BLACKMORE, HOOK END & WYATTS GREEN PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
Of the Ordinary Meeting of the Blackmore, Hook End &
Wyatts Green Parish Council held on
THURSDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2023 at 7.30pm
At Tipps Cross Remembrance Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT – Cllr T Lockhart (Acting Chairman), N McCarthy, V Dean, K Parkinson, K Wood, T Hinton, H Cannon, J Clarke. S Clapham (Clerk), R Nelson (RFO). Ward Councillor T Bridge.
0576 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllr’s R Keeble, K Bennett and T Thomas.
0577 APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 19th October 2023
The minutes were signed by the Chairman as a correct record with no amendments.
0578 CO-OPTION – two candidates
- Mrs Heather Eltham and Mrs Jane Swettenham
The Clerk confirmed that the statutory checks and procedures had been fulfilled by both the Borough and Parish Council. Therefore, Co-Option of both uncontested candidates could proceed. Both candidates signed the Register of Office, as witnessed and signed by the Clerk, and Cllr Lockhart welcomed Mrs Eltham and Mrs Swettenham onto the Parish Council.
0579 DECLARATION OF INTEREST (for items on the agenda) – Cllr H Cannon – Item 0592 below) Village Hall.
0580 OPEN FORUM – No attendees
0581 Progress Check/Report – None
0582 Correspondence/Communications – None to report
0583 Reports of Borough & Essex County Councillors
Cllr Bridge reported that at a recent Planning meeting the Dunton Hills Garden Village outline plans had been received. Regarding Blackmore, it was expected that Crest Nicholson would be submitting their revised plans during early 2024. Brentwood Borough Council (BBC) is undergoing its ‘Call for sites’ as part of the LDP process. This period would end in January 2024, and as the period of purdah saw a halt to decision making from the end March, it was anticipated that approvals would not be granted until after the May Elections.
POLICY & RESOURCES
0584 Finance – Payments made online:
S Clapham –
Pension –
HMRC –
Mrs R Nelson –
NBB Recycled Furniture – £561.60 – Inv. 3841482 – memorial seat for Elkins Green
Matthews Plants – £600.00 – Parish floral planting – Inv. 22981
Flagpole Company – £110.40 (inc.VAT) – new Union flag for War Memorial
British Legion – £75.00 – wreath
VoIP phone bill – £41.00
Castle Water – £14.95
New Goal posts- £10,733.00 – Note: The PC contribution is £2500.00. The Village Hall will reimburse the balance.
MDL – £824.00 – grass cutting
MDL – £720 – hedge trimming
Payments made on the PC Credit Card: £15.99 to be reimbursed by Tipps Cross Hall.
Cash drawn: –
Transfers: –
Memberships:–
Income/receipts/Reimbursements: £168.00 – Parish mini bus hire fees.
0585 Financial Report to 31st October 2023
All in accordance with the Finance reports circulated ahead of the meeting, with no amendments.
0586 Financial Powers:
Nothing new to report.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
0587 To receive and accept the planning meeting minutes & reports of 13th November as circulated:
23/01255/HHA – Mazzard Croft, Outings Lane, Doddinghurst, CM15 0LS – No objections.
23/01283/FUL – Saybridge Lodge, Spriggs Lane, Blackmore, CM5 0JW – No objections.
23/01275/TPO – 16 Glen Hazel, Hook End, CM15 0PE – Oak Tree crown reduction (TPO7/2008) – No objections.
23/01174/FUL – Fishers Yard, Wrights Lane, Wyatts Green, CM15 0QA – Objections raised.
It was discussed and agreed that the Planning Committee meetings, where practicable, will follow after the POS Meetings. If plans were received with tight time-lines for a decision, then the Planning Committee would convene an additional Planning Committee meeting to suit.
PARKS & OPEN SPACES (POS)
The minutes of the meeting held on 13th November 2023 at 10.00am were circulated prior to the meeting. The Minutes were accepted and the following items were discussed/approved:
Walter Hobbs –
0588 Replacement nest swing seat –
(Formerly item 0571) – Due to the recent dog damage, the PC had viewed the CCTV footage and had managed to obtain details of the culprit/dog owner. Details had been reported to the Police. A resident came forward after seeing a report of this on the PC’s Facebook post, and volunteered to fully reimburse the PC for replacement. The Clerk had placed the order with Paul Tucker and pending delivery and installation, the resident would be invoiced by the Clerk. Action: Clerk to progress this.
0589 Replacement see-saw –
The Clerk had processed the order with Proludic for its supply, and Paul Tucker for the installation. Delivery and installation scheduled for January 2024.
0590 Play area fencing and dog walking signage to be reviewed –
Cllr Cannon and the Clerk had received two complaints of dog fouling in the play area and also a situation where an unleashed dog had rushed up to a child playing on the play apparatus which had frightened both the child and grandparent in attendance, although no harm was done. The resident had asked if fencing could be considered to fence off the entire play area from dog walkers on the field. This had been discussed at length at the POS meeting and the following recommendations made:
- a)It was not the PC’s policy to renew the play area fencing. This had been reviewed and discussed at length at the time the play area was refurbished and subsequently installed in May, 2014. The ROSPA advice given was that if an area was considered safe and relatively free from environmental hazards, such as roads, streams, ponds, etc, then fencing was not required and the money could be better spent on play equipment, giving an enhanced play experience. ROSPA also advised that it is not a legal requirement to install fencing, and as the play area location did not present any hazards and was fairly well enclosed, the PC took the decision not to install fencing and the area would retain an open appearance. This money was then spent on additional play apparatus as suggested
- b)New signs should be erected advising dog walkers that all dogs should remain leashed whilst walking on the Walter Hobbs Playing field at all times. The Members felt that the adjacent Millennium field was an appropriate and suitable alternative location if dog walkers wished to walk their dogs off-lead.
The new signage would also remind visitors and dog walkers that ‘the area was monitored by CCTV’. It was hoped that this would discourage the recurrent ‘dog vandalism’ and anti-social behaviour to some of the softer play seats, ie. aerial runway seat, nest swing seat and general swing seats. The PC would use this as evidence and report all such incidents to the Police for potential prosecution.
Decision: It was proposed by Cllr Lockhart, with a majority agreement, that the above be implemented. It was duly noted that one Councillor was not in favour of restricting dog walking activities on the Walter Hobbs field. Action: Clerk to organise new signage.
Ted Marriage –
0591 Cabin slide timber repairs and play area fencing repairs –
This work is in hand with Broadmead Leisure, pending completion.
MILL LANE: No new reports. It was noted that the new springer item was still to be installed by Paul Tucker.
Millennium Park:
Cllr Keeble had previously reported that cars had been parking over the bund of the Millennium Park. This would be monitored as it would not be wanted during wetter periods.
Blackmore Village Hall:
0592 Sports & Social club Roof Repairs –
The urgently required roof repairs were discussed. Cllr Keeble had previously advised that the quotations received were in the region of £15,500.00 (plus VAT), which had subsequently increased to approximately £33,000 with the total works now required. The Village Hall Committee had approved this urgent work because water is leaking into the building. Cllr Bennett and Mrs Nelson had reviewed the PC’s budget and felt that a contribution from the PC of £10,000 could be immediately granted as this work was urgent. Approval of this expenditure was proposed by Cllr Lockhart and unanimously agreed. Cllr Keeble and the Village Hall Committee would be informed.
GENERAL PARKS & OPEN SPACES
0593 Christmas lights – This is in hand with Cllr Keeble and Andy Elmes. The switch on date agreed was as follows: Saturday 2nd December – 5.30pm at Kilne Field, Wyatts Green and 6.00pm at Horsefayre Green, Blackmore.
0594 Spring bulb planting – Pending a quotation from John Sharpe.
CLERK’S REPORT
0595 Martyn’s Law – The Clerk had circulated information from the EALC, NALC and the SLCC regarding ‘Martyn’s Law’. This is draft legislation to protect buildings from terrorist activity and has been promoted by the mother of a young man who died in the Manchester arena bombing. At present the legislation will impact on events with a capacity of 100 people or more not just inside buildings but outside as well. There will be enhanced security requirements for events with a capacity in excess of 800 people. The draft legislation will probably go out for further consultation and the Clerk will provide updates as they arise. Note: This is relevant to both the Blackmore Village Hall (Complex) and Tipps Cross Remembrance Hall, so the Clerk will monitor for updates.
0596 Date of next meeting(s):
POS – Monday 18.12.23– 10.00am – Zoom
PC – Thursday 21.12.23 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 – The Clerk and Cllr Keeble will attend.
0597 INFORMATION EXCHANGE/NEXT AGENDA ITEMS
Cllr Wood reported that he would be taking over the role from Bob Davis for the Community Speed Watch Patrols.
Cllr McCarthy raised the subject of potential future Parish Year Books in light of Mr and Mrs
Smith’s retirement as Editors. Action: Clerk to add this to the December PC agenda.
Mill Lane bus stop, damaged seat (since removed)– Action: Clerk asked to add this to the December POS agenda to consider a replacement.
CLOSE OF MEETING –
There being no further business, the meeting was closed by the Chairman at 8.30pm.
Signed:__________________________________ Dated: _________________________.
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