Present:

Cllr David Cameron (in the Chair)

Councillors

Trevor Horsnell

Peter Latham

Carl Sargent

In attendance

Louise Fuller (Clerk)

City Cllr Nicolette Chambers (to min. no. 70)

Cty Cllr John Aldridge (to min. no. 70)

One member of the public

66/2015-16

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None.

67/2015-16

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Members APPROVED the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 November 2015 as a correct record.

68/2015-16

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

None.

69/2015-16

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

None.

70/2015-16

REPORTS

Chelmsford City Council

City Cllr Chambers reported on removal and replacement of trees at The Nest, the Local Highways Panel, the Local Plan consultation, Hylands House and devolution.

Cllr Horsnell asked her about planning issues at Oak Lodge, and would email her with his concerns.

City Cllr Chambers then left the meeting.

Essex County Council

Cty Cllr Aldridge reported on devolution, the spending review, broadband, and the local plan in respect of infrastructure.

Cty Cllr Aldridge then left the meeting.

Play Park, Edney Common

No report as the play area was closed.

Village Hall

Nothing to report.

71/2015-16

CO-OPTION

The council considered an application for co-option on to the council from Anne Mitchell, and RESOLVED to co-opt her as a parish councillor.

Councillors would continue their efforts to fill the remaining two vacancies on the council.

72/2015-16

PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY REPRESENTATIVE

Mandy Martin had offered to fill the role of the Public Rights of Way representative; the council was pleased to accept.

73/2015-16

REPORT OF THE CLERK

The Council NOTED the Clerk’s report.

1          PRoW

            It was AGREED to rejoin the Parish Paths Partnership..

2          Litter Pick 2016

            Arrangements for the village litter pick on Sunday 13 March were noted.

3          Allotments, Radley Green

            Noted that the farmer had decided not to enter the government environmental scheme but was happy to continue to rent the land.

4          Chelmsford Local Highways Panel

            The council noted the report on the progress of its requests to the Local Highways Panel, and would await with interest the outcome of the panel’s meeting in January 2016.

5          Works to the play area, Edney Common

            The council noted that the works had been ordered.

6          Grass cutting contract 2016

            The council agreed to DELEGATE to the clerk the decision on appointing a contractor for the grass cutting in 2016, when quotes had been received.

74/2015-16

GRANT APPLICATION

The council RESOLVED to make a grant to St Paul’s Church for the parish magazine for 2016; the amount to be based on the actual 2015 figure (£1,219.67) plus the deficit from the amount already paid in advance for 2015 (39p), i.e. £1,220.06.

It also RESOLVED to make a grant of £520 towards the cost of grass and hedge cutting in the churchyard in 2015.

75/2015-16

PROPOSED PLAY AREA, GRASS AREA REAR OF VILLAGE HALL

The council RESOLVED to proceed with installing a mix of adult and children’s play equipment on the grass area at the rear of the village hall, and to obtain some firm prices and proposals. A representative from a play company would be asked to give a half-hour presentation prior to the next council meeting.

76/2015-16

FINANCE

76.1

76.2

76.3

76.4

Accounts for payment

The accounts for payment, online-banking to a total of £2,265.28, were APPROVED.

The account balances as at 31 December were NOTED.

Review of income

The council RESOLVED to make no increase in rents for the garages in 2016/17.

External audit

The council RESOLVED to remain with the Sector-Led Body for its external audit arrangements.

77/2015-16

HIGHWAY MATTERS REPORTED BY COUNCILLORS

1          Speeding Traffic

            Cllr Latham reported the difficulty in obtaining police training for Speedwatch.

2          Chevrons sign, Blackmore Road – report noted.

78/2015-16

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE, and DISTRIBUTION BAG

None.

79/2015-16

DOCUMENTS ON DEPOSIT

None.

80/2015-16

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

80.1

Parish Council Decisions

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

App. no.

15/00574/HNC

Location

Landview Service Station, Ongar Road, Cooksmill Green

Proposal

Rename to Imperials

Comment

No objection

App. no.

15/02070/FUL

Location

Annexe, Cob Cottage, Nathans Lane

Proposal

Change of use from annexe to independent dwelling

Comment

No objection

App. no.

15/05292/TPO

Location

2 Woodland Way

Proposal

T1 – Willow in rear garden – pollard to 5 metres and retain low trunk growth. Reason: this tree has suffered multiple branch breaks and fractures

Comment

No objection (in fact this comment was not able to be submitted because the application was changed on CCC’s website to No Further Action)

App. no.

15/02064/FUL

Location

Longfield, Cooksmill Green

Proposal

Proposed single storey side extension with new pitched roof over existing flat roof.

Comment

No objection

App. no.

15/00575/HNC

Location

Serenity Cottage, Blackmore Road

Proposal

Change name to Cat and Kitten Cottage

Comment

No objection (in fact welcomed as a reversion to the original name of the property)

80.2

The following planning applications were considered:

None.

80.3

Other planning applications received since the agenda was prepared

None.

80.4

Decisions by Chelmsford City Council

The following planning decisions by Chelmsford City Council were NOTED.

GRANTED

App. no.

15/00574/HNC

Location

Landview Service Station, Ongar Road, Cooksmill Green

Proposal

Rename to Imperials

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

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

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

NO FURTHER ACTION

App. no.

15/05292/TPO

Location

2 Woodland Way

Proposal

T1 – Willow in rear garden – pollard to 5 metres and retain low trunk growth. Reason: this tree has suffered multiple branch breaks and fractures

80.5

PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE

Chelmsford Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation Document, its accompanying Sustainability Report (and non-technical summary) and Draft Statement of Community Involvement

The council had no comment on this consultation.

80.6

The chairman’s report on a meeting he had attended at the invitation of Writtle Parish Council was incorporated in the previous discussion.

81/2015-16

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS – for information only

Cllr Latham requested an item on the next agenda about a parish plan.

82/2015-16

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.30 p.m. Wednesday 9 March 2016.

The meeting closed approx. 9.00pm.