Present:

Cllr David Cameron (in the Chair)

Councillors

Trevor Horsnell

Peter Latham

Carl Sargent

In attendance

Louise Fuller (Clerk)

Cty Cllr John Aldridge (to min. no. 51)

47/2015-16

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None.

48/2015-16

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Members APPROVED the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9 September 2015 as a correct record.

49/2015-16

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

None.

50/2015-16

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

None.

51/2015-16

REPORTS

Chelmsford City Council

City Cllr Chambers was unable to attend the meeting.

Essex County Council

Cty Cllr Aldridge reported on savings on bus routes, devolution, the Essex response to the refugee crisis, ECC’s switch from 0845 to 0345 numbers, the coastal path in Essex, and the increasing turnout at Remembrance Day services over the years. Cllr Latham spoke about the police response to 101 calls.

Cty Cllr Aldridge then left the meeting.

Play Park, Edney Common

No report as the play area was closed.

Village Hall

Cllr Sargent had attended two meetings as PC representative; he reported on the redecoration, researching local hall prices, and the new kitchen floor. All was going well.

52/2015-16

COUNCILLOR RESIGNATION

The resignation of Julia Griffin was noted.

There has been no response to the advertising seeking new councillors. All councillors agreed to make strenuous attempts to fill the three councillor vacancies as it was not good for the council to continue with only four councillors in post.

53/2015-16

REPORT OF THE CLERK

The Council NOTED the Clerk’s report.

1          Sparrows Close parking

            A tenant parking Chelmsford Taxibus vehicles on the council’s grass triangle had been asked to stop.

2          PRoW Officer

            There had been no response to the advertisement for a parishioner to become the Public Rights of Way Officer. Various methods to attract a volunteer were discussed.

3          Allotments, Radley Green

            Noted that the rent had been demanded and paid.

54/2015-16

LITTER PICK 2016

Mrs L Horsnell had kindly offered to organise the 2016 litter pick again. The date chosen was Sunday 13 March.

55/2015-16

GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT

The Council reviewed the operation of the new grass cutting contract in 2015 and discussed the 2016 contract. It was AGREED to keep the contract much the same, with the following changes:

• the area of the grass opposite Pools Lane which would be cut would be extended to the roadside (not stop at the ditch as previously)
• the months in which the cuts would be carried out would not be specified. The contract would state the maximum number of cuts to be carried out each year, the actual date to be at the discretion of the contractor as required according to the length of the grass. If, owing to weather conditions, the stated number of cuts is used up too early in the season, the contractor must revert to the council to request permission to carry out additional cuts.

56/2015-16

PROPOSED PLAY AREA, GRASS AREA REAR OF VILLAGE HALL

Various options were discussed, including the possibility of erecting goal posts, swings, and adult equipment. The Council might consider other projects in the parish to be a higher priority for its resources than play equipment.

57/2015-16

FINANCE

57.1

57.2

57.3

57.4

Accounts for payment

The accounts for on-line payment between meetings, total £145.00, were NOTED, and those for payment now, DD and online-banking to a total of £1,089.92, were APPROVED.

The account balances as at 31 October were NOTED.

Annual Return 2014/15

NOTED that the 2014/15 Annual Return had been returned from the external auditor with no comment, and that the conclusion of the audit had been publicised in accordance with statutory requirements.

Bank signatories

AGREED that now J Griffin was no longer a signatory, Cllr Sargent would be appointed a signatory.

58/2015-16

DRAFT BUDGET AND PRECEPT FOR 2016/17

The report on the draft budget was noted. Chelmsford City Council had indicated that the Localising Council Tax Support grant was likely to be £577, and that the council tax base would be 313.56. It was AGREED that the council’s net requirement would remain the same as last year, £25,515. The precept for 2016-17 would be this amount less the LCTS grant from CCC.

59/2015-16

HIGHWAY MATTERS REPORTED BY COUNCILLORS

1          Speeding Traffic

            Cllr Latham reported that there had been some improvement, with a drop in speeds.

60/2015-16

PLAY AREA, EDNEY COMMON

(Note: this item was taken out of agenda order.)

The Council considered the quotes for work to be done at the Edney Common play area and agreed to proceed with removing the middle swing in the bay, supply and install a new cradle seat, and for the trim trail: supply and install timber rope and steps, supply and install new rope Burma Bridge, supply new ropes to the parallel bars, and supply and apply new paint works, at a cost of £1,950. The works related to the gate and fencing could be carried out by a local tradesperson.

61/2015-16

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE, and DISTRIBUTION BAG

None.

62/2015-16

DOCUMENTS ON DEPOSIT

Noted: RCCE Oyster magazine autumn 2015.

63/2015-16

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

63.1

Parish Council Decisions

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

App. no.

15/01460/FUL

Location

Red House, Highwood Road

Proposal

New two storey side extension, single storey rear extension, and single storey garage

Comment

Objection as the site is too small to accommodate the proposed extensions.

App. no.

15/01498/COUPA

Location

Church Farm, Highwood Road, Edney Common

Proposal

Determination as to whether the prior approval of the Local Planning Authority will be required for the proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling house (C3)

Comment

The council’s comment on this application is the same as that on application 15/00710/COUPA. The council is not clear on its locus in commenting on COUPA applications, but wishes to express its concerns about this application. The property has been the subject of various planning applications in the past, some of them retrospective. Although nominally a farm, the property has not been used for agricultural purposes for many years, although the planning permission for the residence does have an agricultural tie. However a property of 28 acres could hardly be described as residential.

A proper full planning application should be submitted for the proposal to change the use from agricultural building to residential use. This will enable the parish council to express its views at that time.

As the area is green belt, if a residential building is approved, it must have a defined and realistic garden area.

App. no.

15/05222/TPO

Location

Land at the Nest, Edney Common

Proposal

W1 - All trees of whatever species - Rear of The Nest – 5 year woodland management plan as described on section 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 and Section 2 Woodland Compartment Plan 47704-09 of the supporting documents

Comment

No objection

App. no.

15/01541/LBC and 15/01540/FUL

Location

Horsfrith Park Farm, Radley Green

Proposal

Removal of existing sun room and the construction of an orangery

Comment

No objection

App. no.

15/01595/FUL

Location

Old Barns Cottage, Chelmsford Road

Proposal

Two storey side and rear extensions, alterations to the front porch, two rear dormers and second floor side windows

Comment

No objection

63.2

The following planning applications were considered:

None.

63.3

Other planning applications received since the agenda was prepared

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

Comment

No objection

63.4

Decisions by Chelmsford City Council

The following planning decisions by Chelmsford City Council were NOTED.

GRANTED

App. no.

15/01498/COUPA

Location

Church Farm, Highwood Road, Edney Common

Proposal

Determination as to whether the prior approval of the Local Planning Authority will be required for the proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling house (C3)

Note for clarity: CCC has decided that prior approval is required, and then gives that prior approval.

App. no.

15/01460/FUL

Location

Red House, Highwood Road

Proposal

New two storey side extension, single storey rear extension, and single storey garage

App. no.

15/00857/FUL

Location

Larkrise Cottage, Cock Lane

Proposal

Construction of single storey infill extension to existing dwelling

REFUSED

App. no.

15/00858/FUL

Location

Larkrise Cottage, Cock Lane

Proposal

Extension to residential garden area

63.5

PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE

None.

64/2015-16

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS – for information only

Cllr Horsnell reported that the chevrons on Cat and Kittens Corner had come loose.

65/2015-16

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.30 p.m. Wednesday 13 January 2016.

The meeting closed approx. 9.30pm.