Your Parish Council held its monthly meeting on Thursday 14th October 2021 at 8.00 pm at the Village Hall. Eight Parish Councillors were in attendance along with our Parish Clerk. Apologies were received from the remaining two and their apologies were accepted.
Two of our Ward Councillors – Cllr. Keith Parker and Cllr Chrissy Gelderbloem – were in attendance and apologies were received from Cllr. Cliff Poppy and our E.C.C. member Cllr. Lesley Wagland.
The Council were informed that Brentwood Borough Council are seeking to link up with Rochford County Council to share a Chief Executive Officer and some administration duties in order to trim expenditure to the benefit of Council Tax payers. Assurance was given that services would not suffer as a result.
In the Chairman’s report, recognition and thanks were expressed to Cllr. Hugh Gorton for his extensive work on organising the refurbishment of the children’s play area in researching and acquiring new equipment, negotiating with the installers and sourcing grant money to pay for it all. The general consensus was that the result is a major success.
The Parish Clerk reported that concerns had been voiced surrounding the Muscovy duck on Swan Pond and a ramp has been provided to make easier access to the water from the duck house. This has been installed by a local resident and our thanks go out to them for his/her effort. The duck seems to be in general good health but being tame with clipped wings in its environment might always struggle to look after itself. It falls on all of us to provide support.
The Council was made aware of ongoing problems regarding the Council’s banking arrangements with Barclays Bank. As a result, a recommendation was given by the Parish Clerk – acting as our Responsible Financial Officer – to move the Council’s current account to Unity Trust Bank. The recommendation was voted on and approved.
The Council was also informed that the trainers hanging over the telegraph line by Swan Pond – a recognised sign of drug dealing activity in the area – had finally been removed by BT Openreach. The police have been made aware of events and PC Matthams confirmed that the pond area is now being patrolled.
The Council was also made aware that a grant from the Postcode Lottery had been applied for by the company Let’s Get Out with regard to the ongoing regeneration work taking place in the woods on Doddinghurst Common. Our support was requested as a reference and duly provided.
There was discussion with regard to Remembrance Sunday and it was agreed to donate £100 to the Poppy Appeal for the provision of a wreath to be laid at the monument on Ongar Road on the day.
Due to the restrictions surrounding Covid last year, the Seniors’ Christmas Lunch was not able to take place and attendees were provided with a Christmas hamper as a substitute. It has been agreed to do the same this year and the usual notices will be issued in due course.
Arrangements with regard to the Queen’s Jubilee Year 2022 were addressed and it was decided to have the matter discussed at the forthcoming Community Relations Committee Meeting.
The sum of £150.00 was committed to provide winter bedding plants and bulbs for 5 of the planters in the village.
Due to the unacceptable amount of litter that seems to continuously surround one of the seats at Swan Pond – despite there being a litter bin immediately on hand – it was decided to remove the seat and re-locate it by the village stocks. Not only is the litter unsightly but also it eventually gets into the pond making it difficult to retrieve and threatening to the wildlife.
The Council was made aware by the Parish Clerk that it would be necessary to appoint an Internal Control Officer from amongst our Councillors. Cllr.Daniel Liddard kindly accepted the duty.
There was one planning matter which the Planning Committee had no objections to.
In a closed session, there was discussion regarding the cost of necessary repair works to the village stocks. So far, only one estimate had been received and it was decided to source one or two more before making any final decision. The Parish Clerk will come back to the Council once more information is received.
The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled to be on Thursday 11th November at 8.00 pm. In the Village Hall, School Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Essex. CM15 0DL. Residents are encouraged to attend and would be made most welcome.
Stephen Saunders
Chairman
Kelvedon Hatch Parish Council