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Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 2nd November 2006 at 7.30 pm
in the Reading Room, Great Yeldham.
Present were:
Mr. M. Wood. (Chairman), Mrs. P. Slimming (Vice Chairman), Mrs. B. McNeill, Mrs. M. Baker, Mr. C. Cumaranatunge,
Mr. D. Dyson, Mr. R. Francis, Mr. B. Sargeant, Mr. I. Spencer.
In attendance:- Mr. R. Liming Clerk to the Parish Council, Mr. Nigel McCrea (District Councillor)
The Chairman ruled that sections of ‘Correspondence Addressed to the Parish Council,’ which had not been
included as an agenda item and were referral matters only, could be dealt with before the meeting opened.
Other matters relating to Planning, Accounts etc, could be dealt under appropriate agenda headings.
1096. Apologies for absence.
County Councillor Mr. David Finch.
1097. Declarations of interest.
Councillor Ms. M. Baker declared a Prejudicial Interest in agenda items No 9&
10 (Minute 2004) and would retire from the meeting at the appropriate time.
Councillor Cumaranatunge then addressed the Chairman, firstly stating that he
was of the opinion that the Chairman had acted against the Parish Councils
interests by consulting the Care Trust, the Developer and the B.D.C. Planning,
on matters relating to the proposed Doctors Surgery and had given instructions for the planning application
to be dropped without informing or asking the Parish Council.
The Chairman replied that he had previously publicly agreed in a council meeting to look into possible
alternative sites. He had not given any instructions for the planning application to be dropped.
Mr. Cumaranatunge insisted that he had a copy of a letter confirming his allegation. Mr. Cumaranatunge
then questioned the Chairman. Did the Chairman not think, that because of his friendship with certain residents
of Whitlocks Green, he as Chairman should declare a Prejudicial Interest on items 9 and 10?
The Chairman then allowed District Councillor Mr. Nigel McCrea to give
his interpretation on what is, or what is not, a Prejudicial interest.
Councillors Mrs. B. McNeill and Councillor Mr. R. Francis expressed support
for the Chairman in the actions that he had taken.
Point of order from Councillor Ms M. Baker. That in all comments made
respect to be given to all colleagues.
1098. To confirm the minutes of the October meeting.
The minutes of the October meeting, subject to the alteration of one sentence
from the present tense to the past tense, were approved as a correct record.
1099. Play Area Improvement.
Members were informed of estimates received for a new area and agreed that the clerk should make
applications for funding.
2000. Planning Applications Received for consideration.
Application No 06/01870/FUL. Renewal of temporary permission of additional use of
Garage for dog grooming. At 59 Butlers Way Gt. Yeldham.
No objections recorded.
Application No 06/01978/FUL. Erection of cart lodge and Granny Annex in existing garden.
Address; Crossing Cottage. Poole Street. Great Yeldham.
Members objected to the application and wished to record that the application was inappropriate development in
open country. (Letter sent B.D.C.)
2001 Letter received from Mrs McNeill.
Councillor Mrs. McNeill referred to minutes No 1084 and 1081 from the September 2006 minutes when she had reported
on neighbourhood policing matters and the activities of the local neighbourhood watch.
Councillor McNeill expressed the view that Councillor Cumaranatunge when making a reply to her report had been
perhaps more abrasive than constructive and that she felt that the comments made were not supported by the
majority of other councillors.
Councillor McNeill also requested that information given to Parish Council representatives at meetings should
be passed on to the Parish Council at the appropriate time.
In reply Councillor Cumaranatunge stated that all councillors must be free to express their opinion but did agree
that information gained from area police meetings should be passed on to the Parish Council.
2002 Report on Neighbourhood Watch.
Councillor Mrs McNeill reported that the Neighbourhood Watch had consolidated its position in the area with some
good results being obtained. Information sheets giving advice would be circulated with the Parish Magazine.
2003. Draft Precept. 2007/2008.
Members agreed that most of the required funding was in place and would give consideration at the December
meeting for applying for an extra £5000.00 to be used for match funding when applying for funds for the new
play area.
Councillor Ms M. Baker retired from the meeting at this point.
2004. Agenda Item November 2006 meeting at the request of Councillor Mr. D. Dyson,
reference Doctors Surgery.
Before proceeding with the agenda itme the Chairman referred to three letters received from local residents
relating to the Doctors Surgery. Mr. Cumaranatunge requested a copy of the letter from the Veterans Club.
Mrs McNeill asked the question why? The Chairman intervened stating that any member may receive a copy of
correspondence received. Mrs McNeill apologised and the meeting continued.
Members were reminded of minute 764a Thursday July 3rd 2003 meeting which read as follows:
Minute 764 reads:- A report of the meeting held in the reading room on Tuesday 10th June 2003 to discuss the location of the new doctors Surgery was read to the meeting by the Chairman, Mr. C. Cumaranatunge, who recommended members to adopt
the recommendation of the report.
Minute 764a reads:- Members voted on the proposed recommendation and unanimously resolved to adopt the proposal.
That the Parish Council should make available a small area of land, on a leasehold basis, situated in the
Northern area of the freehold land owned by the Parish Council, on Whitlock Drive, Great Yeldham, for the purpose
of erecting a new Doctors Surgery. A letter confirming both of the interested Surgeries of the decision was to be
dispatched immediately.
Councillor Dyson pointed out to members that as this was a resolved item it would appear that the councils
action in suggesting the proposed Doctors Surgery should be moved to the front of the site was inappropriate
and possibly unlawful. He therefore proposed that this decision be rescinded to fall in line with resolved
item 764a.
The resolution was put to the vote. Councillors Cumaranatunge, Dyson, Francis, Mc. Neill, Slimming and Spencer
voted for the motion, Councillors Sargeant and Wood abstained. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
The clerk was instructed to write to Braintree District Council and inform them of the decision.
The chairman ruled that item 10 of the agenda had been covered in item nine of the agenda.
2005. Accounts for payment.
Accounts for payment were considered by members and approved for payment.
The Chairman closed the meeting 22.20hrs
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