Little Canfield Parish Council
Page 1 – 2008/2009
Minutes of a Meeting of the above Parish
Council, held on Monday, 14th April, 2008, commencing at 8p.m.
___________________________________
Present: Cllr. K. Wooding
Cllr. P. Byford
Cllr. J. Turner
Cllr. E. Scott
Cllr. J. Fulcher
Cllr. J. Panzetta
Cllr. O. Barritt
In Attendance Mrs. R. Shelley (Clerk)
Mrs. L. Gillman
1. Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed, with the following amendment to Matters Arising 2c – for ‘Cllr. Scott thought that some land should go back to agricultural use. Essentially it would provide a green space for Priors Green residents’ read ‘The Environment Agency though that some land should go back to agricultural use. Essentially it would provide green space for all residents, including Priors Green’
2 Matters Arising
Speed Sign
The Clerk pointed out that the Council had been informed in January that details of activity on the sign would be forwarded by E.C.C. when all similar signs had been erected and tested for accuracy. A later reminder had brought forth no reply from E.C.C.
a. Priors Green
Minutes of the meeting held on 27th March of Takeley and Little Canfield Parish Councils with Countryside Properties (with Mr. M. Ovenden (UDC) and Mrs. J. Cheetcham (DC) attending) regarding community facilities and S106 issues were available. Main items were the confirmation of the retention of current parish boundaries (at least for the time being) and of the school site, and revision of the size of the community hall to accommodate sports provision.
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Concern was expressed regarding West Essex Primary Care Trust’s lack of interest in providing health facilities. It was agreed that Little Canfield would contact West Essex Primary Care Trust in support of Takeley’s request for consideration of health facilities to be located in the community area. To this end a meeting with the PCT had been arranged for 29th May at Takeley, which Cllr. Panzetta agreed to attend.
The matter of the restoration of Thornton Road was raised with Countryside particularly with reference to the raised road surface. Cllr. Byford said that he had met with the agent on site since that meeting, and that Countryside had refused to carry out any more works on the road, though they had completed the promised planting. He also said that the road was still being used quite frequently by site traffic, largely because Countryside did not secure the site out of hours.
Other matters relating to Priors Green that had occurred recently related to a letter received by Mrs. Cheetham concerning the ownership of land in the area, particularly Thornton Road. Cllr. Byford said that problems had arisen because U.D.C. had put no restrictions on the use of roads outside the site. He said he would discuss the matter with Mrs. Cheetham.
The Clerk said that Countryside had agreed in writing to the provision of a notice board at Priors Green, and they were requesting details of what sort of board was required, and where it should be located. It was decided to ask Rev. Teresa Wynne to sound out residents when she was in the area.
b. Crumps Farm
It was stated that no minutes of the last Liaison Meeting had been circulated, but that there would be a perimeter path and walkways when the site was restored. The first stage of restoration would be near the Flitch Way.
c. Stortford Road Sign
Reaction from residents to the suggestion that the portion of Stortford Road cut-off from the main road when the A120 roundabout was constructed be incorporated into High Cross Lane had been mixed. By accident two houses had not been approached at all. As it was considered that renaming could go a long way to stop lorries missing the entrance to High Cross Lane East, Cllr. Turner agreed to make direct contact.
d. Stop Stansted Expansion Meeting
It was agreed to accept SSE’s offer of a presentation, and open it up to the whole village. The Chairman agreed to find out when the village hall was available for a suitable date in September.
e. Verge Blocks in High Cross Lane East
As Mr. Trembath of Hales Farm felt that he had justification for putting blocks down on the verge, it was decided to refer the matter to Essex Highways Department.
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f. Telephone Box in High Cross Lane
As no reply had been received from BT concerning use of the box, Cllr. Turner agreed to visit the kiosk to see what condition it was in. Consideration should be given to asking BT to remove it altogether.
g. B1256 Rubbish Pick
As no reply had been received from UDC regarding the possibility of a rubbish pick, it was decided to wait until the next meeting to see if any response had been made.
h. Advertising Signs for Priors Green
It was reported that Mrs. Cheetham had indicated that the small yellow signs were only supposed to be in evidence for twenty-eight days.
i. Jacks Lane
Notification was received from Takeley Parish Council of their application to downgrade the byway. As a letter had already been sent to E.C.C. requesting the same thing, it was decided to leave the matter to Takeley and support them if necessary.
j. High Cross Lane Layby
An email received from Mr. Collins stated that they would be asking their distribution companies to advise their drivers to dispose of their rubbish responsibly. Mr. Collins felt that it was not necessarily lorries visiting the banana depot that could be responsible. Cllr. Turner agreed that, in view of the large number of lorries using High Cross Lane at present, this was entirely possible. It was decided to keep an eye on the situation.
k. Affordable Housing Survey
It was reported that, following the survey in Takeley and Little Canfield, nine dwellings for Takeley and two for Little Canfield had been secured in the affordable housing section of the Priors Green development. It was agreed to send thanks to Moira Groborz for her work in this connection.
3. Correspondence
a. E.C.C. – Footpaths
Notification was received of the temporary prohibition of FP 31, and the modification of the Definitive Map to include the new route of FP15.
The Chairman stated that he had recently concluded another ten-year agreement for permissive access on paths on his land.
b. E.C.C. – Planned Parish Visit
It was agreed to look out for works that could be undertaken during the visit so that a list could be submitted.
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c. U.D.C. – Street Naming at Priors Green
It was noted that several streets had been transferred to a Little Canfield postal address, although it appeared they related to new houses located in Takeley. As it was considered that the Benet Canfield name should relate to a road within Little Canfield parish, the Clerk was instructed to request clarification.
d. U.D.C. – District Emergency Planning Officer
Notification was received of the appointment of Lisa Lipscombe to the post.
e. U.D.C. – Community Project Scheme
Details of the scheme were passed to the Village Hall Committee.
f. Essex Rural Partnership Survey
It was reported that the survey on amenities in the village had been completed.
g. Website
It was reported that it had not been possible to update the Little Canfield site linked to the Uttlesford site for some months due to technical difficulties. Repairs were no longer possible, and a new link would be needed. As this would probably take several months, it was agreed to investigate the costs of an independent website.
h. West Anglia Main Line Enhancement/Road Improvements re Second Runway
It was decided to make no comments.
i. Thaxted Parish Council -Tourist Office at Thaxted
Cllr. Fulcher agreed to attend a meeting at the Guildhall on 8th May to consider plans to discontinue tourist facilities in Thaxted
j. All Saints Church
A request was received from the Rector for Council support in his efforts to obtain financial assistance in connection with proposed improvements to the building. This was agreed.
k. Friends of Historic Essex
It was agreed to become a member of the organisation at the cost of £10 per annum.
l. Village Hall
A copy of a report prepared by Bidwells on the condition of the building was circulated.
4. Community Matters
a. Village Development Meeting
Cllr. Fulcher reported on the meeting called by Sir Alan Haslehurst regarding the Government’s housing development requirement in Uttlesford, which was attended by most of the parish councils in the district. It was agreed that the target would best be met by distributing the houses throughout the villages, but the numbers offered were far short of those required, and no settlement was reached.
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c. Parish Walk
Mrs. Gillman said that, following the success of the first walk, another one would be organised for 24th May.
c. Highway Repairs
The Clerk was instructed to report the blockage of a drainage pipe under the road in High Cross Lane near Bridge Cottage, and the flooding at the junction of Thornton Road with the B1256 caused by water running off the main road.
d. U.D.C. Enforcement Officer
It was reported that Mr. I. Pigney had retired, and that U.D.C. were to set up a department for enforcement services.
Fire Hydrant near Oddyns Farm
It was agreed to report damage caused by vehicles to the Fire Brigade
5. Planning
Hales Farm – Alleged Planning Breaches
It was reported that U.D.C. intended to make another visit to the site.
Village Hall
A letter from Bidwells stated that Land Securities were about to make a planning application regarding the development of the Village Hall site.
Applications dealt with since last meeting
UTT/0338/08 – 8, Hamilton Road
Too many houses, not enough ‘play space’, access rather small, and it should be onto Priors Green and not Hamilton Road because of increase of traffic on unmade road. Construction traffic should use Priors Green road system.
UTT/0423/08 – Site adjacent to Almaro, Hamilton Road
Plans bear little resemblance to the site; access to The Nest included in the application area; dwelling too far forward on plot, causing limited parking and restricted access to The Nest; foul and surface water drainage systems should be connected to Priors Green development; dwelling of poor design as windows overlook neighbour
ESS/50/06 - Crumps Farm Traffic Management/Restoration Conditions
No comment
UTT/2204/07 – Priors Green Community Centre Site (Revised)
No comment
Applications
UTT/0449/0451/08 – Extension at Warren Cottage
No comment
UTT/0462/08 – Certificate of Lawfulness at The Cottage, Hamilton Road
No comment
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ESS/01/07-45/07-50/06 – Crumps Farm – Noise Monitoring Condition
Noise levels measured in decibels did not always reflect actual disturbance
BAA – Second Runway
To be considered further at next meeting in view of the publication of compulsory purchase orders
Application Withdrawn
UTT/0169/08 - Land adjacent to The Rest
Decisions
Approvals
UTT/0089/08 – Canfield End Pumping Station, with conditions
6. Finance
Insurance Premiums
Cllr. Panzetta agreed to report how a possible discount would affect the Council.
External Auditor
Confirmation was received of the appointment of a new auditor.
Payments
The following schedule of payments was presented, and the relevant cheques were signed:-
Cheque No. Name In Settlement of Amount
£
100776 Little Canfield Village Hall Meeting 14th April 5.00
100777 E.ON Street Lighting 29.16
100778 NALC Sub L.C. Review 13.50
100779 E.A.L.C. Subscription 81.73
100780 R. Shelley Petty Cash 38.30
100781 Friends of Historic Essex Subscription 10.00
7. Future Meetings
19th May, 14th July