LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2016 AT LANGFORD & ULTING VILLAGE HALL.
Present: Councillors: Vicky Anfilogoff, Kathy Palmer, Colin Ashby and John Clemo
In the Chair: Councillor Vicky Anfilogoff
Clerk: Jenny Clemo
Also present: Adam Pipe, Casualty Reduction Manager, Essex Police and four
members of the public who attended part of the meeting.
The Chairman welcomed Adam Pipe, Essex Police who gave a very interesting presentation on roads policing in the County and how policing has adapted in a very challenging period. Due to the reduction in police officers, from 300 to 75, the focus is on areas of maximum harm. Members of the public were encouraged to record instances of bad driving on dash cams and email footage to driving.complaints@essex.pnn.police.uk. Councillors and members of the public were given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chairman thanked Adam for his attending the meeting.
16/153. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr. Allen who was abroad on business and District Cllr. Bass who was attending another Parish Council meeting.
16/154. Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of 16th August 2016 having been previously circulated were taken as read, agreed and signed by the Chairman.
16/155. Declarations of Interest
No interests declared.
16/156. Matters for information from previous meetings
16/114. Where does Water Go? Project – It was noted that Cllrs. Allen and Palmer and the clerk had attended a training session. The clerk will organise a second training session for the other volunteers and write to landowners to ask permission to survey watercourses on their land.
15/197. Path at Ulting Lane green – See item 16/158 below.
16/132. Ditch, Hatfield Road – Essex County Council Flood Assets Officer had contacted Essex & Suffolk Water who confirmed that the ditch would be cleared in the next few weeks.
16/157. District Councillor’s report
No report received.
16/158. Public Question Time
- Ulting Lane green – Residents are concerned about vehicles driving over the green where children are playing and the concrete path. It was noted that the Parish Council had no powers to stop people driving on the green and that the provision of bollards could impede emergency services vehicles. It was also noted that Essex & Suffolk Water own the path. A resident agreed that she would take photographs of the path and provide a copy of her deeds.
16/159. Planning Matters
a) Planning applications received:
COUPA/MAL/16/00928 – Prior approval of proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) and for associated operational development, Middlefield Barns, Crouchmans Farm Road, Ulting. The Parish Council had recommended refusal on the same grounds as those for COUPA/MAL/15/00801 and COUPA/MAL/16/00928. That is the building is sited within the Chelmer & Blackwater Ridges Special Landscape Area, adjacent to a working poultry farm and the addition of a first floor would be a new structural element.
FUL/MAL/16/00866 – Conversion of existing office unit into a 1 bedroom home. Change of use from B1 to C3. Unit 4, The Bower, Langford Hall Barn, Witham Road, Langford. The Parish Council recommended refusal as the building is within the curtilage of several listed buildings and in addition, the adjacent business units may have an adverse impact on the amenity of its occupants.
b) Planning decisions received:
TCA/MAL/16/00458 – T1 – Conifer – remove conifer replace it with a Cornus kousa “China Girl”. The Croft, Maldon Road, Langford was approved.
HOUSE/MAL/16/00660 - Erecting a garage/machine barn on a concrete base for the storage of gardening and equestrian equipment. The building will be 9m square and will require an eave height of 3.2m and a ridge height of 4.4m (roof pitch 15deg) to accommodate a horse box, The Grove, Ashfield Farm Road, Ulting was approved.
HOUSE/MAL/16/00836- Detached double garage and store, The Owls, Crouchmans Farm Road, Ulting was approved.
c) Appeal decision received:
COUPA/MAL/16/00225 (Appeal Ref: APP/X1545/W/16/3151900) - Notification for prior approval for a proposed change of use of a goat pen to a one bedroom dwelling, Goat Pen, The Paddock, Ulting Lane, Ulting was dismissed.
COUPA/MAL/16/00227 (Appeal Ref: APP/X1545/W/16/3151901) – Conversion of existing chicken coop to a one bedroom dwelling, Chicken Coop, The Paddock, Ulting Lane, Ulting was dismissed.
16/160. Correspondence
a) CML Microsystems Plc – The Parish Council agreed that they would meet Mr. Clark to discuss future proposed developments at Oval Park. Clerk to arrange a date that is convenient to all councillors.
16/161. Finance
a) The following payments were authorised:
|
|
Net |
VAT |
Gross |
|
|
Mrs J Clemo |
£558.35 |
|
£558.35 |
Clerk’s salary (July – Sept) |
|
Charisma Spatial Planning Ltd |
£2533.75 |
£506.75 |
£3040.50 |
Neighbourhood Plan consultant fee |
b) The following direct debit payments were confirmed:-
|
|
Net |
VAT |
Gross |
|
|
e.on |
£25.96 |
£1.30 |
£27.26 |
Streetlight electricity |
|
A&J Lighting Solutions Ltd |
£19.25 |
£3.85 |
£23.10 |
Streetlight maintenance |
c) The following payment was ratified:
|
|
Net |
VAT |
Gross |
|
|
Lavenham Press |
£320.00 |
|
£320.00 |
Summer newsletter (Cheque no: 100890) |
d) Bank Reconciliation – The bank reconciliation for 31st July 2016 had been checked and agreed by Cllr. Palmer.
e) Financial Regulations 2016 - The Parish Council agreed to adopt the draft document with the amendments agreed at the last Parish Council meeting.
f) It was agreed that a cheque for £120.00 payable to PKF Littlejohn LLP should be raised and ratified at the next meeting.
16/162. Neighbourhood Plan
a) Cllr. Anfilogoff reported that Ann Skippers and Adrian Tofts, Maldon District Council had revised Policy 9 but clarification on one point was still outstanding. If the Parish Council agreed the policy, it was advised that the plan was withdrawn and then resubmitted to Maldon District Council for a further Regulation 16 consultation and examination.
b) Grant – Maldon District Council had confirmed that there was no grant money available but could provide officer support and time.
c) DCLG Grant – Clerk to check whether the Parish Council could apply for more funding. It was agreed that the clerk would apply if the Parish Council was eligible.
d) Cllr. Anfilogoff and the clerk had attended a Wickham Bishops Parish Council meeting to give a presentation on “Our Neighbourhood Planning Experience”.
16/163. Hatfield Peverel Neighbourhood Plan
Cllr. Palmer to email comments to the clerk.
16/164. Flooding – Old School, Ulting and Little Mill Cottages, Maldon Road
The Parish Council agreed the comments below:
a) Old School, Ulting – This problem has been ongoing for many years and Essex County Council should improve the drainage system at this location as it is not able to carry the water away from the affected properties. The long lengths of pipe are difficult to keep clear.
b) Little Mill Cottages – Essex County Council should be advised to contact Ernest Doe & Sons about the water flowing from their yard through 1, Litlle Mills and subsequently pooling on the B1019. The works indicated are necessary to allow proper drainage on the B1019.
16/165. 30mph Speed Limit – Langford
It was noted that the request had been sent to the Local Highways Panel for consideration. Two automatic traffic counts covering seven day speed/volume surveys are currently in place, one on Maldon Road and the other on Witham Road.
16/166. Dog Bin
It was agreed that the clerk would contact Maldon District Council and organise the installation of a dog bin at a cost of £126.69 and first year cost of emptying at medium use - £38.10 or low use - £10.89 per annum.
16/167. Parking on Ulting Lane Green
A complaint about parking on the green was noted and it was suggested that residents could come to an agreement.
16/168. 30mph Speed Limit – Ulting
Further to a question to Adam Pipe, it was agreed that a request for a 30mph speed limit through Ulting village would not be feasible.
16/169. Hare Coursing
It was noted that if there is a wildlife crime taking progress residents should call 999 or for a non-emergency call 101. Individuals should not get involved other than taking vehicle registration numbers.
16/170. Essex Superfast Broadband
It was noted that residents in “white areas” which includes much of Ulting and Langford must respond to the Superfast Essex Phase 3 State Aid Public Consultation by Wednesday 12th October 2016. The Parish Council agreed that a note would be circulated to all residents encouraging them to sign up. See: http://www.superfastessex.org/en-gb/where,whenandhow.aspx#whatishappeningnow
16/171. Items from the councillors (NEXT AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)
None.
16/172. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 18th October 2016 at Langford & Ulting Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.30pm.
Signed: (Chairman) Date: