STOCK PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 7^TH JANUARY 2002

AT STOCK VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30PM.

Present: Cllrs. Mr & Mrs Elliott, Peacock, Tant, Tully, Webb, Lusty & Williams

In The Chair: Cllr. Johnson

Minute Secretary: Lorraine Green

Also Present: Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer and 8 Members of the Public

409. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

There were no apologies as all Councillors had attended the meeting.

410. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.

Cllr. M. Elliott asked the Chairman for the paragraph regarding the Christmas Tree, under Minute 398, Minute 395. Any Other Business, to be changed as he had not actually purchased the Christmas Tree as it had been donated. The Chairman altered the paragraph to read ‘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’. The Minutes of the last Meeting, having been previously circulated, were then duly signed as a true record of events. All agreed.

411. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

Minute 337, 378, 388 & 398

Play Equipment – Cllr. W. Elliott advised that the works had been carried out.

Minute 375, 378 & 388 & 398. Any Other Business

The Clerk advised that she had still not heard from the Planning Enforcement Officer with regard to her last letter concerning the advertisement boards being displayed in the Cock Car Park.

Minute 395 & 398. Any Other Business

The Clerk reported that she had still not had a reply from Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to Downham Road and said that she would contact them again.

The Clerk advised that she had written to Mrs Raeburn with regard to the cuttings that had been left behind by the Electricity Board at the top of Birch Lane. To-date the cuttings had not been removed.

The Clerk reported that she had written to Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to the missing Furze Lane sign and the hazard signs off Bishops Farm. She advised that a letter had been received informing her that the matter would receive attention.

The Clerk advised that a bill had still not been received from Mr Tant with regard to the work carried out on the bus shelter.

The Clerk advised that she had written to the police with regard to police surgeries but to-date had not received a reply.

The Clerk advised that her letter had been acknowledged with regard to the loose drain cover outside 46 High Street.

The Clerk advised that she had spoken to 24/7 with regard to the black cable that had been left on the green outside The Almshouses. The company said they would look into the matter and call her back but to-date she had heard nothing from them. Cllr. W. Elliott said the cable had still not been removed so the Clerk agreed to telephone them again.

412. BEST VALUE GROUP REPORT.

Traffic Management - Cllr. Peacock proposed the 24^th, 25^th, 28^th, 29^th and 31^st January as possible dates to have a meeting with Essex County Council. It was decided that he would look at arranging a meeting on either the 25^th or 28^th January 2002.

It was decided that the next Best Value Meeting would be held on Monday 14^th January 2002. Cllr Peacock also thought it would be a good idea to have a meeting on the 21^st January 2002 before the traffic meeting with Essex County Council.

Playground – Cllr Peacock suggested that the Parish Council found someone to give advice on the playground in terms of suitability of certain sites. He explained that he was concerned about the playground being sited at the Common due to its close proximity to the Cricket Field. Cllr. Tant suggested that Cllr. Peacock contacted the Recreation Department at Chelmsford Borough Council. It was decided that Cllr. Peacock would look into the matter.

Churchyard Upkeep – Cllr. Peacock advised that he was still waiting to hear from Mr Henderson but reported that the work was due to be carried out by the end of January. Cllr. Peacock requested that when tendering we must include the four times a year churchyard clear-up. Cllr. Peacock agreed to prepare a statement of the actual work that needed to be undertaken.

Village Hall Car Park – Lighting – Cllr. M. Elliott reported that the application was made on the 11^th June 2001 and was not approved until the 30th November 2001. He reported that the following conditions were being imposed:-

• That the cycle parking was inadequate.

• That the Heritage Trust must be informed when the top soil is taken off.

• That an oil manhole is to be placed at the back of the car park.

Cllr. M. Elliott had prepared a letter which he read out and asked the Clerk to type out and send to Mr Sheffield with regard to the cycle parking and lighting.

Cllr. M. Elliott advised that he had chosen three Contractors to approach with regard to the tender for the car park and after discussion it was decided that a fourth would also be approached. The four Contractors were Miller Bros. (Romford) Ltd., M.R. Collins, Nelson Anderson & Sons and Ketley Ashphalt. Cllr. M. Elliott had prepared the documentation and asked the Clerk to send the tenders out as soon as possible as the replies had to be in by Monday 28^th January 2002. Cllr. M. Elliott advised the Clerk that when she received the tenders they must remain sealed and be opened at the next meeting. The Chairman said that she thought tenders should also go out for the lighting as the work would have to be carried out in conjunction with the car park.

Litter Bins – The Clerk advised that the Froggo Litter Bin had been received for the school playground. The Chairman advised that the black and gold litter bins would be delivered shortly.

413. VILLAGE HALL REPORT.

Cllr. Williams advised that no meeting had taken place. Cllr. M. Elliott reported that there were now 339 people in the lottery so we were up to the same figure as August last year. He also advised that Roger Watling had now put the lottery on the village website.

414. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

• Letter received from Chelmsford Borough Council, Democratic Services Department, advising that Tree Preservation Order No. 1990/7 at the Garage Forecourt, Well Lane and Mill Road, Stock, had been revoked on the 3^rd January 2002.

• The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from A.J. Vale, Highways Maintenance Department at Chelmsford Borough Council with regard to Peter Street, Stock Junction with Brittons Lane. Cllr. Tant advised the Clerk to look for a letter received from Chris Trowhill in this regard.

• Letter received from Cllr. Lusty with regard to the court case between Parish Council and Heat & Eat (Southend) Ltd. He advised that a cheque for £333.00 had been received. Cllr. Lusty advised that he was having the oral examination adjourned but was applying for an order that the defendants pay the court fee on the abortive warrant and a fee for his attendance to the oral examination hearing at Southend together with his travelling expenses.

• The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Mr Seaman with regard to Stock Parish Council’s Annual Audit of Accounts.

• The Clerk read out a letter that had been received from Crondon Park Club with regard to various complaints they had received from villagers. Cllr. M. Elliott asked the Clerk to find out under what conditions the wall was granted.

• The Clerk read out a letter of thanks that Mr R.F.V. Jackson had sent to Crondon Park Club with regard to the re-aligning of the floodlights at the entrance to the Club.

• The Clerk read out a letter from Richard Fowler regarding the accident outside the Post Office in the High Street involving Mr Peter Greenwood. The Clerk was advised that the police had the accident on record. In his letter, Mr Fowler thought it would be sensible to erect railings outside the Post Office by the pedestrian crossing. Cllr. Peacock advised that he would look into the matter at the next Traffic Management Meeting.

• Various DTLR documents were handed to Cllr. Lusty.
  

  415. PLANNING MATTERS.

  Application No. 01/01883/FUL. Conversion of existing flat roof to pitch roof over front entrance area and infilling wall below bay window.

  Location: 5 Myln Meadow, Stock. Applicant: Mr W.G. Herbert. Approved.

  Application No. 01/01553/ADV. Two illuminated entrance signs.

  Location: Greenwoods Estate, Stock Road, Stock. Applicant: Greenwood Estates (Essex) Ltd. Approved.

  Application No. 01/01724/FUL. New entrance porch to front, new wc to side and garden room/conservatory to rear.

  Location: 25 Back Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr. & Mrs. J. Millernas. Approved.

  Application No. 01/01816/FUL. Ground Floor rear extension.

  Location: 43 Birch Lane, Stock. Applicant: G. Poel. Approved.

  Application No. 01/01125/FUL. Car park extension.

  Location: New Village Hall, Common Road, Stock. Applicant: Stock Parish Council. Approved.

  Application No. 01/01760/FUL. Rear conservatory.

  Location: 24 Back Lane, Stock. Applicant: Linda Ann Fordham. Approved.

  Application No. 01/01922/EB. Proposed additional support to low voltage main.

  Location: Land to front of 29 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Eastern Electricity Limited. Approved.

  Application No. 01/01922/EB. Proposed additional support to low voltage main.

  Location: Land to front of 29 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Eastern Electricity Limited. No Objection.

  Application No. 01/03205/TPO. Fell one Cherry as leaning and poor quality. Control growth of Oak tree and remove deadwood.

  Location: 17 Myln Meadow, Stock. Applicant: Ann Salmonds. Approved.

  Application No. 01/01314/FUL. Re profiling of existing farm field. Additional plans and soils investigation, report received.

  Location: Field at Crondon Park Lane, Stock. Applicant: Greenwoods Estates (Essex) Ltd. Approved.

  Application No. 01/01668/FUL. Proposed replacement dwelling.

  Location: Whitegables, Downham Road, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs D. Edghill. Approved.

  Application No. 01/02153/FUL. Proposed rear single stored extension, internal alterations and new detached single garage

  Location: Whiteholme, Furze Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Waring.

  The Parish Council had no comments to make.

  Application No. 01/02159/FUL. Demolition of existing lobby and garage and formation of utility room and recreation room.

  Location: Magpies, Smallgains Lane, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs B.W. Henderson.

  The Parish Council had no objections as long as this extension is within the 10% permitted by law in the green belt.

  Application No. 01/02150/FUL. New vehicle crossover

  Location: 13 High Street, Stock. Applicant: Mr & Mrs D. Cook.

  The Parish Council had discussed the matter with Lord Petre who had no objections.

  Application No. 01/02246/FUL. Extension to recreation room.

  Location: xCracknels, Whites Hill, Stock. Applicant: Mr GxLeightonx

  The Parish Council had no comments to make.

  Application No. 01/01164/FUL. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 2 No: new houses and garag

  Location: Long Gable, 108 Mill Road, Stock. Applicant: Jenny Moody Properties Limited.

  The Parish Council objected to the high profile of proposed dwellings, which will intrude on the privacy of neighbouring properties and exclude light. The access way is a private narrow unsurfaced track and is inadequate for additional traffic. Only low profile dwellings would be supported on this site. The Parish Council noted that the dwellings have been brought forward.

  416. FINANCE.

  The following cheques were approved for payment and signed:

  100753 £324.69 Glasdon U.K. Limited – Purchase of Froggo Litter Bin for School

  100754 £272.25 Mrs L.J. Green – Salary and Expenses

  100755 £ 79.35 Maurice Elliott – Lights and Decorations for Christmas Tree

  100756 £577.00 Stock Village Hall – Rental of Council Office and 7 evenings hire of small hall

  100757 £332.53 ELS – Grass Cutting December and Pond Clearance – cheque to be held over until next meeting

  100758 £ 20.00 John Bishop – Donation for use of electricity for Christmas lights.

  The Clerk advised that a cheque had been received from Heat & Eat (Southend) Ltd for £333.00 in respect of the Buttsbury signpost claim. She also advised that a VAT refund had been received for £139.21.

  The Chairman advised that some funds needed to be transferred from the High Interest account to the Current Account and it was decided that the Clerk would arrange to transfer £2,000.00.

  Audit – The Chairman advised that no further correspondence had been received since before Christmas. When she had last spoken to the Auditor she was advised that the Auditor and his Senior seemed satisfied but to-date a closure notice had still not been received.

  417. GOLDEN JUBLIEE

  The Chairman reported that to-date only 10 slips of paper had been received which had been a disappointing response. She advised that Mr Elgar had offered to get people together as soon as possible after Christmas. The Chairman said she hoped to have something to report by the next meeting.

  418. ESSEX RURAL HOUSING TRUST

  The Chairman reported that Chris Moore had left the Essex Rural Housing Trust and that the Trust was currently in a muddle but they had promised to get in touch with her as soon as possible. The Chairman explained that the idea was to get the leaflets out and a letter from the Parish Council explaining the matter. It was decided that the matter would be held over until the next meeting.

  419. TWEEDY CHARITY

  The Chairman advised that there was nothing further to report. She had approached the Woodgates but as yet had not had a reply. It was decided that the Chairman would speak to the family regarding the matter.

  420. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING.

  The next meeting is on the 28th January 2002.

  421. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

  It was decided that the Clerk would find the original quotation received from ELS to find out exactly what work they should be carrying out. It was agreed that the Parish Council would go around the village to find out exactly what work needs to be done and then the Clerk should write to companies to put out tenders. It was agreed that Cllrs. M. Elliott and Tant would itemise what work needed to be done. It was decided that ELS’ bill would be held over until the next meeting to be paid.

  It was agreed that the Clerk should write to John Bishop thanking him for the use of his electricity for the Christmas lights and sending a cheque for £20.00 as a donation.

  Cllr. W. Elliott reported that the green outside The Lattices had been churned up as an entrance had been put into the road. Cllr. Williams advised that building blocks and earth were also piled up there. The Chairman advised that Lord Petre had looked at the site and was satisfied.

  Cllr. W. Elliott reported that the road sign on Ingatestone Road, just before the corner by Buttsbury Church, had been knocked down and that the grey posts had been embedded in the hedgerow. Clerk to write to Chelmsford Borough Council.

  Cllr. W. Elliott reported that the road sign in Downham Road on the left hand side just before the footpath, between Mill Lane and Lower Stock Road, had been smashed. Clerk to write to Chelmsford Borough Council.

  Cllr. W. Elliott reported that at the top of Common Lane one wooden post was missing and also the hedge was overgrown and you could not see the sign. Cllr. Tant agreed to cut the hedge back.

  Cllr. W. Elliott also reported that the hedge in Common Lane at Five Houses was also overgrown.

  Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer reported that the posts by The Almshouses had gone over. He thought the Parish Council should think about renewing the oak posts.

  Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer reported that someone had parked on the middle of the village green. It was decided that due to a funeral taking place this was probably a one off incident.

  Chelmsford Borough Councillor Gary Stringer read out a letter that had been received from Mr Brooks of Longmeads, Ingatestone Road, with regard to accidents that had been occurring outside his house. Cllr. Peacock advised that he would bring the letter up at the next Traffic Management Meeting.

  Cllr. Webb reported that potholes were in the middle of the whole length of The Square. Cllr. M. Elliott advised that work had recently been carried out in this area.

  Cllr. Webb advised that the oldest parishioner, Gertie Allen, would be 102 on the 9^th January 2002.

  Cllr. Williams reported that in Marigold Lane, where planning permission had been refused, it was now being turned into a garden and a new access way had been made. It was decided that the situation would be observed.

  Cllr. Williams advised that the entry forms for The Best Kept Village would soon be received and to-date we had still not had a reply from the Chairman’s letter to Nick Shuttleworth. The Chairman advised that she would chase the matter up.