Present:

Cllr David Cameron (in the Chair)

Councillors

Julia Griffin

Peter Latham

In attendance

Louise Fuller (Clerk)

Cty Cllr John Aldridge (to min. no. 22)

David Taylor (PRoW Officer) (to min. no. 22)

Two members of the public

18/2015-16

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Trevor Horsnell and Carl Sargent.

19/2015-16

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Members APPROVED the minutes of the annual meeting of the Council held on 20 May 2015 as a correct record.

20/2015-16

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

Cllr Latham declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in planning application 15/01097/FUL as it was for his property.

21/2015-16

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

A resident of Sparrows Close asked who was responsible for the hardstanding in front of the garages in Sparrows Close as it had been neglected; the council would obtain a quote to spray the area for weeds. He also asked about roadworks in the village (these are the responsibility of Essex County Council) and speeding through the village which affects parishioners’ quality of life – a perennial problem in which the parish council has no power to act. A member of the public who had bought a piece of land in Ingatestone Road asked the council’s views on building a residence on the land; she was advised that the council does not comment on such matters prior to receiving a planning application, and that she should contact Chelmsford City Council Planning Department for advice.

22/2015-16

REPORTS

Public Rights of Way

D Taylor presented his report on public rights of way in the parish, highlighting the difficulties in controlling growth to keep the paths passable. He stated his intention to stand down as PRoW Officer, and was thanked for all the hard work he had carried out in the past.

D Taylor and one member of the public left the meeting.

Chelmsford City Council

City Cllr Chambers was unable to attend the meeting but had reported that there had only been one CCC Cabinet meeting since the election. She was continuing to work with ECC Highways on reducing the traffic speed in the village.

Essex County Council

Cty Cllr Aldridge noted that CCC’s Call For Sites for the Local Plan was purely a list of sites submitted and did not indicate they would be developed. He spoke of the Waste Plan and the verges at Metsons Lane.

He then left the meeting.

Community Agent

NOTED that the new Community Agent would not be able to attend council meetings in future..

Play Park, Edney Common

No report as the play area had been closed.

Village Hall

No report.

23/2015-16

REPORT OF THE CLERK

The Council NOTED the Clerk’s report.

1          Automatic Pension Enrolment

            NOTED that the council would not be required to set up a pension scheme at present unless an employee requested it.

2          Salt Bag Partnership 2015/16

            AGREED to participate in the salt bag partnership for 2015/16..

3          Edney Common Play Area Annual Inspection

            The annual play area inspection report was NOTED. It contained no items which required urgent attention or equipment which should be taken out of use. The two specific queries raised by the council had been deemed not to be problematic. However, it was DECIDED that the area should remain closed.

4          Play area survey results

            Results of the recent play area survey had been circulated to councillors and the responses were considered. There were only 17 responses and the views expressed were not conclusive. The council held money in reserves from S106 agreements which had to be used for open spaces. Cllr Latham offered to research some scenarios for play equipment on the area.

5          Membership of Rural Community Council Essex

            It was AGREED to retain membership of Rural Community Council Essex and review this when the subscription came up for renewal.

6          Request from Village Hall

            A village hall hirer had requested to use the council’s grass area at the rear to display a pony at a model horse exhibition in August. This request was AGREED subject to certain conditions which would include the need for a risk assessment and public liability insurance.

            No action was taken to draw up a policy for use of the land in future.

7          Councillor vacancies

            Two vacancies remained on the council and these would continue to be advertised.

8          Items to note

            The council’s insurer had been changed to Zurich Municipal; forms are being completed to change bank signatories; Sparrows Close garage rents were now all being paid on time; £18,200.07 had been received in respect of S106 money.

24/2015-16

FINANCE

24.1

24.2

24.3

Accounts for payment

The accounts for on-line payment between meetings, total £402.04, were NOTED, and those for payment now, cheque no. 69 and online-banking to a total of £730.15, were APPROVED.

The account balances as at 30 June 2015 were NOTED.

Report of the Internal Auditor

The report of the Internal Auditor was NOTED. The recommendation concerning more frequent finance reports to the council was considered but would not be implemented as the council felt it already received sufficient information and the extra information would not justify the work required to produce it.

25/2015-16

HIGHWAY MATTERS REPORTED BY COUNCILLORS

1          Speeding Traffic

            Already discussed in public questions.

26/2015-16

FOOTPATHS

Cllr Sargent’s concern about the state of Highwood’s public rights of way was NOTED, and in view of Cllr Sargent’s interest and the resignation of the PRoW Officer, he would be asked if he would like to take on this role.

27/2015-16

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE, and DISTRIBUTION BAG

Email from Essex County Council Youth Services Provision was noted.

28/2015-16

DOCUMENTS ON DEPOSIT

Village Hall Chairman’s annual report and accounts were noted..

29/2015-16

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

29.1

Parish Council Decisions

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

App. no.

15/00685/FUL

Location

Oak Tree Farm, Ingatestone Road

Proposal

Retrospective permission for a garden shed and polytunnel

Comment

No objection

App. no.

15/00854/FUL

Location

Ewsons Farm, Ongar Road

Proposal

Amendment to planning permission 15/00012/FUL (part two storey, part single storey front and side extension.) for two storey side extension and solar panels on front garage roof

Comment

No objection

App. no.

15/00710/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 change of use of an agricultural building to residential (C3) use

Comment

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.

15/00905/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 and associated hardstanding

Comment

The council objects to this application which is inappropriate development in the green belt. The existing structures were built on the green belt and were given retrospective planning permission. Allowing the new application would further compromise the integrity of the green belt.

The paddock is poor quality grazing which would not support more than two horses so additional stables and associated infrastructure are not required. There is a risk that the redundant buildings would then be used for other, unauthorised, activities. The application appears to have been made to enhance the value of the property, which is up for sale, and possibly to encourage future commercial use which would be inappropriate in this location.

29.2

The following planning applications were considered:

App. no.

15/00929/FUL

Location

Hawkins Smiths Farmhouse, Wyses Road

Proposal

Part retrospective application for a replacement dwelling as previously approved for extensions and alterations. (14/01911/FUL)

Comment

The council is most concerned about this retrospective application which appears to be a cynical attempt to circumvent planning regulations, as the building has already been demolished. If approved, this application should be taken as a new build and be subject to the appropriate CIL.

The remaining member of the public left the meeting.

App. no.

15/00559/FUL

Location

Old Barns Cottage, Chelmsford Road

Proposal

Raising of the roof, two storey side extension, two storey front extension and new front porch. Partial demolition of existing rear extension and construction of new single storey rear extension. External alterations including new second floor side windows and revised external cladding.

Comment

No objection

Cllr Latham left the room having declared his disclosable pecuniary interest in this application.

App. no.

15/01097/FUL

Location

Montagues Farm, Loves Green

Proposal

Proposed rebuild/replace stables and associated buildings

Comment

There being only two members remaining, the meeting was then inquorate. The clerk could comment on the application using her delegated powers, with the guidance of the members present that they would not see any objection to the application.

Cllr Latham returned to the room.

29.3

Other planning applications received since the agenda was prepared

None.

29.4

Decisions by Chelmsford City Council

The following planning decisions by Chelmsford City Council were NOTED.

GRANTED

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

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.

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

App. no.

15/00685/FUL

Location

Oak Tree Farm, Ingatestone Road

Proposal

Retrospective permission for a garden shed and polytunnel

App. no.

15/00854/FUL

Location

Ewsons Farm, Ongar Road

Proposal

Amendment to planning permission 15/00012/FUL (part two storey, part single storey front and side extension.) for two storey side extension and solar panels on front garage roof

29.5

PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE

No councillors wished to attend CCC’s Planning Policy Update..

30/2015-16

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS – for information only

None.

31/2015-16

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.30 p.m. Wednesday 9 September 2015.

The meeting closed approx. 9.15pm.