Draft Minutes
Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council Full Council
Minutes of a meeting of the FULL COUNCIL held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
Present Cllr M Caton (Chair), Cllrs G Braeckman, J Gardner, J Hardy, P Jones, 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, 1 member of the public via Zoom
86 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Ackerman – work commitments; Cllr Barnes – holiday; and Cllr Guney – work commitments
Resolved to approve the apologies for absence from Cllrs Ackerman, Barnes and Guney
Apologies were also received from County & District Councillor Gooding and District Councillor Dean
Public Participation
– None
87 Declarations of Interest – None
88 To Approve the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 11th June 2025
Resolved To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11th June 2025 as a true and accurate account.
89 To Receive an Update on Action Points From the Last Meeting
64 Chair and Clerk to meeting with local police officers regarding the CO-OP robberies – Done and update in Chair Report
64 Invite the regional manager of the CO-OP to attend a future meeting – Done and they have responded to say they are reviewing their end and then will be in touch.
90 Receive a Report From the Chair, Cllr Maureen Caton
As Cllr Gooding cannot be present at this meeting, he met with me to update on the Library situation . The lease has now been signed, and we await payment as agreed; to which end he is arranging a meeting with us and the Cabinet Member for the service to address the delays in the lease being signed and therefore subsequent delays in funds being released – whilst pursuing the payment due as quickly as possible now this process has been completed. The meeting is also being arranged to pursue, along with Touchpoint, how we can promote a number of support services that some libraries, such as Epping, are achieving. He is confident that now the library service is looking to be more efficient and effective it will have longevity in Essex. The impact of LGR however can only be established once the groupings are finally decided.
Cllr Gooding was not as confident in relation to how many other local authorities will be aligned to us in Uttlesford as a part of the Local Government Review – the current 3, 5 or 6 districts are still debated and in the melting pot. It has also been mooted at County level that Thurrock are highly likely to join our grouping – as it is intended each group is to be expected to take a less financially viable locality – we need to keep our eye on this, and I would expect all district councillors to promote the best outcome for our district grouping.
In relation to the discussion held at the last Full Council in relation to incidents at the Co-Op; the police are heavily involved in pursuing those involved in recent incidents – they have been clear that they are only involved where crimes have been reported to them – and not all incidents at the Co-Op have. The staff and the police are not supported by the lack of effective CCTV or security in place at the store. It would appear the company – of which there are many different regional headquarters, are reviewing current policies and security measures required. The Clerk is awaiting a response from the regional manager to meet with us and the police to discuss this issue further. The police made it very clear they are unable to disclose exact actions as this would jeopardise any arrest and conviction.
The police have requested that we publicise the need for new members to join our dwindling Speed Watch Team – so if any of you have any spare time please let us know. We will also be advertising for recruits via social media.
City and Country Group have contacted us to meet with us again to update on their latest proposals for the large parcel of land in Birchanger and where it merges into Stansted. It would appear they have consulted further and have made some changes they wish for us to comment on. I will organise a Planning Group meeting with them as soon as they offer some dates and feed back to you all following that.
We have heard that the owners of Elms Farm and Folies are not pursuing the development of the land as proposed to us at the last meeting. We understand also, that Folies are continuing to pursue other options.
The zipwire on the Recreation Ground is currently out of action and we are awaiting parts for the repair to be delivered and have specified the urgency given the impending school holiday period. It is important to stress this repair is required due to rotting timber and not to vandalism.
The UDC Community Achievement Awards are open for nominations . Can members please think about potential candidates for an award for discussion at the next Full Council on July 30th for submission by August 7th. The criteria can be accessed via the link on the UDC website or Cllr Sell’s District report previously sent out.
The Skate Jam, a regular summer feature in Stansted, is scheduled for 31st August at the Lower street Car Park. This means that the Green Waste skip will now be sited at Crafton Green Car park on the same date. Report Ends.
91 To Receive Written District Councillor Reports
Attached – This report from District Councillors Dean and Sell was circulated to members ahead of the meeting
- Local Government Reorganisation
It became known just before Easter that His Majesty’s Government is mindful to introduce single tier local government in Essex. That would mean that two-tier district and county councils would disappear to be replaced with groupings of present districts to form single-tier authorities that carry out today’s responsibilities performed by both district and county councils. Parish councils are said to be unaffected by this proposed reorganisation.
If this does proceed, the argument today is whether the grouping in Uttlesford’s case should be to join with two other districts, namely Epping Forest and Harlow adjacent districts, or whether more districts should be added to create fewer but larger new councils; ostensibly to save money.
This is happening at a time when central government is under criticism in at least one national newspaper by its leader writer for mishandling its own finances and seeking the wrong solutions that allegedly would repeat mistakes made in the 1930s that led to economic stagnation.
The following is a relevant notification released by UDC:
Consultation runs until Sunday 20 July
UDC is entering a crucial phase in the development of Local Government Reorganisation proposals, due for submission to central government in September. This will help shape the future of local government across Greater Essex.
The business case is for five new unitary councils. This is supported by a number of other Essex councils. Some councils are working on proposals for fewer councils.
The goal is to move from the current two-tier system to a unitary model where fewer, larger councils deliver most local services. Town and parish councils are not planned to change as part of this process.
How you can support and what’s next
The survey is being hosted on the Southend-on-Sea City Council website.
Paper copies of the survey are available on request from our council offices in Saffron Walden, or by calling 01702 215408 or emailing consultations@southend.gov.uk.
It should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete the survey and comments must be received by 5pm on Sunday 20 July.
The feedback will help inform the final proposals, which must be submitted to the government by 26 September. New councils are expected to be in place on vesting day in April 2028.
► We have been asked to share this Facebook post with your parish & community groups
► We have also been asked to share this Instagram post with our parish & community groups
- Local Plan – Examination in Public – UDC Public Report
The Examination in Public for the Local Plan began on 10 June, with the final public hearing held on 19 June.
More than 100 participants including developers, site promoters, legal representatives, the county council, parish councils and local residents’ groups took part in the hearings. These were held in the council chamber and also streamed online.
Although the public hearings have concluded, the examination remains open. The planning inspectors will now review additional written evidence requested during the sessions.
UDC is currently awaiting the inspectors’ post-hearings letter, which will indicate whether they believe the plan is capable of being adopted, and if so, what modifications are required. Should any of the recommended changes significantly alter the content of the plan, a further round of public consultation will take place later this year.
UDC remains committed to the timetable and aims to adopt the Local Plan in spring 2026.
- UDC Freed from Planning Designation Status
Uttlesford District Council has been given back its full planning powers after the government took the Council out of “designated” status in relation to the way it handles major planning applications. Formerly, applicants were able to bypass UDC, by sending applications directly to central government planning inspectors.
- Community Achievement Awards
The Uttlesford Community Achievement Award scheme recognises and celebrates those people who have made a real difference to others in the local community.
To be nominated, the person must have been mainly working as a volunteer (though they can have been paid for some of the work), worked primarily in Uttlesford and have more than five years’ voluntary work experience.
UDC is asking for nominations from town and parish councils, the Council for Voluntary Services, Uttlesford Volunteer Centre and secondary schools. Any individuals or representatives of a group who want to nominate someone for an award will need to ask one of the eligible organisations about making the nomination on their behalf.
- Campaign for Uttlesford’s rural pubs
This project recognises the unique role pubs and bars play in the local community, not only economically but also socially and culturally.
As part of a longer-term approach to engage with the pub sector, UDC is pleased to offer a funding and support programme tailored towards pubs.
This includes:
- Visitor Economy & Hospitality Grant – to support the development of new products and facilities
- Hospitality Energy Efficiency Grant – to reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions
- Community Initiatives Seed Funding – to kick-start new community initiatives
- Digital Skills – social media consultations and basic website packages
- Business Support – 12 hours of professional advice with a business mentor
- Promotional campaign through Discover Uttlesford
Get more details about the project
6. Community development grants
The Community Development Grant scheme is funded through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
A funding pot of £84,400 is available. There are two funding streams:
- Community Initiatives Seed Funding – grants of up to £1,000 to develop an activity or initiative that encourages local people to come together, with the aim of reducing isolation and improving health and wellbeing
- Community Business Grant – grants of up to £7,500 for the creation or growth of community businesses, including pubs, cafes, transport, energy schemes, and creative spaces
See details and eligibility criteria for the community development grants
In addition, we have a one-off community grant available for voluntary organisations and groups. This is ideal for pilot projects, one-off events or new services.
Grants of up to £3,000 are available.
Find out more about the one-off community grant scheme
Cllr Sell added the following:
The Local Government Reorganisation is taking up a lot of time and disappointingly, the four District Councillors are not in agreement on the way forward. Cllr Gooding will be supporting Essex splitting into 3 unitary authorities whilst the others are all in favour of 5.
Cllrs Dean and Sell had an online meeting with City & Country Group. They own the land between Stansted and Birchanger and have a firm of architects on board to draw up plans. They are looking to submit an application in Autumn and have reduced the plan from 1000+ homes to approximately 400 over 4 plots of land. Two of those are on Forest Hall Road opposite the current development and the other two are closer to Birchanger. Their argument is that it is a Grey Belt development even though it is in the Metropolitan Green Belt. They believe this will be the first case to UDC demonstrating Grey Belt. They have had preliminary discussions with UDC officers and the Inspectorate and they believe that UDC officers are fairly neutral in their opinion and that PINS have stated “they need to prove connectivity”. They are planning on holding an exhibition and also keen to talk to the Parish Council. They have mentioned an opportunity for members of the Parish Council to visit Manningtree where they have recently built 300 houses to see an example of their work
Cllr Sell has spoken to the Portfolio Holder for the Local Plan and he thinks the examination went well. They didn’t ask any questions about things they hadn’t already thought about, and the examination was completed which is a positive sign as previously this has not been the case. This is likely to be why City and Country Group are acting now.
Cllr Khan asked if City and Country Group mentioned what community benefits they will be providing with the development and Cllr Sell advised that they are not at that stage yet but that only ¼ of the land is being developed so they will have ¾ they could use for the community and maybe it would be an idea to have a caveat and legal agreement regarding this. The Clerk commented that this would not be legally holding and Cllr Caton pointed out that most of the land is in Birchanger so Stansted is likely to get very little. Cllr van de Bilt said that we need to be pressing for infrastructure and services and be aware of the impact this will have on transport and schools in the area. Cllr Hardy asked if the 400 houses will be split 50/50 or whether it will be weighted our end? Cllr Sell confirmed he did not know. The Clerk asked if they gave any indication to whether they will be submitting an outline or full application and Cllr Sell said they didn’t.
92 To Receive a Written County Councillor Report
Update from Cty Cllr Gooding covered in the Chair report
93 Finance – to Approve the List of Payments
The list of payments was checked against the invoices before the start of the meeting by Cllr Jones
The list of payments was approved
94 Planning Applications
1 UTT/25/1561/HHF – 1 Patmore Road
Single storey rear extension
No Comment
2 UTT/25/1585/FUL – Land to the East of High Lane
S73 application to vary condition 4 (approved plans) and condition 21 (scheme of highway works) of UTT/22/0457/OP (Outline application with all matters reserved except for access for up to 30 no, dwellings, parking, landscaping, access and all associated development) – revise the approved proposed footpath proposals and amend the wording and plans of condition 21
Although members do not object to the application, they would request you impose the following conditions:
- There needs to be a safe crossing point at the southern end of the path from the east side of High Lane to connect with the existing footway on the western side.
- Trees which were removed from the boundary line to be replanted with mature species.
- Verification that the path will be available to all parishioners 24/7 and that it will be lit and fully maintained by the developer/management company.
3 UTT/25/1600/HHF – Dwelling at the Manor House, Church Road
Ground floor front and side extension to create a garden room
No Comment
4 UTT/25/1623/HHF – 47 Brook Road
Ground floor rear and side/infill extension
No Comment
5 UTT/25/1681/FUL – Rear of Stoner House, Silver Street
S73 application to vary condition 11 (M4(2) requirement) of UTT/22/3242/FUL – change the condition of M4(2) to M4(1) requirements
No Comment
6 UTT/25/1628/HHF – 24 Nuthatch Place
Proposed garage conversion to gym/office
No comment as long as it meets parking standards
7 UTT/25/1542/FUL – London Stansted Airport, Bassingbourn Road
Airfield works comprising two new taxiway links to the existing runway (Rapid Access Taxiway and Rapid Exit Taxiway) to enable continued airfield operations of 274,000 aircraft movements and an increase in passenger throughput from 43million terminal passengers to up to 51 million terminal passengers, in a twelve month calendar period.
Draft papers from the Airport Working Group and Cllr Kavanagh ,as our lead on planning, were circulated to members ahead of the meeting.
Members discussed the reports and all gave their views, agreeing that the Parish Council’s response must be based on the impact on the local community. It was agreed that Cllr Van de Bilt and Cllr Kavanagh would work together to combine the reports and that in our response, we would also ask UDC to commission specialist consultants to advise on the application given its complex nature. Once the reports are combined, the final draft will be sent to the Clerk and Chair for review before being submitted.
95 To Receive the Final Internal Audit Report 2024-25
This was circulated to all members with the agenda and the chair highlighted the two action points listed which are being actioned.
The Clerk responded to a couple of queries after which Cllr Jones commented that the auditor had been very complimentary about our financial management.
96 F&GP Committee – to Receive the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 25th June 2025
The minutes of the meeting were received.
Meeting closed at 8.55pm
ACTION POINTS
94(7) Cllrs Kavanagh and Van de Bilt to work on a combined document
94(7) Once the above has been received for checking by the Clerk and Chair, submit to UDC and ask them to commission specialist consultants
Agenda
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 11th June 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: To approve the list of payments – to be tabled
9 To consider the list of planning applications received
10 To receive the Final Internal Audit Report 2024-25 – attached
11 F&GP Committee – To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 25th June 2025