GREAT WAKERING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on Wednesday 2nd April, 2014, in the Parish Council Offices, Little Wakering Hall Lane, Great Wakering, SS3 0HH, commencing at 7.30 p.m.

Present: - Councillors V. Brandon, D. Efde, S. Glover, T. Goodwin, R. Green (Vice Chairman), R. Loding, J. Misell, A. Porter (Chairman), L. Rodger, L. Street B. Telford and B. Wilkins.

In attendance: - J. Watson (Parish Clerk)

1. The Chairman to declare the meeting open. a. The Chairman declared the meeting open.

2. To receive apologies for absence. a. Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Pearmain. b. Proposed Councillor Efde, seconded Councillor Wilkins that the apology be accepted. Councillor Efde requested a named vote. Councillors Efde, Goodwin, Loding, Misell, Porter, Roger, Street, Telford and Wilkins voted for. Councillors Brandon and Green voted against. Councillor Glover abstained. Carried.

3. To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and with section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. a. Councillors Loding and Street – Allotments.

4. To receive the Chairman's report. a. Councillor Porter reported that he had received news that PCSO Lamb had been diagnosed with Cancer. The Parish Council requested the Clerk to send their best wished to PCSO Lamb and her family. b. He was sorry to tell the Parish Council that the Clerk had resigned. He wished the Clerk well for the future.

5. The meeting will stand adjourned to permit Parishioners of Great Wakering to address the Council. a. No Parishioners addressed the meeting.

6. To receive reports from the County Councillor and the District Councillors for the area on any matters of interest. a. County and District Councillor Seagers reported as follows, i. He had written to the Clerk re the Pedestrian Crossing in Great Wakering High Street to the effect that the County Council would be prepared for the Parish Council to fund an upgrade of the Crossing. He had noted that this subject was on the agenda of the meeting for discussion. ii. He had been in discussions with the Local Highways Panel (“LHP”) liaison officer regarding the concreting of the verges in

1 Twyford Avenue. Any work would rely on a viable design ensuring on the footpaths not being blocked subsequently. There was a very tight budget for this sort of work by the LHP and the problem was compounded by higher priorities and a grave shortage of design engineering staff. He would continue to pursue. iii. He had noted that the installation of “Village Gates” was on the agenda. This would be dealt with by County Highways if approved by the LHP. iv. He referred to North Street and reminded the Parish Council that this road was not adopted and was the responsibility of the residents. v. He was making representations to the appropriate people regarding the fact that the Stock Road re-cycling centre was no longer available to residents of Rochford District Council. b. Councillor Wilkins reported as follows, i. She was very disappointed that she had not had any support from the Parish Council at her Civic Dinner. ii. The COPE day out had been very successful. It had been over- subscribed and a second day out was being arranged. iii. The “Horse” signs were now up in the village. It had taken two years to arrange these. iv. She reminded Councillors that the Chairman’s Quiz Night was being held on 25th April in Rayleigh

7. To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 19th February, 2014. a. It was noted it had been agreed that the Committee mentioned in 21.c. actually comprised Councillors Green, Porter and Street. b. Proposed Councillor Porter, seconded Councillor Green that, subject to the amendment at 7.a. above, the minutes of the meeting held on 19th February, 2014 be signed as a correct record. 9 for, 3 abstentions. Carried.

8. To receive written reports from those persons representing the Council on outside bodies and to receive reports on seminars and conferences attended, to include, a. Councillor Laurence Street 1. Planning Committee – no report. 2. Neighbourhood Watch – report noted. 3. Allotment Watch – report noted. 4. Teen Café – report noted. b. Councillor Bob Green 1. Sea Defence Committee – no report. c. Councillor Daniel Efde 1. Emergency Support Group Committee – no report. 2. Skate Park Working Group – no report. d. Councillors Tony Porter/Bob Green. 1. Public Surgery – report noted. e. Councillors Daniel Efde/Brett Telford 1. NAP Meetings – no report. f. Councillor Tony Porter 1. Village Memorial Hall – no report. g. Councillors Robert Green/Daniel Efde.

2 1. Footpaths – report noted. h. Councillors Tony Porter 1.Rochford Hundred Association of Local Councils – no meeting.

9. Financial Matters. a. Proposed Councillor Porter, seconded Councillor Misell that the Payment Schedules for January and February 2014, the Receipt Schedules for January and February, 2014 and the Financial Statement for the eleven months to 28th February, 2014 be approved. 11 for, 1 abstention. Carried. b. The letter dated 22nd March, 2014 from Mrs Vicky Green was noted. i. Proposed Councillor Porter, seconded Councillor Misell that a donation of £50.00 be made to a Cancer Charity ii. Counter proposed Councillor Misell, seconded Councillor Goodwin that a sum of £200.00 be donated to Cancer Charities, the cancer Charities to be chosen by Councillor D. Efde out of respect to his late father. 9 for, 3 abstentions. Carried. c. The letter dated 4th March, 2014 from Councillor Rodger was noted. It was agreed to carry this forward to the next meeting.

10.Community Speedwatch. a. Proposed Councillor Efde that The Parish Council purchase a laser speed gun at a cost of £1,750.00 plus VAT. No Councillor being prepared to second the proposal the matter was not taken any further.

11.Burial Ground Fees. a. The Clerk’s note dated 1st April, 2014 regarding increasing the fees in the Parish Burial Ground was noted. b. Proposed Councillor Porter, seconded Councillor Roger that the Clerk’s recommendations be accepted. 10 for, 1 against, 1 abstention.

12.Temporary Cut of Parish Burial Ground. a. Proposed Councillor Misell, seconded Councillor Loding that, pending completion of the tender process in respect of the maintenance of the Parish Burial Ground, the Parish Council engage a contractor to do a temporary cut of the grass. Councillors Loding and Street stressed that the Parish Council should obtain three quotes to do. b. Counter proposed Councillor Goodwin, seconded Councillor Misell that the Parish Council accept the recommendations made at the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 26th March, 2014 and award the tender to the person named at that meeting. The amount quoted by that person was stated in open Council and it was pointed out by Councillor Goodwin that, because of that, the matter could not continue to be discussed. The Clerk pointed out that this had now compromised the previous tender process. c. Counter counter proposed Councillor Loding, seconded Councillor Brandon that a group of Councillors work to resolve the issue. 9 for, 3 abstentions. Carried. d. The Clerk pointed out that, by the time that the Council made a decision, the Parish Burial Ground would be completely overgrown.

13.Temporary Cut of St Nicholas Churchyard. a. Agreed that, in view of the discussions at 12 above, this matter should be carried forward. b. The Clerk pointed out that, by the time that the Council made a decision, the St Nicholas Churchyard would be completely overgrown.

3 14.War Memorial. a. The conservation survey and estimate from Adamson Conservation which had been circulated prior to the meeting was considered. b. Proposed Councillor Street, seconded Councillor Brandon that, subject to the approval of the British Legion and the Parochial Church Council, the Parish Council pay for the refurbishment of the War Memorial in the St. Nicholas Churchyard. 11 for. 1 abstention. Carried. c. Councillor Street offered to make good the crazy paving round the War Memorial which offer was accepted with thanks. The Clerk pointed out that he would need to obtain permission from the Parochial Church Council before doing this.

15.Great Wakering Pedestrian Crossing a. Proposal Councillor Misell, seconded Councillor Brandon that the Parish Council fund the upgrade of the pedestrian crossing in Great Wakering High Street by the replacement of the current lights to Zebrite LED halo style lights at a cost of up to £4,500.00. b. Counter proposed Councillor Loding, seconded Councillor Telford that the cap on cost be increased to £5,500.00. 10 for, 2 abstentions. Carried. c. It was agreed that Councillor Misell would take this matter forward with Keith Tovee.

16.“Village Gates” a. The Chairman reported that Councillor Pearmain had requested that the Parish Council request Rochford District Council to install “Village Gates” at the entrance to the village in Star Lane. b. Proposed Councillor Telford, seconded Councillor Loding that the Parish Council request Rochford District Council to install “Village Gates” at the entrance to the village in Star Lane. c. Counter proposed Councillor Brandon, seconded Councillor Porter that this matter be carried forward to the next meeting. 8 for, 2 against, 2 abstentions. Carried.

17.Shed in Churchyard. a. Councillor Brandon stated she had not proposed that, with appropriate permission from the St Nicholas Parochial Church Council, the Parish Council demolish the shed in the St. Nicholas Churchyard. It was agreed that the Council should move to the next item on the agenda.

18.Women Institute Bench. a. The letter dated 12th March, 2014 from Rochford District Council to the Women Institute was noted. b. Proposed Councillor Efde, seconded Councillor Goodwin that the Parish Council write to Rochford District Council asking that the bench be retained. 11 for, 1 abstention. Carried.

19.Parish Open Day. a. Proposed Councillor Efde, seconded Councillor Street that the Parish Council hold an open day to explain to parishioners the function and achievements of the Parish Council. b. Councillor Efde requested a named vote. Councillors Efde, Goodwin, Green, Loding, Misell, Porter, Rodger, Street Telford and Wilkins voted for. Councillors Brandon and Glover abstained. Carried.

4 c. Councillor Efde agreed to take the matter forward.

20.Great Wakering Recreation Ground. a. It was agreed to carry this matter forward to the next meeting.

21.Allotment Toilets. a. Proposed Councillor Goodwin, seconded Councillor Rodger that the Parish Council erect toilets for the use of Allotment Holders at the rear of the Council Offices. b. Counter proposed Councillor Efde, seconded Councillor Porter that, the Parish Clerk having resigned, Councillor Street take this matter forward and report on his findings to the next Council meeting. Carried unanimously.

22.Training for Councillors. a. The details of the Training Days being organised by the Essex Association of Local Councils which had been circulated previously were considered. b. No Councillors put their names forward to attending.

23.Rochford Hundred District Council Library Exhibition. a. The Clerk explained the events behind the recent exhibition by Rochford District Council in the Great Wakering Library. b. It was agreed that no action need be taken.

24.At the Chairman’s discretion to exchange information. a. Councillor Brandon reported that the new owners of the building on the Recreation ground seemed to be holding late night sessions which could disturb local residents. b. Councillor Goodwin requested that the Clerk investigate sending flowers to PCSO Lamb. c. Councillor Wilkins reported that she had given copies of the emergency plans for Belhouse and Goodmans to the Clerk. d. Councillor Loding reported that he had heard of several cats being taken by foxes. He did not explain where they had been taken.

Meeting closed 10.21 pm

Date of next meeting

28th May, 2014 – Annual Full Council Meeting.

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