Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council Full Council
Minutes of a meeting of the FULL COUNCIL held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 3rd September 2025 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
Present Cllr M Caton (Chair), Cllrs R Ackerman, A Barnes, G Braeckman, S Gee, A Guney, J Hardy, A Khan, A Love, J O’Brien and T van de Bilt
Attending Mrs Emma Philbrick – Deputy Clerk, District Cllr A Dean, District & County Cllr R Gooding, David Poole – Acting on behalf of Bertroy Homes
136 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Jones – Unwell, Cllr Kavanagh – Personal engagement and Cllr Sell – Holiday.
Resolved to approve the apologies for absence from Cllrs Jones, Kavanagh and Sell
Public Participation – None
137 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Braeckman declared an interest in agenda item 3
138 To Welcome Representatives of Bertroy Homes Re Land at Walson Way
David Poole gave a presentation on behalf of Bertroy Homes on their imminent planning application for the land at Walson Way which they think will be submitted by the end of September 2025. Members then asked a number of questions regarding the plans.
139 To Approve the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting Held on 30th July 2025
Resolved to approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 30th July 2025 as a true and accurate account.
140 To Receive an Update on Action Points From the Last Meeting
None
141 To Receive a Report From the Chair, Cllr Maureen Caton
I hope you have all had a good summer break and welcome back.
In terms of updates, it has been relatively quiet – with Alan Barnes and I starting to review our Emergency Plan and attempting to ensure it will be effective and efficient, but also GDPR compliant. We hope to have a draft for members of the group to view in the next month or 6 weeks.
I am still awaiting a meeting with UDC representatives in relation to Manor Road, which is being co-ordinated via Cllr Gooding.
In relation to meeting with Stansted Airport representatives – Daniel Turpin, Community Engagement Officer, has come back to us to inform us that MAG are intending to organise meetings with a number of the local Parishes together and their wider Leadership Team, and will inform us of dates etc. when this is finalised.
We have chased the police for a date for our regular partnership meeting – but again with members on leave this has not yet been arranged.
In this next phase of meetings, we do need to focus on the replacement playground equipment for the Recreation Ground – especially, if we are going to need to gain grant funding and install in time for next summer; likewise, the area on the corner of Crafton Green needs to have an agreed plan to take forward – please can we gain some momentum on these areas with input from members.
– The Chair confirmed that Cllr Coote had now agreed to the meeting and a suitable date for all was being discussed.
The Chair also read out a letter she had received from SWAF asking if any Parish Councillors would be willing to take on being a director. The Chair asked members to let her know if they are interested or if they would like a member of SWAF to attend a meeting to give more details.
142 To Receive Written District Councillor Reports
A report from District Council Sell is attached – This was circulated to members ahead of the meeting:
Investment Portfolio
Because of the reduction of central government funding councils have had to look for other sources of funding. This has included establishing a property portfolio. At our last meeting councillors agreed to further investment in Chesterford Research Park. The Park is 50% owned by Aviva and 50% by Uttlesford.
The new loan funding is to the value of £7,600,000. The purpose of the loan is to fund development at Chesterford Research Park, namely an additional sum for Building 800 and the solar farm (£2,500,000) plus the refurbishment of Building 900 (£5,100,000) which was recently vacated by AstraZeneca. The loan is forecast to provide a significant positive return to the Council over the coming years.
The Park is currently valued at £216,000,000 which gives a value per investor of £108,000,000 a potential profit of £29,353,500
Other investments include the
- Stane Retail Park at Colchester. This is currently valued at £29.7 million
- Waitrose regional distribution centre at Chorley. This is valued at £53 million. It has negative equity
- Veterinary practice, Livingston, Scotland. This is valued at £4.6 million It also is in negative equity
- Skyway House, Takeley. This is valued at £14.5 million. This is in considerable negative equity Purchase price was £20 million.
- Amazon, Gloucester. This is valued at £36 million. This is in negative equity.
- HQ for Moog, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. This is valued at £36 million. It is in negative equity.
Total Portfolio
Purchase Price £268 million
Current valuation £278 million
Rental Income
In response to my question to the portfolio holder for finance the District Council derived the following income for renting out space at its offices. The figures relate to the 2024/25 financial year.
London Road – £96,061
Canfield – £424,288
Total – £520,349
Local Government Reorganisation
The reorganisation imposed on Uttlesford continues to take up a lot of time. This is the biggest change for 50 years. The Government wishes to see unitary councils established which would deliver all local government services.
Two tier local government county councils and district councils would be abolished. Instead, we will see the creation of unitary councils.
The issue is the number of unitary councils for Essex. Should there be three as the County Council want or five as the majority of district councils want.
The Council will at their meeting in September debate the business case for five unitary councils. This sees Uttlesford merge with Epping Forest and Harlow councils. The business case will be submitted to the Government. We are expecting a decision from the Minister next Spring.
Why does this matter? The three unitary model would take the local out of local government. It would mean the creation of Mega councils, with populations of half a million people or more. This could mean Uttlesford being part of a new unitary which would include Braintree and Colchester. There is no independent, up-to-date evidence to justify councils of this size. Uttlesford is currently served by 39 district councillors and 4 county councillors. Reorganisation will significantly reduce the number of councillors. This I fear will weaken the link between councillors and voters.
Cllr Dean updated members of the following:
He has received correspondence from the Chief Executive which relates to the future of UDC and the timetable of the Local Government Reform. So far only one document has been received but anyone interested can view all documents and updates at www.essexlgrhub.org
Cllr Gooding updated on the following:
An extraordinary meeting was called in August to discuss additional funding for Chesterford Science Park. This was due to some units being vacated by tenants and being left in a condition that they cannot be relet until work has taken place. He is currently in the process of making a complaint due to the lack of transparency on the issue.
143 To Receive a Written County Councillor Report
Cllr Gooding reported the following:
Officers are spending most of their time tied up with looking at the Local Government Reform. Essex is still in favour of having 3 unitary authorities. He confirmed that the Mayoral elections will be taking place in May 2026 and they will then shadow for a year.
144 Finance:
- a) To Approve the List of Payments – to Be Tabled
The list of payments was checked against the invoices before the start of the meeting by Cllr van de Bilt. The list of payments was approved.
- b) To Ratify the Following Payment Schedules Approved by Email During the Summer Recess
– 7th August 2025
– 14th August 2025
– 20th August 2025
The payment schedules for 7th, 14th and 20th August were ratified unanimously by members.
- c) To note the VAT return to 30th June 2025
Noted by members
- d) To receive the Income & Expenditure Statement to 31st July 2025
This was circulated to all members with the agenda.
145 Planning Applications
1 UTT/25/2139/FUL – The Manor House (Annexe), Church Road
Single-storey rear extension, alterations and change of use of Annexe to 1 no. dwelling
No Comment
2 UTT/25/2140/FUL – The Manor House (Coach House), Church Road
Alterations and change of use of the Coach House to 1 no. dwelling
No Comment
3 UTT/25/2280/FUL – The Manor House (Stables), Church Road
Demolition of existing stables and construction of 1 no. dwelling and associated works
No Comment
4 UTT/25/2145/FUL – Land at Eastfield Stables, May Walk
Proposed erection of 3-bay cart lodge ancillary to the approved holiday lets and associated development
The Parish Council objects to this application and supports the Inspectors comments re overdevelopment on this site.
5 UTT/25/2203/SO – land north of Birchanger and south of Stansted
Request for Scoping Opinion for up to 520 new homes (Class C3) and up to 20,000 sqm of commercial floor space with public open space, new access, active travel routes between Birchanger and Stansted and a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS)
The Parish Council objects to this application for the following reasons:
This is the Metropolitan Green Belt and the Parish Council supports the district council in protecting it. This application would be to develop on Green Belt and Good Quality Farmland and is therefore not Grey Belt. This area is not supported in either the emerging Local Plan or the Parish Council’s draft Neighbourhood Plan.
6 UTT/25/1905/LB – Tower View, 49 Bentfield Green
Proposed underpinning small section of wall adjoining driveway
No Comment
146 To Consider Quotes for a Structural Survey of the Roof of Crafton Green House
The Clerk to sent a report to members with the agenda detailing why this survey needed to take place, the quotes that had been received and her recommendation after reviewing these with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Finance.
Having been proposed by Cllr Braeckman and seconded by Cllr Hardy, it was unanimously
Resolved to go with the recommendation and accept quote B
147 To Review and Re-adopt the Following Policies
A draft of each of the following policies were sent to all members with the agenda and the suggested changes were highlighted in red.
- A) Co-option Policy
- B) Complaints Policy
- C) Email, Internet and Social Media Policy
- D) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- E) Environmental Policy
- F) Flexible Working Policy
Having been proposed by Cllr Guney and seconded by Cllr Love, it was unanimously
Resolved To re-adopt the Co-Option Policy, Complaints Policy, Email, Internet and Social Media Policy, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Policy and the Flexible Working Policy with all of the highlighted changes.
148 Office Christmas Closure – to Approve the Usual 2-week Break
As with all previous years, the office closes down for 2 weeks at Christmas . It is proposed that the two weeks would be from Monday 22nd December 2025 until Monday 5th January 2026. Having been proposed by Cllr O’Brien and seconded by Cllr Barnes it was unanimously
Resolved that the 2 week Christmas closedown will be from Monday 22nd December 2025 until Monday 5th January 2026.
Meeting closed at 8.30pm
No Action Points
The press and public are welcome to attend this meeting of the Full Council in person. There is a zoom link provided at the bottom of this page allowing you to follow the meeting if you prefer not to attend in-person.
Agenda
1 To receive and approve apologies for absence
Adjourn for public participation
2 To receive declarations of interest
3 To welcome representatives of Bertroy Homes re land at Walson Way
4 To approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 30th July 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 ratify the following payment schedules approved by email during the summer recess
7th August 2025
14th August 2025
20th August 2025
- c) To note the VAT return to 30th June 2025
- d) To receive the Income & Expenditure Statement to 31st July 2025
10 To consider the list of planning applications received:
11 To consider quotes for a structural survey of the roof of Crafton Green House
12 To review and re-adopt the following policies
- a) Co-option Policy
- b) Complaints Policy
- c) Email, Internet and Social Media Policy
- d) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- e) Environmental Policy
- f) Flexible Working Policy
13 Office Christmas Closure – To approve the usual 2-week break
Any intention to record, film or take photographs during a meeting must be notified to the Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.