MINUTES OF
CLAVERING PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 8 JANUARY 2007
(Key to votes: P: Proposed S: Seconded F: For the proposal A: Against Ab:
Abstained D.Int: Declared an interest).
1 PRESENT The Chairman; Nigel Cook, Vice Chairman Richard Carter,
Brian Barrow, Mike Patmore, Des Abrahams, Edward Oliver, David Laing, Simon
Cooke, Rebecca Stanford, together with 2 members of the public.
Apologies received from Edgar Abrahams and Elaine Tomlinson. The
Conservation Officers from UDC, Barbara Bosworth and Bruce Tice, also
attended to outline the Conservation Area Review proposals.
2 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: Edward Oliver declared a prejudicial
interest for UTT/2117/DFO as a close neighbour.
3 CONSERVATION AREA REVIEW Mrs Bosworth outlined the purpose of the
appraisal and review
of the current Conservation Areas in Uttlesford, and the importance for the
future of any changes made now.
Mr Tice supplied maps of the current Area to all councillors, and requested
that any concerns or proposals
from the Parish Council be submitted as soon as possible, with this being
discussed in Committee at this stage. A public meeting was proposed once the
draft report has been prepared, as it was considered important that local
people were also involved. It was proposed and agreed to go into Committee (P:NC,
S:RWC, F:All).
4 MINUTES The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved and
signed, with one amendment: Item 12, line 5
to be changed to ‘as Simon Cooke is Treasurer of the Jubilee Field
Committee.’
5 MATTERS ARISING
1 Enforcements:
a. Portakabin: The owner said he could not remove this as the ground was too
wet for the towtruck; he had been
instructed under Enforcement by UDC to remove it now by 31 March.
b. Caravans opposite Curles: Now under enforcement action to remove..
c. Barn and lake at Starlings Gn.: Being processed at UDC.
d. Structure and caravan at Starlings Gn: Enforcement for removal
proceeding.
e. Parking land at The Druce, Canvas Tent - proceedings now under way
by UDC for removal.
f . Yew Tree Farm, UTT 1074: Awaiting retrospective application.
g. Brices Farm, Butts Green: Outside storage and unauthorised caravan – no
news.
h. Funstons Unit: UTT 1306: Breaches of permission had been put right; a
tenant had possibly been found for the
new Unit 10, and it was understood that this would now be built. Site
currently tidied up to UDC satisfaction.
i. Sign at Jojacks Farm – being investigated by UDC as it was possibly over
the permitted size.
2 Highways & Byways:
a. Watery Stones: Had been closed for emergency repairs by Highways; now
completed and open again.
b. Speed Limits : VMS unit, again not working properly.
c. Hill Green yellow lines: Being processed through the ECC funding system.
d Stortford Road puddle – it was reported that there were many low lying
sections adjacent to pavements.
e. Byway 50, Chalkpit Lane, The Druce – requests for this to be downgraded
to a Bridleway, or for winter
closure measures; Rebecca Stanford to progress.
f Coley Lane rubbish - the drain had been unblocked, but the water level was
still too high for any clearance.
g Fallen signpost at Butts Green – to be reported to ECC.
h Blocked drains; Colehills drain cleared by ECC, the Ford cleared by the
Clerk, Curles drain: to be advised.
i Potholes at Sheepcote Green – awaiting Highways.
3 Other items:
a. Community Awards – awaiting February meeting.
b. Notice Board –awaiting the shop’s refurbishment work to be finished, when
Des Abrahams will meet them again.
c CVH litter bin – possibility of UDC bins eventually.
d Skeins Way lights: the Clerk had asked Cllr Robert Chambers if these could
be exempted from the trial.
e Election: Confirmed as 3 May. EALC will be sending a publicity pack for
encouraging people to turn out and
vote, also to encourage new people to stand. A grant was offered towards
expenses to cover publicity costs
or for an information evening for possible interested people, and it was
agreed to apply for this.
f Wheeled pump, Hill Green – awaiting Environment Agency repairs.
g Village sign revarnishing – to be done in the spring.
h Village Hall heating – it was agreed to investigate alternative venues.
6 FINANCE
Precept: After discussion, this was set at £9000 for the 2006-2007 financial
year. (P: EO, S: RWC, F:8). The
Council agreed to set a balance between keeping the rates down, and
providing services and standards which the
village now expected.
Seats: It was agreed that all 15 seats needed refurbishment or replacing
this summer.
Trees: It was expected that there would be some large costs for tree work to
be carried out this year.
Invoices: It was agreed to pay the following:
Walden Buskers (T.Penn) Christmas band
75.00 No vat 000845
Mr D Abrahams Christmas tree lights 4
9.99 4.25 000846
Stamps via Clerk 2nd class
23.00 No vat 000847
Des Abrahams was thanked unanimously for doing an excellent job of the
Christmas Tree and lights this year.
Receipts
Allotment cheque Rent 13.00
7 PLANNING
UTT 2019 Affordable Housing: Some of the last residents had now moved in.
FP 22 & 26: Thurrocks Farm: Footpath Diversion applications. No progress.
UTT 1721 Boreham, 21 Pelham Rd. New roof, windows etc. Approved.
UTT 1631 Bloss, The Mill House, Mill Lane, conversion of outbuilding to
residential. Approved.
UTT 1747 Rouse, Clavering Gate; Detached barn / garage / store. Approved.
UTT 1669 Merrick, Ford end House. Conversion of garage to playroom etc.
Approved..
UTT 1905 Evans, Roast Farm. Relocation of shed (previous UTT 1406).
Approved.
UTT 1866 Ireland, Daisy Cottage, Wicken Rd. Refused as considered excessive
development of the site.
UTT 1955 Brash, Home Farmhouse, High St. Demolition of shed and side extn.
No objections.
UTT 2089 Kinmonth, Danceys, Middle St. (previous UTT 1091/05). Objections on
grounds of overdevelopment, the height of the building too high and
overshadowing the adjacent bungalow on the east, and the listed house to the
west. Also considered out of character in the Conservation Area setting.
UTT 2117/DFO Wingham, adj.Allington House, Arkesden Rd. Outline permission
in place. (D.Int: Edward Oliver
withdrew, but asked another councillor to read out his objections to the
application. This was done. The
Clerk advised he should check whether this was consistent with the Code of
Conduct as it may be seen
as improperly trying to influence the councillors’ decision when a
prejudicial interest had been declared).
It was agreed to object to this design on grounds of it being far too large
for the site, being back
development, and being outside the Planning Envelope. It was also
recommended that it should be single storey, as the Council was advised this
had been the Planning Inspector’s ruling on a previous Appeal.
8 P3 Scheme
Paths on the east
still not reinstated after ploughing. No news on the Fox Meadow stile being
replaced.
Byway 63 to be investigated. A work proposal had been set up for a further
landowner to take part. Problems with
Elmstreet Lane to be checked. Headland Management Scheme – to be checked who
was already part of this.
9 LAND REGISTRATION
Track from Chipperfield House to Hyaway: No information received from
residents as to registration.
Bridges: Awaiting further advice from Highways.
10 ACCESSES & GREENS
The Cricketers – the draft was being prepared to be sent for submitting to
both parties’ solicitors. The Clerk read
out the draft document and asked for any further additions or views. The
councillors nominated Hewitons to act.
The Views, Hill Green: The documentation had been sent to the solicitor
acting for the owners.
The Cottage, Stickling Gn. The Clerk had written again to the owners as the
Recorded Delivery was not taken.
11 CORRESPONDENCE
All correspondence was available in the file and had been listed and
circulated to councillors.
Stansted Community Trust Funds – to publicise these for interested groups.
BAA Appeal against refusal to Expand the Airport.
2 letters delivered at the meeting by Edward Oliver, objecting to UTT/2117/DFO.
12 ALLOTMENTS
Most rents now collected; the new tap and water pipe arrangements being
investigated further.
13 REVIEW OF JUBILEE FIELD TRUST DEED: The Sub-Committee
investigating the need to update the Trust Deed had drawn up its proposals.
Following the claim by the Jubilee Field Treasurer Simon Cooke (outside the
meeting) that his JF Committee owned the field, and not the Parish Council,
it was proposed:
a) That the Council take legal advice to establish beyond doubt the
ownership of the Jubilee Field; is it the
property of the Parish Council or of the Committee of Management set up
under the Trust Deed made by the
Council in October 1974, and
b) To enquire into the feasibility of the Council replacing the existing
Trust Deed with one that will allow the
Council to assure itself that it is properly acting as Steward and
safeguarding the asset of the Jubilee Field
entrusted to it, and that
c) The Council obtain from the Committee of Management a copy of their Rules
and Regulations as provided
for in Para.10 of the Trust Deed dated 2nd October 1978.
It was agreed to go ahead with these proposals. (P:DL, S:RWC, F:6, Ab. 3).
(Simon Cooke asked again for his letter circulated at the last meeting to be
discussed, regarding the Jubilee Field’s financial arrangements concerning
the costs for the fencing which fell to the Jubilee Field at £1200 but had
been offered free by adjacent residents. This was ruled out of order again
as he is Treasurer of that Committee, with a prejudicial interest, but he
repeated his demand. He was asked whether he had signed the Code of Conduct,
which he confirmed).
14 VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS: Charity Trusts: Richard Carter reported
that a grant of £20 had been made to the
Over 60’s Club by the United Charities Trust.
Neighbourhood Watch: Needed more co-ordinators, and it was agreed to
advertise this in the Newsletter.
Jubilee Field: Next meeting on 30 January. Village Hall: Next meeting on
17January.
15 SALT BINS Awaiting information from Elaine Tomlinson.
16 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Seats It was agreed that nearly all needed repairs and revarnishing.
Nigel Cook proposed a work party in the spring to inspect and if necessary
to treat the woodwork.
Roadside lights To check with Highways whether it was legal or considered
dangerous for residents to install two white gate lights on entrances, which
could be mistaken for headlights in the fog.
May meeting It was agreed to revert to moving the May meeting to 30 April
due to the Bank Holiday.
River survey The Environment Agency had carried out a survey all through the
village for flooding monitoring.
UDC notice The Clerk was authorised to remove this from the Village sign and
put it on the bus shelter.
Earth dumping at the Bridges This had been reported by many parishioners who
said it was an eyesore, put on
public land by an adjacent resident. It was agreed to inspect to assess the
problem and report back, and check the definitive boundary maps.
17 NEXT MEETING Monday, 5 February 2007, when the Conservation
Officer will be attending again to present
the draft recommendations. There being no other business, the meeting
adjourned.
CHAIRMAN
MEEETING HELD IN COMMITTEE FOLLOWING THE COUNCIL MEETING TO
DISCUSS AND MAKE PROPOSALS ON THE REVIEW OF THE CONSERVATION AREA.
The councillors discussed the current Conservation Areas and put forward
proposals for amendments to be sent to Mr Tice for his consideration for the
draft Report for Clavering.