Langford & Ulting Parish Council

LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 1^ST OCTOBER 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:               Priti Patel MP, District Councillor Henry Bass and 13 members of the

public.

 

The Chairman welcomed and introduced Priti Patel MP to the meeting.

 

13/117.Apologies for absence

Apologies received from District Cllr. Mark Durham.

 

13/118. Declarations of Interest

Cllr. Perry declared a potential personal and prejudicial interest regarding Item 13/119b) as he is also a member of Heybridge Parish Council.

 

13/119. Parish Council Topics

a) 30mph Speed Limit – Langford

The Chairman outlined the Parish Council’s approaches to Essex County Council for a reduction in the speed limit through Langford village centre. At one point a 30mph speed limit had been agreed but was then shelved due to a reorganisation at the County Council. A further request in April 2013 was rejected on the grounds that the criteria were not met. The Parish Council was concerned that on top of the increase in volume of traffic, additional housing proposed in the Maldon District Local Development Plan in Heybridge would be detrimental to the residents of Langford and that a reduction in the speed limit could ameliorate this situation.

Priti Patel MP responded that it was down to the Parish Council to put their case to Essex County Council, including traffic count data, strength of local feeling and effect on cyclists. She had spoken to Essex County Council who said there was no policy that all rural villages should have a 30mph speed limit but she had initiated a dialogue with them. The Parish Council

b) Langford Parish Boundary

The Chairman summarised the Parish Council’s efforts to change the Civil Parish boundary back to the original 1838 Tithe Map boundary as residents of the properties involved felt that they had more of a sense of identity with Langford than with Heybridge plus the impact of Heybridge Approach which effectively separated these properties from the parish of Heybridge. An approach to Heybridge Parish Council last year had not progressed. Cllr. Bass reported that he had spoken to the Heybridge Ward Councillors who agreed that the proposal was sensible and had suggested that the two clerks met.

c) Langford River Bridge

Cllr. Perry proposed that the concrete slab under the bridge should be removed as it restricts the flow of water when flooding occurs. It was noted that this was part of the bridge strengthening work.

d) Flooding

It was noted that there is a problem with heavy goods vehicles when the road is flooded at the bridge. Warning signs should be located at Hatfield Peverel and Mitchell’s roundabout so that gridlock can be avoided in the narrow lanes.

13/120. Parliamentary Update

a) Legislation and Bills – Anti-social behavior, Crime and Policing Bill report stage and third reading are scheduled this month. The Deregulation Bill is part of the government's ongoing drive to remove unnecessary bureaucracy from businesses to make them more competitive. This will reach committee stage in December 2013.

b) Transport – The East of England has suffered due to the effects of under-investment in its rail network. A bid for £250 million to upgrade the railway line to facilitate faster trains and to improve capacity is to be submitted to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The A12 has been upgraded to a road of strategic importance and will now benefit from incremental improvements / enhancements. There is a strong business case for dualling the A120 between Harwich and Stansted.

c) It was noted that Priti Patel would be publishing a series of political reports on various subjects including Victim Support, Criminal Justice System, Efficient Government, Anti-social Behaviour and High Speed Rail Bills.

The Chairman thanked Priti Patel for her support and for attending the meeting.

 

13/121. Public Question Time

• Ditch along front of Essex Water Company land – Clerk to forward correspondence with Highways to Priti Patel.
• Parish Council response to Local Development Plan – Should be looked at carefully, particularly with regard to the proposed housing development to the north of Heybridge.
• Oval Park – Mr. Robinson expressed concern that the Planning Inspector did not refer to community support in her report and had failed to recognize that it would more than double the size of Langford. Priti Patel had spoken to the Planning Inspectorate about this concern. It was noted that Maldon District Council planning department had thanked the community for attending throughout the Inquiry and that Neighbourhood Plans strengthen the voice of communities.
• Local Development Plan – Maldon District Council are working to adopt the plan as quickly as possible to stop speculative development all over the district.
• Witham Road – A resident was concerned that the 20T limit was not being adhered to. It was advised that a record should be kept.
• Traffic calming measures – It was noted that these had been suggested in the past but the B1019 is a major lorry route out of the district so it is not feasible. Village gateways had been installed to mark the entrances into the village.
• Relief road to A12 – It was noted that there was no proper long term transport strategy. An integrated joined-up approach was needed with lobbying of Essex County Council.

 

13/122. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 15^th October 2013 at 7.30pm at Langford & Ulting Village Hall.

 

The meeting closed at 8.15pm.

 

Signed:                                                            (Chairman)                             Date: