- Present
- Cllrs C. Hamilton (Chair), V. Cauvain, T. Spong, K. Green, L. Fitzpatrick, G. Foster, J. Beady and S. Gunter Parish Clerk. Also in attendance were, 18 members of the public.
Apologies
- Cllr K. Millar and Cllr D Botterell sent apologies. Cllr Hamilton proposed to accept apologies and Cllr Cauvain seconded it was RESOLVED to accept apologies.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
- The minutes of the Annual meeting and Parish Council meeting held on 20th May 2024 were proposed by Cllr Cauvain, seconded by Cllr Spong and it was RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the Annual meeting and Parish Council meeting held on 20th May 2024 as an accurate record of proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
The Chair invited councillors to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests relevant to the agenda.
Cllr Green declared an interest in item 06/24.15 due to quoting on work.
Clerk’s Report
The Clerk presented his previously circulated report, which is attached as Appendix A. The Clerk also presented the Issues List from the Audit Report.
Public Participation
The Chair invited the members of public in attendance to raise any questions/issues.
- A member of the public (MOP) asked when the new housing estate works would start at 2nd Avenue. No information was available at the time.
- A MOP asked about Gutteridge Hall Lane. No information available as Cllr Harris not available for updates.
- A MOP raised the issue of vehicles on verge at Weeley Bridge Holiday Park. Cllr Dan Land is aware.
- A MOP raised the issue of the Caravan full of rubbish on Old London Road. Cllr Harris and TDC are aware.
Tendring District and Essex County Councils
- Cllr Harris: No report as non attendance.
- Cllr Land: No report as non attendance.
Bins Report
A discussion was had around bins and the council purchasing and installing rather than waiting for TDC. Cllr. Hamilton will review the bin report. Cllr. Cauvain proposed and Cllr. Beady seconded and it was RESOLVED to purchase and install the agreed bins with any amendments as noted on review of the bin report.
Footpath Maintenance
A lively discussion was had and it was decided to investigate who owns relevant footpaths and contact them to ask them to maintain them. Also to report to TDC/ECC and request cuts. Final solution would be to ask our contractor to cut them back.
Grass Cutting
Taking on ECC grass cutting was discussed and considered too expensive. The area of 2nd Avenue to be raised with Dan Land and TDC. Possibility of one off cut by our contractor was discussed.
Lighting at Weeley Village Hall
The quote from our Lighting Contractor was discussed, Cllr Hamilton proposed and Cllr Spong seconded the quote and it was RESOLVED to accept the quote and instruct the contractor to carry out the relevant repairs.
Land Purchase
Move to next meeting as no information from Cllr Harris (TDC).
Verge Sales in Village
Move to next meeting as no information from Cllr Harris (TDC).
Grant Budget
The grant budget for 2024/25 was discussed and it was agreed to keep the budget at £750 and review the policy as part of policy review and decide grant budget for the 25/26 Financial year in December.
Speeding on Clacton Road
The clerk reported the response from Cllr Land. It was agreed for the council to send a letter to the local Police for them to do more speed checking in that area.
Reed Pond
Discussion regarding works at Reed Pond, Cllr Cauvain proposed and Cllr Hamilton seconded the proposal and quote and it was RESOLVED to accept the quote and proceed with the work. It was agreed to look into the costs for life saving equipment and possibly signs for the area.
Correspondence
- From Little Bromley Parish Council asking the council to respond and support their objections to the Norwich – Tilbury pylon consultation it was RESOLVED to support their objections.
- The clerk also noted that Veolia have launched a sustainability fund and asked if there were any suggestions from either Councillors or MOP and none were received. Angela Barnes (WiB) said she was aware of the initiative.
- A request from WIB was noted to purchase teak oil for the Queens Platinum bench and it was RESOLVED to refund this purchase.
Planning Applications
Council Members considered the applications set out in Appendix B and determined as shown.
Finance and Budget
The list of monthly payments was proposed by Cllr Cauvain and seconded by Cllr Beady and it was RESOLVED: To approve the list of payments set out in Appendix C.
Weeley Parish Council Reports
- Street Lighting: Cllr Green reported that Street Light 9038 in Fields Close is not working.
- Tree Warden: Cllr Green reported that tree works outside the Scout Hall were completed and looked good. The Christmas Tree and the new trees are all looking good.
- Playing Field: as covered in the Clerks Report. Suggestion of weekly cuts of playing field during growing season. Chris Dyson to quote.
- Children’s Play Area: as covered in the Clerks Report.
- Highways: Cllr Beady presented her report which is attached as Appendix D.
- Footpaths: Cllr Fitzpatrick had nothing to report.
- Transport: No report as Cllr Millar did not attend the meeting.
- TDALC: No report as Cllr Botterell did not attend the meeting.
Other Reports
- Rural Policing: Cllr Hamilton reported that 10 crimes were reported in April with one being for possession of weapons.
- Speedwatch: Cllr. Beady presented her report which is attached as Appendix E.
- Weeley Residents Ass: presented their report which will be published on the Council’s Website.
- Weeley in Bloom (WiB): presented their report which will be published on the Council’s Website.
- Petanque Rink: presented their report which will be published on the Council’s Website.
- Sport and Activity Meeting: no report as Cllr. Millar not in attendance.
Public Participation
Further questions raised as follows:
- MOP raised the issue of bins other than in Weeley Heath. Including the Bus Stop.
- MOP raised the issues at Second Avenue.
- MOP mentioned signs at the Reed Pond site – to be added to the next agenda.
- MOP mentioned uneven ground on the recreation ground.
Items to be Added to the Next Agenda
- Review of Bin Report for future purchases and installation
- Land Purchase
- Verge Sales
- Reed Pond Life Saving Equipment
- Reed Pond Signs
- Sports and Activity Report
The Chair closed the meeting at 8.45pm
Date of Next Meeting will be: Monday 15th July at 7.30pm at Weeley Village Hall
Appendix A: Clerk's Report
| Topic | Action/issue | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Children’s Play Area | Complete installation. | Ongoing issues with the look of the area that still have not been completed. We have paid the contractor half of the agreed costs and will not pay anymore until we are happy with completion. We now have a list of outstanding issues that the contractor is aware of and initially have been given a timescale of works. |
| Emergency Plan | Annual update. | The final draft has been circulated for comment. |
| Litter Bins | Install additional bins | It is proposed to simply purchase the hardware (bins), install and notify TDC accordingly. Review of bins needed at this meeting (Bin Report) |
| Scout Hut | Prepare a new lease. | The scouts representatives have made clear that the scouts want a 21 year lease. WPC’s solicitor has confirmed that this will complicate the lease and make it more expensive to prepare. |
| 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. |
| Bank Account | Process two additional signatories. Set up BACS payment process | Clerk now added to the bank account. Appointment of additional account signatories remains outstanding. Set up a BACS payments. |
| Electricity Supplier | Appoint an electricity broker. | Outstanding. |
| Reed Pond | Initiate Management Plan | Obtain costs to install a chlorine pump Publish report on website. Purchase and install Lifebuoy at pond No progress on dredging |
| Audit Suggestions | Separate Issue List | The clerk has created a new Audit Report list that we can review each month |
| Policy Review Schedule | Prepare and circulate | The clerk has initially reviewed the new Financial Regulations and amended, but, will need council input on limits. Schedule to be draw up for further policy reviews |
Appendix B: Planning Applications
| Application No. | Details | Address | Comment/Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/00461/FULHH | Householder Planning Application- Retrospective application for alterations to previously approved application- 21/01870/FULHH- to reposition the building and a two bedroom extension to the existing annex | 6 Barnfields Clacton Road Weeley Heath Essex | Same as previous objections |
| 24/00670/LUPROP | Application for Lawful Development Certificate for Proposed Use or Development for use of an existing dwelling (C3) as a care home for up to three children (C2). | Woodpeckers Clacton Road Weeley Clacton On Sea | Is it 3 or 4 children |
| 24/00808/FULHH | Householder Planning Application - Erection of single storey rear extension (Following demolition of conservatory). | Caralyn Crow Lane Weeley Clacton On Sea | No objection |
| 24/00832/FULHH | Householder Planning Application - Proposed new entrance gates and walling. | Tudors Wenlock Road Weeley Clacton On Sea | More details needed as no plans of gates or walling |
| 24/00820/FULHH | Householder Planning Application - Single storey rear extension. | 11 St Andrews Close Weeley Essex CO16 9FX | No objection |
Appendix C: Monthly Payments
| Invoice Date | Invoice No. | Cheque No. | Payee | Service | NET (£) | VAT (£) | GROSS (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/05/2024 | 17759 | 103383 | EALC | Intro to Planning (Clerk Training) | £100.00 | £20.00 | £120.00 |
| 23/05/2024 | 0000055 212A | 103382 | Playdale | 1st Payment for Playground | £79,999.96 | £15,999.99 | £95,999.95 |
| 31/05/2024 | INV-0550 | 103384 | Goldacre Contracting | 4th cut playing field, verges and reed pond | £415.00 | £83.00 | £498.00 |
| 06/06/2024 | INV-0555 | 103384 | Goldacre Contracting | Cut Back Overgrowth Footpath Thorpe Road | £180.00 | £36.00 | £216.00 |
| 13/06/2024 | INV-0561 | 103384 | Goldacre Contracting | 5th Cut Playing Field, verges and reed pond | £415.00 | £83.00 | £498.00 |
| 05/06/2024 | 1000253 7813 | d/d | Castle Water | Reed Pond Standing Charge | £7.14 | £0.00 | £7.14 |
| 05/06/2024 | IN106653 50 | d/d | Npower | Street Lighting | £401.72 | £20.09 | £421.81 |
| 05/06/2024 | SI-20205 | 103385 | A D Mitchell Electrical | Investigation of Lighting Issues at Weeley Hall | £159.00 | £31.80 | £190.80 |
| 09/06/2024 | GB43U6 CRYAEU I IIUKDN1 | 103386 | S Gunter | Amazon Printer | £41.65 | £8.33 | £49.98 |
| 12/06/2024 | 0876912 37 | 103386 | S Gunter | HP Ink Subscription | £3.32 | £0.67 | £3.99 |
| 17/06/2024 | 103386 | S Gunter | Expenses | £77.80 | £0.00 | £77.80 | |
| 17/06/2024 | 103386 | S Gunter | Salary - June | £859.04 | £0.00 | £859.04 | |
| TOTALS | £82,659.63 | £16,282.88 | £98,942.51 | ||||
Bank balances as at 17 June 2024; current account £41,749.66; deposit account £150,003.38.
Appendix D: Highways Report
Prepared by Cllr J Beady
Over the spring bank holiday on Colchester Road, the ‘pothole within a pothole’ that was knee deep was roughly filled in with tarmac.
Just after the bank holiday on the 28th May work was started in Hilltop Crescent which saw the kerbs being replaced. They did quite a good job on the kerbs and even straightened out the one that had jutted out and up for the last 20 odd years and which the kids loved to play ‘kerb ball’ on. The pavements were filled and levelled with tarmac but not sealed. The big hole by the notice board was filled and the ‘FIX’ sign covered over, the filled hole was also sealed. All the surface breakups were ignored.
On the 3rd of June Essex Highways went to The Street outside the bakers, further broke up the pavement, removed it and leveled the pavement with tarmac, again this was not sealed.
At the end of May Essex County Council announced that it was ‘No Mow May’ to encourage wild life. Grass cutting did take place at the start of June but the overgrowth on both sides of Clacton Road has still not been tackled and now the footpath can barely be seen on one side, I have reported with photos, the side opposite Bentley Road right up to the Vas sign as you are just leaving Weeley Heath as being unuseable and dangerous.
I also told them we could not speedwatch as our signs could not be seen due to the overgrowth. As Essex Highways are part of SERP (Safer Essex Roads Partnership) one can only hope that this will give them extra incentive.
The Clacton/Colchester sign has still not been fixed and the overgrowth on that side of the road (reported last month) has grown (literally) worse and again has become unusable.
Appendix E: Speedwatch Report
Prepared by Cllr J Beady
In May we held 4 sessions. We logged 38 speeding vehicles. 3 had no MOT. The fastest driver was doing 54mph on the 30mph Clacton Road. This driver was also the only driver that had no Tax.
On the 9th June, Fraser and I had a stall at the Community day there was a lot of interest in what we do and the speed ‘guns’ we use (usually referred to as devices in emails for obvious reasons) Lots of people told us their experiences with speed both good and bad.
We tried very hard to get more volunteers but most said they had no spare time or suddenly disappeared in a cloud of dust. We got one ‘maybe’, so fingers crossed they soon will become a definite.