- Present
- Cllrs C. Hamilton (Chair), T. Spong, J. Beady, L. Fitzpatrick, D. Botterell, K. Green and G. Foster. Also in attendance were K. Harkin Parish Clerk and eight members of the public.
Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr V. Cauvain, TDC Cllr P. Harris and ECC Cllr D. Land.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2023 were proposed by Cllr Botterell, seconded by Cllr Spong and agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
The Chair invited members to make any relevant declarations of interest. None were offered.
Clerk’s Report
The Clerk presented his previously circulated report, which is attached as Appendix A.
Public Participation
The Chair invited members of the public if they wished to raise any issues. Clarification was sought and provided about the speed limit on Clacton Road and another relating to the Wheelie Bin speed limit stickers. The Clerk confirmed that properties along the main roads would be given these stickers.
Tendring District and Essex County Councils
Neither of the council representatives were able to attend the meeting.
Correspondence
The Clerk reported one item. WRA had written offering to donate 40 Selection boxes to be given to children attending the Xmas tree lighting event. The reason for the donation would be to make the lighting of the tree a special event for the youngsters attending. Councillors agreed to accept this thoughtful donation.
Bank Signatories
Councillors agreed to accept Cllrs Cauvain and Fitzpatrick’s offers to become bank signatories. The Clerk agreed to endeavour to set up two-stage online payments authorisation.
NALC Website Accessibility & Publishing Guidelines
The Clerk confirmed that the new website domain name and councillor emails should be live in the next two weeks.
Planning Applications
Councillors considered a short list of monthly planning applications relating to the Parish. Details are set out in Appendix B.
Finance and Budget
Proposed by Cllr Botterell, seconded by Cllr Hamilton and Resolved: To authorise the list of payments set out in Appendix C.
Weeley Parish Council Reports
- Street Lighting: Cllr Green reported three streetlights out. The Clerk agreed to report them.
- Tree Warden: Cllr Green noted that there is a dead tree outside The Spinney advising that the contractor would remove.
- Playing Field: Cllr Fitzpatrick agreed to monitor the litter bins to ascertain if they are being emptied regularly. The drainage lines near The Spinney need attention.
- Children’s Play Area: This item was dealt with in the Clerks Report.
Other Reports
- Highways and Footpaths: Cllr Beady presented her report attached as Appendix D.
- TDALC: Cllr Botterell noted that the meeting is next Wednesday.
- Rural Policing: Seven crimes were reported in Weeley in May.
- Speedwatch: Cllr Beady presented her report, attached as Appendix E.
- Weeley Residents Ass: Diane Miles presented her report (Appendix F). Coffee morning well attended. Walk foot moved to plough corner in Ju & Aug.
- Weeley in Bloom: The Anglia In Bloom inspection took place on 7 July and we have to wait until 20 September to get the results. An ‘information board’ has been erected at the bottom of The Street opposite Loop Green. Weeley In Bloom AGM is scheduled for 30 September. All are welcome to attend.
- Petanque Rink: Betty Holt presented her report, which is attached as Appendix G.
Public Participation
The Chair invited members of the public to raise any issues.
- There was a discussion about the boundary between The Spinney and Oakleigh Residential Park. The Clerk agreed to raise this matter with the Park management.
- It was reported that the footway on Clacton Road is overgrown and nearly impassible. It was noted that this has already been reported to Essex Highways.
- Mrs Bannister reported that an inaccuracy in Google Maps in Wylands Drive has resulted in vehicles driving on her driveway. Cllr Botterell attempted to report the matter and amend it online.
Close of Meeting: The Chair closed the meeting at 8.33pm
Clerks Report – 17 July 2023
| Topic | Action/issue | Who | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Children’s Play Area | Place order. | KPH |
|
| Emergency Plan | Annual update. | Cllr H | Final amendments are being made. |
| Litter Bins | Reassessment of provision. | TDC | TDC will complete a survey of WPC’s proposals for additional bins and provide an indicative costing for purchase and installation. This will likely be completed at the end of Aug. |
| Scout Hut | Prepare a new lease. | KPH | The council’s requirements have been reviewed and a simpler less expensive option is now being pursued subject to agreement with the Scouts. |
| Weeley bypass | Determine options for the avenue of poplars | Awaiting ECC Place Services proposal for how many and what species trees to plant. | |
| Traffic Calming | Source a supplier for 30 mph speed limit sticky signs for use on residents wheely bins | KPH | 600 self adhesive vinyl 300 mph speed limit signs 200m x 200mm have been ordered |
| Reed Pond | Complete a survey and management plan | EWT | Further to the completion of the survey, we now await the report. |
| Bank Signatories | Two additional signatories required | KPH | Email circulated to Cllrs seeking volunteers. |
1. As reported last year, Npower, the Council’s electricity supplier would not offer a new contract when the previous one expired in 2022. I have been contacted by Utility Aid an energy broker and am exploring the practicalities of going through a broker for electricity.
2. The survey of Reed Pond that members authorised in 2022/23 was completed on 10 July by two ecologists from Essex Ecology. We now await their report, which amongst other things will hopefully provide the Council with a management plan for the pond and immediate environment.
Monthly Planning Applications to 17 July 2023
| Application No. | Details | Address | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23/00813/FULHH | Single storey rear extension. | 8 Bentley Road Weeley, Essex | No objection and no comment |
| 23/00807/OUT | Outline Planning Application (all matters reserved) for development of five detached houses. | Land to the rear of The Gables and The Towers Clacton Road Weeley Heath | No objection and no comment |
| 23/00775/FUL | Erection of replacement storage shed. | Homestead Lake Country Park Thorpe Road Weeley | No objection and no comment |
| 23/00641/FULHH | Erection of single storey side extension; single storey rear extension; and front porch and enlarged bay window. Erection of 2 bay cartlodge to front with new driveway (following demolition of existing double garage, utility room, conservatory, and detached store). | Selbourne Clacton Road Weeley | Proposed Cllr Hamilton, Seconded Cllr Spong and Resolved: To object to this application. This application is outside the village envelope and the proposed development would be located on what is now open farmland. |
Monthly Payments: July 2023
| Invoice Date | Invoice No. | Cheque No. | Payee | Service | NET £ | VAT £ | GROSS £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yet to Receive | DD | Castle Water | Reed Pond Water Charge | 6.18 | 0 | 6.18 | |
| 05/07/23 | IN07621139 | DD | NPower | Electricity Consumption | 361.42 | 18.07 | 379.49 |
| 03/07/23 | INV-0311 | 103309 | Goldacre Contracting | Grass Cut (5rd Cut) | 415.00 | 83.00 | 498.00 |
| 03/07/23 | INV-0312 | 103309 | Goldacre Contracting | Replace goal sockets | 100.00 | 20.00 | 120.00 |
| 20/06/23 | 200004067 | 103310 | CVST | Annual subs | 25.00 | 0 | 25.00 |
| 13/07/23 | 3016 | 103311 | DM Payroll | Payroll admin x 6 months | 60.00 | 0 | 60.00 |
| 30/06/23 | WVH-3522 | 103312 | WVH | Hall Hire and qtrly electricity | 270.90 | 0 | 270.90 |
| - | 103313 | Weeley in Bloom | Grant aid. | 50.00 | 0 | 50.00 | |
| 31/06/23 | - | 103314 | K Harkin | Salary | 661.84 | 0 | 661.84 |
| 03/07/23 | - | 103314 | K Harkin | Mileage, Phone and BB | 44.37 | 0 | 44.37 |
Totals: NET £1994.71, VAT £121.07, GROSS £2115.78
Bank balances as at 16 July 2023; current account £25,191.08; deposit account £84,202.96.
Highways Report
Despite wanting to clear the overgrowth from the bus stop to the White Hart on Clacton Road last month, for various reasons I had to give up after about three feet. Instead, I reported it to Essex Highways along with the pathway opposite the school which is also completely covered mostly with Blackberry briars. Reference numbers 2853800 &2853799
The 30mph sign recently ‘righted’ in Crow Lane is now at a slanting angle so that has once again been reported. Reference number: 285686.
In The Street three potholes have developed, two of which are beginning to meet up and the cracks spreading out from the potholes are widening. Reference number 2857769.
Most of the other problems previously reported had red/orange spray lines around them so they should be fixed soon. Those that were left out from the paint and so not due to be repaired include the problems at each roundabout.
Weeley Speedwatch Report
In June we held 9 sessions including one at the new site in Bentley Road which we had been unable to do since the site was approved as the electronic form would not accept the site number (CSW).
Bentley Road in the two sessions we have held there has been like a completely different road to that we are used to driving along, transformed from a race track to a quiet country road. In fact, one of the residents came out and said to us ‘I said to my wife, there’s not much traffic today as its really quiet, and then I came out the front and saw you, so the same amount of traffic, different speed’.
Overall in the 9 sessions held we logged 118 speeding vehicles. There were eight repeaters, two of them logged for the third time. Two had no MOT and one of those was not even supposed to be on the road as the vehicle had a ‘Statutory Off Road Notice’ on it (SORN).
Weeley Residents’ Association Report
Another busy month comes to an end. Our monthly coffee morning at Hilltop Garden Centre was very well attended and members enjoyed meeting other friends while having breakfast and various refreshments.
Walking Football is taking place at Plough Corner during July and August thanks to Dan Land arranging for us to use the court. Our other activities, Knit and Natter, Crafters and Sewing B, continue to be well supported and this afternoon we had Sara Backhouse-Wood talking to us about medical detection dogs. Our Cards and Games afternoon, together with Table Tennis will be on 17th July.
We had a very wet visit to Norwich last Friday, but all our 53 people managed to enjoy themselves sightseeing, shopping, eating and drinking! We had an excellent driver who made extra stops on the return journey so that people could get off the coach near to their parked cars or homes.
This coming Saturday we have a Hoy night in the Village Hall. We have an evening visit to Romford Dogs on Saturday 29th July, and a river trip from Woodbridge along the river Deben with afternoon tea on 25th August.
We are going to Sandringham Christmas Market in November and all 53 seats have been taken, so I have a waiting list.
Petanque Report
Everything is going along smoothly, with everyone enjoying themselves now the warmer weather is here. We had two new players join our group last Wednesday and we seem to average around 18 - 20 players each session, sometimes more.
One of our players has a connection with a pub near Manningtree and they have asked if we would like to play them in a friendly match. A group of us are going along this Friday and, if successful, will ask them back at some stage for a return match.
Our inhouse competition is continuing nicely and we already have two teams through to the semi-final, so watch this space. This concludes my report. Thank you.