Asheldham and Dengie Parish Council had a full agenda to consider.

Planning issues - councillor Fluker updated members on his talks with officers from Maldon District Council on the Landscape Character Assessment process for the district, which divides the district into a series of character areas to which different considerations might apply in the future.

Members hope to have a full update ready for the next Parish Council meeting.

Neighbourhood Action Panel - contrary to last month's report, a member of the parish council was able to attend the meeting of the Southminster NAP held on Wednesday November 28, at Tillingham Village Hall. Many of their issues centred on parking problems in Tillingham, but mention was also made about speeding motorcyclists along the "Dengie Straight".

BATTLE - two councillors attended a meeting of the Battle group recently. Members feel they need to find out as much as possible about wind farms and the effect on the environment in case there are further applications in the area.

Budget - members agreed a budget for next year and are in a position to submit the parish precept request to Maldon District Council.

Councillors' training - members hope to be able to take advantage of the offer to train locally at Maldon. Presently, most suitable courses are run by the Essex Association of Local Councils at Great Dunmow. An application has been made to them for a grant to assist with training costs.

There will be no meeting in January.

The next meeting will be on Monday February 4, in Dengie Village Hall.