Draft Minutes
Minutes of a meeting of the FULL COUNCIL held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 30th April 2025 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
PRESENT Cllr M Caton (Chair), Cllrs A Barnes, J Hardy, P Jones, J Kavanagh, A Khan, A Love and J O’Brien
ATTENDING Mrs Ruth Clifford – Parish Clerk, Mrs Emma Philbrick – Deputy Clerk
5 representatives presenting for Columbia Threadneedle (via Zoom)
2 members of the public
419 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Braeckman – University, Cllr Guney – Work, Cllr Sell – Holiday and Cllr van de Bilt – Work
RESOLVED to approve the apologies for absence from Cllrs Braeckman, Guney, Sell and Van de Bilt.
Apologies were also received from District & County Councillor Ray Gooding
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
One member of the public spoke regarding potential unlawful activity at New Farm, Elsenham Road. The resident and the Parish Council have already reported this to UDC Enforcement, who are not permitted to share details of any investigation. However, the Chair said she will speak to our Planning Officer contact to see if we can find out any further information.
420 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Kavanagh declared an interest in planning application 1 on the list below.
421 TO WELCOME REPRESENTATIVES OF COLUMBIA THREADNEEDLE
The representatives gave a presentation on a Solar Farm application that they are intending to submit at Parsonage Farm after which members asked a number of questions.
422 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 9TH APRIL 2025
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9th April 2025 as a true and accurate account.
423 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ACTION POINTS FROM THE LAST MEETING
387 – Cllr Sell to look into the issues of the Garden Waste Service in Mill Hill/Brook Road – Not at meeting so will ask for an update at the next one.
387 – Cllr Khan to share the Parish Council’s submitted response – Done
388 – Approach the bus company to see if they would be willing to put in an application for a No Waiting Restriction on Bentfield Road – Have been speaking to NEPP following the Highways Sub-Committee meeting. The Walson Way application came through the Passenger Transport department of Essex County Council and it was possible they would be able to assist with the application on Bentfield Road. Discussions are on-going.
388 – Office to seek clarification on the housing target rise – It was confirmed that the higher figures only come into force if the current Reg 19 Plan fails.
389 – Cllr Gooding and Cllr Caton to meet to discuss the Grove Hill Yellow Box – Done
393 – Use social media to ask the Burton End community on their thoughts on the hone box and if they are willing to adopt – Done and update in Chair report.
424 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE CHAIR, CLLR MAUREEN CATON
The plans for VE day are going well – it is well supported by residents – thanks to those Councillors giving up their time to support the event. I would also like to thank Uttlesford Community Travel for their support in helping the Care Homes to attend the event with residents unable to access any other way. They are undertaking this free of charge in gratitude for our support.
Our Communications Officer and I also spent a very informative morning at the Community Travel team’s offices and were impressed with not only the volume of work undertaken and the organisation to achieve it but also the range of support on offer.
Further information on the 3G pitch at Forest Hall School and the grass pitches on the Prior’s land is to be ascertained following a meeting on May 6th with the Essex FA. We will feedback on this
Following a meeting with Councillor Gooding, and a request for an update on any action in relation to the reinstatement of the Walson Way verges – it appears this will not be acted on with any urgency as this is not seen by ECC as a priority – a longer-term solution is required and is being looked at by ECC. The parking restrictions proposed for Walson Way may ameliorate the problem.
White lining of pedestrian crossings/roundabouts is definitely scheduled for this year- probably after the works on Grove Hill.
In relation to the Local Highway Panels – it would appear that large new schemes that generally take 2-3 years to come to fruition will not be actioned; and not everything in the current pipeline will be actioned e.g. schemes that are too big for the funded programme. All schemes are currently being reviewed to clarify their fit.
It appears City and Country are going to place their application at this stage for 500 homes with PINS. The Clerk is writing to their planning agent for an update – meanwhile, I will suggest our Planning Working Group meet with Brichanger’s PC group to ensure we are prepared to address this. I will also be in contact with the Birchanger Chairman and invite them to work with us again.
The airport parking issues at Burton End have escalated to the point where vandalism to the parked vehicles has occurred. We are contacting MAG to endeavour to obtain their support and for them to curtail this activity occurring and address this with any organisation concerned. We do not condone the vandalism – which is criminal offence – and neither do we condone vehicles being parked on the public highway when individuals have paid to have their cars securely parked at the airport.
The phone box at Burton End – 81 letters have been delivered to residents as well as a social media posting requesting a response on any future use for the box. 2 responses were received supporting a book exchange and 2 to house a defibrillator. The Clerk will forward these to UDC along with a request for information on any ongoing costs associated with it being a library or used to house a defibrillator before a final decision is made.
No election has been called in relation to the vacancies that exist on the council. These have been featured in The Link, and on our social media, and any co-option applications received will therefore be discussed at the next Full Council. Report ends.
425 TO RECEIVE WRITTEN DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
Nothing received
426 TO RECEIVE A WRITTEN COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT
Nothing received
427 FINANCE
- a) TO APPROVE THE LIST OF PAYMENTS
The payment schedule was checked against the invoices before the start of the meeting by Cllr O’Brien. The list of payments was approved.
Paul Kemp Repointing Project 2314.00
Totalenergies Electricity – Windmill – 01/01/25 to 31/03/25 370.52
Totalenergies Electricity – Shed – 01/01/25 to 31/03/25 87.15
Smartest Energy Electricity – Mft Exch – March 2025 1419.00
Videcom CCTV Maintenance Contract 2924.40
4Com Network Phones & Broadband – March 2025 324.62
Sunfish Services Emergency Call out – Broken fire panel 72.00
Uttlesford District Council Garden Waste Service – Cemetery 65.00
Longacre Tree works from tree survey 14736.00
Totalenergies Gas -Touchpoint – January to March 832.82
R M Wilks Repointing Project – Final Payment 28068.00
Fairycroft House Youth Club Provision 1458.25
SSE Energy Solutions Electricity – Street Lighting – 15/12/24 to 14/03/25 4107.78
The Rockabellas Band for VE Day event – Balance 1250.00
PAYE Month 1 9908.36
HMRC Month 1 3007.08
Essex Pension Month 1 3073.48
St Johns Church Hall Hire – VE Event 205.00
Amazon Tape 15.23
Bar House Events Crockery/Glasses – VE Event 268.32
Barclays Bank Commission 8.50
Amazon Sundry Items 45.34
Pest ID Quarterly treatment – Allotments 384.00
Amazon Supplies for VE Event 9.33
- b) TO RECEIVE THE INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT TO 31ST MARCH 2025
This was circulated to all members with the agenda and there were no questions
- c) TO NOTE THE VAT RETURN TO 31ST MARCH 2025
Noted and the Clerk confirmed the money had been received.
428 TO CONSIDER THE LIST OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS
1 UTT/25/0855/HHF – 69 BROOK ROAD
Demolition of existing garage and replacement with a detached out building
No Comment
2 UTT/25/0616/HHF – 3 STONEYFIELD DRIVE
Demolition of existing rear extension and erection of two storey rear extension
No objection but would request footpath FP14 not to be blocked by contractors during construction.
3 UTT/25/0848/FUL – LAND AT EASTFIELD STABLES, MAY WALK
Proposed 1 no, self-build detached bungalow and associated landscaping
No objection but seek a condition that access via bridleway is not permitted during construction or future occupancy.
4 UTT/25/1034/HHF – 4 THE ROOKERY, CAMBRIDGE ROAD
Part first floor extension with dormer windows to rear and part single storey side extension to provide annexe accommodation. Part single storey rear extension to main house with roof-light.
No comment
5 UTT/25/1018/FUL – LAND AT EASTFIELD STABLES, MAY WALK, ELSENHAM ROAD
Erection of changing rooms in association with Wellness Hub
No Comment
6 UTT/25/1057/HHF – 15 BREWERY LANE
Rear & side single storey extension. Garage & workshop conversion. New attached single garage. New dormer and roof-lights. Amendments to fenestration
No Comment
429 OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE – TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16TH APRIL 2025
Received
430 HIGHWAYS SUB-COMMITTEE – TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 23RD APRIL 2025
Received
Meeting closed at 8.37
Action Points
PP Office to speak to Planning Officer to try and obtain an update
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 30th April 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 welcome representatives of Columbia Threadneedle
4 To approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 9th April 2025
5 To receive an update on action points from the last meeting
6 To receive a report from the Chair, Cllr Maureen Caton
7 To receive written District Councillor Reports
8 To receive a written County Councillor Report
9 Finance:
- a) To approve the list of payments – to be tabled
- b) To receive the Income & Expenditure statement to 31st March 2025
- c) To note the VAT return to 31st March 2025
10 To consider the list of planning applications received – see attached
11 Open Spaces Committee – To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16th April 2025
12 Highways Sub-Committee – To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd April 2025
Parish Clerk, 24th April 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.