STOCK PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 27th May 2002 AT STOCK VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30PM.

Present:	Cllrs. Mr & Mrs Elliott, Tant, Tully, Webb, Lusty & Williams
In The Chair	Cllr. Johnson
Minute Secretary	Lorraine Green
Also Present:	Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer and 10 Members of the Public

483		ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Cllr. M. Elliott took the chair and the Election for Chairman took place.
		RESOLVED:- Cllr. Webb proposed Cllr. Johnson, which was seconded by Cllr. M. Elliott. Councillor Johnson was duly elected as Chairman of the Parish Council for the ensuing year. The appropriate form was duly signed.
484		ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN. RESOLVED:- Cllr. Tant proposed Cllr. M. Elliott, which was seconded by Cllr. Tully. Cllr. M. Elliott was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council for the ensuing year.
485		APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR. The matter was discussed and it was decided that Peter Bentley, Stan Elgar, Chris Otter and John Coventry would be approached with regard to the Appointment of Internal Auditor.
486		DEMOCRATIC TIME. A parishioner complained at the amount and speed of traffic travelling down Smallgains Lane. The Chairman advised that all the Councillors were aware of the situation and that regular meetings were held with Essex County Council and Chelmsford Borough Council.
		Two parishioners, Mr Lukes and the owner of 33 Mill Road, stated their objections to the planning application for the development at 31 Mill Road. The Chairman advised that she had received several letters and telephone calls with regard to this application and that as the other Councillors had not yet seen the plans it would be discussed under planning applications. The Chairman advised the parishioners to ensure that they write all letters objecting to planning applications to Chelmsford Borough Council with copies to be sent to Stock Parish Council and Chelmsford Borough Cllr. Gary Stringer
		Cllr. Webb reported on a Passenger Transport meeting he had attended at the County Hall. He advised that the village link was discussed, grants for countryside and Chelmsford town services.
487		APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. - The Chairman advised that Cllr. Peacock had undergone surgery that day and therefore sent his apologies. The Chairman wished him well after his operation.
488		MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING. Cllr. M. Elliott asked that in Minute 473. Village Hall Report, third paragraph, third line, the words 'to Nelson Anderson & Sons as the appointed contractor' were inserted after the words 'who had agreed it'
		Cllr. Lusty asked that the words 'a written letter' be changed to read 'written a letter' in Minute 469. Matters Arising From the Minutes, Minute 453. Maintenance.
		Cllr. Lusty asked that the words 'a written letter' be changed to read 'written a letter' in Minute 469. Matters Arising From the Minutes, Minute 453. Maintenance.
489		MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
		Minute 408, 411, 424, 437, 451 & 469. Any Other Business
		The Clerk advised that she did not seem to be getting anywhere with regard to the black cable outside the Almshouses. Chelmsford Borough Cllr. Gary Stringer advised that the cable was attached to a pole which had had work carried out on it about two years ago. He asked the Clerk to give him the details of who to contact and he would take up the matter.
		Minute 446. Any Other Business & Minute 451 & 469. Matters Arising From The Minutes. The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Essex Fire and Rescue with regard to the loose and noisy drain cover outside 46 High Street. The Clerk advised that an inspection had taken place and repair works had been carried out. If there are any further problems the Clerk is to contact Essex Fire and Rescue who will contact the water board to replace the drain cover.
		Minute 408, 411, 424 & 437. Any Other Business & Minute 451 & 469. Matters Arising From The Minutes. The Clerk advised that she had accepted the quotation from M.P. Andrews with regard to the works to be carried out on the bus shelter. Mr Andrews had advised the Clerk that work would hopefully commence at the end of May/beginning of June.
		Minute 446 & 451. Any Other Business Cllr. Williams advised that the Birch Lane sign had now been replaced.
		Minute 453. Maintenance & Minute 454. Road Signs and Footpaths. The Clerk read out a letter that she had received from Chelmsford Borough Council. It stated the following:-
	1	That requests for resurfacing of Common Lane had been made to Essex County Council but unfortunately had been turned down.
	2	It is possible that the sunken kerbing near Cherry Tree Cottage may be raised later this year, however there are no plans to raise kerbs along Stock High Street.
	3	Highway Inspectors should be reporting dirty road signs and that they should be cleaned if considered necessary.
	4	All roads are regularly inspected and that any dangerous defects found are repaired accordingly.
		Minute 457. General Correspondence. The Clerk advised that she had spoken to Gill Blackburn at Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the Summer Sports Programme Day. She advised that this would be held on the 6th August 2002 between 1.00pm and 3.30pm and that netball and basketball would be the games provided. Cllr. Tully asked the Clerk to give her a copy of the letter of confirmation once it was received in order that she could give it to the Headmistress.
490		BEST VALUE GROUP REPORT.
		Traffic Management -	Nothing to report.
		Playground -	Nothing to report.
		Village Hall Car Park - Lighting -	Nothing to report.
		Litter Bins -	Nothing to report.
491		MAINTENANCE
		Cllr. W. Elliott asked the Clerk to find out what the current situation is with regard to new street lighting in Common Road and Common Lane. Clerk to contact Chelmsford Borough Council.
		Cllr. Williams reported that on the Woodland Trust land there is one bridge broken nearest the golf course by the boggy part. Cllr. W. Elliott advised that she had reported this to the Woodland Trust about two months ago. Cllr. Williams also reported that the gateway from Crondon Park Lane was very overgrown. Clerk to write to Woodland Trust reporting the matters.
		Cllr. Webb reported an overgrown hedge by Church Green Cottage, High Street. Clerk to contact landowners.
		The Chairman advised that she had reported the overgrown hedges at the bottom of Mill Road/Downham Road to Chelmsford Borough Council. She also advised that a parishioner had complained about loose kerbing in Faulkner Close and an overgrown hedge on the corner of Birch Lane/Faulkner Close which she had also reported.
		It was reported that the green patch in Swan Lane was overgrown and that ELS should be cutting it as it was added to their contract. It was also reported that ELS were not strimming around the Common or around Ware Pond. The invoice that had been received had charged the Parish Council for three cuts to The Common perimeter, play area and verges and as some parts had not been cut once it was decided to only pay half of this section of the bill. Clerk to write to ELS advising them of the situation.
		Cllr. Williams reported that in Crondon Park Lane, where the lorries are turning into the field, the edge of the road surface had broken away so badly that there was only just enough room to get a car through and it was very dangerous. Clerk to report matter to Chelmsford Borough Council.
492		ROAD SIGNS AND FOOTPATHS
		The Chairman reported that the road signs would be cleaned as and when needed.
		Cllr. Williams advised 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. Clerk to write to Mr Clark at Chelmsford Borough Council.
		Cllr. M. Elliott reported that the white lines in Honeypot Lane had still not been carried out. The Chairman agreed to speak to Cllr. Peacock regarding this matter.
493		VILLAGE HALL REPORT.
		Cllr. Williams advised that the AGM would be held on the 30th May at 8.00pm. It was agreed that Cllr. M. Elliott would attend on behalf of the Parish Council. The Chairman expressed her concern at the tree planting that had been carried out along the possible footpath. Cllr. Williams reported that the Village Hall Committee were on course for paying off the loan and that it was due to be paid off in 2006 but if extra fund raising could produce £10,000.00 a year the loan would be paid off in 2004. Cllr. W. Elliott reported that £1,300.00 had been raised from the Live Opera. It was reported that there will be a Table Top Sale in July, a BBQ in August and a Magic Night in January. Cllr. Williams reported that the Village Hall Committee were concerned with the bottom ditch as it does not empty and was dangerously deep and action needs to be taken to ensure the water drains away. It was felt that a soakaway was needed.
494		GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
	a)	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Zurich Municipal with regard to an annual ½ day Health and Safety Seminar which was open to all local councils
	b)	The Clerk read out an invitation to Chelmsford Crossroads Caring for Carers 20th Anniversary Celebration Cheese and Wine Party to be held on 2nd July 2002.
	c)	The Clerk read out an invitation to Billericay and Wickford District Scout Council's Annual General Meeting to be held on 10th June 2002.
	d)	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council, Democratic Services Department, advising of a Tree Preservation Order No. 2002/45 at 5 Dakyn Drive.
	e)	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council, Legal and Business Services Department advising that Tree Preservation Order No. 2001/110 at 3 Garden End, Common Road, had been confirmed without modification on the 15th May 2002.
	f)	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Joe Fothergill thanking the Parish Council for nominating himself and his Wife to attend the Mayor of Chelmsford's Community Evening.
	g)	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to Affordable Housing. It was decided that the Chairman would look at the letter and put forward any comments that needed to be passed on.
	h)	The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the Scheme of Financial Assistance to Parish Councils. The letter was handed to Cllr. M. Elliott in order that he could pass the information onto the Village Hall Committee.
	i)	The Chairman advised that she had received the accounts for the Village Appraisal. Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer reported that the last meeting had been put off but since then Mr Woodgate had spent a lot of time getting the document ready for publication. He advised that the meeting would be reconvened once everyone could get together. He advised that the Appraisal will be made available but as yet the format has still got to be discussed. Cllr. Williams asked whether it could be put on the village web site.
495		REPORT BY CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLOR GARY STRINGER.
		Cllr. Gary Stringer reported that people were anxious to know when the Doctors Surgery would be coming up in a Committee Meeting at Chelmsford Borough Council. The proposed date was the 18th June but Cllr. Stringer had been advised that this was very unlikely and that it would be a future date but that the application would definitely be coming up at a Committee Meeting. Cllr. Stringer agreed to let the Chairman know once the item was on the Planning Committees' Agenda.
		Cllr. Stringer advised that the Local Plan timetable had been delayed because of the National Grid but that he had received notification today that it would not be delayed any further. He advised that significant additional houses were being built and that discussions were taking place with regard to industrial land, which could include Temple Farm. He advised that a public enquiry would be held in May 2003.
496		PLANNING MATTERS.
		Application No. 02/00777/FUL. Single Storey Classroom Extension. Location: Stock C of E Primary School, Swan Lane, Stock. Applicant: Gov. of Stock C of E Primary School Comments by 21st May 2002, this had been passed to the Planning Sub-Committee who had no comments to make.
		Application No. 02/00901/FUL. Single-storey shed/outbuilding. Location: Old Pump, Downham Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr Curry. Comments by 22nd May 2002, this had been passed to the Planning Sub-Committee who had no comments to make.
		Application No. 02/00743/FUL. Existing dwelling to be demolished and replaced with a new detached house and double garage. Location: 31 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Atkinson & Legge Ltd. Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer reminded the Parish Council that he is currently on the Planning Committee at Chelmsford Borough Council and could therefore not give his views on this application.
		The Chairman read out letters that had been received from parishioners objecting to the planning application. She also reported that she had received a lot of telephone calls objecting to the development. The Chairman advised that she had asked all objectors to send copies of their letters to Chelmsford Borough Council and Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer.
		The Parish Council objected on the grounds that it was altering the street scene by the height, it was setting a new precedent in its style and bulk and that it was an invasion of privacy and would give rise to a deprivation of light.
		Application No. 02/00924/FUL. Single-storey rear/side extension. Location: 1 Meadow Gate, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Fewell. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
		Application No. 02/00963/FUL. Retrospective application for retention of first floor rear extension. Location: Lane End Cottage, Back Lane, Stock. Applicant: Iain Clenaghan. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
		Application No. 02/00572/FUL. New garage to east of house; alterations associated with conversion of existing garage to kitchen. Location: 4 Thornton Place, Stock. Applicant: Mr David Woods. Approved.
		Application No. 01/01508/FUL. Erection of Polo clubhouse and changing facilities. Location: Brock Farm, Ingatestone Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr R. Napp. Approved.
497		FINANCE.
		The Clerk advised that the insurance renewal had been received that day and it was agreed that the bill should be paid, as the renewal date was 1st June 2002.
		The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Essex Police advising that they had not had enough Parish Councils willing to make contributions towards mobile phone vouchers so therefore the project would not be going ahead. The Clerk advised that the Parish Council's cheque number 100777 for £10.00 had been returned to her.
		Clerk's Salary - The Chairman reminded the Parish Council that they had asked the Clerk at the previous meetings to monitor her hours as her workload had significantly increased. Since becoming Clerk in September 2001 the Clerk had worked more than the 7½ hours a week that she had been paid for. By monitoring her hours over the last few months she had found she had worked between 14 and 15 hours a week. The Chairman advised that she had spoken to the EALC for advice on the Clerk's salary and asked whether it was possible to pay the Clerk's salary in retrospect. It was agreed that the Clerk's hours would be increased to 14 hours per week which would be backdated to 1st April 2002. It was also agreed that the Clerk's salary should be increased to a rate of £7.016 per hour, which was on the SCP 17 scale rate for April 2001 to April 2002. It was agreed that this should also be backdated to the 1st April 2002. This effectively made her new salary £4,714.75 per annum based on 14 hours per week. The Chairman advised that as this increase was not budgeted for that it would be taken out of the reserve.
		The following cheques were approved for payment and signed:
		100783 £91.65 Essex Chronicle Advert re adoption of Model Code of Conduct
		100784 £281.62 Mrs L.J. Green Salary and Expenses
		100785 £8.00 C & B Porter Circulation of Chairman's Report
		100786 £56.44 British Telecommunications Plc Office Telephone Bill
		100787 £462.36 ELS Grass Cutting April
		100788 £110.00 Tweedy Charity Annual Donation
		100789 £866.86 Zurich Insurance Company Annual Insurance Renewal and Engineering Inspection Report
		100790 £392.43 Mrs L.J. Green Backdated salary increase to 1/4/02
		Transfer of Funds - The Clerk advised that on the 7/5/02 she had transferred £14,000.00 from the Current Account to the HIBA.
		Audit - The Clerk advised that she was currently working on the accounts.
		Donation to Tweedy Charity - The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Mr Barry Woodgate requesting the 2001 donation for the Tweedy Charity. The matter was discussed and it was agreed that a donation of £110.00 would be given.
498		`GOLDEN JUBLIEE
		It was reported that the last meeting would be held on Friday. Cllr. M. Elliott expressed his concern regarding the toilet facilities.
499		ESSEX RURAL HOUSING TRUST
		Nothing to report.
500		THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT.
		The Clerk advised that the Register of Members' Interest forms and Declaration of Acceptance of Office forms had now all been completed, signed and returned to her and a Register had been established. She advised that she would be advertising the adoption of the Model Code of Conduct and the fact that the Parish Council had established a Register of Interests in this week's Brentwood Gazette. Once the advert had been published the Clerk advised that she would be sending the relevant documentation to The Standards Board for England and Alistair Simpson at Chelmsford Borough Council.
		The Clerk read out letters that had been received from Alistair Simpson at Chelmsford Borough Council and The Standards Board for England with regard to the implementation of the new code.
501		DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING.
		The next meeting of the Parish Council is on the 24th June 2002.
		The Chairman thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 9.20pm.