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Little Canfield Parish Council

Minutes of meeting held on Monday, 8th March 2010 at 8pm

 

Present:

Clr K. Wooding (Chairman)

 

Clr. J Fulcher

 

Clr P Byford

 

Clr J Turner

 

Clr O Barritt

 

Jane Heskey - Relief Clerk

Vicky Merchant -Clerk (to be appointed)

 

 

Apologies:

None

 

 

Visitors:

Sally Brady (resident), Alison Farrell (resident) Lesley Gillman - Footpaths Rep.

DC Jackie Cheetham (8.30pm),

County Clr Susan Barker (8.30pm)

 

 

1.      Chairman Ken Wooding opened the meeting and welcomed members and visitors.

 

2.      Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting (25th Jan. 2010) were approved by LCPC and signed by Chairman Ken Wooding as a true record.

 

3.      Appointment of Councillors: Following advertisement of 2 Parish Council vacancies there have been 2 expressions of interest.

 LCPC agreed to co-opt Alison Farrell and Lesley Gillman.

Both candidates completed a Register of Interests and a Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

 

4.      Appointment of Clerk: Following successful interview by Council members, LCPC agreed that Vicky Merchant should be appointed Clerk to the Council.

Chairman Ken Wooding welcomed the new Clerk on behalf of members and confirmed that a contract of employment and suitable salary would be agreed shortly.

 

5.      Priors Green notice board: Chairman Ken Wooding reported no further progress.

    LCPC agreed that the Clerk should check previous correspondence and write again to the developer (Countryside) copied to UDC Planning Dept (c/o Lynn Rusling).

 

6.      A120 Stansted to Braintree Post Implementation Review :(Environmental Review) Clr Jeremy Fulcher report that LCPC response has been submitted.

 

7.      Dog Fouling on Priors Green: Clr Peter Byford reported that he had spoken to the Animal Warden at UDC who confirmed that there is no provision for dog waste bins.

DC Jackie Cheetham has requested that UDC officers complete a site survey to establish a proposal for installation of some waste bins, and agreed to email officers on Tuesday, 9th march.

Residents and members stressed that this is a prolific problem in many areas of the development (Warwick Rd, Jacks Lane, verges and play areas).

LCPC/UDC will either draft an article for the next Grapevine or compile a leaflet to be delivered to homes on Priors Green.

 

8.      Blocked ditch - High Cross Lane (south above Devils Ditch): Ditch has been cleared. May require further action at a later date.

 

 

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9.      Hales Farm grass verge: Clr Jeremy Fulcher reported that he has emailed ECC Highways Dept and is awaiting a response. County Clr will chase.

 

10.    Parish Boundaries Review: Chairman Ken Wooding reported that he has communicated with Peter Snow (UDC) to confirm that LCPC consider it premature to commence a review of the parish boundary.

 

11.    Warwick Road - request for parking restrictions: LCPC agreed that Clr Alison Farrell will complete further canvassing of residents and report to the next meeting.

 

Reports:

12.    Village Hall: Minutes from the public meetings held on 22nd February & 27th February 2010 regarding the future of the village hall, the associated land and the impending auction were approved by LCPC and signed by Chairman Ken Wooding.

At the auction the land was acquired by Green Homes on behalf of the Dunmow Jehovah Witness Group for £95k. Funding was secured by individual contributors of the JW congregation. The bid did not require contributions from LCPC or Canfield residents.

It has been confirmed that the village hall plot was not part of the sale as the hall and land it sits on belongs to LCPC. There is a need to register this with Land Registry and to seek to have the covenant lifted that requires surrender of the freehold in the event of 3 months failure to maintain the village hall.

The group will now seek planning permission for the Kingdom Hall. If this is successful, the remainder of the land will be gifted to the Parish Council and a long licence for the use of the shared car park provided to LCPC. In the event that planning permission is refused, LCPC will buy the entire parcel of land freehold for the original purchase price.

LCPC agreed to:

-write to Derek Bennett to remind him that LCPC wish to view the plans prior to submission to UDC

-Register the village hall and the land it sits on (Village Hall Committee to investigate on behalf of LCPC).

 

13.       Crumps Farm Liaison meeting: minutes from the meeting 10/2/10 were noted.

 

Correspondence:

14.       A & J Lighting Solutions - notification of price increase (street lighting)

15.       UDC street Naming  - Land adjacent to The Rest, Dunmow Rd

16.       Restricted Byway 40 (Cold Harbour Farm) - letter from ECC noted

17.       Allotments in Little Canfield - Resident Sally Brady has prepared a very professional leaflet. LCPC thanked Sally Brady and agreed that publication should be delayed until the designated land is secured. In the meantime Sally Brady will gauge interest among residents via a short article in the Grapevine.

18.       Uttlesford Home Start -request for donation - LCPC agreed not to make a donation.

19.       Conservation Walks - LCPC noted and agreed details will be kept on file.

20.       Footpath 12 diversion - correspondence from ECC noted.

 

Community Matters:

21.       Clr Peter Byford reported that the bunding parallel to Thornton Rd and in the haul road were infested with thistle and much of the planting was dead. LCPC agreed that the Clerk should write to Countryside (developer) and Ben Smeden (UDC).

22.       Developer hoardings lying in ditches - LCPC agreed that the Clerk should write to Countryside (developer) copied to UDC.

23.       The Clerk will contact UDC Housing Dept to establish which Housing Associations control the affordable home sites.

24.       DC Jackie Cheetham agreed to follow up on the progress to address the defects on Priors Green pay areas, ongoing maintenance of ponds and emptying of bins.

 

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25.       Clr Lesley Gillman reported that a village map showing the local footpaths would cost £1500 to design and print. The PP3 group would fund 50% of the cost. LCPC agreed that Clr Lesley Gilman should investigate other funding streams to meet the cost.

 

26.       High Cross Lane salt bin requires a lid. The Clerk will contact ECC Highways Dept.

 

27.       LCPC agreed to write to Windward Banana plant and request that they clear up the litter at the front of the site and request confirmation that they have the appropriate planning approval for the 2 new lights on the front of the building which are creating considerable light pollution. (UDC previously conditioned shielding - enforcement?)

 

28.       UDC Core Strategy - Preferred Housing Options -consultation open until 9th April.

 

29.       Completion of 2009/09 external audit - to be acknowledged at next meeting

 

Finance:

 

30.       Cheque payments:

LCPC authorised the following payments:

Cheque no.

Payee

Details

£

100862

A & J Lighting

Street lighting – invoice 22165

19.90

 

 

31.       Next meeting: Monday, 19th April 2010

 

 

 

Meeting closed 10.25pm