STOCK PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2001
AT STOCK VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30PM.
Present: Cllrs. Mr & Mrs Elliott, Peacock, Tully, Lusty & Williams
In The Chair: Cllr. Johnson
Minute Secretary: Lorraine Green
Also Present: Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer, Peter Bentley and 5 Members of the Public
396. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Cllrs. Tant & Webb sent their apologies.
397. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.
Cllr. Lusty asked that in the Minute 391 (d) the word Carers was replaced by Cares. Cllr. W. Elliott advised that in Minute 389 Litter Bins the word ‘replaced’ should be substituted with ‘sited’. The Clerk asked the Chairman to change the numbering of the Minutes as they were numbered the same as the previous month’s Minutes. The Minutes of the last Meeting, having been previously circulated, were then duly signed as a true record of events. All agreed.
398. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
Minute 378 & 388
from Wickstead for £325.50 which was to supply and fit the new chains and swings. Wicksteed confirmed that the work would commence within 6-8 weeks of receipt of the order. All the Councillors agreed for the works to be carried out. Cllr. M. Elliott asked the Clerk to write to Wicksteed confirming the order.
Minute 375, 378 & 388. Any Other Business
The Chairman read out a letter that had been received from Mr Rackham at Chelmsford Borough Council advising that the areas in Swan Lane/Mill Road and Birch Lane were going to be inspected and remedial works carried out as necessary.
The Chairman read out a letter that she had received from the Planning Enforcement Officer at Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the advertisement boards being displayed in the Cock Car Park. The Chairman advised that the officer had gone on holiday and had asked her to monitor the situation and keep a note of how many notices were being displayed. She asked the other Councillors to help her in this matter. Cllr. Lusty asked the Clerk to write a letter back asking on what authority of planning consent is there deemed consent on these two advertisements.
Minute 395. Any Other Business.
The Chairman advised that the Clerk had spoken to Chelmsford Borough Council regarding Downham Road and that she was awaiting an E-Mail confirming the situation.
The Chairman advised that the Clerk had spoken to the Electricity Board regarding the cuttings that had been left behind at the top of Birch Lane. As the service is carried out free of charge it is the reponsibility of the land owner to arrange the removal of the cuttings. The Clerk was asked to write to Mrs Raeburn asking her to remove the cuttings.
The Christmas Tree was kindly donated by Mr F. Harnett of the Piggeries. Lights would be purchased by Mr Elliott at a cost of approximately £40.00. The Chairman had also had a quotation for £49.99 for lights.
399. BEST VALUE GROUP REPORT.
Traffic Management - Nothing to report.
Playground – The Chairman read out a letter received from Colin Tant advising that the governing body at the School were not prepared to agree to the proposal so we now need to look elsewhere for a site. In his letter he advised that the School were pleased with the offer of the litter bin but had asked their Finance and Premises Sub Committee to look at its siting.
A school report was given from Peter Bentley. He reported that the new Head Teacher, Heather Parsons, had been at the school for one year and that the school was in very good shape. He advised that Miss Parsons had introduced newsletters to parents and was also putting a page in The Stock Press. Mr Bentley advised that there had been various events taking place at the School including a Science Week which had been very popular. Mr Bentley reported that the School currently had a full role but did have three vacancies for Governors. He advised that a gate had been put across the the car park. He also reported that heavy lorries were using the School entrance to turn around which was not safe. Mr Bentley advised that the reason for the School stopping the playground being put in the school was due to health and safety concerns. He reported that an extension was going to put on the school (North facing) to extend a classroom and create a computer suite following their OFSTED Report. The Report was carried out in September and the School felt that it was a good report. Mr Bentley read out the report which quoted that the School was well above average. The Chairman asked Mr Bentley if the Parish Council could be given a more regular report than once a year and Mr Bentley agreed that he would give a report once a term.
Churchyard Upkeep – Cllr. M. Elliott and Cllr. Peacock reported that they had met the Church Warden and that the Churchyard needed major attention. They recommended that as soon as possible we have a major blitz to get it tidy once and for all and then have it attended to three or four times a year. Cllr. Peacock said he would speak to the Churchwarden to arrange for Mr Henderson to give us a quotation to carry out ‘a one off tidy-up’ and then we would write to Mr Henderson and ELS asking them to meet with Cllrs. M. Elliott & Peacock at the Churchyard to give quotations with regard to the regular upkeep of the Churchyard.
Village Hall Car Park – Lighting – Cllr. M. Elliott advised that he and Lady Carter had had a meeting with Mr Sheffield of Chelmsford Borough Council in which the car park, lighting and £3,750.00 towards traffic calming had been discussed.. The Clerk read out a letter that Lady Carter had sent to Mr Sheffield following the meeting. Cllr. M. Elliott said Mr Sheffield was very co-operative and he was enthusiastic that we would get planning permission. Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer confirmed that the Council had withdrawn their request for £3,750.00.
Litter Bins – Cllr. Peacock advised that we should order three litter bins, one for Dakyn Drive, one for Common Road and one spare. It was decided that the Clerk would arrange to order three black and gold bins. Cllr. Peacock also asked the Clerk to order one frog bin for the School.
The Chairman advised that she had spoken to Chelmsford Borough Council regarding the doggy bins which were still not being emptied. After pressure was put on the Borough Council the bins were eventually cleaned and emptied.
400. VILLAGE HALL REPORT.
Cllr. Williams reported that the car park had been the main issue at the last meeting. She advised that Stan Elgar was co-opted in place of Nick Peacock. She reported that so far 136 lottery slips had been received for next year. Cllr. Williams also advised that a piano was being acquired and that Italian castors were being specially made for it. Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer advised that he had been asked to bring the piano to the hall.
TWEEDY CHARITY
The Chairman read out a letter of resignation from Mandy Fenwick. She reported that Elizabeth Philpott had told her that the Parish Council have to nominate someone for the position. The Chairman recommended either Stan Elgar or the Woodgates who live nearby. The Parish Council agreed that Mr Barry Woodgate should be approached and failing that Stan Elgar. The Chairman asked the Clerk to write to Mandy Fenwick thanking her for her work and saying how sorry the Parish Council were that she had had to give up the position.
403. PLANNING MATTERS.
Application No. 01/01425/CLOPUD. Re-cladding with external skin of brickwork on west, north and east sides (Certificate of Lawful Proposed Use/Dev).
Location: Ivydene, Whites Hill, Stock. Refused.
Application No. 01/03183/TPO. Works to T23 – Lime and T24 – English Oak (Tree Preservation Order).
Location: 12 Common Road, Stock. Approved.
Application No. 01/01032/CLEUD. Use of former barn as separate dwelling house.
Location: The Old Manor, Broomwood Lane, Ramsden Heath, Billericay. Refused.
Application No. 01/02031/FUL. Office Extension.
Location: 18 Mill Road, Stock. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
Application No. 01/02058/FUL. Construction of single brick skin to three elevations.
Location: Ivydene, Whites Hill, Stock. The Parish Council made the comment ‘Refer to Planning Application 01/01425/CLOPUD’.
Application No. 01/02103/FUL. Replacement house.
Location: Cornerfield, Mill Road, Stock. The Parish Council had no objections as long as this proposed dwelling is no more than 10% of the previous building within the green belt.
Application No. 01/02133/FUL. Single storey and two storey extensions and double garage with accomodation over.
Location: Fourwinds, 148 Mill Road, Stock. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
Application No. 01/02118/FUL. Rebuilding garage and utility at side, re-roofing front bay and side extension.
Location: 27 Mill Road, Stock. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
Application No. 01/01703/FUL. Erection of one dwelling and garage.
Location: Bakers Arms, Common Road, Stock. The Parish Council had the following comments to make:-
404. FINANCE.
The following cheques were approved for payment and signed:
100747 £186.83 Emneth Land Services Ltd. – Grass Cutting October
100748 £910.00 M. Tant – Replacing 2 Oak Posts in Mill Road and cleaning and repainting chains and post on village green
100749 £ 18.00 Royal British Legion Stock Branch – Poppy Wreath
100750 £270.64 Mrs L.J. Green – Clerk’s salary and expenses
100751 £ 50.46 British Telecommunications Plc – Office Telephone Bill
100752 £ 10.00 Mrs J.A. Williams – Printing of Jubliee Flyers
Audit – The Chairman advised that a parishioner was opposing the accounts and that the Auditor had asked her to send him further documents so that he could investigate the matter.
Precept – It was decided that the Parish Council would ask for £30,000.00. The Chairman and the Clerk completed and signed the form at the Meeting. Clerk to return the form to Chelmsford Borough Council.
405. Golden Jubliee
The Chairman read out a letter that had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council regarding road closures during the event. It was decided that the Parish Council would leave getting a group together until after Christmas in order to give parishioners the time to reply to the flyers that were sent out. Cllr. Williams reported that she had noticed on the web site that people born on Accession Day, 6th February 1952, could apply for an invitation to a Garden Party that was being held at Buckingham Palace. Mugs commemorating the Golden Jubliee were discussed and it was decided that Cllrs. Williams and Tully would get together to organise this.
406. Essex Rural Housing Trust
The Chairman advised that this matter would be taken up after Christmas.
407. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING.
The next meeting is on the 7th January 2002.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer advised that the application for Planning Permission at Long Gable had been withdrawn and that the plans were being re-drawn and would be reapplied in the next few weeks.
A parishioner reported that outside the Kings Head Public House, as you turn the corner, the kerbstone had not been hard topped. The Chairman reported that she had spoken to Mr Hurford at Chelmsford Borough Council who had advised that this work had not been carried out due to a drainage situation. She advised that the situation was being monitored.
It was reported that the Furze Lane sign was missing and the hazard signs off Bishops Farm were missing. Clerk to write to Chelmsford Borough Council.
A parishioner brought up the subject about the HGV sign that had been put up and taken back down again in Small Gains Lane. Cllr. Peacock said that he would find out if the sign was going to be re-erected at the Well Lane end. The Chairman read out a letter that Mrs Lockwood at Chelmsford Borough Council had sent to two parishioners regarding this matter.
It was reported that the roof of the bus shelter had not been extremely well done. Cllr. M. Elliott and Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer to look at the site and report back to the Clerk. On hearing from Cllrs. M. Elliott and Gary Stringer Clerk to write to Mr Tant asking him to put the work right within 21 days from the date of the letter or if not advising that we would get somebody else to carry out the work and look to him for the cost.
Cllr. M. Elliott reported that he had had a telephone call from a parishioner advising him that a caravan was being inhabited on Crondon Park. He asked the Parish Council whether anybody had written a letter in this regard to which the answer was no so Cllr. M. Elliott said that he would speak to the parishioner.
Cllr. M. Elliott asked whether anyone had heard about the police surgeries. Clerk to write to police to ask when they are being held.
Cllr. W. Elliott reported that the drain cover outside 46 High Street was loose and rattles as the traffic drives over it. Clerk to write to Highways Department at Chelmsford Borough Council.
Cllr. W. Elliott reported that a loop of thick black cable had been left on the green outside The Almshouses by the Electricty Board. Clerk to contact Electricity Board.
It was reported that the Post Boxes in the village were not being emptied and on a couple of occasions no mail had been delivered to houses either. The Chairman advised that she had spoken to the Postmaster who had explained the reasons behind it but basically it was due to lack of staff.
Chelmsford Borough Cllr. Gary Stringer reported that there had been a lot of accidents at the junction of Honeypot Lane and Ingatestone Road which had been partly due to speeding, leaves of the road and the road markings. Cllr Peacock asked for any correspondence relating to the list of accidents that had been reported.
The Chairman had given Cllr. Lusty a letter that had been received from DTLR enclosing a document regarding Model Code of Conduct for Relevant Authorities. Cllr. Lusty advised that he had some questions he would like to raise and asked the Clerk to write a letter to DTLR.
Cllr. Lusty reported that he had spoken to Janice Dibbens of the Essex Disabled People’s Association. He advised that it was nothing that the Parish Council needed to concern themselves about but that he would take it on as Chairman to Stock Cares.
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming; the meeting closed at 9.50pm.