1

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To RECEIVE any apologies for absence.

2

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

To APPROVE the minutes of the meeting of the meeting of the parish council held on 13 January 2016 as a correct record.

3

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

3.1

Councillors to DECLARE any disclosable or other pecuniary interest or other interest in any items on the agenda, in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

Pecuniary or other interests should be declared at this time, or at any point in the meeting where they become apparent.

Councillors must inform the Monitoring Officer of Chelmsford City Council, via the Clerk, within 28 days of becoming aware of any change in their pecuniary or other interests.

3.2

DISPENSATIONS

To CONSIDER any requests for dispensation from the provisions of S31(4) of the Localism Act 2011.

S31(4) states that a member may not participate in any discussion or vote upon a matter, at the meeting, in which he/she has a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Requests for dispensation must be made in writing to the Clerk.

4

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

To RECEIVE questions from members of the public.

In accordance with the agreed procedure public questions will be taken and shall be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes or such other period as may be determined by the Chairman of the meeting.

5

REPORTS

To RECEIVE brief reports on the following matters.

Chelmsford City Council

City Cllr N Chambers

Essex County Council

Cty Cllr J Aldridge

Play park, Edney Common

Play park is currently closed

Village Hall

Cllr C Sargent

6

REPORT OF THE CLERK

To RECEIVE the report of the clerk

1

Grass cutting contract

Having considered the quotes submitted, the contract for 2016 was awarded to D W Maintenance, the same firm as carried out the work last year.

2

PRoW

I have met with the new PRoW officer, Mandy Martin, to discuss the role and look at the maps and other information available. As well as being a keen walker, Mandy collects litter when she sees it and also encourages dog owners to clear up after their pets and not to leave the full bags hanging in trees. Mandy was looking forward to getting started and she will be an asset to the council.

3

Power lines, rear of village hall

UK Power Lines have been in touch and have trimmed back trees which were a threat to power lines which cross the grass area at the rear of the village hall.

4

CCC “Love Where You Live” Parish Cleansing Days

One suggestion for an area to cover was received – the layby on the A414 – and CCC was asked to include this in the schedule. The work will take place on Thursday 7 July.

5

Chelmsford Local Highways Panel

The minutes of the meeting on 26 January 2016 have been published and as far as I can see there was no discussion of the schemes which, according to the minutes of the previous meeting, should have been considered and a decision made; this may have been because the budget for the year was still unknown. We still do not know the fate of the Highwood proposals.

6

Works to play area, Edney Common

The timber works at the entrance have been carried out.

7

Grant for magazine

The grant request received from St Paul’s Church for the magazine was an estimate as the December figure was not known at the time of submission. When it became available, the actual figure was higher than the estimate by £42.97 so the council’s payment was deficient by this amount. As the grant paid in advance for 2016 is based on the 2015 actual, this payment was similarly deficient. Therefore the council owed the church £85.94; this amount has now been paid.

7

PROPOSED PLAY AREA, GRASS AREA REAR OF VILLAGE HALL

7.1

Equipment

Following the decision made at the last meeting to proceed with installing a mix of adult and children’s play equipment on the grass area at the rear of the village hall, to draw up some firm proposals for what is required, against which quotes can be sought.

7.2

Tidying up

Cllr Sargent proposes that the land be tidied up, either by a working party or, if given permission, he will carry out the work himself. Specific areas are the broken fence on the left-hand side which needs repairing or removing, and trimming the hedge down the right-hand side.

8

PARISH PLAN

Requested by Cllr Latham at last meeting.

9

DOG FOULING ON FOOTPATHS

Cllr Sargent notes that the problem has worsened and suggests acquiring signs to remind offending owners of their responsibilities. Estimated cost of purchase: £25.

10

LITTER PICK

Cllr Sargent proposes, prior to the event, identifying litter hotspots which need most attention.

11

FINANCE

11.1

Accounts for payment

To APPROVE the accounts for payment (list will be available at the meeting).

11.2

To NOTE the account balances as at 29 February 2016.

11.3

Internal Auditor

To appoint the internal auditor for 2015/16. Proposed: to appoint Mrs N Powell-Davies if she is willing to act again.

12

HIGHWAY MATTERS REPORTED BY COUNCILLORS

1          Speeding Traffic (standing item)

13

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

To RECEIVE such communications and correspondence as the Clerk may place before the Council.

14

DISTRIBUTION BAG

No items.

15

DOCUMENTS ON DEPOSIT

To RECEIVE notice of the following documents received by or deposited with the Clerk.

None

16

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a)

To NOTE the parish council’s comments made on planning applications between meetings.

App. no.

16/00036/FUL

Location

Schoolfield Cottage, Radley Green Road

Proposal

1.5 side extension and open canopy. Porch to rear.

Comment

No objection

App. no.

15/02090/FUL

Location

Wyses Cottage, Wyses Road

Proposal

Detached double garage and conversion of garage to annexe accommodation

Comment

This application coupled with the previous extension approval is too large for the plot and detracts from the rural cottage setting

App. no.

15/02048/FUL

Location

Ravenscraig, Metsons Lane

Proposal

Demolition of two stable buildings and replacement with one stable building for equestrian purposes

Comment

No objection

App. no.

16/00038/FUL

Location

Site At Briggs Cottage Cock Lane

Proposal

Demolition of garage and construction of new dwelling and detached garage in the grounds of Briggs Farm Cottage.

Comment

The council objects to this application as it considers it to be a major overbuild in a plot that cannot easily accommodate it as well as parking and suitable garden area.

App. no.

16/00200/FUL

Location

The Kiln Cottage, Nathans Lane, Edney Common

Proposal

Two storey side extension

Comment

No objection

b)

To CONSIDER the following planning applications

App. no.

16/00306/FUL

Location

Oak Lodge, Loves Green

Proposal

Change of use of land for the storage of vans for sale

c)

To CONSIDER any other planning applications received since the agenda was prepared.

d)

DECISIONS BY CHELMSFORD CITY COUNCIL

To NOTE the following planning decisions by Chelmsford City Council.

GRANTED

App. no.

15/02064/FUL

Location

Longfield, Cooksmill Green

Proposal

Proposed single storey side extension with new pitched roof over existing flat roof.

App. no.

15/00575/HNC

Location

Serenity Cottage, Blackmore Road

Proposal

Change name to Cat and Kitten Cottage

App. no.

15/01800/FUL

Location

The Kiln Cottage, Nathans Lane, Edney Common

Proposal

Demolition of existing entrance gate and brick wall to front boundary of dwelling and replacement with timber gates and fence

App. no.

15/02070/FUL

Location

Annexe, Cob Cottage, Nathans Lane

Proposal

Change of use from annexe to independent dwelling

App. no.

15/02048/FUL

Location

Ravenscraig, Metsons Lane

Proposal

Demolition of two stable buildings and replacement with one stable building for equestrian purposes

App. no.

16/00036/FUL

Location

Schoolfield Cottage, Radley Green Road

Proposal

1.5 side extension and open canopy. Porch to rear.

e)

PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE

            To NOTE any planning correspondence received and respond to             consultations as appropriate.

i           Rural Planning Review – Call for Evidence

            The government is carrying out a Rural Planning Review and has sent out a Call for Evidence. The relevant information has been circulated by email. The council is asked if it wishes to respond.

ii          Essex County Council Proposal for Strategic Development (transportation) and Community Infrastructure Pre-application Advice and Developer Contribution Enquiry Charges

            This consultation has been circulated by email. The council is asked if it wishes to respond.

17

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS – for information only

To NOTE any matter of an urgent nature which a Member or the Clerk may wish to draw to the attention of the Council, and/or request to be included on the agenda for the next meeting of the Council.

Note: no decisions may be taken during this item as the required statutory notice of the business will not have been given.

18

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Annual Meeting of the parish council at 7.30pm on Wednesday 11 May 2016, preceded by the Annual Parish Assembly at 7pm.