| 1359 |
|
APOLOGIES
FOR ABSENCE. |
|
|
Cllr. Easton
sent her apologies, as she was unwell. |
| 1360. |
|
MINUTES OF
THE MEETING HELD ON 31ST OCTOBER 2005. |
|
|
Cllr. Elliott
asked for the last sentence of Minute 1343. Matters Arising From The Minutes,
The Larches, to read as follows `He advised that he had spoken to the Planning
Department. Amenities told him that they may have a suitable piece of
land'. |
|
|
The Minutes of
the Meeting, having been previously circulated, were then duly signed as a true
record of events. All agreed. |
| 1361 |
|
MATTERS
ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. |
|
|
Tree Warden
Scheme - Lynn Cameron of Chelmsford Borough Council had written advising
that the Tree Planting Grant had been approved. The Parish Council had
therefore received a grant of £62.60 towards the scheme. Cllr. Blackburn
had consulted with the residents regarding the trees at the end of Swan Lane.
Cllr. Blackburn had decided to plant Japanese Cherry trees. He said he could
order 5 and plant one in The Square. Cllr. Otter stated that she asked for a
copy of the tree planting scheme at the last meeting, which she had not yet
received and was horrified to see it printed as agreed in Stock Press. The
Chairman apologised for the oversight and agreed to E-mail a copy to all
Councillors. Cllr.Blackburn read out the scheme and it was agreed. |
|
|
The Larches
- The Chairman had spoken to the Planning Department to see what their
views were about The Larches. They were interested in other possibilities i.e.
the land between Stock and Billericay that Strutt and Parker have for sale and
the piece of land on the other side of Crondon Park Lane opposite Greenwoods.
The Planners were going to look at the other alternatives. The Chairman said he
would speak to the Planners and arrange a site visit to get their preference on
the land in question. The Chairman said he would have a meeting with Greenwoods
to discuss the piece of land that they own. |
|
|
Noticeboards
- The Planning Department had agreed to the noticeboard for the top of Swan
Lane. Chairman was now waiting for a quotation. It was agreed that the Chairman
could order the noticeboard. Cllr. Elliott reported that the noticeboard in
Back Lane had fallen off its posts and that a parishioner had put it back up.
The Chairman advised that Bob Hale was going to put new poles into the ground
this week. |
|
|
Cleaning
Road Signs, Grass Verges, Bottom of Well Lane, Black and White Posts in
Smallgains Lane, Level of Traffic at the High Street End of Common Road and
Roadside Obstructions in the Village - Chairman to take list of matters to
meeting with Highways Department. |
|
|
Grant from
Essex County Council - Cllr. Watling advised that an electric screen would
cost between £125.00 and £150.00 and the projector would cost
£1,200.00. Cllr. Williams advised that the Village Hall Management
Committee had agreed to putting the screen up in the Village Hall. Chairman and
Cllr. Watling to discuss further regarding positioning and electric
sockets. |
|
|
Re-tarring
and Stoning Common Lane, Common Road, The Square and Birch Lane - To-date a
reply had not been received. The Chairman said that he would take this matter
to the meeting he was having with the Highways Department. |
|
|
Request for
Attention to Street Nameplate outside Almshouses - The Clerk advised that
Chelmsford Borough Council had now ordered the sign. |
|
|
Sign at end
of Swan Lane - The quotation had been received from Ingatestone Forge and
the Chairman had placed the order. |
|
|
Streetlight
No. 813154 opposite The Old Rectory - Mr Crossley of Essex County Council
advised that the work had been carried out on the 21st November 2005. Cllr.
Tully to check to see if work has been done. |
|
|
Doggy Bins -
Bob Hale dealing with matter. |
|
|
Tree at the
zebra crossing - Chairman to speak to Mr Fox. |
|
|
Replacement
tree for the Common - It was agreed that a flowering cherry should replace
the Hawthorn. Cllr. Williams disagreed with this decision. |
|
|
Stock United
Football Club - Cllr. Grundy had had a meeting with Stock F.C. at which
they re-emphasised the points already discussed. Cllr. Grundy gave the football
club details of sources of funds they could apply for in order to get a new
ground. Stock F.C. are currently in discussions with Mrs Ray. Cllr. Grundy
suggested to Stock F.C. that they publish a newsletter and put it on the
website. Cllr. Grundy stated that if the Parish Council purchased a piece of
land for the community then grants can be obtained and a football pitch could
be put onto the land. |
|
|
Stock
Cricket Club - The Chairman had drafted the sign and had sent it off for a
quotation. Chairman had also written to Stock Cricket Club. |
|
|
Litter Bin at Chelmsford bound bus shelter - Bob Hale
dealing with matter. |
|
|
Post outside
the Paddocks - Work has been completed. |
|
|
Benches for
Children's Play Area - Cllr. Williams to look at brochure and place
order |
|
|
Overgrown
hedges at the T junction at the end of Mill Road where it meets Downham Road
- Clerk to write to Mr and Mrs Nation of Cornerfields asking them to cut
the hedges back. |
| 1362. |
|
GENERAL
CORRESPONDENCE. |
|
|
The
following letters were read out:- |
|
a) |
Tim Gardiner,
Public Rights of Way Officer, at Essex County Council regarding money available
to carry out P3 activities in the area for any projects in the remainder of the
financial year. Cllr. Johnson agreed to take over the responsibility of
footpaths if she could get someone to assist her. She suggested asking Cllr.
Easton. Cllr. Grundy advised that a parishioner had offered their services to
assist with footpaths to Essex County Council. It was agreed that Cllr. Grundy
would put the person in touch with Cllr. Johnson. |
|
b) |
Martyn Wild,
Neighbourhood Co-Ordinator, from Chelmer Housing Partnership regarding
Partnership Working. |
|
c) |
Essex Country
Council regarding Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Town and County (Local
Development) (England) Regulations 2004. Documents enclosed were Draft
Statement of Community Involvement and Essex Minerals Development. |
|
d) |
Brentwood Borough Council enclosing their Draft Statement of
Community Involvement. |
| 1363. |
|
PLANNING
MATTERS. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
had written to the Clerk advising that she no longer wished to be one of the
designated Councillors that the Clerk's uses to discuss plans under her
delegated power. Cllr. Elliott proposed Cllr. Tully, which was seconded by
Cllr. Johnson. |
|
|
The Planning
Inspectorate had dismissed the appeal by Mr and Mrs N. Giblin regarding the
site at Rosa Penna, Stock Lane. |
|
|
The Chairman
had requested that the Clerk write to the Planning Department asking whether
the owners of the Bakers Arms have complied with the provision of the plan for
car parking on what was the 'petanque' playing area. To-date no reply had been
received. |
|
|
Applications: |
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council commented that
they supported the previous refusal by Chelmsford Borough Council. The latest
plans are increased in height and bulk. This urbanises the rural aspect of the
Common. Its roofline is too high for the location. This property overlooks the
Common. There is limited access for contractor vehicles. This is effectively
turning the original bungalow into a two storey house. This is detrimental to
the character of the Common and the lane. |
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Comments due by 25th November 2005.
Under the Clerk's delegated power, and after consultation with Cllrs. Johnson,
Elliott and Williams, the Parish Council had no comments to make. |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council commented that
it will be detrimental to preserving the character of the Conservation Area. It
is over development of a listed building in a Conservation Area. It reduces the
potential for off street parking on a relatively dangerous and busy bend. |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council commented that
it will be detrimental to preserving the character of the Conservation Area. It
is over development of a listed building in a Conservation Area. It reduces the
potential for off street parking on a relatively dangerous and busy bend. |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council had no comments
to make. |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council had no comments
to make. |
|
|
|
Results:
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Approved |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Approved subject to a Unilateral
Undertaking under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 |
|
| Applications for Works to be carried out on trees in
Conservation Area and trees that have Tree Preservation Orders. |
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Tree Warden had no comments to
make. .Approved |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Approved. |
|
|
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Approved. |
|
| Application No |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Approved. |
|
| 1364. |
|
LOCAL
DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK AND CHELMSFORD AREA ACTION PLAN (AAP) PREFERRED OPTION
DOCUMENT. |
|
|
The relevant
documents had been received. One set of comments had been received from John
Pardon whose main concern was Temple Farm. Chairman to E-mail copy of Mr
Pardon's comments to all Councillors. The main concerns of the Parish Council
were Temple Farm, Highways and to support the green belt policy. Cllr. Grundy
advised that all households will be receiving a copy of Life from Chelmsford
Borough Council together with a questionnaire. Cllr. Otter stated that West
Hanningfield were also concerned about Temple Farm. Cllr. Elliott suggested
contacting other parishes to get their comments. Chairman to circulate
documents to all Councillors in order that comments can be made at next meeting
and E-mailed to Chelmsford Borough Council on the 20th December. |
| 1365. |
|
FINANCE.
|
|
|
Village Hall
Car Park - The Clerk advised that a cheque for £6,930.00 had been
received from the Village Hall as a donation towards the car park. |
|
|
Annual
Donations. The Chairman advised that letters had been received from All
Saints' Church and Our Lady & St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church Parish
Council requesting their annual grants from Stock Parish Council. It was agreed
that a churchyard grant of £200.00 would be made to All Saints Church and
£75.00 to Our Lady & St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church Parish Council.
It was agreed that the grant to All Saints Church would be reviewed next year
as the Parish Council pay for the churchyard grass cutting. Letters had also
been received from The Tweedy Charity and Stock Press requesting their annual
donation. It was agreed that this year's donation to The Tweedy Charity would
be for £150.00 and the donation to Stock Press would be for £50.00.
It was agreed that the Clerk should ask Stock Press for a copy of their
accounts. A donation of £200.00 was also approved for Essex Air
Ambulance. All of these payments were made under Section 137. |
|
|
Cheques to
be Signed - The following cheques were approved for payment and
signed: |
| 101094 |
£613.54 |
Mrs
L.J.Green |
Salary 1.11.05 - 30.11.05
|
| 101095 |
£104.81 |
Inland Revenue
Only |
PAYE and N.I |
| 101096 |
£97.66 |
Mrs L.J.
Green |
Expenses |
| 101097 |
£212.00 |
Mr. P.H. Williams |
Grass Cutting
October |
| 101098 |
£
18.00 |
Royal British Legion Stock |
Poppy
Wreath |
| 101099 |
£150.00 |
Tweedy Charity |
Annual
Donation |
| 101100 |
£200.00 |
All Saints Church |
Annual
Donation |
| 101101 |
£75.00 |
Our Lady & St. Joseph R.C.Church |
Annual
Donation |
| 101102 |
£200.00 |
Essex Air Ambulance |
Annual
Donation |
| 101103 |
£50.00 |
Stock Press |
Annual
Donation |
| 101104 |
£49.04 |
British Telecommunications Plc |
Office
Telephone |
|
|
|
Transfer of
Funds - No transfers have been carried out. |
|
|
Precept and
Budget for 2006/07 - The Clerk had prepared the Budget and circulated
copies to the Councillors prior to the meeting. It was agreed that the Precept
for 2006 should remain at £30,000.00. |
| 1366 |
|
BEST VALUE
GROUP REPORT. |
|
|
Traffic
Management - The Chairman is due to have a meeting with Norman Robinson on
Wednesday. The Chairman advised that the speed and traffic volume results from
the last speed loops did not make very pleasant reading and that they had
hardly changed. Chairman to E-mail a copy of results to all Councillors. |
|
|
Playground -
Chairman to organise Wicksteed Inspection |
| 1367 |
|
GRASS
CUTTING. |
|
|
The Chairman
read out a letter that had been received from Mr Williams of Blackwater
Landscapes regarding removing the lower branches and cutting back the suckers
from around the base of the trunks on various trees that he feels need
attention in order to make cutting and strimming around them easier. The Clerk
had passed the letter to Cllr. Blackburn who was arranging to meet Mr Williams
to discuss the matter further. The cost for carrying out the work would be
£262.00. Cllr. Blackburn had met Mr Williams to see what he proposed to
do. Cllr. Elliott gave Cllr. Blackburn a copy of the Conservation Area map to
photocopy. Cllr. Blackburn advised that permission needed to be sought from
Chelmsford Borough Council to cut the overhanging branches on the tree outside
the Almshouses. After discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council wished
to preserve the look of the tree outside the Almshouses. The Chairman asked all
Councillors to look at the trees mentioned and report back at the next
meeting |
| 1368. |
|
BUS SHELTERS. |
|
|
Cllr. Watling
enquired about the electronic bus time signs. After discussion it was agreed
that Cllr. Otter would get a plan |
| 1369 |
|
MAINTENANCE |
|
|
Cllr. Elliott asked the Clerk to write to the owners of Harvard
East asking them to trim the entrance on the right hand side, which is covered
in ivy. |
|
|
Cllr. Elliott
reported that the bit by the wall outside Greenwoods is very overgrown. The
Clerk was asked to write to Greenwoods regarding the matter. |
| 1370 |
|
OPEN
SPACES. |
|
|
Nothing to
report |
| 1371 |
|
ROAD SIGNS
AND FOOTPATHS |
|
|
Nothing to
report |
| 1372 |
|
REPORT BY
CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLOR IAN GRUNDY. |
|
|
Cllr. Grundy
advised that he had attended a police strategy meeting recently and that he
would chase his contact regarding getting a replacement Community Police
Officer for Stock. The Chairman said he would also speak to Sgt Cronin about
the matter. |
|
|
Cllr. Grundy
stated that as the Parish Council had paid a lot of money towards the Village
Hall Car Park he felt that residents should therefore be able to use it. A
discussion was held and it was decided that it would be difficult to
police. |
|
|
Cllr. Grundy
asked whether there was any news about the newsagents. Cllr. Tully advised that
the Post Office were going to take on the newspapers. The Parish Council were
very concerned that the shop had closed. |
| 1373 |
|
ESSEX RURAL
HOUSING TRUST |
|
|
A letter had
been received from Anne Bishop, Area Programme Manager, at The Rural Housing
Trust. She advised that they had carried out a thorough investigation of the
site - ecological, landscape and contamination risk assessments, detailed
examination of possible badger presence (which has been active for several
years) and a topographical survey. Before Christmas one of Mrs Bishop's
colleagues will be discussing the latest sketch plans with CBC planners and
once they are further advanced with detailed design, Mrs Bishop will be in
touch again to send the plans and to book a date for the Village Information
Day. The scheme has also been submitted to the Housing Corporation for funding
and the Rural Housing Association will know if they have been successful in the
New Year. |
|
|
A further
letter had been received advising that the Planners at Chelmsford Borough
Council require a further redesign. The Planners mentioned that they have to be
certain that this site is the only suitable and available one for a scheme such
as The Rural Housing Trust's. Mrs Bishop was writing again to Mr Hoy to make
sure that he was not interested in providing some land. Mr Hoy's site and the
one they are working on in Back Lane are the only two preferred by the
Planners. It was agreed that the Clerk should send a copy of Mrs Bishop's
letter to Mr Hoy. |
| 1374 |
|
STOCK
VILLAGE ACTION PLAN. |
|
|
The Chairman
advised that the proposed dates were 13th and 14th January in the small hall in
the Village Hall. A meeting needed to be arranged with Michelle Gardiner before
Christmas to finalise the details of the meeting to be held in January. |
| 1375. |
|
PASSENGER
TRANSPORT. |
|
|
Cllr. Otter
advised that she had received two notices regarding the road closure at Church
Road, West Hanningfield. Cllr. Otter asked for a copy to go on the noticeboard
and website. |
|
|
Cllr. Otter had
received a notice sheet informing her that the completion date for the Park and
Ride would be March 2006. |
|
|
Cllr Otter had
attended a Passenger transport meeting. She advised that she was still pursuing
the matter of bus passes for children attending Mayflower School who did not
qualify for free transport. |
|
|
The Government
Budget advised that from April 2006 there would be free bus travel for disabled
and people of pensionable age. The Borough Council is responsible for providing
this service. The current fare concessions are available countywide. For the
new free bus travel to be available countywide agreement has to be reached
between all the District/ Borough Councils in Essex and currently discussions
are taking place regarding this provision. The outcome of the talks will
determine whether the concession will apply just within the borough or cover
the whole County. Cllr. Otter had asked Cllr Grundy to lobby Chelmsford Borough
Council to provide for the Essex concession. Cllr Grundy said that he would
take up the matter with the relevant Cabinet Member and report back to the
meeting. It was agreed that this item should be left on the Agenda for the next
meeting. |
|
|
Cllr. Otter had attended a very interesting Railway Seminar
regarding trains across Essex. |
| 1376. |
|
DATE OF THE
NEXT MEETING |
|
|
The next
Meeting of the Parish Council is on Monday 19th December 2005 at 7.30pm. |
| 1377 |
|
CLOSED
MEETING FOR OPENING TENDERS. |
|
|
Posts on the
Common and new planks and paint for railway seat - Bob Hale dealing with
matter |
|
|
Pond at
Thornton Place - S.D. Landscapes had advised that there was a high nitrate
level and that the bottom of the pond needed clearing out and new plants be put
in that would oxygenate the water. It was decided that a second opinion should
be sought and Cllr. Johnson agreed to organise this. |
|
|
Church Car
Park - S.D. Landscapes advised that large vehicles are causing the problem
and that without changing the surface of the car park not a great deal can be
done. Their only suggestion would be to install a height restriction frame at
the entrance but the Parish Council did not approve of this. It was agreed that
the Chairman should ask them to quote to repair the car park, tidy up the
edging and redistribute the stones. |
|
|
Drain
outside the Almshouses - S.D. Landscapes advised that the drains currently
installed are the incorrect type, positioned poorly and installed badly. The
correct type of drains should be installed across the entrance to the private
road, across the gravel road and into the green and at the opposite end of the
gravel road another drain running into the green. The quotation was discussed
and it was agreed that the work should be carried out. |
|
|
The Chairman
thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 10.10pm. |
|
|
|
|
|
|