MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PARISH COUNCIL, HELD IN THE WELLS PAVILION, HOWE GREEN ROAD ON FRIDAY, 14TH AUGUST 2020 AT 7.00 P.M.

Members present: Mr. S. Bardwell (Chairman), Mr. C. Ash, and Mr. S. Potter.

Also in attendance: Mrs. Jane Potter (Clerk).

1/08/20 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Mr. N. Arthur, Mr. G. Rayner, Mr. G. Strathern and Mr. B. Oliver who were unable to attend the meeting due to prior personal commitments and for health reasons.

In the absence of Mr. Rayner, Mr. Bardwell (Vice-Chairman) took the Chair.

2/08/20 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS (Localism Act 2011)

There were no new Declarations of Interest made nor were there any applications for dispensations from the provisions of the Localism Act 2011.

3/08/20 THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PURLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 17TH JULY 2020 having been circulated to all Members, were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

4/08/20 TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF INFORMATION ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES:

4.1/08/20 Clerk: The Clerk did not have any matters of information arising from the July meeting to report to Members.

4.2/08/20 Members’: Members did not have any matters arising from the July meeting to discuss.

5/08/20 PLANNING MATTERS

5.1/08/20 Decisions taken between meetings: Members noted that the Parish Council had not made any recommendations to District Council on planning applications between meetings.

5.2/08/20 Current applications: HOUSE/MAL/20/00569 Two storey side extension. 1 Hawthornes, Purleigh.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

FUL/MAL/20/00631 Conversion of buildings to create 2No. dwellings, link extensions and alterations to the buildings and demolition of remaining buildings. Land Adjacent Purleigh Law, Walton Hall Lane, Purleigh.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

LPW/MAL/20/00594 Claim for certificate of lawfulness of proposed works to a listed building. Description of works: link from extension to annex. Burnt House, Lodge Lane, Purleigh.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

TCA/MAL/20/00756 T1 Lleylandii conifer – Remove. Kenbury, The Street, Purleigh.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

HOUSE/MAL/20/00738 Adding dropped kerb and vehicle crossing to allow access to and use of side/front garden as driveway. 22, The Glebe, Purleigh.

The Parish Council RECOMMENDED REFUSAL on the following grounds:

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1. The proposal would have a significant and unjustified visual impact on the character and appearance of the street scene to the detriment of the natural environment, by removing a tree, some public green space and by urbanising the area, contrary to Policy D1 of the Local Plan and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework. 2. The proposal would cross a pedestrian footpath separated from the highway by a deep greensward, giving priority to private vehicles instead of pedestrians, wheelchairs and cyclists, contrary to Policies T1 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Plan. 3. If allowed to proceed, public parking space would be lost to the detriment of highway safety and an unwelcome and damaging precedent would be set for similar development in the vicinity of the site. 4. A dropped kerb in this location therefore, as a result of the amount of grass verge and vegetation which would be lost and expanse of associated driveway proposed, would be an incongruous feature to the detriment of appearance of the street scene where such features are largely absent along this section and southern side of The Glebe. As a result, the development would cause demonstrable harm to the character and appearance of the area, contrary to policies D1 and H4 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan.

5.3/08/20 Notification of appeals: Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Appeal under section 78 Site Address: Land adjacent to Fourways, Howe Green Road, Purleigh. Proposal: Outline application (all matters reserved) single storey detached dwelling and garage. Application Ref: 19/01287/OUT Appeal Ref: APP/1545/W/20/3255118 Appeal Start Date: 6th August 2020

Members noted that an Appeal had been made to the Secretary of State against Maldon District Council’s decision to refuse to grant planning permission for the above development.

5.4/08/20 Maldon District Council planning decisions: Members noted that Maldon District Council had APPROVED the following planning applications:

♦ FUL/MAL/20/00258 Variation of condition 2 on approved planning permission 19/00183/FUL (Erection of agricultural storage building and associated hardstanding.) Land at Old Whitmans Farm, Hackmans Lane. ♦ FUL/MAL/20/00385 Variation of condition 2 on approved planning permission 19/00184/FUL (Erection of agricultural storage building.) Land at Old Whitmans Farm, Hackmans Lane. and had REFUSED to grant planning permission for the following development:

♦ FUL/MAL/20/00370 Proposed lake on former equestrian site. Montrose, Birchwood Road, Cock Clarks.

5.5/08/20 Other planning matters: Maldon District Council Enforcement Investigations: It was noted that Maldon District Council had begun the following enforcement investigations:

♦ 20/00105/OPCOMP Unauthorised hard surfacing to front of property. 31, The Glebe. ♦ 20/00103/OPDEV Unauthorised formation of a lake. Montrose, Birchwood Road, Cock Clarks.

Noise and anti-social behaviour complaint re: property in The Glebe: Members noted that between meetings the Parish Council had received a complaint about anti-social behaviour at a property in The Glebe.

The Parish Council had explained to the resident that it was not responsible for any housing in Purleigh, that this matter hadn’t previously been brought to Members’ attention and had referred them to Ellen Barkley (Enforcement Officer, Maldon District Council) and Jacqueline Prendy, (Neigbourhood Manager, Moat Housing.)

Ellen Barkley had subsequently advised the resident that the District Council had powers to investigate complaints of noise nuisance. This would involve the complainant keeping written records for a period of time so that the extent of the disturbance could be established. If those records indicated that further investigation 307 was necessary, recording equipment would be installed in their home to gather further evidence. Should it be found that a statutory nuisance existed the District Council would serve an abatement notice which put a legal requirement on the other property owner to address the issue.

Unfortunately this was not a quick fix as there was a procedure to follow and the District Council needed evidence in order to take the appropriate action.

Ellen Barkley had also agreed to liaise with Moat, as the occupier of the property would have conditions on their tenancy which Moat could enforce, and the complainant’s concerns about drug abuse would be followed up, as would those over animal welfare.

The resident had subsequently thanked the Parish Council for its intervention.

South Woodham Ferrers Masterplan for development north of the B1012 in South Woodham Ferrers: Members noted that the Woodham Infrastructure Group had asked the Parish Council to re-consider its decision not to comment on the Masterplan and had provided further information for Members’ consideration.

It was agreed to write to City Council, expressing the Parish Council’s concerns over the implications of the Masterplan on travel from Purleigh and the wider Hundred through South Woodham Ferrers following such large scale development. Members were very concerned about the vast increase in traffic the development would cause and the apparent lack of mitigation and traffic management measures proposed alongside it.

Maldon District Planning Committee Meeting: FUL/MAL/20/00157 Application to carry out ground investigations, load test and associated works in connection with a proposed new Nuclear Power Station at Bradwell-on-Sea, together with the creation of two site compound areas and associated parking areas. Land East of Bradwell Power Station, Downhall Beach, Bradwell-On-Sea.

Members were reminded that the Parish Council had recently submitted comments on the above planning application which had been reconsidered at a remote meeting of the District Planning Committee on 13th August 2020 at 1. 00 p.m. Members had been provided with the following link to the live stream on the District Council’s website: https://democracy.maldon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Planning for the future, White paper August 2020: Members noted that headlines on the proposals included: A 300,000 annual housing target; a 30 month time limit to prepare local plans which would be shorter than at present and would identify land in three categories of: Growth, renewal and protection; a single flat rate infrastructure levy to replace section 106 agreements and the community infrastructure levy, with a neighbourhood share retained; a new focus on design; and greater use of digital technology and data. Importantly, neighbourhood planning was being retained and made easier, with content more focussed and a greater use of technology.

Members noted that the white paper was subject to consultation, and that two other policy papers had been published alongside it. The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) would be publishing its own consultation documents on these, asking for local councils’ views to inform its own response. It was also hoping to hold an online event to help explain the proposals.

NALC was urging all county associations and local councils to put the planning white paper on their agendas over the coming weeks so councils could consider the proposals and share their views with NALC and the Government.

Members noted that NALC’s initial reaction to the White Paper had been to advocate that communities must be at the heart of a locally-led planning system, with the powers and resources to ensure that new development was of a high standard in the right places, and included affordable houses and much needed community infrastructure. Neighbourhood planning must be the cornerstone of the system, simplified, strengthened, expanded and properly resourced. NALC would be examining the proposals in more detail and engaging fully with the Government.

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It was agreed to defer discussion of the white paper until the September meeting, by which time Members would have had further opportunity to study it.

6/08/20 HIGHWAY MATTERS

6.1/08/20 Highway safety: Hackmans Lane and Marlpits Road: Members noted that the Parish Council had received more correspondence from a concerned resident about speeding traffic, dangerous driving and the excessive number of HGVs using Hackmans Lane. They had described several accidents that had occurred in Hackmans Lane in July and August, one of which had resulted in further damage to the Cock Clarks gateway sign (which had incorporated the Bittern and been partially paid for by the Parish Council.)

Members were reminded that the Parish Council had requested static speed cameras, the imposition of a weight limit and traffic calming measures (such as those deployed in East Hanningfield and Rettenden) in Hackmans Lane and Marlpits Road. It had also reported the damaged gateway sign and asked for a replacement incorporating the Bittern if the repair and reinstatement of the damaged sign wasn’t possible. Residents had also been encouraged to lobby the Rt. Hon John Whittingdale OBE MP and Kevin Bentley (ECC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation.)

Members noted that Penny Channer (County Council Ward Member) had been copied into to all the Parish Council’s correspondence with residents and County Council and that she had responded to the resident and Members having discussed the issues in Hackmans Lane and Marlpits Road with an Essex County Council Highways Officer.

Cllr. Channer couldn’t say that any immediate implementable solutions had been agreed, but the Officer was going to contact Nicola Foster of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) and was awaiting that feedback.

Cllr. Channer believed that the Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) was having an effect where it was positioned within Cock Clarks and thought that perhaps the introduction of another one within the 30mph speed limit may be something worthy of consideration if its placement met the relevant criteria.

Enforcement had also been discussed, which it was believed could have a positive effect if word spread, especially when there were prosecutions to report. Cllr. Channer intended to email the Police and the District Council’s Community Engagement Team to ask if they could share the results of any enforcement activity already undertaken in Hackmans Lane.

The Highways Officer had advised Cllr. Channer that speeding was often found to be carried out by relatively local people and that, as a result, getting the community involved could prove successful. Raising awareness in the community, asking drivers to be mindful and not speed and advising them that enforcement activities were taking place was therefore important.

Cllr. Channer and the Officer had also talked about the possibility of setting up a Community Speed Watch programme in Cock Clarks if enough residents were willing to undertake the necessary training to be part of a CSW team and operate the camera.

The possible introduction of build outs, speed humps, estate agents’ sponsoring signs for front gardens which displayed ‘slow down/30mph’ messages and the installation of fixed cameras had also been discussed.

Realistically, bearing in mind the cost of fixed cameras, and the need to comply with Essex County Council and Department for Transport policies, Cllr. Channer was not confident that the introduction of any of the more permanent measures would progress any further at this juncture than they had when the Parish Council had sought to get them introduced in the past.

Members noted that Cllr. Channer would update the Parish Council once she had received the feedback from the Officer’s discussion with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership.

6.2/08/20 Temporary prohibition of use: Footpaths 3, 4 & 5, and Footpaths 11 & 13 Purleigh: Members noted that Essex County Council intended, not less than seven days from 6th August 2020, to make Order 2020 (TRAF/7237) under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. 307

Effect of the order: To temporarily close the following length of Footpaths 3, 4 & 5 Cold Norton and Footpaths 11 & 13 Purleigh:

Description: Footpath 11 Purleigh and Footpaths 4 and 5 Cold Norton: From Footpath 11, Purleigh’s junction with Flambirds Chase, in a southerly direction to Footpath 5, Cold Norton’s connection with Footpath 4, , including the entire length of Footpath 4 Cold Norton.

Footpath 3 Cold Norton and Footpath 13 Purleigh: From Footpath 3, Cold Norton’s junction with Flambirds Chase, in an easterly direction to Footpath 13’s junction with Hackmans Lane.

Members noted that the alternative route for the above footpath closures would be via Flambirds Chase, Footpath 3 Cold Norton, Bridleway 7 Cold Norton, Footpath 3 Stow Maries, Footpath 4 Stow Maries, The Street, Footpath 7 Stow Maries, Footpath 8 Cold Norton, Footpath 14 Purleigh and vice versa.

The temporary closures were scheduled to commence on 19th August 2020, 5th September 2020, 6th September 2020, 19th September 2020, 20th September 2020, 3rd October 2020 and 4th October 2020 between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. or where appropriate signs were showing and weather was permitting, and were required for the safety of the public while Fly-ins and Air Displays at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome were underway.

The Orders would come into effect on 19th August 2020 and may continue in force for 6 months or until the events had been completed, whichever was the earlier.

6.3/08/20 Essex County Council – Ward Member led pothole repair programme: Members noted that the Parish Council had been asked to send Penny Channer (Essex County Council Ward Member) a list of up to seven potholes in the parish requiring repair by 4th September 2020.

Cllr. Channer had suggested that it might be helpful if the potholes nominated were relatively near to each other.

The Parish Council did not have any potholes to nominate for repair under the scheme.

6.4/08/20 Other highway matters: Speeding traffic in The Street, Purleigh: Members noted that Penny Channer had forwarded the Parish Council a letter from a resident who was concerned about the increased amount of speeding traffic in The Street. The resident had observed a marked increase in traffic since The Bell Public House had increased in popularity and started to re-open since the completion of its extension and the ease of the Covid 19 associated lockdown.

The resident believed that the problem was mainly due to traffic coming from the direction of Fambridge Road. They believed that some drivers slowed down but many ignored the speed limit and simply carried on at speeds, some in excess of 50mph, in either direction.

Parking in The Street near The Bell added to the hazard as it was a narrow lane incorporating two sharp bends and because of parking on the pavement, people, including elderly residents, were often forced to walk in the road. To compound the problem the 30mph speed limit signs were often obstructed by vegetation.

Members noted that the resident had requested a vehicle count and speed survey to record the amount of traffic and the average speed on the road, with a possible view to installing at least one speed hump from the Fambridge Road direction.

Members noted that the Parish Council had reported the obscured speed limit sign to Essex County Council (reference number 2673517.)

It was also noted that Penny Channer had discussed the resident’s concerns with the Liaison Officer for the Maldon Local Highways Panel (LHP.) The Officer had explained that speed and volume surveys were currently on hold due to Government restrictions regarding covid-19 as the county was not currently experiencing normal traffic flows. Cllr. Channer was invited to fill out an LHP request form if she wanted the scheme added to the list of schemes awaiting funding. 307

The Parish Council believed that it would be preferable to wait until an accurate speed survey and traffic count could be undertaken before requesting the introduction of any permanent speed reduction measures.

Parking in The Glebe and lay-bys: Members noted that the Parish Council had been asked to help residents who were not able to park near their properties due to inconsiderate parking by their neighbours accompanied by severe anti-social behaviour. The residents had been advised that the Parish Council wasn’t a Highways Authority and that provided the highway wasn’t blocked, people were entitled to park on the road and in the Glebe lay-bys irrespective of where they lived. The Parish Council had offered to meet with the residents however, as they had been so upset.

Mr. Bardwell kindly agreed to attend the site meeting with residents, should they wish to hold one.

Temporary road closure: Fambridge Road: Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 - s14(1). Temporary Traffic Regulation Order of Fambridge Road, Purleigh.

Members noted that a temporary closure of Fambridge Road was due to commence on 31st August 2020 for 3 days. The closure was required for the safety of the public and workforce while Essex County Council undertook Micro Surfacing.

Road signs on verges: Mr. Potter reported that he had observed a number of redundant road signs left on the highway verge after the completion of roadworks. Within just one mile in the parish there were ‘No Road Markings’ signs left in Fambridge Road, a sign and a bollard left adjacent to 4 Roundbush Cottages and 4 bollards which were no longer saving a useful purpose left in The Street.

Members noted that if private contractors left redundant signs on the highway they could be fined.

It was agreed to ask Essex County Council to ensure the prompt removal of road signs from the highway once the issues they were highlighting were no longer relevant.

The Essex County Council (Various Roads, , Purleigh, Cold Norton and Stow Maries) (Restricted Roads & 40MPH Speed Limit) Order 20**: Members noted that with Hazeleigh Parish Council had raised concerns around the existing national speed limit (60mph) on two roads within their Parish (Burnham Road/Chelmsford Road and Lodge Road) and had requested a speed limit reduction. This request had been supported and funded by the Maldon Local Highways Panel.

Woodham Mortimer with Hazeleigh Parish Council believed that the introduction of this 40mph buffer zone would slow drivers and increase safety through the village of Hazeleigh, especially through the junction with Goat House Lane and Lodge Road; it would also lead to better conformity to the existing 30mph speed limit in Purleigh.

A speed limit lower than 40mph on the intended sections of road would not meet Essex County Council policy nor National guidelines on setting speed limits.

The following order had therefore been made:

To introduce a 40 mph speed limit on the following lengths of the B1010 Burnham Road / Chelmsford Road and Lodge Road, in the Parishes of Hazeleigh and Purleigh:

Description ♦ B1010 Burnham Road / Chelmsford Road: From a point approximately 18 metres northwest of the western boundary wall of Edgewood Veterinary Practice, located approximately 1,380 metres north west of its junction with the B1010 Barons Lane, generally north-west for a distance of approximately 1,004 metres. ♦ Lodge Road: From its junction with the B1010 Burnham Road, north-east for a distance of approximately 70 metres.

To revoke 'The Essex County Council (Various Roads, Purleigh, Cold Norton and Stow Maries) (Speed Limit) Order 2011’ All pre-existing restrictions would continue in force by virtue of this Order. 307

Members supported the introduction of the extension of the 40mph speed limit in the B1010 Burnham Road/Chelmsford Road and agreed to ask Woodham Mortimer with Hazeleigh Parish Council how it had managed to achieve it, as the Parish Council had repeatedly met with sustained opposition from Essex County Council when trying to extend speed limit zones in Purleigh.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Various roads in Maldon District re: Parking in The Street: Members noted that following an incident on 12th August 2020, residents had asked the Parish Council to once again support their request for the introduction of parking restrictions (yellow lines) in The Street.

Residents proposed that the South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) introduced parking restrictions in The Street as follows:

1. From the edge of the The Bell’s garden to the dropped kerb. 2. The frontage of The Old Gatehouse as far as the point opposite the dropped kerb on the other side of The Street, i.e. around 3 metres along that side of the house, as was the case in the previous submission in 2017/2018. 3. The corner of The Street outside Turnstone set by extending the house lines to the South and West respectively.

It was agreed to fully support residents’ proposals and to advise them that the Parish Council would not object to the extension of the yellow lines further round the bend in both directions in front of Turnstone.

Verge cutting: Mr. Potter reported that, probably as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Maldon District Council had not cut the verges this year until the end of July. This he believed had led to a huge increase in the number of butterflies and had been really beneficial to wildlife in general.

It was agreed to ask Maldon District Council to make it a policy in future years to only cut round junctions earlier in the year to maintain good sight lines and to leave cutting the rest of the verges until the end of July at the earliest. As an adopted policy this would not only benefit butterflies, the environment and other flora and fauna but would also save the District Council and consequently the District’s council tax payers a considerable amount of money.

7/08/20 PLAYING FIELD AND OPEN SPACES

7.1/08/20 Children’s Play Area: Monthly report: Mr. Ash reported that he had carried out his weekly inspections of the Children’s Play Area and that all items of play equipment therein had appeared to be in a satisfactory condition, apart from the Playground Inspector’s recommendations referred to below.

It was agreed however to ask A.G. Macmorland Farming Partnership to strim around the play equipment and beneath the nearby picnic tables.

7.2/08/20 To receive a report of the annual inspection of the Children’s Play Area carried out on 12th June 2020 by the Play Inspection Company: Members noted that the Children’s Play Area had been inspected by Alan Lingley (RP11 Annual Inspector) on 12th June 2020 and had been awarded an overall risk assessment of 20 – High Risk, higher than in 2019 (15 – Moderate risk.) This risk level had largely been due to the measures taken by the Parish Council to close the play area during lockdown and to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Members noted that all those issues had been attended to before the play area had been re-opening.

Copies of the Inspector’s report had been circulated to all Members prior to the meeting.

Members noted that the tree referenced to by the Inspector had not been identified as requiring remedial work in the Parish Council’s Playing Field Tree Survey report prepared by Place Services (Essex County Council) dated 1st June 2020. Andrew Macmorland had subsequently however carried out the Inspector’s recommendations as part of the outstanding category 4 & 5 work authorised by the Parish Council at the July meeting (Minute ref: 7.4/07/20.)

Members noted the Inspector’s recommendations and agreed to report his concerns that the zip wire was easily accessible and should have the appropriate barriers installed to meet the requirements of BS EN 1176 Part 1 as the height of the unit exceeded 600mm to Broxap Ltd (the manufacturer) and ask them to address the issue. 307

Members also agreed to monitor the other issues raised in the Inspection report via the weekly inspections carried out by Mr. Ash.

Members were reminded that the Parish Council had allocated the sum of £350 in the precept 2020/2021 for the playground inspection and maintenance costs.

7.3/08/20 Letting the Pavilion since re-opening: Members noted that between meetings the kitchen had been cleared out and Libby Johns (S & S Domestic Services) had deep cleaned the entire building. Mrs. Johns had done an excellent job and once finished, Mr. Ovel had installed the hand sanitisers and the accompanying signs had been put up. Subsequently, Maldon Athletico Football Club (Cold Norton FC’s new name), Purleigh Cricket Club and Purleigh Croquet Club had all started playing again and had been using the pavilion toilets on a one in, one out basis, as per the signage.

It was noted that Purleigh Croquet Club had asked the Parish Council whether it would be charged any fees, as the Pavilion was essentially out of use with the exception of the toilets.

Re-opening the hall and kitchen areas: It was agreed to aim to re-open the Pavilion fully by 1st September 2020 and to write to all the regular user organisations describing the measures the Parish Council had taken to make the building safe for use but explaining that it was the responsibility of each organisation to fully follow up to date advice from the Government and Public Health and to put in place their own protocols to keep their members safe from the threat of Covid-19 whilst on the premises.

Members noted that the Clerk and Mr. Potter would return the crockery and cutlery etc. to the pavilion kitchen, having thoroughly sanitised it.

Unauthorised use of the playing field: Members noted that the Parish Council had received reports between meetings that another football club had been using the playing field to conduct organised training sessions for a youth football team. It had transpired that the team was Maldon & Tiptree FC. On Friday, 31st July when the Parish Council was made aware that the team was on the playing field again, Mr. Potter and the Clerk had attended and challenged the Manager who had advocated that he thought the facilities were free to use and that the club hadn’t needed permission. The Parish Council had explained the situation and invited the club to submit an application to hire the facilities for Members’ consideration. Maldon & Tiptree FC were told not to use the pitch again until a decision had been made, should they decide to apply.

7.4/08/20 To receive a quotation for the re-painting the back of the Pavilion: Members considered a quotation from Steve Russell (Nestwood Building Services) as follows:

ESTIMATE • To supply appropriate access and safety equipment • To prepare and apply two coats Bedec barn paint (matt black) • Replace rotten fascia (one length where the showers are) • There is also a piece of lead flashing that has slipped on the toilet roof. Approx. area 50sqm @ £15/sqm

Total cost labour and materials: £750

This also would be a very cost effective time to paint the fascias and soffits (weathershield): • Additional cost if required Labour and materials £195

Members were reminded that the Parish Council had allocated the sum of £2,000 in the precept 2020/2021 for general maintenance of the Pavilion from which £434.61 had been spent to date.

It was agreed to accept Mr. Ruussell’s quotation above for the total sum of £945 and to remind him about the outstanding work to repair the drainpipes near the kitchen.

7.5/08/20 Bench and Sign: Rigby’s Path: Bench: Members noted that the new bench for the end of Rigby’s Path had been received and would be installed by Mr. Bardwell and Mr. Potter on Saturday, 15th August 2020. 307

Sign: Members were reminded that in November 2019 (Minute number 7.2/11/19) the Parish Council had noted that the sign at Rigby’s Path had rotted at its base and fallen down and was being stored at Lower Barn Farm.

Mr. Strathern had kindly agreed to arrange for the sign to be fitted with new stone capped posts and, once this had been done, to re-install it with the assistance of Mr. Bardwell, Mr. Potter and the Chairman.

In the absence of Mr. Strathern no report was given.

7.6/08/20 Other playing field and open spaces matters: Tree in The Churchyard close to The Bell Public House: Mr. Potter reported that he was concerned about the condition of a large tree in the Churchyard, which was growing near to The Bell’s new extension. Since the completion of the new extension, instead of potentially falling into a relatively unoccupied area, the tree, should it fall would now threaten a much busier and more populated space.

To mitigate this risk Mr. Potter proposed, and it was agreed, to obtain quotations to reduce the height of the tree by one third, leaving two thirds in situ to break any fall of the larger tree growing behind it, should that one fall in the direction of The Bell’s extension.

Once the quotations and specification of works had been received the Parish Council would apply for planning permission from Maldon District Council to reduce the height of the tree.

Mr. Bardwell agreed to ask Manor Tree Services to provide one of the quotations.

Iron Crosses unearthed during building work at The Bell Public House (Minute 11/07/20): Mr. Potter reported that he had had the iron crosses sand blasted and powder coated and showed Councillors one that he had brought with him to the meeting.

The Parish Council agreed that once ground conditions were more favourable the crosses could be re-installed in the churchyard near the hedge by The Bell where they had been found.

8/08/20 ALLOTMENT MATTERS

8.1/08/20 Matters arising from the Annual Inspection and Risk Assessment (Minute 8.1/07/20): The Parish Council noted details of correspondence from the tenants of four allotment plots, received in response to its letter to tenants.

With regard to the length of Plot 9 it was agreed to inform the tenant that they could wait until they had harvested their asparagus before shortening the plot. The work did however have to be carried out.

It was agreed to clear the untidy corner of the site beneath the Oak tree during the week commencing Monday, 31st August 2020.

Members noted that the tenant of Plot 4 had not yet removed the metal posts from in and around their plot.

8.2/08/20 Other allotment matters: Members noted that Matt Oliver had very kindly cleaned out the water tank at the front of the site.

9/08/20 TO APPROVE THE NEW WCAG 2.1 COMPLIANT WEBSITE PRIOR TO ITS LAUNCH

Members noted that the construction of the new WCAG 2.1 compliant website was almost complete. Following the Clerk’s 45 minute virtual meeting with Mark Holton (TEEC) on 29th July to take a look at and see how to navigate the site the clerk had circulated the following link so that Members could look at the website prior to the August meeting: http://purleigh-com.teectest.co.uk/

The Parish Council approved of the new website and agreed that it could go live as soon as TEEC was ready to launch it.

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10/08/20 FINANCIAL MATTERS

10.1/08/20 Completion of the external audit of accounts (limited assurance review) for the year ended 31st March 2020: Members noted that PKF Littlejohn LLP had concluded its audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for the financial year 2019/2020 and had concluded that on the basis of its review, in its opinion, the information contained in the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) was in accordance with proper practices and that no matters had come to its attention which gave cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements had not been met.

A copy of Section 3 of the AGAR (External Auditor Report and Certificate) had been sent to every Councillor prior to the meeting. Members noted that the amendment referred to under ‘other matters’ had been a transposition error in the 2018/19 column of the Accounting Statements and had not incurred any additional charges.

Members noted that the successful conclusion of the audit would be advertised on the Parish Council’s notice boards alongside a copy of the completed AGAR, and had already been published on the Parish Council’s website.

Timetable for 2020/21 Members noted that the timetable for this year had been exceptional due to the impact of Covid-19. Next year PKF Littlejohn planned to set a submission deadline for the return of the completed AGAR Part 3 and associated documents (or Certificate of Exemption) in the usual way and this was expected to be Thursday, 1st July 2021. It was anticipated that the instructions would be sent out during March 2021, subject to arrangements for the 2020/21 AGARs and Certificates of Exemption being finalised by SAAA.

Instructions would cover any changes smaller authorities needed to be aware of. The arrangements for next year were expected to revert to those set out in the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, but if there were any changes arising from updates to the statutory requirements, Parish Councils would be notified in good time.

♦ The Parish Council would be required to inform the electorate of a single period of 30 working days during which public rights may be exercised. ♦ This information had to be published at least the day before the inspection period commenced. ♦ The inspection period had to include the first 10 working days of July 2021, i.e. 1st to 14th July inclusive. In practice this meant that public rights may be exercised at the earliest, between Thursday, 3rd June and Wednesday, 14th July 2021, and at the latest, between Thursday, 1st July and Wednesday, 11th August 2021.

As in previous years, in order to assist Parish Councils in this process, PKF Littlejohn planned to include a pro forma template notice with a suggested inspection period on its website. On submitting the AGAR and associated documentation, as was the case for this year, PKF would need the council to either confirm that the suggested dates had been adopted or inform it of the alternative dates selected.

10.2/08/20 To receive a report of receipts: Members received a report of the following receipt:

Nick Moore Donation towards new bench (Rigby’s Path) £262.46

10.3/08/20 To approve payments of accounts between meetings: Members noted that the Parish Council had not paid any accounts between Parish Council meetings.

10.4/08/20 To approve payment of accounts to hand and transfers between bank accounts: It was unanimously agreed to approve the following accounts to hand, and it was agreed that the cheques could be signed over the weekend as not enough signatories on the current account were present at the meeting:

Mrs. Jane Potter Salary – July 2020 £1,338.60 Less tax £43.80 National Insurance £65.59 And Pension Contributions £77.63 £1,151.58 307

H.M. Revenue & Customs Tax £43.80 National Insurance (employees) £65.59 National insurance (employers) £83.71 £193.10

Essex Pensions Fund Employee contributions (5.8% pensionable pay) £77.63 Employer contributions (21.7% pensionable pay) £311.89 Administration charge (8% employee contributions) £6.21 £395.73

Mrs. E S Johns Pavilion cleaning: 11 hours @ £15 per hour £165.00

TEEC Limited Migration of existing website To new compliant template £440.00 VAT £88.00 £528.00

Maldon District Council Annual playground inspection and report £58.00 VAT £11.60 £69.60

Office Power Limited re: Stationery £47.58 Supplies 4 Business VAT £9.52 £57.10

PKF Littlejohn LLP Audit fees Year ended 31st March 2020 £300.00 VAT £60.00 £360.00

Mrs. Jane Potter 12 No. Lotus spray soap 800ml Reimbursement: Net £99.34 VAT £19.86 Postage and packing £12.73 £131.93

A.G. Macmorland Grass cutting £757.00 Farming Partnership Work to trees in the parish £350.00 VAT £221.40 £1,328.40 Lexis-Nexis Arnold-Baker, 12th Edition, Local Council Administration £120.14 Carriage £7.00 £127.14

Mrs Jane Potter Petty Cash – Reimbursement Postage £6.10 £4,513.68

Transfers: Members noted and approved the following bank transfer:

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1 On 8th August 2020 the sum of £3,726.22 had been transferred from the Business Premium Account (80731099) to the Community Current Account (40731080) to cover payment of the above accounts and leave approximately £1,500 in the current account.

Bank reconciliation as at 31st July 2020: A bank reconciliation for the period 1st April 2020 to 31st July 2020 was carried out by Mr. Bardwell and approved by the Parish Council as follows:

Statement of Accounts: Receipts: £80,267.61 Barclays Bank Plc: Payments: £18,065.44 Current account £2,287.46 Business Premium Account £42,073.89 Historic Buildings Fund £10,491.87 Miss Pawsey’s Legacy £7,298.95 ______Petty Cash £50.00 £62,202.17 £62,202.17

10/08/20 CORRESPONDENCE

Essex County Council (ECC) – Locality Fund: Members noted that in the 2020 budget statement, every ECC Ward Member had been allocated £10,000 that could be distributed to worthy causes which benefitted their Division. There were three main ways of spending the money:

• Making a grant to a registered charity, a parish council or a properly constituted community or voluntary association for the purposes of a specific service or project in the Division; • Buying goods or services; or • Commissioning services from ECC.

Money could not be spent on or with: • An organisation in which the Councillor was involved, unless the Leader agreed otherwise and made a formal decision to that effect; • An organisation which was political or undertook any political campaigning activity or on a Councillor’s constituency business; • Anything which had a significant ongoing maintenance or support liability which ECC would be required or expected to bear, unless there was a separate agreement to bear the cost with funding identified; • Anything which benefitted a particular individual, business or ‘for profit’ organisation; • Any organisation which did not operate on an inclusive basis. Services must be available to the community without discrimination (recognising that some services were only useful to certain groups); • Any organisation which had previously misused public money; • Anything which was unlawful.

Members noted that Penny Channer had advised the Parish Council that the project was for this financial year only and that the money had to be spent during the 2020/2021 financial year, and within 6 months of the award.

She was prepared to consider any application that conformed to the above rules. The allocation of funds was purely at her discretion and in amounts that she felt would best benefit the residents of the Division. In theory a single grant of £10,000 could be given, but Cllr. Channer would prefer that as many parishes benefitted as possible and that the money could lead to some really positive outcomes. At this stage however, she was not ruling anything in or anything out.

Cllr Channer would like the money to be distributed promptly as it had to be spent by the end of the financial year and within six months of any award of funding. So that she had plenty of time to look at the applications, she would like to have submissions emailed to her by mid October 2020.

Therefore, to assist her decision making, Cllr. Channer required the following information:

1. Applicant details: Name, address, contact number etc. 307

2. The parish the money would mainly benefit. 3. The sum being requested. 4. A summary of the project / organisation that the money would benefit. 5. A short statement telling her how the applicant believed that the bid would provide positive outcomes for residents. 6. Information about other funding opportunities that may be available for the project.

Cllr. Channer’s overwhelming wish was that this money could be used to deliver some positive outcomes for parishes, organisations and residents. Clearly the bids that could achieve those goals were more likely to be successful.

She also encouraged the Parish Council to make this scheme known to any organisations in Purleigh so that she could attract the maximum number of bids. Successful applicants must be willing to be named in subsequent press releases.

The Parish Council agreed to inform Purleigh Community Shop about this funding opportunity.

11/08/20 POINTS OF INFORMATION

Members did not have any points of information to share.

CRIME AND DISORDER ACT 1988 (SECTION 17)

Consideration was given to the crime and disorder implications of all decisions made at this meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.52 p.m.

Chairman:……………………………………… Date:……………………………………….

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