Draft Minutes of a meeting of the FULL COUNCIL held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 26TH February 2025 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
PRESENT Cllr M Caton (Chair), Cllrs A Barnes, A Guney, J Kavanagh, A Khan, A Love,
J O’Brien, G Sell and T van de Bilt.
ATTENDING Mrs Ruth Clifford – Parish Clerk, Mrs Emma Philbrick – Deputy Clerk, County Councillor Ray Gooding
Cllrs Braeckman and Ghosh – via Zoom, 1 member of the public via Zoom
310 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Braeckman – University, Cllr Ghosh – Work, Cllr Hardy – Holiday and Cllr Jones – Holiday
RESOLVED To approve the apologies for absence from Cllrs Braeckman, Ghosh, Hardy and Jones.
Apologies were also received from District Cllr Alan Dean
No apologies were received from Cllr Prior
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None
311 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
312 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15TH JANUARY 2025
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15th January 2025 as a true and accurate account
313 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ACTION POINTS FROM THE LAST MEETING
283 Cllr Gooding to look into issues regarding access point at Eastfield Stables and report back – Cllr Gooding to report when he arrives
284 Cllr O’Brien will pursue Network Rail – Correspondence received from Network Rail sent to all Cllrs earlier in the day.
285 Cllr Sell and Cllr Gooding to discuss the Vote of No Confidence they have previously been asked to submit and report back. – Cllr Gooding to report when he arrives
314 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE CHAIR, CLLR MAUREEN CATON
We are still awaiting confirmation from Essex Police that the PCSO post we are currently part funding will remain. We understand that the role remains in jeopardy unless the government issue written confirmation of the proposed additional funding is to be made available to police forces across the country.
Essex Police have indicated that they have funding available to update the ANPR cameras in the village and have asked in principle if we would be happy for them to take over the monitoring of those. There was no indication given that they would consider taking on the whole of the CCTV system unfortunately.
On a brighter note, we have secured funding from UDC as part of their Community Support Grant for Youth Activities. We have been awarded £8k for the first year, year 2 £9K and year 3 £10k. This will put the youth club on a firm footing to develop the service provision for the future.
I have arranged to meet with the Chairs of Finance, Highways and Open Spaces, along with my vice-chair – to consider the restructuring/devolution of local government arrangements into a Mayoral Authority of Essex, Southend and Thurrock – and how this may impact us. Following these initial discussions, we will consult with you all for your views on the way forward and what initiatives you consider we should promote in the best interests of our community. A Working Group may be the best way to consider the complexity and impact of any ideas/decisions we wish to promote. I have also invited neighbouring parishes to meet with me.
I have now also instigated regular catch-up meetings with County Cllr Gooding ahead of Council Meetings to receive updates on any of his actions or activity at the County – including Devolution.
The Planning Working Group met with representatives of Bloor Homes for them to update us prior to them undertaking their public consultation on February 13th.
We were informed Walpole phase 2 was initially held back to ensure the application aligned to the Local Plan and NPPF update; but would be ready for consideration by the time of the public consultation. They were clear they would be applying to UDC and not PINS for planning approval, and were predicting build time would be quicker for this development.
In relation to the development on High Lane, they will pursue a traffic reduction order to reduce speed to 30mph. They will also formalise the current lay-bys with enforceable restrictions for non- residents. Marketing will be focussed on Stansted residents for the first opportunity to secure new homes.
It was also confirmed that the roads in Walpole phase 1 are in the process of being adopted.
I’m pleased to report that two of the lanterns stolen from Chapel Hill appear to have been recovered by Herts Police. They have sent images across which certainly look the same as our lights and we await details of how to retrieve them as they appear to be intact.
UDC are proposing to support and promote our Economic Working Group and Business Forum by holding an event in April to encourage more smaller business networking in the region. Because the EDG and Business Forum are an established group here, it was thought we could showcase the success of the group and promote the development of networking groups elsewhere in the district. It is also noteworthy that a number of forum members are up for awards at this year’s UDC Business Awards Ceremony, one being the Stansted Business Forum itself, for a community award, and We Create Better in the category of supporting local business. Touchpoint CIC is also nominated in the People’s Choice category.
MAG organised 2 sessions of consultation today – not sure how many people attended as notice of this appears to have gone to people’s junk email or the wrong email address altogether. The consultation was to be aligned to the airport’s growth over the next 15-20 years – with that growth said to hit 50million by 2040 and catered for by a single runway within the existing boundaries.
Cllr van de Bilt – was notified of the sessions but was unable to attend. The consultation closes on 10th March 2025 – Cllr O’Brien will send the slides of information he has to all Councillors and Cllr van de Bilt will call a meeting of the Airport Working Group as soon as possible.
Last week I attended the I AM MORE presentation from the organisers of our local Foodbank service. I would urge you to view this travelling exhibition if you get the chance. It illustrates the emotional impact of our prejudice on others and how individuals have grappled with the stigma and labels we are ready to apply to them when they are at their lowest point. Their individual stories of resilience and self- determination showed their victory over our prejudice.
Finally, a reminder that the Annual Parish Meeting will be held at 7.30 pm on 12th March in the Exchange. I hope you will attend
315 TO RECEIVE WRITTEN DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
Report from District Cllr Sell:
Council Tax
The Council is meeting tomorrow evening to agree its budget for 2025/26
The Council has received the following precepts in respect of 2025/26: • Essex County Council met on 13 February 2025 and set their precept at £64,055,786. This results in a band D council tax charge of £1,579.59, an increase of £57.06 (3.75%) on the previous year. This comprises a 2.0% increase for the adult social care precept, and a 1.75% increase for general council tax.
- The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel met on 4 February 2025 and endorsed a precept for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service of £3,551,153. This results in a Band D council tax charge of £87.57, an increase of £4.95 (5.99%) on the previous year.
- The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel met on 4 February 2025 and endorsed a precept for Essex Police of £10,558,566. This results in a band D council tax charge of £260.37, an increase of £13.95 (5.66%) on the previous year.
- The precepts raised by town and parish councils are detailed at Annex B2 and total £5,186,478. This results in an average band D council tax charge of £127.90, an average increase of £7.25 (6.01%) on the previous year.
- The Cabinet of Uttlesford District Council met on 13 February 2025 and decided to recommend a Council Tax Requirement for the District Council of £7,381,304 (subject to approval by Full Council). This results in a band D council tax charge of £182.02, an increase of £5.28 (2.99%) on the previous year.
- The total council tax to be raised, including on behalf of preceptors, is therefore £90,733,287. This results in an average total band D council tax charge of £2,237.45, an increase of £88.49 (4.12%) on the previous year.
Subject to approval of the Council Tax Resolution at Annex B1, the following table sets out the breakdown of the average band D council tax bill for
2024/25: 2025/26
Band D Band D Change Change
£ £ £ %
Essex County Council 1,522. 53 1,579.59 57.06 3.75
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
for Essex – Fire 82.62 87.57 4.95 5.99
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for
Essex – Police 246.42 260.37 13.95 5.66
Uttlesford District Council 176.74 182.02 5.28 2.99
Town/Parish Councils (average) 120.65 127.90 7.25 6.01
Stansted Parish Council precept for 2025/26 is £145.77. This compares with £216.87 for Great Dunmow and £204.62 for Saffron Walden.
Local Government Reorganisation
There has been some clarity since our last meeting. There will be elections for a Mayor of Essex in May 2026. This will be followed by elections to an unitary council in May 2027. This will be a shadow council for the first year. It will take over the responsibilities of its predecessor authorities in May 2028.
What is not clear is how many unitary councils there will be in Essex 2, 3 or 5. Central Government want to see unitary councils with a population of approx. 500,000. UDC along with most district councils wants five unitary councils. This would take us with Epping Forest and Harlow. The three council would have a population of approx. 300,000. If five unitary councils are not supported by the Government then we could see a unitary authority based on Brentwood, Epping Forest, Harlow & Uttlesford. This would have a population of over 400,000. Would it be local government though?
Chesterford Research Park
Negotiations over the sale of UDC’s stake are still ongoing. There will not be a sale this financial year.
Land east of High Lane
Cllr Alan Dean and myself met online recently with representative of Bloor Homes. They have had a preapplication with UDC planners. They want Bloor to improve connectivity on the site. Bloor are hoping to submit a full planning application in March. We impressed on them the need to retain as much vegetation as possible.
Additional Comments from Cllr Sell:
UDC held their meeting last night to set the budget. They held a minute’s silence for Robert Chambers – former Leader of the Council who recently passed away. He voted for the budget but did query the rise in charge for the Garden Waste Service which is increasing by 30% from £50 to £65.
UDC will be building council houses in 2026/27 with £7,000 being invested in Takeley.
The Dunmow depot is being sold as they now have the depot in Little Canfield. The proceeds from this sale will be helpful.
Norse are being replaced in the Spring by a new housing contractor.
Cllr Kavanagh raised the issue of the garden wheelie bins at the bottom of Mill Hill. The regular vehicle cannot access the road to collect them. What can be done to improve this especially if they are paying £65? Cllr Sell agreed to look into it.
District Cllr Gooding reported the following:
Also voiced his concerns re the charges for the Garden Waste Service as fly-tipping has already increased and he believes this will only get worse.
Manor Road Flats – He visited there a few weekends ago and spoke to various residents. At this stage they do not want to put in a vote of no confidence, and they want something more than that. He is awaiting a date for a meeting.
He voted against the budget as he was put off by the Leader’s speech – Cllr Khan asked for more details of a substantive objection which Cllr Gooding agreed to send over.
Cllr Sell advised that he tried to get Manor Road on the Scrutiny agenda but was told it needed to go to the Housing Board. Cllr Dean is a member of this so will try to pursue.
Cllr Sell not happy about the postponement of the County Council elections and nor are a lot of other Cllrs. It potentially means another three years in office for those already there. Cllr Gooding excused himself from that part of the meeting last night as he had a conflict of interest.
Cllr Khan voiced his support for Devolution and is heartened to learn that they will be building new houses. He also urged Cllr Gooding to engage with the Parish Council if he needs help with the Manor Road flats issue. Cllr Gooding explained that he is already in regular contact with the Parish Council Chair regarding this matter.
316 TO RECEIVE A WRITTEN COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT
Grove Hill yellow box – This scheme is part of the S106 package for a development in Elsenham. He wasn’t aware that a design had been drawn up. He has received more detail today which he will share with the Parish Council outside of the meeting.
317 FINANCE
- a) TO APPROVE THE LIST OF PAYMENTS
The list of payments was tabled and the invoices checked against the payment schedule before the start of the meeting by Cllr Caton.
The list of payments was approved
- b) TO RATIFY THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE DATED 30TH JANUARY AND 13TH FEBRUARY 2025
- Both payment schedules were ratified
- c) TO RECEIVE THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT TO 31ST JANUARY 2025
- This was emailed to all members with the agenda and there were no issues.
318 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
1 UTT/25/0258/LB – 50 CAMBRIDGE ROAD
Complete rewire of the property including a new consumer board, two additional sockets to the party wall in the landing and plaster repair. Install downlights along the wiring routes in all rooms. Replace MDF partition wall in the landing with lath and plaster.
No Comment
2 UTT/25/0276/FUL – LAND NORTH OF WALSON WAY
Erection of 8 no. 3 bedroom dwellings together with parking and amenity space
The Parish Council objects to this application for the following reasons:
Over-development
The amenity space still appears to fall short of the legal requirement of 100sqm
Positioning of the EV charging points – Do these comply with the new regulations coming into force?
Parking spaces – They were previously noted to be below the minimum standard size, has this now been addressed?
This is a cul-de-sac, there is no turning circle, how will waste trucks and other large vehicles manoeuvre safely?
The access has been moved closer to the bus stop – this is a hazard!
The Council asked Cllr Gooding to call this in.
3 UTT/25/0425/HHF – 27 LONG CROFT
Single storey rear extension, two storey side extension and open porch to the front
No Comment
4 UTT/25/0366/FUL – LAND AT EASTFIELD STABLES, MAY WALK, ELSENHAM ROAD
Section 73 application to vary condition 2 (approved plans) of appeal decision APP/C1570/W/23/3333029 for UTT/23/2239/FUL – Proposed erection of 3 no. holiday let cottages- First floor added, ground floor layout revised, gables added, replace render with facing brick, PV panels added
The Council objects to this application for the following reasons:
The appeal only allowed the application to go ahead on the grounds that they were modest in size in a modest single storey building. The applicant should not be allowed to vary a condition of an appeal decision made by an Inspector.
319 TO CONSIDER UNDERWRITING THE SET-UP COSTS FOR THE WINDMILL SUMMER FETE 2025 AS THE COUNCIL HAS DONE IN PREVIOUS YEARS
The Clerk explained that the Council has agreed to this for the last couple of years and that all the money has been repaid by the Millers for those years.
Having been proposed by Cllr Caton and seconded by Cllr O’Brien, it was unanimously
RESOLVED to underwrite the set-up costs for the Windmill Summer Fete 2025
320 TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM THE EVENTS WORKING GROUP TO PAY UP TO £3,000 TOWARDS AN EVENT TO CELEBRATE VE DAY
Cllr Caton gave a brief update on what ideas the Events Working Group had so far to celebrate the event. This would be an afternoon tea at St Theresa’s Church for residents of the care homes and Norman Court and any villagers born in the 1940’s or before. There will potentially be a 1940s band and school children would serve the afternoon tea. Cllr Sell commented that he thought this was a great idea and suggested contacting the Local History Society who might have some pictures or information that can be used on the day.
Having been proposed by Cllr Kavanagh and seconded by Cllr Guney, it was unanimously
RESOLVED to pay up to £3,000 towards an event to celebrate VE Day.
321 TO AUTHORISE TWO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TO SIGN THE LEASE TO ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THE USE OF THE LIBRARY AT THE MOUNTFITCHET EXCHANGE
The Clerk advised that she had received the final copy of the Lease and although there were still some hoops to go through, she would recommend authorising Cllr Caton as Chair of the Council and Cllr O’Brien as the Chair of Finance to sign the Lease so that it can be sent back to the solicitors ASAP.
Having been proposed by Cllr Khan and seconded by Cllr Kavanagh, it was unanimously
RESOLVED To authorise Cllr Caton and Cllr O’Brien to sign the lease to Essex County Council for the use of the Library at the Mountfitchet Exchange.
322 OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE – TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 22ND FEBRUARY 2025
The minutes of the meeting were received
Meeting closed at 8.32pm
ACTION POINTS
314 Cllr van de Bilt to call a meeting of the Airport Working Group
315 Cllr Gooding to send details of his objection to the UDC Budget
315 Cllr Sell to look into the issues of the Garden Waste Service in Mill Hill/Brook Road
316 Cllr Gooding to send further information received regarding the yellow box on Grove Hill
Agenda
Members of the Council you are hereby summoned, and members of the public and press are hereby invited, to attend a meeting of the FULL COUNCIL which will be held on Wednesday 26th February 2025 at 7.30pm in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted, Essex, where the following business will be transacted:
1 To receive and approve apologies for absence
Adjourn for public participation
2 To receive declarations of interest
3 To approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 15th January 2025
4 To receive an update on action points from the last meeting
5 To receive a report from the Chair, Cllr Maureen Caton
6 To receive written District Councillor Reports
7 To receive a written County Councillor Report
8 Finance:
- a) To approve the list of payments – to be tabled
- b) To ratify the payment schedules dated 30th January and 13th February 2025
- c) To receive the Income & Expenditure Statement to 31st January 2025
9 To consider the list of planning applications received – see attached
10 To consider underwriting the set-up costs for the Windmill Summer Fete 2025 as the Council has done in previous years
11 To consider a request from the Events Working Group to pay up to £3,000 towards an event to celebrate VE Day
12 To authorise two members of the Council to sign the Lease to Essex County Council for the use of the library at The Mountfitchet Exchange
13 Open Spaces Committee – to receive the minutes of the meeting held on 22nd January 2025
Parish Clerk 20th February 2025
Any intention to record, film or take photographs during a meeting must be notified to the Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.