Minutes of the Meeting
- Present
- Cllrs C. Hamilton (Chair), D. Botterell, G. Foster, J Beady, K Green, P. Taylor and T. Spong. Also in attendance; Clerk; K. Harkin, TDC Cllr P Harris and 8 members of public.
- Apologies were received from Cllrs L. Fitzpatrick, M. Brown and EEC Cllr D. Land.
- Minutes of the previous meeting: The minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2022 were proposed by Cllr Botterell, seconded by Cllr Spong and unanimously approved as an accurate record of the meeting.
- Declarations of Interest: None were offered.
- Clerk’s Report: The Clerk expanded on the details included in his report, which is attached as Appendix A.
- Public Participation:
- Road repairs? No notification yet of a date for any road repair work in the Village.
- There was a request to relocate the new gateway sign at the junction of Connaught and Clacton Roads. Highways have agreed to relocate it.
- It was announced that a parked white van may have been abandoned?
- Tendring District and Essex County Councils:
- TDC Cllr Harris reported that Storm Eunice had caused problems locally. A total of 57 trees were damaged/destroyed across the District. Two passing men helped to clear one road with the aid from a local resident. A number of trees at the Crematorium were damaged/destroyed.
- TDC Cllr Talbot has asked for a suggestion for a location to relocate the recycle point to.
- The Local Plan has been formally approved and is now in place. TDC’s Gary Guiver said that the erroneously recorded boundary between Lt Clacton and Weeley is for illustration purposes only and that the boundary has not changed. Cllr Harris said he had received a definitive boundary map and would email it to the Chair.
- Cllr Harris has asked TDC to complete a survey of the aging poplar trees on the B1441 Clacton Road.
- He confirmed that TDC councillors will receive £1,000 to donate across their parishes to fund the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.
- Cllr Harris has suggested that the roads in the new housing development on Barrack Field receive names that reflect the history of the area.
- Correspondence:
- Congratulatory letter received from Weeley in Bloom (WiB) regarding the planting of the Christmas tree.
- Request from WiB to use Reed Pond for a community event on 16 April.
- A request for assistance about a parking issue on Thorpe Road was received. This matter has hopefully now been resolved.
- A request for WPC to repair a path has been redirected to Highways.
- Queens Jubilee: The Chair thanked Cllr Fitzpatrick in her absence for her Working Party report. There was some discussion about the suggestions identified. A suggestion was made that subject to agreement from the neighbouring parishes, Weeley, Tendring, Thorpe and Lt. Clacton may wish to join together to organise a combined event. The Clerk suggested that the Council may wish to identify a project that provides a legacy e.g. replace the avenue of trees along the bypass. Cllr Green agreed to investigate landscaping options on the bypass.
- Grant Funding Request: The Clerk reported that he had received a request from the White Hart PH for a grant of £47 to purchase replacement pads for their defibrillator. Resolved: To approve a grant of £47 to fund replacement pads for the defibrillator.
- Vehicle Activated Signs/Speed Indicator Devices (VAS/SID): The Clerk advised members of a Briefing by Essex Highways about the change of policy regarding VAS/SID devices. The biggest change is that the Local Highway Panels will in future only fund devices if the speeding issue is significant e.g. 10mph average over the limit. New devices in other locations will have to be funded by town and parish councils.
- Planning Applications: The details of local applications and determinations are set out in Appendix B.
- Weeley Parish Council Reports:
- Street Lighting: Cllr Green reported that lamp number 9061 (opposite the ambulance station) is out.
- Tree Warden: Nothing to report this month.
- Playing Field: The French drains repair work has commenced and is ongoing.
- Children’s Play Area: An inspection is scheduled on 22nd February.
- Other Reports:
- Highways and Footpaths. Cllr Beady read out her written report, which is attached as Appendix C.
- TDALC: The minutes of the last meeting held on 26 January will be circulated when received.
- Rural Policing: 11 crimes were reported in Weeley in December, 4 in Weeley Heath and 9 Little. Clacton.
- Speedwatch Cllr Beady read out her written report, which is attached as Appendix D.
- Weeley Residents Ass: Mrs D. Miles read out her written report, which is attached as Appendix E.
- Weeley in Bloom: Julia Hopgood provided a verbal report referring to the planned community fund-raising event day at Reed Pond on 16 April. WiB is working with The Scouts. A recent fund raising event raised £450 for next years plants.
- Petanque Rink: Mrs Holt reported that the number of players is still increasing. She thanked the Parish Council for installing the access path.
- Finance and Budget: Cllr Botterell proposed, Cllr Spong seconded and it was Resolved: To approve the list of payments as set out in Appendix F.
- Public Participation: After some discussion, it was agreed to nominate Station Approach, just off the B1441 as the proposed area to relocate the recycle point when TDC Offices close.
- Close of Meeting: The Chair closed the meeting at 8.33pm
Appendices
Appendix A: Clerk's Report – 21 February 2022
| Date | Topic | Action/issue | Who | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19-07-21 | Memorial Benches | Process two requests | KPH | Plaques received and installed. | Complete |
| 19-07-21 | Expansion Children’s Play Area | Consider options for the renewal/expansion of the facility. | KPH | Working Party formed | Ongoing |
| 20-09-21 | Defibrillator | Replace pads (routine mtnce régime). | KPH | Supplier recently identified. | O/S |
| 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/KPH | Ongoing | |
| 15-11-21 | Children’s Play Area | Introduce written inspection reports | KPH | Template to be prepared. | O/S |
Further Developments since last meeting
- As streetlamp No. 9083 has failed twice in quick succession, a decision was taken to replace it with a modern LED fitting.
- Notification has been received from TDC that precepts will be paid in two payments in 2022/23 as is tradition. TDC has agreed also, to continue to support Town and Parish Councils by making LCTS grant payments in 2022/23 with an uplift of 3%.
- WiB have requested use of Reed Pond on 16th April 2022 10am – 1pm for a community event including an easter egg hunt.
- The work to install the access path to the Petanque court has been completed.
- The opportunity has been taken to relocate the British Legion headstone a few metres back up against the Petanque court perimeter fence. The headstone will hopefully look less isolated in its new position.
- It appears that the lease for the scout hut is run its course. I recommend that the Council appoints a solicitor to prepare a new lease.
- I would like to thank Cllr Spong for installing the two memorial plaques on the Petanque court benches.
Appendix B: Planning Applications for month to 21 February 2022
| Date of Notification | Application No. | Details | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22/00184/FUL | Proposed erection of a custom-build dwelling. | Land adjacent 2 Barnfields Clacton Rd Weeley Heath | Proposed Cllr Hamilton, Seconded Cllr Spong and Resolved: Objection on the following grounds: Access/egress does not appear to be sufficient to meet Essex Highways standards to service the proposed number of dwellings on the site. Overdevelopment of the site. Protection of trees is unknown and TPOs should be issued. |
Planning Determinations February 2022
| Date | Application No. | Determination | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-01-22 | 21/01925/FUL | Approval - Full 12.01.22 Delegated Decision | Proposed installation of two rapid electric vehicle charging stations within the car park of McDonalds. McDonalds Restaurant Colchester Road Weeley Essex CO16 9AD |
| 24-01-22 | 21/02014/FUL | Refusal - Full 19.01.22 Delegated Decision | Proposed erection of seven dwellings and three garage buildings. Land off Connaught Road, Weeley, Essex CO16 9EL |
| 31-01-22 | 21/01940/VOC | Approval - Full 26.01.22 Delegated Decision | Variation of conditions 2, (Approved plans and materials) 3, (Landscaping scheme) and 8 (Fences, walls or other enclosures) of application 20/00668/FUL Former Land off Connaught Road Weeley, CO16 9EL |
| 31-01-22 | 21/01956/VOC | Approval - Full 26.01.2022 Delegated Decision | Variation of conditions 4 and 8 imposed on outline planning permission 20/00277/OUT and conditions 1, 2 and 3 imposed on reserved matters approval 20/00667/DETAIL to make a number of minor variations to the design of the dwellings (originally approved 19/00785/OUT). Former Land off Connaught Road Weeley, CO16 9EL |
| 07-02-22 | 19/01173/LUEX | Lawful Use/development Refused 31.01.22 Delegated Decision | Erection of boundary fences and gates. Land at Old Goods Yard Weeley Railway Station Clacton Road Weeley, CO16 9DH |
| 07-02-22 | 21/02109/FULHH | Approval - Full 02.02.22 Delegated Decision | Proposed single storey side and rear extension. 34 Bentley Road Weeley, CO16 9DT |
| 14-02-22 | 21/01870/FULHH | Approval - Full 10.02.22 Delegated Decision | Proposed garden annex. 1 Barnfields, Clacton Road Weeley Heath, CO16 9EF |
| 14-02-22 | 21/02101/FULHH | Approval - Full 10.02.22 Delegated Decision | Proposed Three Bay Cartlodge Malmore, Clacton Road Weeley, CO16 9DN |
Appendix C: Highways Report for January 2022
Repairs were undertaken at the end of The Street this month, they took two days and filled even the small potholes though only the larger ones were sealed.
Earlier this month orange spray lines were spotted around the potholes on the bend of The Street. These lines have now virtually worn away but hopefully, we will see men at work there soon. In addition, there was ‘30’ symbols painted on Thorpe Road at the other end after the roundabout on Colchester Road and a ‘40’ symbol at the junction of The Street and Clacton Road.
Appendix D: Speedwatch Report for January 2022
The weather has been against us this year so no Speedwatch sessions have been held so far this year. Just when the temperature started picking up so did the wind and we learned our lesson trying to do a session in the wind last year, when one of us had to go running up the road to chase after a sign that was dancing across the road. Thankfully, it was caught before it caused an accident.
The two new volunteers have done the first part of the course, jackets have been ordered and we just wait for a date when we can go pick them up.
We have agreed to do a presentation on Speedwatch on 1 April.
Appendix E: Weeley Residents’ Association February Report for the Parish Council
We have had a busy month since the last report. We have increased our weekly activities to include Walking Football for the over 50s and they play every Friday afternoon in the village hall. The teams are for men and women, and we are lucky enough to have a professional umpire.
We have monthly afternoon activities for Craft, cards/games, and a new evening activity starts in March for Knit and Natter.
We have outings arranged for a paddle steamer trip on the Norfolk Broads, a trip to Suffolk that includes a lunch at Dunwich, a visit to the Royal Dockyard at Chatham, an outing to a Vineyard in Norfolk with a lunch included, and a day trip to Eastbourne. I am also investigating the possibility of a two night stay away to visit a Christmas Market. We are making our first theatre trip next month to see Chicago at the Regent Theatre in Ipswich. We continue with our monthly coffee morning at Hilltop Garden Centre and are arranging occasional talks of interest to be held on a Friday afternoon in the village hall, one to look forward to will be with the new Vet who is moving into the village.
I hope you will agree that we are serving the community in a variety of ways and accommodating various suggestions and ideas that residents have requested. We have various members of the committee who undertake responsibility for some of these activities and we have had two new committee members join us this year.
Our new website is weeleyresidentsassociation.org
Diane Miles
Chairman
Appendix F: Cheques/Payments for Authorisation: February 2022
| Invoice Date | Invoice No. | Cheque No. | Payee | Service | NET £ | VAT £ | GROSS £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-02-22 | 35931 | 103188 | A&J Lighting | Monthly Mtnce | 99.98 | 20.00 | 119.98 |
| 08-02-22 | 35970 | 103188 | A&J Lighting | Install LED fighting and lamp 9083 | 429.00 | 85.80 | 514.80 |
| 01-02-22 | 2022/016 | 103189 | Suffolk.cloud | Annual fee to support & host website | 155.00 | 0 | 155.00 |
| 05-03-22 | INV-54951 | 103190 | Anglia Sign Casting | Manufacturer 2 x memorial plaques | 133.52 | 26.70 | 160.22 |
| 11-02-22 | 00510ab50705 | 103191 | IFO | GDPR Data Protection Fee renewal | 40.00 | 0 | 40.00 |
| 18-02-22 | 2924 | 103192 | Alpine Landscapes | Install Access Path to Petanque Court | 3,455.00 | 691.00 | 4,146.00 |
| 28-02-22 | 103193 | K Harkin | Salary February 2022 | 332.75 | 0 | 332.75 | |
| 28-02-22 | 103193 | K Harkin | Expenses (mileage & phone) | 386.39 | 0 | 386.39 |
Totals NET: £5,031.64, VAT: £823.50, GROSS: £5,855.14
Bank balances as at 18 February 2022; current account £7,539.36; deposit account £102,296.33.