Parish Council Monthly Meeting Report
WRITTLE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY 2 APRIL 2007
IN ROOM 4 LONGMEADS HOUSE
AT 7.30PM
PRESENT: Mr C J Hibbitt (Chairman)
Mr R J Bray (Vice Chairman)
Mr D V Banes Mr J Drake
Mr J Fuller Mrs P E Laflin
Mr J K Menown Mr S J Robinson
Mrs E A Roe Mr A F Sach
Mrs S Storry Mr T E White
IN ATTENDANCE Mr D J Woodyard Clerk
Cllr. J F Aldridge (County)
Cllr. T Roper (Borough)
PCSO I Gipson
Ms Anne Bishop Rural Housing Trust
APOLOGIES: Mr F D Anelli Mrs D H Candler
Mr S J Norburn PCSO I Hilton
•1. PRESENTATION ANNE BISHOP OF THE RURAL HOUSING TRUST - AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Ms Bishop outlined the purpose of the Rural Housing Trust and the basics of their affordable housing scheme. The main considerations are that to build affordable housing there has to be a demonstrable need in the locality and the availability of suitable land at a below development cost. Literature was handed out giving the nuts and bolts of various procedures. For villages such as the size of Writtle shared equity property purchases for villagers would be the avenue available. Purchasers would have to prove a local connection ( to be verified by the Parish Council) as would any subsequent purchasers of the property.
Ms Bishop left the meeting at 7.50pm having been thanked by the Chairman for her attendance and for the clarity of her presentation.
It was agreed there are various issues to consider and the emerging Parish Plan should give an indication as to what would be appropriate.
2 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST
Mr Hibbitt and Mr Sach advised to being life members of the Tennis Club (see minute 10) below on which no decision was made.
3 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING DATED 5 MARCH 2007
Approved.
4 MATTERS ARISING
4.1 V Festival [minute 3.2]
Mrs Roe's report was considered and concern was expressed re the use of Ongar Road for bus
traffic and Cllr. Aldridge agreed to ascertain what contingency plans ECC had to deal with a traffic
blockage. Concern also expressed at involvement of Police in matters outside their remit re use
of Maztec donation.
4.2 Gardens - Shops Long Brandocks [Minute 3.3]
Proceeding. Quotes for work now being considered by Mr Chater.
4.3 Youth Club [minute 3.4]
Mr Fuller reported YMCA very happy with way club progressing - numbers steady at 15 although
hope to increase with lighter evenings. 2 more volunteers required to assist.
4.4 Writtle Archives cabinets [minute 11]
Mr Bray reported should be concluded shortly.
4.5 CCTV [minute 3.7]
Mr Sach contacting Mr Clarke CBC re progress.
4.6 Car Sales A414 [minute 3.8]
Regrettably meeting was cancelled by Inspector Callow so matter will be raised when meeting
reconvened.
4.7 Recycling facilities The Green [minute 3.9]
Mr Sach reported removal progressing but contracts with removers have to be sorted out first.
4.8 Margaretting Road [Minute 4.1]
Improvements made seem to be working well.
4.9 Hylands School Access Track [Minute 4.2]
Cllr. Aldridge is progressing this - pot holes to be filled and site meeting arranged.
4.10 Traffic Wardens [Minute 5]
Mr Sach arranging for our PCSO to meet Mr O'Brien CBC Parking Manager to sort this matter.
4.11 Parking Restrictions [Minute 7]
Still trying to ascertain when ECC will paint the yellow lines. Noted there is some confusion by St
John's Green as to what the regulations should be. CBC are looking into this.
4.12 Writtle Flyer [Minute 9]
Councillors and Clerk reported Flyers delivered and feedback has been good. EALC have also
given their seal of approval on the finished item.
4.13 New Playing Field [Minute 10]
Mr Bray reported plans for planning application practically finalised and will be approved for
submission to CBC via Mr Sach at next week's Playing Field Committee meeting. Clerk reported
£3k from Fowler Smith Jones Trust now received. Chairman reported that of the Maztec money
received £46420.96 £1500 had been forwarded to Writtle Minors Boys, Writtle Minors Girls and
Cricket Colts (£500 each) for shirt sponsorship for "V".
4.14 Byelaws [Minute 11]
Mr Sach produced a copy of CBC Byelaws.
4.15 Parish Sports Programme [Minute 13.2]
Clerk reported the Whitsun programme was a non starter due to his unavailability so the Parish
Council will sponsor the summer sessions only as in previous years.
5 PUBLIC OPEN FORUM - 15 minutes allowed
Cllr. Aldridge raised the matter of Speed Indicator Signs and produced information. Clerk to write
to Roxwell, Highwood and Margaretting Parish Councils to see if any possibility of sharing the
facility and cost as sign(s) can be transported.
Mention was made of possibility of acquiring hand held speed guns for use by trained volunteers
(possibly Ongar Road residents?) - matter to be raised at Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday.
Cllr Aldridge reported a complaint had been made regarding the Writtle College reservoir
extractions which has now been resolved.
6 COMMUNITY POLICING
PCSO Gipson advised he and Claudia had been covering Writtle whilst PCSO Hilton was sick.
There had been one major drug related arrest.
Chairman raised concerns regarding the recording and action re the alleged mobile phone
mugging at the Pleasure Bit which PCSO Gipson will investigate and also pass on concerns
regarding speeding motorcycles on the A414 Greenbury Way.
7 RECEIPT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
The following reports were received:- Clerk's Report March 2007, Development 5 and 12 March
2007, Environment 12 March 2007
8 COUNCILLORS QUESTION TIME
Mrs Storry raised problem of a light out at Lawford Lane which has been reported but not
attended to - Cllr. Aldridge to investigate.
Cllr. Aldridge advised certain road signs do not now require illumination so the lighting apparatus
will eventually be removed as will some old obsolete lighting pillars.
9 FINANCIAL REPORT AS AT 15 MARCH 2007 AND APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS
It was proposed by Mr A F Sach, seconded by Mr D V Banes and agreed that report and
payments be approved.
10 WRITTLE TENNIS CLUB REQUEST FOR FINANCE
It was agreed to refer this to the Playing Field Committee to take up in association with the Sports
& Social Club.
11 OTHER REPORTS
11.1 Road closure
Ingatestone Road from Ivy Barn Lane to Cock Lane from 23 April for 5 days.
•11.2 Football Foundation Grant
Goalpost grant of £243 received towards replacement of goal at Pleasure Bit (50% of cost)
•11.3 World Scout Jamboree Meeting 9 May
Invitation received and several Councillors and Clerk to attend.
•11.4 Mobile Mast - BT site Ongar Road
Noted a letter of objection had been sent to Synergy who proposed to erect a 15m mast at the above location.
•11.5 CBC Parish Council Meeting 18 April.
Invitation received and several Councillors and Clerk to attend.
•11.6 Manned Refuse Collection 10 March
Noted the Hunts Drive initial venue had been missed out. Mr Sach made enquiries - human error.
•11.7 Volunteer Centre 10th Anniversary Celebrations 2 May.
Invitation to attend to all Councillors.
•11.8 Parish Plan
Mr Bray reported the current position. The Business Questionnaire is being delivered over Easter by Writtle College students who will be interviewing all businesses. Youth Questionnaire is nearly ready and the Householders Questionnaire is still being worked upon. The College students will also be carrying out a speed monitoring exercise on Ongar Road.
•11.9 Simon Norburn
Chaired read out an email from Simon indication his pleasure at the comradeship in serving on the Parish Council and regretting due to ill health his inability to stand for re-election. The Chairman expressed his appreciation to Simon and all the Councillors for their service over the last 4 years.
Meeting closed at 9.25pm
