MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ROXWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12 TH SEPTEMBER, 2012 AT 7.30PM AT ROXWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL PRESENT:- IN ATTENDANCE:- C. Pavitt, C. Philpott, H. Hatcher, M. Page, F. Corkhill and D. Jones Mrs L. Green (Clerk) 2 Parishioners CCC Cllr. Nicolette Chambers PCSO Carly Double and PCSO Louise Shirley 44. DEMOCRATIC 15 MINUTES A parishioner, Roy Cumbers, discussed the expansion joints. It was reported that a lot of work is being done in the village. Cllr. Aldridge is chasing a lot of outstanding highway issues. A lot of pot holes have been done but the Chairman had not heard anything regarding the expansion joints but said he would chase the matter with Highways. A parishioner was concerned about HGV s using Farmbridge End Road at Chalk End. She reported that the vehicles are coming off the A1060 from Leaden Roding and using the road and coming from Chelmsford they use the road as a turning circle. She said this is not acceptable as the vehicles come up the road at a very high speed and it is very dangerous. She asked the Parish Council to apply for a weight restriction to be put on the road. The Chairman suggested asking the Police to investigate. The Police advised that the best route would be for the Parish Council to act upon the request and ask Highways to put up a sign to stop HGV s using the road as it is unsuitable. Chairman to speak to Highways. A parishioner enquired what was happening about the flooding on the A1060. The Chairman advised that Cllr. Page and himself were dealing with the matter. The Chairman had taken the matter directly to Cllr. Aldridge. The parishioner said she hoped the matter would be resolved before the heavy storms. The Chairman explained that Highways will prioritise work and if a request does not meet the criteria the work does not get done. The Parish Council have no input into their decision. Cllr. Corkhill asked whether Highways could look at the bend in The Street and see if any safety improvements could be made as he had witnessed three near misses recently. Cllr. Corkhill reported that cars are now nearly parking all the way down to Pippins driveway and on the bend. Cars are having to drive on the wrong side of the road which is very dangerous. The Chairman advised that Highways had refused to put up mirrors. Cllr. Corkhill said he would not like to see yellow lines but would like something like sleeping policeman to slow the traffic down. The Chairman stated that the cars are not breaking the law as they are not exceeding 30mph. Chairman to ask Highways to investigate the matter. 45. APOLOGIES:- Cllrs. M. Wallace, Emma Drakeford and ECC Cllr. John Aldridge sent their apologies. The Chairman advised that he had received Cllr. Ken Walker s resignation as he was now living in Colchester. 46 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 TH JULY 2012 The minutes of the meeting held on 11 th July 2012 were taken as read and the Chairman was authorised to sign them. Page 1
47. COUNCILLORS DECLARATION OF INTERESTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS FOR THIS MEETING. Cllr. Philpot declared an interest in Agenda items 12a, 10i & 10j Minute items 53. Planning Matters and Minute 55 Footpaths. Cllr. Hatcher declared an interest in Agenda item 10b Minute 53. Planning Matters. 48. MATTERS ARISING:- 49. REPORT BY CHELMSFORD BOROUGH CLLR. MRS NICOLETTE CHAMBERS. Cllr. Chambers advised that there had been a Cabinet Meeting which unveiled an Allotment Strategy which is part of her portfolio. The strategy is the future need to legally supply allotments to everyone. The matter is going to cabinet in October. As part of the City celebrations, there will be an interesting talk on the refurbishment of Tindal Square. This will be held on Thursday 20 th September at the Chapter House between 2.15pm and 2.30pm. The Crematorium will be holding an open day on 22 nd September. Cllr. Chambers advised that a lot is happening in Hylands Park. Cllr. Chambers said that it had been a very busy year at the Council. There will be a Royal visit but she does not know anything about it as Lord Petre is dealing with it. 50. REPORT BY ESSEX COUNTY CLLR. JOHN ALDRIDGE. 51. 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 & 31. The Chairman advised that ECC Highways are now doing a review on all County speed limits. He had spoken to Cllr. Aldridge who advised it is best to wait to see what the criteria is going to be before submitting requests for speed limit changes. 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 & 31. c) Any Other. The Chairman advised that the children in the village had been very good and there had been no anti-social behaviour. The Police agreed to send a monthly update by E-mail to the Clerk if they are unable to attend a meeting. The Police reported four crimes - one had been a gas explosion at Boyton Hall caused by the Scouts and there had been three suspicious circumstances. One had been a bogus caller at Lightfoots Farm, a suspicious black Land Rover had been reported at Boyton Cross and a blue tent had been found in the car park at Boyton Cross but it was nothing suspicious. Catalystic convertors are being stolen all over the Borough and notices are being posted to all houses. It was agreed a notice should be put in the village shop. 52. FINANCIAL MATTERS Page 2
a) Payments:- M.D. Landscapes (Anglia) Ltd 225.60 Grass Cutting Recreation Field M.D. Landscapes (Anglia) Ltd 337.20 Grass Cutting Recreation Field Essex County Council 90.00 Hire of School 14/3/12, 9/5/12 & 11/7/12 Mr S.Pavitt 82.50 Grass Cutting Recreation Field & Misc. Works in Village Glasdon Manufacturing Limited 35.88 Slat for Seat in St. Michaels Drive E-On 26.81 Electricity to Sports Pavilion Evans Garden Maintenance 171.00 Grass Cutting Toddlers Play Area Mr S.Pavitt 150.00 Grass Cutting Recreation Field Mrs.B.M.Pavitt 88.14 Cleaning Sports Pavilion and supplies (July to Sept) Audit Commission 162.00 Audit Fee 2011/12 M.D. Landscapes (Anglia) Ltd 282.00 Grass Cutting Recreation Field Mrs L.J. Green 341.46 Salary 01.08.12 to 30.09.12 H.M. Revenue & Customs Only 127.80 PAYE & N.I. Mrs L.J. Green 71.63 Expenses 12.07.12 12.09.12 The above payments were approved by the Parish Council. b) Transfer of Funds. 20.08.12 Transfer 1,000.00 from Business Premium to Current Account 12.09.12 Transfer 1,500.00 from Business Premium to Current Account c) Bank Balances. The bank balances were as follows:- Current Account - 2,842.10 Business Reserve - 16,258.81 d) Audit of Accounts for 2011/12 The Audit Commission had signed off the accounts and the relevant Notice of Closure of Audit had been put on the noticeboard. The Audit Commission had advised that Littlejohn LLP would be the new Auditors for the next five years as from 2012/13. Clerk to remove item from Agenda. e) Any Other 53. PLANNING MATTERS & APPLICATIONS a) 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. APPROVED. b) 11 CHURCH GREEN - Single storey front extension to garage. No Objections. APPROVED. c)pooty POOLS FARM, RADLEY GREEN ROAD Installation of a ground mounted, metal framed temporary structure, supporting 20 solar PV panels. No Objections. APPROVED. d) COLLEYBRIDGE FARM, RADLEY GREEN - Installation of a ground mounted, metal framed temporary structure, supporting 20 solar panels. No Objections. APPROVED. e) 13 ST. MICHAELS DRIVE Single storey rear extension. No Objections. APPROVED. f) ASH TREE FARM, BISHOPS STORTFORD ROAD Retain parking area. No objections. APPROVED. g) BARRIMORE, BOYTON CROSS Front porch. No Objections. No Decision Yet. h) DUKES FARM, THE STREET Demolition of a 54sqm storage shed and erection of a 446sqm agricultural grain store. No Objections. No Decision Yet. i) 3 COOKSMILL COTTAGES, COOKSMILL GREEN - Non-material amendment to permission reference 12/00791/FUL (Two storey rear extension. Front porch. ) to increase the width of bathroom window from 600mm to 1200mm and change centre rear bedroom window to French doors & Juliet balcony. APPROVED. Page 3
j)minerals DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT AUGUST 2009 Cllr. Page enquired whether the fact that Elms Farm is up for sale affects the Minerals and Waste documents. Cllr. Page asked whether the Parish Council were going to comment on the latest Consultation from ECC about how they communicate in future on minerals. Chairman to liaise with Cllr. Page regarding matter. k) WASTE DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT - 54. 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 & 34 The Chairman advised that all jobs were now done so the item could be removed from the agenda. b) Toddler Play Area Signage The Chairman reported that the old finger post has rotted at the base. He had spoken to the people who live adjacent. They are looking to change their fence and if they are in agreement the Chairman would like to get a plastic sign and put it on their fence. If not it was agreed the Chairman would order a new wooden finger post. c) Overgrown trees and hedges The Chairman advised that this had been brought up in a safety inspection. It was agreed that the trees and hedge should be cut right back. It was agreed that the Chairman should obtain quotations and if it was under 500.00 he should go for the lowest tender and go ahead with the work. d) Any Other 55. FOOTPATHS a) Changes to footpaths 10 and 12 Bridleway 42 Footpaths 34,40,& 66 Minute 40,62,82,106,135, 15 & 35. The Chairman advised that all the alterations had been approved. Clerk to remove from Agenda. b) Footpaths 43 & 44 Minute 35. Chairman to look to see if the grass had been cut. c) Any Other - 56. ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS PROPOSED TRAFFIC SCHEMES Minute 125,20,40,59,78,94,111,15,34,56,78,97,120,16,39,60,84,110,134,19,42,64,83,107,136,16 & 36. 57. FENCE AND GREENERY OPPOSITE HOOKS COTTAGES - Minute 27, 68,91,117,141,25,47,67,86,109,138,17 & 37. The Chairman advised that the fence had been repaired but the greenery was still outstanding. 58. SIGNAGE STONEHILL ROAD. Minute 93,115,143,19 & 39. The Chairman advised that the matter was still outstanding and that he would chase the matter with Highways. Cllr. Aldridge had also chased Highways regarding the matter. 59. AFFORDABLE HOUSING Minute 116,144,20 & 40. Due to long term sickness Moira Groberz has been uncontactable. The Chairman has only just made contact and a meeting has been provisionally organised for November to which representatives from the Parish Council, RCCE and CCC will attend. The Chairman advised that under the Standing Orders an Advisory Page 4
Committee can have someone who is a non Councillor on it. The Chairman said that he was happy for Ken Walker to still be involved. All agreed. The Chairman had written to CCC regarding the sale of 60 St. Michaels Drive but unfortunately the bungalow had been sold. CCC advised that the bungalow did not fall into the category of being doing up. 60. COUNCILLOR TRAINING Minute 119,147,21 & 41 - The Chairman advised that there was no training available at the moment. 61. ROAD SURFACE IN GREEN LANE - Minute 7 & 22, & 42 The work had been carried out. Clerk to remove item from Agenda. 62. VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT The Chairman advised that this will be discussed further once information and examples have been obtained. Clerk to arrange to get a copy of Stock and Good Easter Parish Councils VDS documents. 63. EXPANSION JOINTS IN ST. MICHAELS DRIVE Minute 24 Chairman to chase Highways. 64. FLOODING ON A1060 Minute 24. The Chairman advised that the matter had been reported to Highways and was going to be investigated. He was now awaiting to hear when the work would be done. He said he would continue to chase the matter. 65. POTHOLES IN GREEN LANE - Minute 24 - The work had been carried out, Clerk to remove from Agenda. 66. ROAD SURFACE A1060 Cllr. Page was dealing with the matter. The road surface was deteriorating rapidly on the stretch between The Hare and Writtle roundabout and Cllr. Page wanted to know from Highways why the work was not being done when other roads in the area are being done. 67. COUNCILLOR VACANCY The Clerk had received Cllr. Ken Walker s resignation. The Chairman advised that the Clerk would notify Brian Mayfield at CCC and the relevant notice would be put on the noticeboard. 68. ADOPTION OF NEW MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT It was agreed that the Parish Council would adopt the Code at the next meeting. The Chairman advised that there had been a lot of displeasure in sensitive information being put onto the CCC website. It was agreed that the Parish Council would not send in any Register of Members Interest forms until the situation had been sorted out. It was agreed that the Parish Council did not want signatures and Councillors addresses on the website. MEETING CLOSED 8.36pm CHAIRMAN. DATE NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY 14 TH NOVEMBER 2012 AT 7.30pm IN ROXWELL SCHOOL Page 5