MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ROXWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9 TH SEPTEMBER, 2009 AT 7.30PM IN ROXWELL SCHOOL

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1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ROXWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9 TH SEPTEMBER, 2009 AT 7.30PM IN ROXWELL SCHOOL PRESENT:- IN ATTENDANCE:- C. Pavitt, M. Wallace, P.G. Evans, H. Hatcher, C. Philpot, M. Page, Mrs K. Howlett, Mrs A. Gilkes and K. Brookes. Mrs L. Green (Clerk) 2 Parishioners Essex County Cllr. John Aldridge PCSO Jon McDonald, P.C. Alan Davey and PCSO Chris Joslin 44. DEMOCRATIC 15 MINUTES The Chairman read out a letter that had been received from the Post Office regarding the Roxwell branch temporary closure which happened on 14 th August A parishioner, Glyn Eastman, reported that the farmers are keeping the footpaths open nicely but the bridges are letting everyone down as they are covered in stinging nettles etc. The Chairman asked Mr Eastman to give him a list of the footpaths concerned so that he could report them to Essex County Council. Mr Eastman enquired as to who owns the lamp posts in the village. The Chairman advised that if they have numbers on them they belong to Essex County Council and if not the Parish Council own them. Mr Eastman reported that some of the posts are in a disgusting state and have not been painted for years. The Chairman advised that this problem was raised at the last Neighbourhood Action Panel meeting and he had reported it to Highways. Cllr. Philpot reported that Boyton Hall Lane is full of potholes. He has reported the matter to Highways but has not heard anything back from them. Chairman to give Louise Lockwood s number to Cllr. Philpot. It was reported that the wooden panels are rotten on the bridge of the Mill Road footpath. Chairman to speak to David Webber about the matter. ECC Cllr. Aldridge advised that he had received several enquiries regarding the Post Office closure in Roxwell. He had therefore made his own enquiries and advised that the Post Office have no intention of permanently closing the village Post Office. Cllr. Aldridge had asked if Essex County Council would help as has been the case in other counties if the Post Office are intent on closing. No action can be taken at this time. Cllr. Aldridge advised that Essex Rural Commission is being launched this Friday and the preservation of Post Offices, pubs, shops etc will be in that document. The Chairman advised that the Parish Council had saved the Post Office once as luckily they had found two residents with Post Office experience who agreed to run the Post Office. The Chairman felt that it would be very difficult to save it again but advised that the Parish Council would make every effort to keep it open. The owner of the cattery had reported to Cllr. Hatcher that he had seen a car crash into the chevrons that had been recently erected. The Chairman said that there were enough chevrons there to keep cars out of ditches and that they were very flimsy and could be easily damaged. A parishioner, Roy Cumbers, reported that there is a bush which is about 1ft over the road on the bend by the cattery on the A1060. Mr Cumbers said that this is dangerous and needs cutting. Chairman to deal with matter. 45. APOLOGIES:- Cllrs. Mansell Wallace, Keith Brookes and Chelmsford Borough Cllr. Mrs Nicolette Chambers sent their apologies. Page 1

2 46. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 8 TH JULY 2009 Cllr. Evans asked that the word be was inserted between the words would and made under Item 29. Planning Matters, Item F) Lanivet at the bottom of page 3. The minutes of the meeting held on 8 th July 2009 were taken as read and the Chairman was authorised to sign them. 47. COUNCILLORS CONDUCT The Chairman asked the public to leave the room whilst the discussion took place. The Chairman read out a statement that he had prepared regarding Councillors Conduct. The Chairman wanted all Councillors to be aware of their duties and how they were duty bound by the Model Code of Conduct. 48. MATTERS ARISING:- Nothing to report. 49. 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. PCSO McDonald reported that there was a problem with poaching at Newney Green and Newlands Hall and that an operation had been set up which he had been focusing his attention on. PCSO McDonald advised that the speed guns were now back in operation and that he would carry out some checks. The Chairman advised that in general speeding was not a problem in Stonehill Road at the moment. PC Davey advised that the road is a 60mph limit and so therefore people are not breaking the speed limit. Adam Pipe can only get involved if speed is identified as a problem. 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. Nothing to report. c) Parking in St. Michaels Drive Minute 104,8 & 27. The Chairman advised that a couple of residents had put a planning application in to put in dropped kerbs and runways into their front gardens which the Parish Council supported. d) Any Other. It was reported that there had been a fire at Williams Farm at the weekend. The Chairman reported that the cricket storage shed had been torched at 3am in the morning one day in August. PCSO McDonald advised that there had been a lot of incidents in Chelmsford and that he would encourage people to report anything suspicious to the Police. Dennis Revell had been given the police information. The Chairman advised that the village had been very quiet this Summer and that there had not been any problems. PC Davey said that it had generally been like that in Chelmsford as well. The next Neighbourhood Action Panel Meeting is to be held on 8 th October FINANCIAL MATTERS a) Payments:- Evans Garden Maintenance Grass Cutting Toddlers Play Area Essex County Council Hire of Hall on 8/07/09 NALC Annual Subscription Renewal Mr S. Pavitt Grass Cutting Recreation Field Bakers of Danbury Ltd 1, Repairs to Village Sign Kart A Way Ltd Skip to clear away fire damaged shed Page 2

3 Colin T. Appleby New Container at Recreation Field Pope & Smith Replacement White Liner Evans Garden Maintenance Grass Cutting Toddlers Play Area M.D. Landscapes (Anglia) Ltd Grass Cutting Recreation Field Mr S. Pavitt Grass Cutting Recreation Field and clearance of fire damage Audit Commission Audit Fee for 2008/09 M.D. Landscapes (Anglia) Ltd Grass Cutting Recreation Field Mr C. Pavitt Padlock for shed Mrs B.M. Pavitt Cleaning Pavilion August and September 2009 and supplies Mrs L.J. Green Salary to ( ) and Expenses From July to September Meeting ( ) The above payments were approved by the Parish Council. b) Transfer of Funds Transfer from Business Premium Account to Community Account Transfer 1, from Business Reserve Account to Community Account Transfer 1, from Business Reserve to Community Account Transfer from Business Premium Account to Community Account Transfer 1, from Business Reserve Account to Community Account c) Bank Balances. The bank balances were as follows:- Current Account - 1, Business Premium Business Reserve - 4, d) Audit of Accounts for 2008/09. The Auditors had requested further information which the Clerk had supplied and now the accounts had been signed off. The Notice of Conclusion of Audit had been put on the noticeboard. e) Any Other The Chairman advised that an insurance claim was going through for the shed, white liner and new container. 51. PLANNING MATTERS & APPLICATIONS a) STANSTED/M11 CORRIDOR STUDY Nothing to report. b) CHIGNAL HALL FARM, MASHBURY ROAD Planning application proposes the construction and use of an irrigation reservoir on land at Chignall Hall Farm, with the extraction of the underlying sand and gravel. On behalf of the Planning Sub Committee Cllr. Evans reported that prior to the closing date Roxwell Parish Council returned a No Comment response to this application as from documents issued to the Parish Council we knew of no adverse elements relating to this application. The Council was advised of new information that required consideration. After discussion, the Chairman read out Chelmsford Borough Council s objections to the application which had only just been received by the Clerk. It was proposed by Cllr.Pavitt and seconded by Cllr.Brookes that Roxwell Parish Council deliver a post closure date objection to this application as a result of information now available. This was agreed by all Councillors present. REFUSED. Cllr. Philpot declared an interest. c) ROXWELL LANDFILL, BRITTONS HALL FARM Application to revise the pre-settlement contours of the existing landfill operation through the importation of non-hazardous waste and extending the life of the site until 2012 including the variation of the existing restoration from agriculture to amenity restoration comprising of conservation grassland, woodland and hedgerows. Cllr. Philpot declared an interest. d) THE REST, COOKSMILL GREEN Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of single storey rear extension. No Objections. APPROVED. Page 3

4 e) 29 STONEHILL ROAD Two storey side, single storey front extension & conservatory to rear. No Objections. APPROVED. f) 5 CHURCH GREEN Two storey side extension. No Objections. No Decision Yet. g) 21 AND 23 ST. MICHAELS DRIVE Dropped kerb with vehicular access across greensward. No Objections. No Decision Yet. h) PROPOSED TRAVELLER SITE The Chairman advised that there had been an article on accomodation for gypsies and travellers in the EALC s monthly bulletin. It stated that 81 pitches were needed for Essex by It was reported that the land at Writtle was on the Agenda for CBC s meeting next week. Cllr. Aldridge advised that the land is not being proposed for a site. Cllr. Philpot advised that he would be attending the meeting but not on behalf of the Parish Council. Cllr. Wallace to attend on Parish Council s behalf. i)appeal DECISION FOR LITTLE ACRES, CHALK END PLANNING APPLICATION No. 09/00470/FUL The Planning Inspectorate dismissed the appeal. j) AFFORDABLE HOUSING Cllr. Evans declared a prejudicial interest and left the room. A letter had been drafted to Derek Stebbing at CBC regarding the proposed site behind Church Green and the Chairman read it out. Cllr. Evans had spoken at Chelmsford Borough Council s meeting about the Affordable Housing in Roxwell as the site behind Church Green had been identified. The letter was asking Chelmsford Borough Council to replace the recommended site for the preferred site at Stonehill Road. The Parish Council felt that the allotments should not be built on as was agreed 10 years ago as they are now very well used. It was agreed that the Parish Council would like to discuss any future proposals with Chelmsford Borough Council and that they want to be heavily involved in the decision for sites and the reasons for choosing sites. The Parish Council did not agree with the site at Church Green. It was reported that there was scope for the allotments in Green Lane which were not being used but this was not a preferred site. k) STREET NAMING AND NUMBERING OF BOLDING HATCH BUSINESS CENTRE The Chairman advsied that there had been a change to the postal address and that the 6 units had now all got their own personal addresses. 52. RECREATION FIELD/TODDLER PLAYAREA a) Best Kept Playing Field Competition Minute 41,66,85,100,114,11,33,53,73,90,107,11 & 30. Nothing to report. b) Erection of Fencing Around Play Equipment on Recreation Field Minute 53, 73,90,107,11 & 30 The Chairman reported that somebody had locked the gate with the handle on and now he cannot get it open. The Chairman had managed to unlock the other gate but now it will not shut. Chairman to speak to Oddy s Fencing regarding the matter. c) Insurance Legalities regarding people playing golf on the Recreational Field Minute 107,11 & 30 The Chairman advised that notices had been erected stating that golf must not be played on the field. As yet he had not obtained prices to put up a permanent sign. The Chairman had not seen anyone playing golf recently. d) Safety Inspection Minute 107,11 & 30 The inspections had been carried out and an alteration needed to be made to the lock on the second gate in the Toddlers Play Area. The report also suggested extra safety surfaces around the slide. Otherwise the inspections had been very good. e) Dog Fouling Minute 11 & 30 The Chairman reported that there are still the odd one or two foulings occurring. f) Arson attack to storage shed on Recreation Field The Chairman reported that at 3am one Monday morning in August a resident reported an arson attack to the storage shed on the Recreation Field to the Police. The Chairman had spoken to the Police and Fire Brigade about the incident and a claim had been submitted to the insurers. The Chairman had replaced the storage shed with a metal storage container instead of a wooden shed. He had also replaced the white liner, small fertiliser spreader and some other items. g) Any Other The Chairman advised that on the 15 th August it had been reported to him that the top safety bar on the slide had corroded and come off. The Chairman had taken photographs. C & N Steelcraft in Roxwell had met the Chairman and had quoted plus VAT to renew all the safety rails. This figure will include removal and fixing of the rails as the gentleman has offered this service free Page 4

5 as he is a resident of Roxwell. The Parish Council thanked the man for his spiritual actions and asked the Chairman to pass on their thanks. It was agreed that the Chairman would let the Inspection people know of the incident as they had not pointed this out. 53. FOOTPATHS a) Poor surface condition of Footpath 48, that goes from Church Green through the Churchyard and The Street Minute 54,74,91,108,12 & Nothing to report. b) Any Other - Nothing to report. 54. BULK LITTER CONTAINERS Minute 97,116,18,35,52,66,82,95,13,29,41,54,68,82,12 & 43, 68,87,102,116,13,35,55,75,92,109,13 & 32. The dates and times of the collections are as follows:- 26 TH SEPTEMBER 2009 FROM 7.45AM TO 8.45AM. Entrance to Colleybridge Lane on the Cooksmill Green Road. 31 ST OCTOBER FROM 7.45AM TO 8.45AM. To be placed in Green Lane at the top end by the entrance to the allotment areas 28 TH NOVEMBER FROM 11.15AM TO 12.15PM. Layby off A1060 by Boggis Farm, to the east of the Cross Keys Public House, Boyton Cross. 55. HIGHWAY DRAINAGE Minute 77,107,120,15,37,57,76,93,110,14 & 33. The Chairman had met Louise Lockwood and they had walked around the village and looked at all the drains which will eventually be checked. They had looked at the pond, Vicarage Road and loose kerb stones. The pot holes in Vicarage Road do not meet the 30 millimetre criteria but as underneath is the original road it will be done. The pot hole by the bus shelter in The Street had also been pointed out. The pond at Thatchers Farm is down to the farmer. Chairman to speak to him and ask him to excavate and put in gullies. The A1060 is being regularly monitored. 56. ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS PROPOSED TRAFFIC SCHEMES Minute 125,20,40,59,78,94,111,15 & 34. The matter was discussed and the following three schemes were identified as the highest priority:- 1. Extension of 40mph limit on A1060 to East of The Hare also incorporating Vicarage Road to existing. 2. Cooskmill Green 40mp speed limit. 3. Vicarage Road footway from Green Lane to Sherwood. Chairman to submit form to Highways. 57. REQUEST FOR RAMP TO BE PUT IN ON FOOTPATH OUTSIDE GADES AVEN. Minute 4, 43,61,79,95,112,16 & 35. The Chairman advised that Louise Lockwood had agreed to chase the matter up. 58. FURTHER SIGNAGE FOR STONEHILL Minute 83,117,20 & 37. The Chairman felt that there was not a lot more the Parish Council could do as there was enough signage. It was agreed to take the item off the Agenda. Page 5

6 59. LOOSE WOODEN PANELS HANGING DOWN ON THE BUS SHELTER BY THE HARE Minute 4 & 40. The work had been carried out. Clerk to remove item from Agenda. 60. REPAIR TO VILLAGE SIGN Minute 4 & 42. The work had been carried out. Clerk to remove item from Agenda. The Chairman had gone over the maintenance review and it was agreed that in 2012 a review should be carried out of the village sign maintenance. 61.OVERGROWN TREES AROUND STREET LIGHT OPPOSITE THE FORGE Minute 23. The Chairman advised that Essex County Council would carry out the work. 62. RIGHTS OF WAY NOTICE MISSING IN GREEN LANE BY NO 33. Minute 23. Essex County Council had advised the Chairman that there are no Rights of Way and there is no footpath. It could possibly be a permissive way. 63. FLOOD ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THATCHERS FARM - Minute 23. The Chairman agreed to speak to Mr Hanse to see if he could take out the ditch and put in some gullies. 64. OVERGROWN HEDGES IN GREEN LANE Minute 23. It was reported that some of the hedges were cut back after the last meeting. 65. POTHOLES OUTSIDE 33 VICARAGE ROAD Minute 23. The Chairman advised that the potholes had been looked at and had been noted. MEETING CLOSED 9.00pm CHAIRMAN. DATE NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY 11 TH NOVEMBER 2009 AT 7.30pm IN ROXWELL SCHOOL Page 6