Present:

Cllr Trevor Horsnell (in the Chair)

Councillors

Glenn Dobson (from min. no. 23)

Peter Latham

Dot Merriday

Anthony Pipkin

Zoë Tyler

In attendance

Louise Fuller (Clerk)

Cty Cllr John Aldridge

Three members of the public

19/2013-14

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr Cameron

20/2013-14

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Members APPROVED the minutes of the annual meeting of the Council held on 8 May 2013 as a correct record.

21/2013-14

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

There were no declarations of interest nor requests for dispensations.

22/2013-14

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Members of the public asked about the council’s purchase of property from Chelmsford City Council. The parish council confirmed it was only purchasing property owned by CCC; property currently in private hands would remain so.

One member of the public left the meeting.

23/2013-14

CO-OPTION

As there had been no call for a by-election following the resignation of Cllr Heginbotham, the council was free to co-opt to the vacancy.

The council RESOLVED TO CO-OPT Glenn Dobson on to the council. Cllr Dobson executed his declaration of acceptance of office and joined the meeting.

24/2013-14

REPORTS

Chelmsford City Council

City Cllr Chambers was unable to attend.

Essex County Council

Cty Cllr Aldridge referred to the new council since the May election, and the possibility of a second Thames crossing. A number of highways matters were raised and he agreed to look into them.

Police

A police report had been emailed.

Village Agent

The village agent had sent her apologies.

Play Park

No report.

A goat had been grazing on the play area and the owner would be asked to remove it.

Village Hall

Cllr Pipkin reported that the lettings were good. The fridge had needed repair and the ventilation system was not working properly.

Public Rights of Way

The emailed report from D Taylor was noted, and his hard work on the Highwood PROW commended.

25/2013-14

REPORT OF THE CLERK

The Council NOTED the Clerk’s report.

1          Purchase of land and buildings from CCC

            Noted that Heads of Terms have been agreed and solicitors would now be instructed.

2          Play Area Inspection Report (Edney Common)

            The annual inspection report was noted. The hanging dead branch should be removed.

3          Winter Salt Bag Partnership Scheme

            The council agreed to participate in the winter salt bag scheme again in 2013/14. More salt would be requested and stored at Cllr Horsnell’s farm.

4          Use of the village hall as Emergency Rest Centre

            Cllr Pipkin confirmed that the VH management committee had agreed the building could be used as the Emergency Rest Centre.

5          Affordable Housing/Housing Needs Survey

            The council noted that the results of the recent Housing Needs Survey did not indicate a need for any additional provision to that already made in the planning permission granted for the site at the Nest.

The member of the public left the meeting.

26/2013-14

FINANCE

26.1

26.2

Accounts for payment

The accounts for payment between meetings were noted, and those for payment now, cheques nos. 43-47 and online-banking, were APPROVED.

The account balances as at 2 July 2013 were NOTED.

26.3

Internal audit

The council noted the internal audit report for 2012/13. A review of Financial Regulations should be carried out to ensure they reflect the council’s current practices.

The council was pleased to note the paragraph which stated that the council’s financial administration was managed to a high standard by the clerk.

26.4

Bank account on-line access

It was AGREED that councillors’ access to on-line banking should be set at View and Authorise.

27/2013-14

HIGHWAY MATTERS REPORTED BY COUNCILLORS

1          Speeding Traffic

            It was agreed that an application for a 20mph speed limit outside the school would be submitted; Cllr Latham would carry out the initial preparation of the application. It would require the support of the county councillor.

2          Highway maintenance and overhanging vegetation

            The lack of basic highway maintenance, and overhanging vegetation in Ingatestone Road and Blackmore Road, had been raised with Cty Cllr Aldridge earlier in the meeting.

28/2013-14

PARISH MAGAZINE

The report on the current situation with the magazine was noted.

It was AGREED that the council would make a grant up to a maximum of £1,750 to cover the costs of the magazine over the year. The PCC must pay all the costs throughout the year (including editor’s costs). The grant would be payable on production of the accounts for the magazine.

The council did not require a representative responsible for the magazine. It did not currently require input into the content etc of the magazine under the new editor and would see how the publication went over the coming year.

29/2013-14

VILLAGE FAIR 2014

It was agreed to take no further action on this as other organisations in the village already held such events.

30/2013-14

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE, and DISTRIBUTION BAG

The members RECEIVED the correspondence and communications placed before them.

31/2013-14

DOCUMENTS ON DEPOSIT

None.

32/2013-14

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

32.1

Parish Council Decisions

The following comments made by the parish council between meetings were NOTED.

App. no.

13/00555/FUL & 13/00556/LBC

Location

Montagues Farm, Loves Green

Proposal

Single storey rear extension to utility room

Comments

No objection

App. no.

13/00634/FUL

Location

1 New Barnes Cottages

Proposal

Construction of orangery/conservatory to the rear

Comments

No objection

32.2

To consider the following planning application

App. no.

13/00854/FUL

Location

Nortons, Radley Green

Proposal

Raising of roof to accommodate loft conversion with front & rear dormer windows and alterations to fenestration front entrance porch

Comments

No objection

32.3

Other planning applications received since the agenda was prepared

None

32.4

Decisions by Chelmsford City Council

The following planning decisions by Chelmsford City Council were NOTED.

GRANTED

App. no.

13/00555/FUL & 13/00556/LBC

Location

Montagues Farm, Loves Green

Proposal

Single storey rear extension to utility room

App. no.

13/00428/FUL

Location

Land at Wellington House, Cooksmill Green

Proposal

Change of use and internal and external alterations of redundant farm buildings to create a self contained dwelling

App. no.

13/00634/FUL

Location

1 New Barnes Cottages

Proposal

Construction of orangery/conservatory to the rear

No objection

32.5

PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE

There were no comments on the CCC Consultation on Planning Obligation Supplementary Planning Document.

32.6

PLANNING WORKING GROUP

It was agreed that Cllr Tyler would join the Planning Working Group.

33/2013-14

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS – for information only

None.

34/2013-14

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.30 p.m. Wednesday 11 September 2013

The meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.