| STOCK PARISH COUNCIL |
| MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
Monday 24th March 2003 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: | 7 Members of the Public |
| 674 | DEMOCRATIC TIME. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia Henderson said that it was the speed that the cars went down Smallgains Lane not the amount of actual traffic that caused her concern. The Chairman said that she had been in contact with Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the state of the road and that they visited the site and had seen the lane at its worst. The Chairman reported that she had contacted Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to traffic being diverted via Smallgains Lane/Well Lane when the village is blocked due to an accident. She advised that Chelmsford Borough Council said that there was nothing they could do as it was not a motorway. The Chairman said that she would keep the pressure on Chelmsford Borough Council. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Doug Taffs reported that the road is still flooding in Smallgains Lane/Well Lane and the water is running across the road, which becomes very icy in the cold weather. The Chairman said that the Parish Council are constantly speaking to Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the lanes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 675 | APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Nick Peacock sent his apologies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 676. | COMMENTS MADE BY LORD HANNINGFIELD. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Chairman advised that Lord Hanningfield sent his apologies for not being able to attend the meeting and confirmed that he would attend the meeting on the 14th April 2003. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 677 | 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 678 | MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minute 655,
634, 612 & 591. Matters Arising From the Minutes & Minute 577.
Maintenance. Cllr. M. Elliott reported that he had had a site meeting with Jenny Moody Properties Limited and that the work had now been carried out satisfactorily. |
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| Minute 652. Democratic
Time and Minute 633. Road Signs and Footpaths. The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Mr Clark at Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the branch across the footpath at the bottom of the Catholic Church and also the narrowing of the footpath caused by the erection of an iron fence. Cllr. W. Elliott advised that she had met Mr Clark on site and the work had been carried out. |
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| Minute 663.
Road Signs and Footpaths. The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Mr Clark noting the Parish Council's comments with regard to the removal of Stiles. |
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| Minute 655.
Matters Arising From The Minutes and Minute 644. General Correspondence - Item
b. The Clerk advised that she had received confirmation from Chelmsford Borough Council that the Summer Play Activities would be held on Tuesday 12th August at the Village Hall. Cllr. Tully said that she would be unable to open up the Village Hall this year. It was decided that this would be discussed nearer the time. |
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| Minute 661.
Maintenance. The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the posts that had been erected outside the new house on the old Police house site in Mill Road. The owners had been asked to remove the posts. |
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| The Clerk reported that she had written to Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the sunken drain covers in the High Street. The Chairman advised that the one outside Cllr. Tully's house had been repaired the next day but the others had not yet been repaired. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Essex Fire and Rescue with regard to the rattling drain cover outside 46 High Street. She had been advised that an Inspector would come out and look at the problem. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 679 | BEST VALUE GROUP REPORT. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traffic Management - Cllr. Peacock reported to the Clerk that they had had a good meeting with Chelmsford Borough Council and Essex County Council. He advised that the Parish Council had been given the proposals for the High Street and Chelmsford Borough Council and Essex County Council were preparing a detailed design. Cllr. Peacock reported that unfortunately there were no technical proposals for Downham Road. Cllr. Peacock advised that there would be a public meeting at the end of April/beginning of May. Cllr. Peacock asked the Clerk to report to Mrs Henderson that the plans are going ahead for 40mph limits in country lanes, which is going before Parliament and will be part of the Essex policy. The Chairman reported that there had been a good attendance to the meeting and that Chelmsford Borough Council and Essex County Council had come up with some feasible ideas but a lot of detailed work still needed to be done but the proposals were encouraging. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playground - Cllr. Peacock asked the Clerk to report that he had written a letter to the Village Hall Management Committee with regard to the proposals for a playground at the Village Hall. Cllr. W. Elliott said that there would not be a Village Hall Management Meeting for another two months. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Peacock also advised that the article for Broadband would go in the May edition of Stock Press. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 680 | GRASS CUTTING. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllrs. Tant and M. Elliott had compared the tenders and it was decided to keep the contract with ELS. The Clerk reported that she had written to ELS advising them that they had been given the contract and had also written to Cutting Power, Essex Direct Services and Park Services advising that they had been unsuccessful in the tenders. The Clerk reported that ELS had already carried out a cut. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Clerk reported that ELS had contacted her with regard to the Churchyard grass cutting contract. They had advised her that they had been unable to tender in time due to the fact that they had been on holiday and also when they eventually looked at the site they were confused as to what they should be tendering for. ELS had therefore asked for Cllr. Peacock or the Churchwarden to meet them at the Church to discuss the work involved in order that they could produce an accurate tender. After discussion it was agreed that the matter should be heldover until the meeting on the 14th April 2003 in order that ELS could get their tender to the Clerk. It was decided therefore that the tenders should remain sealed until the next meeting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 681 | STREET LIGHTING | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Clerk read out a letter received from the Street Lighting Technician, Mr Crossley, at Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the proposed street lighting in Common Road and Mill Road. It was agreed that the quotation for the street light in Common Road was too expensive. The Clerk was therefore asked to contact Mr Crossley and ask him if he had any photographs of the various types of street lamps that could be purchased together with a price list. Cllr. Williams said that a survey should be carried out of the street lights. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 682 | WAR ON WASTE. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was reported that the service would begin this week. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 683 | BUS SHELTERS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Clerk advised that Zurich Insurance had sent the cheque for £1,450.00 payable to the Parish Council instead of Mr Hood and she had therefore had to bank the cheque and issue a cheque to Mr Hood | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Clerk advised that Mr Andrew's had completed the work to the bus shelter in the High Street and his invoice had been forwarded to the insurance company for settlement, minus the £100.00 excess and VAT. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Chairman said that she felt both contractors had made a very good job of the bus shelters. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 684 | MAINTENANCE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Webb reported that Vernons Corner had now been repaired. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Tant reported on the blocked ditch on the Common. He advised that Rod Northwood was a doing a good job and had got contacts with Health and Safety who were keen to find out where the blockage is. Cllr. Tant said that they were hopeful to find the blockage and rectify the situation. Cllr. Tully advised Cllr. Tant that the drain cover had not been put on properly outside the five houses near the gate. Cllr. Tant reported that Rod Northwood had said that once the problem had been rectified we should consider piping the ditch, at least along the section by the playground. The Chairman asked Cllr. Tant to thank Rod Northwood for all his hard work. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chelmsford Borough Cllr. Stringer reported that Stock Hill had frozen up in the recent icy weather, which had caused an almighty traffic jam. He reported that the drain in School Lane is blocked solid and that the ditches are useless. Cllr. Stringer advised that he had tried to guide the traffic and had reported the matter to Chelmsford Borough Council. He reported that there is a salt box but the lid is missing and the box does not contain any salt. It was decided therefore that in the Autumn the Clerk should contact Chelmsford Borough Council asking them to refill the box in Stock Road South with salt. Enquiries should also be made into replacing the salt box. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 685 | OPEN SPACES. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Williams asked the Parish Council if a book on Our Common Land could be purchased from the Open Spaces Society at a cost of £25.00. All agreed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 686 | ROAD SIGNS AND FOOTPATHS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. M. Elliott reported that there is no sign post at the bottom of the footpath by the Catholic Church, by the kissing gate, where you turn left into Well Lane. The Clerk was therefore asked to contact Mr Clark asking him to put up yellow waymarks. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was reported that the new fence that Mr Pring had erected was rather high but the Chairman said the matter should be left as it looked better and the Parish Council did ask him to put it up. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Tully reported that there was a top strand of barbed wire at hand height on both sides of the footpath at the bottom of All Saints Church going across the bridge towards the Catholic Church. It was agreed that the Clerk should report the matter to Mr Clark. Cllr. Lusty reported that the signpost in Swan Lane was still revolving. Cllr. Tant said that he had put a split nail into the signpost but would look at it again. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 687 | VILLAGE HALL REPORT. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. W. Elliott reported that there were now 481 shares in the lottery. She reported that the debt is now down to £3,500.00. Cllr. Williams reported that the debt looked set to be paid off by the AGM at the end of May. Cllr. W. Elliott reported that the estimate for lighting was £10,000.00 but that the Village Hall Management Committee were getting more estimates. Cllr. Williams advised that John Stratford was taking to planning the proposal for four posts with nine lights through the middle. Cllr. W. Elliott reported that there had been problems with the heating. She reported that there were various fundraisers coming up including a children's disco, flower club and coffee morning. It was also reported that posts were going to be put on the pedestrian path to restrict vehicular access and stop vehicles backing onto the footpath in order that the drivers could unload. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 688 | GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| a) | The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Operational Services at Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the Environmental Gateway Team visiting the village to assist in tidying-up areas specified by the Parish Council. Various dates were listed and it was decided that any date in April would be suitable. It was decided that the areas that should be tackled were the footpath that goes off Swan Lane into Dakyn Drive, the Cock Car Park and between the library and school, around the school and around the recycling bins in Swan Lane. Cllr. W. Elliott said that she felt as recycling facilities were now being brought to people's houses, the recycling bins in Swan Lane should be removed. The Clerk was therefore asked to contact Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to these matters. The Chairman reported that a fridge had been dumped in Furze Lane. The Clerk said that the Hit Squad should be contacted who would remove the fridge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| b) | The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from CPRE with regard to CPRE's Communities not Concrete Campaign. It was decided that the Chairman and Clerk would get together to write to the local M.P. agreeing with the comments and asking if there is anything else the Parish Council can do. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| c) | The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Essex County Council with regard to Planning Service Group and the Parish Council completed the stakeholders database information form | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 689 | REPORT BY CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLOR GARY STRINGER. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Stringer reported that numerous yellow signs have been put up from Mayflower School in Billericay to Galleywood advertising the new Barretts development. Cllr. Stringer reported that he had spoken to the Planning Department who had advised him that Barretts had not been given any permission to erect the signs and that they should not be advertising without planning permission. Cllr. Stringer reported that anyone could remove the signs if they so wished and that as from the middle of April Barretts will be fined if they put up any signs without planning permission. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Stringer reported that £25,000.00 Section 106 monies had been received for various developments in the village. He advised that the money was only there for Stock if Highways felt that they were at the top of the agenda and they felt it was necessary to spend it in the village. If this was not the case then the money would be spent elsewhere. Cllr. Stringer reported that Chelmsford Borough Council were re-assessing the traffic going through the village since the opening of the new A130. He said that the Parish Council should keep the pressure on Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to traffic. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Stringer read out a paragraph in a document that he had received from Chelmsford Borough Council, which stated that Beechams had contributed £18,000.00 towards a playground for Stock. Cllr. Stringer wanted the Parish Council to be aware of the situation and asked the Clerk to get photocopies of the document for the Chairman and Cllr. Peacock to read. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllr. Stringer reported that at the last Chelmsford Borough Council Planning Meeting the new bus station terminal had been voted through which incorporated a development of houses, retail etc and the opening of two archways through the viaduct. Cllr. Stringer said that the plans were very exciting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Chairman advised that Cllr. Stringer was retiring from his post as Borough Councillor and said that he had contributed so much to the village. The Chairman thanked him for his hard work and said that he would be greatly missed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 690 | PLANNING MATTERS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Chairman read out a letter that had been received from Daly International requesting comments with regard to the proposed redevelopment of the Vodafone Base Station at Greenwoods Farm, Stock Road. The Parish Council asked the Clerk to write back objecting to the mast being raised by 3 metres and objecting to the additional height in an area of natural beauty. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Chairman reported that Cllrs. Williams, Lusty and herself had attended a CPRE meeting on planning. The general feeling was that it was quite a helpful meeting but there was nothing really specific, concrete or outstanding to report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Applications: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Application
No. 03/00327/FUL. First floor front/side extension; re-profiled roof to
garage. Location: Stratton, Ingatestone Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr. R. Turner. Comments by 17th March 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. |
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| 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. Comments by 17th March 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. |
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| Application No. 03/00490/FUL. First floor rear extension. Location: 2 High Trees, Back Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr. I. Wigston. The Parish Council had no comments to make. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Results: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Application
No. 02/02653/FUL. Demolition of conservatory and construct two storey rear
extension and single storey side extension. Location: 118 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs G. Evans. Approved. |
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| Application
No. 02/00760/FUL. Erection of two bedroom house revised scheme to that
approved ref: 01/01367/FUL. Location: 20 The Square, Stock. Applicant: Mr C. Porter. Approved. |
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| Application
No. 03/00065/FUL. Two-storey lift tower at rear. Location: 22 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs S. Hyde. Approved. |
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| Application
No. 02/02514/FUL. Change of use of redundant farm outbuildings into games
room, office and car port. Location: Scriveners Farm, Madles Lane, Stock. Applicant: IPE Properties Limited. Approved. |
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| Application
No. 02/02515/FUL. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of new
replacement dwelling. Location: Scriveners Farm, Madles Lane, Stock. Applicant: IPE Properties Limited. Approved. |
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| Application
No. 03/00192/FUL. Two storey side extension, single storey rear extension
(revision to previous approval). Location: 7 Cambridge Close, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs C. Pratt. Approved. |
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| Application
No. 03/00224/FUL. Single storey extension over garage and alteration to
elevations. Location: 23 Birch Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Coughlan. Approved. |
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| Application
No. 03/05023/TPO. Works to various trees (TPO 2001/117) Location: 37 Myln
Meadow, Stock. Applicant: Mr A. Gardner. Approved. |
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| Application
No. 03/05024/TPO. Fell T1 Cedar (TPO 1985/21) Location: 34 High Street, Stock. Applicant: Mrs Bonny. Approved. |
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| 691 | FINANCE. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Clerk advised that a VAT refund of £299.65 had been received. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The following cheques were approved for payment and signed: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Transfer of Funds - The Clerk advised that on the 18th March 2003 she had put on notice to transfer £1,500.00 from the Business Reserve Account to the Current Account and the transfer was due to take place on 25th March 2003. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| External
Audit for Accounts 2001/02 - The Chairman reported that the audit had now been completed and the relevant notice had been advertised on the noticeboard. |
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| Cricket Club
Contribution for 2002 - The Clerk advised that she had received a cheque for £291.67. |
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| Clerk's
Salary - The matter was discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk's salary should be increased from the 1st April 2003 to £7.701 per hour, which would move her salary from SCP 17 to the SCP 18 scale rate. |
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| 692 | ESSEX RURAL HOUSING TRUST | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Chairman advised that Essex Rural Housing Trust had made recommendations to Chelmsford Borough Council's Planning Department. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 693 | PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2003. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer reported that Ian Grundy had been nominated for the position of Borough Councillor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Chairman advised that all nomination forms for Parish Council Elections had to be in by noon on the 1st April 2003. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 694 | DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The next meeting of the Parish Council is on the 14th April 2003 and the Annual Parish Meeting is on the 24th April 2003. The Chairman read out the draft of her Chairman's Report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cllrs. Tant and Lusty sent their apologies for the next meeting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Chairman thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 8.51pm. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock Index | Council |