DRAFT – TO BE APPROVED AT NEXT ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
WRITTLE PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 16 April 2018 at 8pm in the Village Hall
Members = Present A = Apologies
Mr C Hibbitt (CHAIR) Mr R Schmid Mr M Townley (VICE CHAIR) Mr P Cracknell Mrs S Bell Mr A Carter Mrs W Walker Mr L Gannicott Mrs R Smith Mr A Sach Mr R Bray Mr P Delaney Mrs S Emery Mr T Kinloch Mr P Costello
In Attendance = Present A = Apologies
Cllr J Aldridge (ECC) Mr D Walker (CLERK) Cllr T Roper (CCC) Mrs L Fox (ASST CLERK) 80 members of the public
ACTION
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
1.1 NOTED the Chair welcomed members of the public to the meeting and the Parish Councillors introduced themselves.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2.1 NOTED apologies noted above.
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING – 10 April 2017
3.1 AGREED the minutes of the Writtle Parish Council meeting held on 10 April 2017 were agreed as an accurate record.
3.2 AGREED it was proposed by Cllr J Aldridge and seconded by Mr G Ingram that the agreed minutes be approved and signed.
4. PROGRESS CHECK
4.1 NOTED it was noted that there were no outstanding actions.
5. ANY POINTS OF CLARIFICATION FROM THE WRITTLE FLYER
5.1 NOTED it was noted that there were no points of clarification.
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6. WRITTLE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
6.1 NOTED it was noted that Mr Tim Middleton, Vice Chancellor of Writtle University College gave a brief overview of WUC’s plans for the next 12 months. He was keen to continue the partnership with the local community and the university was involved in the Neighbourhood Plan.
6.2 NOTED it was noted that the new Crawfords development at Fox Burrows Lane was raised. This would be the new headquarters for the agricultural company. A lot of work was taking place including the widening of the lane to allow bigger agricultural machinery to access the site. The majority of the traffic would have to go through the village.
7. CHELMSFORD LOCAL PLAN 2021-2036
7.1 NOTED it was noted that the proposed development at Warren Farm had dropped to 800 houses, since the first announcement of the Local Plan. The Parish Council supports the development of the Local Plan but opposes the particular site at Warren Farm due to the concern with increased traffic on Roxwell Road and surrounding roads.
7.2 NOTED it was noted the North West Action Group (composed of Broomfield, Little Waltham, Chignal and Writtle Parish Councils) had commissioned an independent traffic report and planning report to assist with their final response to the consultation.
7.3 NOTED it was noted that the final consultation had been completed and it was now a case of waiting to find out the outcome.
7.4 NOTED it was noted that one of the first sites to be developed in 2021 would be Warren Farm. There were concerns raised regarding the social aspect of the new development and whether there was going to be a split between Writtle and the new development. There were also concerns about Cow Watering Lane being used more frequently as a cut through.
7.5 NOTED it was noted that the developers of the site, Crest Nicholson wanted to meet with the Parish Council at the Chelmsford City Council offices along with the Planning Officers. The developers gave a presentation of their vision of the site. This included the main entrance to the development coming out at the roundabout on Lordship Road. There would also be a second entrance at the far end of the site. The primary school would be built after the first 200 houses had been built. There would be a health facility along with 2 football pitches and a cricket pitch.
7.6 NOTED it was noted that Cross Rail had not been taken into account and its increase on traffic through to the A12.
8. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN FOR WRITTLE
8.1 NOTED it was noted that thanks was given to Mr Hibbitt and Cllr Roper for their assistance with the plan.
8.2 NOTED it was noted that Mr Weymouth, the Chair of the Steering Group gave an overview of the group. The agenda for each meeting is
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posted on the Parish Council noticeboard and members of the public are invited to attend.
8.3 NOTED it was noted that communication for the plan is key and the steering group would be looking at how the village should develop over the next 10-15 years. Mr Weymouth thanked all the committee for their support. The launch of the plan would take place at Writtle University College on Saturday, 28 April.
9. THE FUTURE OF LONGMEADS
9.1 NOTED it was noted that planning consent had been given on 20 March 2018. It was noted that once the contract had been signed, then the development could go ahead.
10. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE
10.1 NOTED it was noted that the barley straw had been put into Wear Pond. It was noted that two more applications of SILTEX would be applied to the pond over the next month. It was noted that the pond would be raked out in the autumn and possibly dredged at some point in the future.
10.2 NOTED it was noted that the allotments were going well and the committee would be visiting other allotments to look at other ideas.
10.3 NOTED it was noted that the Parish Council had recently installed a bin compound down at Paradise Road car park to recycle its green waste.
11. HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE UPDATE
11.1 NOTED it was noted that Mr Cracknell, Chair of the Highways Committee let the meeting know that Essex County Council is responsible for the road network and Writtle Parish Council can request highway improvements via the Chelmsford City Council Local Highways Panel (LHP).
11.2 NOTED it was noted that as a result of this process, a sign was recently erected in Lordship Road that directs motorists to the College and the Tea Rooms. Three other approved schemes are improvements to the Preston’s Garage junction, the East View Ongar Road junction and the Writtle Cycle Route; all of which are priority schemes for the 2018/19 financial year.
11.3 NOTED it was noted that the Preston’s Garage junction is of concern to the residents of Mayfield Road. The plan is to move the Mayfield Road stop line further out into the junction which will improve sight lines up Ongar Road, a pedestrian refuge will also be built in Lordship Road and footways will be built out to narrow the road which should slow traffic speeds.
11.4 NOTED it was noted that on 2 February 2018, two cars collided at Edney Common on Highwood Road and a passenger in one of the cars sadly died. The accident happened where the speed limit is 60 mph although only about 30 metres from the 30 mph zone. The speed of traffic on Highwood Road has been of particular
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concern to people in the Causeway Cottages area. As a result of a speed survey, there is now an LHP potential scheme for a 50mph speed limit on Highwood Road. Writtle Parish Council’s Highways Committee would like to see a 30mph limit in the vicinity of the Causeway cottages and believe a 50mph limit would make little difference in this area.
11.5 NOTED it was noted that following an accident on the Green, a subsequent pedestrian vehicle conflict survey supported the case for a pedestrian refuge or a zebra crossing. Pedestrian crossing improvements in this area is now a Chelmsford LHP potential scheme and Writtle Parish Council’s Highways Committee would support a zebra crossing on the Green because of the difficulties some people have in crossing this road.
11.6 NOTED it was noted that the condition of the pavements on Ongar Road were discussed as they were narrow and in a bad condition, especially by the Pleasure Bit.
11.7 NOTED it was noted that the parking on the grass verges by the bungalows on Lodge Road was discussed. It was noted that it was part of the public maintainable highway and permission would be needed to install bollards.
11.8 NOTED it was noted that the safety of children crossing the Ongar Road from the Pleasure Bit playground was discussed, as the speed of the traffic made it unsafe for children to cross.
11.9 NOTED it was noted that Speedwatch in Writtle was discussed and how it had not been supported by the residents. To re-create the speedwatch team, a minimum of 15-20 volunteers were needed to run it. Any volunteers should contact the Parish Office on 01245 420066. The Highways Committee meets 4 times a year and dates can be found on the Parish Council’s website. Agendas are also displayed on the Parish Council noticeboard.
12. WRITTLE ARCHIVES
12.1 NOTED it was noted that the Writtle Archives is widely used from people all over the world. The Archives currently rents space at the Christian Centre but due to an increase in charges for users of the centre, the Parish Council wanted to find an alternative site. It agreed to put in a planning application for an extension to the parish office which was agreed and grants now need to be obtained.
13. FUTURE EVENTS IN THE VILLAGE THIS YEAR
13.1 NOTED it was noted that Mrs Walker let the meeting know of the forthcoming events. These included the Jazz and Blues Festival on 27/28/29 July and the Summer Fayre on 14 July. Children’s World would be visiting the Green on 11 May and Circus Fantasia would also be visiting the Green on 16 June.
14. BUDGET AND FINANCIAL REPORT PROJECTED TO MARCH 31, 2018
14.1 RECEIVED Mr D Walker presented an overview of receipts, payments and expenditure to 31st March 2018.
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14.2 AGREED it was unanimously agreed to endorse the financial report.
15. PUBLIC OPEN FORUM
15.1 NOTED it was noted that the Cowards Mill site on Chelmsford Road was raised. Part of the site had been put up for sale and Chelmsford City Council was fully aware of this. The Parish Council were due to meet with the owners.
15.2 NOTED it was noted that the Crawfords development in Fox Burrows Lane was discussed and the width of vehicles entering the site. As far as was known, there was no limit to the width of vehicles entering the site.
15.3 NOTED it was noted the proposed development at the telephone exchange on Ongar Road was raised. The access to the site had still not been decided by Chelmsford City Council.
15.4 NOTED the Chair wished to acknowledge several members of the Parish who were sadly no longer with us. These included Stephen Rose who was always a strong supporter of the Parish Council and Jacqueline Leppard who spent her time keeping the village tidy.
15.5 NOTED the Chair also expressed his thanks to Mr John Roberts and Mr Bernard Smart for all their hard work over the years with the village hall and the Christian Centre.
15.6 NOTED it was noted that Cllr Aldridge thanked the Parish Council for all their efforts over the past year.
16. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
16.1 NOTED the Committee noted that the next Annual Parish meeting will be held on Monday 8th April 2019 at 8.00pm in the Village Hall.
17. WINE AND NIBBLES
17.1 NOTED refreshments were served at the end of the meeting.
MEETING CONCLUDED 9.25pm
Signed: ______
For and on behalf of Writtle Parish Council
Date: ______
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