LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 15TH JANUARY 2013 AT LANGFORD & ULTING VILLAGE HALL.
Present: Councillors: Andrew Tween, Irene Allen, Vicky Anfilogoff, Kathy Palmer and Richard Perry
In the Chair: Councillor Andrew Tween
Clerk: Jenny Clemo
Also present: District Councillor Henry Bass
13/01.Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Durham.
13/02. Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of 4th December 2012 having been previously circulated were taken as read, agreed and signed by the Chairman.
13/03. Declarations of Interest
No interests were declared.
13/04. Dispensation
It was agreed that the following dispensation be granted to all members and co-opted members of Langford & Ulting Parish Council until the next local council election to enable them to participate in debates and to vote on any such matter, notwithstanding that they may have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, Other Pecuniary Interest or a Personal Interest in the business being transacted (Section 33, Localism Act 2011):
- Setting council tax or precept under the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
13/05. Matters for information from previous meetings
12/160a) Barbed wire fence, Bumfords Lane – This had been installed to deter poachers from walking across to illegally fish the lake. Clerk to check ancient law regarding position of fence with regard to the hedge line as advised by Cllr. Bass.
12/160b) Fishing Lakes – The clerk had investigated the procedure required to apply for potential new public rights of way on the basis of historical and user evidence. Cllrs. Palmer and Tween to ask residents if they would be willing to provide evidence.
12/161a) HOUSE/MAL/12/00944 – Form timber framed dormer over flat roof, to cut into two upstairs bedrooms to make them bigger and extend existing dormer to side of house. Red Lodge, Witham Road, Langford was allowed.
13/06. District Councillor’s report
Items discussed included:
- Maldon District Council budget – May be minor increase but no cuts to frontline services.
- Parish precept – Parish tax base will change due to alterations in the Local Council Tax Support scheme but Maldon District Council have agreed that the precepted amount will be paid.
- Oval Park appeal – Maldon District Council have appointed Simon Bird QC from Cornerstone Barristers and David Lawrence from Roger Tym & Partners to present the planning and economic evidence bases.
- Clerk to copy Cllrs. Bass and Durham into planning responses.
- Cllr. Bass agreed that he would look into the Bridge Cottage garden room refusal.
13/07. Public Question Time
- Footpaths – It was noted that Footpath 5, Ulting is being damaged by 4x4 vehicles. Clerk to notify Highways.
13/08. Planning Matters
a) Planning applications received:
TCA/MAL/12/01049 – T1 Pollard – Prune to 2 metre height line of poplars as normal tree maintenance programme. T2 – Fell 4 self-seeded willows in woodland area. Church Cottages, Crouchmans Farm Road, Ulting. No objections.
b) Planning decisions received:
HOUSE/MAL/12/00846 – Demolish greenhouse in rear garden and replace. Southlands Farm, Ulting Lane, Ulting was allowed.
c) Minerals Local Plan – It was noted that the Pre-Submission Draft was to be published 17th January 2013 for a six-week period of engagement until 28th February. No comments to be submitted.
d) North West Planning Workshops – It was agreed that Cllrs. Allen and Anfilogoff and the clerk would attend the next workshop on 16th January, 7pm at Goldhanger Village Hall.
13/09. Correspondence
a) Footpath 5, Ulting – Cllrs. Allen and Tween confirmed that the path is on the southern side of the boundary.
b) Lent Investment: giving up time – Cllr. Allen to mention to Reverend Low.
General correspondence to note:
- Bridleway 5, Langford (from Witham Road via Red Lodge to Maypole Road) – Notification of Temporary Prohibition of Use Order received.
- Land adjacent to Millhouse Hotel - Notification of installation of a flow meter, work commencing 7th January for approximately 5 weeks had been received.
- Essex Police – Notification of alterations to service to be provided to parishes received.
- Braintree District Council Draft Site Allocations and Development Management Plan – Consultation period to 22nd February. No comments to be submitted.
13/10. Finance
a) The following payments were authorised:-
|
Mrs. J. Clemo |
£300.00 |
|
Clerk’s salary |
|
Mrs. J. Clemo |
£9.98 |
|
Ulting Lane grass cutting |
|
Northumbrian Water Ltd |
£50.00 |
|
Old Coach House rent |
b) The following cheques raised at the previous meeting were ratified:-
|
SLCC |
£63.00 |
|
Annual subscription |
|
Alphaprint |
£338.00 |
|
Autumn newsletter |
c) Consideration of Annual Parish Precept 2013/14 – A precept of £6700 was agreed. This includes £1000 towards the Neighbourhood Plan. Other general expenditure to remain similar to previous year.
Cllr. Bass left the meeting at this point.
13/11. Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
a) Cllr. Anfilogoff and the clerk had attended a meeting on 13th December 2012 at Maldon District Council with Planning Officers and Sarah Sapsford (RCCE) to discuss the proposed Neighbourhood Plan. Reasons for preparing the plan and support available from Maldon District Council and others were discussed. Craig Smith, Maldon District Council, has prepared a map of the designated area. Clerk to make formal application.
b) Community Information Forms – Forms have now been collected from those residents willing to complete. The information will be collated by steering group members.
c) Councillors to look at the Upper Eden Neighbourhood Plan.
13/12. Newsletter
a) Copy for next newsletter was circulated for comments/corrections.
b) Future funding options were discussed. It was agreed that Cllr. Allen would approach local businesses for sponsorship. As circulation is limited, it was agreed that income from advertising was not an option.
c) Essex Life competition for community magazines – The newsletter has been shortlisted. It was agreed that Cllrs. Allen and Tween would attend the awards ceremony on January 23rd at Peldon.
13/13. Proposed Langford Boundary Change
The clerk had contacted Heybridge Parish Council and suggested that they spoke to Stuart Jennings, Maldon District Council regarding the proposed boundary change. Cllr. Perry to mention at Heybridge Parish Council meeting on 18th January.
13/14. Oval Park
It was agreed that Cllrs. Allen and Perry would attend a preliminary meeting at Maldon District Council on Friday 19th January. Simon Bird QC and David Lawrence would be in attendance. It was also agreed that Cllr. Tween would represent the Parish Council at the Inquiry and that a resident should speak on behalf of the residents.
13/15. Village Hall trees
a) The clerk and Mr. Tomlins had met the tree officer on site on 8th January. The tree officer confirmed that the two large lime trees were infected with a ganoderma fungus and should be pollarded or removed as soon as possible. In addition, a bough hanging over Maldon Road also needed removing urgently as it was dangerous. The Village Hall Management Committee has received a quotation from Geoff Luck to do this work. In addition, a quotation for other works which require permission had been acquired.
b) Replanting – After discussion with the tree officer, an application to vary the requirement to one tree behind the new fence and two trees along the hedge adjacent to the old mill, may succeed.
13/16. Local Highways Panel
Councillors to let the clerk know if there are any potential schemes in the parish.
13/17. Emergency Planning
a) It was agreed that emergency contacts would be Cllrs. Perry and Tween. Clerk to inform Maldon District Council.
b) Clerk to contact Environment Agency regarding flood alerts.
13/18. Items from the councillors (NEXT AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)
a) Potholes
b) Fly tipping
13/19. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 5th March 2013 at Langford & Ulting Village Hall at 7.30pm.
The meeting closed at 9.35pm.
Signed: (Chairman) Date: