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MINUTES OF THE HOCKLEY PARISH FULL COUNCIL ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
Chairman: Cllr C Weston
Present: Cllr M Carter Cllr D Collins Cllr B Hazlewood Cllr B O’Shea Cllr M Maddocks Cllr R Martin Cllr P Meacham Cllr G Powell Cllr V Randall Cllr L Vingoe
1. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllrs L Daley, R Hart, S James, R Vingoe.
2. TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 23RD APRIL 2007
Cllr G Powell proposed that the minutes be accepted as a true record, seconded by Cllr R Martin and agreed unanimously.
3. TO RECEIVE THE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
See attached documents.
4. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Cllr L Vingoe thanked the Chairman for her kind remarks.
Meeting closed at 7.49pm. Chairman ……………………… Annual
Report
2007/08
As we draw to the end of
this fiscal year I must say what a privilege it has been to be your Chairman of
Hockley Parish Council for a second term. As your Chairman and together with the working groups of the Council and
in partnerships with voluntary, statutory and membership bodies we have worked
very hard to represent the residents of the Hockley community.
Planning
The Planning Committee
chaired by both Cllr Dave Collins and Cllr Roy Martin meet on a monthly basis
to make observations on planning applications. There have been planning applications for new properties in the areas of
Footpaths
Footpaths Working Group
chaired by Cllr Brian Hazlewood still works hard on our footpaths. Cllr
Hazlewood walks constantly through our footpaths to make certain that each path
is cleared throughout the year. Brian still
delivers good news on problems he has overcome and achievements made.
Many of the footpaths have
been cleared with new fingerposts with discs and yellow arrows. Improved bridges at footpath 13 and 26. New bars on gate of footpath 10. £1,200 has been spent on improvements in
2007/08. Large trees which have blown
over or diseased have been removed. The
Parish also received £1,000 from County Council for help in the upkeep of these
footpaths.
In 2008/09 there are new
works to be completed; Footpath 13 works to surface of path near Marylands
Woods, cutting back of Blackthorn of footpath 26. Replace broken style with new
field gate. Carry out maintenance and survey of all footpaths.
There will also be 4 new
walks, spring, summer, autumn and winter in the coming year with dates to be
agreed.
Environmental
The Parish of Hockley have
many open spaces within the area. The Environmental
Working Group chaired by Cllr Brian O’Shea regularly meets to update and keep
all open spaces and play areas clean and tidy. There is always a cost in keeping our play areas free from harm like
Laburnum Grove and Plumberow Mount play space. These are regularly maintained and play equipment and seats are either
mended or renewed. We have to be guided
by health and safety regulations with regards to all our play areas.
As there is a cost to the
Parish in keeping our doggie bins which are sited at Marylands Nature Reserve
and Plumberow Mount, we are continually working with Rochford District Council
to keeping these doggie bins emptied.
Hockley Parish
also have land which is either owned by Hockley Parish or leased from Rochford
District Council. Once again these
parcels of land have to be maintained by the Parish Council.
On Broad Parade
the council are looking to redesign and landscape this area with new trees and
plants. We are fortunate to have applied
and received a grant of £2,390 from Essex County Council for tree planting
which was completed in February 2008. Replace and improve the pathway at Plumberow Mount. Marylands Nature Reserve, Manor Road, The
Spinneys, Land at Beckney Avenue/Wood Area, St Peter’s Road and Rosslyn Close
all these are constantly kept in a clean and tidy state.
The Environmental Working
Group voluntarily look after the site at the Old People’s Bungalows in
It has to be said that the
Working Group are very forthright in looking after all the areas that Hockley
Parish Council own or lease. They are always looking at ways to improve or keep
our environment clean and tidy, but this is at a cost to Hockley Parish
Council.
A number of consultations
have taken place over the year, including County Highways over the locally
determined budget and the plans for improvements throughout Hockley.
We are supporting the
Massive Project to help find a location for local youths to spend their time
from congregating in the village and near resident’s homes. Hockley Parish Council is in constant liaison
with the Community Police Team and Rochford District Council in an attempt to
improve the current situation both on the streets and in our open spaces.
Policy
and Procedure, Finance, Personnel and Donations
The above working group
chaired by Cllr Veronica Randall oversees all the council’s policies,
procedures, finance, personnel and donations. During the year the group constantly keep up-to-date with its policies
and procedures in line with government legislation. The group meet the first Monday after Full
Council to discuss issues that have been raised and forwarded to this working
group.
All donations put forward
to the working group have to be discussed and assessed and if appropriate a
recommendation put forward to the next Full Council; all these must be in line
with Local Government Acts. Therefore
during the year donations have been given to the following groups which are a
benefit our community:
RAVS 200.00
Roch District
Players 100.00
St Peters &
Paul’s Church 500.00
Citizen Advice
Bureau 400.00
Peaceful Place 300.00
We continually
strive to help other causes like Age Concern who have use of a small office
within the Parish Council premises and The Parish Plan who use the council’s
facilities; hall, photo copier and admin help, which Hockley Parish Council
have not charge for.
In the year the group
reviewed all council policies; standing orders, financial regulations, assets
register, risk assessment, insurance and fidelity guarantee, staff
salaries/wages and councillor remuneration in line with government
spending. Discussions on Parish Hall
injection to make sure the hall is able to run and function correctly. Annual Appraisals have been carried out on
staff
Hockley
Parish Plan
We have been involved with
the Hockley Parish Plan, which is chaired by Mr David Fryer-Kelsey who has
involved Hockley residents to identify areas of concern. The Parish have had several meetings with
this group to make recommendations and highlight who is responsible for taking
projects forward. The Hockley Parish
Plan has also been reviewed by Rochford District Council, County Highways, our
County Councillor Bonnie Hart and other consultee’s to take this plan forward.
Street
Lighting, Festive Lighting & Special Events
This Working Group chaired
by Cllr Roy Martin takes responsibility for making sure that all festivities
and special events are covered by health and safety regulations.
Christmas lights switch-on
was a success with the help of Mel Spicer – British Ladies Kickboxing Champion
and the children who won the Christmas Bell Competition plus a splendid display
of fireworks. Father
Christmas aided by two elves for a splendid evening for the children.
There was additional work
with regards to the Christmas Lights as Rochford District Council and Essex
County Council had placed some stringent conditions on road closures and the
erection of festive lights. Extra costs
involved in the application for the erection of overhead banner and seasonal
decorations. Existing cantenary wiring
had to be maintained for the festoon down
The War Memorial has now
been completed and we are awaiting confirmation form Rochford District Council
for approval in erecting this in Hockley. A grant from the Community Initiative Fund matched 50% for the money
needed to support this project. The
Parish also installed a Street light in Mey Walk which was a cost to the
council.
Parish
Hall
The Parish Hall has had a
variety of hirers from Scrabble Club to Dog Club. The hall is continually let out for hire to
various committees and clubs for their meetings. Our lettings officer Mrs Betty O’Shea has
once again helped in various ways in advertising the hall for these meetings.
As always the up-keep of
the Old Fire Station Parish Hall has had repairs in the last year with regards
to a new kitchen and new flooring in the ladies and gents toilets is now on
order. All in all the Parish Hall is
always kept in a safe and clean condition.
It is now with regret that
Mrs O’Shea has decided to stand down as Letting Officer after many years of
service to the Parish Hall. I know that
all Councillors would like to take this opportunity in expressing their thanks
and good wishes to Betty on her retirement.
Newsletter
Hockley Parish ‘Newsletter’
with regular updates of news and issues regarding the area of Hockley; events
past and present are also a joy to read. Its notices in the newsletter give publicity for helping the day centre and other good causes. The Newsletter is produced four times a year
and delivered personally and is also available on our website.
Other
News
As Chairman of Hockley
Parish I have arranged meetings with our local MP Mark Francois, Police
Inspector Andy Parkman, County Councillor Bonnie Hart together with other
members of Rochford District Council to discuss issues relative to Hockley. I
have also attended surgeries with County Councillor Bonnie Hart which were held
at the Hockley Library.
Other
Reports of Delegates
We must also remember that
other councillors attend various meetings outside the Parish Council and report
back to Full Council. These consist of
Community Initiative Fund, Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership, Rochford
District Council Core Consultation, Hawkwell & Hockley Day Centre, Hockley
Chamber of Trade & Commerce, Rochford District Council Central Area
Committee and Hockley Community Centre.
Social
As Chairman of Hockley
Parish Council, I have enjoyed social events with members of the Parish
Council, which included an annual luncheon and Civic Dinner with the Chairman
of Rochford District Council.
As Chairman I attended a
Memorial Service at the church in Rayleigh followed by a march with our local
MP Mark François. Later, councillors and
members of the public met at Hockley Library car park and marched to the Hawkwell British Legion
which concluded with a short service. I
also attended the Parish Council service at the small war memorial adjacent to
the willow tree at Chandos Service Station.
I attended with Cllr Mike
Carter the House of Lords for a presentation by Lord Hanningfield for the
status of ‘Quality Council’ This was a
very enjoyable evening with other Parish’s also present.
I would like to take this
opportunity in thanking my colleagues on the council for their full support and
encouragement, our Clerk, Paul Stanley for his help, Jon Harrison, our Responsible
Finance Officer, for doing a splendid job of controlling our finances and Lyn
Lennox for her administrative support throughout the year. I would also like to thank our grounds men
George Jones and Patrick Mooney; our caretakers and cleaners Mike Suskins, Sam
Plaster and Alan Eede for all their hard work during the year.
Precept
The Parish Council had
their meeting in November 2007 regarding the precept for 2008/09. Whilst we have tried to keep this as low as
possible the Parish on behalf of the Community have to take into consideration
on-going projects and any new projects relative to Hockley. For example Board
Parade the redesign and landscape, Marylands and St Peters Road for the
acquisitions of land, War Memorial to be sited these are on-going projects;
street lighting and maintenance, a new bus shelter has to be sited where the
existing one was demolished by an accident; other general items have to be
increased and salaries were 3% below government guidelines. The Parish Hall has to have an injection of
money from the precept to help keep it running for use of hirers.
Last
but Not Least
Before I close I would just
like to say a few words on two of our Councillor’s both of whom are extremely
unwell.
Richard Hart who has not
been on our council for long and took a proactive role as Chairman of the
Newsletter was suddenly taken very ill with cancer. Having seen him in the past week he is now
bedridden and very frail.
Richard Vingoe who has been
on this council for more years than I can say and has been a very good friend
to me. One year at the Christmas lights we were both dancing in the street, he
was always helping me with the knowledge he had and explained things in the way
he did; especially when he took me and Cllr Mike Carter on a tour around
Anyway I just wanted to let
both families of Richard Vingoe and Richard Hart know that my heart and
thoughts of the council go out to both of them in this very trying and
difficult time.
End
Monday 14 April 2008
Budget Summary for Precept
2008/09
Schedule of Parish Council
Meetings 2007/08
To receive questions from
the floor
BUDGET
SUMMARY FOR PRECEPT 2008/2009
£
RECEIPTS TO 22.10.2007 260,369
LESS PAYMENTS TO 31.10.2007 97,507
BALANCE AVAILABLE AS AT 22.10.2007 162,861
PLUS
APPROVED GRANT FROM ECC COMMUNITY
INITIATIVE FUND RE. WAR MEMORIAL 10,000
ESTIMATED INTEREST ON CREDIT BALANCES
TO YEAR END 1,200
FUNDS AVAILABLE 174,061
LESS COMMITTED/ESTIMATED TO YEAR END (145,987)
NB – THIS INCLUDES £18,000 VEHICLE DEPRECIATION
AND £9,354 RETIREMENT GRATUITY CONTINGENCY
WHICH HAVE TO BE RETAINED AS THEY ARE
EARMARKED FUNDS
THEREFORE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO REDUCE PRECEPT 28,074
BUDGET FOR 2008/2009 240,125
LESS FUNDS AVAILABLE TO REDUCE PRECEPT (28,074)
AMOUNT TO BE
PRECEPTED FOR 2008/2009 212,051
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