In her Chair report since the summer recess, Maureen Caton updates on the Youth Club, work undertaken to fix the Manor Road flats and the Neighbourhood Development Plan.
The Youth Council
will reconvene once dates are agreed with participants for the Autumn Term. Students at Forest Hall, and any young people attending from the Youth Club, will now meet at the Parish Council. We will be requesting that Youth Councillors attend, a couple at a time, to observe Full Council meetings, before bringing any future proposals to the council for agreement.
Additional outdoor sessions have been run by the youth club provider over the summer – these have been mainly centred around activities organised on the Recreation Ground. These were funded by grants applied for by the service provider and in addition to our funded programme.
The Youth Club leader has liaised with the Police Community Support Officer in relation to some reported anti- social behaviour post sessions – this has been addressed.
You will see from the Highways sub-Committee meeting held in the summer break, that it has been agreed to consult with residents on our response to Essex Highways report in relation to Grove Hill. Councillors considered the report to be dismissive of the issues we experience; and provided no concrete evidence to support their proposal “that nothing could be done”. The report was indicative of the general stance of ECC which is to deny responsibility with limited or no communication –illustrated also by Cllr Cunningham, who has still to respond to our request to meet with Councillors.
The Manor Road flats
It would appear that action has been taken – the response to my further communication with UDC and Environmental Health – came quickly and helpfully from the interim Director for property – stating that an independent surveyor’s inspection was undertaken in February 24. From the report submitted by the Interim Director in July – 20 flats are affected from the structural degradation of balconies- along with a number of secondary factors creating water proofing issues. Various remedial actions have been undertaken since 2022- but now following the survey, a further comprehensive programme of refurbishment of the balconies and addressing the secondary water damage; including attending to roofing, drainage improvements and thermal installations are to be implemented through a phased programme – with those flats most impacted given priority. The first phase started with 2 flats in July and the second phase will commence this month
One has to ask the question why the Chief Executive could not have given this information when originally requested!
Cemetery
I have written to the landowners of Elms Farm to ascertain whether they would still consider making land available.
Action Plan
There was a meeting of the Chairs’ group earlier this week and this year’s Action Plan has been finalised. Copies will be circulated to all members.
Neighbourhood Development Plan
We have been receiving a lot of guidance from Modicum Planning (funded by UDC) to assist in getting our draft Plan ready for submission.
The policies have all been reviewed and revised, and the order of the chapters amended to ensure, as best as we can, that the Inspector will find the Plan to be sound.
It is likely that we will hold a further period of public consultation – perhaps with an exhibition – before submission to UDC. Once the final text and order is agreed, there will be a lot of work to revise the final document and the Parish Clerk and Communications Officer will have to make this a high priority.
Grass Cutting Contracts
Open Spaces has established a contracts/tender review working group which will meet shortly to start reviewing the Gardening and Grass-cutting contracts which renew in April 2025.
Online Security
In relation to using our own devices for Parish business – this is to be launched – the policy will require members to accept responsibility for the use of personal devices when communicating as a Councillor. All that is required is for you to ensure you have the latest up to date user security updates applied and operating on your device.
These should automatically display on your device for you to apply – or alternatively you should receive a notice to run an update.
You will also be asked to sign up to a Bring Your Own Device Policy to ensure that we comply with the Cyber Essentials Accreditation.
The Firework event
The cost of tickets for the Fireworks event in November has been agreed at £20 for a family of 4, adults £8 and children over 5 – £4 purchased before the night. On the night for a family of 4 tickets will be £25, £10 adult and £5 per child over 5. Advance tickets are now on sale on Eventbrite.
Selstar have been in communication with Manchester Airport Group regarding the event and advertising will commence in the next week or so. BMAT have agreed the risk assessment and are supporting the event.
HR training
Also, for information, the Clerk is undertaking 6 sessions of HR training to update and support her management and development of staff – these will include managing performance/ appraisals /conduct issues and contractual arrangements and issues.
Referring to the issue of the Manor Road flats, the Chair confirmed that it was not known whether the UDC officer who had responded to queries had taken action as a result of the Stock Condition Survey.
Neither was it known which level of survey had been undertaken. The Clerk reported that Dist Cllr Dean had confirmed that he would continue to raise the subject of this accommodation at UDC.
The Parish Council’s position paper will be updated to reflect the information contained in the Chair’s report.