STOCK PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes Of The Meeting Held
On Monday 23rd February 2004 At Stock Village Hall At 7.30pm.

Present: Cllrs. Elliott, Tully, Peacock, Lusty, Lewis, Easton & Otter
In The Chair Cllr. Johnson
Minute Secretary Lorraine Green
Also Present: 7 Members of the Public and Chelmsford Borough Councillor Ian Grundy

930 DEMOCRATIC TIME.
A parishioner, Mrs Boak, spoke on the Long Gables entrance. Mr and Mrs Boak had opposed the application. Mrs Boak stated that the planners had insisted that they needed two accesses due to fire risk. Mrs Boak advised, however, that she and her Husband had had a meeting with the Chief Fireman who had advised them that there was no problem with regard to fire risk as they could get a hose up to the area.
931 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Cllr. Lewis sent her apologies.
932 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.
The Acting Chairman and Cllr. Elliott asked that the words 'and that a profit of £500.00 was made in 2003' be deleted from the first paragraph of Minute 925. Village Hall Report.
Cllr. Otter asked that in the first paragraph of Minute 914. Planning Matters, the words 'written on behalf of CPRE prior to her becoming a Councillor' be replaced with 'attended the appeal'.
Cllr. Lusty asked that in Minute 914. Planning Matters, Application No. 04/00022/LBC, the words 'The Parish Council had no comments to make' be replaced with 'The Parish Council were unable to comment without an internal inspection'
The Acting Chairman asked that in the fifth paragraph of Minute 912. Matters Arising From The Minutes, Minute 901. Maintenance, the words 'in Back Lane' be added after village pump.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, having been previously circulated, were then duly signed as a true record of events. All agreed.
933 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
Minute 912 Matters Arising From The Minutes and 889. Democratic Time.
Cllr. Peacock advised that the article on Parish Council meetings and dates needed to be distributed. Each Councillor agreed to deliver some leaflets once the Clerk and Cllr. Peacock had sorted them into road order.
Minute 912, 892, 871, 850, 827, 806, 784. Matters Arising From The Minutes and Minute 775. General Correspondence Item b.
The Clerk had heard nothing further on the Common ditch.
Minute 912, 892 Matters Arising From The Minutes and 860. Maintenance.
The Clerk had handed documents received from Chelmsford Borough Council to Cllr. Peacock with regard to the winter servicing plan for salting roads in Stock. Cllr. Peacock advised that all the roads that he expected to be salted were on the schedule except for Mill Road. After discussion, it was agreed that Cllr. Peacock would contact Chelmsford Borough Council and ask them to add Mill Road and The Square to their list.
Minute 912, 892 Matters Arising From The Minutes and Minute 860. Maintenance.
Cllr. Elliott advised that Cllr. Lewis was still trying to get a quotation for a Christmas Tree for The Square.
Minute 912 Matters Arising From The Minutes and 893. General Correspondence, item a.
The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Lynn Cameron, Tree Warden Scheme Co-Ordinator, from Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to an invitation for the Chairman of the Parish Council and the Tree Warden(s) to attend an Inaugural meeting on the 11th March 2004 in the Marconi Room at the Civic Centre at 7.30pm. It was reported that the Tree Warden document had still not been circulated amongst all the Councillors. After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk should write to Lynn Cameron advising her that the Parish Council were unable to find a volunteer due to the length of time involved but still wished to be kept informed with regard to the scheme.
Minute 912. Matters Arising From The Minutes and 900. Bus Shelters.
The Clerk advised that Mr Tant had removed the broken glass from the brick bus shelter.
Minute 912. Matters Arising From The Minutes and 901. Maintenance.
The Clerk advised that she had written to Mr Vale of Chelmsford Borough Council asking him to erect reflector posts on the left-hand side of the football gate in Mill Lane. To-date a reply had not been received.
The Clerk advised that Mr Tant had repaired the white chain at the back of the War Memorial.
The Clerk read out a letter from Chelmsford Borough Council advising that someone was being sent to look at the pot holes in The Square.
The Clerk advised that she had spoken to Mrs Sue Moody of RCCE with regard to the grants that were available to refurbish the village pump. Mrs Moody advised that she would need a quotation of how much the work was going to cost in order that she could steer the Parish Council towards the appropriate grants. Mrs Moody did advise the Clerk, however, that more grants would be available to an individual rather than the Parish Council. It was agreed that Cllr. Tully would ask Martin Andrews for a quotation.
The Clerk reported that ELS had cleared the boundary ditch of the Common along the length of Common Road and to two short sections of ditch on the northern side of Common Road. Cllr. Elliott said that they had not done a good job. It was agreed to wait before contacting ElS in case they had not completed the work yet.
Minute 913. General Correspondence - Item b.
Cllr. Tully had asked the Clerk to book the 3rd August for the Summer Play Activities. The Clerk was waiting for Mr Archer of Chelmsford Borough Council to confirm the date.
Minute 913. General Correspondence - Item d.
The Clerk advised that she had contacted Stop Stansted Expansion about holding a public presentation in the Village Hall. The Group have subsequently arranged to hold a meeting for Parish Councils on Tuesday 23rd March in The Council Chamber at Springfield Parish Centre at 7.45pm. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact ACDPC to ask if the public could attend. If so, the Agenda for the meeting should be put on the noticeboard.
Minute 913. General Correspondence - Item f.
Cllr. Otter had looked at the Essex Minerals Local Plan Second Review - First Deposit Draft. She commented that the word 'mitigate' was used extensively and she suggested replacing the word with the wording 'avoid, reduce, remedy'. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Kerry Milsom of Essex County Council with the comment
Minute 923. Open Spaces.
Cllr. Otter had asked the Clerk to obtain the plans for 29 and 31 Mill Road. Cllr. Otter discussed the plans with the Parish Council. She advised that the site plans show that the verge is not included on the site. Cllr. Easton said that the verges are common land. It was agreed that the landscaping that had been carried out was out of keeping with the area and was encroaching on common land. The Acting Chairman advised that she had spoken to Lord Petre with regard to the matter who said that the owners should have asked his permission to re-profile, which they have not done. Lord Petre said that the kerb to the new driveway could be an obstruction and that the Parish Council were custodians of common land. Lord Petre said that he would support the Parish Council in their actions. It was therefore agreed that the Clerk should write to the Enforcement Officer advising that the owners had been re-profiling and encroaching on common land, that it was of serious harm to the amenity, and that the kerbs and plants were an obstruction. It was agreed that a copy of the letter should be sent to Lord Petre.
The Clerk advised that she had written to Stock Cricket Club, Stock Bowls Club and Stock Montessori School asking for a contribution towards the cost of repairing the Common car park. The Clerk read out the reply from Stock Cricket Club. The Parish Council agreed that it was not unreasonable that the Cricket Club were not offering to contribute. It was agreed that the Parish Council would wait to see what replies they got from Stock Bowls Club and Stock Montessori School. After discussion, it was agreed that the matter would be deferred to the next meeting and in the meantime the Councillors would have a look at the car park to decide what sort of surfacing was needed. Cllr. Grundy was asked to speak to the Cricket Club to see if they had any ideas on surfacing.
934 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
a) The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from C.E. Condren asking whether it was the Parish Council's intention to replant a willow tree at the former Weir pond in Mill Road. The Acting Chairman said that Chelmsford Borough Council had never mentioned replanting the felled tree. Cllr. Elliott advised that the pond had been filled in in 1946 and that the trees were planted in early 1960. The Acting Chairman did not think that a willow should be replanted where a diseased tree has been. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Mr Colin Lawrence at Chelmsford Borough Council for advice enclosing a copy of Mr Condren's letter.
b) The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Lynn Constable of Chelmsford Borough Council advising that the address of Garden Fields in Downham Road had now been changed to Gardenfields House.
c) The Clerk advised that Lord Hanningfield wishes to attend the meeting on the 26th April 2004. The Clerk said that she would send him an Agenda at the appropriate time.
d) The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Mrs Lawless, Senior Enforcement Officer, of Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to Annual Just Bin It Campaign 2004. It was agreed that the Parish Council would hold the event on Saturday 24th April 2004 and the Clerk would send the relevant forms back to Mrs Lawless. It was agreed that everyone should meet on the Common Car Park at 10.00am.
e) The Clerk advised that correspondence had been received from Mr John Westwood who has been researching the war memorial and raised the question of the possible omission of some names. The Acting Chairman had passed the documentation to Mr Dick Finch of the Royal British Legion to look at.
f) The Clerk advised that she had received the Best Kept Village Competition documents from RCCE. It was agreed that the village would take part and that it would need to be publicised. Acting Chairman to put article in Stock Press.
Cllr. Lusty asked for the previous year's comments to be circulated amongst the Councillors before the next meeting. The Acting Chairman asked everyone to get their ideas together for the next meeting.
g) The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Tess Wren of Chelmsford Borough Council offering the services of the Gateway Team to the Parish Council to help clean up the village. It was decided that the Parish Council's preferred date would be 26th May and their second and third choice would be 27th May and 23rd June respectively. It was decided that general litter picking was needed around the bus shelters, the ditch by the swings, around the Common and B1007, around the school and around the fish and chip shop area.
h) The Clerk read out a copy of a letter that Ingatestone Road Residents Association had sent to Mr Martin Easteal, Mr Graham Dilley of Chelmsford Borough Council and others with regard to the development by Countryside Properties at Harvard Grange. The Association were complaining about the rapidly deteriorating condition of the Ingatestone Road and its verges to the South of the development site from Honeypot Lane to Stock Road. The Clerk had passed the letter to Cllr. Peacock who had raised the matter with Chelmsford Borough Council. He advised that the department that deals with major developments would deal with the matter. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Mr Eastel with a copy to the Association and Mr Dilley concurring with the comments in the original letter sent.
i) The Clerk advised that a half day seminar on Parish Council Housing was being held at Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow on Thursday 29th April. Any Councillor wishing to attend should advise the Clerk by the next meeting.
935 PLANNING MATTERS.
The Acting Chairman reported that Jenny Moody Homes had contravened planning consent on the development at 108 Mill Road. She advised that the builders had taken out 10 feet of hedge and made two accesses, one to the house and one to the bungalow. The Acting Chairman had contacted the Enforcement Officer who had visited the site and told the builders to stop work. Two days later the contractors carried on with the work and went ahead and finished the drive. The Enforcement Officer was contacted again and he advised Jenny Moody Homes that they should put in a revised application retrospectively. The Acting Chairman advised that Chelmsford Borough Council had now received the revised planning application but the Planning Officer dealing with it was on holiday. The Acting Chairman reported that Chelmsford Borough Council had advised the builders that they had to replant three trees to replace the ones removed. Cllr. Otter discussed the matter with the Parish Council, referring to relevant paperwork, and it was agreed that the Clerk should write a letter to the Enforcement Officer expressing the Parish Council's deep concern.
The Clerk read out a letter that she had received from the Planning Inspectorate following the appeal by Mr J. Cottee with regard to the Site at 71 Mill Road. The appeal is dismissed.
The Clerk advised that a Notification of Appeal had been received for Ivydene, Whites Hill. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Planning Inspectorate and ask for a copy of the Appeal Decision.
Applications:
Application No. 04/00177/FUL. Demolition of existing chalet & outbuilding proposed new 3 bed chalet.
Location: Hillside Farm, Whites Hill, Stock
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Lewis.
The majority view of the Parish Council was that they wished to ensure that this development is in keeping and sympathetic within the green belt.
Application No. 04/00242/FUL. Demolition of stables and erection of a single dwelling.
Location: Stable Block Adj. Church Green Cottage, High Street, Stock
Applicant: Mr M. Thomasin Foster & Mrs J. Wilkinson.
The Parish Council objected to this application as it is in the most sensitive, historic part of the village. It is in the conservation area adjacent to the listed 17th Century Almshouses and listed 17th Century Church Green Cottage. It is also opposite a listed 15th Century church and 17th Century house.
The Parish Council commented that they had noticed that a new access is envisaged that will go across an existing footpath and onto the brow of the hill of the B1007. Therefore, the Parish Council also said that they were very concerned at the traffic and access implications.
Results:
Application No. 03/02311/FUL. Remove existing double pitched roof and insert new roof over, containing second floor bedroom with dormers to rear.
Location: 23 Back Lane, Stock
Applicant: Mr & Mrs A. McGurren. Approved.
Application No. 03/02435/FUL. Demolition of existing dormer and erection of new dormers and roof areas.
Location: 6 Peter Street, Stock
Applicant: Mr & Mrs K. Stevens. Approved.
936 FINANCE.
The Clerk advised that she had written to the Village Hall Management Committee asking them to consider reducing the rent for the office now that the Village Hall debt had been paid off.
Transfer of Funds - The Clerk advised that on the 18th February 2004 she had put on notice to transfer £1,000.00 from the Business Reserve Account to the Current Account which was due to take place on the 25th February 2004.
Cheques to be Signed - The following cheques were approved for payment and signed:
100940 £91.32 Staples Photocoping
100941 £502.87 Mrs L.J.Green Salary 1.2.04 - 29.2.04
100942 £49.89 Inland Revenue Only PAYE and N.I.
100943 £100.10 Mrs L.J. Green Expenses
100944 £12.50 LCR Local Council Review Annual Subscription Renewal
100945 £60.00 Mr. M. Tant Re-siting Birch Lane sign, removing window from bus shelter and repairing white chain near Doctors.
100946 £175.00 Mr. M. Tant Repairs to Play Equipment
100947 £100.00 Mr D.E. Hood Insurance Excess for Re-siting Bus Shelter on B1007.
100948 £60.98 British Telecommunications Plc Office Telephone
Cricket Club Contribution for 2003 - The Clerk advised that she had received a cheque for £271.33 from Stock Cricket Club.
937. PARISH COUNCILLORS' ALLOWANCES.
The Acting Chairman advised that documents had been received and that Cllr. Johnson, the Clerk and herself had looked at them. The Acting Chairman advised that if Councillors wished to claim allowances, then an application has to be made to the Remuneration Panel at Chelmsford Borough Council. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Chelmsford Borough Council in this regard.
938. BEST VALUE GROUP REPORT.
Traffic Management - Cllr. Peacock advised that the outcome of the survey for a road closure in Well Lane/Smallgains Lane was inconclusive. He advised that 90 surveys had been delivered and that 47 replies had been received resulting in 20 for and 27 against the road closure. Cllr. Peacock reported that the building of the A12 bypass had not made much difference to the amount of traffic coming through Stock. Cllr. Elliott reported that oak posts were going to be put on the green along the main road by the War Memorial.
Playground - Nothing to report.
Broadband - The Clerk read out an E-Mail that had been received from Roger Watling with regard to Broadbandnow. Mr Watling advised that the satellite dish had been positioned in a dip between two roofs at the back of The Cock Inn. Mr Watling advised that the satellite was being scheduled to start on Thursday. As regards BT Broadband 253 people had now registered.
939 GRASS CUTTING.
The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from ELS advising that they were ceasing to undertake grounds maintenance contracts as the main contractor. ELS advised that they are entering into temporary arrangements whereby contracts are sub-let to Mr Paul Williams, a former member of staff. Mr Williams has worked on the sites that are maintained under the current contract. ELS advised that the contract would be managed by ELS for 2004 and would include monthly site inspections and that invoicing would continue to be undertaken by ELS until such time that the contract is passed wholly to Mr Williams.
Only one grass cutting tender had been returned so it was decided that ELS would be asked to cut the grass for March and that the contract tenders would be discussed at the next meeting.
940 STREET LIGHTING
Cllr. Tully had been asked whether it is possible to have a street light on the paved footpath that runs from Dakyn Drive to Swan Lane as it is very dark in this area and elderly people feel very vulnerable. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Chelmsford Borough Council and ask them to visit the site and provide a quotation.
941 WAR ON WASTE.
The Acting Chairman reported that there was a pile of bin bags in Swan Lane. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the Hit Squad Hotline.
The Acting Chairman advised that the brown bins would be emptied as from the 8th March 2004.
942 BUS SHELTERS.
The Acting Chairman reported that the bus shelter on the B1007, opposite the Ship Public House, had blown into the road and smashed in the winds on the evening of 31st January 2004. The Clerk had contacted the insurance company to make an insurance claim and she had also contacted Mr Hood who had managed to salvage the bus shelter and had rebuilt it. Mr Hood's invoice was for £450.00, which had been sent to the insurance company. As there is a £100.00 excess on the insurance policy, the Clerk had arranged to send a cheque for this amount directly to Mr Hood.
943 MAINTENANCE - Nothing to report.
944 OPEN SPACES.
Cllr. Tully reported that she had been asked whether there was any chance of a bike rack being placed in the centre of the village. It was agreed that the Councillors would look for a suitable spot and the matter would be discussed at the next meeting.
945 ROAD SIGNS AND FOOTPATHS
Cllr. Williams reported that there had been some horseplay in the village with regard to street name signs being moved. The Garden End and Birch Lane signs had been found in Mill Road. These were later reinstated.
Cllr. Easton reported that on Footpath 33 it looked as though someone had been trying to dig up the stile. Cllr. Easton was concerned that it was unsafe to use. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Mr Clark in this regard.
946 VILLAGE HALL REPORT.
The Acting Chairman advised that there had not been a meeting.
REPORT BY CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLOR IAN GRUNDY.
Cllr. Grundy reported that Chelmsford Borough Council had set the Council Tax at an increase of 4.7% for Band D. He advised that the weekly black bin collections had been confirmed. Cllr. Grundy reported that the recycling targets for 2004 were 40% and 60% by 2007. Cllr. Grundy reported that the CTV cameras were being upgraded to digital and that some would be put up in rural areas. Cllr. Grundy advised that £2m had been approved for affordable housing and that four sites were being appraised. Cllr. Grundy reported that there are extra funds available to spend on the roads in the Summer. He also advised that an application will be submitted for extra parking at Broomfield Hospital and that a park and ride scheme should start later this year. Cllr. Grundy advised that there was going to be a review of grants to outside bodies. He advised that Chelmsford Borough Council had had the CPA Inspectors there this week. Cllr. Grundy also advised that Hylands House had won an award for the plastering in the Ball Room and that the gardens would be restored in the Summer.
948 ESSEX RURAL HOUSING TRUST
The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Anne Bishop of The Rural Housing Trust. She advised that so far twenty households had asked for a registration of interest form and six of these have been returned to-date. Mrs Bishop is considering chasing up those who have not returned the forms in a week or two. As soon as she has enough evidence of the need, she will arrange a meeting with the Housing Department at Chelmsford Borough Council. Mrs Bishop advised that negotiations with Mr Thomasin-Foster and The Rural Housing Trust's Architect were progressing well. Mrs Bishop advised that a bid had been submitted to the Housing Corporation for funding the proposed scheme and that she should hear the outcome in the next few weeks. Cllrs. Otter and Easton asked the question if there is a need in Stock for Affordable Housing then why are The Rural Housing Trust having to chase people up for their forms.
949 STOCK VILLAGE APPRAISAL.
The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Gary Stringer with regard to the distribution of the Village Appraisal. It was agreed that all Councillors would be prepared to help distribute the document to all households in the village. It was agreed that copies of the document should be sent with a compliment slip to Essex Archives, Lord Hanningfield, the village churches, the Doctors Surgery, Lord Petre, Essex Records Office and the Statutory Authorities. Cllr. Otter suggested putting some copies of the document in the library. It was agreed that the Clerk would liase with Gary Stringer on the matter.
The Clerk advised that Michelle Pye from RCCE had contacted her with regard to taking the Village Appraisal to the next stage, ie. to a Parish Plan. The Clerk had given the details to Cllr. Peacock.
950 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING.
The next meeting of the Parish Council is on the 29th March 2004.
The Acting Chairman thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 10.07pm.
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