• Mr Nicholas Turkentine (Chair)
• Mr David Drane
• Ms Diana Frost
• James Nicholson
• Mark Welbourn
• District Councillor George Smith
• The Clerk

1 Member of the public

The Parish Council meeting started at 8.00pm

22125. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

       County Councillor Martin Foley
       
       

22126. PUBLIC FORUM

       brief discussion regarding the triangle of land at High Street/Hill Road/Anso Road junction with a member of the public who was considering its purchase.
       
       

22127. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

22128. REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND/OR COUNTY COUNCILLORS

       District Councillor Smith gave a brief update:
       
       Local Plan - new date for the start of its consultation is October 2023, with adoption hopefully in 2025.
       
       Uttlesford Blueprint - management of finances and the services UDC offers to the public. Ring-fenced number looking to decrease by 20%, hoping that reduction in staff numbers can be achieved by natural attrition. Noted that licensing is a ring-fenced area which cannot create a profit.
       
       ROBINN Group - noted that they had been in contact with Kemi Badenoch MP, and her office were looking into how best to provide support.
       
       Wethersfield - possibility of Uttlesford supporting Braintree Council in objecting to the creation of an asylum centre at the old airfield. Noted the lack of infrastructure.
       
       

22129. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF THURSDAY 23^rd FEBRUARY

       were approved and signed by the Chair.
       
       

22130. FINANCE

       Item 1 - to receive a financial update from the Clerk. Current Account balance is £751.75 and the reserve account is £10,313.73. The first tranche of the 2023/24 Precept should be received on or around 21^st April.
       Item 2 - 2 quotes for new grass cutting contractor were considered. The Council unanimously agreed to appoint Outdoor Jack, but move the cutting schedule to every 3 weeks to ensure affordability, and review after 3 months.
       Item 3 - a payment of £261.93 to Brian Kitchen for the renewal of the village website for 2 years was approved.
       
       

22131. PLANNING

       to review and comment on new planning applications and to note any decisions as at 24/03/23.
       
       Chaseside Cottage: UTT/23/0644/HHF. Proposed double garage. NO COMMENTS REQUIRED
       1 Lake House Farm Cottages: UTT/23/0542/HHF. Provision of 2 off road parking spaces and new means of enclosure. NO COMMENTS REQUIRED
       Barns At Little Smiths Green Farm: UTT/23/0489/PAQ3. Prior notification of change of use of 2 agricultural buildings to 5 dwellings. NO COMMENTS REQUIRED
       Shepherds Cottage Anso Road: UTT/23/0097/FUL. AWAITING DECISION
       Little Orchard: UTT/23/0139/HHF. AWAITING DECISION
       Fairview Bungalow: UTT/22/1872/FUL. AWAITING DECISION
       
       Parish Planning Forum - Diana Frost had attended the forum, which was attended by 32 parishes. She noted that pre-application training will be offered, which she will likely attend in May. The question of whether architects need to specify the height of buildings in drawings used for applications was raised, and it was confirmed that height is not required as long as the scale used is included on the document.
       
       

22132. COUNCILLOR CODE OF CONDUCT

       the Parish Council voted unanimously to adopt the new LGA model code of conduct now followed by Uttlesford District Council, available at: https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/article/6343/The-Councillors-Code-of-Conduct.
       
       

22133. CORRESPONDANCE

       Ambo Magazine - the Council unanimously agreed that no funding would be provided to AMBO.
       West Essex Virtual Hospital service - agreed that it needn't be publicised to residents as it is a referral service
       
       

22134. TRIANGLE OF LAND

       the Chairman noted that a firm of solicitors are looking into whether it may be possible for the land to be registered as a Village Green.
       
       

22135. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY

       all the nomination papers delivered to UDC for the currently sitting Parish Councillors. Information on the upcoming elections had been included in the April Newsletter that was sent out on 30^th March.
       
       

22136. CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III

       the Clerk noted that no residents had yet been in contact regarding organising further celebrations. The Clerk to make an application to UDC for the full £700 grant available, to cover Bluebell II costs and decorations.

22137. SPEEDWATCH/POLICE SPEEDCHECKS

       The Clerk wrote to the local PCSO on 6^th March requesting that the Police return to carry out another speedwatch activity at a time when traffic will be heavier (rush hour and not in school holidays). No reply has been received. The Clerk will make further contact
       
       

22138. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS

       Highways and Rights of Way - David Drane continues to report potholes to Essex Highways. Noted that Uttlesford Ramblers have offered their services, if required, for footpath maintenance. Overgrown hedgerow at the bottom end of Anso Road, which is now encroaching on the road - the Chairman to investigate the ownership.
       Environment - Tree Survey - the Clerk to contact neighbouring Parish Councils asking how often they have their trees surveyed.
       Communications - Hempstead Village Website - it was unanimously agreed by the Council that the village/Parish Council needed an upgraded website, that is more sustainable and resilient, and easier to maintain without outside input, which would save money in the long term. The Chairman had received a quote from Watch the Dot, a Wordpress agency/consultancy, who are able to create a new Wordpress website, including layout and initial set- up/transfer from exisiting website, for £1750. Following discussion, the Council unanimously agreed to accept this quote and that it could be funded from the Parish Council reserve account. An initial payment of £400 was approved to allow for work to commence as soon as possible.
       Flooding - drains have recently cleared by still no movement from Highways on Anso Road ditches. Water increasingly flowing onto High Street from adjoining field and it was queried whether this is due to inadequate field drainage. The Chairman to speak to the farmer.
       
       

22139. MATTERS ARISING REQUIRING DECISIONS, TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NEXT AGENDA

       none.
       
       

22140. FUTURE MEETING DATES

       Wednesday, 26^th April. Thursday, 18^th May for Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and Friday, 26^th May for the Annual Parish meeting. It was agreed to hold a meeting on 15^th June 2023.