Little Canfield Parish Council

Page 5 – 2007/2008

Minutes of a Meeting of the above Parish

Council, held on Monday, 14^th May, 2007

in the Village Hall commencing at 8p.m.

___________________________________

Present: Cllr. K. Wooding

Cllr. P. Byford

Cllr. E. Scott

Cllr. J. Panzetta

Cllr. J. Fulcher

Cllr. J. Turner

Cllr. O. Barritt

In Attendance Mrs. R.Shelley (Clerk)

Mrs. L. Gillman

1. Annual Meeting of the Council

Following the re-election of all members, declarations of acceptance of office were signed.

Election of Chairman

It was proposed by Cllr. Panzetta, seconded by Cllr. Turner, and agreed that Cllr.Wooding be elected as Chairman.

Election of Vice-Chairman

It was proposed by Cllr. Turner, seconded by Cllr. Byford, and agreed that Cllr. Fulcher be elected as Vice-Chairman.

2. Members’ Code of Conduct

It was agreed to adopt the amended Code of Conduct without modification, and all members completed their statutory undertakings that they would be bound by the Code.

3. Minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed as a correct record, with the addition of the ‘Flitch Way Liaison Group Officers’ to replace ‘E.C.C.’ in Item 4, Flitch Way paragraph.

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4. Matters Arising from the Minutes

a. E.C.C. Matters

Following a meeting with Mr. C. Stoneham (E.C.C. Highways) on site, a letter was received from him, stating that attention would be given to resiting the deer signs for westbound traffic; moving the white gates and signs to more suitable positions; replacing missing junction warning sign at High Cross Lane West; clearing encroaching verge on the footway between the Lion & Lamb and Crumps Farm; and carrying out patching works in Church Lane, particularly at the junction with the B1256. With regard to footway defects associated with Priors Green, he had been informed that the area outside the Saffron Motel was likely to be reinstated shortly, but that, as the highway improvements proposed as part of the Priors Green development were scheduled to start within three to four months, at best only temporary reinstatement at Warwick Road was feasible. Concerning the B1256 speed limit, a survey of traffic use had been undertaken, although results were not yet available. Two sites had been chosen for the mobile speed activated sign programme – Church Lane and Mill Court. There was an option of introducing carriageway roundels for speed calming. It was agreed that E.C.C. should be asked to consider this option.

b. Village Hall Land

It was decided to defer calling a public meeting until the Council and the Village Hall Committee had had an opportunity of considering the documented proposals put forward by Land Securities, which were expected to be available in about a fortnight.

c. Website

It was reported that it was not possible to monitor hits on the site within the present link to U.D.C. for technical reasons. The only solution appeared to be an independent website, which would give rise to additional cost. It was agreed to take no action.

d. West Essex P.C.T. Meeting

Cllr. Fulcher reported on the poorly attended meeting. He said that the Trust were not aware of the need for G.P. provision in the area particularly because of the influx of people arising from the Priors Green development, but they had agreed to look into the matter and report back.

e. Priors Green Haul Road.

Cllr. Byford reported that he was of the opinion that the haul road construction did not fully comply with the permission given, particularly in the matter of planting. He would try to ascertain the position.

5. Correspondence

a. E,C,C, - Planned Parish Visit November 2007

In view of the site visit made by Mr. Stoneham, at which various maintenance matters had been pointed out, it was agreed to ask Mr. Rodzianko to liase with the him as to the works that needed to be carried out.

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b. E.C.C. – Facilities Questionnaire/Minerals and Waste Development Framework

The Clerk was instructed to follow these up online.

c. E.C.C. – Crumps Farm Liaison Group

It was agreed to ask that the first meeting take place on 11^th June at 2 p.m. in the Village Hall, with Cllrs. Wooding and Panzetta as Council representatives and Cllrs. Scott and Byford as nearby residents.

d. U.D.C. – Street Naming at Priors Green

It was decided that, as the developer had chosen names taken from the list supplied by the Takeley History Society, no objections would be made.

e. Police Community Meeting

Cllr. Turner agreed to attend the meeting on 17^th May.

f. East of England Regional Assembly

It was decided not to attend the Regional Gypsy and Traveller Public Engagement Event

g. E.C.C. – Grass Cutting Procedure

It was agreed to inform Highways that High Cross Lane merited particular attention after all A and B roads had been dealt with

h. Priors Green Sewerage Works

Cllr. Byford reported on a meeting he and Cllr. Wooding had had with Thames Water concerning the sewerage connection from Priors Green to the pumping station on the southern side of the B1256, which would entail the use of traffic lights when pipes were laid under the road. He said he had asked for a plan of the system in the village, which had been promised within two weeks.

6. Community Matters

a. Little Canfield Welcome Booklet

Cllr. Scott said that the booklet required updating, and she would welcome any comments and suggestions on how to improve the publication.

b. Rights of Way

Mrs. Gillman produced an update on the ongoing situation regarding the rights of way in the parish, for which she was thanked by the Chairman.

c. Flytipping in Jacks Lane

Cllr. Scott said that the rubbish mentioned at the last meeting had still not been removed, and the Clerk was instructed to remind U.D.C.

d. Sunday Working at Crumps Farm Tip

Cllr. Scott said that lorries had been entering and leaving the tip on Sunday last, and the Clerk was instructed to ascertain from the operators why this had happened in view of the restrictions imposed by the planning consent.

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e. Access to Flitch Way at High Cross Lane West

Cllr. Panzetta said that he had met the agent acting for the owner of the land by chance, and had requested that, as details had been agreed between the parties, the matter be concluded with all speed.

7. Planning

Application re Farm Buildings at Strood Hall

The Clerk said that the plans would be received shortly as they had been sent to Little Easton P.C. in error.

Applications re the Composting of Green Waste and of General Waste (including meat and kitchen waste) at Crumps Farm

It was agreed to express concern about the effect on the local community of the traffic movements likely to be generated by the proposals. It was also considered that the working hours were excessive, and that no working should be allowed on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Concern was expressed as to the type of waste to be composted but Cllr. Byford said that the plant was situated well away from local residences.

Appeal – Development at The Rest

It was agreed to support the District Council’s refusal of the application, particularly with reference to the siting of the access to the area.

U.D.C. – Energy Efficiency Document

It was decided to make no comment.

8. Finance

Audit and Accounts for year to 31^st March, 2007

The Accounts for the year, having being examined by Mr. G. White, the internal auditor, were approved and signed by the Chairman, and the Annual Governance Statement was completed, approved and signed by the Chairman.

Payments

The following schedule of payments was presented, and the relevant cheques were signed:-

Cheque No. Name In Settlement of Amount

100739 Little Canfield Village Hall Meeting 14^th May, 2007 5.00

100740 Just Lamps Street Lighting Maintenance 16.92

100741 E.A.L.C. Subscription 79.57 100742 Allianz Cornhill Insurance to 31.5.08 385.19

100743 R. Shelley Petty Cash 12.38

9. Future Meetings

2^nd July, 20^th August, 24^th September, 29^th October, 10^th December