1.         TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE      

 

            Cllrs R Hart and R Vingoe.           

 

 

2.         (a)            TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 11^TH FEBRUARY 2008

 

             Cllr G Powell proposed that the minutes be accepted as a true record, seconded by Cllr R Martin and agreed unanimously.

 

(b)        TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF 25^TH FEBRUARY 2008

 

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

 

 

3.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            No declarations were notified.

 

 

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 March 2008.  Comments of those plans discussed have been forwarded by The Clerk to Rochford District Council.

Action:  The Clerk.

 

            Cllr R Martin requested members note the refusal of Planning Application No. 08/00022/COU, 2-4 Aldermans Hill, Hockley, change of use from Petrol Station/Care Sale to Car/Van Hire.

            Action:  Noted.

 

Meeting adjourned 8.10pm

 

           

5.                  PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME

 

There were three members of the public present.  Mr Brian Guyett from the Hockley Resident’s Association was the only one to speak.  He queried the Fire Safety Conditions relating to the hire of the Hockley Parish Hall.

 

There was a short discussion and members agreed to debate the matter as set out on the agenda at item 8. 3)(b).  

 

 

Meeting re-opened at 8.22pm

 

 

6.         TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.

 

1)      Email received from Rochford District Council Environmental Services regarding the update of emergency out of hours call out procedures relative to Plumberow Avenue Open Space.  Members discussed this matter and agreed there is no need for an emergency out of hours call out phone number from Hockley Parish Council.  Any out of hour emergencies should be dealt with by the Police, Fire, and Ambulance.   

Action:  The Clerk.

2)      Letter from a Hockley resident requesting Hockley Parish Council investigate the possibility of allotments in Hockley.  The Clerk advised members of their legal obligation to look for suitable sites.  There was a short discussion amongst members and it was agreed the matter be dealt with by the Environmental Working Group.

Action:  Environmental Working Group.

3)      Copy objection letter to Head of Planning at Rochford District Council from Ironmongery Direct relative to Planning Application No. 08/00088/COU, 7A Eldon Way Industrial Estate, Hockley, Change of use from Industrial to Leisure Facility to provide meeting place for 11-17 year olds.  Members discussed this matter and noted that whilst they supported the Massive Project, they had yet to deal with the planning application.  The objections in the letter will be considered by the Planning Committee at the next planning meeting.    

Action:  Noted.

4)      Letter from Hockley Parent & Toddler Group regarding the increase in amount of returnable deposit and requesting that Hockley Parish Council look charitably upon the group and not increase the amount.  Members discussed this and agreed this matter should be considered by the Parish Hall Working Group. 

Action:  Parish Hall Working Group.

5)      Email from Essex County Council requesting potential sites within their ownership be viewed for the future tree planting.  There was a short discussion and members agreed this should be considered by the Environmental Working Group.

Action:  Environmental Working Group.

6)   Letter from The Ark II thanking Hockley Parish Council for the £100 donation.  Members noted the contents of the letter with thanks and asked for a copy to be sent to the Newsletter Working Group.

      Action:  Newsletter Working Group.

 

7)   Letter from Nicholas Khan of Rochford District Council relative to the proposed Hockley War Memorial setting out the conditions for the grant of permission of the Memorial.  There was a short discussion and members noted the contents of the letter and agreed that The Clerk reply accordingly.

      Action:  The Clerk.

8)   Cllr M Carter raised a letter from a local member of the public who had requested a bus stop near Leamington Road.  There was a short discussion and it was agreed that Cllr Carter re-visit the member of the public to establish the exact position of the bus shelter, this was due to their being some doubt that it may lie in Ashingdon Parish.

      Action:  Cllr M Carter.    

 

 

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.  Cllr M Carter proposed the cheques for ratification and payment be approved, seconded by Cllr V Randall and agreed unanimously. 

Action:  Responsible Finance Officer

2)      The bank statements and wages book were made available for inspection.  Cllr L Vingoe proposed that the bank statements and wages book are signed, seconded by Cllr S James 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 the meeting of 6^th February 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 G Powell and agreed unanimously.

Action: Environmental Working Group.

 

8.50pm  Cllr L Daley arrived.

 

(b) To consider design/specification of fence for Plumberow Mount Playspace;

Members discussed at length the style of fencing especially as to whether this should be palisade or another higher quality. 

The Clerk advised members that the Council had no money in their budget to cover the cost of the fencing and for the meantime, members agreed The Clerk should investigate all styles of fencing from fencing companies.  The Clerk pointed out that he had already approached Rochford District Council and one of the country’s biggest fence manufacturers and palisade was the preferred safety option for children’s playgrounds.  Further research would delay the project and the Council may miss the date for the Community Initiative Fund funding application that he had ready for submission with palisade fence as the preferred option with 3 quotes to hand. 

Cllr L Vingoe proposed that the Council investigate all styles of fencing and brochures be provided for members to view, seconded by Cllr B O’Shea and agreed with 7 For, 5 against and 1 abstaining.

Action:  The Clerk.          

 

(c) To consider cost for opening/closing of gates when new fence erected at Plumberow Mount Playspace.

Members discussed the cost of opening and closing the gates and The Clerk informed members that the cost was be £3,600 per annum for this work to be carried out and that there was no money in the Council budget. 

Cllr G Powell proposed that the gates be locked at night, seconded by Cllr C Weston and agreed with 10 votes For and 3 Against.

Action:  The Clerk.  

2)      Footpaths Working Group

 

(a)   To consider/approve notes of the meeting of 12^th February 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.

There was a brief discussion before Cllr B Hazlewood proposed that the notes be approved and actioned, seconded by Cllr G Powell and agreed unanimously.

Action: Noted.

 

(b)   To consider/approve spending £60 on Rye grass seed in attempt to improve some footpath surfaces.

There was a short discussion amongst members before Cllr B Hazlewood proposed that £60 be spent on Rye grass seed in an attempt to improve some footpath surfaces, seconded by Cllr V Randall and agreed unanimously.

Highways Act 1980, ss.43, 50.

Action:  Footpaths Working Group.

 

3)      Parish Hall Working Group

 

(a)   To consider/approve notes of the meeting of 21^st February 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 R Martin proposed that the notes be approved and actioned, seconded by Cllr S James and agreed unanimously.

Action: Parish Hall Working Group.

 

(b)   To consider action if the Fire Safety Form from Hockley Residents Association is not signed and returned;   

Cllrs D Collins, B Hazlewood, S James, L Vingoe and B O’Shea declared a personal interest.  Cllr D Collins took no part in the discussion.

There was a long discussion on the Council’s legal obligations relating to this matter and it was felt that the existing forms served the purpose to advise hirers of their legal obligation relative to fire safety.  The Parish Hall Working Group, with consultant’s advice, would review the papers in due course, but in the meantime smoke detectors are to be fitted in the upper and lower hall stairway ceilings.

Cllr R Martin proposed that persons who refuse to sign the Standard Conditions of Hire forms will not be allowed to use the hall, seconded by Cllr C Weston and agreed with 7 For and 6 abstentions.     

Action:  Hall Lettings Officer to write and advise those not signing accordingly.

 

(c)   To consider a new wall mounted urn/water boiler.

There was a short discussion on this matter and it was felt that a wall mounted hot water boiler would be safer than a free standing one.  Cllr C Weston proposed that a wall mounted boiler be fitted from the hall maintenance budget, seconded by Cllr V Randall and agreed unanimously.

Local Government Act 1972, s.144.

Action:  The Clerk.

 

4)      Street Lighting, Festive Lighting and Special Events

 

(a) To consider/approve notes of the meeting of 21^st February 2008;

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.

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: Noted.

 

(b) To consider date of 29^th November 2008 for Festive Lights Switch-on.

There was a brief discussion among members regarding the date of the Festive Lights Switch-on.  The Clerk indicated that the Traders would prefer 22.11.08.

Cllr R Martin proposed that the lights switch-on be Saturday, 29^th November 2008, seconded by Cllr V Randall and agreed with 10 For and 3 Against.

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

 

 

 

9.                  TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF DELEGATES

 

            1)            Central Area Committee Meeting

 

                        Cllr B Hazlewood had attended the most recent Central Area Committee Meeting.  Funds in the sum of £10,000 have been made available for trees and also some works in Hockley Woods which included seating.  There was a report from Hawkwell relative to a teen shelter and a survey form on the subject had received a very poor response.  Hockley Parish Plan Group should be reported on at this meeting and had the full support of the Parish Council.

                        Action:  Noted.

 

            2)            Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership

 

                        Cllr V Randall had attended a recent meeting.   The New District Commander, Andy Prophet, had reported a 33 per cent reduction in crime.  He also reported that there are 5 persistent offenders in the area, 3 of which are watched.  New method of CDRP funding requests comes into force after 1.4.08.

                        Action:  Noted.  

 

3)         Council for the Protection of Rural Essex

 

            Cllr G Powell and B O’Shea had attended a recent ‘Green Day’ where energy conservation and savings had been discussed.  There was also a talk on improving the environment by a specialist.

            Action:  Noted.

 

4)         Hockley Chamber of Trade & Commerce

 

                        Cllr S James had attended a recent meeting.  She reported that Andy Prophet was in favour of the CCTV cameras and proposed a Rogues Gallery for traders.  Cllr S James also reported that shops are to investigate a radio system to keep in contact with each other as a measure of safety.

                        Action:  Noted.

 

            5)            Blood Pressure Testing in Hockley

 

            Cllr L Daley reported that there was a free blood pressure testing day in Hockley Library which should prove very useful for local residents.

            Action:  Noted.

 

6)         Speeding in Greensward Lane

 

            Cllr M Maddocks had circulated a report regarding the 20 mph speed limit proposal outside Greensward College.  This was circulated to members.  Cllr Maddocks explained his research and informed members he is planning to meet with the Police and Essex County Council Highways regarding this matter.        

 

 

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 9.55pm                                                Chairman……………….