Minutes 2019 | Page 19/015 CRESSING PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of a meeting of Cressing Parish Council held on 19th June 2019 at 7.30pm at St Barnabas, Claud Ince Avenue, Cressing Present: Cllr John Lawton – Chairman Cllr Colin Haines Cllr Susan Simpson In attendance: Mrs Christine Marshall (Parish Clerk & RFO) County Councillor Robert Mitchell District Councillor James Abbott Four members of the public Apologies: District Councillor Bob Wright 19/063 CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME AND REPORT The Chairman welcomed those in attendance and in particular the new Parish Councillor Mrs Susan Simpson who had been elected unopposed in the second election. Vacancies still remain on the Parish Council and the Chairman invited further applications for co-option. The Chairman also welcomed County and District Councillors who continue to attend meetings and support the Parish Council. In view of the cancellation of the May meetings, the Chairman called for nominations for the position of Chairman of the Parish Council. Cllr Haines nominated Cllr Lawton. Proposed: Cllr Haines, seconded: Cllr Simpson. Cllr Lawton accepted the nomination and was elected Chairman of the Parish Council for the current year and duly signed the Chairman’s Declaration of Office and the Parish Clerk signed as the Proper Officer of the Council. The Chairman advised that one of the main challenges for the coming year will be the number of planning applications being submitted and the concern at lack of infrastructure that is accompanying these applications. Speeding through the village, particularly The Street, Lanham Green Road and Polecat Roads a priority, and although speed surveys undertaken previously by Essex Highways or on behalf of speculative developers have shown an average only just higher than the legal speed limit, these have not taken account of peak time pressures and the Parish Council will continue to champion this. The Chairman asked the Clerk to invite a representative of Essex Highways to a future meeting to discuss further. Action: Clerk 19/064 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were recorded on behalf of District Councillors Bob Wright 19/065 CO-OPTION OF A COUNCILLOR The Chairman confirmed that there had been one expression of interest for co-option and a decision will be made at the next meeting. In the meantime, the Chairman requested that anyone who might be interested should contact the Clerk for more information. The role of a councillor was briefly outlined to explain the importance of discussing planning applications and the need to prepare for meetings. 19/066 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Members of the council are subject to the Local Authorities Code of Conduct Order 2007 (SI 2007/1159) (The Revised Code) with the additional, non-mandatory, section 12(2). Declarations of non-pecuniary interest: CPC minutes 19 June 2019 ISSUED Signed by the Chairman of the meeting as a true record, 10th July 2019 Minutes 2019 | Page 19/016 There were no pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests to be recorded. 19/067 REPORTS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS County Councillor Mitchell reported as follows: 1. Large puddle again at the B1018 bends following recent rain. Clerk to report again. Whilst Cllr Mitchell is aware that some of the planning applications may affect those bends, any faults should continue to be reported. Action: Clerk Blockages in the drainage pipes are being cleared, but the complete system needs to be jetted through to clear those that are not easily accessible. Cllr Michell is chasing for this work to be scheduled. 2. Work continues on improving the highways’ reporting tool. 3. Cllr Lawton asked if anything could be done about the road markings along The Street as the centre line has been removed, also the volume of traffic using Polecat Road and visibility along that road. Cllr Mitchell responded that the proposed visibility splays for the Appletree development were within guidelines. A resident who lives on Polecat Road advised that Highways had asked for clarification of ownership of various stretches of hedge in proximity to the proposed entrance to the site and he had advised that the tall hedge within his ownership could not be removed. 4. Cllr Mitchell agreed that the traffic survey undertaken by agents for the developers of the Appletree site had undertaken this at the quietest time of the day and it should have been carried out during peak hours. The resident also drew attention to an incident at the weekend when two motorcycles had been driven down the road carelessly at very high speeds. (After the meeting, it was decided to approach Essex Highways and Braintree District Council for a further, independent, traffic survey to be undertaken during peak hour traffic.) Action: Clerk 5. Cllr Abbott stated that more speed enforcement is being carried out and an approach could be made to the traffic unit of Essex Police to schedule a programme for Cressing. For the white lines to be replaced along The Street will require a new application to the Local Highways Panel. Action: Clerk District Councillor Abbott reported as follows: 1. Membership of the Local Highways Panels has been changed to include the County Councillor for the district. Cllr Abbott will be a member of this Panel. He is having regular discussions with the Chief Executive of BDC seeking to increase the LHP budget for the next financial year. The LHP budget, although reduced, now has to cover the cost of all safety schemes. 2. Silver End Parish Council have proposed a joint working forum with Rivenhall and Cressing Parish Councils to discuss similar and new issues and the Chairman confirmed that Cressing Parish Council will be happy to support this and take part. 3. Cllr Abbott advised that there had been no committee meetings at BDC for three months due to elections and member training. 4. The lack of planning enforcement officers has resulted in enforcement issues not being met. 5. The Inspector’s refusal of a development application for 1600 dwellings now means that BDC will not meet their housing requirement for the next five years. BDC will be chased to progress Part Two of its Local Plan to prevent these ongoing speculative development proposals and to abandon the Garden Communities initiative. 6. Cllr Abbott confirmed that developer contributions for schools is reasonable, but those for NHS are insufficient. It is his opinion that members and Parish Councils should be involved in deciding where highways’ contributions are allocated. Cllr Mitchell explained that available school places are calculated across the county so whilst the school in the immediate vicinity may not have spare places, the need will be met from the wider network. 7. Neighborhood Plans are being delayed by BDC, but no reasons are being given. CPC minutes 19 June 2019 ISSUED Signed by the Chairman of the meeting as a true record, 10th July 2019 Minutes 2019 | Page 19/017 8. Leyfield – the clearing of hedges and trees has been noted and whilst there is no potential for enforcement action, this has been reported to Essex Police wildlife team as it is likely that some nesting birds and mammals may have been disturbed. This is unable to be clarified in detail due to the method used to clear and the way in which the scrub has been gathered. Cllr Haines reported the he had seen Police at the site. 9. Councillor Community Grants have been confirmed for the coming year. 10. Progress on the A120 and A12 is stalled due to the freezing of garden communities and Cllr Mitchell advised he is pushing for these to progress. 19/068 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION The following items were raised: 1. Vegetation along footpaths and alleyways is encroaching on paths, particularly from the Wyevale roundabout to the bus stop in Millennium Way. Cllr Abbott offered to look into this. 2. A request was put forward for a village litter pick. Dates when amenity vehicle can be available to be looked at. Action: Clerk 3. Speed of vehicles travelling along B1018 – Clerk will speak with Essex Police traffic unit requesting speed checks be undertaken. 4. A maintenance officer to cut brambles and vegetation along footpaths. Cllr Abbott suggested this could be discussed at the Parish Council forum with Silver End and Rivenhall to engage an office across the three parishes. 5. Photographic evidence of where litter is being picked up was requested. The meeting was reminded that if any evidence (e.g. till receipts showing vehicle registration numbers) is found where fast food rubbish is picked up, this information should be passed to the Clerk who will follow up with the fast food restaurants and BDC. 6. A request was made for additional benches around the village. This will be added to the next Agenda. Cllrs Mitchell and Abbott left the meeting. 19/069 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10th APRIL 2019 The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10th April 2019 were confirmed as a correct record. Proposed: Cllr Haines, seconded Cllr Lawton, all in favour. Minutes duly signed by the Chairman. 19/070 ANNUAL RETURN 2018-19 i. The Clerk presented the Auditor’s Report (as attached to the Agenda). Councillors confirmed there were no queries. ii. The Clerk presented the Annual Return 2018-19 (as attached to the Agenda). Councillors confirmed there were no queries. iii. The Clerk presented the reviewed Risk Management Policy and identified risks. There were no queries and it was RESOLVED to approve this document. Proposed by Cllr Simpson, seconded by Cllr Haines, all in favour. iv. The Clerk presented the Asset Register at 31/03/2019. Cllr Simpson asked for clarification of the insurance position for the Sorts & Social Club and it was confirmed that the Parish Council insure the building, but the Social Club are responsible for Public Liability for their activities.