- Present
- Cllrs C. Hamilton (Chair), T. Spong, K. Green, G. Foster, L. Fitzpatrick, M. Brown, D. Botterell, J. Beady. Also in attendance were ECC Cllr D. Land, TDC Cllr P Harris, Mr K. Harkin (Clerk) and 9 members of public.
Prior to the commencement of the meeting Cllr Hamilton announced that Councillor Pauline Taylor passed away on 8 February 2023. It was noted that Cllrs Hamilton and Foster plan to attend the funeral on Monday March 6th at the Woodland of Remembrance in Wrabness Essex at 2pm.
Apologies
None
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2023 were proposed by Cllr Botterell, seconded by Cllr Green and were agreed as an accurate record of the proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
Cllr Green registered a pecuniary interest in agenda item 02/23.017.
Clerk’s Report
The Clerk presented his previously circulated report, attached as Appendix A.
Public Participation
The Council was asked if anyone knows when the Barrack Field planning application will be considered by the TDC Planning Committee. Cllr Harris agreed to enquire and advise.
Tendring District and Essex County Councils
TDC Cllr Harris: was the first of a number of speakers to congratulate Weeley in Bloom on receiving a Pride of Tendring Award. Also, for its work on the Second Avenue Wilding project that he had recently visited.
- He took the opportunity to encourage local sports groups to apply for grant funding of £200-1,000, details of which he has posted on social media. Deadline 5 March.
- Cllr Harris advised that he will soon circulate a residents questionnaire. He is looking for residents views on important local issues.
- He advised that the Parish Council will need to fund the purchase of and ongoing servicing costs of any additional litter or dog bins it needs.
ECC Cllr Land: reported that he had recently attended the ECC budget setting meeting. He advised that ECC will prioritise services for the most vulnerable e.g. children and social care. He outlined the huge sums ECC invests in education, social care, environment and waste, highways, school transport and libraries. His bleak message was that resources do not match need and some services (e.g. highway repairs) will continue to fail to meet local expectations.
Correspondence
- Re-establishment of Parish Council Liaison Meetings – TDC:
- The Loop complaint - Essex Place Services:
- Thank you letter from the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance (E&HAA)
- Complaint about the absence of dog bins in Weeley Heath.
TDC Independent Review Panel (IRP)
Councillors considered the IRP consultation report and determined not to pay any allowances available to parish councillors. The Clerk was asked to notify TDC accordingly.
Weeley in Bloom (WiB)
- Cllr Hamilton proposed, Cllr Botterell seconded and it was RESOLVED: To fund the £480 cost of the concrete base for the new memorial bench for the Second Avenue Wilding Project.
- WiB’s request to use Reed Pond for a fund raising event on Saturday 8 April 2023 was agreed.
- WiB request to use the playing field for Fest4All on Sunday 17 September 2023 was agreed.
- The response regarding installing a chain around the perimeter of the War Memorial from the War Memorial Register was noted.
Christmas Lights Motifs
Cllr Brown provided an update advising members of the situation. It was agreed not to pursue the offer of second hand motifs.
The Spinney
Cllr Green explained why it would be prudent to undertake some tree maintenance work at The Spinney. It was agreed in principle. He was requested to obtain a second quotation.
Highways
- The Clerk reported that he had been advised by Cllr Land that the Local Highways Panel had refused to support a request to install bollards on the grass verge on Clacton Road near the railway bridge to deter school parking.
- The Clerk advised members of the details of a meeting with a Highways officer. Traffic surveys on Clacton, Colchester and Thorpe Roads will be scheduled to identify if and what traffic calming measures are practical. The Clerk agreed to identify a supplier of 30 mph speed limit sticky signs for use on residents wheely bins.
Local Elections 2023
The Chair notified members that she and the Clerk had attended a TDC online election briefing. Nominations packs for the May elections had been circulated earlier today and those wishing to stand for election should complete and return them.
Review of Council Policies
This item was deferred.
Coronation Party in the Park
The Chair provided an update of her progress organising the Party in the Park.
Planning Applications
The planning application set out in Appendix B was considered.
Finance and Budget
The list of monthly payments set out in Appendix C was proposed by Cllr Hamilton, seconded by Cllr Botterell and RESOLVED: To agree to make the payments.
Weeley Parish Council Reports
- Street Lighting: The single ‘purple’ coloured street light has been rectified.
- Tree Warden: Cllr Green was asked to obtain a second quotation for the maintenance work in the Spinney.
- Playing Field: The Clerk was asked to organize a cut of the playing field.
- Children’s Play Area: Nothing to report.
Other Reports
- Highways and Footpaths: Cllr Beady presented her report, which is attached as Appendix D
- TDALC: A meeting was held last week over zoom. Unfortunately, Giles Watling MP was unable to attend as planned.
- Rural Policing: 11 crimes reported in Weeley and 11 in Lt Clacton.
- Speedwatch: Cllr Beady presented her report, which is attached as Appendix E. A new speedwatch volunteer has been welcomed.
- Weeley Residents Ass: Mrs Miles presented her report, which is attached as Appendix F.
- Weeley in Bloom: Mrs Barnes presented her report, which is attached as Appendix G.
- Petanque Rink: Mrs Holt sent her apologies and advised that she has nothing further to report this month.
Public Participation
- It was reported that there is a ‘Tendring/Col Borders Garden Community’ meeting on Monday 26th at 6pm and that it is possible to watch it online.
- The field adjacent Connaught Road has been fenced off and a Christmas tree ordered.
- Obtaining grants or sponsorship for new litter bins was suggested?
- Garden waste has been left in the spinney on Clacton Road.
- It was noted that the revised planning application 23/00144/FUL, includes fewer bedrooms and garages and so does not represent additional development.
The meeting closed at 9pm.
Clerks Report – 20 February 2023
| Topic | Action/issue | Who | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Children’s Play Area | Place order. | KPH | TDC has confirmed that the S106 funding application is being processed. It is not possible for WPC to place an order to the installation before confirming that the funding is in place. |
| Defibrillator | Replace pads. | KPH | Awaiting delivery of one set of pads and a new battery. |
| Emergency Plan | 2021 annual update. | Cllr H | Cllr Hamilton has circulated the draft document for comment. |
| Litter Bins | Reassessment of provision. | Cllr H and KPH | Survey review complete. Awaiting further discussions with TDC’s Cllr Talbot. |
| Scout Hut | Prepare a new lease. | KPH | Thompson Smith & Puxon Solicitors is in the process of preparing a new lease. |
| Weeley bypass | Determine options for the avenue of poplars | Await a proposal from ECC Place Services about how many and what species trees to plant. | |
| Bus Shelters on Clacton Rd | 1. Replace roof 2. Repair board |
KPH | 1. Awaiting result of the asbestos survey. 2. Awaiting delivery of the materials. |
| Weeley Heath Gateway sign | Locate new sign as it represents a safety hazard | Dan L | Highways has agreed to relocate the sign. |
1. ECC Place Services has contacted WPC for details and clarification on the Loop Green ‘Subject Access Request and complaint. I notified the complainant that WPC refused his request to erect a screen/high fence on the area of open space adjacent to his property to address his noise issue.
2. Highways has declined a request to install bollards on the Highway verge on Clacton road to stop parents collecting children from the School parking on the verges.
3. Further to TDC’s request for information relating to the Parish’s need for ‘open space’ and the discussion at the last meeting, I notified TDC that there has been a suggestion that there may be latent demand for allotments given that the new housing developments have small gardens. Cllr Brown is investigating the private provision of allotments and he may be able to provide a report on that.
4. An offer of grant funding for defibrillators had been received.
Planning Applications
| Application No. | Details | Address | Resolved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23/00144/FUL | Proposed erection of ten dwellings & garage buildings & associated development following demolition of two existing dwellings | The Oaks Clacton Road Weeley Heath | Proposed Cllr Hamilton, seconded Cllr Botterell and RESOLVED: To object on the grounds of over development. |
Monthly Payments
| Invoice Date | Invoice No. | Cheque No. | Payee | Service | NET £ | VAT £ | GROSS £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/02/23 | IN0611000 | DD | NPower | Electricity Consumption | 339.14 | 16.96 | 356.10 |
| 30/01/23 | 1064 | 103269 | Kevin Greenscapes | Install concrete base for bench | 400.00 | 80.00 | 480.00 |
| 30/01/23 | INV-0210 | 103270 | Goldacre Contracting | Hedge Cut (2nd cut) | 500.00 | 100.00 | 600.00 |
| 14/02/23 | INV-0214 | 103270 | Goldacre Contracting | Supply a padlock | 12.50 | 2.50 | 15.00 |
| 01/02/23 | 2023/016 | 103271 | suffolk.cloud | Host website 2021/22 | 150.00 | 0 | 150.00 |
| 07/02/23 | 521376643 | 103272 | Zurich Municipal | Annual Insurance Premium | 783.28 | 94.00 | 877.28 |
| 14/02/23 | 136974 | 103273 | Primary Care Supplies | Defibrillator Pads & Battery | 355.00 | 71.00 | 426.00 |
| 11/02/23 | ZA331947 | 103274 | ICO | Data Protection Fee | 40.00 | 0 | 40.00 |
| 20/02/23 | 103275 | Mr K Harkin | Salary (mth 11 ending 28/02/23) | 661.84 | 0 | 661.84 | |
| 20/02/23 | 103275 | Mr K Harkin | Phone & BB (Jan) and mileage | 66.29 | 1.66 | 67.95 | |
| 15/02/23 | 103276 | AD Mitchell | Fit new LED streetlight light fitting | 225.00 | 45.00 | 270.00 | |
| 17/02/23 | 103277 | Marquees of Wisbech | Marquee dep for Coronation Party | 500.00 | 0 | 500.00 | |
| 17/02/23 | 103278 | Book a Bar | Bar dep. For Coronation Party | 100.00 | 0 | 100.00 | |
| 17/02/23 | 103279 | C Hamilton | TDC Event Licence | 21.00 | 0 | 21.00 |
TOTALS 4154.05 411.12 4565.17
Bank balances as at 02 February 2023; current account £17,257.37; deposit account £83,823.92.
Highways Report
Four potholes of various sizes from medium to large were noticed in Mill Lane Close at the junction with Mill Lane. These have been reported. (Ref no: 2825209). Angela drove me along all the road mentioned at the last meeting. It was a bit of a roller coaster drive, not because of Angela’s driving but because of the state of the roads, I did take a couple of photos and went online to report but it had already been reported. (Ref no: 3638182)
The roundabout pothole first reported back in December 2021 is now so deep that when I forgot to avoid it last week my dashcam immediately locked the video and placed it into the protected folder as if I’d had a collision or accident The large pothole on Colchester Road has also become famous on apps and sat navs as a dangerous pothole. On waze it is denoted as a little face with a bandage round its head.
Speedwatch Report
In January the temperature again dropped to freezing levels so of the six sessions planned we were only able to hold two. In these two sessions we logged 16 speeding vehicles, three of those were untaxed, all were MOT’d and there were no repeat offenders. The highest speed logged was 47mph on a 30mph road.
In trying to get more volunteers into Speedwatching, earlier this month I gave a very brief talk at the Weeley Residents Associations coffee morning. It seemed to be very well received though only one volunteer came forward. We are now trying to organise the first part of the course for him.
WRA Report
We had a very busy coffee morning at Hilltop Garden Centre last Tuesday, when many people paid their subscriptions for the coming year. This afternoon we had a speaker talking about Jack the Ripper.
Next Saturday will be our Race Night and we are very grateful to the many local businesses who have sponsored this event. They have all been mentioned in the next Parish Magazine and on Facebook and our website. Kevin is one of these businesses.
We are going to the Romford Dogs on 11th March and there are a few places remaining.
Our Bingo night will be on 1st April with the popular fish and chip supper. This is being subsidised by WRA.
Our new Sewing B group has been well attended and there are many ladies who are keen to have help with their sewing skills.
The new Table Tennis group has also taken off well and there are some experienced players and several who want to learn.
All our weekly and monthly activities have resumed after the Christmas break and there is great enthusiasm from those who attend them.
We have welcomed several new members since the last Parish Council Meeting.
Weeley in Bloom Report
- The rose bed is now finished at the Loop and rose bushes planted
- Whilst doing this two further shrubs and two conifers were planted at the back, donated by a local resident.
- The team will be clearing back the large bramble bush near the school, which is encroaching on the pathway.
- We are pleased to see that the ‘devastation’ to the mound caused by the work being done by Affinity Water, has been returned to normality.
- Angela has been concerned by the number of nitrous oxide gas bottles (nearly two foot in length) and empty balloons, which are being littered around the village. She took 4 canisters down to the Police Station in Clacton, they will dispose of them. Reporting it will help them build a picture of just how bad the problem is becoming.
- The station tubs have been replanted as they were looking a bit sad after all the vandalism experienced over the winter period. Some dwarf Berberis has been put in as a bit of deterrent.
- Weeley in Bloom have been compiling a bid for a Heritage Lottery grant re the Second Avenue Project. Once support letters have been received it will be 8 weeks before a decision and we hear whether we have been successful.
- Pride of Tendring trophy and certificate shown to the councillors and those present.