To download a copy of these minutes click here: PC Minutes October 2023
BLACKMORE, HOOK END & WYATTS GREEN PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
Of the Ordinary Meeting of the Blackmore, Hook End &
Wyatts Green Parish Council held on
THURSDAY 19th OCTOBER 2023 at 7.30pm
At Tipps Cross Remembrance Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT – Cllr R Keeble (Chairman), K Bennett, N McCarthy, V Dean, K Parkinson, K Wood, T Thomas, H Cannon. S Clapham (Clerk), R Nelson (RFO). Ward Councillors T Bridge and R McCheyne and County Councillor L Wagland.
0553 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllrs T Hinton, J Clarke, T Lockhart.
0554 APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 21st September 2023
The minutes were signed by the Chairman as a correct record with no amendments.
0555 DECLARATION OF INTEREST (for items on the agenda) – None
0556 OPEN FORUM – No attendees
0557 Progress Check/Report – none
0558 Correspondence/Communications – The Clerk had circulated an email from a resident in Hook End in regards to an incident that happened on Monday evening, 16th October. The resident said there were at least 20 men who had been delivered by a large mini bus and who were knocking on doors. Half a dozen had been hanging around the bus shelter for several hours beforehand. He said the odd thing was that although they had blue holdalls strapped to their backs, the guy that knocked at their house never attempted to go to the bag as if to sell anything. It was after dark and he believed that they were seeing who was home. Cllr Keeble reminded everyone to be vigilant and any future incidents should be relayed to the police immediately. Cllr Keeble relayed this to the resident.
0559 Reports of Borough & Essex County Councillors
Cllr McCheyne reported that he had attended the meeting at the BBC Offices with Crest Nicholson, which cllr Keeble had attended and the Clerk had attended remotely. It was to discuss the revised planning application they had recently submitted. Bill Ratcliffe and Colin Holbrook were also in attendance on behalf of the BVHA (Blackmore Village Heritage Association). After discussing this at great length, it was agreed that the plans would be withdrawn and re-submitted to include the elements discussed with the parties present and requested by Phil Drane, BBC Planning Department. Affordable homes to the required 35% was requested and Cllr Bridge stated that he would not vote in support of any plans which did not include this. The Parish Council understood that CIL monies would not be available until the end of January 2024 so it was hoped this could be discussed with Phil Drane in the New Year.
Cllr Wagland reported that ECC’s children’s services had been voted as outstanding by Ofsted on all 5 key points for the second time running. She also advised that there will be bus improvement scheme funding available in the next budget. She asked if the Parish Council (PC) could send her its views on the current position of the bus stop on Wyatts Green road as it had raised concerns with two residents whose driveways were near to it. If it was to be relocated, suitable alternative locations would be considered and she wished to receive suggestions from the PC. Cllr Wagland mentioned that the Domestic waste site booking system seemed to be going well and asked if the PC could comment on the consultation. The Clerk said that in her opinion the system worked well and seemed easy to use.
It was good that the Waste operatives were also helpful and would book you in if somebody turned up without pre-booking. It also avoided traffic queues forming and seemed to be more efficient. Cllr Wagland reminded the meeting that the ‘Essential living fund’ to deal with the cost of living crisis was available which was means tested. Also, the Secondary School admissions was proving very successful. Most Essex residents got their first two school choices and Cllr Wagland said that parents must put down their top three choices when completing their forms to avoid disappointment. Cllr Wagland was pleased to award the £1,000 Locality fund to the PC for buying maintenance tools for the Blackmore Village Hall volunteers. This could also be utilised by Tipps Cross Hall for its working parties. The grant has to be spent before the end of March 2024 and the items must be purchased before reimbursement from the fund. Cllr Wagland reported that Plovers Mead has had repairs made to the road where it had been lifting, as well as repairs to 3 pot holes being added to the first round of the pot hole initiative. These will be completed shortly. Cllr Wagland was also pleased to say that she had not received any further complaints regarding the Meadow Rise road resurfacing from residents. Regarding the Wyatts Gren road speeding, she will push for a speed check to be undertaken, although on previous speed checks by the police it was generally quiet and the police did not feel this was a high risk area. She asked if a Community speed watch could be undertaken by the trained volunteers and the data forwarded to her which she could use. Action: Cllr Keeble will try and organise this with the Community volunteers.
POLICY & RESOURCES
0560 Finance – Payments made online:
S Clapham –
Pension –
HMRC –
Mrs R Nelson –
Broadmead Leisure – play area inspections, £84 inc VAT
Broadmead Leisure – play equipment refurbishment Walter Hobbs field, £2,822.40 inc. VAT
Netwise – domain renewal, blackmorepc.org.uk, £24.00 inc. VAT
Castle Water – supply to War Memorial, £9.31 inc VAT
Castle Water – supply to Nine Ashes Road recreation fields, £14.83 inc. VAT
Interact – VOIP telephone – £41.53 inc. VAT
Blackmore Allotment Association, transfer of association subs, £360
MDL – September grass cutting – £462.12 inc. VAT
Land Vista – repairs to Allotment Garden fencing, £579.60 inc. VAT
Blackmore Parochial Charity – field rent, £610
Netwise – renewal domain name, blackmore-hookend etc. and website hosting, £600 inc. VAT
PKF Littlejohn – external audit fee, £504 inc. VAT
Blackmore Sports & Social Club – contribution towards CCTV installation at Village Hall Complex, £678
Payments made on the PC Credit Card:
Cash drawn: –
Transfers: –
Memberships:–
Income/receipts/Reimbursements: £51,347.50 Precept amount received from BBC on 26 September.
0561 Financial Report to 30th September 2023
All in accordance with the Finance reports circulated ahead of the meeting, with no amendments.
0562 Financial Powers:
Mrs Nelson confirmed she was in receipt of the External Auditor’s report, as circulated prior to the meeting. No issues were raised which needed further action. This would be posted to the PC website and notice boards. Cllr Bennett stated that the PC had received a clean bill of health from the Auditors for the past 25 years.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
0563 To receive and accept the planning meeting minutes & reports of 25th September as circulated:
22/01110/FUL – Land south of Red Rose Lane, Blackmore – 35 new dwellings – Various objections raised.
23/01080/HHA – Kyrenia, Second Avenue, Hook End – No objections.
PARKS & OPEN SPACES (POS)
The minutes of the meeting held on 16th October 2023 at 10.00am were circulated prior to the meeting. The Minutes were accepted and the following items were discussed/approved:
Walter Hobbs –
0564 Replacement see saw –
The Clerk had received further quotations since the last PC meeting. The POS Committee proposed approval of Proludic’s item no. J853 – 4 seater springy see-saw costing £2,000. Approval was proposed by Cllr Keeble and unanimously approved. It was felt that this would be better value for money and would give a better play experience. This replaces the previously approved item TNB040 which was more expensive. Action: Clerk to process order
0565 Aerial runway –
The Clerk advised this work had been completed by Broadmead Leisure. The button seat was on order and pending installation.
0566 Junior climbing Unit –
It was agreed that this project would be shelved for the time being. More urgent expenditure was required for the Blackmore Village Hall roof repairs which the PC would consider contributing towards.
Ted Marriage –
0567 Cabin slide repairs –
Broadmead Leisure had confirmed that it was actually the timbers to the underside of the unit that were decaying and in need of replacement, hence the quote of £450.00. It was proposed by Cllr McCarthy that this necessary work be carried out and it was unanimously approved. Action: Clerk to arrange with Broadmead Leisure
MILL LANE: No new reports
Millennium Park: No new reports
Blackmore Village Hall:
0568 Sports & Social club Roof Repairs – The urgently required roof repairs were discussed and Cllr Keeble advised that the quotations received were in the region of £15,500.00 (plus VAT). The Village Hall Committee has approved this urgent work because water is leaking into the building. Cllr Bennett suggested that the PC could discuss a contribution as this work was urgent. Action: To be considered at the next budget meeting.
GENERAL PARKS & OPEN SPACES
0569 Christmas lights – This is in hand with Cllr Keeble and Andy Elmes.
0570 Spring bulb planting – The Clerk will ask John Sharpe for a quote. More investigation into wild seed planting would have to be done.
0571 Vandalised nest swing seat at Walter Hobbs – Cllr Cannon reported that the newly installed swing seat had been vandalised again. It appeared that the damage, which was very similar to the last damaged swing seat, had been caused by a dog. Action: Cllr Cannon will look at the new CCTV footage and report back to the PC.
CLERK’S REPORT
0572 Co-Option – The Clerk advised that BBC had taken longer than usual to carry out the necessary formalities. However, it had since been confirmed that after the necessary advertising period (up to 8th November) It was hoped that the two candidates could be co-opted at the November PC meeting. Action: Clerk to contact the candidates.
0573 ICO renewal – In accordance with GDPR requirements, the Clerk had renewed the membership at a cost of £40.00, effective 29 November 2023.
0574 Date of next meeting(s):
POS – Monday 13.11.2023– 10.00am – Zoom
PC – Thursday 16.11.2023 at 7.30pm – Tipps Cross R Hall Committee Room
Planning – TBC subject to planning applications being received.
BBPCA – 30th November – 7.00pm – Ingatestone Council Offices.
0575 INFORMATION EXCHANGE/NEXT AGENDA ITEMS
No items.
CLOSE OF MEETING –
There being no further business, the meeting was closed by the Chairman at 8.27pm.