Queen Street Priority Scheme – The Parish Council has received very positive feed back from parishioners and approved the scheme. The Clerk will write to Essex County Council asking for the works to be undertaken as soon as possible.
30 and 40 mph Speed Restrictions Sudbury Hill – This has come into operation.
7.5 Tonne Weight Limit – There was no further information regarding this proposal. It was agreed that the Clerk would chase Essex County Council and contact the County Councillor to establish progress with this very important matter.
Footpath 15 – As further complaints had been received regarding this very well used footpath it was agreed to chase Essex County Council for an early resolution to the problems.
Wheelie Bins – A letter from Braintree District Council had been received confirming that at present there are no plans to introduce wheelie bins into Castle Hedingham.
Churchyard Trees – The Chairman suggested a variety of tree called Amelanchier be planted in the churchyard to replace the Blue Spruce that had been removed. This tree is small and provides spring blossom, beautiful summer foliage and berries for the autumn and winter. This was unanimously agreed. The Chairman will obtain a suitable specimen.
ATS Van – Councillors were pleased to note that the ATS van is no longer being parked on the highway verge.
Planning: The Parish Council had no objections to the following applications: Appln: 04/000070/OUT - Erection of first floor extension to existing dwelling and new detached garage – 2 Sheepcote Cottage, Sheepcot Road, Castle Hedingham; Appln: 04/000111/FUL - Replacement of existing garage with new garage to include storage area - 7 Pye Corner, Castle Hedingham; Appln.: 04/000158/FUL - Erection of rear conservatory - 8 Crouch Green, Castle Hedingham and Appln.: 04/000230/FUL - Erection of garden (studio) building - 6 Crown Street, Castle Hedingham.
Appln: 03/02159/FUL – Extension to existing detached garage – 14 Crown Street, Castle Hedingham – It was noted that, although the Parish Council had had no objections, this application had been refused by Braintree District Council.
Ibstocks 5 Castle Lane Appln: 03/02154/CON – Demolition of six garages – Ibstocks 5 Castle Lane , Castle Hedingham, Halstead – It was noted that this application has been withdrawn and no further action will be taken upon it by Braintree District Council .
Press Release – It was noted that Mr Daw had kindly agreed to publish the Parish Council’s press release on his Castle Hedingham website - http://castlehedingham.mysite.orange.co.uk/parishcouncil/index.html. This enables the Parish Council to fulfil its requirement to make information available via this medium.
Castle Players – The Players had written to the Parish Council to ask them to consider giving the group a grant towards the cost of purchasing a carpet for use to define the stage at the Memorial Hall total cost £634.50. It was agreed that the group is essentially non profit making, well established and involves a cross section of the community. It was agreed to make a grant of £200.
Byway 23 – Mr and Mrs Doe had sent a copy of their letter to Essex County Council regarding problems they are having with maintenance of this byway which serves their house. For eight years Essex County Council had supplied them with one load of road planings each year and this had been sufficient to enable them to maintain the byway to a suitable standard. Essex County Council had advised them that it is no longer County Council policy to maintain byways in this way but that Essex County Council contractors would promptly fill any potholes reported. They have subsequently been informed that there are no more funds available this financial year to fill the holes and the condition of the byway had deteriorated enormously. Councillors were very sympathetic to Mr and Mrs Doe’s concerns and it was agreed to write a letter of support to Essex County Council and contact the County Councillor to ask him to facilitate an early resolution to this matter. Essex County Council will also be advised that other landowners would be willing to maintain their byways in a similar fashion if supplied with a quantity of road planings.
Contact – Essex County Council had advised the Parish Council that it offers a facility called Contact aimed at 13-19 year olds. This is a self sufficient unit which included 2 laptops, TV and video player, playstation and games equipment, circus skills, board games and art and crafts materials, together with information and advice on issues that affect young people and is manned by two experienced youth workers. It was agreed that the unit should be booked for the Memorial Hall for one evening.
Casual Vacancy – Three people had expressed an interest in the causal vacancy. A secret ballot took place and Mr Cooke was co-opted to the Parish Council. The Clerk will write to the unsuccessful candidates to thank them for their interest in serving the council.
Cemetery Drainage - A parishioner had reported to the Chairman further complaints from the grave digger regarding cemetery drainage. It was agreed that the situation could be improved by digging out the left hand ditch but there are access difficulties. Mr Philp agreed to arrange to meet with Mr Lock to see what further steps could be taken to improve the situation. A burial is scheduled shortly and Mr Philp agreed to visit once the grave had been dug to help to assess the extent of the problem
Reports from Committees:
Community Transport – Mr Hood reported that a grant of £5004 had been received from the Countryside Agency to enable additional services to Sudbury on Thursdays and Saturdays to begin on 1st April. Full details of the scheme will be published near its start date. A vote of thanks was given to Mr Hood for his outstanding contribution to bringing this project to fruition.
Traffic Strategy Group - Mr Higgins reported a very successful meeting had been held at the school who intend to apply for a walking bus scheme. In regard to the other recommendations of the group Mr Higgins had established that Essex County Council would meet the cost of primrose lines for junction protection. He had also discussed the potential problem of proliferation with Essex County Council and as long as the Parish Council policy remained to address safety issues focussing on junction protection proliferation should not be a problem. After a lengthy discussion Councillors voted that the following measures should be put in place: new-style thin primrose lines for junction protection be introduced at the following locations Kirby Hall Lane and Nunnery Street junction; Pye Corner junction at the end of Crown Street; Castle Lane junction with Bayley Street and, Sheepcot Road junction at Trinity Green. Signage be erected to advise visitors of the public parking available at the rear of the Memorial Hall. The Parish Council would also like these signs to highlight the location of the public toilets and Memorial Hall, which are adjacent to the public parking.
Meeting Dates: Parish Council: 17th March, 14th April, 12th May and 9th June at 7.45 p.m. in the Old Court House, Castle Hedingham. Annual Parish Meeting - 20th May at 8.00 pm Memorial Hall, Castle Hedingham.