Present:

Cllr David Cameron (in the Chair)

Councillors

Julia Griffin

Peter Latham

Dot Merriday

Anthony Pipkin

In attendance

Louise Fuller (Clerk)

Cty Cllr John Aldridge (to min. no. 53)

Brenda Smith (Community Agent) (to min. no. 53)

Four members of the public

49/2014-15

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr T Horsnell.

50/2014-15

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Members APPROVED the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10 September 2014 as a correct record.

51/2014-15

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

There were no declarations of interest nor requests for dispensations.

52/2014-15

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Members of the public spoke about flooding in Edney Common, cars being unloaded from a transporter in Highwood Road, and large groups of racing cyclists whose accompanying vehicles obstructed the road; in this last case the police should be called on the 101 number. Also a proposed fence in Sparrows Close.

53/2014-15

REPORTS

Chelmsford City Council

No report.

Essex County Council

Cty Cllr Aldridge agreed to chase up the parish council’s request to adopt a road verge. He had received complaints about slow broadband in Highwood. He confirmed that people who clear snow outside their premises will not be liable if someone falls. He reported on hedge and verge clearance, work at Roxwell pit, and that the Writtle Post Office re-location to Prestons was not proceeding.

Cllr Latham asked about street lights which were on 24 hours a day.

Cty Cllr Aldridge then left the meeting.

Police

No report.

Community Agent

B Smith reported that this would be her last meeting as she was retiring. The chairman thanked her for all the good work she had done in Highwood.

She then left the meeting.

Public Rights of Way

D Taylor reiterated the contents of his recent emails.

Chelmsford City Council had cut the overgrowth in Pools Lane, and the fallen oak tree on Chalk Hill had finally been cleared. D Taylor would be pleased if any councillors wished to accompany him on his PROW inspections.

Village Hall

Cllr Pipkin had nothing to add to previous reports. The village hall was on a very tight budget.

Play Park

Cllr Cameron had inspected the play area and had nothing to report.

54/2014-15

COUNCILLOR CO-OPTION

The council considered the application from Mr Carl Sargent for co-option on to the council and agreed to co-opt him as a parish councillor.

55/2014-15

REPORT OF THE CLERK

The Council NOTED the Clerk’s report.

1          Purchase of land and buildings from CCC

            The Council noted that CCC had said it intended to complete the transfer within four weeks of 2 October but there appeared to have been little movement as yet.

            Also noted that the borrowing approval for the loan had been extended for a further year to 5 October 2015; and that the council had registered for VAT.

2          Play area, Edney Common

            It was AGREED to accept the quote of £395 to carry out tree works and remove other vegetation at the play area. A quote for work on the play items would be considered when received. Noted that no items identified on the annual inspection report were high priority.

3          Verge Adoption

            There had still been no reply at all from ECC on this matter; it was hoped Cty Cllr Aldridge could elicit a response.

4          Litter pick

            There had been no response to the article in the parish magazine requesting a volunteer to co-ordinate the village litter pick.

5          Allotment rent

            Noted that the rent for the allotment site at Radley Green had been received, and that the current tenants were likely to want to continue renting the land when new environmental schemes come into force next year.

6          Elections 2015/meetings programme

            It was agreed to move the annual meeting in 2015 to Wednesday 20 May to take account of the council election. The Annual Parish Assembly would take place the same evening, before the council meeting.

56/2014-15

FINANCE

56.1

56.2

Accounts for payment

The accounts for payment, cheque nos. 62, 63 & 64, and online-banking, were APPROVED.

The account balances as at 3 November 2014 were NOTED.

57/2014-15

HIGHWAY MATTERS REPORTED BY COUNCILLORS

1          Cllr Griffin had received complaints about concrete blocks on the grass verge by Budds Farmhouse; it was agreed to report these to the Highway authority.

2          Speeding Traffic

            Speedwatch would take place with the school this month.

58/2014-15

DRAFT BUDGET AND PRECEPT FOR 2015/16

The report on the draft budget was noted, and that CCC had not yet had notification of the amount of Localising Council Tax Support grant it would receive.

Based on the estimates given by CCC, it was AGREED that the council’s net requirement would remain the same as last year, £25,515. The precept for 2015-16 would be this amount less the LCTS grant from CCC.

It was also AGREED that as the loan for the purchase of property from CCC had not yet been drawn down, the amount budgeted for repayments, minus the budgeted garage rents not realised at the end of the year, would be placed in an earmarked reserve to fund the purchase of play equipment for the new site.

59/2014-15

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE, and DISTRIBUTION BAG

The chairman reported an invitation to the licensing of the new vicar of Writtle and Highwood. He was unable to attend so Cllr Latham would attend in his place.

60/2014-15

DOCUMENTS ON DEPOSIT

None.

61/2014-15

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

61.1

Parish Council Decisions

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

App. no.

14/05236/TPO

Location

Land at The Nest, Highwood Road, Edney Common

Proposal

W1 – Holly – in woodland adjacent to 16 Woodside Cottages – reduce or fell to allow erection of boundary fence

Comments

No objection

App. no.

14/01460/FUL

Location

Land at Oak Tree Farm, Ingatestone Road

Proposal

Proposed tennis court

Comments

No objection

App. no.

14/01649/FUL

Location

Land north east of the Old Vicarage, Wyses Road

Proposal

Demolition of two existing structures and the construction of a stable block with solar panels on the roof & associated driveway

Comment

The council objects to this application as the existing structures were built on the green belt and were given retrospective planning permission. Allowing the current application would further compromise the integrity of the green belt.

App. no.

14/02109/NAMPRO

Location

Site at Bleak House, Edney Common

Proposal

To name the new house April Cottage

Comment

No objection

App. no.

14/01669/COUPA

Location

Church Farm, 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 an agricultural storage to a dwellinghouse (C3)

Comment

No comment

61.2

To consider the following planning applications

None

61.3

Other planning applications received since the agenda was prepared

None

61.4

Decisions by Chelmsford City Council

The following planning decisions by Chelmsford City Council were NOTED.

GRANTED

App. no.

14/01327/FUL

Location

Longfield, Cooksmill Green

Proposal

Proposed new detached cartlodge and garage

App. no.

14/01301/FUL

Location

Budds Farmhouse, Ingatestone Road

Proposal

Detached garage and store

App. no.

14/01460/FUL

Location

Land at Oak Tree Farm, Ingatestone Road

Proposal

Proposed tennis court

App. no.

14/05236/TPO

Location

Land at The Nest, Highwood Road, Edney Common

Proposal

W1 – Holly – in woodland adjacent to 16 Woodside Cottages – reduce or fell to allow erection of boundary fence

REFUSED

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

61.5

PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE

1          Chelmsford City Council Employment Land Review

            The council had no comment on this consultation.

2          CCC Local Plan – call for sites

            It was AGREED to put forward the play area at Edney Common and the allotment site at Radley Green as potential development sites.

62/2014-15

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS – for information only

None.

63/2014-15

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.30 p.m. Wednesday 14 January 2015

The meeting closed at 9.00pm.