Little Canfield Parish Council
Page 28 – 2006/2007
Minutes of a Meeting of the above Parish
Council, held on Monday, 29th January, 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
Apologies Clls. Panzetta and Turner
In Attendance Mrs. R.Shelley (Clerk)
Mrs. S. Flack (E.C.C.) (part)
Mrs. J. Cheetham (U.D.C.)
Mr. R. Harris (U.D.C.) (part)
Prior to the meeting the Council were briefed by Ms. Rosa Clarke from Countryside Properties on the current position of the Priors Green development, which she said would probably progress at the rate of about one hundred houses per annum. She was asked to check on the depth of the balancing ponds under construction, and requested to arrange for as little as possible of the old hedging to be removed at the site of the haul road. She said that the location for the new school had not yet been confirmed, as Essex County Council were not happy about the site proposed. It was confirmed that the holes referred to at the last meeting were for street lighting purposes. Details of the liaison officer on site, James Blair, were given, as it was reported that communications on the ground with the company were poor.
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
Mrs. Flack said that the type of sign likely to be used on the scheme had been changed from solar to battery run devices mounted on lampposts. It was agreed that the best site for a sign would be between the Village Hall and Church Lane. The Clerk said that no reply had been received from Mr. C. Stoneham to her letter from the last meeting, and she was instructed to contact the Area Manager, Ms. D. Millership, direct in the matter.
Page 29 – 2006/2007
b. Bus Shelters for Priors Green
It was stated that it had been difficult to understand the information given on the type of shelter proposed, but that the use of a wooden shelter with a pitched roof would be preferable.
c. Meeting with Land Securities
It was reported that, following the preliminary meeting in November regarding possible development in the village hall area, a feed back meeting had taken place on 24th January with members of the public, from which it was thought that the village had to decide on one of two options – i.e. do nothing, or else to consider the possibility of supporting Land Securities in a bid to enable them to secure planning permission to build housing and community facilities outside the present village envelope. It was agreed at the meeting that there would be no harm in pursuing the latter option, in the initial stages at least.
It was decided that Land Securities would report back with an indication as to the level of funding available for the community facilities on the site, at which time the matter could be reconsidered by the Council and the Village Hall Committee.
Mrs. Cheetham said that it might be worth looking into the service provided by the Rural Housing Association in housing development schemes, and suggested that the Council invite Ann Bishop to speak on the matter.
The Chairman said that coincidentally a document had just been received from Uttlesford District Council regarding the Local Development Framework for the area, which he would circulate, as it might have a bearing on the Village Hall situation.
d. Priors Green Development
It was reported that the Inspector had allowed the construction of a haul road adjacent to the Lion and Lamb. Mrs. Cheetham volunteered to find out the position regarding the allocation of community monies emanating from the development.
e. 2007 Grass cutting on Footpaths
It was reported that Mrs. Gillman had produced a comprehensive report that had been passed to E.C.C.
f. Health Assessment
The Clerk said that Mrs. Barber had informed her that the Health Assessment commissioned by B.A.A. had come to the conclusion that there was little health risk emanating from the Airport
g. Public Participation at Council Meetings
It was agreed to defer this matter until the next meeting
h. Grants and Donations
It was agreed to make the same grants and donations as last year, but to ask the Village Hall Committee whether they had any special requirements.
Page 30 - 2006/2007
i. Website
The Clerk said that Mr. Hazon had tidied up the website, and suggested that members should take a look at it in order to make comments for items for inclusion in the future.
j. Stansted Airport Projects
It was agreed to defer this matter to the next meeting.
k. Essex Municipal Waste Management Strategy
The Chairman said that the County Council had been informed that this Council found the Assessment comprehensive and forward thinking, and that waste prevention was a key principle of the strategy.
3. Correspondence
a. U.D.C. – Footpath 15
Official notification was received of the diversion of the path.
b. E.C.C. – Service at Chelmsford Cathedral
An invitation was received for council members to attend a special civic service for local government on 27th April.
c. Rural Council of Essex Questionnaire
The Chairman agreed to complete the questionnaire.
d. Go-East – Proposed Changes to East of England Plan
It was reported that the main changes proposed by the Government were an increase of housing numbers in Uttlesford, of which a minimum of 30% should be affordable. It was also indicated that the Plan should not be concerned with the second runway at Stansted Airport, which was covered by government policy, but only with the infrastructure. Comments were invited by 9th March.
e. U.D.C. – Street Naming at Priors Green
An invitation was received to submit names for consideration. It was agreed to send a list prepared by the local History Society of names of fields, houses, farms and families associated with the area over the years.
f. U.D.C. – Postwatch Questionnaire
A questionnaire was circulated for completion after the next meeting.
4. Community Matters
None.
Page 31 – 2006/2007
5. Planning
Applications
Gravel Working at Little Easton
It was agreed to comment that the case for this development had not been proven, given the plethora of similar pits in and around the area. The extra lorry movements to which it would give rise would add considerably to those already using or planning to use the B1256 (e.g. the Priors Green development and Crumps Farm extension), and overwhelm the road. If the application was granted, there should be strict monitoring of dust pollution and traffic and no Sunday work without prior arrangement.
Extension at 6, High Cross Villas
The plans were circulated for comment by 22nd February.
Plot at 1, Hamilton Road
It was noted that outline permission had been granted for the erection of two dwellings with conditions, and that an application for full consent had already been submitted by the new owners, Countryside Properties. It was agreed that access via Priors Green should be requested because of the extra traffic that would otherwise be engendered on Hamilton Road, and that hedge planting to help replace the hedging destroyed for the construction of the balancing ponds next door and erection of a fence would mitigate the effect on 2, Hamilton Road.
Crumps Farm
A letter was received from Essex County Council, suggesting that a liaison group consisting of the County, the operator, the local County Councillor and representatives from interested parish councils. It was agreed that this would be beneficial, and the Clerk was instructed to contact Great Canfield and Takeley parish councils.
6. Finance
Thanks were received from S.S.E. for the donation to their funds for the public enquiry on the expansion of passenger numbers at Stansted Airport.
Payments
The following schedule of payments was presented, and the relevant cheques were signed:-
Cheque No. Name In Settlement of Amount
100722 Little Canfield Village Hall Meeting 29th January 5.00
100723 R. Shelley Petty Cash 14.61
100724 Little Canfield P.C.C. Grant 100.00
100725 Medics Donation 50.00
100726 Essex Air Ambulance Donation 50.00
Annual Grants
It was agreed that the grant to Little Canfield P.C.C. and donations to Medics and Essex Air Ambulance should be the same as in the last financial year (as detailed in the payments list). It was agreed to ask the Village Hall committee whether they had a particular requirement at this time.
7. Future Meetings
5th March, 16th April , 14th May