Present:

Cllr David Cameron (in the Chair)

Councillors

John Heginbotham

Trevor Horsnell

Peter Latham

Dot Merriday

Anthony Pipkin (to min. no. 98)

In attendance

Louise Fuller (Clerk)

Brenda Smith (Village Agent) to min. no. 94

Two members of the public

91/2012-13

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None.

92/2012-13

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Members APPROVED the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9 January 2013 as a correct record.

93/2012-13

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

There were no declarations of interest nor requests for dispensations.

94/2012-13

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Village Agent

B Smith asked if anyone had had any requests for her to make any visits in the parish.

She then left the meeting to go to another elsewhere.

A member of the public asked about the council’s acquisition of property, lorries passing through Highwood, and planning permission required for operating a container business.

Cllr Latham declared an interest as he owned a garage in the block where property is to be purchased by the council.

95/2012-13

REPORTS

Chelmsford City Council and Essex County Council

No reports as the members had to attend other meetings elsewhere.

Police

The PCSO had emailed a report.

Play Park, Edney Common

Cllr Cameron volunteered to carry out monthly inspections of the play park.

Village Hall

Cllr Pipkin reported that hirings were increasing and the village hall was not losing money.

Parish Magazine

Cllr Heginbotham raised some questions about the varying size of the magazine and consequently the cost to the council, which could go over the available budget. It was AGREED that the PCC Treasurer would be informed that in future the council would only pay for the printing of a magazine of up to 24 pages, or up to 28 pages in exceptional circumstances with the authority of Cllr Heginbotham.

Footpaths

No report.

96/2012-13

REPORT OF THE CLERK

The Council NOTED the Clerk’s report.

1          Councillor vacancy

            No election having been demanded, the vacancy would be advertised for co-option.

2          Litter pick

            Noted that plans were under way for the litter pick, with the clerk providing admin support.

3          Use of Edney Common Play Area

            Noted that the Waltham Walk had been given permission to use the play area as a checkpoint for an orienteering event, subject to certain conditions. The organisation had been advised to review the amount of its insurance cover for public liability.

3          Precept

            Noted that the grant from CCC was £959, resulting in a parish precept of £24,556.

4          Grants

            It was AGREED to make a grant of £440 to St Paul’s Church in respect of churchyard maintenance, and £1,376.78 for printing the village newsletter, both for 2012.

5           Affordable Housing

             Noted that RCCE would carry out a new housing needs survey in the parish to obtain up-to-date information. It was AGREED that the accompanying letter would emanate from RCCE, with the support of the council.

6           Standing Orders

             AGREED that the Standing Orders required revision, but would await the new model standing orders expected from NALC.

7           Rest Centre

             The request to use the village hall as the emergency rest centre is awaiting a meeting of the Management Committee.

8           SLCC Regional Conference

             It was agreed that the clerk could attend the SLCC Regional Conference as she would probably not be attending the National Conference in the autumn.

97/2012-13

FINANCE

97.1

97.2

97.3

Accounts for payment

The accounts for payment, cheque no. 40 and online-banking, were APPROVED. A payment of £63.22 to D Cameron for Chairman’s expenses was agreed. Total £7,452.12.

The account balances as at 4 March 2013 were NOTED.

It was AGREED to ask Mrs Powell Davies to carry out the internal audit for 2012/13.

98/2012-13

HIGHWAY MATTERS REPORTED BY COUNCILLORS

1          Speedwatch

            There were now six volunteers for Speedwatch but more were always needed.

            It was decided not to make a request for a Speed Indicator Device to the Local Highways Panel as this would mean sacrificing one of the other schemes on the Highwood local list.

2          Highways issues

            Lying water was reported on Wyses Road, just past the Iron Room.

            The clerk was requested to ask if and when the vandalised post boxes in Ingatestone Road are to be reinstated.

3          Cycle races and time trials

            The clerk reported that cycle road races were legal on the public highway but there was no power for race marshals to direct traffic. Any transgressions should be reported to the police.

Cllr Pipkin left the meeting.

99/2012-13

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE, and DISTRIBUTION BAG

“Love where you live” – CCC would be asked to carry out litter picking along the A414; and to trim back overhanging hedges on the south-east side of Highwood Road from the church to Chaseside, in Ingatestone Road, and in Nathan’s Lane.

100/2012-13

DOCUMENTS ON DEPOSIT

None.

101/2012-13

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

101.1

Parish Council Decisions

There were no comments made by the council on planning applications between meetings.

101.2

The following planning application was considered:

App. no.

12/01788/FUL

Location

Oak Lodge, Loves Green

Proposal

Retrospective application for the erection of 2m high fencing

Comment

The council objected to this application as the property is a private house and the height of the proposed fence is inappropriate.

101.3

Decisions by Chelmsford Borough Council

The following planning decisions by Chelmsford Borough Council were NOTED.

GRANTED

App. no.

12/01679/FUL

Location

Awes Farm, Ingatestone Road

Proposal

Conversion of barn to 4 bed dwelling

App. no.

12/01708/FUL

Location

Schoolfield Cottage, Radley Green Road

Proposal

Single storey side extension and alterations to first floor side fenestration

App. no.

12/01794/FUL

Location

Oak Tree Cottage, Nathans Lane

Proposal

Construct new conservatory to the rear of the property

App. no.

12/01861/FUL

Location

Hunters Lodge, Chelmsford Road, Blackmore

Proposal

Orangery to the rear of the existing property

101.4

PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE

None.

102/2012-13

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS – for information only

None.

103/2012-13

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.30 p.m. Wednesday 8 May 2013, preceded at 7.00pm by the Annual Parish Assembly.

104/2012-13

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

It was RESOLVED to exclude the press and public from the following items under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 as they contained confidential information relating to the council’s property affairs.

The members of the public left the meeting.

105/2012-13

LAND AT REAR OF VILLAGE HALL

The report on the purchase of the land at the rear of the village hall and other property from CCC was NOTED.

106/2012-13

ALLOTMENT SITE, RADLEY GREEN

It was noted that there had been no demand for allotments on this site from parishioners. There would be no further action on the piece of land for the present, although regualr rent reviews should take place.

The meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.