MINUTES OF CLAVERING PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 3 September 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, Edward Oliver, Vice Chairman Richard Carter,
Brian Barrow, Mike Patmore, Rebecca Stanford, Philip Smith, Edgar Abrahams,
Ron Couchman, Des Abrahams, together with 9 members of the public. Apologies
received from Nigel Cook, Jon Cooke.
2 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS:
Edgar Abrahams: Prejudicial interest in Item 8 (P3 Scheme) as receiving
funds.
Des Abrahams was asked if he had a prejudicial interest as his brother
received funds, and he said he did not.
Edgar Abrahams: Prejudicial interest in UTT/1463 as his niece works there.
Des Abrahams: Prejudicial interest in UTT/1463 for the same reason.
Edward Oliver: Personal interest in the helicopter landings and Hill Gn Barn
possible extension as related to the owner.
3 PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Mr & Mrs Gebbie outlined their views on UTT/1463, and the Council noted
reported conditions not complied with.
Residents from Starlings Green put their views on UTT/0545 and UTT/1246 and
these were noted.
4 MINUTES: The Minutes of the meeting of 6 August 2007 were approved
and signed.
5 MATTERS ARISING.
6 ENFORCEMENTS ETC:
a. Caravans opposite Curles: The Appeal had been dismissed (see below).
b. Barn and lake at Starlings Gn.: UDC deciding if it complies with
agricultural or hobby farming.
c. Structure/items at Starlings Gn: Applications had been submitted by the
owner as below.
d. Parking at The Druce: being monitored by Enforcement Officers.
e .Sign at Jojacks Farm: UDC and ECC had inspected and investigations were
ongoing.
f. TPO Tree in Sidestream Woodland: Awaiting confirmation from Tree Officers
that the ground had been reinstated.
g. UTT 1708/05, The Wheelhouse; being checked by Planning Dept.
h. New extra signage at the shop; discussed. i. Helicopter: noted. j.
Extension at Hill Gn Barn advice requested.
k. Use of fishing lodge at Clavering Farm as a restaurant: the Enforcement
Officers reported they were investigating.
2 Highways & Byways:
a. Speed Limits : Highways had responded that the signs would be concreted
in properly and reset the activators.
b. Byway 50: Temporary closure expired. Byway 63, Parsonage Farm; being
investigated for resurfacing.
c. Coley Lane awaiting hedge trimming quotes; and the adjacent LH owner to
cut the this side back.
d. Roadworks lists: List sent to Highways, awaiting Planned Parish Visit.
e. Verges extra cut: Proposals sent to Highways.
3 Other items:
a. Venue: Awaiting meeting with the School.
b. Land adj Cricketers Des Abrahams. The land still needs clearing of
rubbish and bonfire storage.
c Druce Footbridge: The Environment Agency had arranged a preliminary
meeting with the Clerk and 2 councillors.
d Parish Notice Board for village events Edward Oliver was investigating
possibilities.
e Ragwort on Hill Green discussed but no decision.
f Horse Pond clearance: Edgar Abrahams had not found the advice regarding
dumping spoil, but said the adjacent
land would shortly be ploughed so it could not be dumped there; the matter
was therefore dismissed.
g Tree donation: Richard Carter agreed to meet the Starlings Green residents
and decide on a site.
7 FINANCE:
Budget figures not received. The new Mandate not yet in place; also VAT not
yet reclaimed. Internal Auditors report still to be circulated to
councillors, plus the Audit which Jon Cooke reported he had received.
Invoices: It was agreed to pay the following:
Clavering Village Hall Hire of hall, August
14.00 No vat 000881
Mr T Gingell Grasscutting Stickling Green
250.00 No vat 000882
Harts Direct /Post Office Copying Deeds & Newsletter,
Laminating Notice, Stamps
83.48 7.07
000883
Clerks expenses Repayment of 3 cheques banked to
NatWest in error; 000874, 876 & 877
188.92 No vat 000884
8 PLANNING:
FP 22 & 26: Thurrocks Farm: Footpath Diversion applications. The order had
been refused and the paths kept to their original line.
UTT 1040 Noble & Tee: Clavering Hall barns. Change of use to 4 dwellings.
Approved. An archaeological survey was required prior to work starting.
UTT 1231 Fowler, Greengages, Sheepcote Green. Garage. No objections.
UTT 1182 Keeble Bradford, Camlea, Arkesden Rd. Raise roof height etc.
Refused.
UTT 1304 Clavering Parish Council: dead cherry on Hill Green. Approved.
APPEALS:
UTT 1481 BF Contracts, 8 houses in Barlee Close: Awaiting result.
UTT 0270 BF Contracts; ditto.
UTT 0178 BF Contracts; ditto.
UTT 1564 Loveridge, The Patch. House to replace caravan. Appeal Dismised by
the Planning Inspectorate.
UTT 2117 Wingham, Site adj. Allington House; Wingham. No decision.
UTT 1510 Whelam, Poohs Cottage, Starlings Green. Single storey extension
etc. No objections.
UTT 1335 Downham, The Views, Hill Green. 2 dormer windows. No objections.
UTT 0545 Talks, Ash Tree Market Gardens. Application to retain use of mobile
home. Revised plans also received. It was agreed to object on the following
grounds:
a. The Council has a policy of always recommending refusal for new houses
where the site is outside the Planning Envelope.
b. The Council always recommends refusal of mobile homes being used as a
means of getting approval for a new house where it would otherwise be
refused.
c. The Council could not recall nor confirm that the mobile home had been
used continuously for 10 years in spite of claims, and there was no proof as
to whether there had been unoccupied periods, particularly before the time
when the adjacent family home had been sold.
UTT 1246 Talks, Ash Tree Market Gardens: Retrospective application for
retention of egg storage/grading unit. The Council agreed to object to this
on the grounds that large vehicle movements for the collection and delivery
of supplies along a single-lane track would be unworkable; there is no
approved access, and this activity would be detrimental to the amenity of
the neighbouring area.
UTT 1463 Funston, Jubilee Works, Arkesden Rd. Variation of conditions of
Appeal permission to reinstate the Display and sale of new and secondhand
tractors and machinery around the site. The Council objected to the removal
of the conditions which were imposed when the site was granted approval for
light industrial units, as this was agreed in order to tidy up the site and
provide more parking, which would be removed by the sale of tractors being
reinstated. It was felt that to keep the change of activities, and then to
request reinstatement of the old operations, was unacceptable. The
Council stated that any change would reintroduce the serious lack of parking
and turning space, and revert to the previous problems of chaos and
congestion for local residents. It was reported that conditions imposed by
the Appeal Inspector had still not been met, which did not auger well for
future permissions. The Council also wished to object strongly to permission
being given for a change of operations and removal of problem areas, with
undertakings by the applicant, only to have them reinstated later by a
reversal (variation) of those conditions. Refusal was recommended. (D.Int:
ECA & DA left the meeting) (F: 7, A:2)
9 P3 Scheme & Footpaths:
Byway 50 and Byway 63, Parsonage Lane resurfacing work required. Deers
footbridge still closed; to be replaced. It was reported that grasscuttings
were being dumped on Stickling Green by two residents; agreed to write and
request this ceased. Humps & Bumps to be checked.
10 LAND REGISTRATION:
Track from Chipperfield House to Hyaway: Awaiting confirmation of
registration by Mr Davey of Hyaway.
11 ACCESSES & GREENS:
a. The Cricketers Resolved to go into Committee (P: EO, S: RWC, F:All) as
this concerned the personal finances of a local resident.
b Earth on the Bridges: Awaiting confirmation that the machinery tracks had
been filled and levelled.
12 CORRESPONDENCE: All correspondence was available in the file and
the list had been circulated to all councillors.
Mrs Tina Brown proposals for planting spring bulbs around the village, and
had also offered to arrange donations and
working parties for planting. This was much welcomed by most councillors,
and several offered to meet Tina Brown
and inspect suitable sites.
ECC Reported that permission was needed for seasonal decorations,
including tree lights, adjacent to Highways.
EALC the Clerk had completed the questionnaire for EALC to attempt to
reduce insurance premiums for Councils.
EALC FINANCE TRAINING COURSE 1 November, on new legislation covering the
financial obligations for new developments. The Council voted that it was
important that Jon Cooke should attend and agreed to pay the fees.
Viridor Credits grants available for non-profit groups, as we are within
the landfill site 10-mile area of Elsenham.
UDC Planning guidance on Energy Efficiency.
CVH recycling obligations. ECC, West Essex Area Forum. UDC Uttlesford
Flood Fair.
Essex Playing Fields Assoc for JF Committee. Essex Rural Partnership
Post Office Closures.
LA21 Sustainable Uttlesford; biodiversity. UDC, SW Area Panel Meetings. CPRE
Fieldwork brochure.
RCCE Transition Essex, conference. RCCE Village Hall Conference. Making
the Links brochure.
Other general brochures and letters as per list.
Des Abrahams said a parishioner had been annoyed by the Council writing to
request they do not park on the green.
13 STANDING ORDERS Ron Couchman had met the Monitoring Officer and
various amendments had been
recommended to the draft proposals. To be discussed at the next meeting when
the Chairman had reviewed this.
14 VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS
CVH and JF: The Clerk outlined the obligations of Parish Council
representatives if they became Trustees of either Charity, including
insurance cover.
JF: Edgar Abrahams requested the Council write to the JF Committee, of which
he is Chairman, and confirm Mrs Weston is now the PC representative, with
authority to put the Councils views and requests.
15 VILLAGE SEATS AND DICK BALL MEADOW
No estimates so far received. Ron Couchman had not removed the seat at the
Bridges, only the slats, and it was considered that this did not cover the
Council against insurance claims, particularly where children were
concerned. The Dick Ball Meadow; no tenders received, but Mrs Coleman had
started renovating the Information Board. DBM Work Party: awaiting
inspection and report on defects and what is needed to rectify matters.
16 ALLOTMENTS: Thames Water had repaired the roadway. It was agreed
to keep the rents at £6.50 per half plot for 2007-8. Mike Patmore kindly
agreed to collect the rents again this year.
17 RISK ASSESSMENT - to be finalised formally.
18 VENUE Agreed that this might be changed due to heating and
acoustics problems; awaiting the meeting of Nigel Cook and the Chairman with
the School.
19 HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE: Jon Cooke and Ron Couchman: No report.
20 PARISH PLAN The Clerk had circulated an outline of what this was
and the way it was produced for the village, and it was agreed to go ahead
and start the process for Clavering. A Steering Committee was set up, and it
was hoped to involve parishioners to chair various groups and to collate
information from questionnaires.
21 BLACKSMITHS CORNER: Christmas carol-singing: Agreed to ask the
Walden Buskers for 21, 20 or 19 December.
22 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1. Rebecca Stanford reported that Essex Bridleway Assoc. members had cleared
various bridleways during a Charity Ride, and it was agreed to write and
thank them for all their work.
2. Hedge by bus shelter; overgrown and agreed to ask the adjacent resident
if he agreed to this being cut.
3. Laurel hedge in the Hyde obstructing the footpath; agreed to write and
ask the resident to cut this back.
MEETING IN COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ACCESS ACROSS PARISH LAND IN ARKESDEN
ROAD.
It was agreed to follow the advice of NALC solicitors and put the matter to
the parishioner concerned. Proposed to re-open the meeting (P: EO, S: RWC,
F:All).
19 DATE OF NEXT MEETING Monday, 1 October 2007. There being no other
business, the meeting adjourned.