Present:

Cllr David Cameron (in the   Chair)

Councillors

Julia Griffin

Peter Latham

Carl Sargent

In attendance

Louise Fuller (Clerk)

One member of the public

1/2015-16

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Cllr Cameron was proposed and   seconded as Chairman for the year 2015/16; there being no other nominations,   he was duly elected and executed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

2/2015-16

APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN

Cllrs Horsnell and Latham were   proposed as Vice Chairman for the year 2015/16; two councillors present   seconded Cllr Latham and he was duly appointed.

3/2015-16

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr T Horsnell.

4/2015-16

COUNCILLORS’ DECLARATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

All councillors except Cllr   Horsnell had completed their Declarations of Acceptance of Office prior to   the meeting. The council AGREED   that Cllr Horsnell’s Declaration should be completed by the next meeting of the   council on 8 July 2015.

5/2015-16

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Members APPROVED the minutes of   the special meeting of the Council held on 16 April 2015 as a correct   record.

6/2015-16

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

6.1

There were no declarations of   interest. Members were reminded that   although as previous councillors there was no requirement for them to   complete a new Register of Interests form, they should check that the   information on their Register of Interests was up-to-date and any changes   should be reported to the clerk within 28 days of them occurring.

6.2

DISPENSATIONS

6.2.1

There were no requests for   dispensations.

6.2.2

GENERAL DISPENSATIONS

It was RESOLVED that the   following general dispensations would be granted:

1          Payments

            Where the matter   relates to an allowance, payment or indemnity given to all councillors,   including payments of expenses and Chairman’s allowance.

2          Precept

            Where the matter   relates to the setting of the council’s precept.

3          These general   dispensations to last until the annual meeting of the council following the   next ordinary elections.

7/2015-16

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

The member of the public spoke   about dead branches in Blackmore Road and roadworks in the village. Cllr Sargent would follow up with Cty Cllr   Aldridge his previous query about the road markings.

8/2015-16

VACANCIES ON THE COUNCIL

It was noted that despite   extensive advertising there had been no applications for co-option on to the   council. Another article would appear   in the June edition of the magazine and meanwhile councillors could encourage   any likely candidates to come forward.

9/2015-16

REPORTS

Chelmsford City   Council

City Cllr Chambers was on   leave.

Essex County   Council

Cty Cllr Aldridge was unable to   attend due to a commitment elsewhere.

Police

There would be no reports from   the police in future.

Village Agent

No report.

Play Park

No report as the play area had   been closed.

Village Hall

Cllr Sargent was appointed as   the council’s representative on the Village Hall committee.

Public Rights of   Way

There was nothing to report.

10/2015-16

REPORT OF THE CLERK

The Council NOTED   the Clerk’s report. In particular:

1          Notice of audit   and HMRC annual returns for VAT & PAYE

            Notices had been   posted as required by legislation, and annual returns submitted on time.

2          Grass cutting contract

            The contact had   been awarded to D W Maintenance for an annual cost of £450.00 ex VAT.

3          Survey, play area at rear of village hall

            Surveys would be   distributed by the school, at Catch-Up Café and in the parish magazine.

4          Automatic Pension Enrolment

            The council noted   the requirements of the new pensions regulations; that the clerk would not be   eligible for automatic enrolment; and that she was still trying to obtain   definitive information from the Pensions Regulator. If it was necessary, the council would join   the National Employment Savings Trust scheme and consider joining the Local   Government Pension Scheme at a later date.

11/2015-16

FINANCE

11.1

11.2

Accounts for payment

The accounts for on-line   payment between meetings were NOTED, and those for payment now,   cheque no. 68 and online-banking, were APPROVED.

The account balances as at 4   May 2015 were NOTED.

11.3

Risk Assessment and Management

The council reviewed its   arrangements for assessing and managing risks, and AGREED they were   adequate and no change was required.

11.4

Annual Return 2014/15

The Council APPROVED   section 1 of the Annual Return, the Statement of Accounts, and STATED   it could answer “yes” to the questions in section 2, Annual Governance   Statement.

Section 4, the report of the   internal auditor, had been completed and forwarded to members, and the   council NOTED this.

The council NOTED   that statutory notice of the public’s right to inspect the accounts had been   given.

The summary account of Receipts   and Payments and the notes to the accounts were NOTED.

11.5

Internal audit report

The report of the internal   auditor had only just been received; it had been circulated in advance of the   meeting but as there had been insufficient time to look at it, consideration   of the report was deferred to the next meeting.

11.6

Review and renewal of council’s insurance

The council noted the current   arrangements for insurance cover.   Having reached the end of a Long Term Agreement for insurance with   Came & Co, the council considered the quote for renewal, plus two   alternative quotes, details of which had been circulated beforehand. Zurich Municipal had quoted £241.30 or   £237.04 for a three-year LTA. The   levels of cover were as good or better than that already in place, with the   exclusion of some covers which the council did not require. It was AGREED to change to Zurich   Municipal and take out a LTA.

11.7

Cheque signatories

Cllrs Cameron, Horsnell and   Latham were CONFIRMED as cheque signatories, and it was AGREED   that Cllr Griffin would replace A Pipkin as a signatory.

12/2015-16

HIGHWAY MATTERS REPORTED BY COUNCILLORS

1          Speeding traffic

            The police have   been in the village carrying out speed checks and would be issuing speeding   tickets. Speedwatch had been active   but needed more volunteers.

13/2015-16

COMMUNICATIONS AND   CORRESPONDENCE, and DISTRIBUTION BAG

None.

14/2015-16

DOCUMENTS ON DEPOSIT

None.

15/2015-16

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

15.1

Parish Council Decisions

The following comments made by   the parish council were NOTED.

App. no.

15/00399/FUL

Location

Longfield,   Cooksmill Green

Proposal

Replacement   timber fence and entrance gates and new laurel hedge in front of fence to   front boundary

Comment

No objection

App. no.

14/00806/MAT/1

Location

Fidlers Moat, Loves Green

Proposal

Material amendment to planning   permission 14/00806/FUL (Ancillary building, stables and the conversion of   garage roof space including two dormers and an external staircase & door)   to re-site the ancillary building

Comment

No objection

App. no.

15/00604/FUL

Location

Oak Lodge, Loves Green

Proposal

Commercial use of site area for   storage of vans for sale. Retention of   new gates to existing entrance to site.   Relocation of existing storage containers to within site curtilage   & retention of container.

Comment

The council objects to this application for the following   reasons:

This site is a domestic   residence and should remain as such; it should not be used for commercial   purposes. The site seems to be   incorporating an ever-expanding business, which is inappropriate in the rural   surroundings. The proposal is too   extensive for a village setting. The   increased traffic will have a significant adverse effect on the village,   which already suffers from a surfeit of vehicles, including heavy lorries,   passing through, often in excess of the speed limit. The proposal will diminish the quality of   life of nearby residents.

15.2

To consider the following planning applications

None.

15.3

Other planning applications received since the agenda was prepared

App. no.

15/00730/FUL

Location

Land west of   Hands Farm, Radley Green Road

Proposal

External   alterations including re-cladding existing building in stained boarding. Extend hardstanding to provide access and   parking

Comment

No objection

15.4

Decisions by Chelmsford City Council

The following planning   decisions by Chelmsford City Council were NOTED.

GRANTED

App. no.

15/00012/FUL

Location

Ewsons Farm,   Ongar Road

Proposal

Part two   storey, part single storey front and side extension

App. no.

14/01968/FUL

Location

3 Kiln   Cottages, Nathans Lane

Proposal

First floor   rear extension

App. no.

15/00399/FUL

Location

Longfield,   Cooksmill Green

Proposal

Replacement   timber fence and entrance gates and new laurel hedge in front of fence to   front boundary

App. no.

15/00389/FUL

Location

Wyses Cottage, Wyses Road

Proposal

Part first floor, part single storey side and rear   extensions, and external alterations

15.5

PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE

None.

16/2015-16

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS – for information only

None.

17/2015-16

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.30 p.m. Wednesday 8 July 2015

The meeting closed at approx.   8.10 p.m.