Present:

Cllr David Cameron (in the Chair)

Councillors

Julia Griffin

Trevor Horsnell

Peter Latham

Dot Merriday

Anthony Pipkin

In attendance

Louise Fuller (Clerk)

City Cllr Nicolette Chambers (to min. no. 38)

Cty Cllr John Aldridge (to min. no. 38)

Brenda Smith (Community Agent) (to min. no. 38)

Two members of the public

34/2014-15

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None.

Having signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office prior to the meeting, new councillor Julia Griffin was welcomed to the council.

35/2014-15

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Members APPROVED the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9 July 2014 as a correct record.

36/2014-15

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

There were no declarations of interest nor requests for dispensations.

37/2014-15

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

None.

38/2014-15

REPORTS

Chelmsford City Council

City Cllr Chambers reported on current developments in Chelmsford town centre, and reminded the council about community grants.

She then left the meeting to go to another elsewhere.

Essex County Council

Cty Cllr Aldridge reported that the Post Office in Writtle Library was to close; there would be a post office facility in Prestons Garage. The library would revert to part-time hours. He confirmed that landowners were responsible for cutting back overgrowth over roads; it appeared he had misinterpreted the council’s request to look into this matter at various places in the parish. He reported on Meals on Wheels prices, and also discussed the problem of cycle races in the parish.

He then left the meeting.

Police

No report. Cllr Cameron reported that there was a new local Rural Officer.

Community Agent

B Smith reported that she was now known as a Community Agent, but her duties were much the same. There was nothing new to report for Highwood.

She then left the meeting.

Play Park

Cllr Cameron reported that the grass had been cut in the play park. Cllr Griffin raised some concerns about the condition of the equipment. Cllr Latham agreed to have a look and report back. It was agreed to ask MD Landscapes for a quote to strim/cut back the nettles and brambles round the play area, and to cut back low branches.

Village Hall

Cllr Pipkin reported that the village hall finances were in balance, with bookings most evenings.

Public Rights of Way

D Taylor had nothing to add to his last report.

It appeared the lorry problems in Pools Lane have resolved.

39/2014-15

REPORT OF THE CLERK

The Council NOTED the Clerk’s report.

1          Purchase of land and buildings from CCC

            The Council noted the report on the current state of play with the property purchase from CCC. The clerk further reported that CCC was not keen to transfer the land occupied by the Anglian Water pumping station; she would take further advice from the solicitor. It was AGREED to proceed with the property purchase without full knowledge and evidence of AW’s rights, and regardless of any practical and technical difficulties arising from CCC retaining ownership of the AW-occupied land, as this appeared to be the only way to move the transaction forward.

2          Control of Street Trading

            Noted that the village hall grounds and land to the rear of the village hall were exempt from the designation of Consent Streets, but the play area at Edney Common was not.

3          Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places in Chelmsford

            The Council was satisfied with the current arrangements.

4          Verge Adoption

            The report was noted. The clerk hoped she would be able to move this matter forward as to date her attempts to make contact with someone who was dealing with the matter had failed.

5          Grass cutting

            The current grass cutting contract was confirmed. New contractors would be invited to quote for the work next year.

6          Local Highways Panel

            Results of the feasibility studies into Highwood’s three schemes were awaited.

7          Councillors’ email addresses in parish magazine

            It was agreed not to publish councillors’ email addresses in the magazine.

8          Former “Quality Council” scheme

            It was agreed not to participate in the pilot for the scheme which is to replace the Quality Council scheme.

9          Workplace Pensions

            The council noted the new workplace pensions legislation which would apply to the council from 1 June 2015, and that this might have an effect on budgets in future years.

40/2014-15

LITTER PICK 2015

A provisional date of Easter 2015 was agreed for the litter pick. The clerk would write an article for the parish magazine requesting a volunteer to co-ordinate the litter pick.

41/2014-15

EMERGENCY PLAN

Cllrs Cameron and Latham reported that the Community Resilience workshop had focussed on flooding. Cllr Latham would start work on completing the template plan for the parish.

42/2014-15

FINANCE

42.1

42.2

Accounts for payment

The accounts for payment, cheque no. 61, a direct debit and online-banking, were APPROVED.

The account balances as at 10 September 2014 were NOTED.

42.3

Annual Return

Noted that the Annual Return had been approved by the external auditor. The comment made in box 2 had already been actioned by the council. The notices advertising the conclusion of the audit had been displayed in accordance with statutory requirements.

43/2014-15

HIGHWAY MATTERS REPORTED BY COUNCILLORS

1          Speeding Traffic

            There is still a high percentage of vehicles speeding through the village. The police had carried out some checks and caught approximately 30 vehicles, all of whom would get warning letters. There were no new Speedwatch volunteers.

2 & 3    Cycle races and overhanging vegetation

            Covered earlier in the meeting.

44/2014-15

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE, and DISTRIBUTION BAG

The members RECEIVED the correspondence and communications placed before them.

45/2014-15

DOCUMENTS ON DEPOSIT

None.

46/2014-15

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

46.1

Parish Council Decisions

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

App. no.

14/01077/FUL

Location

Rose Cottage, Blackmore Road

Proposal

Single storey rear extension

Comments

No objection

App. no.

14/01215/FUL

Location

Far View, Loves Green

Proposal

Demolition of rear existing conservatory to construct a single storey rear extension, replace flat roof over existing car port with new pitched roof and raised rear patio area.

Comments

No objection

App. no.

14/01301/FUL

Location

Budds Farmhouse, Ingatestone Road

Proposal

Detached garage and store

Comment

No objection

App. no.

14/01327/FUL

Location

Longfield, Cooksmill Green

Proposal

Proposed new detached cartlodge and garage

Comment

No objection

App. no.

14/00927/FUL

Location

New Barnes Farm, Ingatestone Road

Proposal

Demolition of existing building and construction of 2no. 3 bedroom bungalows and 2no. detached garages. Associated access works, hardstanding and landscaping

Comment

The council objects to this application as it is on green belt land and granting it would set a precedent. The plans are unclear as there are two buildings which appear to cross the site boundary and would presumably be demolished. The site has already seen two new dwellings built where previously there were none, and has also had previous applications for development refused.

46.2

To consider the following planning application

None

46.3

Other planning applications received since the agenda was prepared

None

46.4

Decisions by Chelmsford City Council

The following planning decisions by Chelmsford City Council were NOTED.

GRANTED

App. no.

14/00937/FUL

Location

Hollowdene, Cock Lane

Proposal

Enlargement of existing porch and roof-space accommodation with insertion of front & side dormer windows & rear dormer window with Juliette balcony & internal alterations.

App. no.

14/00806/FUL

Location

Fidlers Moat, Loves Green

Proposal

Ancillary building, stables and the conversion of garage roof space including two dormers and an external staircase & door

App. no.

14/01077/FUL

Location

Rose Cottage, Blackmore Road

Proposal

Single storey rear extension

App. no.

14/01215/FUL

Location

Far View, Loves Green

Proposal

Demolition of rear existing conservatory to construct a single storey rear extension, replace flat roof over existing car port with new pitched roof and raised rear patio area.

REFUSED

App. no.

14/00999/CLEUD

Location

Oak Lodge, Loves Green

Proposal

Storage containers (30 no.) for rental and service yard

46.5

PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE

None

46.6

PLANNING WORKING GROUP

No further action at present.

47/2014-15

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS – for information only

The council confirmed that it would comment on planning applications when they were made, not at pre-application stage.

48/2014-15

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.30 p.m. Wednesday 12 November 2014

The meeting closed at 8.50pm.