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                                   MINUTES OF CLAVERING PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 7 JANUARY 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, together with 9 members of the public including Cllr Ray Gooding.  Apologies were received from Mike Patmore.

 

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:  Prejudicial interest in UTT 2196 as the applicant is his nephew and he is also the adjacent landowner..    

Edward Oliver:   Prejudicial interest in any financial maters for JF as he is a Trustee.

Des Abrahams:     Prejudicial interest in UTT 2196 as the applicant is his nephew.

Rebecca Stanford:  Prejudicial interest in UTT 2224 as the applicant is a friend.

Phil Smith:  Prejudicial interest in UTT 2196 as the applicant is a friend.

Edward Oliver:  Personal interest in Parish Plan Grasscutting Group decision re Lower Hill Green as his his wife is Group Chairman.

Nigel Cook, Edgar Abrahams, Phil Smith, Rebecca Stanford, Edward Oliver  and Ron Couchman declared a prejudicial interest and left the room for the item under Finance for Parish Plan meeting refreshments.

 

3              PUBLIC QUESTIONS

                Mrs Louise Oliver and Mr Rowley outlined the regime proposed by the Biodiversity proposals, for cutting those sites with wildflowers and  wildlife (particularly the Scarlet Malachite Beetle) after June this year in order to allow a survey to be carried out.     

                Mr Howland commented on the Clavering Newsletter costs again.  No changes were proposed by the Council. 

                Mr Howland asked about Dog Control Orders again, and the clerk had obtained replacement copies for discussion.

               

4              MINUTES:  The Minutes of the meeting of 3 December 2007 were approved and signed.

                It was pointed out that members of the public had commented on the previous month’s Minutes before they had been approved by the Council.  Ron Couchman apologised for showing members of the public the Draft Financial Regulations, and the Chairman pointed out that draft Minutes also should not be given out into the public domain until approved.

 

5              MATTERS ARISING.

 

1   Highways & Byways:            

a. Byway 50:  Rebecca Stanford reported that ECC were holding a meeting to get views, but Councils were excluded. It  was decided to send the parish’s views to ECC Highways, with a copy to Ray Gooding.

b. Coley Lane – awaiting cutting (see Finance).

c  Planned Parish Visit - List sent to Highways.  

 

2   Other items:

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

b  Parish Notice Board for village events –  the only site acceptable to the Council was on the fence between the Jubilee Field and Village Hall.  Ron Couchman to get costs before further action.

c  Marker posts at Stickling Green – being processed.

d  Carol-singing evening;  had been an even larger crowd this year, with a very festive atmosphere and a record collection for Clavering Care.  Thanks to be sent to all who had helped.  Electric costs to be donated to RBL.

 

6             FINANCE:

Invoices:        It was agreed to pay the following:

Harts - Printing Speed Limits Questionnaires                                               14.80                      2.20                       000903

Hire of Christian Centre Hall for Speed Limits meeting                               20.00                      -                              000904

Postage & Stamps                               2nd class                                                34.56                      -                              000905

Clavering Village Hall                        Hire of Hall, Nov/Dec 07                    28.00                      -                              000906

Harts printing & labels                        Deeds & Newsletter                            50.42                      7.51                       000907

AFS Animal Care                                                Rat poison (allotments)      48.76                      7.26                       000908

Electric for Christmas Tree                                Donated to RBL                   10.00                        -                             000909

Parish Plan meeting refreshments:  Request to cover the cost to be reimbursed out of the Grant.  (NC, ECA, RC, PS, RS , EO left the room).   This was not agreed.

 

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/1853             Jewitt, Green Oak Barn, Hill Green.  Single bay cartlodge.  No decision yet.

UTT 2092             Peter Smith 1 Colehills Close. New dwelling.  No decision yet.

UTT 1902             Channer, The Maples, Stickling Gn. Replacement of 2 storey garage.  No decision.

UTT 1937             Ireland, Daisy Cottage, Wicken Rd.  Side extension.  No decision.

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

UTT 1999             Preston, 17 Pelham Rd. Replacement dwelling.  No objections.

 

UTT 2224/5          Zanella, Roast Farm Barn, Roast Green. Conversion/ extensions of outbuildings for accommodation

                                Double cartshed and garden store.  (RS & ECA left the room).   No objections.

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

UTT 2105             Draper, Ten Acres, Wicken.  Advised for information only as some of his land is in Clavering.  

                                Condition of UTT 18890 removal re temporary use only of dwelling.

 

Planning Workshop:  Nigel Cook had attended the Workshop on the proposed 4200 new houses in Uttelsford, and gave a report on the proposals by UDC.

 

Planning breaches:

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

b.  Parking at The Druce:  Under UDC investigation.   

c.  Sign at Jojacks Farm:  Under review.

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

e.  UTT 1708/05, The Wheelhouse;  Being checked by UDC.

f.   Fishing Lodge at Clavering Farm – being investigated.

g.  20 Skeins Way:  Enforcement officers reported planning breaches which they were investigating.

h.  UTT 1246 & 0545.  Talks, Starlings Green.  Enforcement Notice issued for the removal of structures.

i.   Clavering Mill, Mill Hill, ENF. 1200/07B  - Building carried out against planning consent.

j.  Timberscombe, Arkesden Rd.  Query over residential use of agricultural land.

 

8              P3 Scheme & Footpaths: 

                 It was agreed to write and thank the two farmers who had cleared fallen trees from their paths promptly.  Rebecca

                Stanford said the Council was not invited to the ECC meeting on 21 January, but 4x4 and motorbike users were.  

                                                                                                                                         

9              LAND REGISTRATION:

Track  from Chipperfield House to Hyaway:   Awaiting confirmation of registration by Mr Davey of Hyaway.

                               

10          ACCESSES & GREENS:

a. The Cricketers access   no further discussion.

                                                                                               

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

 

ESSEX BIODIVERSITY PROJECT:  It was agreed to ask Mr Murdoch not to cut Lower Hill Green until after the end of June, to allow the Biodiversity Officers to carry out a survey of the wildflowers and wildlife (particularly the rare Scarlet Malachite Beetle).  The Council will get the first cut after this done if required.   Exit sightlines were agreed could be cut.

                DOG CONTROL ORDERS:  These were outlined; it was agreed to ask UDC how they could be enforced in parishes.

                MR W BROWN:  Complaint about not being consulted on his neighbour’s Planning Application.  No reply instructed.

                ESSEX PLAYING FIELDS ASSOC:   Winners list.   There was no mention of Clavering having won any class.

                MR & MRS C PERRY, Stickling Green.  Complaints about road traffic problems;  to update them on meetings with

                Highways, and the Council’s ongoing requests for repairs and speed limits.

                MR C BARKER, Home Farm Cottage, High St.   Request that the steel container in the Fox car park be removed, as

                his own Portakabin had been removed under enforcement.  The Council agreed to request this.

                ECC - £1M grants available for projects.        ECC – Funding for Greens and Open Spaces (Breathing spaces).

                UDC EMERGENCY PLANNING Word Document ‘Preparing for Emergencies’.

                ECC YOUTH OPPORTUNITY FUND.   UDC NEW YOUTH WORKER, Simon Fenn.

                All other correspondence and brochures were as listed.

 

12           STANDING ORDERS     The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Ron Couchman were meeting to revise these.

 

13           VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS

 

CVH – Insurance.    Advice from NALC received but not discussed.   Letter from CVH saying their insurance covered the Council, but the Clerk pointed out their policy did not actually confirm this.  Brian Barrow said the Council should not agree anything with the Village Hall until the Charity Commissioners’ advice had been received and followed, regarding the long-term implications of the removal of the indemnity Clause by CVH officers, and the status of the land.

 

14           DICK BALL MEADOW    Clearance work party planned for Saturday, 2 February.

 

15          ALLOTMENTS:    Awaiting Mike Patmore’s return.

 

16          RISK ASSESSMENT   -  awaiting retyping after any modifications regarding Village Hall and JF use of public land.

 

18           HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE:    The Committee had put four resolutions to the Council:

    1.  That the Committee be authorised to arrange a further public meeting.  This was not agreed, but deferred until

       the Council has information properly confirmed by Highways to report.

    2.   That the PC support parking restrictions at Hill Green & Stortford Road.   This was withdrawn as the Council had

       actually agreed these with Highways in 2005-6.

    3.    That the Council write to the Chief Constable about speed problems;  this was agreed but with the deletion of Para

             2  regarding the Community Speed Watch scheme which was being processed by three councillors privately and

             not under the Parish Council.

    4.   To write to Mr C Stoneham at Highways, Harlow;  agreed but with the deletion of Item 9, and item 8, and on the    recommendation of ECC Cllr Ray Gooding, to write this to Norman Hume, Cabinet  Member for Highways, instead.   The councillors also removed the reference to ‘two schools’, as this implied Local Authority Schools, and one is a private childrens’ nursery school, currently for sale.

 

19           PARISH PLAN    Awaiting the feedback from the public meeting on 17 January.

 

20           ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

                a   Edgar Abrahams complained that the Parish Council had said UDC could use his concrete pad for Christmas tree

     collections and the councillors confirmed this had not involved the Parish Council, but was presumably under the

     agreement he had with UDC that they could use it for parish Green Waste collections following the refusal to allow it    

     in the Village Hall car park.

 

               b   The Council confirmed its previous policy that estate agents’s signs which were put on public or Highways land in

                       inappropriate places would be removed after asking the agents to remove them first.

 

               c   The same policy was confirmed regarding advertising signs for Jubilee Works business put on Cricketers corner or

                       other public land.

 

                 d   Phil Smith confirmed he undertook to pass all emails received about Council business promptly to Ron Couchman.

                               

21          DATE OF NEXT MEETING    Monday, 4 February 2008.   There being no other business, the meeting was closed.

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN