MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ROXWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11 TH JULY, 2012 AT 7.30PM AT ROXWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ROXWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11 TH JULY, 2012 AT 7.30PM AT ROXWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL PRESENT:- IN ATTENDANCE:- C. Pavitt, H. Hatcher, M. Page, K. Walker, Mrs Emma Drakeford and D. Jones Mrs L. Green (Clerk) 5 Parishioners ECC Cllr. John Aldridge 1. DEMOCRATIC 15 MINUTES The Chairman advised that he had received thank you letters from the Headteacher from Roxwell Primary School and one of the pupils. The school had used the Sportsfield for Sports Day and one day competing against 5 other schools for the Inter-Village Olympics. The Chairman had received a complaint from a parishioner, Mr David Sable, objecting to the erection of the Pre-School sign outside the Memorial Hall. The Chairman had copied the letter to the Memorial Hall and spoken to the Planning Department. As the sign is no bigger than 1.2sq metres it does not need planning permission. The Chairman said that he would advise Mr Sable of the outcome. A parishioner, Glynn Eastman, advised that the Memorial Hall AGM would be held next Wednesday and the more people that come and support them the better. There has been a lack of response to the Community Needs Survey. Residents have until the 15 th July to complete the form. The form is for grant bodies and if the Committee do not get the response they will not be able to get a grant. A parishioner, Roy Cumbers, reported that the expansion joints in St. Michaels Drive are now deeper and wider and some are over 12 inches wide and are not improving. Chairman to speak to Highways. A parishioner reported their concern about the A1060 flooding. She advised that there are no street lights and it is very dark and very dangerous if you hit the flooding at night. The Chairman advised that the matter has been reported to Highways on numerous occasions. The parishioner advised that the left hand side going towards Chelmsford is really bad. The Chairman advised that the drains get blocked with silt. Cllr. Aldridge asked the Chairman to mark on a Google map where the flooding occurs and he will get the matter looked at. Cllr. Aldridge advised that if there are no drains it needs to be looked at. The Chairman advised that there are a lot of badger sets. Cllr. Walker advised that it gets very icy in the Winter and Highways are not doing anything to address the problem and are ignoring the risks. A parishioner reported that the verges at Chalk End are very high and you cannot see what is coming down the dip. Cllr. Aldridge advised that sightlines are very important. Chairman to report matter to Highways. A parishioner enquired whether under Community Rights the Parish Council have a Neighbourhood Policy in place. The Chairman advised that they do not have a plan but will put on the Agenda for discussion at a future meeting. A parishioner reported that Green Lane is in a terrible state with potholes especially outside numbers 1,3, and 6. She had spoken to Highways and somebody had filled up the hole. The concrete has broken up and somebody else has filled it again. Grass is growing out of one pothole. The Chairman advised that he had already reported the potholes to Highways. Inspector Jo Byrne of the Neighbourhood Policing Team introduced herself. She advised that P.C. Tim Neate and PCSO Nikki Double were hoping to attend the meeting but were unable to make it. Cllr. Walker asked Inspector Byrne what her main objectives were for this year. Inspector Byrne advised there was a target of crime reduction of 1% for the year across the whole of the district area. Anti social behaviour is another objective and Inspector Byrne asked the Parish Council to make the Police aware of any issues early. Page 1

2 There have been a lot of burglary dwellings. Roxwell is not particularly affected is has been more Galleywood/Stock area. Catalytic converters are being stolen and rural areas are suffering. NAP meetings will continue. The details of the new roles of Police were circulated. It was reported that Broadband is very slow in Roxwell and the Government have given ECC the go ahead to get extra money for rural broadband. 2. APOLOGIES:- Cllrs. M. Wallace, F. Corkhill, C. Philpott and CBC Cllr. Mrs Nicolette Chambers sent their apologies. 3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9 TH MAY 2012 The minutes of the meeting held on 9 th May 2012 were taken as read and the Chairman was authorised to sign them. 4. COUNCILLORS DECLARATION OF INTERESTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS FOR THIS MEETING. Cllr. Hatcher declared an interest in planning item 10e, 11 Church Green. 5. MATTERS ARISING:- 6. REPORT BY CHELMSFORD BOROUGH CLLR. MRS NICOLETTE CHAMBERS. No report given. 7. REPORT BY ESSEX COUNTY CLLR. JOHN ALDRIDGE. Cllr. Aldridge advised that Government have given ECC 11m extra to repair potholes. The meals on wheels contract has been given to a new contractor for three years. The contract used to be with WRVS but had now been given to Sedexo. There will be no change in the cost of meals. The change comes into effect on 1 st October Under the Localism Act Parish Councils can challenge a decision and take on the responsibility themselves. As from 1 st April disabled blue badges are being issued from a central point. This decision has been made due to fraud and misuse. The current regime whereby G.P. s assessed applicants has now been dropped. An independent Occupational Therapist will now make the assessment and make the decision. Cllr. Aldridge had extended the deadline by 2 months from when the existing badges expire without people getting a penalty as there is a delay in issuing the new badges. 8. POLICE MATTERS a) Speeding - Minute 8, 28, 46, 66, 86,110, 9,30,49,68,85,108, 8, 24,43,64,82,104,8,26,44,61,77,90, 8,24,36,49,63,77,1138,63,82,97,111,8,30,50,70,87,104,8,27,49,71,90,113,10,33,54,78,104,128,13, 36,58,78,102,131 & 11. b) Changing 30mph speed limit near Dukes Manor Minute 63,77,11,38,63,82,97,111,8,30,50,70, 87,104,8,27,49,71,90,113,10,33,54,78,104,128,13,36,58,78,102,131 & 11. Page 2

3 c) Any Other. 9. FINANCIAL MATTERS a) Payments:- Ecclesiastical Insurance Jubilee Public Liability Insurance M.D. Landscapes (Anglia) Ltd Grass Cutting Recreation Field Keith Childs Fuel allowance for Allotment Warden Evans Garden Maintenance Grass Cutting Toddlers Play Area Suffolk Acre Annual Insurance Premium Renewal Mr S.Pavitt Grass Cutting Recreation Field E-On Electricity to Sports Pavilion Essex Playing Fields Association Annual Subscription Renewal M.D. Landscapes (Anglia) Ltd Grass Cutting Recreation Field Playsafety Ltd Play Area Safety Inspections Mr S.Pavitt Misc work in village Evans Garden Maintenance Grass Cutting Toddlers Play Area 1 st Roxwell Scout & Guide Group Committee 6.00 Hire of Hall Mrs.B.M.Pavitt Cleaning Sports Pavilion and supplies (May to July) plus supplies H.M. Revenue & Customs Only PAYE & N.I. Mrs L.J. Green Salary to Mrs L.J. Green Expenses The above payments were approved by the Parish Council. b) Transfer of Funds Transfer 2, from Business Premium to Current Account Transfer 1, from Business Premium to Current Account c) Bank Balances. The bank balances were as follows:- Current Account - 2, Business Reserve - 18, d) Queens Diamond Jubilee Consider funding of insurance premium The approved payment had been made (see item 9a). It was agreed the item could be removed from the Agenda. e) Audit of Accounts for 2011/12 The Internal Audit had been carried out and the Clerk had sent all relevant documents to the Audit Commission. f) Any Other 10. PLANNING MATTERS & APPLICATIONS Page 3

4 a) LAND AT ASHTREE FARM, ROXWELL ROAD - The use of the site as a waste storage and recycling centre for demolition and construction waste. Proposed associated development to include the installation of a weighbridge, office portacabin, various containers and bays for the storage of material, a 2m high perimeter fence and the construction of a new internal access and road. The statements represent the views of Roxwell Parish Council and support the rejection to the re-development of the site at Ash Tree Farm as documented in the application ESS/14/12/CHL. We are concerned over some of the supporting statements made with this application as being misguided; it presents a picture of isolation and an ideal place for redevelopment. With regards to the historic usage of the site, from local knowledge from a number of residents within the village of Roxwell; these depressions are the result of ponds being placed for water storage for the pig farm at Ash Tree Farm. Since the closure of the farm, these areas have fallen into back into Greenfield site and no longer capable of holding water. Although Greenfield sites may not present a true nature reserve, they are important in the local environment. These type of sites have been scored highly in the recent WDDPA and sites for Waste Recycling have been rejected on the ground s. Together, the site also just makes the minimum size documented in the WDDPA, just over the 0.5 hector. The reference to the site being visually insulated from the wider countryside and there are no significant public vantage points, either close range or further afield... This in fact is false as there are two public footpaths running very close to the site. One running along the boundary to the east of the proposed site, which is no more than 80m form the centre of the recycling plant. The other footpath runs along in parallel to the north boundary of the site that is less than 70m. The process for recycling represents a major impact on the users of the public footpath network, together with the amenity of the local environment. Is the site located outside the Greenbelt land? The hamlet of Boyton Cross lies well within the 100m buffer used in the MDDPA and WDDPA documents. There are a number of residential properties lie within this zone, therefore places a high impact upon them, as defined below. This proposed site application did not form pat of the recent MDDPA, nor the WDDPA which was to provide a strategic aim for the management of waste and recycling. The WDDPA made it clear that the volume that the inert material for recycling in these types of facilities are and likely to diminish. In addition, this consultation framework set out the capacity for inert material recycling has already been established, planned for and remove the need for ad hoc application, like this resource and therefore is not required. Failure to comply with your own spatial strategy, its aims to manage the process leads to these documents and process being undermined, secondly questions the ability to follow your own advice. The location and proximately to residential dwellings would be detrimental to their wellbeing through noise, dust and other pollutions from the movement and processing of material. The volume of waste proposed will see a minimum of 1,000 extra lorry movements at the junctions of the site and the A1060, opposite residential housing, onto an already busy road. These movements will not only be from lorries bringing material to be processed, the removal of recycled material from the site. There is also an issue that has already been raised over the time use and restriction periods of the site. The evidence suggest other parts of the industrial units has failed to keep to or been enforced by the owner or by the council. Increasing the activity at this site, is an over industrialised of what is, a rural environment, nor in keeping with it and its surroundings. Odours and noise from the processing plant are an issue as these pollutants will not be curtailed by the earthworks or any type of screening. Water pollutants and leaching into the Roxwell and Newland brooks is a real concerns and the water migration has naturally filtered into those water courses. The site is no clay lined; it sits on sand and gravels. To conclude, the parish council strongly object to this application for a recycling centre at Ash Tree Farm.CBC OBJECTED. REFUSED. b) 6 GREEN LANE - Alteration to roof incorporating new crown area with rear dormer and new bonnet dormers to front and part first floor, part two storey side and rear extensions and single storey extensions to front. No Comments. REFUSED. c) ASH TREE FARM, BISHOPS STORTFORD ROAD Retain 2 no. storage containers. No comments. APPROVED. d) 3 BRICK COTTAGES, COOKSMILL GREEN Two storey rear extension. Front porch. No comments. APPROVED. Page 4

5 e) 16 CHURCH GREEN Detached cart lodge, garage conversion, conservatory to rear, new balcony to side elevation. Proposed openings and Juliet balcony, replace existing roof tiles, new oil tank and permeable drive with new inward opening, automatic entrance gate. No Objections. No Decision Yet. f) 11 CHURCH GREEN - Single storey front extension to garage. No Objections. No Decision Yet. Cllr. Hatcher declared an interest. g) LUKES HOUSE, BOYTON CROSS Condition 3 Sample of Materials. CONDITIONS DISCHARGED. h)minerals DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT AUGUST 2009 The Chairman advised that the Parish Council were still waiting for the outcome. i)waste DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT The Chairman advised that the Parish Council were still waiting for the outcome. Planning Committee The Chairman advised that the rules had recently been changed and officially planning committee should be open to the public. The Chairman had spoken to Chris Philpot at Chignal Parish Council about the matter. The Chairman proposed that if it is a minor application the Parish Council continue with the existing procedure. If it is a bigger application the Planning Committee will decide whether it should be discussed in a meeting open to a public. The Chairman advised that there had never been any problems in the past. All agreed. 11. RECREATION FIELD/TODDLER PLAYAREA a) Safety Inspection Minute 107,11,30,52,74,93,116,13,36,57,81,107,131,16,39,61,81,105,134 & 14 The inspections were carried out on the 17 th May. The Chairman advised that everything had gone through with risk level low. A few items need attention and some just monitoring. b).any Other. 12. FOOTPATHS a) Changes to footpaths 10 and 12 Bridleway 42 Footpaths 34,40,& 66 Minute 40,62,82,106,135 & 15. b) Footpath 71- Opposite Church towards Dukes Minute 7 & 15. ECC highways had advised that the owners had cut back the hedgerow. Item can now be removed from agenda. c) Footpaths 43 & 44 The Chairman advised that there had been issues with long grass not being cut. This was now been dealt with. Chairman to check to see if done. d) Any Other 13. ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS PROPOSED TRAFFIC SCHEMES Minute 125,20,40,59,78,94,111,15,34,56,78,97,120,16,39,60,84,110,134,19,42,64,83,107,136 & FENCE AND GREENERY OPPOSITE HOOKS COTTAGES - Minute 27, 68,91,117,141,25,47,67,86,109,138 & 17. The Chairman advised that the matter was still outstanding and will not be done until August/September. 15. INTER-VILLAGE OLYMPICS/QUEENS DIAMOND JUBILEE 2012 Minute 121, 145, 27, 48,68,87,110,139 & 18. The Chairman advised that both events had been successful. The Inter-Village Olympics went very well and 5 schools and 8 villages had taken part. Roxwell came out on top with points. It had been fair weather for the Diamond Jubilee but it went off well. Clerk to remove item from Agenda. Page 5

6 16. SIGNAGE STONEHILL ROAD. Minute 93,115,143 & 19. Chairman to chase matter. 17. AFFORDABLE HOUSING Minute 116,144 & 20. The Chairman reported that a meeting had been held with Moria Groberz of RCCE on the 26 th June and the results of the Housing Needs Survey was discussed. If the scheme went ahead 5 units would be built. The majority of parishioners wanted single room units. The recommendation was to set up a working party consisting of three Councillors, Housing Association, CBC and RCCE. It was agreed to appoint The Chairman and Cllrs. Walker and Drakeford. The Chairman advised that the next stage would be to look for a suitable site but this would not commit the Parish Council to anything. The Chairman had received a letter on 4 th July 2012 from Sustainable Communities regarding the proposed disposal of a vacant social housing dwelling at 60 St. Michaels Drive. After discussion it was agreed that the Chairman should send a letter objecting stating that the property should be kept as social housing. 18. COUNCILLOR TRAINING Minute 119,147 & 21.- The Chairman advised that there was no training available at present for new Councillors. 19.ROAD SURFACE IN GREEN LANE - Minute 7 & 22. Chairman to chase matter with Highways. 20. VANDALISED TELEPHONE BOX Minute 7 & The Chairman advised that the telephone box had been repaired without any chasing. MEETING CLOSED 8.37pm CHAIRMAN. DATE NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY 12 TH SEPTEMBER 2012 AT 7.30pm IN ROXWELL SCHOOL Page 6