Weeley Parish Council Meeting Minutes Held at Weeley Village Hall

Minutes of a meeting of Weeley Parish Council Meeting, held at Weeley Village Hall, 7.30pm Monday 21 March 2022

Present: Cllrs C. Hamilton (Chair), L. Fitzpatrick, G. Foster, M. Brown, K Green, G. Foster and T. Spong. Also in attendance; Clerk; K. Harkin, TDC Cllr P Harris, ECC Cllr D. Land (for item 6 only) and 8 members of public.

1. Apologies

were received from, Cllrs D. Botterell and J Beady

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2022 were proposed by Cllr Foster, seconded by Cllr Hamilton and agreed as a true record of proceedings.

3. Declarations of Interest

The Chair asked members if they have any declarations of interests. Cllr Fitzpatrick declared an interest in planning applications nos. 22/00405/TPO and 22/00478/TPO in as much as she lives in close proximity.

4. Clerk’s Report

The Clerk provided a verbal summary of his report, which is attached as Appendix A. He was asked to include the proposed location of the newly purchased Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Bench as an agenda item at next month’s meeting.

5. Public Participation

Mrs Baldwin raised the matter of the location of the goalposts. Also, she acknowledged that the lease for the scout hut building terminated.
The Chair agreed to Mr Roberts’ request for the Council to provide a summary of the Council minutes for publication by the 12th of month deadline.
The issue of potholes on village roads was raised. It was agreed to notify ECC Cllr Land to see if he can exert any pressure to get them repaired. Specific mention was made of the back road to Walton and Golden Lane, both which are crumbling. Neither of these locations is within Weeley’s boundary but it was agreed that Cllr Dan Land would be notified.
Mrs Bannister referred to the current planning application for Weeley House. She expressed concern that this could set a precedent for access/egress from the B1441 village bypass.

6. Tendring District and Essex County Councils

TDC Cllr Harris

He summarised the list of local organisations that have received TDC grant aid.
The dangerous tree damage left by the storm of 18th remains outstanding. ECC has agreed to inspect as a matter of urgency.
The work required to rectify the Crematorium has been ordered but will take some time to get the required parts. No date yet for reopening
TDC’s Planning Department is so far behind that the Planning Committee is currently meeting twice a month.
The consultation phase for the development of the garden community is now open until April 25th.
The Chair asked if it would be possible for TDC to fly the Ukrainian flag at the Council Offices in Thorpe Road to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

ECC Cllr Land

He indicated that there is a little confusion about the relocation of the recently installed gateway sign at the boundary of Weeley Heath and Lt Clacton.
While some repair work has been completed at the bottom of The Street, additional work in this location by the junction with the bypass remains outstanding and should be completed in the next month. A number of other issues have been reported and await repair.

7. Correspondence

The Clerk reported that there has been some routine correspondence most of which had been circulated for information where appropriate.

8. Queens Jubilee

Cllr Hamilton reported that she had written to the neighbouring parishes but found little enthusiasm for a combined Jubilee celebration event. In the circumstances, she proposed that WPC organises a “picnic in the park” type event on Sunday 5th June. It was agreed unanimously. Cllr Hamilton reminded members that there will be a WRA organised concert on Sunday 5th June evening in St Andrews. Councillors agreed for the purchase of a Queen’s Jubilee Memorial Bench retrospectively and noted that the £500 grant funding provided by ECC through Cllr Land will finance 75% of the cost of the bench.

Cllr Hamilton reported that she has been in communication with an Essex Highways arboriculturist. He has agreed that the trees removed from the avenue of poplars on the B1441 Clacton Road will be replaced. Cllr Green reported that he is developing a proposal for the replacement of the poplars. Cllr Hamilton asked for this to be an agenda item next month.

9. Council Insurance Cover

The Clerk reported that the Council’s insurance premium proposal had increased significantly (20%). He has sought two other proposals. Zurich Municipal’s has come in at the same level as was paid by WPC in 2021. Cllr Hamilton proposed to accept this proposal, Cllr Foster seconded it and it was unanimously Resolved: To accept Zurich Municipal’s proposal.

10. Annual Meeting of the Council, Annual Parish Meeting and September 2022 Monthly Meeting

The Clerk explained that there appears to be some confusion about the dates of the Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Council meeting. In addition, he needs to change the date of the monthly meeting in September due to his previously booked holiday cancelled due to covid lockdown.

Following the meeting it became apparent that the Village Hall was not available for some of the dates set at the meeting due to additional bookings on Monday evenings. The following further rescheduled dates have now been agreed.

Rescheduled April Meeting ……………………..…..Tuesday 19th April 2022
Annual Parish Meeting ………………………………7pm on Tuesday 3rd May 2022
Annual Council Meeting and Monthly meeting …… Monday 16th May 2022
Rescheduled September Meeting ……………..….. Tuesday 20th September 2022

11. Recreation Ground Goalposts

Cllr Hamilton summarised the issue for members. Further to some discussion. It was resolved to relocate the goalposts along the same orientation south-westerly towards The Spinney.

12. Planning Applications

The planning applications set out in Appendix B were considered and determined as shown in the table.

13. Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community – Draft Plan

Notification has been received that the consultation exercise has commenced. It runs from 14 March to 25 April 2022. The Chair encouraged individuals to submit their views. Follow the link, https://talk.tcbgardencommunity.co.uk/ The Clerk was asked to include this as an agenda item next month.

14. Weeley Parish Council Reports

Street Lighting: Still just the one out that was reported last month.
Tree Warden: Nothing further to add.
Playing Field: The collapsed drainage channels have been repaired.
Children’s Play Area: Consideration has been given to the type of improvements to make. The Clerk was asked to confirm the amount of S106 funding available.

15. Other Reports

Highways and Footpaths: No report in Cllr Beady’s absence.
TDALC: A Zoom meeting is scheduled
Rural Policing: Crime incidents reported in January were, 16 in Weeley and 11 in Lt Clacton
Speedwatch: No report in Cllr Beady’s absence.
Weeley Residents Ass. An abbreviated report is attached as Appendix C.
Weeley in Bloom: A spring clean is being organised. Cllr Hamilton donated a silverrose bowl to WiB.
Petanque Rink Report. Mrs Holt was absent due to other commitments.

16. Finance and Budget

The payments for February 2022 are attached as Appendix D. Cllr Hamilton proposed, Cllr Brown seconded and Resolved: Agreed for payment.

17. Public Participation

Mrs Miles raised the worsening pothole in Colchester Road approaching the Crematorium roundabout from the ambulance station, the lack of bollards along the centre of the A133 and the danger this poses in the dark. In addition, a number of highway road signs are lying in ditches along the A133.
Cllr Brown mentioned the danger of concrete ‘pads’ with missing lights on the A133.
Mrs Bannister offered to make a donation towards any proposals for the avenue of trees on the B1441.
The steps by the railway dangerous have sunk. It was suggested that this should be reported to Network Rail.
Running water (potential leaks) were reported over the top of the bridge and across the pavement further along Clacton Road.

18. Close of Meeting

The Chair closed the meeting at 9.08pm

Appendix A: Clerks Report – 21 March 2022

1. Action List

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	Working Party formed	Ongoing
20-09-21	Defibrillator	Replace pads (routine mtnce régime).	KPH	Order for new pads placed	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	This has been placed on hold while the situation is monitored.	Ongoing
15-11-21	Children’s Play Area	Introduce written inspection reports	KPH	Inspection form prepared.	Ongoing
21-02-22	Scout Hut	Prepare a new lease for the building	KPH	Yet to identify a solicitor	O/S

2. Further Developments since last meeting

The Clerk has accepted TDC’s offer to allow WPC to piggyback on the District Council’s annual playground inspection regime. The annual inspection of WPC’s play area is likely to take place in April/May.
The National Joint Council for Local Government Services has agreed the national salary award (for local government employees including Clerks) on the new rates of pay from 1 April 2021. With the Council’s agreement, the Clerks salary will be increased in line with this agreement.
The Clerk has submitted a claim to TDC for S106 monies to fund the cost for installing the access path to the Petanque Court.
Arrangements have been made with Jan Stobart for her to undertake the annual audit at a cost of £210.
The Clerk agreed to a request to revert to verbal reports instead of written reports that were required as part of the covid precautions.
Notification has been received that the Village Hall is having Wi-Fi installed and it has been agreed that the Parish Council will pay 50% of the ongoing costs.
The Clerk placed an order for a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Memorial Bench at a cost of £680. Suggestions for where to install it would be welcomed.
A request has been received from WiB and Weeley Scouts to use the Playing Field for a Fete on 19 June.

Appendix B: Planning Applications for month to 21 March 2022

Application No.	Details	Address	Comments
22/00229/FULH	Proposed first floor rear extension.	Tudor Lodge, Clacton Road Weeley Heath, CO16 9EF	No objection.
22/00188/FULH	Proposed single storey extensions to form additional living space.	Mill Barn Colchester Rd Weeley, CO16 9JP	No Objection.
22/00405/TPO	1 No. Hazel - coppicing. 1 No. Sycamore - removal of side branch and removal of 3 no. other branches 1 No. Lime - crown lifting to 7m	Land adjacent Hillside House on Corner of Church Lane and Clacton Road Weeley, CO16 9DN	No objection. The Parish Council would like the work monitored to ensure trees are not removed unnecessarily.
22/00299/FUL	Proposed one detached house.	Weeley House 70 The Street Weeley Clacton on Sea	It has been noted on previous applications that the access and egress onto a major carriageway which carries the national speed limit at that point is considered dangerous and if allowed would create a precedent for other properties whose gardens back onto the B1441 to do the same. From a road safety point of view this would be catastrophic. With the increase in housing developments in the area, the traffic levels are only going to increase, compounding the danger. The tree which has fallen and is quoted on the application as creating ‘a natural entry point for access from the main road‘ is earmarked, amongst others, for replacement as confirmed by the arboriculturist at Place Services for ECC. This is back land development. The proposed building is totally out of keeping with the historical importance of Weeley House and would have no affinity with the existing character of the area. It would look out of place, as noted by the inspector in the appeal statement. There have been two previous applications for building on this site – 17/01567/OUT and 19/01537/FUL, both of which were refused. The second one went to appeal – APP/P1560/W/17/3192362 which was also dismissed. Proposed by Cllr Hamilton, seconded by Cllr Spong and Resolved: To object to this application. TDC Cllr Harris was asked to ‘call-in’ this application.
22/00392/ADV	Proposed 3 signs for Weeley Veterinary Centre.	London House 26 Colchester Road, Weeley	No objection provided it does not cause visibility issues for ambulance station or vehicles. It is hoped that any signage erected is in keeping with the area and is not, for example, neon lit.
22/00478/TPO	1 No Oak (T1) – remove the lowest branch over the road.	Hillside Hse Cravenwood Close, Weeley	No objection

Planning Determinations March 2022

Date	Application No.	Detail	Address
14/03/2022	21/01768/FUL	Proposed erection of one 3-bedroom dwelling in lieu of consent for a 3-bedroom dwelling, subject of application 19/01255/FUL in order to alter the layout and appearance of the dwelling.	Land at The Paddocks Gutteridge Hall Lane Weeley, CO16 9DL

Appendix C: Weeley Residents Ass Report for the Parish Council March 2022

Morning coffee well attended
A new craft activity started on 14 March – Knit and Natter.
Crafters Afternoons and cards and games afternoons continue.
Seats remaining for outing to Chatham Dockyard.
Chet Valley Vineyard outing 1/7/22 – seats available.
Eastbourne 15/7/22 – seats available.
Jazz in the Village – 39 tickets sold.
Summer Jubilee concert on 5 June £10 inc. refreshments
On 1st April the Speedwatch Team will be coming to speak
Speakers on Monday afternoons start 16th May in the Village Hall with a speaker from Frinton Summer Theatre.
The new Vet will be speaking on Friday 17 June
Subscriptions are now due, £2pp per annum.

Appendix D: Cheques/Payments for Authorisation: March 2022

Invoice Date	Cheque No.	Payee	Service	NET £	VAT £	GROSS £
03/03/22	103194	HMRC	PAYE (underpayment mth 6)	81.04		81.04
28/02/22	103195	Corido	Jubilee Memorial Bench	572.92	114.58	687.50
01/03/22	103196	A&J Lighting	Monthly Mtnce	99.98	20.00	119.98
05/03/22	103197	Goldacre Contracting	Fill collapsed drains on Rec Grd.	380.00	72.00	452.00
21/03/22	103198	Sally Diggins (White Hart PH)	Defibrillator Mtnce Grant	47.00		47.00
31/03/22	103199	K Harkin	Salary March 2022	383.78		383.78
21/03/22	103199	K Harkin	Expenses (mileage, phone)	68.58		68.58
21/03/22	103200	K Harkin	Stationery	133.04	20.02	153.06

Totals NET: 1766.34, VAT: 226.60, GROSS: 1992.94

Bank balances as at 19 March 2022; current account £12,145.99; deposit account £82,298.78.