Minutes of Parish Council 28th July 2021

21/115

Receive/accept apologies and welcome to the public

RESOLVED – apologies accepted from Councillors John Gili-Ross and Bob Tyrrell.

Borough Councillors Dennis Willets, Lewis Barber and Martin Leatherdale also sent their apologies.

21/116

West Bergholt Covid-19 Response

To receive an update on the latest WBPC COVID-19 developments:

No changes since last month, although West Bergholt and Wormingford are at the bottom of Colchester’s list of case numbers with just 8.

21/117

Questions from registered electors

No questions from registered electors.

ACTION – Clerk to update website to inform residents that they may submit written questions in advance of the meeting if they wish.

21/118

Declarations of Interest

DECLARED – Cllr Stevenson declared an interest in all matters linked to Essex Highways. Cllr Spencer declared an interest in item 21/123c planning application 211932.

21/119

Co-Option

To approve the Co-option of a new member to West Bergholt Parish Council:

Mr Joel Fayers had previously submitted a personal statement to the Council which members read in advance of the meeting and had no further questions for him.

RESOLVED – To co-opt Joel Fayers by inviting him to join West Bergholt Parish Council.

Proposed by Cllr Stevenson, seconded by Cllr Smith. All in favour.

Joel Fayers then took his place with the rest of the Council and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

ACTION – Clerk will add him to the Contacts List and complete all the necessary changes to the website over the coming days.

21/120

Previous Minutes

Not ready, will be added to the next agenda – apologies from the Parish Clerk

21/121

Report from Colchester Borough Councillors

As there were no Borough Councillors present there were no reports provided, however County Cllr Barber had sent an email in regard to portable VAS (Vehicle Activated Signs) for which he has funding. The Council agreed the use of one of these in principle but thought the details should be looked at more thoroughly by the Environment Committee before committing.

ACTION – Clerk to contact White Colne Clerk, where they currently have one, and ask for more technical details from Cllr Barber, such as does it record a tally?

21/122

Finance

a)

Statement of accounts for June 2021 (see link to PC Accounts P3 Jun 21)

The final accounts for June 2021 (25% through financial year) were presented as follows:

Receipts at 50%, General Expenditure 17%, Environment Expenditure 10%, Overall Expenditure 15%

Bank Rec at £ 121,834.82

ACTION – With receipt of this year’s Highways Devolution Project money (£2,277.65) Cllr Stevenson thought it would be a good idea to remind residents what the Council does in respect to this. Therefore, the Clerk will send some photos of the handymen’s work in this regard to Cllr Smith to put on the Hub.

b)

Payments

RESOLVED – To approve the July payments list in accordance with 2021-22 budget.

Proposed by Cllr Savage, seconded by Cllr Butcher. All in favour.

PC Payments List – Jul 2021

c)

To approve the Finance recommendation to grant fund the next stage of the Lorkin Daniell Playground improvement project at a maximum cost of £11,500 + VAT.

RESOLVED – Cllr Savage proposed to approve the funding. Cllr Stevenson seconded. All in favour.

21/123

Planning

a)

To note the following decisions made by the West Bergholt Parish Council Planning Committee at their meeting of 21st July 2021: (see link to Planning P4 Jul 21):

• 211838 – 1 Armoury Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3JN – Support – The Parish Council has no comment.
• 211761 – Hall Barns, Hall Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3DU – Observation – The Committee will defer to CBC for comments to determine if the proposals show full compliance with all the qualifying criteria under Class Q.  However, with regards to ‘the design or external appearance of the building’ the application states that the design approach comprises of good quality architecture.  As the current proposals are uninspiring and resemble a poorly designed commercial premises, this is questionable. Another aspect of concern is the building’s location within the most historic and unique part of West Bergholt, with the Grade II* listed West Bergholt Hall and adjacent 11th century Grade I listed church within 100m. If this were not a class Q application, the Parish Council would object to it as being totally out of keeping, in contradiction to the Neighbourhood Plan and Village Design Statement. Furthermore, it is concerned with any precedents set enabling such conversions in view of the presence of numerous adjacent farm buildings under the same ownership.
• 211712 – 67 Chapel Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3JA – Support – The Parish Council has no comment.
• 210682 – One, Whitehouse Lane, CO6 3ET (revised plans) – Observation – The Committee noted the comments made prior to the meeting to the CBC of their understanding that the fence will be 2.5m high, timber, brown in colour, set 1.2m behind the existing hedge, that the hedge will be maintained at a height no less than that of the fence and where additional planting is required such will be similar to the existing.  Further, if so agreed, they would support the application.

b)

To approve the following recommendation of late planning application made by the West Bergholt Parish Council Planning Committee at their meeting of 21st July 2021 as a decision (see link to Planning P4 Jul 21) :

• 211894 – Highfield Farm, Fordham Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3DP – Support – The Parish Council has no comment.
• 211895 – Highfield Farm, Fordham Road, CO6 3DP (Listed Building) – Support – The Parish Council has no comment.

RESOLVED – Cllr Butcher proposed to agree these recommendations, Cllr Savage seconded. All in favour.

c)

To approve late planning application as a decision:

• 211932 – 2 The Retreat, CO6 3HN – Support – The Parish Council has no comment.

Cllr Spencer declared an interest at this point and took no further part in discussions.

RESOLVED – Cllr Butcher proposed to agree these recommendations, Cllr Stevenson seconded. All in favour.

Other items noted in regard to the Planning Committee, were that there are now 3 ongoing appeals against CBC (Colchester Borough Council) refusal decisions at:

• 155 Colchester Road – PA 201642
• 181 Colchester Road – PA 201472
•  1 Whitehouse Cottages, Bourne Road – PA 201280

Also, there has been no news on the NEEB hearing appeal decision.

21/124

Environment & Highways

To note the minutes of the Environment Committee from their meeting of the 8th July 2021 (see link to Env Minutes P4 Jul 21)

Just to note:

• Getting a new handyman vehicle next week, which is much more suited to the Council’s work than the current Ford Focus (which will be sold).
• The Mumford Oak Green Project will begin in September, improving the area at the entrance to the Lorkin Daniell Field from Mumford Close. Work includes:
  • Raising the level of the path to make it more winter hardy and less boggy.
  • Trialling one of the wildflower areas on one side.
  • Siting of a Friendly Bench on another side.

21/125

Council Publicity

The WBPC Publicity Officer updated the council with the following posts:

21/126

Training/Networking Events

To note & receive feedback from the training/networking undertaken during the last month by Councillors or the Clerk.

• Net Zero: making Essex Carbon Neutral – Cllrs Stevenson & Smith

The Commission has now provided a template which it would like Town and Parish Councils to adopt and follow.

21/127

Items to Note

1. Crime Statistics – 21st Jun – 18th Jul 2021, no crimes reported.
2. Village Fete 2021 – only heard good reports on this. Very positive and well supported event. Cllr Stevenson wanted to record thanks to everyone involved.
3. Attended Freighter – free skip service – Sat 31st July 11-12 noon

21/128

Items for the next agenda – 22nd September 2021

Nothing specific

21/129

In Committee – Matters taken in the absence of Press and Public (Public (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960) as the item contains exempt information as defined by the Local Government Act 1972 Sch. 12a Pt (1).

Nothing for discussion in committee this month

21/130

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 22nd September 2021 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall.

Meeting closed at 8.29 pm

Signed:

Date:                     Position on Council: