October 2006 Parish Council Minutes

A066/06

September Financial Report
Financial transactions for September 2006 were tabled & agreed.

All note

A039/06

Audit 2005-2006
TPC awaited the external auditors report.

November Agenda

A038/06

Appointment of New Clerk
It was proposed by Cllr.R.Cheetham, seconded by Cllr.M.Mew & agreed unanimously, to approve a starting salary of Pt.18 on the NALC/SLCC pay spine for the new Clerk.

Finance
Committee Report

A076/06

Cllr. Resignation
Cllr.J.Eichhorn announced her intention to resign as a member of TPC & as Editor of the Village Newsletter for personal reasons.
The Chairman & Cllr.R.Cheetham paid tribute to the contribution Cllr.J.Eichhorn had made to TPC & the local community & wished her well for the future.
UDC would be informed of the vacancy & procedures to advertise for a new Co-opted Cllr. would begin.
TPC’s would also need a new representative on the Alexia Wilson Trust.

November Agenda

Takeley 2007
The chairman emphasised the need to encourage new Cllr’s to stand at the May 2007 elections & the issue would be raised at local organisation/group meetings, & publicised in the Village Newsletter & the ‘Grapevine’.

All note

A075/06

Section 106 – Morrells Green
UDC were still negotiating for payment with ‘David Wilson Homes’ & UDC Cllr.J.Cheetham was assisting in pursuing the matter.

November Agenda

F028/06

Takeley Village Fireworks Night
It was proposed by Cllr.M.Mew, seconded by Cllr.M.Garrick & agreed unanimously, to donate £500 to Takeley Primary School as organisers of this annual village event (*S137 expenditure*).

Clerk to write

A077/06

Finance Committee
The Finance Committee had met on 4.10.2006 & their report would be received at the November meeting.
The Clerk had written to Bob Weston (Weston Homes) asking if he was prepared to continue his annual donation to TPC for community projects.

November Agenda

All note

A064/06

UDC – Community Achievement Awards 2006
Nominations had now been forwarded to UDC by Cllr.B.Baldwin & Cllr.J.Gregory.

All note

B016/06

TPC agreed the following responses to PLANNING APPLICATIONS received:-                                                                                 
UTT/1479/06/REN
Renewal of planning permission for portakabins in car park of Diamond Hanger.
No objection
UTT/1553/06/FUL
Erection of a conservatory at Woodview, Warrens Close.
No objection
UTT/1577/06/FUL
Proposed new house on land adj. to Clover Bungalow, Bush End Road.
Comments:  The overall design is attractive and would fit in with the developing street scene of this area of Takeley and in particular is compatible in all respects with the new approved house to be built on the corner of Bush End Road. Whilst this site is well screened from The Street the developer is proposing to trim and thin the hedging along the front boundary.
No objection subject to:

• The protective screening along the frontage is to be retained and no thinning or trimming to be permitted as a result of this development.
• UDC to ensure that roof tiles are compatible with this location.
• UDC to ensure that builders vehicles and materials are not parked or stored outside of the boundaries of the site.

UTT/1531/06/FUL
Sub division of dwelling into 2 cottages etc. at 2 The Street Takeley.
No objection

Clerk to notify UDC

B012/05

Priors Green – ‘Buffer Zone’
UTT/0555/06/DFO
Following a meeting on 4.10.2006 (also attended by over 25 local residents) it was agreed that TPC object strongly to the proposals outline by 'Countryside Properties' in order for them to comply with the planning conditions originally imposed by UDC.
TPC fully supported the view that Countryside's proposals would have a detrimental effect on the existing properties in Warren Close & Smiths Green & would not achieve the necessary requirement of protecting those properties & residents from the loss of character, amenity, security, & privacy previously enjoyed.
TPC were concerned that the original Master Plan did not intend for this land to be subsumed into the gardens of the new properties on the Priors Green site, but that a buffer zone would meet the aims of the planning conditions by ensuring the existing houses did not suffer & that a structure landscaping scheme would be in place.
TPC therefore recommend that:

• the management & control of the buffer zone should be handled by UDC

• if it is not agreed that UDC manage & monitor the buffer zone, the stewardship of the buffer zone be handed to the existing properties in Warren Close & Smiths Green
• covenants should be in place to ensure this occurs
• the height & density of mature planting & landscaping in the buffer zone should be increased to ensure year round privacy 
• evergreen planting should be increased to ensure good winter screening

Concern was expressed that, left to the new owners/tenants of the Priors Green properties, the land could be abused or mismanaged following Countryside' s 3 year period of supervision, to the detriment of the Warren Close & Smiths Green properties.

Clerk to notify UDC

B017/02

BAA – HOSS Legal Challenge
It was agreed to write to BAA requesting support for BAA’s private tenants in Molehill Green. Bat surveys were being conducted at BAA properties in the village at considerable cost, but as yet no financial support had been proposed for tenants in the event of leases being terminated.

Clerk to write

B012/06

EERA - Travellers/Gypsy Sites
It was proposed by Cllr.P.Barber, seconded by Cllr.J.Gregory & agreed unanimously, to approve Cllr.M.Garrick’s response to the consultation
(see Apx.B).

Clerk to write

C023/04

Stansted Airport Fly Parking
TPC would publish details of the pilot scheme in the Xmas newsletter.

All note

C023/04

Local Speed Reduction Issues
ECC Highways Officer Chris Stoneham would be invited to update TPC on speed reduction matters & other outstanding highways issues at the November meeting.

November Agenda

C023/04

Takeley Entry Sign Planters
UDC Cllr.J.Cheetham & Cllr.R.Cheetham had applied for grant funding for the project & if successful a ‘licence to plant’ would be sought from ECC Highways.

November
Agenda

D001/06

Cllr.J.Green reported that equipment & grounds were in a satisfactory condition. Traffic cones needed to be removed.

All note

D002/06

Sports Field Report
Cllr.M.Garrick reported that the litter problem had improved & that equipment & grounds were in a satisfactory condition.

All note

D011/06

ROSPA Report 2006
It was agreed that Cllr.J.Green & Cllr.M.Garrick would draft a programme of essential remedial work needed at the recreation ground & sports field, following this years ROSPA report recommendations & the job estimates from Mr.P.Tucker.

November Agenda

F001/06

Local Policing & Public Safety Issues Initiatives
Cllr.M.Garrick again expressed concern re. the lack of community policing in the Parish.
TPC would invite Inspector Boland from Gt.Dunmow Police Station to the November meeting.

November Agenda

F002/06

Takeley Youth Initiatives
Cllr.M.Garrick reported that numbers attending the youth club at the Sports & Social Club had improved in the early autumn term.

All note