Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on

Wednesday 14 September 2005

in the Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

Present were:

Mrs Burton, Mr Clark, Miss Collinson, Mrs Kesterton, Mr Perry, & Mrs Clark (Clerk).

In Attendance:

Cllr Mrs Down.

1. Apologies for Absence

   Apologies had been received from Mrs Oliveira, Mr Rixson and Cllr Walsh.

   In the absence of Mrs Oliveira the Chair was taken by Mr Clark.

2. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   The minutes of the meeting held on 13th July, 2005 were agreed and signed.

3. Matters Arising

   1. Town and Parish Councils Meeting With Uttlesford District Council - 6th September

      Mr Clark reported on this meeting. Amongst the matters discussed were the proposed new constitution for Uttlesford District Council, the County Council's Community Initiative Fund, Waste Management and various changes to planning law.

4. Footpaths

   Mrs Burton reported that the overgrown footpath in the Pledgdon Green area had still not been dealt with. She was advised to raise the matter with our County Councillor. (After note: The footpath was cleared two days after the meeting.)

5. Stansted Airport

   1. Takeley Challenge to H.O.S.S.

      There had been no further news.

   2. Night Flights

      The Council had made its representations to the consultation, which ends on 16th September, on Night Flights.

   3. Consultation on Maximum use of Existing Runway and Draft Interim Master Plan

      It was noted that responses to this consultation document were required by the end of October. It was agreed to discuss our response at the October meeting.

   4. Health Impact Assessment

      A letter had been received from some consultants who were conducting a comprehensive Health Impact Assessment of the proposal to make more efficient use of the existing runway on behalf of BAA. However, only a few days' notice had been given of the workshops to which we had been invited. The Clerk had replied insisting that we be given proper notice of such consultations. The Vice chairman had also written to the local press complaining about the arrogant approach being taken with so called ‘consultations’.

6. Correspondence

   1. U.A.L.C. Meeting 29th September

      A letter had been received from U.A.L.C. giving notice of the meeting on 29th September, at which the speaker would be Adrian Cannard from the East of England Regional Assembly. Mr Clark hoped to attend.

   2. BT

      A letter had been received from BT following its proposal to convert both the public telephones in the village to ‘cashless’. It had decided to take no action at this time, pending the publication of the Ofcom review of BT's Universal Service Obligation, expected later this year.

   3. Uttlesford Community Achievement Awards

      Consideration was given as to whom might be nominated for an award this year.

   4. Parish Review

      A letter had been received from the Electoral officer at Uttlesford District Council concerning a review of parish electoral arrangements. It was agreed there was no need to vary the number of councillors from the present seven.

7. Finance, including Signing of Cheques and Use of the £1,000 Grant from Essex County Council

   1. Balances

      Balances as at 31st August, 2005 at Barclays Bank, Dunmow were reported as follows:

      Community Account (current)	£637.98
      Business Reserve Account (high rate deposit)	£5,406.09
      	£6,044.07	*

      * (of which £1,000 is committed to the Village Hall, and £1,000 is in the Professional Services Account).

      The Clerk advised that the second instalment of the precept, £3,500, was due at the end of the month.

   2. Signing of Cheques

      It was agreed to sign the following cheque:

      P.Clark

      Salary £608.00 and Expenses £380.50 March to September 2005

      £988.50

      It had been agreed at the meeting on 13th April, 2005 (page 491 of the minutes) that the salary and expenses of the Clerk would be increased by an overall 5%; the Clerk to decide the proportions. She had decided to increase salary and expenses by 5% each.

      It was noted that on 26th July a cheque for £141.00 had been drawn in favour of Lubbock Fine, external auditors, in respect of the Audit Fee, 2004/5. This amount is in line with the published scale of fees.

   3. Audit of Accounts

      The accounts had been approved by the external auditor. There were no matters of concern.

   4. £1,000 Grant from Essex County Council

      Mr Clark had been advised by E.A.L.C. that our bursary scheme would be illegal. Even though the money was a gift, the Council could still only spend it in accordance with the powers and authorities it has. It was agreed to ring-fence the money in the accounts as ‘ECC Grant Account’ until a use for it could be found. The Clerk pointed out that her successor may have need to purchase computer and office equipment.

8. Planning

   The current situation on planning applications is:

   1. Leswins, Chapel End

      renewal of outline permission for the erection of a dwelling

      Refused

   2. Flemings Hill farm

      erection of pitched roof over outbuilding, conversion of outbuildings to provide additional domestic accommodation and pool room

      Approved

   3. Clovelly, Brick End

      outline permission for the erection of a replacement dwelling with all matters reserved except means of access

      Gone to appeal. We had made a representation to the appeal inspector that we now favoured this site, and the two adjacent, being included within the building ‘envelope’ of the village.

      Result of appeal awaited

   4. Oakmead, Brick End

      erection of a single storey rear extension

      Awaited

   5. Brick House & Annexe, Church End

      Removal of Condition C.6.3 attached to planning consent UTT/0590/89/FUL (restricting occupancy of annexe to relatives of main dwelling) to permit use for holiday lets

      Awaited

   6. Rat's Castle, Chapel End

      erection of replacement dwelling

      Awaited

      It was agreed to object to this application on the grounds that should BAA's plans for an additional runway ever come to fruition it is likely that the replacement house would have to be demolished too. Furthermore, if the expansion plans do not materialize then BAA would profit from the deal.

      Permission was recently refused for the renewal of an outline application a few hundred yards away (UTT/0369/05/REN) for reasons of Planning Codes R.90A and R.90B. Surely these would apply to the proposed building too? It was noted that Rat's Castle presently has no vehicular access, and no off-road parking. This does not appear to have been addressed in the application. The Council would prefer that the existing old and interesting building be renovated. However, should Uttlesford be minded to approve this application the Council would wish to see a Condition requiring that the replacement building actually be built, and within a fairly short time-frame.

9. Any Other Business

   1. The delay in re-instating the road surface outside the Chapel after works to deal with a leaking water main was noted. It was agreed that future incidents would be raised with Highways.

   2. A resident of Church End had inquired about the possibility of installing roadside speed monitors that lit up reminding motorists of the 30 mph limit when it was exceeded. It was agreed to ask Highways what the requirements for such a sign were.

10. Date of the Next Meeting

    The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Wednesday 12th October, 2005 in the Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

Cllr Mrs Down was thanked for her attendance and the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.