| 1220. |
|
APOLOGIES
FOR ABSENCE. |
|
|
Cllr. Peacock
sent his apologies. Cllr. Lewis did not attend the meeting. |
| 1221. |
|
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 |
| 1222. |
|
MATTERS
ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. |
|
|
Christmas
Tree - Cllr. Elliott advised that she had spoken to Mr Harnett and that he
had told her to wait until October. Cllr. Elliott said that she would visit Mr
Harnett again in October. |
|
|
Tree Warden
Scheme - The Clerk had written to Lyn Cameron confirming that Mr Blackburn
had taken on the position of Tree Warden. The Clerk had asked Mrs Cameron to
forward all information to Mr Blackburn. |
|
|
Village Pump
in Back Lane - Whilst the work was being carried out on the pump the Clerk
had received a telephone call from the Planning Enforcement Officer as they had
received a complaint about the work being carried out. After discussion, and
investigation, the Clerk was told that the Enforcement Officer and the Listed
Building Officer were satisfied with the work being carried out and that it
could be completed but that the Parish Council had to submit a letter stating
that they were renovating and refurbishing the pump back to its original state
and once the project was completed the pump would be given back to the village.
Cllr. Peacock was dealing with this matter. The Chairman thanked Ann and Geoff
Tully. |
|
|
The Larches
- Nothing further to report. |
|
|
Blackboard
Advertisement Boards - The Clerk read out a letter that had been received
from Mr Bohannan, Enforcement Officer, enclosing a copy of the guidelines for
advertisement boards. The booklet was handed to Cllr. Williams and the Clerk
said she would obtain copies for each Councillor. Cllr.Lusty reported that the
boards in the Cock Car Park were well in excess of the legislation. He advised
that currently they have five boards on their forecourt. It was therefore
agreed that the Clerk should report the matter to the Enforcement Officer.
|
|
|
Noticeboards
- The Clerk advised that Cllr. Peacock was organising for someone to erect
the Parish Council noticeboard. It was agreed that it was important that the
noticeboard is put up as soon as possible as parishioners are not seeing the
notices in the newsagent. The Chairman advised that Cllr. Peacock still had to
order the other noticeboards. |
|
|
Ditch around
the Common - After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk should ask
Wilben's to contact the Chairman who would meet them on site to discuss the
matter. |
|
|
EALC -
County and Parish Working Together For the Future of Essex - Nothing
further to report. |
|
|
East of
England Plan - Public Consultation - The Clerk had submitted the comments
to East of England Regional Assembly and Chelmsford Borough Council |
|
|
Street Light
No. 811009 in the High Street - Cllr. Elliott agreed to look to see if the
lampshade had been replaced. |
|
|
Cleaning
Road Signs - The Clerk advised that Cllr. Peacock was dealing with the
matter. Nothing further to report. |
|
|
Churchyard
Grass Cutting - The Chairman reported that the work had been done. |
|
|
Grass Verges
- The Clerk advised that Cllr. Peacock was dealing with the matter. It was
agreed that a meeting should be arranged with Essex County Council in order
that the Parish Council could show them the problems in the village. Cllr.
Easton advised that she had taken photographs and asked Roger Watling to supply
the Clerk with a copy so she could send in photographic evidence to Essex
County Council. |
|
|
Alan's
Driving School - The Clerk advised that she was awaiting the information
from Cllr. Peacock. |
|
|
The
Standards Board of England - A Code For The Future - The Clerk advised that
Cllr. Peacock was dealing with the matter. Nothing further to report. |
|
|
Bottom of Well Lane - The Clerk had written to Chelmsford
Borough Council reporting that below the village nursery on the left hand side
the area was flooded by the bend, a tree was lying down and there was damage to
the verges. Mr Rackham had acknowledged receipt of the letter. The Chairman
advised that some tarmacing had been carried out. |
|
|
Black and
White Posts in Smallgains Lane - The Clerk advised that Cllr. Peacock was
dealing with the matter. Nothing further to report. |
|
|
Level of
Traffic at the High Street End of Common Road - The Clerk advised that
Cllr. Peacock was dealing with the matter. Nothing further to report. |
|
|
Summer Play
Activity Day - Cllr. Tully advised that there were no dates available. |
|
|
Grant from
Essex County Council - The Chairman read out a letter that had been
received from Lord Hanningfield enclosing a cheque for £1,000.00, this
being the grant given to all Parish Councils by Essex County Council. A
questionnaire was also enclosed for completion as to how the Parish Council
spent the money. The Clerk advised that Cllr. Peacock would like ideas as to
how the money could be spent. It was agreed that some of the funds should be
used in order that the Clerk could receive Broadband. Other ideas were to put
the funds towards a noticeboard, play equipment, colour laser
printer/photocopier, laptop and projector and computer for the office for
Councillors to use. |
|
|
Roadside Obstructions in the Village - The Clerk advised
that Cllr. Peacock was dealing with the matter. Nothing further to report |
|
|
Erection of
large red brick wall at 20 The Square - Cllr. Elliott advised that she had
been to the Planning Department who were going to send an Enforcement Officer
out to look at the matter. Cllr. Elliott said that she was concerned what was
going to happen to the piece of land next to the wall. Cllr. Otter reported
that the fencing on the property next door was too high and it was agreed that
the matter should be looked into. The Chairman asked the Councillors to take a
look at the fence and to comment at the next meeting. |
|
|
Annual
Parish Meeting - The Chairman read out the report that Cllr. Peacock had
prepared. After discussion, some amendments were made. Clerk to inform Cllr.
Peacock of the changes. Concern was expressed about whether the AGM had been
advertised correctly as a notice had not been put on the noticeboard. It was
reported that an genda had been put in the newsagents and on the website and
that notification of the meeting had been put in Stock Press, on the website
and was also advertised on the old noticeboard. It was agreed that the Clerk
should clarify the situation with EALC. Distribution of the Chairman's Report,
together with the notice advertising the Village Plan meeting on the 12th May,
was discussed and Cllr. Easton agreed to find out what the Post Office would
charge to deliver the leaflets on the Parish Council's behalf. Cllr. Elliott
said that she would be unable to deliver any leaflets as she would be on
holiday. Cllr. Grundy asked the Clerk to telephone Stock School clarifying
confirmation of the meeting to be held on the 12th May. |
| 1223. |
|
GENERAL
CORRESPONDENCE. |
|
a) |
The Chairman read out a letter that had been received from The Essex Waste
Management Advisory Board asking for comments on The Draft Joint Municipal
Waste Management Strategy for Essex. Comments due in by 10th June 2005. It was
agreed that no comments would be made on this document. |
|
b) |
Cllr. Otter
advised that she had sent in a letter regarding transport. |
|
c) |
Cllr. Otter
advised that she had received an invitation to Chelmsford Public Transport
Workshop on the 11th May. |
|
d) |
Cllr. Otter
read out her comments on the Chelmsford Borough's Local Development Framework -
Core Strategy Pre-Submission Stakeholder and Consultee Consultation. It was
agreed that these comments would be submitted to Chelmsford Borough Council.
Cllr. Otter advised that as a member of CPRE should had an interest but that it
was not prejudicial. |
|
e) |
The Chairman
read out an E-Mail that had been received from Roger Watling regarding wide
vehicles using Common Lane. After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk
would write to Essex County Council asking for a width restriction sign to be
erected on Common Lane. |
| 1224. |
|
PLANNING
MATTERS. |
|
|
The Chairman
read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council's
Planning Department giving the owners of Oak Cottage, 31 High Street,
permission for crown reduction of 20% (approximately 50cm), cut to a suitable
growing point, for the Holly in the front garden. |
|
|
The Chairman
read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council's
Planning Department giving the owners of Compass Green, High Street, permission
to remove secondary branches on the Ash back to main branch overhanging
boundary wall in the rear garden of Compass Green. Permission was also granted
to a crown reduction of 20% (approximately 1m) and shape over and cut to a
suitable growing point to the Bay in the front garden of Compass Green. |
|
|
Applications: |
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Chairman declared an interest.
The Parish Council had no comments to make. |
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council had no comments
to make. |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council objected to this
application as the original house approval was approved on the basis of being
an agricultural dwelling to support the nursery business. The Parish Council
strongly objected on the basis that this application has nothing to do with an
agricultural need. It is a new residential build in the green belt. |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council commented that
the applicant must comply with the CBC's guidelines on dormer guidelines. The
height of the building should not be altered. The front dormer sticks out like
'a sore thumb' and is not symmetrically placed above the front door or windows
and is out of character with this one storey bungalow. It directly overlooks
the rear of No. 55, which is in close proximity to the back garden causing loss
of privacy to No. 55. The Parish Council queried the distance between the front
of No. 57 and the rear garden of No. 55 as there is very little space. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Results:
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Refused. |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Refused. |
|
| 1225. |
|
FINANCE.
|
|
|
Parish
Councillor Allowances. |
|
|
The Clerk
advised that she had only received one letter from Cllr. Elliott who wished to
claim her entitlement. A payment of £113.00 for Basic Parish Allowance
together with £5.60 travel expenses was therefore paid and the Clerk
advised that it would be advertised as the regulations stated. All other
Councillors had written advising that they wished to forgo their entitlement to
any allowances due to them. |
| 101040 |
£612.85 |
Mrs
L.J.Green |
Salary 1.4.05 - 30.4.05
|
| 101041 |
£105.50 |
Inland Revenue
Only |
PAYE and N.I. |
| 101042 |
£56.14 |
Mrs L.J. Green
|
Expenses |
| 101043 |
£118.60 |
Mrs W. Elliott |
Basic Parish
Allowance |
| 101044 |
£365.74 |
EALC |
Annual
Subscription 2005/06 |
|
|
|
Transfer of
Funds - No transfers had been carried out. |
| 1226. |
|
BEST VALUE
GROUP REPORT. |
|
|
Traffic
Management - Nothing to report. |
|
|
Playground -
The Chairman showed the Parish Council a picture of the proposed
playground. Cllr. Elliott said that she was worried about the piece of play
equipment that was going by the fence. It was agreed that the equipment needed
to be made interesting for the children to play on. It was agreed that a
meeting needed to be arranged with the Cricket Club. Cllr. Grundy advised that
the Lottery Fund were going to make funds available for play areas. It was
agreed that the Clerk and Cllr. Peacock would look into this matter. |
| 1227. |
|
GRASS
CUTTING. |
|
|
The Chairman
read out a letter that had been received from Paul Williams of Blackwater
Landscapes. It was agreed that the hawthorn bush should be removed on the
Common opposite Birch Lane but that the Parish Council did not want chemicals
used in the pond. Clerk to write to Mr Williams. |
| 1228. |
|
BUS
SHELTERS. |
|
|
Nothing to report. |
| 1229. |
|
MAINTENANCE |
|
|
Cllr. Elliott
reported that the one of the posts outside the house next to The Hoop is
missing and that one post is bent. It was agreed that the Chairman would speak
to Wilben's about replacing the posts. |
|
|
It
was reported that the nameplate for `High Street' on the Almshouses had been
demolished in the ice and snow. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to
Essex County Council requesting a new sign |
| 1230. |
|
OPEN
SPACES. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
reported that posts have been put in the middle of the ditch line on the
Common. Cllr. Grundy agreed to make some enquiries to find out who had put them
there and for what reason. |
|
|
It was reported
that the builders of the new house at the Bakers Arms may be requesting
permission from Lord Petre to put a pathway across the ditch and onto the green
in Stock Road. It was agreed that the Parish Council opposed this strongly and
that the Clerk should write to Lord Petre opposing it and pointing out that the
grass area was of amenity value to the community. |
| 1231. |
|
ROAD SIGNS
AND FOOTPATHS |
|
|
Cllrs. Grundy
and Lusty reported that the sign at the end of Swan Lane is still broken and a
piece of the sign is still missing. The Chairman advised that Cllr. Peacock was
dealing with this matter. |
|
|
It was reported
that some posts were missing from around the Cock Car Park. It was agreed that
as the posts had been missing for some time the Clerk should write to the
owners asking them to replace the posts. |
|
|
Cllr. Elliott
advised that a resident had reported to her that Footpath 26 was nasty, boggy
and smelly. Cllr. Elliott had reported this to Chris Romer who was getting the
Environmental team to look into the matter. |
| 1232. |
|
VILLAGE HALL
REPORT. |
|
|
No meeting had
been held. |
| 1233. |
|
REPORT BY
CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLOR IAN GRUNDY. |
|
|
Cllr. Grundy
advised that he had spoken to P.C. Elmer who had given him the crime figures
for the area. In the first quarter there were 9 recorded incidents in Stock, 12
in Margaretting and 6 in West Hanningfield. Cllr. Grundy advised that P.C.
Elmer's police surgeries were going well. |
|
|
Cllr.Grundy
advised that Neigbourhood Watch was trying to be reinvigorated in Stock. |
|
|
Cllr. Grundy
advised that in the future planning applications would be E-Mailed to the
Parish Council and suggested using the grant from Essex County Council to
purchase a laptop computer and projector as the Parish Council would need a
facility to show the plans to the meeting. It was agreed that this idea would
be borne in mind. Cllr. Otter stated that this procedure was already starting
to happen. |
|
|
Cllr. Grundy
sent his apologies for not being able to attend the Annual Parish Meeting due
to the fact that he had a meeting at Chelmsford Borough Council that evening
|
| 1234. |
|
ESSEX RURAL
HOUSING TRUST |
|
|
Nothing to
report. |
| 1235. |
|
STOCK
VILLAGE APPRAISAL. |
|
|
Nothing to
report. |
| 1236. |
|
DATE OF THE
NEXT MEETING. |
|
|
The
next Meeting of the Parish Council is on Monday 23rd May 2005 at 7.30pm. |
| 1237. |
|
CLOSED
MEETING FOR OPENING TENDERS. |
|
|
The Clerk was
still awaiting quotations. The Chairman said that she still had to contact Carl
Swift to get quotations. It was agreed that the matter would be deferred until
the next meeting. |
|
|
The Chairman
advised that the cost of the play area had been increased but that Cllr.
Peacock had now placed the order. |
|
|
The Chairman
thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 9.45pm. |