Little Totham Parish Council
Minutes of Meeting, Tuesday 6th August 2024
The Parish Council met on Tuesday 6th August in the Evangelical Hall, at 7.30pm
PRESENT
Chairman N. Lawrence
Councillors: T. Gritton, V. Hare, J Hughes and J. King Parishioners: 1
24.102 Apologies for Absence: Councillor S. Venton sent his apologies.
24.103 To invite Councillors to declare an interest in matters on the Agenda
Councillor King has an ongoing interest in the common land.
24.104 Minutes 02/07/24
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2nd July 2024 be approved and confirmed.
24.105 Update for parish newsletter
Councillor Gritton had written the monthly update after July’s meeting and Councillor King will be reporting on August.
August: Councillor King
September: Councillor Hughes
October: Councillor Venton
November: Chairman Lawrence
RESOLVED Councillor King to write August’s paragraph and send to the Clerk.
24.106 Clerk’s report
The Clerk recently attended the Maldon Parish and Town Council forum where there was a useful planning overview presentation given by Matt Winslow, Assistant Director at MDC. This will be followed up by more presentations on the different areas of planning at subsequent meetings. The slides will be circulated to all Councillors when available.
PFK Littlejohn had confirmed that the external financial checks had been completed and all was in order.
24.107 Common land
Chairman Lawrence was still in contact with Essex Police regarding their response to the reported golf ball issue but there had been no golf balls found recently on the common.
Francis has done a cut and TCV have mulched the trees that were planted earlier in the year.
Commoners are reluctant to meet with the Parish Council until progress is made with land and title registration and transfer. Councillor King reported that commoners feel their actions are negatively received and a meeting would not necessarily be productive. Councillors do discuss negative issues about the common at meetings but these are opinions/feedback received from residents. All agreed it has been useful having Councillor King on the Parish Council for his input regarding the common and it would be beneficial to have this open dialogue with all of the commoners.
RESOLVED Quotes for land registration and transfer still required.
24.108 Possible oil contamination Penny’s Brook
A resident had reported possible oil contamination in the brook and Chairman Lawrence had investigated but seen no evidence. Any member of the public is able to report a contamination incident to the Environment Agency using their hotline number so Chairman Lawrence will pass this information to the resident and keep monitoring the brook when out on walks.
24.109 a) Planning applications
No new application received.
- b) Planning decisions
LDP/MAL/24/00431 Proposed loft conversion and addition of windows at Two Jays, Green Lane – refused because of dormer windows.
PACUAR/MAL/24/00451 Change of use of agricultural building into one dwelling at White Horse Farm, School Road – approved.
24.110 Play equipment repairs
No update from Councillor Venton.
24.111 Potential village projects
Councillors discussed the project ideas which had been put forward by residents in response to the request in the parish magazine.
RESOLVED The Clerk to look at potential costs and grants available for outdoor gym equipment and table tennis.
24.112 Tru Cam report
The latest report received was for June 2024, when there were four people caught speeding.
24.113 Invoices presented for payment
Skippers May-July cutting £594.00
Play Inspection Co. Ltd Play equipment inspection £264.00
MDC Tru-Cam Apr-Jun £305.78
IncedIT Security software renewal £34.99
- Gardiner Clerk’s salary July £180.33
DM Payroll Services Payroll set-up and 6months fee £96.00
LT Evangelical Church Hire of hall £20.00
24.114 Correspondence
Correspondence received from Premier Tree Care Ltd to request permission to cut vegetation from powerlines on the common. All other correspondence has been forwarded to Councillors.
24.115 Update from District Councillor
Councillor Hughes reported that MDC is in the process of going through redundancy with the two existing directors and recruiting a new Chief Executive. MDC is the 4th top performing local authority of all those across the country. The staff hybrid working system is currently being reviewed.
24.116 Public questions
No questions from the public.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.15pm.
Signed by the Chairman…………..…………………………
ITEMS FOR NEXT MONTH’S AGENDA – 3rd September 2024
Village projects
Pond clearance
Flowers/reward for recognition of litter pickers