Minutes of a meeting of the FULL COUNCIL held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 30th July 2025 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
Present Cllr M Caton (Chair), Cllrs R Ackerman, J Gardner, S Gee, A Guney, J Hardy, P Jones, J Kavanagh, A Khan, A Love, J O’Brien and T van de Bilt
Attending Mrs Ruth Clifford – Parish Clerk, Mrs Emma Philbrick – Deputy Clerk, 2 members of the public
120 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Barnes – Holiday and Cllr Sell – Holiday
Resolved to approve the apologies for absence from Cllrs Barnes and Sell.
Apologies were also received from County and District Councillor Gooding
Apologies were sent in time by Cllr Braeckman but not seen until after the meeting
Public Participation
One member of the public spoke about the ongoing issues with the flats in Manor Road. Cllr Caton confirmed that she has discussed with Cllr Gooding who is trying to set up a meeting with Uttlesford.
121 Declarations of Interest – None
122 To Approve the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 2nd July 2025
Resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd July 2025 as a true nd accurate account.
123 To Receive an Update on Action Points From the Last Meeting
94(7) Cllrs Kavanagh and van de Bilt to work on a combined document – Done
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 – Done
124 To Receive a Report From the Chair, Cllr Maureen Caton
I have expressed our condolences on the passing of Peter Trundle, to his wife Valerie and family. Valerie was a valuable and trusted SMPC councillor for many years, and ensured that local Neighbourhood Watch and transport issues were followed up promptly and effectively. Peter was a pioneer of the Pilots Project in the village, among many other local interests and projects.
Councillors will have seen that the role of the Essex Watch Liaison Officer is to be made redundant, and the type of reports we will therefore receive from Essex Police in the future will be automated. We are assured the quality of information will remain, and we will receive relevant community-related crime data for our district and localities. We will address any issues that arise in our joint meetings with the police.
The Planning Team have been working jointly with Birchanger Parish Council in respect of the Solar Panel application which will be presented for consideration tonight. It contains input from the Birchanger Team. The City and Country team are to meet with our planning working group in September, with representatives from Birchanger Parish Council also present. City and Country are to update us on their latest proposals for their application. A joint response, with Birchanger, will be agreed to this application at the appropriate time.
Members will also be aware that the land ( 21.1 acres) that belongs to Islington Council, aligned with the Gorsefield site on Grove Hill, is being put up for sale. It is being posted as “ an exceptional strategic development opportunity located in the affluent town of Stansted Mountfitchet”. The land is proposed to accommodate potentially 182 housing units. This is not a featured application in the Uttlesford Reg 19 Local Plan or the Draft Neighbourhood Plan, and hopefully would not secure support in planning terms. It is also understood that the service provider at Gorsefield is to campaign against the proposals.
To add an element of good news, we are pleased to confirm that Legacy East Almshouse Partnership (LEAP) have exchanged contracts with Troy Homes to provide 3 residences on the High Lane Development. This will ensure Stansted’s Almshouse provision remains. The completion date for 3 two-bedded homes is projected for January 2026. The selection of appropriate candidates to occupy these will commence later this Autumn. Application details will be posted on social media and the Link. The Clerk and I were requested by LEAP not to communicate this agreement until the contracts were exchanged and secured.
Essex County Council’s declared option for reorganisation is a West Essex band to include Uttlesford/ Braintree/ Colchester and Tendring. This is different to the Uttlesford proposal of Uttlesford/Harlow and Epping. The government will consider all the submissions it receives before deciding on a structure for Essex – given new councils are to be in place from April 2028.
I have chased the arrangements to set up a meeting with appropriate Uttlesford officers and members to address further concerns in relation to the delays in refurbishment works etc. to the Manor Road flats. I will update you following this. Report Ends.
125 To Receive Written District Councillor Reports
None
126 To Receive a Written County Councillor Report
None
127 Finance – to Approve the List of Payments
The list of payments was checked against the invoices by Cllr O’Brien before the start of the meeting. With no questions, the list of payments was approved
128 Planning Applications
1 UTT/25/1649/HHF – Inverlair, 31 Recreation Ground
Internal alterations and elevation alterations, new doors and windows to side and rear elevation.
No comment
2 UTT/25/1742/FUL – Land at Parsonage Farm, Forest Hall Road
Construction and operation of a solar farm comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays and battery storage together with associated development, including inverter cabins, substation, customer switchgear, access, fencing, CCTV cameras and landscaping.
A draft document from Working Group had been circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. A lengthy discussion took place and with 10 votes in favour and 2 abstentions, it was agreed to object to the application for two main reasons:
- The site is within the Metropolitan Green Belt, and 2) there is no direct benefit to the community from the provision of energy. Cllr Kavanagh will summarise these objections, along with other concerns agreed, and send to the office for checking and submission.
3 UTT/25/1789/FUL – Land at Eastfield Stables, May Walk, Elsenham Road
Proposed 1 no. self-build detached bungalow and associated landscaping
The Parish Council does not object to the application but would seek a condition that access via the bridleway is not permitted during construction or future occupancy.
The Transport Statement is from 2020 – we have previously commented on this and would request that a new transport analysis is conducted, which reflects the current traffic flow. This should be conducted when Grove Hill and the schools are open.
The access to the dwelling is through an access that has been closed through enforcement by Essex County Council. Has the applicant provided enough evidence that this access can be used, is this access to be used for construction and deliveries?
4 UTT/25/1838/FUL – Land at Eastfield Stables, May Walk, Elsenham Road
Extension to existing Wellness Hub
No comment
5 UTT/25/1837/FUL – Land at Eastfield Stables, May Walk, Elsenham Road
Erection of changing rooms in association with Wellness Hub
No comment
6 UTT/25/1902/FUL – Eastfield Stables, May Walk
Change of use and conversion of existing store and workshop building (sui generis) into a 3 bedroom residential dwelling, and associated development
The Parish Council objects to this application due to the inadequate access from the bridleway which is unsuitable and not meant for this purpose.
The Transport Statement is from 2020 – we have previously commented on this and would request that a new transport analysis is conducted, which reflects the current traffic flow. This should be conducted when Grove Hill and the schools are open.
129 To Delegate Authority to the Clerk and Deputy Clerk During August to:
- a) Circulate details of planning applications to members by email and submit comments based on the majority view. Any major application will be sent to the Planning Working Group to discuss, and an extra council meeting will be called if an extension to the deadline is not granted by UDC/Inspector.
This was unanimously agreed.
- b) Circulate all payment schedules by email for any questions. All schedules will be ratified at the Full Council meeting on 3rd September 2025
This was unanimously agreed
130 To Authorise the Following Non-budgeted Items
- A) goalpost sockets on Recreation Ground
- b) hearing loop in the Mountfitchet Exchange
- c) fixing of TouchPoint front door
- d) cleaning of extraction system in the TouchPoint kitchen
- e) repairs to a seat on the Recreation Ground
- f) digital plan of the cemetery
A Clerk’s report was sent to all members with the agenda detailing the cost of each item and why it needed to be completed. Cllr Jones, Chair of Finance, said that the Council had a larger surplus than expected at the end of the last financial year and members had previously deferred expenditure on most of these supported items until the figures were confirmed.
The Clerk explained that work was still ongoing for item (f) so this would come back to a future meeting.
Having been proposed by Cllr Jones and seconded by Cllr O’Brien, it was unanimously
Resolved to go ahead with items a, b, c, d and e above.
131 To Consider Adopting the Draft “Adoption of Developer-provided Play Equipment” Policy
The draft was circulated to all members with the agenda. This came as an action point from the last Open Spaces meeting. The Clerk explained that she would like an agreed document from this meeting as Bloor Homes are already working on the plans for Walpole North so it is essential to get this in place as soon as possible.
Cllr Khan commented that it was a very good document but that he thought we should make a stronger statement about the need to comply with the NPPF. Cllr Caton also asked for an addition to no 5 that they need to supply appropriate seating and bins and agree how many of each with the Parish Council. Cllr Guney believes that no 7 should be changed from 12 months to 24 months.
Having been proposed by Cllr Khan and seconded by Cllr Guney, it was unanimously
Resolved to adopt the Adoption of Developer-Provided Play Equipment subject to the above changes being made.
132 To Delegate Authority to the Clerk in Liaison With the Chair of F&gp to Re-invest Funds
The Clerk explained that we had invested with Redwood Bank for 2 years as previously agreed and this was now coming to an end. She has researched many other options, but no other funds come close to offering the same interest rate. Redwood are currently offering just over 4% and the other nearest is offering just over 2%. It is her recommendation that the Council re-invest the sum of £85,000 for a further 2 years with Redwood Bank.
Having been proposed by Cllr Jones and seconded by Cllr O’Brien, it was unanimously
Resolved to re-invest the Council’s £85,000 with Redwood Bank for another 2 years.
133 Highways Sub-committee – to Receive the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 9th July 2025
The minutes of the meeting were received.
134 Open Spaces Committee – to Receive the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 16th July 2025
The minutes of the meeting were received.
135 To Consider Nominations for the UDC Community Achievement Awards – to Be Taken in Private Session
In order for a private discussion to take place it was
Resolved that under S 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, in view of the confidential nature of the business to be discussed, the public and press be instructed to withdraw.
Meeting closed at 8.48pm and all non-members left the meeting.
A discussion took place around the three names put forward. These people were unanimously agreed, and they will be contacted to confirm if they are happy to be nominated.
Meeting re-opened to the public at 8.54pm.
Meeting closed at 8.54pm
No Action Points
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 July 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 approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 2nd July 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 – see attached
10 To delegate authority to the Clerk and Deputy Clerk during August to:
- a) Circulate details of planning applications to members by email and submit comments based on the majority view. Any major application will be sent to the Planning Working Group to discuss, and an extra council meeting will be called if an extension to the deadline is not granted by UDC/Inspector
- b) Circulate all payment schedules by email for any questions. All schedules will be ratified at the Full Council meeting on 3rd September 2025
11 To authorise the following non-budgeted items:
- a) Goalpost sockets on Recreation Ground
- b) Hearing loop in the Mountfitchet Exchange
- c) Fixing of Touchpoint front door
- d) Cleaning of extraction system in the Touchpoint kitchen
- e) Repairs to a seat on the Recreation Ground
- f) Digital plan of the Cemetery
12 To consider adopting the draft “Adoption of Developer-Provided Play Equipment”
13 To delegate authority to the Clerk in liaison with the Chair of F&GP to re-invest funds
14 Highways Sub-Committee – To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 9th July 2025
15 Open Spaces Committee – To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16th July 2025
16 To consider nominations for the UDC Community Achievement Awards – To be taken in private session
Parish Clerk, 22nd July 2025
Please note, you will not be able to follow this meeting online because of technical problems.