`                                   MINUTES OF CLAVERING PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY- 2008      

             (Key to votes: P: Proposed  S: Seconded  F: For the proposal  A: Against  Ab: Abstained  D.Int: Declared an interest).

 

1              PRESENT:    Chairman Edward Oliver, Vice Chairman Richard Carter, Rebecca Stanford, Jon Cooke, Brian Barrow, Philip Smith, Edgar Abrahams, Ron Couchman, Des Abrahams, Nigel Cook, Mike Patmore, together with 25 members of the public and the UDC Monitoring Officer, Michael Perry.      

 

2              DECLARATION OF INTERESTS:

                Edgar Abrahams:  Prejudicial interest in Item 8 (P3 Scheme) as receiving funds.

                Edgar Abrahams:  Interest declared in any matters to do with CVH or JF Committees as he is Chairman.

                Edgar Abrahams &  Des Abrahams:  Prejudicial interest in UTT 2200 as he is related to the applicant.

                Phil Smith:             Prejudicial interest in UTT 2200 as the applicant is a friend.

                Des Abrahams:     Prejudicial interest in UTT 1999 as a neighbour, and UTT 2200 as related to the applicant.

 

 

STANDARDS BOARD;  HEARING INTO BREACHES OF THE CODE BY EDGAR ABRAHAMS

The Chairman read the summary of the Findings of the Standards Committee Hearing on 18 January 2008, confirming that  there had been three breaches of the Code of Conduct, and that copy of the report was available from the Clerk.   He stated that he hoped this now would ensure no further problems.  The Findings of the Standards Board Hearing earing would not be discussed at the Council meeting.   

 

He confirmed that members had a duty to report those who failed to observe the law.  Parish Councils are a tier of local government, with obligations and responsibilities set by Parliament, and not just an unelected village committee, and it was mandatory that all members conducted themselves ethically in accordance with the Code.

 

3              PUBLIC QUESTIONS

  

Mr Clarke outlined his planning application proposals and asked for support from the Council.

Parish Plan:  Alex Weston reported on the meeting of all interested parishioners in the Fox, and the enthusiasm shown for working together on the Plan – about 50 people were now involved.  The Grant was being applied for to cover the costs of producing this, and the Council was asked to contribute £125 match-funding (see Finance).

Castle Group Exhibition:  Ben Gill, on behalf of the Group, asked for the loan of the old 1894 Minute book for the Exhibition, and this was agreed.   Richard Carter also offered the Haynes Barlee Charity Minute book dating from 1897.

 

Jack Livings complained about those Councillors who had reported breaches to the Standards Board and thanked Edgar Abrahams for his past service.   Andrew Tomlinson repeated a complaints letter he had sent in 2007.  Simon Cooke asked to be given the costs of the Hearing required due to the breaches of the Code, and was referred to the Standards Board or UDC. 

 

4              MINUTES:  The Minutes of the meeting of 7 January 2008 were approved and signed.

a.  Ron Couchman requested changes to the statement under ‘Minutes’ regarding his actions.  This was not agreed.

b.  The Clerk apologised that the last few words on Item 6 had not printed out on some copies:  the original in the Minute Book was correct and was signed.

 

5              MATTERS ARISING.

1   Highways & Byways:             

a. Byway 50:   ECC had held a meeting, and our views had been put forward by a landowner.   A report had been received from another parishioner, and it seems likely that a Winter Closure Order will be applied for.

b. Coley Lane –  hedgecutting being done.

c  Planned Parish Visit – no news.

 

2   Other items:

a. Parish land adj. Cricketers –  the land was not yet cleared of rubbish.

b  Parish Notice Board for village events –  Ron Couchman to investigate costs before further action.

c  Marker posts at Stickling Green – being processed.

 

6             FINANCE

The Financial Budgets were circulated at the meeting.  Ron Couchman queried the precept and this was explained. 

The Council voted unanimously to grant the £125 towards the match-funding for the Parish Plan costs.

            

 Invoices to be paid:

                Stationery via Clerk                             Copy paper, inkjet refills, letterhead paper                   17.87      2.66       000910

                Postage & Stamps                               2nd cl. And Lge Letter stamps for Mintues                       45.28     -               000911

Harts Direct                                           Parish Plan photocopying                                                19.95      2.97       000912

                Harts via Mr B Barrow                         Newsletter printing, Jan 08                                                30.00     4.47       000913

                Cancelled                                             Written in error                                                     -                              -              000914

                Treetops Tree Surgeons                   Works at Coley Lane                                                          365.00   63.88      000915

                Clavering Parish Plan                        Grant towards producing Plan                                          125.00   -               000916

                CPRE                                                     Subscription 2008                                                                 28.00    -               000917

 

                Received:         Allotment rents                                                                                                          19.50

                                        HMRC VAT repayment                                                                                              284.86

P3 Invoice received from G W Balaam & Son                                                                               2155.89

 

                Grasscutting tenders:   Only two envelopes had been returned, and it was decided not to open these but to request   more quotes and defer the decision until next month, or if necessary to delegate the decision to Mike Patmore.  It was  agreed to obtain quotes for cutting the Dick Ball Meadow hedge.

 

7           PLANNING:

UTT 0545             Talks, Ash Tree Market Gardens.   Application to retain use of mobile home.   Appeal pending.

UTT/1794             Smith, Further Ford End House.  Single storey side & rear extensions.  No decision yet.

UTT 2092             Peter Smith 1 Colehills Close. New dwelling.    Refused.

UTT 1902             Channer, The Maples, Stickling Gn. Replacement of 2 storey garage.  Refused.

UTT 1937             Ireland, Daisy Cottage, Wicken Rd.  Side extension.  Refused.

UTT 1879             Livesey, Willow Cottage, Arkesden Road.  Increase height of chimney.  No decision.

UTT 1999             Preston, 17 Pelham Rd. Replacement dwelling.  Approved.

UTT 2224/5          Zanella, Roast Farm Barn, Roast Green. Conversion/extensions; garaging/store.   No news.

UTT 2196             Rouse, Clavering Gate.  Single storey rear extension. (PS, ECA & DA left the room).  No objections.

UTT 2200             Rouse, Clavering Gate.  Riding area/ménage:  No objections to ménage, but to recommend refusal

                                of any form of lighting / floodlighting which could cause light pollution (D.In. ECA, PS, DA left the meeting).

UTT 2199             D Clarke, Woodloes, Hill Green.  Single storey rear extension.   No objections.

UTT 0107             Eisdell, Tudor Cottage, Middle St.  Single storey garden room.   No objections.

UTT 0147             Benbow, 10 Colehills Close.  First floor rear extension.   No objection.

 

Planning breaches:

a.  Barn and lake at Starlings Green: Under review by UDC.

b.  Parking at The Druce:  Now logged in as ENF.253.05.  UDC has spoken to Mr Smith, and has now logged on file  the photographic evidence (and index numbers) of unauthorised use of the land for parking vehicles.    

c.  Jojacks Farm:  Under review.

d. TPO Tree in Sidestream woodland:  No news on the trench being filled in.

e.  UTT 1708/05, The Wheelhouse;  Had been inspected but no information obtained.  To be undertaken again.

f.   Fishing Lodge at Clavering Farm – may be allowed to continue, as long as no advertising.   The Council confirmed that regular advertising occurs in the Parish News and the Clerk is to inform the officers.

g.  ENF.18.08   Fox & Hounds:  Container in the car park; UDC requested removal by the owner.

 

8              P3 Scheme & Footpaths:  

The Deers Green footbridge was expected to be repaired as materials had been supplied.  Rebecca Stanford  updated the Council on the meeting being held by ECC to consider the regime for Byway 50.

                                                                                                                                         

9          ACCESSES & GREENS:

a. The Cricketers access –  It was resolved to go into Committee as this appeared to be the early stages of a legal matter. (P: RWC, S: NC, F:All).

 

10         CORRESPONDENCE:      All correspondence was available in the file and the list had been circulated.

Clavering Village Hall  Letter stating their insurance covered all Council liabilities for CVH events. NALC legal advice; Charity Commissioners legal advice. (see Village Organisations).

 

COMMUNITIES & LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Consultation document on the workings of Standards Board Committees.

    The Clerk requested that all councillors should consider submitting views;  the website address was given so that  most councillors could do this online.  Ron Couchman took the brochure for those not on email.

PROW OFFICER to Frank Knowles, re BYWAY 50 THE DRUCE.  Possible Winter Temporary Closure Orders.

ECC PROW – Repairs to Deers Green footbridge.

Letters from:  Mr Nagle re costs of Hearing and grasscutting;  Mr Howland complaints re Standards Board Hearing and seating; Mr Penman re Hearing (no replies instructed).

Invitation from Sir Alan Haselhurst re new housing (Nigel Cook was delegated to attend), and Post Office Closures; Dog Control Orders information and how to enforce these; UALC meeting 21 Feb (PS and RC to attend); Carbon Neutral Uttlesford meeting (RS hoped to attend); Essex Biodiversity project information; Youth Fund data.   

                All other correspondence and brochures were as listed.

  

11           STANDING ORDERS     The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Ron Couchman had drafted revised orders for discussion.   All councillors had read them through and some amendments were proposed.   Ron Couchman produced a further amendment at the meeting which had not been circulated previously.   It was agreed to bring revised draft Standing Orders to the March meeting for further items to be considered.

 

12           VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS

Clavering Village Hall – the legal advice from NALC had been circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting.   Also the  legal advice received from the Charity Commissioners had been circulated, together with the CVH letter and Insurance advice note broadly outlining the risks to the Council.   The Council accepted the NALC and the Charity Commissioners advice unequivocally and agreed to act upon this.

Martin Gruselle had sent an email the day before the meeting saying CVH would reinstate Clause 12.  This was welcomed, and it was decided to ask when this was likely to happen, as the Easter Art Show was already being advertised.   There were still concerns over the insurance cover, and the Chairman agreed to check with Allianz Cornhill.  

Edgar Abrahams confirmed that his Committee had removed the Council’s sign at the entrance without  permission.

 

13           DICK BALL MEADOW    A further work party had cleared more undergrowth.  Further maintenance was planned.  It was agreed to get estimates for cutting the hedge;  one estimate as normal, and one to reduce the top down to 2’ high.

 

14          ALLOTMENTS:    Mike Patmore reported that the rat poison appeared to be bringing the infestation under control.

 

15           SPEED LIMITS COMMITTEE:    Jon Cooke asked if the Council would support  the Speedwatch Scheme being run by his Committee,  where parishioners carried out speed checks in the village.  The Council voted that it supported this but was not involved.   Ron Couchman asked for the Parish Council’s copies of questionnaires, but it was pointed out that the data protection issue should be cleared before private details were released.

Ron Couchman’s letter objecting to other councillors using emails was deferred to next month.   Nigel Cook was thanked for producing the bar chart of all the questionnaire results.

 

16           MEETING FORMAT:    The Council reminded members of  the public when they were allowed to speak at meetings.

 

17           ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a   Edgar Abrahams complained again  that the Parish Council had known that UDC would be using his  concrete pad.  The councillors confirmed the arrangements had not involved the Council, which had simply   been informed as had all other Parish Councils in Uttlesford.

b.  It was agreed to send a vote of thanks to parishioner Ray Lomas, who continued to pick up litter in the village.

 

18          DATE OF NEXT MEETING    Monday, 3 March 2008.   There being no other business, the meeting was closed.        

 

 MEETING HELD IN COMMITTEE ON 4 FEBRUARY 2008 TO DISCUSS THE CRICKETERS ACCESS

 

The legal advice from the Council’s solicitors was discussed, and it was agreed that the Council must follow this.  It was  agreed to refer this advice to the owner, and hopefully an amicable agreement could now be reached.   (Cllr Edgar  Abrahams left the meeting.  He returned  shortly after and sat in the public area for a time.  Then he moved back to the Council  table for the remainder of the meeting, but did not join in the discussion).

 

CHAIRMAN