| 1262 |
|
APOLOGIES
FOR ABSENCE. |
|
|
None |
| 1263. |
|
MINUTES OF
THE MEETING HELD ON 23RD MAY 2005. |
|
|
The Minutes of
the Meeting, having been previously circulated, were then duly signed as a true
record of events. All agreed. |
|
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PARISH
COUNCILLOR CASUAL VACANCY. |
|
|
The Chairman
read out a letter from Chelmsford Borough Council confirming that there had not
been a request for an Election. Therefore the Parish Council could now follow
the procedure for co-opting a new Councillor. The Chairman advised that he had
put an advert for the position on the noticeboard and on the web-site. Anyone
interested needs to send the Clerk a document no longer than A4 describing
themselves, why they want to be a Councillor and what skills they can bring to
the Parish Council. The closing date for applications is the 11th July, after
which date the Clerk will circulate a copy of each application to each Parish
Councillor in order for them to make their decision as to who to vote for. The
Chairman advised that the voting would take place at the meeting to be held on
25th July and would be a formal Agenda item. He explained that each applicant
will be invited to speak for a couple of minutes and give a précis. The
Chairman stressed that no discussion about applicants must be made and that all
documents must be returned to the Clerk to be destroyed. The Chairman reported
that there were possibly 4 candidates interested in the vacancy. Cllr. Williams
advised that she would not be able to attend the next meeting. It was agreed
that the Clerk should contact EALC to see what the procedure would be if Cllr.
Williams was not present to vote. |
| 1264 |
|
MATTERS
ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. |
|
|
Tree Warden
Scheme - Nothing to report. |
|
|
The Larches
- Nothing to report. |
|
|
Blackboard
Advertisement Boards - To-date no reply had been received. Cllr. Lusty
reported that there were still about five or six boards, which were sitting on
the greensward and not on the forecourt. It was agreed that the Clerk would
chase the matter up with the Enforcement Officer. |
|
|
Blackboard
Advertisement Boards - To-date no reply had been received. Cllr. Lusty reported
that there were still about five or six boards, which were sitting on the
greensward and not on the forecourt. It was agreed that the Clerk would chase
the matter up with the Enforcement Officer. |
|
|
Noticeboards
- Nothing to report. |
|
|
Ditch around
the Common - Cllr. Johnson said she had still not heard from Willben's so
would chase the matter up. |
|
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EALC -
County and Parish Working Together For the Future of Essex - Nothing
further to report. |
|
|
Churchyard
- Cllr. Elliott reported that the churchyard is in a disgusting state and
looks like a hayfield. She advised that the grass cutters had left the cut
grass behind. She stated that the grass needs cutting more often. It was agreed
that the Clerk would speak to the Chairman about the matter. |
|
|
Cleaning
Road Signs - Chairman dealing with matter. |
|
|
Grass Verges
- Chairman dealing with matter. |
|
|
The
Standards Board of England - A Code For The Future - It was reported that
Councillors had still not received the forms. Clerk to speak to Chairman about
matter. |
|
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Bottom of
Well Lane - Chairman dealing with matter. |
|
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Black and
White Posts in Smallgains Lane - Chairman dealing with matter |
|
|
Level of Traffic at the High Street End of Common Road -
Chairman dealing with matter. |
|
|
Grant from
Essex County Council - The Clerk advised that the Chairman and herself
still needed to look into the purchase of the laptop computer and
projector. |
|
|
Roadside
Obstructions in the Village - Chairman dealing with matter. |
|
|
Wide
Vehicles Using Common Lane - The Clerk read out a letter that had been
received from the Area Highway Manager at Essex County Council. They advised
that they were willing to erect an 'Unsuitable for wide vehicles' sign at the
junction of Common Lane and Mill Road. This should help reduce the amount of
large vehicles attempting to use this lane. However, service vehicles will
still require access to the various properties at this location, therefore
where possible encouragement should be given by the householders to any known
supplier to use a smaller vehicle when visiting. |
|
|
Cllr. Elliott
asked the Clerk to write to Essex County Council requesting that Common Lane is
re-tarred and stoned as well as Common Road and The Square. It was reported
that The Square and Common Road were very dangerous for bikes and pedestrians.
It was agreed that the Clerk would write a letter and Cllr. Grundy said he
would also look into the matter. Cllr. Williams asked for Birch Lane to also be
added to the list. |
|
|
Missing Posts outside The Hoop - Cllr. Johnson said she had
still not heard from Willben's so would chase the matter up. Cllr. Williams
said that the posts and chains needed painting. Cllr. Elliott reported that
outside Lynfield House one of the posts is on its side. Cllr. Johnson said she
would ask Willben's to quote for these jobs as well. |
|
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Request for
Attention to Street Nameplate outside Almshouses - Nothing to report. |
|
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Sign at end
of Swan Lane - The Clerk advised that the Chairman was looking into the
matter. |
|
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Missing
Posts around Cock Car Park - Nothing further to report. |
|
|
Footpath 26 - The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Mr
Romer who had advised her that it would not appear to be a sewerage problem but
bank erosion so therefore he had not reported it to the Environmental Health
Department. Mr Romer said that his team were too busy during the Summer months
with cutting to attend to this type of maintenance and would look at it in the
Autumn. |
|
|
Footpath
from Buttsbury Farm to Whites Wood - Cllr. Elliott advised that nothing had
been changed and that Mr Whybra would not be trespassing if he walked the
Footpath. |
|
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Rights of
Access across and parking along the High Street between The Paddocks and
Compass Green - The Clerk advised that she had written to Lord Petre but
had not received a reply to-date. |
|
|
Streetlight
No. 813154 opposite The Old Rectory - The Clerk advised that she had
written to Mr Crossley reporting that there was no shade on the light and that
ivy was crawling over the lamp next to it, on the right hand side of the High
Street as you go towards Billericay. Cllr. Tully agreed to look to see if the
work had been carried out. |
| 1266. |
|
GENERAL
CORRESPONDENCE. |
|
a) |
The Clerk read
out a letter received from Chelmsford Borough Council Licensing Officer with
regard to the Entertainment Licensing for Stock Village Hall. It was agreed
that the Parish Council had no objections to this application. |
|
b) |
The Clerk read
out a letter received from Little Baddow Parish Council regarding some chairs
they were disposing of. The matter was discussed and it was decided that the
Village Hall and Rectory Hall did not require any more chairs. |
|
c) |
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council thanking
the Parish Council for their comments with regard to the Pre-Submission
Stakeholder Consultation: Core Strategy. |
|
d) |
The Clerk
advised that she had received a telephone call from Mr Arunberg asking for the
Parish Council's permission to paint the whole building back and front at 16
-18 Mill Road white. Mr Arunberg advised that the fish shop would not be
painted but would remain brick. Work to be started in July. The Parish Council
agreed to this request. |
|
e) |
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received regarding ECC Hanningfield Awards 2005. It
was agreed that the document should be handed to the Unity Group. Cllr. Johnson
agreed to pass the document to Julia Seaman. |
|
f) |
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council regarding
an Awards Programme to recognise and reward residents and local organisations
involved in voluntary environmental improvement activities. It was agreed that
the notice should be put on the noticeboard and on the website. |
|
g) |
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received from Charles Whiting Solicitors regarding
the Application for Transfer of Licence for The Bear Public House. |
|
h) |
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received from DEFRA regarding the Clean
Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. |
|
i) |
The
Clerk read out a letter that had been received from PC Elmer advising that he
had been posted to Chelmsford on a new investigative unit. Cllr. Grundy
suggested writing a letter to the Chief Inspector with a copy to P.C. Elmer
advising that P.C. Elmer had done a good job and established a presence. The
Parish Council have appreciated P.C. Elmer's presence and support and are sorry
to see him go after such a short time. The Parish Council are disappointed that
there has been no replacement since P.C. Elmer's departure and would be
interested to know when Stock will get a replacement Officer. |
|
j) |
Cllr. Otter
asked the Clerk to query the position with regards to anonymous letters with
Chelmsford Borough Council as she had a leaflet which stated that anonymous
letters cannot be taken into account and will not be made available for public
inspection for planning. |
| 1267 |
|
PLANNING
MATTERS. |
|
|
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received from the Planning Inspectorate advising
that the Appeal by Mr Tant for the site at 18 Birch Lane had been
dismissed. |
|
|
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received from the Planning Inspectorate advising
that the Appeal by Mr & Mrs K. Squibb for the site at The Hawthorns,
Adjacent to Fairfields, Marigold Lane, had been dismissed. |
|
|
The Clerk read
out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council's Planning
Department giving Christ Church, High Street, permission to carry out works to
Yew trees to prevent damage to the church. Permission was granted to trim back
by max 2m to suitable growing points and clean stem of all epicormic growth on
the Yew adjacent to the driveway/rear car park. Permission was granted to trim
back by max 2m to suitable growing points and clean stem of all epicormic
growth on the four Yews adjacent to the driveway and side elevation of the
church. Permission was also granted to remove all dead wood from the Ash within
the curtilage of Christ Church rear car park. |
|
|
Applications: |
|
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council commented that
it was visually intrusive, inappropriate development in the green belt and it
would destroy the balance of the semi-detached cottages. |
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council had no comments
to make. |
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Chairman advised that a letter
that had been received from Mr and Mrs Gallifant objecting to the application.
Cllr. Otter declared a prejudicial interest and left the room. The Parish
Council unanimously objected to this application. The Parish Council commented
that this application does not comply with CBC Residential Design Guidance for
roof and side extensions or Essex Design Guide. The proposed development is out
of keeping with the surrounding development. It is disproportionate in size and
height. It destroys the existing landscaping. It would have a severe adverse
impact on neighbouring property. It does not meet requirements for parking for
a 6 bedroomed house. There is no landscaping plan. |
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council commented that
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 |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council commented that
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 |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council had no comments
to make. |
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Parish Council commented that
this is over development and effectively a new build. It appears to be extended
at the front, which is not acknowledged in the application. It would have an
adverse impact on neighbouring property. |
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| The Chairman and Cllr. Tully
declared an interest. The Parish Council commented that it is visually
intrusive and detracts from the open aspect. There are potential car parking
problems. The extension is larger than is recommended for Green Belt. |
|
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Cllr. Johnson declared an interest.
The Parish Council had no comments to make. |
|
|
|
Results:
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Approved. |
|
|
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Approved. |
|
|
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Approved. |
|
|
|
| Application |
| Location: |
| Applicant: |
| Approved. |
|
| 1268. |
|
FINANCE.
|
|
|
The Chairman
advised that he had received the invoice from Willben's for the church car park
but that he had charged VAT even though he was not VAT registered. The Chairman
said that he would speak to Peter Bentley about the matter. Cllr. Lusty said
that he thought the church car park had been done very badly. Other complaints
had also been received so the Chairman said that he would speak to Willben's
about the matter. |
|
|
Grant to
Stock F.C. - The Chairman reported that he had had a meeting with the
Football Club. He said it was a shame for them to move out of the village and
that it would be difficult for them to find a pitch outside the area. The
Chairman advised that 20% of the club membership came from the village. The
Chairman therefore suggested a grant of 20% of what the Football Club were
being charged which amounted to £200.00. |
| The Chairman
also suggested that the Parish Council pay for the cutting of the pitch. The
Chairman advised that the Clerk had spoken to somebody in Chelmsford Borough
Council's Leisure and Sports facilities and that he was going to speak to her
to see if something could be progressed with the land at Greenwoods or The
Larches. Cllrs. Otter and Lusty felt that the Parish Council were setting a
precedent. Cllr. Otter felt that that other groups needed help in the village
such as the Scouts and felt that the Football Club should be encouraged to be
fund raising like other organisations. Cllr. Otter asked what the Football Club
are doing for the village. The Chairman said that he felt the youth of Stock
should be in Stock but at present they are travelling to Ingatestone. The
Chairman advised that the Football Club hope they can meet the outstanding
£800.00 by increasing their fees and sub-letting the pitch. It was agreed
that a one off grant for the upcoming season would be made due to the
exceptional circumstances and that the Parish Council would pay for the grass
cutting. The Chairman said that he would speak to Mr Williams to get a quote
for cutting the pitch and would also ask the Football Club to get a quotation
from their grass cutter. It was also agreed that the Football Club should be
asked for a report every other meeting of what is happening and what fund
raising they are doing. |
| Cheques to
be Signed - The following cheques were approved for payment and
signed: |
| 101056 |
£613.53 |
Mrs
L.J.Green |
Salary 1.6.05 -
30.6.05 |
| 101057 |
£104.82 |
Inland Revenue
Only |
PAYE and N.I. |
| 101058 |
£
69.16 |
Mrs L.J. Green
|
Expenses |
| 101059 |
£345.00 |
Mr
P. Williams |
Grass Cutting
May |
| 101060 |
£1,500.00 |
Stock Village Hall |
Office Rental
from 1.7.04 - 31.12.05 |
| 101061 |
£50.00 |
RCCE |
Annual
Subscription |
| 101062 |
£95.00 |
Ash Skip Hire |
Hire of skip
for pond clearance |
|
|
|
Transfer of
Funds - On the 22nd June £10,000.00 had been transferred from the
Base Rate Tracker account to the Business Reserve account. On the 22nd June
2005 notice had been given to transfer £4,000.00 from the Business
Reserve Account to the Current account. Transfer due to take place on 29th June
2005. |
|
|
Audit of
Accounts for 2004/05 - The Clerk advised that the accounts were being sent
to Lubbock Fine tomorrow to be audited. |
| 1269 |
|
BEST VALUE
GROUP REPORT. |
|
|
Traffic
Management - Nothing to report |
|
|
Playground
- Cllr. Elliott stated that a meeting should have been held with the
Cricket Club, Wicksteed, Cllr. Peacock and herself to discuss the positioning
of the equipment but that it was too late now as the work had started. |
| 1270 |
|
GRASS
CUTTING. |
|
|
Cllr. Elliott
reported that the Common had not been cut on the 18th or 25th June. Cllr.
Elliott advised that she had tried to contact Mr Williams to no avail. Cllr.
Elliott agreed to try and contact him again. |
| 1271. |
|
BUS SHELTERS. |
|
|
Nothing to
report. |
| 1272. |
|
MAINTENANCE |
|
|
Cllr. Elliott reported that she had received a request for a doggy
bin in Back Lane as you go into Dakyn Drive. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
suggested a doggy bin be put by the gate to the football field. |
|
|
The Chairman
and Cllr. Lusty said that Swan Lane was a dreadful mess and a doggy bin was
needed by the litter bin at the entrance to Swan Woods. |
|
|
It was agreed
that the Clerk should order three doggy bins with posts and arrange for someone
to erect them. Cllr. Otter suggested purchasing green bins rather than red. It
was agreed that the Clerk would look in the brochure. |
|
|
Cllr. Johnston
asked the Clerk to order more doggy bags. |
| 1273. |
|
OPEN
SPACES. |
|
|
Nothing to
report. |
| 1274. |
|
ROAD SIGNS
AND FOOTPATHS |
|
|
Nothing to
report. |
| 1275. |
|
VILLAGE HALL
REPORT. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
advised that she had not attended the AGM but that the Secretary of the Village
Hall had given her a resume of the meeting. |
|
|
Cllr. Williams
reported that as the Parish Council had put up a new noticeboard in the Square
they assumed that one would not now be put in the Village Hall. Cllr. Williams
advised that the estimated cost for the car park was £12,000.00 and that
the Management Committee would pay 60% and the Parish Council, with their
approval, pay 40%. Cllr. Williams advised that there were on-going problems
with the drains, which could cost between £6,000.00 to £10,000.00
to repair, and that advice was being sought from Consultants. Cllr. Williams
reported that the Farmers Markets were booked for all of 2006. Cllr. Williams
advised that all Officers remained the same for another year. |
| 1276. |
|
REPORT BY
CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLOR IAN GRUNDY. |
|
|
Cllr. Grundy
reported that the pavements in Myln Meadow were being replaced. He advised that
a man from the Council had been in the village putting down weedkiller. Cllr.
Grundy also reported that the High Street verges had been cut back. Cllr.
Grundy reported that Chelmsford Borough Council are holding a Play Tennis Day
on the 9th July to support tennis. He advised that Stock Tennis Club are
involved in the day. Cllr. Grundy advised that recycling had been in the
national news which affects Chelmsford Borough Council who are promoting it and
it is going very well. Cllr. Grundy reported that work is now been carried out
on the Chelmsford Town Centre Master Plan and that workshops are being held in
July. He advised that issues to be discussed included transport, land use etc
which is all leading up to the Local Development Plan. Cllr. Grundy also
advised that an Old People's Information Day was being held. |
| 1277 |
|
ESSEX RURAL
HOUSING TRUST |
|
|
Cllr. Johnston
read out a letter that had been received from Anne Bishop giving an update on
the progress on the proposed Affordable Housing Scheme in Stock. Mrs Bishop
advised that her colleague is continuing to discuss the proposed layout with
planners at Chelmsford Borough Council and he has commissioned their normal
ecological surveys on the site. The Rural Housing Trust's Architect has been
instructed to proceed with detailed design work and they are working towards
having the proposed plans and layouts ready to show the Parish Council before
displaying them to the village at the Village Information Day (VID). The Rural
Housing Trust will be submitting the scheme for funding from the Housing
Corporation in the normal way later this year. It was agreed that the letter
should be passed to Cllr. Peacock in order that he could liaise with Geoff
Tully and Rural Housing Trust to organise a date for the VID. It was suggested
that the meeting be held either before the school breaks up for their holidays
or after they return back to school |
| 1278. |
|
STOCK
VILLAGE ACTION PLAN. |
|
|
It was agreed
that the Clerk would speak to Cllr. Peacock to see if he had spoken to Michelle
Gardiner of RCCE. |
| 1279. |
|
DATE OF THE
NEXT MEETING. |
|
|
The next
Meeting of the Parish Council is on Monday 25th July 2005 at 7.15pm. |
| 1280. |
|
CLOSED MEETING FOR OPENING TENDERS. |
|
|
Nothing to
discuss. |
|
|
The Chairman
thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 10.05pm. |