Little Canfield Parish Council
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Minutes of a Meeting of the above Parish
Council, held on Monday, 19th May, 2008, commencing at 8.10 p.m.
___________________________________
Present: Cllr. K. Wooding
Cllr. P. Byford
Cllr. J. Turner
Cllr. E. Scott
Cllr. J. Fulcher
Cllr. O. Barritt
Apologies Cllr. J. Panzetta
In Attendance Mrs. R. Shelley (Clerk)
Mrs. L. Gillman
1. Annual Meeting of the Council
Election of Chairman
It was proposed by Cllr. Byford, seconded by Cllr. Turner, and agreed, that Cllr. Wooding be elected for the ensuing year.
It was proposed by Cllr. Turner, seconded by Cllr. Wooding, and agreed. that Cllr. Fulcher be elected for the ensuing year
The Declarations of Acceptance of Office were signed by Cllrs. Wooding and Fulcher.
2. Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed.
3. Matters Arising
a. Speed Sign
Notification was received from E.C.C. that the speeds indicated on the sign were not yet accurate, but it was expected that this fault would be rectified in the near future.
b. Priors Green Notice Board
It was agreed to ask Countryside whether they would be prepared to supply notice boards at the Warwick Road bus stop and at the play area,
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c.Crumps Farm
It was stated that at a meeting on 23rd April of the Liaison Committee an outline of a new process for composting had been given. A further meeting was due on 28th May.
d.Stortford Road Sign
Because of the disruption and probable expense that would be caused to the residents involved, it was decided that that the idea of changing the name of the most easterly part of Stortford Road to High Cross Lane would not be pursued. Cllr. Turner agreed to contact John Bradford at U.D.C. regarding better road signing.
e.Stop Stansted Expansion Meeting
It was agreed to request Monday, 15th September as a date for a presentation on the Second Runway proposals, and the Clerk was instructed to find out whether posters would be available to publicise the event, to which it was intended the public should be invited.
f. Telephone Box in High Cross Lane
Cllr. Turner reported that the box was in working order though only cards could be used in it.
g.B1256 Rubbish Pick
It was agreed that there was no evidence of a pick having taken place.
h.Jacks Lane
A letter was received from E.C.C. stating that it was not possible to downgrade the byway for security and amenity reasons. It was decided to ask Takeley Parish Council how their application was proceeding.
i.E.C.C. Planned Visit
It was decided to ask for road signs to be cleaned and any vegetation removed, and for the brambles at Devils Ditch to be cleared and (possibly) a handrail replaced.
j. Website
Cllr. Fulcher said that his computer expert was too busy at the moment to consider work on the website.
k. Bennet Canfield (Priors Green)
A communication from U.D.C. stated that it was too late to change the name of the street in Takeley that had been allocated the name put forward by Little Canfield for Little Canfield. It was agreed to express strong disapproval, and ask for the name to be withdrawn.
l. Tourism
Cllr. Fulcher reported that Uttlesford D.C. had decided to withdraw from direct tourism assistance, but that Saffron Walden Town Council had been given a grant to operate an office. It was hoped that Thaxted and Dunmow could also participate in such a scheme.
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m. Fire Hydrant near Oddyns Farm
A communication from the Fire Service said that the hydrant had been inspected, and that they were in contact with the water company in the matter with a view to moving the hydrant to a less exposed position.
n. NATS – Changes to Air Traffic Control Systems in the Region
It was agreed to comment on the changes on the lines suggested by SSE.
4. Correspondence
a. E.C.C. – Commission of Enquiry into the A12
Although Little Canfield was not directly affected by the A12, it was agreed to comment that improvements to the road were long overdue.
b. U.D.C. – Changes to Code of Conduct
Details were circulated.
c. U.D.C. – West Area Forums
Details of changes to the constitutions were circulated.
d. U.D.C. – Community Project Scheme
Reminders for the deadline for applications under the scheme were passed to the Village Hall Committee.
e. Stansted Community Trust
Details of the grant scheme were passed to the Parochial Church Council.
f. Uttlesford Community Travel
A letter regarding the work of the organisation and their lack of volunteer drivers was circulated.
g. Police Meeting
It was noted that a public meeting had been arranged for 27th May at Thaxted, and that a new non-emergency telephone number had been issued - 03003334444
h. Little Canfield Hall
(Cllr. Wooding declared an interest in this item, and took no part in the discussion)
A letter was received from Sworders Agricultural, asking for assistance in securing a viable use for redundant barns at the farm. It was agreed that members had no local knowledge that could help with the project.
i. Three Valleys Water
The Company’s Water Resources Plan for the next 25 years was circulated, and it was noted that a meeting on the subject would be held at Saffron Walden on 3rd June.
j. Uttlesford Mind
It was noted that Uttlesford Mind were asking for volunteers to help with their work. Details were circulated.
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k. Second Runway at Stansted Airport
An invitation was received from Takeley Parish Council to attend a public meeting on 30th May intended to gain support for opposition to the planning application. Cllr. Fulcher agreed to attend as an observer.
With regard to commenting on the planning application, it was agreed to follow the suggestions of SSE on the subject.
l. “Planning for the future of your Village”
Cllr. Wooding agreed to attend the seminar arranged by the R.C.C.E. on 12th June at a cost of £32.
5. Community Matters
a. Sewage Works in High Cross Lane
It was reported that the trees screening the sewage works had had to be felled for health and safety reasons, leaving the ugly fence on the site exposed. Cllr. Panzetta had met a U.D.C. representative on site, and had been told that laurels would be planted in the near future for screening purposes.
b. E.C.C. Matters
The Clerk was instructed to inform the Highways Department of the branches of a dead elm over the footpath on the north side of the B1256 near Squires Cottage and various potholes in High Cross Lane, and to let them know that the standard of grass cutting so far this year was inferior, with Church Lane being omitted altogether.
c. Hedge at Hawthorns
The Clerk was instructed to request the resident of the property at the junction of the B1256 and the Bambers Green Road to cut back his hedge to give more visibility for drivers.
d. Village Hall
Cllr. Byford reported on the recent meeting of the Village Hall Committee, stating that the survey produced by Bidwells for Land Securities had been studied. Some money was available for repairs.
6. Planning
Applications dealt with since last meeting
UTT/067/08 - Development at The Rest – No comment
UTT/04264/08 – Change of Use at Bluegates Farm – Majority in favour of the
application, but the plethora of advertising boards
outside the premises was deplored
Applications
UTT/0721/08 – Priors Green – Variation of condition re opening hours at Local
Centre – No comment
ESS/65/06 - Little Easton Airfield Condition – Document circulated
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UTT/0677/08 – (Retrospective) Land at Stortford Road (Huntingfield House)
Change of Use to recycling wooden pallets – Object strongly on the grounds of unsightly appearance, inappropriate use of agricultural land, and danger of access.
It was also agreed to report dumping of large quantities of waste on the site to U.D.C. Planning and Dunmow Town Council.
UTT/0615/08 – Development of Village Hall area.
It was reported that Land Securities had requested a meeting to bring the Council and residents up to date with progress on the development process. It was agreed to set up a meeting at the beginning of June and to ask U.D.C. for a delay in submitting comments on the application.
Decisions - Approved
UTT/1002/03 – Dwelling adjacent to The Homestead
UTT/2204/07 – Community Hall at Priors Green (conditional)
ESS/47/07/UTT – Crumps Farm – Temporary Composting
UTT/0462/08 – Certificate of Lawfulness at The Cottage, Hamilton Road
Enforcement Investigations
It was reported that U.D.C. were currently investigating an 8ft. metal fence erected at the corner of Hamilton Road and Dunmow Road, and large amounts of earth being stacked at Newlands Farm
7. Finance
Grant
A letter of thanks for the grant was received from the Parochial Church Council.
Audit for year ended 31st March, 2008
The Clerk said that Cllr. Panzetta had requested that the Council be informed that he had examined the Council’s accounts before submission to the Internal Auditor.
The Accounts for the year, having been 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.
Rent for Village Hall Land
The Clerk said that, on realising no rent had been paid in 2007/2008, she had contacted Land Securities, who said that no action should be taken until a request for payment was received.
Insurance Premium
The Clerk said that membership of E.A.L.C. had enabled the Council to obtain a saving of over £70 in the premium rate for 2008/2009.
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Payments
The following schedule of payments was presented, and the relevant cheques were signed:-
Cheque No. Name In Settlement of Amount
£
100782 Little Canfield Village Hall Meeting 19th May 5.00
100783 A & J Lighting Solutions Street Lighting Inspection/Repairs 41.97
100784 Essex County Council Definitive Map Sheets 8.00
100785 Allianz Insurance Insurance Cover for year 327.58
100786 EALC Training Course 32.00
8. Future Meetings
14th July, 18th August, 6th October, 17th November, 12th January 2009