STOCK PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
Monday 14TH APRIL 2003 AT STOCK VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30PM.

Present: Cllrs. Mr & Mrs Elliott, Tully, Webb & Williams
In The Chair Cllr. Johnson
Minute Secretary Lorraine Green
Also Present: 4 Members of the Public

695 DEMOCRATIC TIME.
The Chairman welcomed Lord Hanningfield to the meeting and advised the public that Lord Hanningfield would be prepared to answer any questions they may have. A parishioner, John Pardon, reported that there had been a significant amount of accidents in Downham Road and that there had already been two in April (photographs of one accident were circulated). Mr Pardon reported that it was a continuing problem and that the Parish Council should stress the problem with Chelmsford Borough Council and Essex County Council. The Chairman reported that the general concensus appeared to be not to do an awful lot but to restrict the speed limit to 40mph. John Pardon said that he felt that Essex County Council and Chelmsford Borough Council were not keen in physical measures to implement the speed limit and that they were just talking about lining and signing only. Mr Pardon asked the Parish Council to pursue the matter. Lord Hanningfield advised that he could follow the matter up if the Parish Council were unable to get anywhere with Essex County Council and Chelmsford Borough Council. Lord Hanningfield also advised that the regulations have changed and that Essex County Council could now arrange for more speed limit signs to be erected. The Chairman said that she would follow this matter up with Lord Hanningfield.
A parishioner, Virginia Henderson, reported that she had been campaigning for lower speed limits since a head-on accident in the 1970's. Mrs Henderson also reported about the rat- running in Mill Road and also the speeding in Well Lane and Smallgains Lane. Mrs Henderson also asked what was happening with regard to the Listed Building Consent at Scriveners Farm. The Chairman advised that an application had been made directly to the Department for Culture Media and Sport for the spot listing of Scriveners Farm but Chelmsford Borough Council had subsequently given approval for the demolition of the building.
696 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
 Cllrs. Tant, Lusty and Peacock and Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer sent their apologies.
697 COMMENTS MADE BY LORD HANNINGFIELD.
The Chairman welcomed Lord Hanningfield to the meeting.
Lord Hanningfield reported on the roads in Stock. He advised that he had received numerous letters with regard to highway problems in the last couple of months and that there was a general feeling of unhappiness. Lord Hanningfield advised that there was nowhere to build a Stock by-pass due to lack of space and economic costs. Lord Hanningfield reported that one solution would be traffic calming in the centre of the village. The Chairman advised that a public meeting was going to be held in mid May to show the public the ideas from Chelmsford Borough Council and Essex County Council for the village.
Lord Hanningfield reported on the financial situation at Essex County Council and the reasons for the high increase in council tax this year. He advised that an extra 10% had to be found for the elderly and disabled in the county. Lord Hanningfield reported that the Government had reduced the education grant considerably and the deficit had to be funded from the council taxpayer. Lord Hanningfield advised that Essex County Council were looking at ways of increasing the revenue some examples of which were looking at getting more revenue from libraries, charging people to visit country parks and stopping paying for excavation of roads in Colchester.
Lord Hanningfield reported on the Stansted Airport Expansion. He advised that the announcement that the airport could be the largest in the world and bigger than Heathrow had taken Essex County Council by surprise and that they were campaigning against it. He advised that the Government were now looking at expanding Gatwick again.
Lord Hanningfield reported that the Government intend for an extra 200,000 houses to be built in the South East which is five times as many houses being built a year than at present. Lord Hanningfield reported that the possible areas to be developed at present were Epping, Harlow, Uttlesford, Basildon, Castlepoint and Thurrock and also Billericay and Basildon joining up with Noak Hill could be a possibility. Lord Hanningfield advised that Chelmsford was not threatened by enormous figures as Boreham had taken a lot more under the last plan. The areas that could be under threat under the new plan were Galleywood and Great Baddow. Lord Hanningfield advised that Essex and Kent were to take the new houses. The Chairman commented that we must have infrastructure. Lord Hanningfield commented that more people need more health facilities, roads and schools. He explained that Essex County Council were very opposed to a Lower Thames Crossing as it would join the new A130 and become an outer M25 which would open up Rayleigh to Chelmsford which would open up for much more expansion. Lord Hanningfield advised that Essex County Council have people whose sole jobs are to fight the plans only. Lord Hanningfield advised that it was keeping Essex County Council busy but it was very frightening. He advised that people want the airports in the North developed.
The Chairman thanked Lord Hanningfield for attending the meeting and said that the Parish Council had been encouraged by the fact that he would be backing them with regard to the roads.
698 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, having been previously circulated, were then duly signed as a true record of events. All agreed.
699 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
Minute 686. Road Signs and Footpaths.
The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Mr Clark with regard to putting up yellow waymarks on the footpath by the Catholic Church. She also reported that she had spoken to Mr Clark with regard to the barbed wire on the footpath at the bottom of All Saints Church going across the bridge towards the Catholic Church. Mr Clark had advised that he would look into the matters.
Minute 688. General Correspondence, Item a.
The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Operational Services at Chelmsford Borough Council advising that the Gateway Team would visit Stock on the 18th September to undertake work in the parish. Cllr. Elliott reported that there was a burnt out car and carpet by the recycling bins. The Clerk advised Cllr. Elliott to report the matter to the Street Scenes hotline number. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Chelmsford Borough Council to arrange for the recycling bins to be removed.
Minute 688. General Correspondence. Item b.
The Clerk advised that she had written to the M.P. with regard to CPRE's Communities not Concrete Campaign.
700 BEST VALUE GROUP REPORT.
Traffic Management - The Clerk reported that Cllr. Peacock had arranged a public consultation on the traffic proposals for the 15th May during the afternoon and evening, subject to confirmation from Essex County Council and Chelmsford Borough Council. Cllr. Peacock said that he would arrange the details when he got back from his holiday.
Playground - Nothing to report.
Broadband - The Clerk reported that Cllr. Peacock had linked up with Galleywood on the Broadband project and that they hoped to get some project funding from the EEDA project, in conjunction with Writtle.
701 GRASS CUTTING.
The tenders had been received from ELS, Cutting Power, Essex Direct Services and Mr. M.I. Henderson for the maintenance of the churchyard contract and were opened at the Meeting. Chelmsford Park Services had advised that they would be unable to tender. After comparing the quotations it was decided that the contract should be given to Mr. M.I. Henderson. It was reported that work had been carried out at the churchyard that day.
702 STREET LIGHTING
Cllr. W. Elliott had carried out a survey of the streetlights in the village and produced a typed list, which was given to the Clerk.
The Clerk showed the Parish Council some photographs that had been sent to her from Chelmsford Borough Council of the type of streetlights they proposed installing. It was agreed that the Clerk should speak to Chelmsford Borough Council to find out whether this was the cheaper or more expensive street light. It was agreed that if this was the cheaper light then identical lights should be purchased for Common Road and Mill Road.
703 WAR ON WASTE.
It was reported that people were getting confused as to what days they should be putting their rubbish or recycling out.
704 BUS SHELTERS.
Nothing to report.
705 MAINTENANCE
The Chairman reported that Chelmsford Borough Council had painted red lines around various holes in the village.
Cllr. Webb reported that the ground by the corner of John Bishop's office was getting smaller. Cllr. M. Elliott said that moving the Doctors' Surgery should help by reducing the amount of cars that were parking there.
Cllr. Williams reported that the post and chain were still leaning on the gravel path in the High Street, at the entrance to Compass Green. Cllr. M. Elliott advised that the post had been knocked over and that had resulted in making the chain lean over. Cllr. M. Elliott reported that he had looked at the site and advised that the post needed smashing and re-setting. It was agreed that Mr M. Tant should be asked to carry out the work.
It was reported that two posts were missing by the pond. The Chairman agreed to look at the matter.
It was also reported that one post was missing in The Square, where the Christmas Tree stands and also there were posts missing on the Common. Cllr. W. Elliott agreed to look at the situation.
Cllr. M. Elliott reported that there was a yellow medical bin outside the Doctors' Surgery. The Chairman agreed to contact the Surgery in the morning.
706 OPEN SPACES.
Cllr. Williams reported that Swan Woods was looking very sad with lots of fallen trees. The Chairman advised that the area was owned by The Woodland Trust. It was agreed that Cllr. Williams would contact Mr Andrews of Myln Meadow in this regard. Cllr. M. Elliott reported that there was a lot of dog fouling in Swan Woods.
Cllr. Williams asked whether another dog bin could be provided on the footpath between Common Road and Mill Lane either at Myln Meadow end or Mill Lane end. It was agreed that the Clerk should organise this.
Cllr. M. Elliott reported that the Beechams development had started.
707 ROAD SIGNS AND FOOTPATHS
Cllr. W. Elliott advised that a sign had been put up in Honeypot Lane.
The Chairman reported that the 'Beware Ice' sign was still up in Well Lane.
708 VILLAGE HALL REPORT.
Nothing to report as there had not been a meeting.
709 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
a) The Clerk read out a letter received from The Trevor Brooking Soccer School with regard to Summer Soccer School. It was agreed that the letter should be put on the noticeboard.
b) The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Mr Northwood with regard to the drainage problem on the Common. It was reported that permission had been given by the property owner for the blockage to be investigated.
c) The Chairman read out an invitation that had been received from Essex County Council for the Chairman and a guest to attend the Essex Service at Chelmsford Cathedral on the 6th May. It was decided that the Chairman and Clerk would attend.
d) The Chairman read out an invitation that had been received from Essex Air Ambulance to launch their new EC135 Emergency Service Helicopter on the 30th May. It was decided that a decision as to who would attend would be made at the next meeting.
e) The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to Scheme of Financial Assistance to Parish Councils.
710 REPORT BY CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLOR GARY STRINGER.
The Clerk advised that Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer had nothing to report but sent his regards to the Parish Council.
The Chairman said that the Parish Council were grateful to Gary for the tremendous job he had done and for the huge amount of work he had carried out for the village. The Chairman said that Cllr. Stringer had regularly attended the Parish Council meetings and had been a very good Borough Councillor. The Chairman advised that she had spoken to Ian Grundy and if he was elected as Borough Councillor then he would be keen to attend the Parish Council meetings.
711 PLANNING MATTERS.
Applications:
Application No. 03/00575/FUL. New Disabled Access Ramp. Location: Our Lady of Mount Carmel RC Church, Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: The Parish Council of Our Lady and St. Joseph Church. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
Application No. 03/00705/FUL. Detached double garage to front. Location: 132 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs J. Arber. The Parish Council commented that they were concerned that this building is too close to the road.
Application No. 03/00583/FUL. First floor side extension. Location: 34 Well Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr. P. Cameron. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
Results:
Application No. 03/05022/TPO. 15% crown thin of T34 - Oak (TPO 2001/117) Location: 39 Myln Meadow, Stock. Applicant: Mrs P.D. Almond Approved.
Application No. 03/00329/TEL56. Site share 2 no. 0.6m at 18m, 4 no. antennae at 16.2m on existing 30m slimline tower. 1 no. equipment cabin within existing compound. Location: Willowbrook Sports Ground, Stock Road, Stock. Applicant: Orange PCS Ltd. Prior Approval Not Required.
712 FINANCE.
The Clerk advised that interest amounting to £108.16 had been credited to the Business Reserve Account.
The following cheques were approved for payment and signed:
100859 £449.86 Mrs L.J. Green Salary 1.4.03-30.4.03
100860 £27.95 Inland Revenue Only PAYE and N.I.
100861 £137.77 Mrs L.J. Green Expenses
100862 £18.50 Stock Village Hall Hire of Hall
100863 £212.71 ELS Grass Cutting March
100864 £326.49 EALC Annual Subscription
Transfer of Funds - Nothing to report.
713 ESSEX RURAL HOUSING TRUST
Nothing to report.
714 PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2003.
The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to Standards Matters.
The Chairman said that the Parish Council were very sad to be losing Cllr. Maurice Elliott who had been a Parish Councillor for approximately 30 years. The Chairman said that Cllr. M. Elliott had always been a regular attender and a good member who was concerned about local affairs. She said that his hard work had been very much appreciated and that she was said to lose him as her Vice-Chairman. The Chairman also advised that the Parish Council were losing Cllr. Tony Webb and she thanked him for his work and in particular for taking responsibility for the buses. The Chairman advised that Cllr. Colin Tant was also leaving the Parish Council and said that his clerk experience and work at Chelmsford Borough Council had been very useful to the Parish Council and that he had also been a very good member.
The Chairman read out the names of who had been elected to stand for Parish Councillor in May. She advised that three new Councillors had been elected, namely Sally Easton, Sarah Lewis and Margaret Otter.
715 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING.
The next meeting of the Parish Council is on the 12th May 2003 and the Annual Parish Meeting is on the 24th April 2003.
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 9.10pm.
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