STOCK PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 24th June 2002 AT STOCK VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30PM.

Present:	Cllrs. Mrs Elliott, Tant, Tully, Peacock, Webb, & Williams
In The Chair	Cllr. Johnson
Minute Secretary	Lorraine Green
Also Present:	6 Members of the Public

502		DEMOCRATIC TIME. Chris Otter gave each Parish Councillor a copy of Galleywood Parish Council's planning procedures and guidance notes for Parish Council Meetings which he thought the Parish Council should be abiding by.
		Virginia Henderson reported that work had been carried out in Smallgains Lane which she was very happy with. The Chairman reported that hardcore had been put down at the end of the residential part of Smallgains Lane and also from where Marigold Lane goes into Well Lane/Smallgains Lane. Cllr. Peacock advised that Simon Rudge, the person responsible for traffic at Chelmsford Borough Council, was going to come and visit Stock and Cllr. Peacock advised the parishioner that he would take Mr Rudge to look at Smallgains Lane.
503		APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Cllr. Lusty, Cllr. M. Elliott and Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer sent their apologies.
504.		MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING. Cllr. Tant and Cllr. W. Elliott asked that in the fifth paragraph of Minute 491. Maintenance the word 'near' be replaced with 'in'.
		Cllr. Tant and Cllr. W. Elliott asked that the word 'possible' be inserted before the word 'footpath' on the third line of Minute 493. Village Hall Report. They also asked that on the ninth line the words 'and action needs to be taken to ensure the water drains away' be inserted after the words 'dangerously deep'.
		Cllr. Tant asked that in Minute 496. Planning Application No. 02/00743/FUL the word 'precedence' be replaced with 'precedent' and the words 'rise to' be inserted before the words 'a deprivation of light'
		The Minutes of the last Meeting, having been previously circulated, were then duly signed as a true record of events. All agreed.
505.		MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. Minute 485. Appointment of Internal Auditor.
		The Chairman reported that she had approached Peter Bentley with regard to the appointment of Internal Auditor. He had agreed to the position but had explained that he would not be available until July/August. The Chairman advised that the Clerk had contacted the EALC to see whether Mr Bentley, as he is retired, could carry out the audit. The Clerk advised that she was still waiting for the EALC to clarify the position.
		Minute 408, 411, 424, 437, 451, 469 & 489. Any Other Business
		The Clerk reported that as she was getting nowhere with 24/7 with regard to the black cable outside the Almshouses, Chelmsford Borough Cllr. Gary Stringer had now taken over the matter.
		Minute 408, 411, 424 & 437. Any Other Business & Minute 451,469 & 489. Matters Arising From The Minutes.
		The Clerk advised that Mr. M.P. Andrews had now completed the roofing works to the bus shelter. The Parish Council said that they were very grateful to Mr Andrews for the excellent work he had carried out. The Chairman also wished to thank Cllr. M. Elliott who had helped Mr Andrews by getting the tiles.
		Minute 457 & 489. General Correspondence.
		The Clerk advised that she had received a letter from Gill Blackburn at Chelmsford Borough Council confirming the details of the Summer Sports Programme Day. The Clerk advised that she had given a copy of the letter to Cllr. Tully.
		Minute 491. Maintenance.
		The Clerk advised that she had written to Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the street lighting in Common Road and Common Lane.
		The Clerk advised that she had reported the bridge that was broken and the overgrown gateway to the Woodland Trust.
		Cllr. Tant advised that the overgrown hedge on the corner of Birch Lane/Faulkner Close had been cut back.
		The Clerk advised that she had written to Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the state of the edge of the road surface in Crondon Park Lane.
		The Clerk advised that she had written to ELS with regard to the grass cutting. Cllr. W. Elliott reported that the grass cutting on The Common was disgusting and that the perimeter and Ware Pond had not been done. Cllr. Williams reported that only one side of Birch Lane had been cut. The Chairman suggested that the Director, Stephen Rowden, should be contacted and told how disgusted the Parish Council were with the work being carried out. It was agreed that the Clerk would arrange a meeting and Cllrs. W. & M. Elliott would meet Mr Rowden. The Clerk suggested that the May invoice was not paid until Cllrs. W. & M. Elliott had had their meeting with Mr Rowden. This was agreed by the Parish Council.
		492. Road Signs and Footpaths.
		The Clerk advised that she had written to Chelmsford Borough Council reporting that the footpath from Birch Lane to Downham Road was very overgrown and that by the stile to the big field the footpath had disappeared. The Chairman reported that Mr Clark of Chelmsford Borough Council had been in Stock and she had spoken to him. Mr Clark had advised the Chairman that Birch Lane was not actually on his schedule but that he would instruct his men to go there and do some work. Mr Clark explained that the footpaths have to be used a lot to keep them back. The Chairman reported that the footpath leading from Well Lane to All Saints had been done that day. The Chairman reported that she had congratulated Mr Clark on the work that had been carried out on the Crondon Bridge path.
		Cllr. Peacock advised that the white lines in Honeypot Lane were on his Agenda to be discussed at the meeting with Mr Rudge.
		497. Finance - Clerk's Salary
		The Chairman advised the Parish Council that there had been a mistake made in the figure quoted in the minutes for the Clerk's salary. She advised that the figure of £4,714.75 was in actual fact for 56 hours per month and not for 14 hours per week as agreed at the last meeting. She therefore asked if any of the Parish Councillors objected to the figure being increased as from the 1st April 2002 to £5,107.65 per annum which equated to 14 hours per week multiplied by 52 weeks at a rate of £7.016 per hour. It was agreed that the Clerk's salary should be increased and backdated.
506		BEST VALUE GROUP REPORT.
		Traffic Management - Cllr. Peacock reported that Ron Williams of Highways and Transportation had been at a workshop he had recently attended. He reported that Stock is on the priority list and will be included in the next phase of the A130 which is starting in the Autumn. Cllr. Peacock reported that he had spoken with Simon Rudge who looks after Section 106. He explained that he was trying to get Mr Rudge to come out and look at the problems in Stock and where the Section 106 money could be used, i.e. Honeypot Lane and Smallgains Lane. The Chairman said that she thought the news was very encouraging. The Chairman said that she was concerned about the Greenwoods site and the Doctors' Surgery.
		Playground	Cllr. Peacock said that there was nothing to report.
		Village Hall Car Park - Lighting	Nothing further to report.
		Litter Bins	Nothing further to report.
507		MAINTENANCE
		Cllr. Tully reported that the children were being stung by stinging nettles on the footpath behind the school that goes from Cambridge Close to Dakyns Drive. Clerk to contact Mr Clark at Chelmsford Borough Council.
		Cllr. Williams reported that a resident of Whites Hill would like the lane to be cleaned. She explained that parts of the white lines had been obliterated. The Chairman agreed to have a look at the lane.
		Cllr. W. Elliott reported that the short oak posts situated where the Christmas Tree goes were laying horizontal and not vertical and that there was a big hole on the road heading towards Billericay where people go around the corner. Cllr. Peacock agreed to look at the situation and then action would be taken.
		Cllr. W. Elliott reported that there were posts missing on the Common. Cllr. Tant thought that one more post was needed. It was decided that the Parish Council would wait to see what the situation was with regard to the other posts.
508		ROAD SIGNS AND FOOTPATHS
		Cllr. Webb reported that Chelmsford Borough Council had been working on Footpath 29 in Mill Road by the Catholic Church but that they had taken the concrete Footpath sign away. Clerk to contact Mr Clark at Chelmsford Borough Council.
509		VILLAGE HALL REPORT.
		Cllr. Williams reported that she had sent her apologies that she would not be able to attend the AGM and that Cllr. M. Elliott had agreed to attend the meeting and give a report at the Parish Council meeting. Unfortunately Cllr. M. Elliott was not present so it was agreed that he would be asked to report at the next meeting. It was reported that the contract with Nelson Anderson had gone through and that the work should be starting in the last week of June. Clerk to write to Pro-Mac Surfacing and Miller Bros. advising them that they have not got the contract.
510		GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
	a	The Clerk read out a letter that the Chairman had received from Cllr. Dennis Lusty with regard to the direction sign at the end of Swan Lane. It was reported that the arm spins. Cllr. Peacock suggested a spot weld. It was decided that no action would be taken at present but that the Parish Council would keep an eye on it.
	b	Cllr. Williams read out a letter that she had received from the Rural Community Council of Essex with regard to the 2002 Best Kept Village Competition. She advised that as one of the finalists the Parish Council had been invited to attend a presentation evening on Wednesday 3rd July at 7.30pm to collect their award. It was decided that Cllr. Williams, Cllr. Johnson and Cllrs. W. & M. Elliott would attend.
	c	The Chairman advised the Parish Council that the Clerk had received an E-Mail from Roger Watling informing her that he had corrected an item on the minutes before putting it on the web site. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Roger Watling informing him that once minutes had been approved and signed at a meeting they must not be altered in any way.
	d	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from the Democratic Services Officer at Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to Control of Street Trading - A414 London Road and Greenbury Way, Chelmsford.
	e	The Clerk read out an E-Mail that she had received from Roger Watling regarding the 'patching-up' of the road surface in Common Lane.
	f	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from the Democracy Team Manager at Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to Chelmsford Borough - Review of Polling Districts.
	g	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from the Town Clerk at Burnham on Crouch Town Council with regard to dog fouling. The Clerk was advised to write back sympathising with them and explaining that Stock had had a lot of problems but that dog bags are now available at the Post Office and people seem to be using them and the problem seems under control.
	h	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the Chelmsford Borough Council Local Plan 2001-2011 Deposit Draft. i) The Clerk read out an E-Mail that she had received from Lord Hanningfield's Secretary advising that Lord Hanningfield would like to attend the meeting on the 29th July.
	j	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Maggie Stanton, Legal Services Officer at Chelmsford Borough Council, advising that Tree Preservation Order No. 2001/105 Land to the rear of 34 and 36 Birch Lane and 17 Myln Meadow had been confirmed on the 29th May 2002. The letter stated that an objection had been made which was considered by the Planning Committee who decided to confirm the Order without amendment. This Order supercedes the Tree Preservation Order which was confirmed on 30th June 1975.
511		REPORT BY CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLOR GARY STRINGER.
		Nothing to report.
512		PLANNING MATTERS.
		The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Clive Hollyman, Head of Town Planning Services, of Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to a notification of appeal for Long Gable, 108 Mill Road, Stock. Clerk to write to Planning Inspectorate requesting a copy of the appeal decision letter.
		The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from the Planning Inspectorate with regard to Ivydene, Whites Hill. The appeal was allowed and planning permission granted for a replacement conservatory.
		Cllr. Peacock reported that there are Countryside Boards on the corner of Honeypot Lane and the B1007 which appear to be larger than they should be. Clerk to contact Mr Sheffield at Chelmsford Borough Council.
		Application No. 02/01119/FUL. Stationing of mobile cabin for storage of horticultural equipment. Location: Mericot, Marigold Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs D. Bellamy.
		The Chairman advised that letters had been received from parishioners objecting to this planning application.
		Comments by 20th June 2002, this had been passed to the Planning Sub-Committee who objected for the following reasons:-
	1.	This could lead to this being turned into living accomodation or a development in the near future. A cabin of this size is not required to store horticultural equipment for a plot of this size.
	2.	These people are determined to build on this plot. An appeal was turned down in February 2001 since then they have made a "garden" with a drive. Policy S9 refers to dwellings in Green Belt except where needed for agriculture. We know this is not a dwelling but it should be carefully watched for development if allowed - it is big enough!
		Application No. 02/01123/FUL. Erection of rear conservatory. Location: 132 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Arber. Comments by 20th June 2002, this had been passed to the Planning Sub-Committee who had no comments to make.
		Application No. 02/01151/FUL. Single storey rear extension. Location: 3 Crondon Park Cottages, Crondon Park Lane, Stock. Application No. 02/01151/FUL. Mr & Mrs R. Orr. Comments by 27th June 2002, this had been passed to the Planning Sub-Committee who had no comments to make.
		Application No. 02/00747/FUL. Amendments to Application Single storey rear extension. Location: 39 Well Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr Paul Jackson. Comments by 24th June 2002, this had been passed to the Planning Sub-Committee who had no comments to make.
		Application No. 02/01197/AG. Pole barn for storage of hay. Location: Goatsmoor Farm, Goatsmoor Lane, Billericay. Applicant: Mr C. Holmwood.
		Application No. 02/01264/FUL. First floor rear extension. Location: Fairfields, Marigold Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr Squibb. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
		Application No. 02/01266/FUL. Single storey rear extension. Location: 45 Back Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr P. Lawrence. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
		Application No. 01/01164/FUL. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 2 No. new houses and garages. Location: Long Gable, 108 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Jenny Moody Properties Ltd. Refused. Now gone to appeal.
		Application No. 02/00770/FUL. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling. Location: 19 Well Lane, Stock. Applicant: C. Fewell. Approved.
		Application No. 01/01664/OUT. Replace existing bungalow with 2 chalet bungalows. Location: 3 Garden End, Common Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr. P. Woodward. Refused.
		Application No. 02/00601/FUL. Conservatory at Rear. Location: 120 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Coomber. Approved.
		Application No. 02/00901/FUL. Single-storey shed/outbuilding. Location: Old Pump, Downham Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr R. Curry. Approved
513		FINANCE. The following cheques were approved for payment and signed:
		100791 £598.10 ELS Grass Cutting May - Cheque Cancelled Invoice to be held over until next meeting 100792 £1,504.00 M.P. Andrews Roofing Works to Bus Shelter 100793 £502.34 Mrs L.J. Green  Salary and Expenses 100794 £25.00 Essex Playing Fields and Children's Play Association  Annual Subscription 100795 £65.50 M. Tant Works to seat at Bus Stop
		Transfer of Funds The Clerk advised that on the 12/6/02 she had transferred £3,000.00 from the HIBA to the Current Account. The Clerk advised that she had put on notice to transfer £1,000.00 from the HIBA account to the current account. Transfer due on 1/7/02.
		Audit The Clerk read out the letter she had received from the newly appointed External Auditors, Lubbock Fine.
514		GOLDEN JUBLIEE
		The Chairman advised that she had written to Stan Elgar on behalf of the Parish Council congratulating him on such a successful celebration. She explained that the Golden Jubilee Association had made more money than they had expected and would like to give it to a charity and wondered if they could help towards the play area. It was decided that it was not worth extending the current play area if in due course it was going to be moved. The Chairman advised that the 'wind-up' meeting for the Golden Jubilee Association was the 19th July and that they needed a decision by that date. It was decided that the Parish Council would suggest that the Golden Jubilee Association consider purchasing a single spring animal.
515		ESSEX RURAL HOUSING TRUST	Nothing further to report.
516		THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT.
		The Clerk advised that the Parish Council's advert had appeared in the Brentwood Gazette and that she had sent the relevant documentation to The Standards Board for England and Alistair Simpson at Chelmsford Borough Council. A letter of acknowledgement had been received from Alistair Simpson. The Chairman advised that the Clerk had received a visit from Margaret Otter who had looked at the Register and made notes.
517		DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING.
		The next meeting of the Parish Council is on the 29th July 2002.
		The Chairman thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 9.03pm.