p. 2021.10 MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Held on Tuesday, 2nd March 2021 at 7.30pm Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83633366301?pwd=TS9YNGtpWTRQOC9sNkRFanRxOHZJdz09

PRESENT: Cllr Jane Holloway (Chairman), Cllr Gillian Eaton, Cllr Philip Gravett, Cllr Paula Parish. Clerk: Belinda Irons ECC Cllr John Moran UDC Cllr Neil Gregory (from 8.03pm)

PUBLIC: 3

2021.30 Apologies: none 2021.31 Other absences: Members absent without offering apologies: none 2021.32 Declaration of Members Interests: Pecuniary/Personal Cllr Holloway School Governor: personal Cllr Gravett Village Hall Committee: PC representative Cllr Parish Friends of Brand Pavilion: personal Cllr Eaton Playground: lead Councillor 2021.33 Co-option: five vacancies: no volunteers have come forward 2021.34 Minutes of the previous meeting: PROPOSAL: That Chrishall Parish Council herewith agrees the minutes of the meetings held on 2nd February 2021. PROPOSED: Cllr Holloway, seconded Cllr Gravett. AGREED AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY. 2021.35 County Council and Uttlesford District Councillors Report: Cllr Moran reported that the drainage outside the school needs CCTV to establish what the issues are but this is proving to be very difficult to achieve. ECC budget: The Highways budget has been doubled for the forthcoming three years. The Parish Council was urged to bring priority schemes forward now. Cllr Holloway commented that Dark and Park Lanes public byways are degrading due to trials motorbikes and 4 x 4 off road vehicles. The surfaces of both were improved and made safe some years ago at

Chairman’s signature…………………………………………………………………………. 6th April 2021

p. 2021.11 considerable expense to ECC. A local farmer has stated that he will spread road plainings free of charge if ECC provide them. (This offer has been made in the past and rejected by ECC). Cllr Moran responded that bike riders come from very far afield including Luton to use the byways. Cllr Holloway responded that many families avoid the byways especially on Sundays as there are frequently high numbers of vehicles travelling at high speed on our rural byways. Cllr Eaton reported that there is increasing use at night, including parked vehicles which, it was agreed, is suspicious. Cllr Moran will highlight these issues with the Police roads team which is responsible for highways outside 30mph zones. He will also raise the potential of drug dealing in remote locations in the parish. Covid vaccine uptake has been good in Uttlesford and there are no issues in care homes. South Cambs Local Plan Call for Sites: Heydon Grange: Cllr Moran congratulated the Parish Council on its interim response to Greater Planning and commented that the chalk aquifers need to be protected from development as destruction would impact our chalk streams and water supplies. Any development must have infrastructure delivery first. Abington and Great Chesterford Garden Village are again being reconsidered. Cllr Moran recommended the Parish Councils work together to progress a joint action as Chrishall would receive significantly more road traffic if Heydon is developed. Cllr Holloway commented that at this time local Parish Councils do not appear to take the Heydon Grange proposals seriously, possibly due to previous applications being refused, and a level of complacency is directing inaction. Cllr Holloway commented that Chrishall is getting more HGV traffic and when a driver was asked why they are using Chrishall roads, the response was that drivers are directed to use roads with no width restrictions by their employers. Cllr Moran commented that joint working with the NFU and haulage contractors was needed to review HGV routes. However, it was apparent that ECC requirements and HGV user choices were not compatible and bringing the two together would be difficult. There are increasing levels of damage to roads and verges as vehicle size increases, which can result in damage to utilities and property set into verges and on roadsides. Cllr Parish raised the forthcoming road closure to allow for trial holes to be dug. Cllr Moran advised that ECC has a vehicle which can scan the road surface for damage, and this may have flagged repair issues before the surface fails. He agreed to investigate.

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p. 2021.12 Cllr Moran commented that winter gritting service was active for 43 days across the winter months which is quite a high level in a relatively mild winter. Long term rain causes damage to the highway surface. Bury Lane junction with the B1039: Cllr Parish reported a build up of gravel which was dangerous to cyclists and needs to be cleared from the highway. Cllr Moran was unable to recommend which organisation should undertake such work as road sweeping would ordinarily re a responsibility of the District Council. The Grange, Church Street: Cllr Moran commented that ECC Legal Department had served notice that the ‘private, no parking’ signs were to be removed from the public car parking area, and the pink surfacing should be removed and reverted to black tarmac. This had not been carried out. Cllr Moran said that Covid had seriously reduced the level of service provided by ECC Legal Department, but he would chase this issue. Parish Councillors also raised the current issue of the construction of a tennis court on agricultural land which does not have planning permission or change of use. Crawley End near to the entrance to Dark Lane: blocked drain: Anglian water jetted the blocked drain so that surface water would run into the adjacent ditch, but has advised the Parish Council that there is a significant object projecting into the drain causing obstruction. Cllr Moran will investigate. (Cllr Moran left the meeting at 8pm) 2021.36 Public Discussion Draft minutes: a request was received that draft minutes be loaded to the website within 14 days of the meeting. Website: congratulations were offered to the Parish Council on the website which was greatly improved. Broad Green: a parishioner requested the reinstatement of the ‘No Through Road’ sign as he noted increasing numbers of vehicles travelling at speed in the road which put pedestrians and children at risk. (Cllr Gregory joined the meeting at 8.03pm) Palmers Lane ditches were stated as in an appalling condition and comment was received that this may increase the water issues outside the school. Cllr Holloway responded that the ecologists had said that parts of the ditch system were ponds, and were very impressed that they had sighted a water shrew, which was very rare. Cllr Gregory commented that pressure needed to be applied to ECC to maintain ditches and water courses. Parish Councillors reiterated that the issue

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p. 2021.13 outside the school were caused by blockages in the pipework and in the ditch outside Martinholme, which had been raised with Cllr Moran. Cllr Gregory delivered his report: Greater Cambridge Planning Local Plan Call for Sites: the Foxton to Melbourne proposed new town decision will be taken out of the hands of District Councils and decided by Central Government. The Heydon Grange application would come up to Chrishall’s boundary. The chalk ridge, which is an extension of the Chilterns area of outstanding beauty, and the protection of the aquifer, need to be priorities. Parish Councils must put money, time and effort into fighting it. Whilst it would be ridiculous to build here, sensible decisions are not always taken. Cllr Gregory will keep the Parish Council updated with information as it becomes available. Cllr Gregory congratulated the Parish Council on its letter of objection to the inclusion of this site in the GCP Local Plan. He further commented that landowners in Uttlesford were doing the same as those in South Cambs. Great Chesterford Garden Village was back for reconsideration. Cllr Holloway advised that local Parish Councils are complacent and don’t appear to see the risks of leaving action to a later stage in the process. A parishioner commented that many people believe that the chances of permission being granted at Heydon Grange are exceedingly small. The Harcamlow Way and archaeology combined with the aviation fuel line made development very unlikely. He further commented that should permission be granted for Heydon Grange, other landowners will do the same. Cllr Gregory responded that the Oxford/Cambridge Arc changes probability and Central Government will bypass District Councils to increase housing levels. Cllr Gregory further commented that building has taken place next to the NATO underground fuel depot in , so anything is possible. The probability of development is considered to be higher than local people would anticipate. Cllr Eaton commented that it was important that Chrishall flags the issues now, and that other Parish Councils should be asked to do the same. Speeding: The Police are being routinely pressed for action. Attempted and actual burglaries are increasing. UDC finances are in very good order thanks to careful management. Highways: our area gets less spent than in the south of the County and pressure needs to be applied to redress the balance. Cllr Holloway

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p. 2021.14 reiterated the need for the hole in the school exit road to be filled, and confirmed she will keep Cllr Gregory informed of action. Chrishall bus shelter: ECC has asked Chrishall Parish Council to get the bus shelter licenced. Cllr Gregory will be apprised of the situation. UDC Call for Sites: Sites will be considered by the end of April. 2021.37 Planning applications: Cllr Holloway Other planning matters: South Cambs District Council: Call for Sites: 10,000 homes proposed at Heydon with care homes proposed opposite Abrams Lane. The Parish Council has submitted a letter of objection to Greater Cambridge Planning, South Cambs DC Cllr Roberts, Lead Planning Cllr Hawkins, Anthony Browne MP, Mrs Badenoch MP, UDC Cllrs Gregory and Pavitt, ECC Cllr Moran, UDC Planning.

Appeal: Sawkins Cottage: UTT/20/1222/FUL Appeal reference: APP/C1570/W/20/3265779 All representations must be received by 19 March 2021 Responses: online at https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk Cllr Holloway commented that a suitably proportionate response would be submitted.

2021.38 Covid-19: updates/discussion: The Clerk advised that NALC has requested Central Government retain the use of virtual meeting use for Local Councils. Cllr Parish commented that a return to face to face meetings would discriminate against those who must continue to shield. The Clerk suggested the provision of IT in the Village Hall be explored to enable those who cannot attend actual meetings to be joined virtually. Cllr Gravett will research and raise this as a potential with the Village Hall Committee. ACTION: P GRAVETT Cllr Holloway commented that provision of virtual meetings has allowed attendance at many more meetings which has benefit the Parish Council, and without adding to vehicle emissions or increasing building energy use therefore reducing climate change impacts. Cllr Holloway commented that UDC wanted Parish Councils to write to support this position. ACTION: CLERK 2021.39 Finance Reports: Cllr Gravett a) Monthly Accounts: Cllr Gravett advised that the Budget and Precept document has been loaded to the website.

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p. 2021.15 The Lettice Martin Charity transfer of funds to the Brand Trust is commencing. PROPOSAL: That Chrishall Parish Council herewith approve the payments shown on the schedule. PROPOSED: Cllr Gravett, seconded Cllr Parish. AGREED AND RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY. b) Unity Bank account: transfer of current and savings account: ongoing 2021.40 Proposals to Members: none 2021.41 Portfolio Updates: Cllr Holloway Chrishall Primary School: School staff are pleased that all pupils will return to school at the same time as there was concern that a phased return would stretch services too thinly. Buildings, Assets and Maintenance: update: Pavilion: maintenance update: new porch posts have been installed Jigneys Meadow: ecology: The Chairman with the Clerk attended a virtual meeting with the ecologist and the son of the landowner to discuss the Great Crested Newt Licence compliance, and were advised that the landowner now wants to develop his plot of land adjacent to Langford Drive. The Parish Council commissioned ecology report stood it in good stead with Natural England. The management report and action plan is now a priority. The ecologist has recommended the repair and retention of the fencing sited between the ditch and the cricket outfield, with the area between to be close-mown and wildflower seed to be spread as an initial action. A correctly managed compost bin for cricket mowing arisings is to be installed. The adult gym is to go on hold for the foreseeable future. Broad Green Pond: the pond is in process of management with the permission of the adjacent landowner. Further work will take place in the next few weeks. Cllr Parish: Social media A lot of information has been disseminated on Facebook, and much has received a positive response particularly regarding work on Broad Green Pond. Cllr Eaton: Play area and replacement equipment

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p. 2021.16 Cllr Gravett has started his personal crowdfunding site and has raised £1,100 which will be ringfenced in the Parish Council accounts. He will progress further fundraising as the Parish Council does not have the money to pay for any replacement of the ship. Three volunteers have come forward so far to carry out work on the playground. Cllr Eaton commented that removal of the ship needs to be prioritised as the netting is repeatedly removed and children are ignoring warning signs. Cllr Eaton will seek prices for climbing boulders to replace the ship. The Parish Council will consider reuse of the tractor tyres as disposal costs are very high. Swing replacement: the Clerk will chase a date for installation. ACTION: CLERK Cllr Gravett Village Hall Committee Report: circulated by email to Councillors. The surveyors report has highlighted a substantial amount of work to be undertaken. Wilby and Burnett will prioritise the work, seek quotes which the Parish Council will consider and recommend appointment of respective contractors, with the surveyors overseeing all works. The Village Hall can only reopen in compliance with the timeframes directed by Central Government. Cllr Gravett will raise provision of broadband with the Committee. ACTION: P GRAVETT Newsletter: delivery option update: only one contractor from the three approached has responded and the price was considered excessive. Further information is awaited from the printer regarding delivery using Royal Mail. 2021.42 Clerk Reports: ECC requirement to obtain licence for bus shelter to be sited on Highways land: The Parish Council will consider the value of the bus shelter, which is in need of renovation, with an option to remove it. Highways issues: update: ECC Highways have emailed and advised the water level in the pond is too high, which, in the officer’s opinion, means the drains are backing up. As the Parish Council has repeatedly stated, the water level is high due to the ditch and drain blockages which are under the control of ECC. Litter pick: a vote of thanks was extended to Mrs Melville-Smith and Mrs Wooten for the superb management of collection of litter picking

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p. 2021.17 equipment, instruction on carrying out a Covid compliant litter pick, and full risk assessment all of which were carried out following advice from the Parish Council insurer. Annual Parish Meeting: Agenda: a) Police update b) Double yellow lines to prevent parking around the school c) Playground: volunteer group needed d) Playground: fund raising e) Village Organisation reports:

2021.43 Correspondence: Mr & Mrs Duffus: ditch clearance in Palmers Lane Mr L Ling Jigneys fete: Councillors agreed this can only take place when Government legislation allows which is currently post 21st June. UDC Green waste lorry: dates are inaccurate. 2021.44 Date of next Parish Council Meeting: Tuesday 6th April, 4th May, 1st June, 5th July, 7th September, 5th October, 2nd November Annual Parish Meeting: 18th May

Meeting closed at 21.21pm

Chairman’s signature…………………………………………………………………………. 6th April 2021