- Present
- Cllrs M. Brown (Chair), T. Spong, J. Beady, L. Fitzpatrick, D. Botterell, K. Green and G. Foster. Also in attendance were TDC Cllr P. Harris, ECC Cllr D. Land, K Harkin Parish Clerk and 11 members of the public.
Apologies
Cllr C. Hamilton.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2023 were proposed by Cllr Botterell, seconded by Cllr Green and agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
The Chair asked members if they had any declarations of interest. Cllrs Brown and Beady both declared an interest in agenda item 03/23.008.
Clerk’s Report
The Clerk presented his previously circulated report, which is attached as Appendix A. He agreed to endeavour to publicise the Coronation Party in the Park event being held on the Playing Field on Monday 8 May 2023 from 1–4pm.
Public Participation
No questions or issues raised.
Tendring District and Essex County Councils
TDC Cllr P. Harris: reported that an appeal has been lodged regarding planning application 22/01862/FUL for the proposed change of use of land for the creation of 1 no. Gypsy/Traveller Pitches for the land adjacent to Heathfield on Clacton Road Weeley Heath.
Cllr Harris proposes to donate £100 each to Weeley PC and Tendring PC to assist to fund Coronation celebrations. He asked if this funding could be shared with Weeley in Bloom. He finished by reminding voters to remember to take suitable photo ID when going to vote at the local elections on 4 May 2023.
ECC Cllr D. Land: reported that the commotion regarding the potholes in Colchester Road continues. The recent temporary repairs made have not resolved the situation. The good news is the ECC has made additional resources available this year. The speed surveys planned for Weeley have been put on hold at the moment.
Correspondence
The Clerk reported that there had been no correspondence of significance during the last month. Any relevant correspondence had been circulated to councillors.
Annual Grants
An application has been received for £500 from Weeley in Bloom (WiB) to help to fund work in the village to cut back brambles, litter clearance and to purchase plants and shrubs. Cllr Botterell proposed, Cllr Spong seconded and it was RESOLVED: To grant WiB a £500 grant to help with the costs of the aforementioned activities.
Parish Map
The Clerk outlined a proposal to commission a parish map showing the walks/footpaths, places of interest and symbols for local services and amenities. He noted that the cost is variable and likely to cost up to £1,000. After some debate, the Clerk was requested to obtain a firm quotation based on a small number of printed maps and rely on digital circulation. He was asked to ascertain whether it’s possible to include advertising by local businesses on the map to contribute towards the cost.
Bus Shelter
The Clerk reported that the results of the asbestos survey show that there is no asbestos in the fabric of the roof. As the roof is in good maintenance order, councillors agreed that no further action is necessary.
Planning Applications
The planning applications set out in Appendix B were considered and determined as shown.
Finance and Budget
The monthly list of payments as set out in Appendix C were proposed by Cllr Spong, seconded by Cllr Beady and RESOLVED: To authorise payment.
Weeley Parish Council Reports
- Street Lighting: One streetlight out on Clacton Road, opposite the Fire Station.
- Tree Warden: Cllr Green reported that the tree work in The Spinney has been delayed until planning approval is obtained.
- Playing Field: The Clerk reported that the contractor has agreed to fill the sunken drainage lines on the football pitch as soon as the weather allows.
- Children’s Play Area: Cllr Green agreed to assist Cllr Brown with the Children’s Play Area weekly inspections in future as necessary.
Other Reports
- Highways and Footpaths: Cllr Beady read out her report, which is attached as Appendix D.
- TDALC: meetings continue to be held on zoom. There was an interesting presentation by Lt Clacton’s Special Constable at the last meeting.
- Rural Policing: The Police.uk website has amended how it shows its crime map. The most recent statistics indicate that there were just 4 crimes reported in Weeley in February 2023.
- Speedwatch: Cllr Beady read out her report, which is attached as Appendix E.
- Weeley Residents Ass: Mrs D. Miles presented a report, which is attached as Appendix F.
- Weeley in Bloom (WiB): The WiB report was presented by Julia Hopgood.
- Petanque Rink: Mrs Holt read out her report, which is attached as Appendix G.
Public Participation
- The issue of the sewerage issue at Verity Gardens was raised. A heartfelt plea was made for the authorities to find a resolution on behalf of the residents who are suffering.
- An update about the Community Rail Project was provided together with a request for WPC to donate £50 of the £100 being provided by TDC Cllr Harris to go towards the cost of with buying bunting etc to decorate the village for the coronation. (agenda item 006 refers). This was agreed.
Meeting closed at 8.25pm
Clerk's Report – 17 April 2023
| Topic | Action/issue | Who | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Children’s Play Area | Place order. | KPH | TDC has notified that it will not take a decision on WPC’s S106 funding application to fund this initiative until after the local elections in May as we are now in the pre-election period (previously known as ‘purdah’). Therefore, without sufficient funding in place no further progress on this project can be made. |
| Emergency Plan | Annual update. | Cllr H | Cllr Hamilton is in the process of making amendments as suggested. |
| Litter Bins | Reassessment of provision. | KPH | Completed survey with new bin proposals to be forwarded to TDC for consideration. |
| Scout Hut | Prepare a new lease. | KPH | A copy of the recently expired lease has been located and forwarded to Thompson Smith & Puxon Solicitors for consideration in preparing the new lease. |
| Weeley bypass | Determine options for the avenue of poplars | Awaiting ECC Place Services proposal for how many and what species trees to plant. | |
| Bus Shelters on Clacton Rd | 1. Replace roof 2. Repair board |
KPH | 1. The result of the survey showed that there is no asbestos in the roof. 2. Awaiting delivery of the materials. |
| Traffic Calming | Source a supplier for 30 mph speed limit sticky signs for use on residents wheely bins | KPH | Outstanding. |
1. TDC has advised that 10 nominations have been received for 9 council seats in Weeley PC. Therefore, an election will be held on 5 May 2023.
2. TDC has notified that it has decided to pay WPC an LCTS grant payment in 2023/24 of £842. This is equivalent to the sum paid last year with a 10.2% uplift.
3. The defibrillator at the Village Hall has had new pads and batteries fitted, which will hopefully keep it operational for the next four years.
4. The Council has received an annual VAT reclaim from HMRC of £4,332.53.
5. The Council’s GM contractor has completed the first round of grass cutting of the season.
Planning Applications for Month to 17 April 2023
| Application No. | Details | Address | Resolved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23/00387/FULHH | Proposed new double storey side and rear extension with new dual pitch roof and flat roof. | Glengarry Clacton Road Weeley | No objection or comment. |
| 23/00289/VOC | Application under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act, to allow a variation of condition 6 of 19/01420/FUL to allow change to opening times. | Homestead Lake Country Park Thorpe Road Weeley | No objection or comment. |
Payments for Authorisation: April 2023
| Invoice Date | Invoice No. | Cheque No. | Payee | Service | NET £ | VAT £ | GROSS £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28/04/23 | Yet to receive | DD | Castle Water | Reed Pond Water Charge | 6.18 | 0 | 6.18 |
| 05/04/23 | IN06691852 | DD | NPower | Electricity Consumption & Standing Charge | 328.68 | 16.43 | 345.11 |
| 05/04/23 | IN06686397 | 103284 | NPower | Festive Lights Energy Consumption 01/12/21 – 04/01/22 | 4.53 | 0.23 | 4.76 |
| 06/04/23 | INV-0234 | 103285 | Goldacre Contracting | Playing field and Verges and Reed Pond (1st Cut) | 415.00 | 83.00 | 498.00 |
| 17/04/23 | 103286 | HMRC | Employee Income Tax and NI for Qtr. ending 05/04/23 | 512.52 | 0 | 512.52 | |
| 22/03/23 | 01-23-0017436/WEE104 | 103287 | Kennedys | VAT element of solicitors £1,200.00 fee | 0 | 200.00 | 200.00 |
| 03/04/23 | 16617 | 103288 | EALC | EALC and NALC 23/24 Affiliation fee | 578.01 | 0 | 578.01 |
| 31/03/23 | WVH-3418 | 103289 | Weeley Village Hall | Small Hall Hire fees x 3 + Qtr electricity and b/b share | 180.90 | 0 | 180.90 |
| 16/04/23 | INV-18051 | 103290 | Signs Made Easy | Coronation banner | 49.00 | 9.80 | 58.80 |
| 30/04/23 | 103291 | K Harkin | Salary (mth 12 ending 31 March) | 662.04 | 0 | 662.04 | |
| 30/04/23 | 103291 | K Harkin | Phone (Mar), BB (March) & expenses | 118.70 | 13.33 | 132.03 | |
| TOTALS | 2855.56 | 322.79 | 3178.35 | ||||
Bank balances as at 16 April 2023; current account £38,688.27; deposit account £83,927.90.
Highways Report
The potholes in Colchester Road continue to worsen. The worst pothole for drivers was temporarily filled and so temporary was the filling that it started to break up within days. The South side of Colchester Road is now also breaking up in places and there is a pothole developing just before the roundabout.
The pothole at the top of Hilltop Crescent also worsens with other smaller holes developing alongside. (Ref No: 2839253) There is also a separate pothole on The Street at the junction of Hilltop Crescent, top end on the north side of the road. (Ref No: 2839254)
There is a large pothole on the Clacton Road and deep cracks both reported Ref Nos: 2804306 and 2822453. The pothole and the deep gash in the pavement outside the Village Hall car park have been reported, the gash for the second time. (Ref No: 2839252) The two potholes on the bridge had already been reported, Ref Nos: 3614451 and 3461251.
Speedwatch Report
In March we planned fourteen sessions but due to bad weather only eight were held. In those eight sessions ninety two speeding vehicles were logged. 1 had no tax or MOT and another had no MOT. There were three repeaters and the fastest logged was driving at 49mph on Thorpe Road. We still have only three active volunteers, another two waiting to undertake the course which is arranged for May and one who had taken the course, seemed to be looking forward to joining us but then left being too busy. As an aside I went up on to the bridge the other day to take photos of the potholes. As I jumped in and out of the road avoiding the cars that were speeding past at nothing remotely near to 40mph or under, I thought we could do with some speedwatchers up here. Great thought but last time we did that site we logged 1 speeding vehicle as although the majority drive through the 30mph zone doing 40mph plus by the time they have seen the sign and us, they are driving at the correct speed or even at the speed they should have been before they entered the 40mph zone.
WRA Report
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY THIS MONTH, JUNE, & JULY.
FRIDAY 9 TH JUNE COACH TRIP TO WINDSOR
FRIDAY 14 TH JULY COACH TRIP TO NORWICH.
Full details and to book please contact Kevin 07738 998924
QUIZ NIGHT IN THE VILLAGE HALL SATURDAY 20 TH MAY at 7.30pm Teams of 8 maximum £5 pp when booking please. Bring your own nibbles and drinks. Teas and coffees will be available. Doors open at 7pm for a prompt start at 7.30pm. Book with Kevin 07738 998924.
HOY NIGHT SATURDAY 22nd JULY IN THE VILLAGE HALL at 7.30p.m. Please book and pay with BET on 01255 830768.
AFTERNOON SPEAKERS (these afternoons are £3 for members and £4 for guests. All details and enquiries to Barbara 07790 757509) No booking required for these events. There will be tea and coffee after the talks.
Monday 19th June 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Gavin Saunders of the Essex Cyber & Fraud Team will be revisiting us and will explain how to stay safe with our technology devices.
Monday 17th July 2.30pm - 4.30pm Sara Backhouse - Wood of the Medical Detection Dogs, a Charity that trains dogs to support people with life threatening health issues.
Coffee Mornings at Hilltop Garden Centre are held on the SECOND TUESDAY of each month, 10.00am – 11.30am.
weeleyresidentsassociation.org
Petanque Report
Petanque continues to go from strength to strength with increasing numbers and has proved very popular during the winter months when we carry on playing. We have only been rained off a few times so have been very lucky weather wise.
We are going to have our annual competition again this year with over 30 players participating. We award cups to the winners and runners up at our Christmas Dinner. We are also going to be at the celebration being held on the Village Green to commemorate the Coronation on the 8th May for anyone wishing to have a go. This completes my report.