1.         TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE      

 

            Cllr R Hart.

 

 

2.         TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 12^TH NOVEMBER 2007

 

The Clerk raised one matter of fact.

 

Page 4, Item 8. 2)(b), seventh line.  “and agreed unanimously” should be deleted and replaced with line 3 and 4 A vote was taken resulting in “8 for, 3 against and 1 abstention”.    

 

Cllr S James proposed that the minutes be accepted as a true record, seconded by Cllr B Hazlewood and agreed unanimously.

 

 

3.            DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            Cllr R Vingoe, L Vingoe and P Meacham expressed a personal interest in item 9. 2)(b) as they are members of SS Peter and Paul Church congregation and Cllr L Vingoe is a member of the church council. 

 

 

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, 3^rd December 2007.  Comments of those plans discussed have been forwarded by The Clerk to Rochford District Council.

Action:  The Clerk.

 

Cllr D Collins raised the matter 07/01007/FUL Golf Driving Range Adjacent 33A Aldermans Hill, Hockley and informed members that the comments made by the Planning Committee had been corrected and Rochford District Council informed.      

Action:  The Clerk.

 

 

5.         TO CONSIDER CO OPTION OF NEW COUNCIL MEMBER

 

            The Clerk advised members that the Mr Malcolm Maddocks, seated at the back of the hall, was the only person who had responded to the Council’s notice seeking to co-opt a new member to West Ward.   Mr Maddocks had previously attended a Full Council meeting and expressed his interest to members.

            Cllr B O’Shea proposed that Mr Malcolm Maddocks be co-opted onto the Hockley Parish Council, seconded by Cllr G Powell and agreed unanimously.

            Mr Maddocks duly signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office form before The Clerk and joined the meeting.

            Action:  The Clerk.  

 

 

6.            PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME

 

            There was one member of the public present who declined to speak.

 

 

7.         TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.

 

1)      Letter of thanks from Rayleigh, Rochford and District Association for Voluntary Service for the donation of £200 received from Hockley Parish Council towards “Families in Need”.  Members were grateful for the letter of thanks and noted its comments.

Action:  Noted, Newsletter.   

2)      Facsimile and letter received from Ironmongery Direct regarding parking issues at Eldon Way Trading Estate and requesting the Parish Council give this matter consideration in order that they may respond to the letter received from Essex County Council (copy letter enclosed).   There was a short discussion and members agreed they supported the proposed waiting restrictions and the one-way proposals.  

Action:  The Clerk to write accordingly.

3)      Notice of Rural Community Council of Essex Going Green Information Events.  There was a short discussion and members agreed to give the events some thought and to inform The Clerk if they wish to attend.   Cllr G Powell and B O’Shea agreed to attend the full day meeting on Tuesday, 26^th February 2008. 

Action:  All Cllrs to consider and The Clerk to book places.

4)      Copy letter to The Planning Inspectorate from Hockley resident regarding the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 S53 Essex CC Definitive Map advising attendance at the Inquiry on Tuesday, 15^th January 2008 and giving brief summary of evidence relating to footpath in Beckney Wood.  After a short discussion, Cllrs B Hazlewood and L Daley agreed to attend.  The meeting of the Inquiry is to be held at Essex County Hotel, Aviation Way, Southend on Sea at 10am.

Action:  Cllrs B Hazlewood and L Daley.

5)      Two letters from Hockley Parish Plan with requests relating to CCTV and flower baskets in Hockley.   Members discussed the requests and agreed they should be given further consideration after completion of ongoing works.

      Action:  The Clerk to write accordingly.

 

6)   Letter from Rochford District Council informing members of the Parish/Town Council Planning Forum to be held on Wednesday, 23^rd January 2007 at 7pm in Committee Room 4 at the Civic Suite, Hockley Road, Rayleigh (sandwich buffet 6.30pm), replies to be returned by Friday, 4^th January 2008 or emailed to sheradon.sibley@rochford.gov.uk.  Cllrs L Daley, R Vingoe and L Vingoe agreed to attend and will inform either The Clerk or Sheradon Sibley of any matters they wish to be discussed at the meeting.   

      Action:  Cllrs L Daley, R Vingoe and L Vingoe. 

7)   Email from Hockley Parish Plan attaching latest version of the draft Action Plan with revisions made and requesting a meeting be arranged to discuss the new Plan.  There was a short discussion amongst members and all Councillors agreed to review the draft Action Plan that will be emailed to them or in the case of Cllrs R Vingoe, L Daley, S James and B O’Shea hard copies will be sent.  Possible dates if a meeting is required is to be the 7^th or 21^st January 2008.

      Action:  All Cllrs to consider if a further meeting is required.         

 

 

8.            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.  Cllr G Powell proposed the cheques for ratification and payment be approved, seconded by Cllr S James and agreed unanimously. 

Action:  Responsible Finance Officer.

2)      The bank statements and wages book were made available for inspection.  Cllr R Vingoe proposed that the bank statements and wages book are signed, seconded by Cllr P Meacham and agreed unanimously.

Action:  Responsible Finance Officer.

 

(a)  To consider the Precept Finalisation for 2008/09.

Members had had copies of the proposed Precept Finalisation for a week and no questions had been raised.  There was a short discussion amongst members and Cllr R Vingoe proposed that the Precept for 2008/09 be approved in the sum of £212,051, seconded by Cllr B O’Shea and agreed unanimously.

Members wished to thank The Responsible Finance Officer and The Clerk for their preparation and submission of the above documentation.

Action:  Responsible Finance Officer and The Clerk.   

 

 

9.         TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF WORKING GROUPS

(including outstanding-current and new issues)

 

1)      Footpaths Working Group

 

(a)   To consider/approve notes of the meeting of 6^th November 2007.

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. 

There was a brief discussion before Cllr B Hazlewood proposed that the notes of the meeting be approved and actioned, seconded by Cllr V Randall and agreed unanimously.   

Action:   Footpaths Working Group.

(b) To consider expenditure of £117.50 on Gate repair along Footpath 10.

Cllr B Hazlewood provided an explanation and photographic evidence of the work that needed doing to prevent motorcycle access.

There was a short discussion before Cllr B Hazlewood proposed that £117.50 be spent on the repair of the Gate along Footpath 10, seconded by Cllr V Randall and agreed unanimously.

Action:  The Clerk and Footpaths Working Group.

Highways Act 1980, ss. 43, 50.

 

2)      Policy and Procedure, Finance, Personnel and Donations Working Group

 

(a)   To consider/approve notes of the meeting of 19^th November 2007;

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.  Cllr S James made the point that she was present at the meeting.  Cllr R Vingoe questioned the donation to be given to SS Peter and Paul Parish Church and members agreed this should be reviewed in the new Financial Year.

Cllr V Randall proposed that the notes of the meeting be approved and actioned, seconded by Cllr B O’Shea and agreed unanimously.  

Action: Policy and Procedure, Finance, Personnel and Donations Working Group.

 

(b)   To consider donation of £500 towards new toilet and kitchen facilities at SS Peter and Paul;

There was a short discussion before Cllr V Randall proposed that £500 be donated towards the new toilet and kitchen facilities at SS Peter and Paul, seconded by Cllr B Hazlewood and agreed unanimously.

Action:  The Clerk and Policy and Procedure, Finance, Personnel and Donations Working Group.

Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

(c) To consider using contract cleaners at the Parish Hall in the sum of £105 per week;

There was a short discussion before Cllr V Randall proposed that the Council use contract cleaners at the Parish Hall in the sum of £105 per week, seconded by Cllr R Vingoe and agreed unanimously.

Action:  The Clerk and Policy and Procedure, Finance, Personnel and Donations Working Group.

Section 133 Local Government Act 1972.

 

(d) To consider Working Groups use of the following standard wording for recommendations “after a discussion it was agreed by a majority to recommend to full council”;

There was a short discussion and members felt that this was an excellent proposal.  Cllr V Randall proposed the use of the following standard wording for recommendations “after a discussion it was agreed by a majority to recommend to Full Council”, seconded by Cllr L Vingoe and agreed unanimously.

Action:  All Cllrs chairing Working Groups to note and adhere to the new policy that The Clerk will update on the Council’s Policy Document.

 

(e) To consider the viability of providing a long wheel base bus for youth transport.

There was a short discussion and Cllr R Vingoe suggested there were still outstanding matters to be discussed and considered such as the cost, garaging, maintenance and drivers.  Members felt that this matter should be initially passed to the Working Group for consideration prior to taking the matter any further.  Liaison with adjoining Parish Councils should also be carried out.

Action:  Policy and Procedure, Finance, Personnel and Donations Working Group.

 

3)      Street Lighting, Festive Lighting and Special Events Working Group

 

(a) To consider/approve notes of the meeting of 15^th November 2007. The notes had been circulated with the agenda for this meeting.

Cllr R Martin briefed members on the Working Group’s considerations and asked for any comments and questions.  Members agreed the Festive Lights event for this year was successful and members wished to thank Cllr R Martin and everybody involved.  

There was a brief discussion before Cllr R Martin proposed that the notes of the meeting be approved and actioned, seconded by Cllr G Powell and agreed unanimously.   

Action:  Street Lighting, Festive Lighting and Special Events Working Group.

 

 

10.       TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF DELEGATES

 

1)      Central Area Committee 

 

         Cllr B Hazlewood had attended the recent meeting that spoke of the Rochford District Council 10 year plan.  There was also a discussion regarding speeding and youth nuisance.

            Action:  Noted.

 

2)      Primary Care Trust       

         Cllr V Randall spoke of a new publication, The Rochford Compact.  She has the original document which is quite vast and advised members to contact her if they wish to read it or alternatively they can wait for the condensed version that is soon to be produced and can be circulated to all members.

         Cllr B Hazlewood stated that he still received a copy of the full documentation

          for the PCT although he had already advised them that he was no longer a delegate.

   Action:  The Clerk to write accordingly to PCT.

 

3)         Transport - Library Bus Shelter

 

               Cllr C Weston advised members that a number of people had approached her relative to the reinstatement of an official bus stop outside the Library where the buses nos. 7 and 8 should stop to allow passengers to access the service.

               Action:  The Clerk to write accordingly.

 

 

11.    ANY MATTERS PERMITTED BY THE CHAIRMAN AS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION BY THE COUNCIL, TO INCLUDE REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.

 

         None.

 

           

 

 

 

Meeting Closed at 9.00pm                                                            Chairman……………….