Little Canfield Parish Council

Minutes of a Meeting of the above Parish      Page 34 – 2008/2009

Council, held on Monday, 23^rd March, 2009, commencing at 8p.m.

___________________________________

                                    Present:                                    Cllr. K. Wooding  (Chairman)

Cllr. P. Byford

                                                                                    Cllr. E. Scott

                                                                                    Cllr. J. Turner   

Cllr. J. Fulcher

Cllr. O. Barritt

Cllr. J. Panzetta

In Attendance                           Mrs. R. Shelley (Clerk)

Mrs. L. Gillman

                                                                                    Mrs. J. Cheetham (U.D.C.)

1.         Minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed.

2. Matters Arising

a. Priors Green Notice Board

It was reported that no reply had been received from Countryside regarding the erection of the board.    Mrs. Cheetham said she would raise the matter at a meeting she was to have with Countryside shortly.

b. Hamilton Road and Area

As nothing further had been heard from Cllr. Barker (E.C.C.) regarding the ownership of the roads, it was agreed to press her for information.   It was noted that Countryside Properties claimed ownership of Hamilton Road.    It was also agreed to seek information as to whether E.C.C. intended to build a school at Priors Green.

c. Pedestrian Crossings on B1256

A letter from E.C.C. stated that the crossings had been approved and conformed to safety standards.    However, the signage would be looked at again, and it was intended to raise the height of the roundabout circle at Hope End.

d. Layby near Windward Bananas

It was reported that all the rubbish had been cleared, but no decision had yet been made as to the provision of a rubbish bin.    Mrs. Cheetham agreed to pursue the matter with U.D.C.

Page 35– 2008/2009

3.         Correspondence

a. U.D.C. – House Naming

It was reported that the house adjacent to the Homestead in Dunmow Road would be named Wysteria House.

b. U.D.C. – Community Project Scheme

The information was passed to the Village Hall Committee.

c. NATS

An update on a new consultation was circulated.

d. E.C.C. – Parking Standards Consultation

The document was circulated.

e. E.C.C. – Bridleway 39 and F.P. 16

Formal notification was received of the changes to the rights of way.

f. E.C.C. – Footpath 22, Coldharbour Lane

Notification was received of the intention to upgrade the footpath.    Details were circulated.

g. Windward Bananas

An invitation for the Council to visit the factory to meet the new Operations Manager was received, and it was agreed to accept it.

h. E.C.C. Mobile Library

Notification was received of the intention to include Priors Green and Little Canfield Village Hall on the route from July 2009.    This was welcomed, but the Clerk was instructed to ask for information on the location of the Priors Green stop.

4.        Community Matters

Flooding in High Cross Lane West

The Chairman reported that two properties (Bridge Cottage and The Cottage) had suffered extensive damage from flooding because the Flitch Way drainage system had not been maintained, and the overflow was blocked by a badger sett.    E.C.C. had stated that they had insufficient funds to carry out remedial work, and he had taken upon himself to clear the ditch.     It was agreed to complain to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation at E.C.C., and Cllr. Panzetta said he would raise the matter at the meeting of the Flitch Way Liaison Group.

Obstruction of Footpath

The Clerk was instructed to request that the vehicle parked on the footway outside The Cottage, The Endway, be removed as it was blocking off the path completely.

Page 36 – 2008/2009

Village Walks

Mrs. Gillman reported that details of the 2009 walks, complete with printable maps, were available on the website.

Grass Verge Litter

It was agreed to ask U.D.C. to clear the litter before the grass growing season began.

B1256 Footway on the North Side

It was agreed to ask E.C.C. for action to remove undergrowth that was narrowing the path and cycle way.

Priors Green Footpath 31 Diversion

As it was understood that the affordable housing section of the Priors Green development had been handed over, it was agreed to request that the path be restored to its correct route.

Community Hall at Priors Green

Mrs. Cheetham reported that the hall was nearly finished, and expected to be operational by the summer.    Facilities included a full size badminton court and a meeting room.    She agreed to check on the availability of lockers.     It was understood that the Co-op were interested in the shops, but the matter was on hold for the moment due to economic conditions.

Relocation of Village Road Signs

As the promised relocation had not yet taken place, the Clerk was instructed to ascertain from E.C.C. when it was intended to schedule the work.

5.         Planning

Applications

UTT/0214/09 – Extension at Little Oddyns – No objections

UTT/0318/09 – Amendments to Phase 10 (Takeley) – Circulated

UTT/0481/07 – Amendments to Phase 10 – No comment

UTT/0169/09 – Dwelling and Garage at The Rest – No objections

Storage Barn at Newlands Farm (Agricultural Determination) – No objections

Decisions

ESS/45/08, 50/06 and 01/07 - Crumps Farm- Noise Monitoring    - Approved

UTT/1924/08 – Stansted Motel Development - Refused

Appeal Decision

Pallet Business, etc. off B1256 Roundabout (Barlow) – Dismissed

Alleged Breach of Planning Consent

Inadequate Width/Erosion of Buffer Zone at Phase 7/8, Priors Green

Under investigation.

Page 37 – 2008/2009

U.D.C. Planning Workshop -18^th March

Cllr. Turner asked whether there could be better communication and information between district and parish councils in order that the latter be better able to comment on planning applications.

Haul Road, Priors Green

Because it was not possible for planning conditions imposed by U.D.C. with regard to planting and maintenance of the bund adjacent to the haul road, it was agreed to ask U.D.C. whether there were any other means to ensure that the appearance of the bund (planting, removal of weeds, etc.) was in accordance with the original plans.

Meeting with Countryside

It was reported that Countryside had requested a meeting with the Council, and it was agreed to take up the invitation.

6.         Resignation of Clerk

It was reported that Mrs. Shelley had decided to resign from the position as from 31^st March, and thanks were expressed to her for her work over nearly ten years.

7.         Finance

Grants

It was decided to support Medics, Essex Air Ambulance, the Village Hall, S.S.E. and the Church as last year.

Payments

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

Cheque No. Name In Settlement of Amount

100808    A&J Lighting Solutions                      S/L Maintenance                                                  19.48

100809    Little Canfield Village Hall  Meeting 23/03/09                                                 10.00

100810    R. Shelley                                              Salary(31.03/09)/Petty Cash                           298.05

100811    Medics                                                   Grant                                                                      75.00

100812    Essex Air Ambulance                          Grant                                                                      75.00

100813    Village Hall                                            Grant                                                                  200.00

100814    All Saints Church                                 Grant                                                                  150.00

100815    S.S.E.                                                      Grant                                                                  100.00

8.         Future Meeting

18^th May (Annual Parish Meeting)