Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 12th March 2025 in the Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
PRESENT
Cllr Maureen Caton (Chair of the Parish Council) and 8 members of the Parish Council
County Councillor Ray Gooding
District Councillor Alan Dean
Peter Holt – Chief Executive of Uttlesford District Council
Ruth Clifford – Parish Clerk
Emma Philbrick – Deputy Clerk
Dan Schlanker – Parish Communications Officer
Press – Hollie Ryder
Mick Bott – Uttlesford Community Travel
10 members of the public
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Ghosh, Guney, Hardy and Khan and from Mrs Catherine Dean.
2 TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13TH MARCH 2024
The minutes of the meeting were received
3 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL CHAIR, CLLR MAUREEN CATON
Cllr Caton’s report had been distributed as part of The Link magazine ahead of the meeting. She presented a brief update. Both reports are attached:
ADDENDUM TO CHAIR REPORT FOR ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 2025
You will all have received the Link magazine through your letter boxes with my round up of the year to the time of going to press – so I will focus on and address the developments and updates that have occurred since that time.
We welcome Peter Holt, CEO at Uttlesford District Council who is here tonight to give us an insight into the devolution and Local Government reorganisation agenda, the potential impact on Uttlesford and, of course more to the point, Stansted.
I invited our neighbouring councils of Birchanger, Elsenham and Henham to discuss whether there would be any potential benefits to joining forces to take on any existing local services, with the aim to improve delivery and outcomes to our community. Initial feedback from Elsenham and Henham is to discuss further with their councils, but with the Chair’s expectations that there will be little appetite to take on any further responsibility for delivery of any additional services. We are still to discuss with Birchanger, as they were unable to make the initial meeting, and of course to confirm our own position before any further consultation, to move forward or not with any ideas to Uttlesford on service areas of interest.
We have been informed that the PCSO post we part-fund will remain – but this is still subject to written confirmation, as requested by Essex police from the government.
We understand issues with the Manor Road flats infrastructure are in the process of being addressed – but clear timelines for works completion on individual flats is being requested by residents. I have also requested this on behalf of an individual occupier but received no response to date.
Good news- Walpole Meadows allotments now have tenants working the soil at long last!
We are also delighted to support 6 young people and staff from the Youth Club to visit our twin town of Rungis in France this May. Arrangements will include a visit to Paris – as well as meeting peers in Rungis at various activities that have been organised for the visit. The young people are already writing to their French peers and establishing personal links. Most of the young people on the trip will not have been outside the country before so this is an exciting experience we are proud to support.
The Parish Council Events Group is also working on a VE Day event – we are awaiting confirmation of the venue in the village – but hope to have an afternoon tea – with a live forties band – projected war time images and memorabilia – and the presence of Carver Barracks to help entertain those residents born in the forties /early fifties and their carers. Residents of the three care homes and Norman’s Court will be specifically invited when the venue is confirmed.
Thank you and any questions.
4 PARISH COUNCIL FINANCE REPORT – CLLR JOHN O’BRIEN
Cllr O’Brien’s report had been distributed as part of The Link magazine ahead of the meeting. He presented a brief update. Both reports are attached:
Addendum to Annual Report
Hopefully you will have read my Finance Report for this Fiscal year and there are a few additions, which I shall like to tell you about.
Energy Costs
- We have, at last, an update from SSE, our supplier, now that they have received the updated certificate from UK Power Networks. We now hope for confirmation that a significant saving will be seen.
- Preparations are being made on how to further save energy, and we are gathering potential costs for the installation of Solar Panels on at least one of our buildings at Crafton Green, so that we can be in readiness to take advantage of any grants that might become available.
Streetlights
- Four manufacturers have been contacted to provide quotes for new LED lighting and columns in Chapel Hill, Lower Street and Station Road. I have had one meeting with a company on site and come away with a feeling that costs may not be as high as first thought. The advance in technology is such that even greater savings in energy can be achieved.
- You may have noticed that three lights on Chapel Hill had disappeared since October last year. I am pleased to report that, (as you may have seen on TV), the culprit has been apprehended, and two of the lanterns have been recovered.
Black Bridge
- After receiving some help from Greater Anglia, a contact with Network Rail revealed that it owns the land on the right-hand side of the path leading up to the bridge from Water Lane. They have now agreed to clear the vegetation so that a less threatening environment will be enjoyed by those using the bridge.
- It is hoped to have a meeting on site to see where we can place lights to make it even less threatening for pedestrians.
Flood Defence
- Our Flood Warning Unit is still with the manufacturer who is trying to understand why the unit is not broadcasting information.
Library Lease
- At last, The Chair of Council and I have signed our side of the documentation, and we look forward to receiving the back-payments due for rent and share of running costs. Don’t hold your breath.
- The one dark cloud on the horizon is whether the new unitary authority will continue supporting the library here after the lease runs out in four years’ time.
District Councillor Alan Dean pointed out the dark patch at the bottom on Chapel Hill and Cllr O’Brien confirmed this would be addressed when the new lighting scheme is implemented.
Bill Stiles asked what the time frame would be for new lights to be installed in the Conservation Area. Cllr O’Brien detailed the Parish Council’s plan.
5 TO WELCOME PETER HOLT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF UTTLESFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL, TO DISCUSS LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVOLUTION
Mr Holt gave a detailed presentation covering the forthcoming Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation. He explained that the whole of Essex will become a Mayoral Authority – similar to those already in place such as in Manchester and Birmingham. Elections for the Mayor will take place in May 2026 and a public consultation on the process is currently underway. The Mayor will have limited responsibilities to start with but these will include:
- Skills/Further Education and what courses will be offered
- Transport – with funding devolved from Central Government and not from Essex Highways
- Strategic Planning – more allocation of housing and employment sites
- Economic Development and Investment
Mr Holt then addressed the subject of Local Government Reorganisation which means that the whole of Essex will be split into Unitary Authorities. The Government has
suggested that each authority has around 500,000 population so, given that Essex has a total population of around 1.8m, it is likely they will opt for 3 or 4 separate authorities, However, the majority of District Councils in Essex would prefer to see 5 Unitary Authorities giving each one a smaller population. UDC has to submit its initial views to the Government by 21st March 2025 with a detailed business case by 26th September 2025. Currently it is the view of UDC that they will join with Harlow and Epping Forest Councils to create a new Unitary Authority. This process however will be subject to public engagement before Uttlesford’s final submission. It is estimated that the Government will decide in Jan/Feb 2026, Elections held in May 2027 to establish the new Councils and in March 2028 both Essex and Uttlesford will be abolished. He warned that it is going to cost many millions of pounds to complete this process.
Steve Riley asked why Essex had been chosen to be the first. Mr Holt confirmed that the Government had made the decision to prioritise some authories and that Essex, Thurrock and Southend had applied for this route. Steve Riley then asked how they could justify cancelling the Elections this year when Hertfordshire hasn’t. Mr Holt confirmed that Hertfordshire didn’t apply for the priority route, and that the Government had made the decision re the Elections.
A question was asked as to what Mr Holt thought the impact would be on Town and Parish Council’s and he believes that there will be more Town and Parish Councils and that there will be pressure on them to take on more responsibility. Parish Councils can increase their council tax as much as they want to, whereas District and County Councils are capped.
Cllr Kavanagh asked what the impact would be on the planning process and will Planning (decision makers) and Highways (consultee) work as one group? Mr Holt believes in his experience of going through this with another council. that it will run slightly smoother. It could be that we end up with 3 area planning committees that look after different areas but will broadly be the same as the current districts.
Cllr Jones asked what would happen re the Local Plan as Uttlesford’s might be in place and Harlow and Epping Forest each have their own one. It was confirmed that they will eventually unify into one Local Plan in due course as the plans already in place start to expire. He believes it will be the 2030s before everything comes together.
Simon Marriott commented that planning becomes remote and less accountable and that UDC’s history of enforcement of conditions is next to nothing. He agreed to email Mr Holt a list of examples that they could discuss outside of the meeting. Mr Holt agreed that it is nowhere near as effective as should be expected of them. However, he now has three extra members of staff and they have issued more enforcement notices in the last year than the previous 3 years put together.
John Dockerill asked what is wrong with the present system that needs this to happen to put it right? He commented that we need cost savings now and not in 5 years’ time. Mr Holt agreed and said that there will be less capacity to find savings as they will be busy reorganising.
Cllr Caton asked if it was true that if SMPC want to take on some of the responsibilities UDC will only devolve the responsibilities that don’t make any money? It was confirmed that no decision has been made on this yet but that he didn’t think they would want to part with car parks generally, although Crafton Green Car Park is an exception as the
Parish Council own it and could terminate the lease and make its own arrangements should it so wish.
Cllr Kavanagh asked about the future of the North Essex Parking Partnership and Mr Holt responded that this was unknown.
Cllr Caton thanked Mr Holt for attending and his detailed presentation.
6 TO WELCOME RECIPIENTS OF PARISH GRANTS IN 2024
A written report was submitted by Sustainable Stansted and a copy given to all of those attending the meeting.
Mick Bott from Uttlesford Community Travel attended the meeting and gave an insight into their work and what their grant money was used for.
7 OPEN FORUM
Jonathan Fox – asked a question re highways and whether there was a consistent approach to road markings which is becoming more and more of an issue. Cllr Gooding advised that there is a schedule but works can run behind due to factors such as the weather. Cllr Jones added that 5 months ago Cllr Cunningham (Cabinet Member for Essex Highways) had attended a Parish Council meeting and experienced the issue of the faded roundabout at the bottom of Lower Street/Chapel Hill. Since then we have not heard anything from him and it has become a dangerous situation which should not just be on a routine schedule.
Tony Wellings – Water runs down Pennington Lane from private land as they have neglected their ditches. He urged the Parish Council to communicate with the landowner to try and get this resolved and the Clerk confirmed that she would write to them. Tony Wellings also asked about the Bentfield Pond. The Clerk confirmed that it was privately owned but that the Parish Council maintains it, however the landowner has asked the Parish Council not to do anything with it until further notice.
Katy Dockerill – Did the recent Bentfield consultation for yellow lines achieve the 75% support? It was confirmed that it received nowhere near this, but the matter has not been back to the sub-committee yet.
Bill Stiles – commented that obviously additional housing is required but questioned the capacity of both clean and sewage water companies to cope with the extra customers. Mr Holt advised that in terms of fresh water, companies are not allowed to say no to residential development although they can refuse commercial clients. Uttlesford District should be ok for clean water supplies for the next number of years and looking to the much longer term, he has seen plans for Capital Improvement Projects.
With regards to sewage, the whole system is ancient and inadequate. He is aware that the Newport facility is to be improved but he is not aware of any plans for Stansted. Cllr Sell added that UDC has given grants to organisations who deal with rivers and streams. The Scrutiny Committee will be starting to look at water quality in rivers and streams across the district. Cllr Gooding stated that new developments have a lot of hard landscaping, and they need new infrastructure for surface water drainage.
Meeting closed at 9.04pm
Agenda
The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet
Wednesday 12th March 2025
Arrive From 7pm for Refreshments. Meeting to Start at 7.30pm
1 To receive apologies for absence
2 To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 13th March 2024
3 To receive a report from the Parish Council Chair – Cllr Maureen Caton
4 Parish Council Financial Report* – Cllr John O’Brien
5 To welcome Peter Holt, Chief Executive – Uttlesford District Council – to discuss Local Government Devolution
6 To welcome recipients of Parish Grants in 2024
7 Open Forum
* The Parish Council accounts can be viewed on this website. Search under Financial Reports.