Little Canfield Parish Council

Page 14 – 2007/2008

Minutes of a Meeting of the above Parish

Council, held on Monday, 20^th August, 2007

in the Village Hall commencing at 8p.m.

___________________________________

                                    Present:                                    Cllr. K. Wooding

Cllr. P. Byford

                                                                                    Cllr. J. Panzetta

                                                                                    Cllr. J. Turner

                                                                                    Cllr. O. Barritt

                                    Apologies                                 Cllrs. Fulcher and Scott

                                                                                    Mrs. Cheetham, Mr. Jones (U.D.C.)

                                    In Attendance                           Mrs. R. Shelley (Clerk)

                                                                                    Mrs. L. Gillman

1.         Minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

2 Matters Arising

a. Crumps Farm Waste Site

In the absence of Cllr. Scott, the Chairman said that he was aware of further complaints about the smell emanating from the site.

A copy of a letter sent by Great Canfield P.C. to Essex County Council concerning their objections to the activities at the waste site was received and circulated.    The Clerk said that she had been contacted by one of Great Canfield’s councillors asking whether Little Canfield would like to join with them to present a unified approach to E.C.C. in this matter.     It was agreed to continue to act as a single body, but to suggest that, should a particular issue come up, a united front should be considered.

With regard to a visit to a recycling depot in Huntingdon, Cllrs. Wooding, Byford and Panzetta expressed a wish to go, and it was decided to ask for a date after 22^nd September.

b. Speed Check on B1256

A letter from the Traffic Police stated that checks would be made, and it was noted that there was evidence that there had already been action in this respect.

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c. Priors Green

Concern was expressed as to who would be responsible eventually for the street lighting at Priors Green, and it was agreed to ask Takeley P.C. what the situation was in their parish.

It was reported that the officers at Uttlesford in charge of matters at Priors Green were Mr. Ovenden and Mr. Laird.   Cllr. Byford said that one of these officers had recently left the District Council’s employ.

It was decided to accept an offer from the Rural Community Council of Essex to come to discuss the provision of affordable housing at Priors Green for local people, and the Clerk was instructed to see whether this meeting could take place prior to the next Council Meeting.     It was agreed to put an item in the next available issue of the Grapevine asking if any parishioner, or family of a parishioner, would be interested in obtaining such housing.

d. Village Meeting

It was reported that the village meeting held on 3^rd July had decided by approximately two to one to support an application by Land Securities to develop land around the Village Hall for housing and the provision of community facilities at no cost to the parish.   

As they were under strength, the Planning Department had refused to meet with Land Securities until a report had been submitted, and the Clerk said she had been advised that this was now complete, and would be dispatched shortly.

e. Plans of Village Sewage Systems

It was noted that the plans from Thames Water had now arrived, and they were circulated for information.   It was stated that, although the village pumping station had been upgraded fairly recently, it had been deemed necessary to upgrade it still further.

f. Essex Corporate Plan

A shortened version of the plan was circulated

g. Footpath 31

It was noted that the diversion of the path through Priors Green had been confirmed, and it was agreed to place the diversion notice with the Definitive Map of the area.

h. Recycling Bins at the Village Hall

It was stated that the promised bins were now in place, and it was agreed to put a notice to this effect in the Grapevine.

i. South West Panel Meeting

Cllr. Panzetta reported on the meeting of the Panel attended by Cllr. Wooding and himself.   He said that Uttlesford were very keen on energy efficiency, but they had been disappointed by the lack of comments from parish councils relating to the core strategy, when only four out of forty-eight councils had bothered to reply.

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It was reported that the Chairman of the Meeting would welcome items for the agenda for the next meeting, and the Clerk was asked to ascertain when that was.

3.         Correspondence

a. Dog Control Orders

Information from U.D.C. was circulated

b.  Review of Polling Districts

A letter from U.D.C. stated that no changes were proposed in the Little Canfield area.

c.   Supply of Sandbags for Flood Relief

It was decided not to accept U.D.C.’s offer to provide sandbags to combat likely flooding as it was deemed unnecessary.

d. Community Award Scheme

Details of U.D.C.’s scheme were circulated.

e. E.A.L.C. A.G.M.

It was noted that the A.G.M. would take place on 19^th September at the Essex Records Office.

f. Proposed Closure of Some Post Offices

A request to help the Essex Rural Partnership to raise awareness of the issue was received.    Details of the consultation on the matter in this area would be advised when details were known.

g. Future Programme

An invitation to attend a meeting to consider the future programme of Three Valleys Water was received.

h. U.A.L.C. A.G.M.

It was noted that the A.G.M. would take place on 5^th September at U.D.C.’s offices in Saffron Walden.

i. Village Gates

A note from Takeley Parish Council asked whether this Council was making progress with E.C.C. regarding the relocation of the gates.   Cllr. Panzetta said that he had spoken to Mr. C. Stoneham only two weeks ago, where promises to carry out the work were reiterated, but no action was forthcoming.

j. Street Lighting Report

Just Lamps reported that a lamp had been replaced on the standard just past the bridge, and that the electricity company had been informed of a fault to the cable on the standard just before the bridge.

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4. Community Matters

a. Jacks Lane

It was reported that footpaths in the vicinity of Jacks Lane were in poor condition resulting from damage by vehicles of contractors working on the Priors Green Site.    Mrs. Gillman agreed to look into the matter.

b. Flitch Way

With regard to the Flitch Way, Cllr. Panzetta reported that quotes for the work in improving the access at High Cross Lane West were being obtained.   These would require the diversion of Footpath 16.       As Cllr. Panzetta was unable to attend the next meeting of the Liaison Group on 18^th September, Mrs. Gillman agreed to deputise.

c. Signage

Cllr. Panzetta reported the erection of a new sign at High Cross Lane West/B1256.      There was no progress on a Dunmow sign because a ground survey had to be carried out first.

 5.        Planning

Applications

UTT/1086/07/FUL – Priors Green

To increase units from 650 by 56.

No objection provided the area of land earmarked for community facilities was not decreased.

UTT/0841/07/DFO – Priors Green

Phase 10

No comment as this area was not in Little Canfield

UTT/1370/07/FUL – Huntingfields Farm

Change of Use of Agricultural Building to Storage

Objection because the access was too close to the roundabout on the main road.  The building would be too small for storage, requiring additional building, which, in view of the past history of the site, could be turned into housing.   It was reconstructed without planning permission, and was never used for agricultural purposes.

UTT/1310/07/OP – Land adjoining Penarth, Warwick Road

Erection of 11 Terraced Dwellings with garages and car parking

Considered that the proposed density was too high, with insufficient parking spaces.    Any development should be connected to the public sewer.

UTT/1419/07/OP – 5, Hamilton Road

Erection of four dwellings

Considered that any new dwellings should be connected to the public sewer and surface water systems.   Suggested that access to new developments at both 5 and 8, Hamilton Road should be by the Priors Green road network because of the doubling of vehicular access on to the B1256 on an unmade road.

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It would be practical to re-erect the present gate at the Hamilton Road/Priors Green junction on the north boundary of 6, Hamilton Road.

UTT/1322/07/FUL – Priors Green, Phase 7

Erection of Sales Building

No comment

UTT/1253/07/FUL – Bridge Cottage, High Cross Lane West

Alterations/Extension to Ground Floor and Replacement Roof

No objection

ESS/31/07/UTT – Crumps Farm Waste Site

Addition to Electricity Generator Station

No objection, providing that the noise level was kept to the figures stated, and that the residents of Church Lane were not affected by the noise.   It was hoped that the present bunding would be sufficient to screen the new generator.

UTT/1269/07/FUL – The Red Barn

Change of use from Agricultural to Residential

(Cllrs. Wooding and Turner declared an interest in this application)

No objection in principle, but queried the plans regarding the point of access, the route of a public rights of way, and the ownership of the road)

Decisions

Approved – Priors Green – Construction of Road, drainage and landscaping north

Of Jacks Lane (Phase 11)

                                8, Hamilton Road – Outline Permission for four dwellings

                                Crumps Farm Waste Site – Retention of Sand and Gravel Workings

                                                               Completion of Restoration Work

                     Strood Hall – Conversion and Change of use of Agricultural

                                                             Buildings

Refused -      6, High Cross Villas – Rear Extension

                     Canfield Moat – Erection of Garage with Room above and Pool            

                                                                                               House

Core Strategy

It was reported that, following the Village Meeting regarding the development of land around the Village Hall, a letter had been submitted to U.D.C. in support of the proposals.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Supplementary planning guidance on this issue was circulated.

6.         Finance

Audit for year ended 31.3.07

            It was reported that the audit had been completed satisfactorily.

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Broadband

It was agreed to pay a monthly subscription of £9.99 to upgrade the Clerk’s e-mail system, and to reimburse her for repairs to her computer caused by attempted receipt of a large e-mail from Essex County Council (£52.88)

Payments

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

Cheque No. Name In Settlement of Amount

100746                  Just Lamps                                           Street Lighting                                    28.61

100747                  Little Canfield Village Hall               Meeting 20^th August                              5.00                    100748                   EON                                                                Street Lighting Energy                      29.16

100749                  Lubbock Fine                                       2007 Audit                                            58.75

100750                  R. Shelley                                             Petty Cash                                             59.30                                      

7.         Future Meetings

24^th September, 29^th October, 10^th December