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MINUTES OF THE HOCKLEY PARISH
FULL COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN
THE PARISH
HALL AT 8.00 PM ON MONDAY, 14TH APRIL 2008
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 10TH MARCH 2008
Cllr R Martin proposed that the minutes be accepted as a true record, seconded by Cllr P Meacham and agreed unanimously.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs P Meacham and L Vingoe declared a personal interest in item 8 3)(b) as members of the congregation.
4. PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND RELATED MATTERS
There were no plans for discussion as the Planning Committee had dealt with them under delegated authority at their meeting held on Monday, 7th April 2008. Comments of those plans discussed have been forwarded by The Clerk to Rochford District Council. Action: The Clerk.
8:00pm Meeting Adjourned
5. PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME
There were five members of the public present.
A local resident questioned the large increase of 28.6% in the Precept 2008/09. There was a discussion with Councillors relative to the public not always being made aware of where funds were spent. The resident felt that more consultation should take place with the public prior to projects being approved. He also felt that more use should be made of the website and Newsletter to explain where the resident’s money was being spent.
8:17pm Meeting Re-convened
6. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.
1) Email correspondence and telephone calls received from Hockley residents requesting a breakdown and reason for the Parish Council rate increase of 28.6%. After a short discussion, members agreed the Clerk should write to the members of the public inviting them to a meeting at the Parish office in order to explain the rate increase. Action: The Clerk.
2)
Letter
from a Hockley resident in reply to the Council letter of complaint regarding
the hoggin left outside the Plumberow Mount Playspace. Members discussed this matter and agreed the
Clerk should write once again requesting removal of the hoggin.
Action: The Clerk.
3) Invitation from Havens Hospices to the participation in the Havens Birthday Event celebrating 25 years of hospice care on Friday, 13th June 2008. Members requested a copy of this invitation is circulated to them. Action: All Councillors.
4) Letter from Essex County Council Waste Management Advisory Board requesting comments on the draft Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Essex. After a short discussion, Cllr D Collins agreed to review the draft document. Action: Cllr D Collins.
5) Letter from Hockley residents regarding their road safety concern when crossing the junction where Folly Lane meets Main Road/Alderman’s Hill and requesting the Council’s consideration for a Zebra Crossing at this point. Members discussed this matter and requested that the Clerk write to Essex County Council Highways once again regarding this matter and also mentioning the narrow footpaths along main road. Action: The Clerk.
6) Email and letter from Hockley residents requesting trees are planted on the grass verge at Broadlands Road to prevent cars from parking. Members discussed this matter and noted the Clerk had written to Essex County Council Highways requesting a solution be considered for the best way forward in this matter. Action: The Clerk to await response from Highways.
7. FINANCIAL REPORT (Including bank balances, cheques paid under prior authority and to examine wages book)
1) The list of bank balances and cheques for ratification and payment was made available for inspection. The Clerk answered several minor questions. Cllr B Hazlewood proposed the cheques for ratification and payment be approved, seconded by Cllr R Martin and agreed unanimously. Action: Responsible Finance Officer. 2) The bank statements and wages book were made available for inspection. Cllr P Meacham proposed that the bank statements and wages book are signed, seconded by Cllr G Powell and agreed unanimously. Action: Responsible Finance Officer.
8. TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF WORKING GROUPS (including outstanding-current and new issues)
1) Environmental
Working Group
(a) To
consider/approve notes of meeting of 5th March 2008.
The notes
had been circulated with the agenda for this meeting. Cllr B O’Shea briefed members on the Working Group’s
considerations and asked for any comments and questions.
There was
a brief discussion before Cllr G Powell proposed that the notes be approved and
actioned, seconded by Cllr L Vingoe and agreed unanimously.
Action: Environmental Working Group.
(b) To consider/approve notes of meeting of 1st April 2008.
The notes
had been circulated with the agenda for this meeting. Cllr B O’Shea briefed members on the Working Group’s
considerations and asked for any comments and questions.
There was
a brief discussion before Cllr C Weston proposed that the notes be approved and
actioned, seconded by Cllr R Martin and agreed unanimously.
Action: Environmental Working Group.
(c) To consider/approve the damaged path at
Plumberow Mount Open Space is repaired.
Members discussed this matter
and the cost of repair of the damaged
path being £1,250 plus VAT.
There was
a brief discussion before Cllr C Weston proposed that £1,250 plus VAT be spent
on repair of the damaged path at Plumberow Mount Open Space, seconded by Cllr L
Vingoe and agreed unanimously.
Action: Environmental Working Group.
Open Spaces Act 1906, ss.9 and
10.
(d) To consider design/specification of fence for Plumberow Mount Playspace.
The Clerk had provided members with a
brochure showing numerous styles of fence.
After a short discussion, members selected a
Mesh style fence, design no. FS424. Cllr B Hazlewood proposed that The Clerk obtain quotes from contractors
and authority from Rochford District Council to place the fence 2m high around
the playspace, seconded by Cllr C Weston and agreed unanimously.
Action: The Clerk.
2) Footpaths
Working Group
(a) To consider/approve notes of the meeting of 11th March
2008.
The notes had been circulated with the agenda for this meeting. Cllr B Hazlewood briefed members on the
Working Group’s considerations and asked for any comments and questions. He informed members that 13 people attended
the Spring Walk which took two and a half hours to complete. Cllr B O’Shea also thanked Cllrs R Vingoe
and L Vingoe for their help with the walk arrangements.
There was a brief
discussion before Cllr B Hazlewood proposed that the notes be approved and
actioned, seconded by Cllr V Randall and agreed unanimously.
3) Policy and Procedure, Finance,
Personnel and Donations Working Group Working Group
(a) To consider/approve notes of the meeting of 17th March
2008.
The notes had been circulated with the agenda for this meeting. Cllr V Randall briefed members on the
Working Group’s considerations and asked for any comments and questions.
There was
a brief discussion before Cllr V Randall proposed that the notes be approved
and actioned, seconded by Cllr C Weston and agreed unanimously.
Action: Policy and Procedure, Finance, Personnel and
Donations Working Group.
(b) To consider/approve donation of £200 to Sts
Peter and Paul Church for new toilet and
kitchen facilities.
There was a short discussion amongst members
before Cllr V Randall proposed that £200 be donated to Sts Peter and Paul
Church for new toilet and kitchen facilities, seconded by Cllr R Martin with
one against.
Action: The Clerk.
Local
Government Act 1972, S.137.
(c) To consider Hockley Parish Council’s website.
Members discussed the Council’s website and Cllr M Carter felt there was not enough information available on
it.
There was a brief discussion before Cllr L
Vingoe proposed the Policy and Procedure, Finance, Personnel and Donations
Working Group consider the website further, seconded by Cllr B Hazlewood.
Action: Policy and Procedure, Finance, Personnel and
Donations Working Group.
(d) To consider precept 2008/9.
There was a brief discussion before Cllr R
Martin proposed the answer at 6. 1) above be forwarded to interested parties,
seconded by Cllr B Hazlewood and agreed unanimously.
Action: The Clerk.
(e) To consider Chairman’s allowance 2007/08.
The Chairman had questioned the Chairman’s
Allowance as set in the Precept 2007/08 at £350.00, but had been set by the
Independent Remuneration Panel at £250.00.
The Clerk advised members that minute 8 1)(h)
29.1.07 had agreed to set all allowances at the figures set out by the
Independent Remuneration Panel. This
could be changed (as it was over 6 months ago) if the Council felt it was
appropriate and justified.
There was a short discussion amongst members
before Cllr B Hazlewood proposed that the Remuneration Panel’s recommendation
of £250.00 be accepted, seconded by Cllr L Vingoe and agreed with on
abstention.
Action: Noted.
4) Parish Hall Working Group
(a)
To consider/approve notes of the meeting of
20th March 2008.
The notes
had been circulated with the agenda for this meeting. Cllr G Powell briefed members on the Working Group’s
considerations and asked for any comments and questions.
There was
a brief discussion before Cllr B O’Shea proposed that the notes be approved and
actioned, seconded by Cllr R Martin and agreed unanimously.
Action: Parish Hall Working Group.
(b) To
consider/approve the Standard Conditions of Hire Forms need no further action;
Cllr G Powell explained the Working Group’s
thought process and felt that as there was only one hall hirer refusing to sign
the forms, they would not be altered as they were felt to be highly appropriate
for hall users. Cllr B Hazlewood felt
that in due course the forms should be reviewed. This was agreed as a long term objective in line with all council
documents being reviewed over time. A
consultant would once again be employed to undertake this piece of work.
Cllr G Powell proposed that the Standard
Conditions of Hire Forms need no further action, seconded by Cllr C Weston and
agreed with 3 against.
Action: Noted.
(c) To consider/approve the returnable deposit paid
by Hockley Parent and Toddler Group
remains at £30.
Cllr G Powell explained the Working Group member’s
ideas and members had a long discussion on this matter and felt that all groups
hiring the hall should be treated the same and therefore the Parent and Toddler
Group should pay the full £75 deposit.
Cllr C Weston proposed that a cheque with
banker’s card would be acceptable and that all groups pay the same agreed
deposit, seconded by Cllr B Hazlewood and agreed unanimously.
Action: The Clerk to advise the Hall Lettings Officer accordingly.
(d) To
consider/approve cost of replacement Water Boiler.
Cllr G Powell and the Working Group members
had reviewed the costs of a hydro-boil fixed to the wall and the minimum size
required would cost £1,100-£1,500 plus fitting. The existing free standing boiler had been fitted with a new
Thermostat and Safety Switch by Cllr R Martin (at his own expense).
Members
agreed to consider methods of securing the present boiler and review the cost
of a hydro-boil in next year’s precept.
Cllr C Weston proposed that the existing
boiler continue to be used and a hydro-boil be considered in the future once
funding is permitted, seconded by Cllr B O’Shea and agreed unanimously.
Action: Parish Hall Working Group.
Cllr B
O’Shea thanked Cllr R Martin for his time and expense in repairing
the existing boiler.
9. TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF DELEGATES
1)
Rochford
District Council
Cllr B Hazlewood informed members he had
attended the Corporate Manslaughter & Homicide Talk at Rochford District
Council. It was very interesting and
The Clerk advised that the Council was now fully insured for the above risks.
Action: Noted.
2)
Central
Area Committee
Cllr B Hazlewood informed members he had
attended the latest Central Area Committee Meeting, but had left the notes
behind. He would catch up with matters
at the next meeting.
Action: Cllr B Hazlewood.
3) Speed Checks
Cllr P Meacham had been out with the Police
on speed checks in Hockley and was pleased to report that no one had been
detected speeding.
Action: Noted.
4) Speed Restriction
Outside Greensward College
Cllr M Maddocks had attended a meeting with Highways and the
Police regarding the proposed 20mph speed limit outside Greensward College.
Action: Noted.
5) Parish Hall Manager
There was a general discussion relative to
the new appointee to the post of Hall Manager.
Action: Noted.
10. ANY MATTERS PERMITTED BY THE CHAIRMAN AS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION BY THE COUNCIL, TO INCLUDE REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
None.
Meeting Closed at 9.31pm Chairman……………………..
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