Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date:

Summary
This summary is generated by AI and may contain errors. It does not form part of the official minutes.
Residents raised concerns about local road safety, including the need for a crossing near the new convenience store and reducing the speed limit on Bentley Road. There are also ongoing issues with raw sewage at Gutteridge Hall Lane, which the council is addressing with the Environment Agency.
Present
Cllrs C. Hamilton (Chair), D. Botterell, G. Foster, L. Fitzpatrick, T. Spong and J. Beady. Also in attendance were Steve Gunter (Clerk), 13 members of the public (MOP) and Cllrs D. Land (ECC) and P. Harris (TDC)

Apologies

  1. Apologies were received from Cllr Millar, Cllr Green and Cllr Cauvain. Cllr Hamilton proposed, Cllr Botterell seconded and it was RESOLVED to accept the apologies.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

  1. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15th September 2025 were proposed by Cllr Botterell, seconded by Cllr Beady and it was RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15th September 2025 as an accurate record of proceedings.

Declarations of Interest

  1. Cllrs. Beady and Fitzpatrick declared an interest in item 07/25.8 and Cllr, Botterell declared an interest in item 07/25.18.

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

The Chair invited the members of public in attendance to raise any questions/issues.

  • A member of public asked about the Recycling bins but as the site has gone to auction they are to be removed permanently.
  • A MOP asked if anything would be done about Thorpe Rd and Crow Lane as the road is wide and getting busier with development. The expectation is that something may happen when Barleyfields is complete.
  • A MOP asked if there would be a crossing near the now approved convenience store.
  • A MOP asked about the speed limit on Bentley Road and if it could be cut from 60mph. Cllr Land advised that basically deaths have to occur for limits to change.

Tendring District and Essex County Councils

TDC Cllr. Harris: mentioned the following (addressing some of the previous comments from MOPs):

  • Accidents and road deaths are actually decreasing. Road changes might be easier and more local after Government Reorganisation.
  • Crossing something may transpire with planned road changes.
  • Recycling is to be removed as auction will happen 28th to 30th October.
  • Disappointment in decision to allow the convenience store. Will consult with residents once the store opens and see if there are issues to address.
  • Cllr Harris, Land, Hamilton met with a representative of Environment Agency about Gutteridge Hall Lane and the raw sewage conditions. All appropriate agencies are aware. TDC are now housing people on the site.
  • A MOP mentioned that people are being housed with no running water, no heating and no toilet facilities and Cllr Harris will take this to the Chief Executive immediately.
  • Full Council and Scrutiny Committee meetings both cancelled.
  • Meeting with Fire and Police this Friday 24th October.

ECC Cllr. Land: mentioned the following:

  • Reiterated everything Cllr Harris said about Gutteridge Hall Lane and was shocked at the sight when he visited. Also mentioned that ditches by the school now appear to be contaminated. We now have an Environment Agency complaint log.
  • Hilltop rise pavements by the blocks of flats done. Weeds also removed and abandoned car dealt with.
  • Colchester Road resurfaced and due to a message from a resident some of the metal works need looking at by contractor.
  • Street Light 9074 out by the phone box.

Community Sport and Activity Manager TDC

Charlie Colwell mentioned that grants were available and then outlined TDC plans. The Clerk has copies of everything mentioned and will post on the website and across Social Media. ACTION: Clerk to add to website and social media.

Grant Application Weeley in Bloom

Discussion on grant (Cllrs Fitzpatrick and Beady abstained). Cllr Botterell proposed and Cllr Hamilton seconded and it was RESOLVED to pay the grant to Weeley in Bloom. ACTION: Clerk to make payment to WIB.

Grant Application St. Andrew’s Church

Discussion on grant and Cllr Hamilton proposed and Cllr Botterell seconded and it was RESOLVED to pay the grant to St Andrew’s Church. ACTION: Clerk to make payment to St Andrews Church.

Grant Application from MIND

Council discussed this grant and rejected the grant due to budget and the fact this is not a charity in the village. ACTION: Clerk to inform charity of grant application being unsuccessful.

A further late grant application was received and agreed for Weeley Residents Association. This will be added to the next agenda to be agreed officially.

Safeguarding Policy

The previously circulated Safeguarding Policy was discussed and Cllr. Hamilton proposed and Cllr.Botterell seconded and it was RESOLVED to adopt the policy. ACTION: Clerk to upload documents to website.

Weeley Bypass

As Cllr Green was not present this will be moved to November’s meeting.

Christmas Tree Event Planning

Cllr Hamilton has applied to shut the road and Cllr Fitzpatrick is working on the Risk Assessment.

Grab Bag

Most articles in Grab Bag are out of date. Clerk to research and purchase items for grab bag and it is to be kept in the office in the hall.

Benches

It was noted that 4 benches were purchased for £200 and Cllr Hamilton and Cllr Green will decide where to place 3 of the benches and possibly the 4th bench later in the year.

Correspondence

The clerk read out all correspondence as follows:

  • Essex Sight newsletter published to Council’s website.
  • Advised by Cllr Beady that Phone box Library vandalised again – posted to Facebook but due to GDPR we cannot publish pictures of who did the damage.
  • Water Literacy email – published to Website and FB.
  • Email from Charlie Poulter re transport Made Simple now owning Go East Anglia – Clerk and Cllr Millar are in discussion around possible benefits.
  • TDC Email re public consultation on Hartley Gardens published on Website and FB.
  • Council noted their disappointment at permission granted on appeal for change of use of tyre/exhaust garage to convenience store on Colchester Road advised by TDC Planning.
  • Advised by WiB of vandalism at Weeley Station ticket machine smashed. Should be covered by station cameras not the camera Council installing at Station Approach.
  • Cllr Hamilton noted the Thank You card from Mrs Christmas.

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. Hamilton and seconded by Cllr. Beady and it was RESOLVED to approve the list of payments set out in Appendix C.

Weeley Parish Council Reports

  1. Street Lighting: Light 9074 is out. ACTION: Clerk to report to contractor.
  2. Tree Warden: Cllr. Green not available.
  3. Playing Field: Cllr Botterell will sort our goal posts with Chris Dyson before 31st October.
  4. Children’s Play Area: ROSPA report received next steps to be decided. ACTION: Source a company to fix the gate at Under 8s Playground.
  5. Highways: Cllr Beady presented a report which is published on the Council’s website, the gate is still not closing.
  6. Footpaths: Cllr. Fitzpatrick reported that ECC Cut them in June so she will be checking.
  7. Transport: Cllr Millar was not available.
  8. TDALC: Mark Stevenson from TDC attended and was mostly about Local Government Reorganisation.

Other Reports

  1. Rural Policing: Cllr Hamilton reported 14 crimes in August.
  2. Speedwatch: Cllr. Beady presented her report which is published on the Council’s website.
  3. Weeley Residents Ass: presented their report which is available on the Council’s website.
  4. Weeley in Bloom (WiB): presented their report which is available on the Council’s website.
  5. Petanque Rink: presented their report which is available on the Council’s website.

Public Participation

  • A member of the public from WiB asked permission to do some Autumn pruning at the Queen’s bench which was agreed by the Council. Also, it was noted that the Christmas Tree is struggling due to the dry summer. We will need to reassess in Spring.
  • Weeley Residents Association have bought selection boxes for Mrs Christmas to give out.
  • A member of the public mentioned there is also an issue of sewage at Oakleigh Park and Cllr Harris agreed to look into this.
  • Cllr Hamilton reminded everyone that a Remembrance Day service will be held on 9th November at the War Memorial.

Items to be Added to the Next Agenda

  • Christmas Tree Event Planning
  • Budget
  • WRA Grant Application
  • Weeley Bypass (Trees)

The Chair closed the meeting at 20.41pm

Date of Next Meeting will be: Monday 17th November at 7.30pm at Weeley Village Hall

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