- Present
- Cllrs C. Hamilton (Chair), L. Fitzpatrick, J. Beady, D. Botterell, G. Foster, K Green, and T. Spong. Also in attendance; Clerk; Mr K. Harkin and two members of public.
Apologies
- Were received from, Cllrs M Brown and P Taylor.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2022 were proposed by Cllr Hamilton, seconded by Cllr Spong and agreed as an accurate record of the meeting.
Declarations of Interest
The Chair asked members if they had any declarations of interests. Cllr Fitzpatrick declared a non pecuniary interest for planning application 22/00567/TPO in as much as she is a neighbour.
Clerk’s Report
The Clerk provided a verbal summary of his report, which is attached as Appendix A. He tabled the quotation for the relocation of the football goalposts. Members agreed to proceed with this initiative.
Public Participation
None
Tendring District and Essex County Councils
No reports.
Correspondence
The Clerk reported that he had received some routine circulars but no correspondence that requires attention.
Queens Jubilee
Cllr Hamilton outlined proposals for the ‘Picnic in the Park’
- It was agreed that the Parish Council would provide bottled water FOC to attendees.
- It was agreed to locate the Queens Platinum Jubilee memorial bench on the corner of Loop Green. Cllr Green agreed to provide a quotation to install a concrete base on which to locate and secure the bench.
- Cllr Green provided a verbal report (and tabled a copy) of his proposals for the avenue of poplar trees on Clacton Road (B1441). It was agreed to ask Essex Highways to replace the avenue of poplar trees with London Planes. It was agreed to forward Cllr Greens report to Essex Highways for consideration.
Consultation
There was some discussion about the consultation for the Colchester/Tendring Border Garden Community and the North Falls Windfarm Community Consultation. No comments were offered for submission. The Chair encouraged individuals to read the proposals and comment individually.
Recycling Point
Further to some discussion about possible locations for a recycling point in the village, the Clerk was asked to write to TDC requesting that the recycling point at the Council Offices is maintained at its current location after the land is redeveloped. Failing that, that a suitable alternative site e.g. at the junction of Clacton Road (B1441) and the entrance road to the railway station.
Funded Pond Conservation Project
The recent circular was discussed. Cllr Hamilton agreed to seek more information.
Planning Applications
The planning applications set out in Appendix B were considered and determined as shown in the table.
Weeley Parish Council Reports
- Street Lighting: Just the one (9061) light remains out. The Clerk had been waiting for others but will now report it for repair.
- Tree Warden: Cllr Brown noted that he had nothing further to add.
- Playing Field: An order has been placed to relocate the goalposts.
- Children’s Play Area: The Clerk confirmed that he has still to ascertain how much S106 funding is available to reequip the play area.
Other Reports
- Highways and Footpaths: Cllr Beady presented her report, which is attached as Appendix C.
- TDALC: Meetings continue to be via zoom, the minutes of which are circulated to councillors.
- Rural Policing: Crime incidents reported in February were, 13 in Weeley (6x violence and sexual offences, 2 x ASB, 2 x criminal damage and 3 x other).
- Speedwatch: Cllr Beady presented her report, which is attached as Appendix D.
- Weeley Residents Ass.: Mrs Miles presented her report, which is attached as Appendix E.
- Weeley in Bloom: Ms Julia Hopgood presented her verbal report.
- Petanque Rink Report: No report this month.
Finance and Budget
The payments for April 2022 are attached as Appendix F. Cllr Hamilton proposed, Cllr Brown seconded and it was Resolved: To agree the list for payment.
Public Participation
No questions raised.
Close of Meeting
The Chair closed the meeting at 8.40pm.
Appendix A
Clerks Report – 19 April 2022
| Date | Topic | Action/issue | Who | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19-07-21 | Expansion of Children’s Play Area | Consider options for the renewal/expansion of the facility. | KPH | Exploratory work regarding the type to equipment is ongoing. | Ongoing |
| 20-09-21 | Defibrillator | Replace pads (routine mtnce régime). | KPH | Awaiting delivery of new pads | Ongoing |
| 19-07-21 | Emergency Plan | 2021 annual update. | Cllr H | Cllr Hamilton has agreed to conduct the review | Ongoing |
| 20-09-21 | Litter Bins | Reassessment of provision. | Cllr H and KPH | Request for new dog bin at junction of Footpath 3 and Thorpe Rd made, | Ongoing |
| 21-02-22 | Scout Hut | Prepare a new lease for the building | KPH | Solicitor yet to be identified | O/S |
| 21-02-22 | Rec Grd Football Goalposts | Relocate goalposts | KPH | A contractor has agreed to relocate the goalposts and rejuvenate the worn goalmouths. | Ongoing |
Appendix B
Planning Applications
| Application No. | Details | Address | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22/00464/FUL | Proposed erection of one bungalow (in lieu of deemed Prior Approval for a dwelling, subject of application 21/02086/COUNOT). | Land at Reedlands Gutteridge Hall Lane Weeley Clacton On Sea Essex CO16 9AS | No objection or comment to make. |
| 22/00533/FUL | Proposed installation of 8 No. electric vehicle charging bays with ancillary substation and LV panel together with 3 No. jet wash bays and associated forecourt alterations to suit. | Weeley Service Station, Colchester Road, Weeley, CO16 9AD | No objection or comment to make. |
| 22/00567/TPO | 1 No. Hazel - re-coppicing to increase daylight to neighbouring property and garden. 1 No. Sycamore - removal of side branch originating at 2m NE, and removal of 3 no. other branches as depicted in supporting photographs. 1 No. Lime - felling lime The works are in response to complaints received from neighbours. | Land adjacent Hillside Hse on corner of Church Lane and Clacton Road, Weeley, CO16 9DN | There is not enough detail in terms of why the lime tree needs to be felled or what percentage reduction on other trees will be made. Parish Councillors are concerned that all the trees in the wood are covered by TPO's and this is the fourth application to since July 2021 to seek to reduce the tree cover on this land. This might be seen to be a tactic to gradually reduce the density until there is little left to be saved? |
| 22/00341/FULHH | Proposed extension of existing garage to form granny annexe | Thorpe Road, Weeley, CO16 9JH | No objection or comment to make. |
| 21/01935/OUT | Outline Application for access and scale for 4 No detached 3 bed bungalows | Land east of Freelands, Thorpe Rd Weeley | No objection or comment to make. |
Appendix C
Highways Report
Last month after taking many photos of the road issues in Weeley and using the What3Words app thinking that would be easier but the Essex Highways only recognises the general location and What3Words proved to be useless on this occasion, or should that be the other way around. After reverting to the manual way of inputting the locations where there were problems, I went through the list, most of these problems had already been reported including the blocked drain on the bridge. However two of them appeared not to have been, these were the road surface breaking up on Colchester Road and the deepening ruts on the roundabout so those along with corresponding photos have been submitted. (Enquiry no’s: 2773023 and ; 2773025) Meanwhile more road issues have appeared, so I shall be out with the camera again soon.
Appendix D
Speedwatch
Since the last report we have held 16 sessions. We have logged exactly 200 speeders, the fastest doing 47mph in a 30mph zone, 6 were untaxed, 5 had no MOT, there were 11 repeat offenders and 1 logged twice in the same 1 hour session.
Appendix E
Weeley Residents’ Association April Report for The Parish Council
We have had a very successful month with continued support for all our weekly and monthly afternoon groups and classes. The introduction of the Knit and Natter evening has proved popular too.
We had a very enjoyable Jazz evening set in a cabaret atmosphere and 50 members and friends attended. The duo was entertaining with their snippets of life on the road.
We are looking forward to our outings to Norfolk Broads for a trip on the paddle steamer and to Dunwich for lunch followed by an afternoon in Southwold.
Tickets for our Outing to Chet Valley Vineyard are going well and there is growing interest in our day to Eastbourne.
Kevin has made enquiries to the Garrick Theatre for tickets to see Driffters in November, and many members have shown a positive interest.
Our AGM will take place on 30 April when reports will be presented and after the business part of the meeting we shall have a social of cheese and wine.
Appendix F
Cheques/Payments for Authorisation: April 2022
| Invoice Date | Invoice No. | Cheque No. | Payee | Service | NET £ | VAT £ | GROSS £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/04/22 | IN03162349 | DD | NPower | Street Lighting (Jan) | 177.94 | 8.90 | 186.84 |
| 01/04/22 | IN03162431 | DD | NPower | Street Lighting (Feb) | 154.39 | 7.72 | 162.11 |
| 05/04/22 | IN03159661 | DD | NPower | Street Lighting (Mar) | 163.42 | 8.17 | 171.59 |
| 05/04/22 | IN03159657 | DD | NPower | Unmetered Festive Lights | 15.89 | 0.79 | 16.68 |
| 31/03/22 | WVH-3040 | 103202 | Weeley Village Hall | Hall Hire (Jan-Mar) | 144.39 | 0 | 144.39 |
| 01/04/22 | 36116 | 103203 | A&J Lighting | Mthly Mtnce | 99.98 | 20.00 | 119.98 |
| 01/04/22 | 15355 | 103204 | EALC | EALC & NALC Affiliation Fees | 553.57 | 0 | 553.57 |
| 28/03/22 | 513953882 | 103201 | Zurich Municipal | Annual Insurance Premium | 795.00 | 0 | 795.00 |
| 22/03/22 | INV-0023 | 103205 | Goldacre Contracting | Grass Cutting (first cut Mar) | 415.00 | 83.00 | 498.00 |
| 16/03/22 | 0006986739 | 103206 | Castle Water | Reed Pond Water | 49.61 | 0 | 49.61 |
| 30/04/22 | 103207 | K Harkin | Salary (Apr) | 338.62 | 0 | 338.62 | |
| 19/04/22 | 103207 | K Harkin | Telephone, Mileage and Expenses | 110.93 | 0 | 110.93 | |
| TOTALS | 3018.74 | 128.58 | 3147.32 |
Bank balances as at 1 April 2022; current account £12,545.27; deposit account £82,298.78.