MINUTES
MINUTES of a meeting of the FULL COUNCIL held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 14th June 2023 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
PRESENT Cllr M Caton (Chair), Cllrs A Barnes, G Braeckman, P Jones, J Kavanagh, A Khan, A Love, J O’Brien and L Prior
ATTENDING Mrs Ruth Clifford – Parish Clerk
Mrs Emma Philbrick – Deputy Clerk
Dist Cllr Alan Dean
2 members of the public and 1 member of the public via Zoom
65 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Guney – working, Cllr Hogg – holiday and Cllr Sell – holiday. It was unanimously:
RESOLVED To accept the apologies for absence from Cllrs Guney, Hogg and Sell
Apologies for absence were also received from District Cllr Church, District and County Cllr Gooding and Hollie Ryder from the Bishop’s Stortford Independent.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
One member of the public addressed the Council on the matter of a second dispensing pharmacy for the south of the village.
Cllr Caton challenged one of the statements made and referred to the work done by the Parish Council towards a second dispensing pharmacy.
One member of the public made a statement about community awards which the Chair agreed to discuss with him outside of the meeting.
66 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
67 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24TH MAY 2023
RESOLVED To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24th May 2023 as a true and accurate account.
68 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ACTION POINTS FROM THE LAST MEETING
41 – Done and the Chair will be giving an update in her report
69 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE CHAIR, CLLR MAUREEN CATON
Attached
The Chair advised that since writing her report, she had received a letter from a resident of Chapel Hill expressing concerns about the safety of the zebra crossing by the fire station. The Clerk gave a timeline of the Parish Council’s applications to the Local Highways Panel for an upgrade of the crossing. It was agreed to raise the matter with Cty Cllr Gooding as no response has ever been received.
The Clerk responded to queries regarding Gigaclear and their cabinet at Five Acres. She confirmed that she would raise the matter of social tariffs with them.
70 TO RECEIVE WRITTEN DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
The reports were circulated to members ahead of the meeting and are attached with the minutes. It was agreed to ask District Cllr Gooding what planning applications he is calling in.
Cllr Barnes commented that it was a good report received from Cllr Gooding but that we need to avoid a situation like we had before with Elms Farm, where the Parish
Council is bypassed. District Councillors need to work with the Parish Council and not just the residents.
Cllr Khan thanked District Cllr Dean for his report and asked him for his simple reflections on the new District Council so far which he gave.
Cllr Jones directed a question to Cllr Dean regarding the relaxation under Michael Gove regarding top-down targets and whether he thought R4U would move in that direction. Cllr Dean responded.
71 TO RECEIVE A WRITTEN COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT
Circulated to members ahead of the meeting and attached to the minutes.
Cllr Khan stated that there has been a continued lack of response from Cty Cllr Gooding to queries raised at Parish Council meetings. He asked that all District and County Councillors respond to requests for information in a timely manner to enable Parish Councillors to keep the community informed by responding to them with the information requested.
72 FINANCE – TO APPROVE THE LIST OF PAYMENTS
The Clerk advised that the payment schedule was checked against the invoices by Cllr O’Brien before the start of the meeting.
The list of payments was approved.
73 THE RECEIVE THE FINAL INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT 2022-23
The report was circulated to members ahead of the meeting and no questions were asked. Cllr Khan commented that it was a job well done and gave thanks to the Clerk, Ruth Clifford and Chair of Finance, Cllr John O’Brien. Cllr O’Brien thanked Ruth Clifford for being a great Responsible Finance Officer
74 TO APPROVE THE YEAR END ACCOUNTS AT 31ST MARCH 2023
This was circulated to members ahead of the meeting.
Having been proposed by Cllr Jones and seconded by Cllr Love, it was unanimously:
RESOLVED To approve the year end accounts as at 31st March 2023.
75 TO CONSIDER THE ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENTS 2022/23
This was circulated to members ahead of the meeting. The Clerk read out each question and all members answered “yes” to statements 1-8 and number 9 was not applicable. Having been proposed by Cllr O’Brien and seconded by Cllr Jones, it was unanimously:
RESOLVED that the Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 be signed.
76 TO CONSIDER THE ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS 2022/23
This was circulated to members ahead of the meeting.
Having been proposed by Cllr O’Brien and seconded by Cllr Jones, it was unanimously:
RESOLVED to approve the accounting statements for year end to March 2023.
77 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
1 UTT/23/1221/HHF – 24 STONEYFIELD DRIVE
Proposed first floor front extension
No Comment
2 UTT/23/1234/HHF – 17 OLD BELL CLOSE
Replacement of existing garage roof with steeper pitched roof and addition of 2no. dormers to create bedroom within roof space. Proposed rear single storey extension.
No Comment
3 UTT/23/1299/HHF – 28 LONGCROFT
Proposed single storey rear extension, two storey side extension and internal alterations.
No Comment
4 UTT/23/0154/HHF – 3 BROOK COTTAGES, STONEY COMMON
S73A Retrospective planning application for garden room building/annexe – 3 rooms and shower/toilet room, for gym, music room and storage.
The Parish Council objects to this application on the following grounds:
- Out of keeping with the street scene
- Over development
- Does not meet parking standards
- It overlooks neighbouring properties
If UDC is minded to grant consent, we request that ownership must be tied to the host house. Please also confirm that noise attenuation measures were included during construction to prevent noise disturbance to close neighbours given the potential use as a music room.
5 UTT/23/1324/AV – HANGAR 12, NINTH AVENUE, STANSTED AIRPORT
Replacement of existing roadside and airside signage. Existing “Fayair” signage lettering to be removed and replaced with “Harrods Aviation” signage lettering. Height of new signage to be in line with existing. Roadside signage to be halo illuminated as per existing. Airside signage to be non-illuminated as per existing.
No Comment
6 UTT/23/1344/HHF – 20 WETHERFIELD
Section 73A Retrospective application for new boundary fence
The Parish Council objects to this application on the following grounds:
Out of keeping with street scene where the other corners have green space
Concerned about loss of previously approved parking space and also sight-lines for vehicles driving round that bend.
Does it meet the necessary parking standards?
7 UTT/23/1413/FUL – THE MANOR HOUSE, CHURCH ROAD
Conversion of outbuilding to 1 no. dwelling
The Parish Council objects to this application as it is in the Metropolitan Green Belt and there are no special circumstances to warrant an exception to this policy.
78 TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – TO CONSIDER THE CONSULTATION ON WAITING RESTRICTIONS FOR THE MOUNTFITCHET ESTATE
This was circulated to members ahead of the meeting.
The TRO had been submitted by the Highways sub-Committee to the North Essex Parking Partnership. The restrictions had been sought on grounds of pedestrian and driver safety.
Discussions took place between members as there appeared to be some doubt as to whether all of the proposals should be pursued. Some members felt that more information needed to be gathered with regard to any comments from the bus company and emergency services and the Parish Council’s request to turn some of the verges into formal parking bays. Other members felt that safety had to be the priority. After further discussion and having been proposed by Cllr Prior and seconded by Cllr Khan, it was unanimously:
RESOLVED To support the Council’s application for red lines with the exception of red lines at the following junctions:
1 – Maitland Road southside corner with St Mary’s Drive westside
2 – Maitland Road southside both corners with Priory Drive
3 – Mountfitchet Road northside both corners with Priory Drive
4 – Mountfitchet Road northside corner with St Mary’s Drive westside
Councillors resolved to request this amended scheme with a strong emphasis on making residents’ roads safer.
The changes would result in fewer red line areas on the estate, but they would keep the proposed restrictions around Mountfitchet Green and the bus route around the estate in place to:
- Ensure children’s safety while playing on the green; and
- improve access on corners for buses, refuse vehicles, and emergency service,and
- enhance sight-lines into and out of the estate for overall vehicle safety.
79 TO CONSDER A REQUEST FROM THE OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE TO UNDERWRITE COSTS RELATING TO A PLAQUE FOR THE CORONATION SHELTER
Having been proposed by Cllr O’Brien and seconded by Cllr Kavanagh, it was unanimously:
RESOLVED To underwrite the costs relating to a plaque for the Coronation Shelter – estimated at £1,500 – from our General Reserve
80 HIGHWAYS SUB-COMMITTEE – TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24TH MAY 2023
The minutes of the meeting were received.
81 OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE – TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7TH JUNE 2023
The minutes of the meeting were received
Meeting closed at 9.03pm
ACTION POINTS
69 Raise the issue of the Chapel Hill zebra crossing with Cty Cllr Gooding
69 Speak to Gigaclear about social tariffs
70 Ask District Cllr Gooding which planning applications he has called in
70 Ask District Cllr Gooding for the Parish Council to be involved in any meetings with residents regarding Elms Farm.
Parish Council Chair Report: Maureen Caton
Cllr Gooding, may I politely remind you of my request at the last meeting for specific information on the additional funding to be allocated on repairs to the Stansted potholes.
I am also aware that the funding for the Essex Youth Strategy work in Uttlesford is to be reduced. We need to understand the specifics of this and the impact on our Youth Service provision we co–fund with Uttlesford. We urgently need clear feedback from you, Cllr Gooding as a County and District Cllr who wears both hats on this issue.
Congratulations to all involved with the visit to our twin town of Rungis. It was certainly a very busy, but very enjoyable visit – meeting various organisations and being welcomed into their community events. The Mayor of Rungis will hopefully visit us next year along with committee members and residents who are part of the association. We thank them for their hospitality and friendship. We are now jointly working on forging more links between families and young people, and especially the schools. We hope this will be promoted with the visit of Rungis students to spend time with their peers at Foresthall School.
We obtained 3 quotes to undertake the ground penetration X-ray survey of the Recreation Ground as recommended by the initial specialist surveyor who looked at our sinkhole and two at the Bowls Club. Having taken up references, the contract has been awarded today and we will keep the community informed of progress.
Gigaclear have made some suggestions re planting that can disguise the box sited at Five Acres. Residents have been made aware of these suggestions. We will be seeking compensation for the error of siting this on our land without consultation once the residents have been consulted as stated.
Following the Events Group feedback meeting we agreed I would consult with various local organisations on the possibility of them undertaking the co-ordination of a summer community event in the future. Whilst the events to date have been hugely successful, the time and impact on other tasks for specific councillors and staff cannot support this as a yearly event. Again, I will keep you posted on developments.
The Clerk , Vice Chair and myself have prepared the co-option process and requested paperwork to proceed with advertising the positions tomorrow, 15th June, with an applications closing date of June 30th and the item on our Full Council agenda for July 5th.
For our new member and interested Councillors in particular – we will be organising our induction process along with the EALC new Councillor training when the co-option process has been finalised. There will also be a safeguarding training session organised which I will try to commission on-line.
Finally, congratulations to The Clerk and the Chairman of Finance – the Internal Audit Report shows our finances are in safe hands at this Parish Council. REPORT ENDS
The Chair advised that since writing her report, she had received a letter from a resident of Chapel Hill expressing concerns about the safety of the zebra crossing by the fire station. The Clerk gave a timeline of the Parish Council’s applications to the Local Highways Panel for an upgrade of the crossing. It was agreed to raise the matter with Cty Cllr Gooding as no response has ever been received.
The Clerk responded to queries regarding Gigaclear and their cabinet at Five Acres. She confirmed that she would raise the matter of social tariffs with them. REPORT ENDS
County Councillor’s Report: Ray Gooding
There has been a significant change in the set up of the Local Highways Panel and while I will continue to chair the Uttlesford Panel the format has been amended to allow only the four County Council Members to have voting responsibilities on the Panel. There will however be a superior board that will be made up of the Cabinet Member who will chair a board of Local Chairs of all twelve local panels. This will have a distinct advantage in that there will be enhanced equity of approach to what are often common problems. More importantly larger or particularly complex schemes will have the opportunity to bid for additional support. Grove Hill is one such schemes and that will be referred to this panel.
There has been some concerns raised that this does not allow sufficient comment from the localities. However, to address this I intend to open the meeting to representation from all district members and Parishes together with UALC representatives. It is to be hoped that this will broaden the input from every area within the district and allow them to bid for matters that will allow access to the funding, albeit small, that will in this year include repairs to footpaths, a matter which I know is of concern within Stansted and the surrounding roads.
The reports were circulated to members ahead of the meeting and are attached with the minutes. It was agreed to ask District Cllr Gooding what planning applications he is calling in. REPORT ENDS
District Councillor’s Report: Ray Gooding
It is now just over six weeks since the new Council was formed at UDC and for those of us that are new to UDC, we are coming to grips with the issues. I am this evening attending a training session regarding Investment and Finance and as I will be a member of the Investment Board going forward I will be in a strong position to update the Parish on the concerns that we and residents have in relation to the challenges that will be faced by UDC in both repaying or reborrowing those areas of borrowing that fall due within this fiscal year. Similarly the concerns that Council Tax Payers must have on the impact that the significantly increased cost of borrowing will have on UDC’s finances going forward.
On the issues of Planning the Parish will be aware that the development at Pines Hill has been recommended for refusal by the Planning Committee. It should be remembered that because this application will be determined by PINS that UDC are consultees rather than the decision makers in this case. Other Issues that were determined at the recent Planning Committee included a refusal of the right to remain for the Travellers at the Site in Birchanger Lane and although that is not an issue affecting Stansted Parish Council it does have a similar relevance in that it involved the installation of residences on Green Belt Land without “exceptional circumstances”. That provision within the law should be remembered when there are other applications on the Green Belt surrounding Stansted Mountfitchet.
In addition to the above I can confirm that I am arranging for the call in of several applications within Stansted.
The matter of District Council Surgeries has been raised and I would confirm that Nick and I are planning to set up this provision within Stansted South and Birchanger in the coming months. We have just been in post for slightly over six weeks and have been dealing with many of the issues that were raised to us previously but there is much to come. A particular item is the matter of the open space at Elms Farm that still lies in a very poor condition and is unsuitable for adoption at this time. We will be meeting with local residents shortly to hear their concerns and will be pushing UDC to enforce the developer’s obligations to bring this land to a suitable condition. 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 14th June 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
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Adjourn for public participation
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2 To receive declarations of interest
3 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24th May 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
9 To receive the Final Internal Audit Report 2022-23 – attached for members
10 To approve the Year End Accounts at 31st March 2023 – attached for members
11 To consider Annual Governance Statements 2022/23 – attached for members
12 To consider Accounting Statements 2022/23 – attached for members
13 To consider the list of planning applications received– see attached
14 Traffic Regulation Order – To consider the consultation on waiting restrictions for the Mountfitchet Estate – already circulated
15 To consider a request from the Open Spaces Committee to underwrite costs relating to a plaque for the Coronation Shelter.
16 Highways Sub-Committee – To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 24th May 2023 – circulated
17 Open Spaces Committee – To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 7th June 2023 – to follow
Ruth Clifford, Parish Clerk- 8th June 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. Zoom details for the meeting: ID: 821 4471 7179 PASSWORD: 368093
Planning Applications
1 UTT/23/1221/HHF – 24 STONEYFIELD DRIVE
Proposed first floor front extension
2 UTT/23/1234/HHF – 17 OLD BELL CLOSE
Replacement of existing garage roof with steeper pitched roof and additional of 2no dormers to create bedroom within roof space. Proposed rear single storey extension.
3 UTT/23/1299/HHF – 28 LONG CROFT
Proposed single storey rear extension, two storey side extension and internal alterations.
4 UTT/23/0154/HHF – 3 BROOK COTTAGES, STONEY COMMON
S73A Retrospective planning application for garden room building/annexe – 3 rooms and shower/toilet room, for gym, music room and storage.
5 UTT/23/1324/AV – HANGAR 12, NINTH AVENUE, STANSTED AIRPORT
Replacement of existing roadside and airside signage. Existing “Fayair” signage lettering to be removed and replaced with “Harrods Aviation” signage lettering. Height of new signage to be in line with existing. Roadside signage to be halo illuminated as per existing. Airside signage to be non-Illuminated as per existing.
6 UTT/23/1344/HHF – 20 WETHERFIELD
Section 73A Retrospective application for new boundary fence
7 UTT/23/1413/FUL – THE MANOR HOUSE, CHURCH ROAD
Conversion of outbuilding to 1 no. dwelling