bloom (WiB): presented their report which is available on the Council’s website.
- Petanque Rink: nothing to report
Public Participation
- No further questions
Items to be Added to the Next Agenda
- Asset Register
The Chair closed the meeting at 20.58pm
Date of Next Meeting will be: Monday 16th March at 7.30pm at Weeley Village Hall
Appendix A
Weeley Parish Council Clerks Report – 16th February 2026
| Topic | Action/issue | Information | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeley bypass | Determine options for the avenue of poplars | The Clerk has agreed to contact ECC Place Services to chase for a firm proposal including numbers and species of trees to plant. | Email received from ECC Place Services with suggestions. Postponing until March meeting as December meeting is very busy currently. Sourcing costs for 2 different colour Acer Trees to plant in Autumn 13/10 – On October agenda 17/11 – Postponed by Cllr Green until December 15/12 – Cllr Green to purchase trees under £7000 budget 10/2/26 – Trees purchased and planted |
| Reed Pond | Initiate Management Plan |
|
Lifebuoy now moved and flagpole erected. Flag purchased for St George’s Day. Reed Pond to be discussed at July Meeting Speaking to Kevin Green re work on the pond / Getting 3 quotes for next meeting 13/10 – Have second quote now but will move to later agenda as work will not start until next Spring now. Anonymous donation of £5000 received 10/2/26 – On Feb Agenda |
| Investigate new Playground Equipment | Research | Contacted Kompan regarding a larger slide and they will site visit and give us estimates | Will seek further quotes, but, no rush on this item. 16/7 – Possible use of funds for paths and surfacing 29/7 – to get quotes for surfacing 10/9 – One quote for surfacing received but waiting on Playdale visit and ROSPA report 13/10 – Report received deciding on next steps |
| Quarterly Bank Reconciliations | Adopt this policy to reconcile quarterly | To be signed by a Cllr who is not the Chair or signatory. | 29/7 – Bank reconciliation have a £40 discrepancy so working on this to reconcile. 11/8 – Completed by Cllr Millar and reconciled 20/10 – 2nd Quarter to be done 11/11 – Clerk and Cllr Millar currently working on this |
| Playground Inspections | No evidence of inspections undertaken despite them happening | Clerk will investigate software to help with this as long as the relevant Cllrs agree and cost agreed | Software setup. Now need to show councillors how to use. Will arrange meeting with James Dunne of PSS Arranging meeting with new rep. 10/9 – Arranged for ROSPA to do a 6 monthly inspection 13/10 – ROSPA report received all assets now added and Cllr Millar trained. Bi-weekly inspections due to start 15/12 – Playground Inspections now added to agenda |
| Asset Register | Review Asset Register | Noted that Asset Register should be reviewed for obsolete items and to update actual replacements costs rather than book cost. Suggested that a limit is set for assets to be added (i.e £200 if this is the excess) | Cllr Fitzpatrick will assist the clerk with this activity. Clerk to liaise with Cllr Fitzpatrick and define this. No progress. Possibly use Playground software if adopted to load assets 8/12 – Updating and consolidating 15/2 – On Feb Agenda |
| Cloud Storage | Find Cloud Storage for Council documents | Currently the Laptop is backed up to a memory card. As part of our risk assessment we should also back everything up to the cloud. This should enable document sharing. | 4/9 – Renewed Microsoft subscription which gives 1gb of storage for each of the 6 available accounts. I will begin to look at uploading most recent docs and making accessible to all. 13/11 – No progress |
| Playground Surfacing | Possible upgrade of surfacing in Over 8’s play area | Playground Surface is already coming up and therefore we may wish to use S106 monies to improve the surface. | 5/9 – One quote received. Speaking to Playdale and possibly put in a complaint to the API. 13/11 – No progress 15/2 – researching quotes |
| Precept | Submit request for precept to TDC | Council agreed precept needs to be sent to TDC for approval and then payment in 2026-27 | 15/12 – Budget and precept agreed. Sent to TDC and now awaiting reply |
| Councillor Vacancy | Death of serving Councillor | Contact TDC Election Department and publish notices. If no election called then co-opt a new Councillor | 6/1/26 – Notices published on 29/12/25. Election period finishes on 20/1/26. If no election called then co-option at February meeting. I have had 3 interested parties so far and will inform them of the process. 22/1/26 – Vacancy notice of co-option published. Will remain open until 5th Feb. Details to be passed to Councillors and applicants invited to next meeting. 15/2 – To be co-opted at Feb meeting |
| TPOs | Keep a list of all trees in the area with TPOs | Using TDC and Richard Ransom records collate a list of all trees within Weeley that have current TPOs listed | 6/1/26 – process started |
| Weeley Parish Map | Create and publish a map showing Weeley boundaries | Map to show the outer boundaries of Weeley Paris | 12/1/26 – Map created and published |
| Assertion 10 | New portion added to the AGAR for 2026 | To learn about Assertion 10 and ensure Weeley is compliant | 15/2 – Report run against Website and to be studied. Already have gov.uk accounts |
| Kennels 2nd Avenue / Willow Park | Resident asked about planning etc | To investigate and advice MOP if possible | 22/1/26 – Advised MOP on process to follow if this is a noise nuisance or a Commercial property on a residential site. |
| 9.25/5 | Finger Psot at Crow Lane | Is this listed or should it be listed. Can we just clean it or replace it. Who owns it | 22/1/26 – Clerk emailed highways Essex to clarify who owns the finger post and TDC to see if it is on a Local Heritage List |
| 9.25/6 | Flashing Speed Signs | Possibility of installing some of these in Weeley | 22/1/26 – Clerk emailed Cllr D Land to discuss |
| 10/26.8 | Plaque request from WIB | Weeley in Bloom would like to place a plaque on the bench by the Fire Station in honour of a member who used to maintain this area | 19/1 – Council voted to allow plaque 22/1 – Clerk notified WiB of permission |
| 10/26.10 | Civility and Respect Pledge | All Councillors to repledge | 19/1 – Councillors all repledged to follow Civility and Respect pledge 22/1 – Latest version published on website |
| 10/26.10 | Co-Option Policy | Co-option policy to be written and published by Council | 1/1/26 – Clerk created new co-option policy for Council to follow 19/1/26 – Policy Adopted by Council 22/1/26 – Clerk published policy on Website and added to policy review list |
| 10/26.11 | Playground Issues | Use Playground Reports to fix issues in playground | 19/1/26 – Council discussed issues. Clerk to contact Alpine re Petanque fence and Playdale re caps. Cllrs Green and Millar to fix anything else. 15/2 – Clerk written to Alpine but no reply. Cllr Green fitted relevant caps |
| 10/26.13 | Local Plan Meeting | To publish information and updates re local plan to village | 19/1/26 – Meeting to be publicised on Website and Social Media by clerk. 22/1/26- Clerk published on website and socials 15/2 – Published updated details |
| Tree Down | Tree Down at Queen’s Corner | WiB let me know that a tree had fallen onto a fence at Queen’s Corner | 2/2/26 – Asked Cllr Green to have a look and let me know what needs to be done |
Appendix B
Planning Applications for month to 16th February 2026
| Date of Notification | Application No. | Details | Address | Resolution / Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/1/26 | 26/00052/FUL | Planning Application - Change of use from integral garage (C3) to dog grooming salon (Sui Generis). | 68 Second Avenue Weeley Clacton On Sea Essex | No Objections |
| 10/2/26 | 26/00153/FULHH | Householder Planning Application - Rear parallel range extension. Demolition of non-original bathroom outshot/catslide extension to create a low-level Ground Floor connection. Replacement of non-original windows with heritage style double glazed timber alternatives. Internal alterations include erection of a new partition to form a bathroom on the first floor. One and a half storey extension to include gable walls, timber framed sliding doors, 2 dormer windows. | Dale Brow Thorpe Road Weeley Clacton On Sea | Raise a question as to why this is not Listed Building Consent |
Appendix C
Payments for Authorisation: February 2026
| Invoice Date | Invoice No. | Account | Payee | Service | NET (£) | VAT (£) | GROSS (£) | VAT No | Setup Pyt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28/01/2026 | INV-0338 | Unity Current | Suffolk Cloud | Hosting and Support 1/2/26- 31/1/27 | £120.00 | £0.00 | £120.00 | Y | |
| 05/02/2026 | 10009054909 | Barclays (DD) | Castle Water | Reed Pond Water | £7.59 | £0.00 | £7.59 | N(DD) | |
| 11/02/2026 | 475PW001754812609 | Unity Current | HMRC | Nat Ins Q3 and Interest | £218.55 | £0.00 | £218.55 | Y (Paid) | |
| 12/02/2026 | INV-0356 | Unity Current | Suffolk Cloud | Assertion 10 Audit | £70.00 | £0.00 | £70.00 | Y | |
| 13/02/2026 | INV-1003 | Unity Current | Goldacre Contracting | Hedge Cutting | £550.00 | £110.00 | £660.00 | 366952259 | Y |
| 17/02/2026 | Unity Current | Steve Gunter | Clerk February Salary | £872.49 | £0.00 | £872.49 | Y | ||
| 17/02/2026 | Unity Current | Steve Gunter | Clerks Expenses | £16.70 | £0.00 | £16.70 | Y | ||
| 17/02/2026 | Unity Current | Steve Gunter | Canon Ink February | £3.32 | £0.67 | £3.99 | GB398669467 | Y | |
| 17/02/2026 | Unity Current | Essex Pension Fund | Clerk Pension (February) | £275.24 | £0.00 | £275.24 | Y | ||
| 21/02/2026 | IVO4064828 | Barclays (DD) | SSE Energy | Street Lighting (January) | £310.64 | £15.53 | £326.17 | 553769603 | N(DD) |
| 28/02/2026 | Unity Current (DD) | Unity Bank | Feb Monthly Bank Charge | £6.00 | £0.00 | £6.00 | N(DD) |
Total in Bank £110,245.78
Less Jan Pyts £2,358.18
Total £107,887.60
Appendix D
Transport Update
Local Bus consultation 2025 final outcome - No 2 bus route- comments received included / “Crow Lane Tendring is not suitable for the route” / “It is proposed that the bus called at Thorpe Le Soken on its way from Weeley” - ECC considered the current route to best meet terms of policy
Changes to bus timetable from 22nd Feb 2026
Buses will now run later throughout the week some examples are
- Route 2 from Clacton Pier Avenue to Weeley will have a service at 19.55 and 22.15 from Monday to Saturday previously the last bus was 18.01
- Route 76 from Clacton Pier Avenue to Weeley will have a service at 20.45 and 21.45 from Monday to Saturday previously the last bus was 18.53
- Route 76 from Clacton Pier Avenue to Weeley will have a service at 19.30 and 21.30 on a Sunday previously the last bus was 20.00
- Route 76 from Weeley to Clacton will have a service at 22.25 and 23.25 on a Monday to Saturday previously the last bus was 20.17
- Route 76 from Weeley to Clacton will have a service at 21.06 and 23.06 on a Sunday previously the last bus was 20.17
Improving Buses in Essex There is a survey through travelessex running until the 2nd of March asking what stops retired people and disabled people using their passes on the buses between 9am and