MINUTES
MINUTES of a meeting of the FULL COUNCIL held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th September 2023 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
PRESENT Cllr M Caton (Chair), Cllrs A Barnes, S Ghosh, A Guney, P Jones, 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
1 member of the public via Zoom, 1 member of the press via Zoom
162 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Hogg – Family Commitment,
Cllr Kavanagh – Holiday and Cllr Prior – Work Commitments.
RESOLVED To accept the apologies for absence from Cllrs Hogg, Kavanagh andPrior
Apologies were also received from District and County Councillor Gooding
No apologies were received from Cllr Braeckman
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None
163 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
164 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 26TH JULY 2023
RESOLVED To accept the minutes of the meeting held on 26th July 2023 as a true and accurate account.
165 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ACTION POINTS FROM THE LAST MEETING
141 – Office to express thanks to Mountfitchet Partners Ltd – Done
147 – Office to write to Uttlesford District Council, Director of Planning – Done
148 – Office to contact named individuals to re-establish Airport Working Group – Done
166 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE CHAIR, CLLR MAUREEN CATON
Attached
The Chair also advised that along with the Clerk, she attended a UDC Liaison meeting last night. Notes from the meeting will be circulated on the proposed timetable/actions for the Uttlesford Local Plan. These will be distributed via email to all councillors.
167 TO RECEIVE WRITTEN DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
Report from District Councillor Gooding attached – The Clerk advised that she had received an update from Cllr Gooding this afternoon that the sheered pole on Chapel Hill has been removed.
District Councillor Sell reported the following:
Good news that the planning application at Pines Hill has been refused. He made reference to the potential knock-on effects of development approved in neighbouring parishes.
It is likely in the near future that UDC will have to sell some of its assets to make up the shortfall created by Government cuts.
168 TO RECEIVE A WRITTEN COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT
Report from County Cllr Gooding attached
169 FINANCE:
- a) TO APPROVE THE LIST OF PAYMENTS
The Clerk advised that the payment list was checked by Cllr O’Brien ahead of the meeting with no issues. With no questions, the list of payments was approved.
- b) TO RATIFY PAYMENT SCHEDULES CIRCULATED DURING SUMMER RECESS
Having been proposed by Cllr Jones and seconded by Cllr O’Brien, it was unanimously
RESOLVED To ratify summer payment lists 1 – 5
170 TO CONSIDER THE LIST OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
1 UTT/23/2187/DFO – LAND NORTH OF STANSTED AIRPORT
Reserved matters comprising external appearance, layout, scale and landscaping for Phase 1 pursuant to Outline Consent UTT/22/0434/OP; comprising 22,637sqm (GEA) commercial/employment floorspace predominantly within Class B8 Classes E(g) and Class B2, car parking, cycle storage, servicing, plant areas, landscaping and other associated works.
The parish council objects to this application because they was no mention of the cycle route we had requested and it was not clear what provision there was for the wellbeing facilities and other matters raised in our response to the outline application.
2 UTT/23/2212/AV – HANGAR 12, NINTH AVENUE, STANSTED AIRPORT
Erection of illuminated signage above the main loadside entrance of hangar
No Comment
3 UTT/23/2236/FUL – LAND ADJ. TO MOAT HOUSE, 12 GROVE HILL
Erection of 1 no, dwelling further to UTT/20/3448/FUL
No objection but we are concerned about road safety and access.
4 UTT/23/2215/FUL – EASTFIELD STABLES, MAY WALK
S73 application to vary condition 2 (approved plans) of UTT/21/2687/FUL (improvement of existing vehicular access point and the construction of a single storey “wellness hub” building and associated car, cycle and motorcycle parking area) allowed on appeal in order to amend the approved plans
The Council decided to defer their decision until the next meeting and for the Planning Working Group to meet and review all permissions granted to date on this site and report back with their recommendations.
5 UTT/23/2239/FUL – LAND AT THE STABLES, MAY WALK
Erection of 3 holiday let cottages
The Council decided to defer their decision until the next meeting and for the Planning Working Group to meet and review all permissions granted to date on this site and report back with their recommendations.
171 TO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL FOR PART-NIGHT LIGHTING OF SOME STREETLIGHTS IN THE VILLAGE
A report was circulated to all members with the agenda with a proposal of lights that should be trialled for part-night lighting. Cllr O’Brien summarised the rationale for the scheme and gave background information from academic studies that he had read on the subject. Several members raised concerns about pedestrian safety such as potholes and other hazards. The lights will go out from midnight until 5am for an initial 3 month trial period. A Working Group will be formed to review feedback from the trial and make a recommendation to Full Council on what if any changes should be made prior to making the change permanent.
Having been proposed by Cllr O’Brien and seconded by Cllr Guney, it was unanimously
RESOLVED to go ahead with the part-night lighting trial as proposed in the document circulated to all members.
Members also gave thanks to Cllr O’Brien for his work on this project.
172 TO CONSIDER A REPORT FROM THE FORESTHALL PARK PARKING WORKING GROUP AND MAKE A DECISION ON THE PROPOSALS NOT REQUIRING NEPP APPROVAL
A report was circulated to members with the agenda.
Having been proposed by Cllr Jones and seconded by Cllr O’Brien, it was unanimously
RESOLVED To apply to the Local Highways Panel for a zebra crossing at each end of Walson Way
The proposal to increase No Airport Parking signs was referred back to the sub-committee for further consideration.
173 TO APPROVE THE DRAFT COMMENTS ON THE STANSTED AIRPORT DRAFT NOISE ACTION PLAN 2024-28
The draft comments were circulated to members ahead of the meeting.
Having been proposed by Cllr Jones and seconded by Cllr van de Bilt, it was unanimously
RESOLVED to approve the draft comments on the Stansted Airport Noise Action Plan 2024-28.
Cllr van de Bilt commented that he thought membership of the working group should be expanded to generate a broader knowledge base of airport related issues. This would give us the opportunity to make more informed proposals/comments in the future. Cllr Khan said this could be our chance to build a relationship with the airport and Cllr Sell suggested inviting the current managing director of Manchester Airport Group to a meeting. It was agreed that the Working Group could approach appropriate individuals to join.
174 TO NOTE CLLR HOGG’S RESIGNATION AS STANSTED AIRPORT WATCH REPRESENTATIVE AND TO APPOINT A REPLACEMENT
The Clerk informed the meeting of Cllr Hogg’s reasons for resigning. Cllr Jones agreed that he would pick up any dealings with SAW until or unless someone else came forward. The position is reviewed every year at the Annual Council meeting.
175 OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE – TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6TH SEPTEMBER 2023
The minutes of the meeting were received.
Meeting closed at 8.47pm
ACTION POINTS
173 Office to invite the current managing director of MAG to a meeting
173 Airport Working Group to look at increasing membership
REPORTS
CHAIR REPORT: Maureen Caton – 13 September 2023
Welcome back following the summer break.
Given the developments in Bishop’s Stortford, the impending Local Plan and the speculative developments agreed to date in our locality – we are seeking to meet with our partner Parish Chairmen to clarify the issues that are facing us all – including access on Grove Hill, the increasing coalescence with Bishop’s Stortford etc. We are awaiting confirmation of the date and availability to attend.
I am pleased to confirm Uttlesford and all the Regulation 14 parties have been sent our Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan for scrutiny ( to ensure its fit with the Local Plan – difficult when we have no idea of what the LP contains) before forwarding to the Inspector under Regulation 18.
The Planning Working Group did however meet to consider any amendments / further comments to our previous response to the consultation exercise in relation to the UDC Local Plan in 2020/21. The overriding issue was the short time frame to comment during the school summer holiday period – which we had also made reference to previously. There was a lack of time to review, analyse and refresh data – continuing a lack of transparency in the process. The question was also raised in relation to the calculations for housing land supply – and how the speculative approvals agreed over time have impacted this required outcome. Also, given our recent experience with the Airport development approval for Columbia Threadneedle – how will community benefits be appropriately agreed and implemented – there is no confidence that UDC are able or willing to ensure these are delivered as discussed and agreed.
In other news:
The sink hole on the Recreation ground has been filled in – with a cover and barriers in place to allow it to settle. Likewise, the recent damage to the railing around the fountain was followed up and is being repaired through the driver’s insurance.
The Parish Council, Business Forum and UDC are re-establishing the Economic Working Group to promote our local businesses and ensure they get the most appropriate support and information to grow and develop trades and services within a vibrant local economy. An initial set up meeting to agree terms of reference etc will take place in the first week in October.
In relation to training – we have started our new Councillor Induction training and will be supporting attendance at the EALC courses that would suit each councillor. We also arranged an on – line NSPCC Safeguarding course for each councillor to undertake. To date a number of councillors have yet to successfully complete this course.
Given our new intake for the Youth Council we will start these meetings off at Forest Hall School to minimise the need for travel – and hopefully we may be able to introduce some meetings with the Youth Club’s involvement as we have a new and very enthusiastic lead for the service in Uttlesford. We also met with the new head Teacher at Forest Hall School who is very keen to enhance partnership working with the community and who will be hosting the French students from Rungis on their trip to Stansted and London.
We are now entering budgetary planning mode – and I remind all councillors who wish to make any bids for funding to discuss the impact of this with their Committee Chair to discuss further with the Chair of Finance and myself before final submission to Full Council for deliberation.
Cllr Khan has agreed to represent the Parish Council at a multi – agency meeting being co-ordinated by Councillor Hargreaves into the issues of Airport Parking for local areas. He will report back to us on the outcomes/actions agreed. Report Ends.
COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT: Ray Gooding – 13 September 2023
I would firstly confirm that My Highway Buddy has inspected the redundant stumps in Chapel hill and has arranged for them to be removed and made good for t5he safety of pedestrians.
The issues regarding Grove Hill are progressing and Cllr Scott and I will be arranging a meeting with both the residents of Grove Hill, the Parish Council and representatives from the surrounding parishes to allow all of the concerns to be discussed prior to formal consultation. Cllr Scott is currently on holiday and this will take place after his return on 25th
The issue of RAAC in school buildings has been a focus of attention both nationally and locally. Of the local schools that have been identified within the DfE Listing Bentfield, Henham and Ugley and JFA are included. It should however be noted that in each of these cases ECC had identified these schools some time ago and the necessary remedial works have already been completed. In none of these cases has it been necessary to take further action. If anyone is concerned about these matters I would be happy to speak separately about the details. Report Ends.
COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT: Ray Gooding – 13 September 2023
UDC have been identified both nationally and local as having the 9th when compared with their revenue account. Given that further borrowing and reborrowing is required by the District Council the national reports have raised concern about the credit ratings of both UDC and a number of other authorities. This is not helped in the case of UDC because of the unsigned accounts for recent financial years.
At a recent Council meeting UDC decided to fund the installation of an acoustic housing to attenuate the level of noise from a sub station adjacent to a newly built estate in Saffron Walden. It was evident however that, in law, the responsibility to do this did not lie with UKPN as the owners of the sub Station, Bloor Homes as the Developer, nor UDC as the planning authority. Report Ends.
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 13th September 2023 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 meeting held on 26th July 2023
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
- To approve the list of payments – To be tabled
- To ratify payment schedules circulated during summer recess
9 To consider the list of planning applications received– see attached
10 To consider a proposal for part-night lighting of some street-lights in the village – see attached
11 To consider a report from the Foresthall Park parking working group and make a decision on the proposals not requiring NEPP approval – attached
12 To approve the draft comments on the Stansted Airport draft Noise Action Plan 2024-28 – to follow
13 To note Cllr Hogg’s resignation as Stansted Airport Watch representative and to appoint a replacement
14 Open Spaces Committee – To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 6th September 2023 – attached
Ruth Clifford, Parish Clerk – 7th September 2023
Any intention to record, film or take photographs during a meeting must be notified to the Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.