Little Canfield Parish Council
Page 33 – 2006/2007
Minutes of a Meeting of the above Parish
Council, held on Monday, 5th March, 2007
in the Village Hall commencing at 8.00 p.m.
___________________________________
Present: Cllr. K. Wooding (Chairman)
Cllr. P. Byford
Cllr. E. Scott
Cllr. O. Barritt
Cllr. J. Fulcher
Cllr. J. Turner
Apologies Cllr. Panzetta
In Attendance Mrs. R.Shelley (Clerk)
1. Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed as a correct record.
2. Matters Arising from the Minutes
a. Vehicle Activated Speed Signs
The Clerk said that there had been no communication from Essex Highways in response to two letters sent.
b. Priors Green
Illustrations were received of the wooden bus shelters it was proposed to install at Priors Green. It was agreed that they would be satisfactory, but the Clerk was asked to confirm that unbreakable glass would be used for the installation.
With regard to Section 106 monies for the development, it was agreed to write to the Head of Planning at Uttlesford District Council, requesting information on the allocation of these funds.
c. Land at Village Hall
A letter was received from Land Securities stating that they were continuing to explore the possibilities of developing the site, together with the level of funding available for community facilities and additional ways in which funding could be achieved.
Letters were received from residents living opposite the Village Hall opposing any development. These were circulated for information so that replies could be sent to the people concerned.
Page 34 – 2006/2007
d. Uttlesford Core Strategy
It was agreed that Uttlesford should be informed that any housing development in the district should be distributed as far as possible around separate communities rather than concentrated in large sites. It was important to retain buffer zones between developments especially if development was allowed along the A120 corridor or the B1256. Little Canfield had already been developed enough with the Priors Green project, though some infilling might be acceptable. The questions of water supplies and the provision of adequate secondary school education were paramount.
e. Public Participation
It was agreed that parishioners should be allowed to speak at short sessions prior to the regular Council Meetings. Speakers should be restricted to five minutes, and notification should be given to the Clerk prior to the meeting.
f. Stansted Airport Community Trust Projects
Although the time for applying for financial assistance was some months away, the Chairman said that it was possible that the Church would seek help with regard to their modernisation plans.
g. Changes to East of England Plan
It was agreed that increases in housing provision would cause exceptional pressure on water resources and the environment.
h Website
Comments on the structure of the website were deferred until the next meeting after members had had a chance of looking at it.
3. Correspondence
a. E,C,C, - Mobile Phone Use
Official notification was received of new regulations regarding the use of mobile phones in moving vehicles.
b. U.D.C. – Parish Liaison Meetings
Information on the next and future meetings was passed to Cllr. Fulcher
c. DEFRA – Quality Parish Councils
Information on changes to the scheme was circulated.
d. R.C.C.E. – Village Competitions
Details were circulated.
e. B.A.A. – Consultation on Transport and Road Issues regarding Stansted Airport
It was noted that comments were required by June.
The Chairman said that he had been notified of a Noise Seminar to be held on 23rd March. It was agreed that either Cllr. Byford or Cllr. Wooding would attend.
Page 35 – 2006/2007
f. Communities and Local Government
It was decided to make no comment on the revised model code of conduct for local authority members
4. Community Matters
Highway Problems
The Clerk was instructed to report an overgrown footpath on the bridge at Devils Ditch, and a large pothole outside Great Oddyns, together with a number of small potholes between High Cross Lanes East and West. Cllr. Turner said that heavy traffic was causing the verges to be churned up.
It was agreed to report the vandalism of the telephone box to the Post Office.
Cllr. Byford said that heavy lorries had caused the footpath at the junction of Thornton Road and the B1256 to collapse, and it was agreed to report this to E.C.C. and Countryside.
Although not all the lorries speeding through Little Canfield were connected to Crumps Farm pit, it was agreed to request assistance from Edwards Waste Management in reminding drivers of the speed limit.
Horses on Public Footpaths
A letter was received from Mrs. S. Rea of Coldharbour Farm complaining about horse riders causing damage to certain footpaths and permissive footpaths in the Coldharbour area. She also said that they had problems with drivers trying to reach Ashfields Farm via the footpath from Coldharbour Farm, and were proposing to erect a “No Through" sign in an attempt to prevent this. It was agreed to inform Mrs. Rea that any such sign must be erected on private land.
5. Planning
Crumps Farm – Review of old Minerals Permission
It was agreed to object to the derogatory remarks made about Little Canfield Church, and request the cessation of operations when the church was in use for special events like weddings and funerals. Concern was expressed regarding water discharge and the effect it would have on the River Roding, the methods envisaged for the restoration of the site, and the possibilities of further extraction beyond this site to Bullocks Farm.
It was reported that Takeley Parish Council had indicated a wish to join a liaison group for the site, and that verbally Great Canfield P.C. had also been in favour.
Application – 6, High Cross Villas
It was agreed to make no objection to the proposed single storey rear extension, but to ask that the effect of loss of light to windows and shadowing of gardens of neighbouring properties be considered.
Decision – 1, Hamilton Road
It was reported that the erection of two dwellings south of 1, Hamilton Road had been approved with conditions.
Page 36 – 2006/2007
Stansted Airport Appeal
A letter from U.D.C. requesting assistance regarding the effect of the airport on the community was circulated.
6. Finance
Thanks were received from Essex Air Ambulance for the donation to their funds.
It was agreed to make a donation of £300 to the Village Hall for help with their new electrical works.
It was decided not to make a donation to Home Start.
A letter was received from the Audit Commission, stating that Lubbock Fine had been reappointed as External Auditors for the year 2006/2007.
With regard to the appointment of an Internal Auditor after Mr. F. Falk had left the village, Cllr. Scott said that, if Mr. Falk did not wish to continue, Miss Gowlett’s employer had offered to fill the vacancy. It was agreed to ask for Cllr. Panzetta’s views on the matter when he returned to this country.
Payments
The following schedule of payments was presented, and the relevant cheques were signed:-
Cheque No. Name In Settlement of Amount
100727 Little Canfield Village Hall Meeting 5th March 5.00
100728 Cancelled
100729 Just Lamps (UK) Ltd. S/L Maintenance 16.92 100730 R. Shelley Salary and Petty Cash 280.06
100731 Little Canfield Village Hall Grant 300.00
100732 E.ON UK plc S/L Electricity 29.16
7. Future Meetings
16th April , 14th May