| 716. |
|
DISTRIBUTION OF
DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE FORMS, REGISTER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS,
STANDING ORDERS, FINANCIAL REGULATIONS AND MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT. |
|
|
The Clerk
distributed the documents to the new Council pointing out that the Councillors
had 28 days to return the Register of Members' Interests form to her. The
Declaration of Acceptance of Office forms were duly completed and signed and
handed to the Clerk. |
| 717 |
|
ELECTION OF
CHAIRMAN. |
|
|
The Clerk took
the chair and asked for nominations for Chairman. Cllr. Williams proposed Cllr.
Johnson which was seconded by Cllr. Tully. Cllr. Johnson said that she would
accept the position for one further year. The Chairman welcomed the new members
to the Parish Council. |
| 718. |
|
ELECTION OF
VICE-CHAIRMAN. |
|
|
The Chairman
asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman. Cllr. Lusty nominated Cllr. Williams
which was seconded by Cllr. Tully. Cllr. Williams said that she would accept
the position for one year. |
| 719. |
|
APPOINTMENT
OF INTERNAL AUDITOR. |
|
|
The Chairman
reported that she had already spoken to Peter Bentley who was happy to be
re-appointed as Internal Auditor. All agreed. |
| 720. |
|
APPOINTMENT
OF SCHOOL GOVERNOR. |
|
|
A parishioner,
Virginia Henderson, referred to Lord Hanningfield's speech at the last meeting
with regard to reducing traffic through the village. She said that if work is
carried out in the High Street then she wanted to ensure that the traffic would
not be diverted through Smallgains Lane. The Chairman said that the intention
was to reduce the speed of traffic through the village and not reduce the
actual number of vehicles travelling through the village. |
|
|
Cllr. Peacock
said that Mrs Henderson had a good point and that he would discuss the matter
with Chelmsford Borough Council and Essex County Council. Cllr. Peacock advised
Mrs Henderson to make a point of asking the representatives the question at the
exhibition on the 15th and 16th May. The Chairman pointed out that Smallgains
Lane was not the only road that the village had problems with. Virginia
Henderson also reported that a resident of Smallgains Lane had received a
complaint from Chelmsford Borough Council due to the fact that a driver had the
stripping ripped off his large vehicle which was caused by trees needing to be
cut back outside their property. |
|
|
A parishioner,
Phil Gane, spoke about light pollution. He felt that there was too much street
lighting in the village and did not feel that anymore lights were needed. Mr
Gane asked whether the Parish Council could consider putting a gate at the
entrance to the village. Mr Gane also felt that too much street furniture was
being put up in Smallgains Lane. He said that signs were being put up
everywhere. |
|
|
A parishioner,
John Pardon, reported that there had been another serious accident in Downham
Road on the 4th May. |
|
|
The Chairman
talked the Councillors through the files that the Clerk had given out at the
beginning of the meeting. She explained that the Councillors had 28 days to
fill in and declare their Register of Members' Interests form. The Chairman
advised that the details can be made public and if any items arise during a
meeting which have been declared on a Register of Members' Interests form, then
the Councillor must refrain from talking on the matter. |
|
|
Cllr. Lewis
reported on the amount of people emptying their rubbish out of their cars and
into The Square which she was then clearing up. |
| 723. |
|
APOLOGIES
FOR ABSENCE. |
|
|
Chelmsford
Borough Councillor Ian Grundy sent his apologies. |
| 724. |
|
MINUTES OF
THE LAST MEETING. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
asked for the word 'dwelling' to be altered to 'building' in Minute 711.
Planning Applications, Application No. 03/00705/FUL. |
|
|
The Minutes of
the last Meeting, having been previously circulated, were then duly signed as a
true record of events. All agreed. |
| 725 |
|
MATTERS
ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. |
|
|
Minute 699.
Matters Arising From the Minutes and 688. General Correspondence, Item
a. |
|
|
The
Clerk advised that she had written to Chelmsford Borough Council asking for
them to arrange to remove the recycling bins in Swan Lane. To-date a reply had
not been received. Cllr. Peacock felt that the Parish Council were being too
hasty in removing them. The matter was discussed and it was decided that they
should still be removed. The Chairman and Cllr. Lewis said that the rubbish
collection in the village was a problem. It was agreed that Ian Grundy should
be asked to take up the rubbish problem with Chelmsford Borough Council. Cllr.
Peacock asked the Clerk to write to Chelmsford Borough Council complaining
about the emptying of the public litter bins and to also ask for a written
schedule of when the bins should be emptied in order that the Parish Council
could keep an eye on the situation. |
|
|
Minute 699.
Matters Arising From the Minutes and Minute 688. General Correspondence. Item
b. |
|
|
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received from Simon Burns with regard to CPRE's
Communities not Concrete Campaign. Mr Burns said that he was desperately
concerned about what is happening regarding house building, not only in mid
Essex but also throughout the South East of England. He said that he was
opposed to the original figures that the Government have imposed on Essex and
he is horrified at the extra housing that John Prescott is going to insist that
the county takes over and above his original figures. Mr Burns said that he
would continue to raise the matter when appropriate in the House of Commons and
to draw to Ministers' attention the strong opposition to what, in effect, is a
concreting over of vast tracts of land. |
|
|
Minute 705.
Maintenance. |
|
|
The Clerk
advised that she had written to Mr M. Tant asking him to repair the post and
chain that were leaning on the gravel path in the High Street, at the entrance
to Compass Green. To- date a reply had not been received. |
|
|
Minute 706. Open Spaces. |
|
|
The Clerk
advised that she had spoken to Glasdon U.K. with regard to ordering a new dog
bin for the footpath between Common Road and Mill Lane. The Clerk advised that
there were two types of posts that the bin could be mounted on, one for going
into grass and one into concrete. The matter was discussed and it was decided
that the new bin should be placed at the top end of the footpath on the grass
verge on the opposite side of the Common. It was agreed that the Clerk should
now place the order. |
|
|
Minute 709.
General Correspondence. Item. d. |
|
|
The invitation
to the Essex Air Ambulance launch of their new EC135 Emergency Service
Helicopter was discussed and it was decided that The Chairman and Cllr.
Williams would attend. |
| 726 |
|
BEST VALUE
GROUP REPORT. |
|
|
Traffic
Management - Cllr. Peacock reported that Chelmsford Borough Council and
Essex County Council would be holding a presentation on the 15th and 16th May
in the Village Hall. Cllr. Otter asked what publicity had been done for this
presentation. Cllr. Peacock advised that notices had been put up in the
Library, Post Office, in the shop and on the noticeboard. It had also been
mentioned in the minutes and a leaflet drop had been organised. Cllr. Otter
felt that it was being advertised at very short notice and was not well exposed
and that it should have been in Stock Press. The Chairman and Cllr. Elliott
agreed with Cllr. Otter. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Peacock for organising the
leaflet drop. |
|
|
Playground
- Cllr. Peacock reported that he had written to the Village Hall Management
Committee with regard to the proposed playground but apologised as he had
forgotten to send the letter. Cllr. Peacock said that he would hand deliver the
letter that evening in order that it could be discussed at the Village Hall
Management Committee meeting on Tuesday evening. |
|
|
Broadband
- Nothing further to report. |
| 727 |
|
GRASS
CUTTING. |
|
|
It was reported
that the grass had not been cut on the outfield. Cllr. Elliott advised that
this area had been missed one week. It was agreed that an eye needed to be kept
on the grass cutting and Cllr. Elliott agreed to take on this task and
telephone ELS if any areas did not appear to be being cut. |
| 728 |
|
STREET
LIGHTING |
|
|
The Chairman
reported that Mr Crossley at Chelmsford Borough Council had submitted new
quotations for the street lighting and had suggested that the Parish Council
drive to the Rettendon Turnpike on the old A130 to look at the type of lights
he is providing quotations for. Cllr. Elliott advised that she had been to look
and the lights looked very nice. Cllr. Elliott said that everyone should drive
to the area and take a look at the lights in question. After discussion, it was
decided that the idea of a new street light in Common Road should be postponed
until after the Drs. Surgery was built as should the new light in Mill
Road. |
| 729 |
|
WAR ON
WASTE. |
|
|
The Chairman
said that as already discussed, new dog bins would be ordered and the Clerk
would find out about the emptying of the public waste bins. The Chairman said
that there was a lot of confusion in the village over when bins, green boxes
and paper sacks should be collected. Cllr. Lewis suggested that if the dates
are found out that they are advertised in Stock Press. The Chairman said that
she had spoken to a bin man who had suggested that the collection problem
should be sorted out in about three months. Cllr. Elliott reported that there
was load of rubbish outside The Nutshell. It was agreed that the Clerk should
write to the owner, Mr T. Murphy of 23 The Square, asking him to remove the
rubbish as it had been there for some time and was unsightly. |
| 730 |
|
BUS
SHELTERS. |
|
|
Nothing to
report. |
| 731 |
|
MAINTENANCE |
|
|
Cllr. Williams reported that weed killer was needed around the War Memorial.
Cllr. Lusty advised her that the matter was already being dealt with by Stan
Elgar. |
|
|
Cllr. Tully
asked the Clerk to contact Mr Clarke with regard to the stinging nettles on the
footpath behind the school. |
|
|
Cllr. Lusty
reported that the hedge outside Greenwoods was growing over the footpath and it
was making it difficult to walk along. The Chairman advised that she had spoken
to Greenwoods and they had said that they would get their maintenance man to
trim it back. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
reported that 37 posts had been put up in Birch Lane by Chelmsford Borough
Council. The Chairman advised that Colin Tant had written a long letter to
Chelmsford Borough Council regarding this matter. The Chairman said that the
Parish Council had never been consulted on the matter and the residents do not
like it. Cllr. Williams said that the posts line the footpath which is very
rough and has enclosed the grass areas. The Chairman said that if an ambulance
was needed it would not be able to get to the bungalows. It was agreed that the
Parish Council should write a letter of complaint regarding this matter. |
|
|
Cllr. Lewis
reported that she had found a site for a new glass fronted noticeboard on the
huge wall by the front entrance to the newsagents. The Chairman agreed to look
at the site. |
|
|
The Chairman
reported that the owner of the new house on the site of the old police house
had still not removed the posts from outside their property. She reported that
someone had in actual fact fallen over the posts. Cllr. Elliott said that the
owner was Miss De'Ath and it was agreed that the Clerk should write to her
asking her to remove the posts. |
|
|
Cllr. Tully
reported that there was a metal pole sticking out of the ground outside the
Bear Public House. Cllr. Elliott said that it had been there a long time. It
was decided that the Clerk should write to the proprietor asking him to remove
the pole. |
|
|
Cllr. Elliott
mentioned the posts that were missing on the Common by the car park by the
cricket pavilion. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Mr. M. Tant to
replace the posts. |
| 732 |
|
OPEN
SPACES. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
reported that she had met the Environmental Agency who were taking photographs
of where the field has been re-profiled in Crondon Park Lane. She said that it
looks as though something is going to happen there. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
reported that she had collected 20 beer bottles, coke cans, chocolate wrappers,
beer cans and an empty barcadi bottle from the woods on Sunday which was all by
the rope swing. Cllr. Lewis reported that there were gangs in the woods late at
night. The Chairman said that she felt it was a problem throughout the village
with the teenagers at the moment. The matter was discussed and it was decided
the Clerk should contact WPC Lisa Taylor regarding the matter and also ask her
to attend one of the Parish Council's meetings in the near future. |
|
|
Cllr. Easton
reported that a large garden shed had been erected on the Common. Cllr. Elliott
advised that it was a scorers hut and that Lord Petre had given his permission
for the hut to be put on his land. The Chairman said that it was terribly
unsightly and that there was a lot of controversy going on about it. She
advised that there was a dispute with the property owner behind where it had
been positioned who felt that the shed had gone onto their boundary. It was
agreed that the Clerk should contact the Planning Enforcement Officer. |
| 733 |
|
ROAD SIGNS
AND FOOTPATHS |
|
|
Cllr. Tully
reported that she had received a request for a doggy bin to be put on the
footpath between Dakyn Drive and Swan Lane. It was agreed that the Clerk should
order one. |
|
|
Cllr. Lusty
reported that the sign at the end of Swan Lane was still revolving and that
both himself and Colin Tant had tried to repair it but it had not worked. Cllr.
Lusty asked for permission to contact The Old Forge and ask them to remove the
rusted screws. It was agreed that Cllr. Lusty should go ahead with this
action. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams asked the Clerk to contact Mr Clarke, The Rights of
Way Officer, to come and clear the footpaths at the end of May/ beginning of
June and in particular the footpath that runs from Birch Lane to Downham
Road. |
| 734 |
|
VILLAGE HALL
REPORT. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
reported that the next meeting would be held on the 13th May 2003 and the AGM
would be held on the 29th May 2003. The Chairman reported that the debt has now
been paid off. |
|
|
GENERAL
CORRESPONDENCE |
|
a) |
The Clerk
advised that she had received an Inquiry Information Form for completion in
respect of the objections the Parish Council had made to The Chelmsford Borough
Local Plan. Cllr. Lusty said that he felt the Parish Council should be
represented at this Public Inquiry by experts and a Planning Counsel and
Solicitor. Cllr. Lusty suggested either sending in other written
representations or joining forces with other Parish Councils to get the experts
in. It was decided that involving Solicitors would be very costly and the
Parish Council would not be able to finance this on their own. It was therefore
agreed that West Hanningfield, Galleywood and Billericay Parish Councils should
be contacted in this regard. |
|
b) |
The Clerk read
out an invitation to the AGM of the Billericay and Wickford District Scout
Council on 9th June 2003. It was decided that nobody would be attending from
the Parish Council. |
|
c) |
The renewal for
Essex Oyster magazine had been received and after discussion it was decided not
to renew the subscription. |
|
d) |
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received from Essex County Council with regard to
Local Access Forum for Essex. After discussion it is was decided that the
Parish Council would wait for the invitation for applications for
membership. |
|
e) |
Cllr. Tully
advised the Clerk that Stock C of E School were in agreement for the Parish
Sports Programme to be held in the Summer holidays. Cllr. Tully advised that
the School would like basketball this year and not netball. Clerk to
organise. |
|
|
REPORT BY
CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLOR IAN GRUNDY. |
|
|
Cllr. Grundy
sent his apologies. Cllr. Grundy reported to the Clerk that Roy Whitehead has
been formally appointed as the Conservative Group Leader and that the Council
will be officially making the appointment on the 21st May 2003 when the new
Mayor and other officials get appointed. |
| 737 |
|
PLANNING
MATTERS. |
|
|
Cllr. Peacock
said that the Parish Council need to be consistant in their policy on planning.
The Chairman suggested asking a Planning Officer to meet with the Parish
Council to get a definition on policies. |
|
|
The Clerk
explained that under her delegated power she could discuss planning
applications that arose before a meeting with three members of the Parish
Council. She advised that she normally discussed the plans with Cllrs. Johnson,
Williams and M. Elliott. As Cllr. M. Elliott was no longer a Councillor she
proposed that he be substituted with Cllr. W. Elliott. Cllr. Otter said that
she would also like to be consulted. The Chairman said that she felt three
members of the Parish Council was enough to be consulted on planning matters.
She explained that if any controversial plans were received the Clerk would
arrange with Chelmsford Borough Council to have them deferred to the next
meeting in order that the full Parish Council could discuss them. |
|
|
Applications: Application
No. 03/00710/FUL. Installation of security safety lighting to car park area
(dusk to midnight only) 4 columns and 9 lamps. Location: New Village Hall,
Common Road, Stock. Applicant: John E. Stratford, Stock Village Hall Management
Committee. Comments by 7th May 2003, under the Clerk's delegated power this had
been passed to Cllrs. Johnson, M. Elliott & Williams who said that they had
no comments to make. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00739/FUL. Detached garage. Location: Fairfields, Marigold Lane, Stock.
Applicant: Mr Squibb. Comments by 15th May 2003, under the Clerk's delegated
power this had been passed to Cllrs. Johnson, M. Elliott & Williams who
said that they had no comments to make. Cllr. Otter said that she felt this
application should have been objected to as it was in the green belt and was
the third application received in the last year. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00691/FUL. Demolition of existing dwelling and residential ancillary
buildings and erect new replacement dwelling and detached garage. Location:
Thrift, Madles Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr A. Andrew. The Parish Council had no
comments to make. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00760/FUL. Amendment to the approved scheme (ref. 02/02653/FUL) for the
relocation of existing conservatory. Location: 118 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant:
Mr & Mrs G. Evans. The Parish Council had no comments to make. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00794/FUL. Single storey utility at rear and replacement garage. Location:
The Nook, 18 Common Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs S. Silvester. The
Parish Council had no comments to make. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00795/CAC. Demolition of existing garage. Replacement garage (same size)
constructed in weatherboarding and brown pantiles. Location: The Nook, 18
Common Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs S. Silvester. The Parish Council
had no comments to make. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00772/FUL. Ground and first floor rear extensions. Location: Pilgrims Farm,
Smallgains Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr A. Dyckhoff. The Parish Council commented
that their concern is this is a development within the green belt and needs to
comply with policy H015. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00754/FUL. Demolition of existing farmhouse and rebuilding in facsimile;
conversion of barn into a dwelling house; rebuilding of outbuildings to form
garages and stores; demolition of outbuildings. Location: Holes Place Farm,
Downham Road, Stock. Applicant: Bespoke Properties Limited. A letter had been
received from Howard J. Green enclosing supporting letters to Chelmsford
Borough Council as he thought the Parish Council should be aware of its
content.
The Parish Council commented that it does not support the access
to the site and it is unsafe for more than one residence of this size. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00872/FUL. Conservatory at rear. Location: 41 Myln Meadow, Stock. Applicant:
Mr & Mrs Dakin. The Parish Council had no comments to make. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00860/ADV. Double sided V board. Location: Former Smithkline Beecham
Research Complex, Honeypot Lane, Stock. Applicant: Countryside Residential
(North Thames) Ltd. The Parish Council had no comments to make. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00880/FUL. Two storey side extension to south. Single storey side extension
to north. Conversion of garage to habitable room. Location: 29 Myln Meadow,
Stock. Applicant: Mr McCulloch. Cllr. Peaock declared an interest in this
application. The Parish Council commented that it was over development of this
particular corner plot. |
|
|
Results: |
|
|
Application No.
03/00020/FUL. Use of existing outbuildings as games room, gymnasium &
swimming pool. Erection of 2 stables, tack room & store in field. Location:
Greenacre Farm, Smallgains Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs J. Gailer.
Approved. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00327/FUL. First floor front/side extension; re-profiled roof to garage.
Location: Stratton, Ingatestone Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr. R. Turner.
Approved. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00327/FUL. First floor front/side extension; re-profiled roof to garage.
Location: Stratton, Ingatestone Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr. R. Turner.
Approved. |
|
|
Application No.
03/00168/FUL. Rear extension to main building, conversion of barn to four
accomodation units, enlarge car park. Location: The Bear Public House, The
Square, Stock. Applicant: Mr M. Mason - Mason's Restaurants Limited. Refused.
|
| 738 |
|
FINANCE. |
|
|
The Clerk
advised that £15,000.00 had been received representing the first half of
the Precept. |
|
|
The following
cheques were approved for payment and signed: |
|
|
| 100865 |
£449.86 |
Mrs L.J. Green |
Salary 1.5.03-31.5.03 |
| 100866 |
£ 27.95
|
Inland Revenue Only |
PAYE and N.I. |
| 100867 |
£
32.80 |
Stock Village Hall |
Hire of Hall |
| 100868 |
£532.29 |
ELS |
Grass Cutting April |
| 100869 |
£
90.91 |
Mrs L.J. Green |
Expenses |
|
|
|
Transfer of
Funds - The Clerk advised that on the 2nd May she had transferred
£14,000.00 from the Current Account to the Business Reserve. |
|
|
Approval of
Accounts for 2002/03 - Cllr. Otter pointed out that on page 3, item 4 Debts
Outstanding between 3 and 6 months the figure should be 0 under No. column
rather than 1. The Clerk had prepared the accounts and having circulated them
the Chairman and Clerk were authorised to sign them. |
|
|
Change of
Bank Signatories - The matter was discussed and it was decided that Cllr.
W. Elliott should replace Cllr. M. Elliott as the third bank signatory. This
was proposed by Cllr. Tully and seconded by Cllr. Lusty. |
| 739 |
|
ESSEX RURAL
HOUSING TRUST |
|
|
Nothing to
report |
| 740 |
|
DATE OF THE
NEXT MEETING. |
|
|
The next
meeting of the Parish Council is on the 2nd June 2003. Cllr. Lewis sent her
apologies for the next meeting and Cllr. Easton said that she may be late. |
|
|
The Chairman
thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 9.50pm. |