MORETON, & THE LAVERS PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk : Mrs Adriana Jones, Ware Farm, The Street, High Roding, , CM6 1NT Tel: 077 377 36365 Email: [email protected]

3rd September 2014

TO: ALL COUNCILLORS

You are hereby summoned to attend a Meeting of the Parish Council which will be held on Monday 8th September 2014, in the Moreton Village Hall, Moreton at 7.30pm to transact the business shown in the Agenda below.

Adriana Jones Clerk to the Council Members of the public and press are invited to attend this meeting

AGENDA

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To RECEIVE any apologies for absence.

2. OTHER ABSENCES To NOTE any absences for which no apology has been received.

3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES  To APPROVE as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 30th June 2014 (Attached at Page 7), and to discuss any matters arising from these minutes, and agree any outstanding actions.  To NOTE the draft minutes and decisions of the Planning Committee meeting held on 6th August 2014 (Attached at Page 13).

4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST To RECEIVE any Declarations of Interest by Members. A Member with a personal interest in a matter must consider whether it is a Disclosable Pecuniary, Non Pecuniary or Other Pecuniary Interest, and declare it accordingly. A Member who is unsure as to how to declare their interest should seek independent advice.

5. PARISHIONERS FORUM To RECEIVE questions from members of the public. In accordance with an agreed procedure, the time allocated for public questions shall be limited to 10 minutes or such other period determined by the Chairman of the Meeting.

6. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING Councillors will recall from the June Council meeting that EFDC had agreed to submit a copy of the Draft Neighbourhood Plan to an inspector for an informal opinion on its soundness. This has now been completed, and the inspectors comments have been reviewed and assessed by the NP working group. An update will be given at the meeting.

7. REPORTS To RECEIVE any questions emanating from any reports from Councillors who wish to give a report and/or who are representatives on Committees, Working Groups, Outside Bodies and other meetings that Councillors or the Clerk have attended and which, if available, will be reproduced if they have been submitted by Councillors for inclusion - (Councillors are reminded that in order to ensure smooth and prompt running of the meeting it would be prudent to provide the Clerk with a written copy of their report in order that this can be circulated to all Members with the Agenda)

a) BOBBINGWORTH NATURE RESERVE - Report will be sent by Email

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Meeting: PARISH COUNCIL Date 8th September 2014

b) DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS - EFDC Chief Executive, Glen Chipp, will be visiting the District on 22nd September. Cllr Boyce has asked if the Parish Council would like for him to arrange a specific visit to the Parish, and if so what issues you would like to discuss.

c) PARISH COUNCILLOR REPORTS - Cllr Devereux - Possible Defibrillator in the Parish.

8. HIGHWAYS a) Updates Councillors are asked to NOTE the update on Parish Council reported Highway issues as attached to the agenda (Page 16).

b) Action Required

Downgrading of Byways Following the NP consultation, three byways were specifically mentioned as being unable to be used by the walking public due to heavy ruts and dips. These are:  PRoW 197_1 -  PRoW 197_11 - Pole Lane  PRoW 199_3 - North Lane The Clerk had approached ECC Highways regarding the procedure for downgrading these Byways to Restricted Byways, the resultant response being that the landowner would need to make an application on the basis that the vehicular rights are no longer needed by the public, which would be followed by a period of consultation (likely to produce objections by various 4 wheel-drive organisations), and the outcome would likely be determined by the Secretary of State.

The definition of a Restricted Byway is a highway over which the public have a right to travel on foot or horseback or leading a horse, or by any vehicle (eg bicycles, horse drawn carriages) except mechanically propelled vehicles (motorbikes or cars).

Attached to the agenda (Page 18) are 3 location maps, showing the specific byways referred to above, as well as details of the known landowners in the vicinity of the Byway (in some cases more than one). Council are asked to CONSIDER if they would like the Clerk to start the process of attempting to downgrade these Byways to Restricted Byways, by consulting with the landowners in question.

Councillors are asked to NOTE the comment regarding the Byway at North Lane on the item below.

c) Local Highways Panel To NOTE the Local Highways Panel scheme list detailed below  Road, Moreton - Kerbing to control/divert excess water - It was reported at the 30th June meeting that these works had been completed. In fact it was only the feasibility study that had been completed. These works are currently waiting to be programmed.  VAS o/s Moreton School - Cllr McEwen stated at the June meeting that this issue was with the Portfolio holder for a decision. Update awaited.  Feasibility study for village gateway speed/signage at Bobbingworth Mill - Cllr McEwen stated with portfolio holder for a decision, expected completion date stated as 31/12/14. Update awaited.  PRoW Byway 1 North Lane - Surface/drainage improvements over 1000m approved - awaiting programming.

d) Capital Maintenance Works Programme To NOTE the newly published Capital Maintenance Works Programme for 2014/15 at the bottom of Page 17.

9. CLERKS COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE REPORT To RECEIVE the oral report of the Clerk on matters which may be of current interest to Members and which require a formal update, and to RECEIVE such correspondence and communication as the Clerk may place before the Council. Items under this agenda item are for NOTING only.

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Meeting: PARISH COUNCIL Date 8th September 2014

 The Clerk has written to the owner of the land over which Footpath 18 lies, so that the owner of this land can be informed of the 'unofficial footpath' and the implications of it being a 'Permissive Footpath'. The owner has contacted the Clerk - and update will be given at the meeting.  EALC have their AGM on 18th September 2014 - The Clerk will be attending, however Councillors are also welcome to attend.  Received a letter from EF Countrycare regarding Local Wildlife sites within the Parish, in which they are trying to identify owners of the land. Request a meeting  As part of the EALC Membership, Parish Councils are now able to obtain official HR advice, by contacting EALC if they have a personnel issue or problem related to the Clerk, and get a response from VINE HR – via Joy Darby. There is also a facility for Parish and Town Councils to ‘sign up’ for Annual Membership to VINE HR for a low annual fee if required.  Copy of the ECC Final adopted Minerals Local Plan  EFDC have been asked to consider matched funding of an additional amount to supply superfast broadband to 95% of the District (as opposed to 93% of this District) - an amount of £84,000.  Clerk has confirmed the Parish Council will take part in the 2014/2015 Winter Salt Bag Scheme.  Clerk is liaising with Tom Carne, ECC, regarding the delivery of the Forrester Magazine. Plans are in place for the Branch of the EALC to notify the Clerk of the date of the next delivery of the Forrester. Deliveries are also electronically tracked. Next one due November some time.  Recommendation going to Cabinet 8th September to approve the figure of 112 additional Gypsy and Traveller permanent pitches in the district between 2013 and 2033, plus an additional 2 yards for travelling show people.  Technical Consultation reforming planning legislation  New Library Services Timetable - placed on notice boards

10. PLANNING Councillors are asked to CONSIDER the following matters:

1. To CONSIDER any planning applications submitted to the Parish Council for comment as detailed below:

Application Location Proposal & Comments & latest update Number EPF/1928/14 LB The White House Listed building consent for conversion of existing Mr Chris Brown Pedlars End (lane) garage/workshop to games room Moreton CM5 0LW Office - Dominic Duffin Deadline - 22 Sep 2014

2. To CONSIDER any planning applications submitted to the Parish Council for comment since publication of the agenda.

3.To NOTE any updates on planning applications or appeals - None

4.To NOTE any planning applications upon which EFDC do not normally accept comments:

Application Location Proposal & Comments & latest update Number EPF/1809/14 Envilles Farm Application for approval of details reserved by condition 2 DRC Little Laver 'Materials' and condition 3 'Great Crested Newt Survey' of Ongar planning permission EPF/1029/14 (Proposed stable block Essex and menage) CM5 0JH EPF/1771/14 School House Application for approval of details reserved by condition 3 DRC Stony Lane (materials of construction to be agreed - Conservation Bobbingworth Area) for EPF/0962/14 (Erection of single storey oak Essex framed barn/single bay garage with double doors.)

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Meeting: PARISH COUNCIL Date 8th September 2014

CM5 0LZ EPF/1835/14 Saint Edmunds Church MATCHING GREEN CONSERVATION AREA: Reduce TPX Little Laver Road limbs due to signs of decay (Ash tree) Little Laver Essex, CM16 6TN

5. To NOTE any enforcement action or appeals

Application Location Comments & latest update Number Enforcement Holts Farm, Threshers Breach 1: Creating a concrete / hard surface over on the No Enf Number Bush, Harlow, CM17 0NS Green Belt Sharon Hart Beach 2: Encroachment of this hard standing onto a wooded green area, potentially an area formally classified as a village green. Breach 3: Creation of a pedestrian footpath along the Highway

Enforcement Hancocks (The Barn) Breach of condition 3 of EPF/0769/95 use of barn (The ENF/0321/14 Church Road, Moreton application building shall be used ancillary to the main PL/13890 dwelling, and not as a separate dwelling). Simon Cullen

11. MORETON BRIDGE On 18th August, a number of Councillors including ECC Cllr McEwen, met Jacquie Hogger, Engineer, and Timothy Phillips, Senior Engineer from ECC Structures Team to discuss the issues with Moreton Bridge. A full update on this meeting and the future of the bridge will be given at the meeting.

12. BIG TREE PLANT SCHEME This winter will be the last year of the Big Tree Plant scheme run by the Conservation Volunteers, who are hoping to plant up more green spaces around Essex, and have asked the Parish Council if we could let them know about possible suitable sites that we may want them to plant trees for us, or if we have any community groups that would like to plant up green spaces in our parish with native trees.

There is an internet link where you can read more: http://www.tcv.org.uk/community/big-tree-plant. The aim is to establish community-led tree planting projects in areas that would benefit most. These are the main points that must be fulfilled: - The trees must be planted in streets or in green places that are open to all to visit or where local people will benefit from them - Whoever owns the land must give permission and support to the project - There must be a plan to care for trees after they are planted - The scheme does not fund large woodland planting of over 0.5ha (approx. 1125 trees at 2m spacing) - The scheme does not fund the planting of hedgerows but can include the planting of individual trees in hedges that will grow on to maturity

The project must plant trees in neighbourhoods in where people live and work. The funder encourage(s) projects in urban areas but will also consider projects in neighbourhoods in smaller settlements or suburban areas. Tree planting could be in publicly accessible open space, on land owned or managed by parish councils, community groups, wildlife trusts, local authorities, government or other public bodies or on streets. Projects may be considered on privately owned land or land that is not publicly accessible such as school grounds as long as they provide benefits to local people and involve the local community in the project.

Members are now asked to CONSIDER if there is an area or areas within the Parish that they feel may benefit from this scheme.

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Meeting: PARISH COUNCIL Date 8th September 2014

13. OPEN PARISH MEETING – 24th NOVEMBER 2014 Councillors are reminded that an Open Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 24th November 2014, 7.30pm in the Moreton Village Hall. This will be preceded by the illuminating of the Moreton Christmas Tree Lights at 7.15pm. Councillors are asked to CONSIDER the following:

Christmas Tree lighting:  Supply of tree  Electricity supply – The Clerk has written to Mr Howland, asking if he is happy to supply electricity, and for the lights to be switched on at 3pm instead of 4pm.  Special Guest to turn on lights?

Annual Meeting of the Parish:  Speakers & Theme for event  Advertising of the Event o Parish Magazines o Website

14. FINANCIAL MATTERS a) To APPROVE and sign cheques for payments detailed below, and NOTE the current status in terms of Income and Expenditure and account balances (to be tabled)

Cheque Number To For Amount 100721 Moreton PCC Grant 2014/2015, as agreed in £500.00 Budget 100722 Bobbingworth PCC Grant 2014/2015, as agreed in £500.00 Budget 100723 The Lavers PCC Grant 2014/2015, as agreed in £1,500.00 Budget 100724 Adriana Jones Salary 30/6 - 30/8, plus refund £1,032.05 of expenses - £816.00Net pay - £216.05 expenses refund (£85.70 was NP related) 100725 HMRC PAYE for Clerk 30/6-30/8 £204.00

b) Reimbursement of Costs for TDF event Councillors are asked to approve reimbursement of the costs associated with the Parish Cycling event held on 6th July, up the amount of £500, as discussed at the June meeting.

c) Pump Renovation As stated at the June meeting, no further works in the pump house at Pedlars End have taken place due to a number of reasons. Mr Peter Murphy had agreed to assist, and has stated that he feels a skilled brick layer will be needed. In addition, a metal gate needs welding and new hinges, the cost of which is expected to be around £250. Council are asked to CONSIDER approval of these funds for such works.

15. DATES OF NEXT MEETING Members are asked to NOTE dates of the forthcoming meetings: o 10th November 2014 o 24th November 2014 (Open Parish Meeting) o 12th January 2015 o 9th March 2015 o 11th May 2015

16. EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS In the event that the Agenda contains Exempt (pink) pages, or an item needs to be discussed confidentially, to CONSIDER the following motion to be proposed by the Chairman: “That the public and the press be excluded from the meeting, the Council believing that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business

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Meeting: PARISH COUNCIL Date 8th September 2014

about to be discussed.” There are currently NO confidential items to be considered

 Document attached  Decision required