DANBURY PARISH COUNCIL

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Minutes of the meeting held on 11th January, 2006 at 8pm in the Parish Office

 

 

   Present: Cllrs:

Mrs C Lambert (Chairman)

J Thomson ( Vice Chairman)

S Berlyn (ex officio)

Mrs C Creek

A Keeler

D Whiteing

M Wood (ex officio)

 

 

   In attendance:

Mr J Bowen (Danbury Society)

Clerk to Parish Council

 

 

Public question time

Three members of the Public were present.

The Members of the Public were concerned regarding the traffic flow round Eves Corner, Butts Lane.  A proposal drawn up by a resident was put before the Parish Council for consideration.  It was explained that the original no left turn at the corner of Little Baddow Road had been proposed by the A414 Project Board and that the Parish Council had strongly opposed this course of action.  At the moment there was no proposal from the Essex County Council Highways for consultation and that any proposal would have to pass a safety audit prior to consultation.  Members were concerned regarding the proposal and did not know the answer to the traffic problems.  The item would be placed on the next Environment Committee Agenda for discussion.   

Members of the Public left the meeting.

 

100 Apologies for Absence

There were none.

 

101 Declarations of Interest  

S. Berlyn declared an interest in Minutes 113 and 114 by virtue of his employment.

 

102 Minutes

Two names Cllrs S Berlyn and M Wood were added as being present at the meeting. The minutes of the meeting held on 7th December, 2005 in all other respects were approved and signed as a correct record.  There were no matters arising.

 

RESOLVED: that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th December, 2005, with the additional names were a true record and were adopted.

 

103 Parish Path Partnership

103.1. Boardwalk Project

Works on the Boardwalk were due to commence on Wednesday 15th March, 2006.  The proposed boardwalk would be 4 metres long and would be 1.2 metres wide to a standard design.  It would have disabled ramps at either end.  The Boardwalk would terminate 1.5 metres short of the surface of Woodhill Road owing to the possibility of damage by traffic and health and safety considerations.  The two days work would be taken from next year P3 Budget.  Members were concerned that this still would not cover the wet patch.  Mr Bowen stated that a pipe redirecting the water flow would be installed.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.


103.2    Footpath 18

The Clerk had forwarded the documentation onto Chelmsford Borough Council footpaths representative but unfortunately as he was retiring there was no one to pass this problem onto at the present time.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.


103.3    Mapping for Danbury Footpaths Leaflet

The Clerk had been in touch with the Ordnance Survey mapping who had stated that a license would be required to complete this work.

 

Members asked to have sight of Galleywoood Parish Footpaths Map.

 

RESOLVED: that the Clerk obtains copies of Footpaths Map already printed.

 

104 Planning

It was reported that an application for Southwood Chase was strongly objected to by Parish Council but was approved by Chelmsford Borough Council.  The Chairman of the Borough Council Planning Committee visited the neighbour who had objected.

 

It was also reported that there was a further application - a Green Burial Site.

 

RESOLVED: that Members noted the comments.

 

105 Highways

 

105.1 Progress on 30 mph Speed Limit Woodhill Road and Bicknacre Road

Nothing further to report

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

105.2 Mayes Lane Pre-Signals:

Traffic Signals still removed. Nothing further to report.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

105.3 20 mph Speed Limit

Members considered the 20 mph Speed Limit documentation as circulated. The proposal to include the following areas:

·   from Little Baddow Road with A414 to junction with Hay Green.   It was thought that this would be impossible to enforce.  Also that it was impossible to travel in the suggested area at 20 mph now due to the congestion in the traffic.

·   From Butts Lane junction with Little Baddow Road to nearly Hopping Jack Lane junction with West Belvedere

·  From Little Baddow junction with Butts Lane to junction with A 414

 

Members felt that it would be impossible to enforce and that it was difficult to travel in these vicinities at that speed due to the traffic congestion. Members decided not to pursue this proposal further.

 

RESOLVED: that the 20mph Speed Proposal was not proceeded with.

 

106 Street Light

106.1 Outside United Reformed Church

A street light cannot  be added by Essex County Council or Chelmsford Borough Council due to the distance to the nearest existing lamp column.  The Parish Council had power to install a street light (Parish Councils Act 1957 Section 3 Highways Act 1980 Sections 98, 270 and 301).   This means that the Parish Council would be responsible for the Street Light and for its maintenance including payment of electricity.  Lights must be checked every six months and the lamps can last from 1 – 3 years. An approved survey of the location would be required which then had to be submitted to Essex County Highways for approval.  The largest cost of installing the street light would be the connection to the electricity supply. 

 

The Clerk had contacted two firms one company was prepared to visit the site and ascertain a suitable site for installation free of charge.  Concerns were raised about maintenance costs of the light and the costs of the installation of the power cable.  A solar light was suggested.  The Clerk stressed that there was no funding available for this scheme until the next financial year 2006/2007. 

 

RESOLVED: that the Company be contacted and requested to visit the site with Cllrs Mrs C Creek, Mrs C Lambert and the Clerk to the Council to ascertain the suitability of a site outside the United Reform Church. 

 

106.2 Petition received regarding Lighting in  Lingwood Close

Members considered the petition for the request for a Street Light in Lingwood Close unfortunately there was no funding available at the current time. 

 

RESOLVED: that the Clerk explains in writing that there are no funds at the current time for this proposal.

 

107  Dog Fouling Bins

Assessments were being made by  Chelmsford Borough Council.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

108  Essex Strategic Rail Seminar

Mr Budgey had been asked to continue to be representative on this committee.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

109 Quarries

109.1 St Clere’s Hall Nothing further to report.

109.2 Royal Oak Quarry

The Clerk had spoken to Essex County Council who was investigating what had happened to the Liaison Group.  The Parish Council would be informed if a meeting was planned.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

109.3 Sandon Quarry  Nothing further to report.

 

110 Meeting Danbury Lakes Country Park Forum

The Chairman reported on the meeting held on 9th December, 2005.  It was explained that plans were being made for the Warden’s Lodge to be made into a tea room together with a plant sales area which would be open from April to September.  The Site Office would become the Warden’s office for security reasons.  It is hoped that the Property Section at the County Council would refurbish the building to give public access.  It was also hoped to ask the local horticultural society and local people to help with the gardens.  A new deputy ranger had been appointed whose speciality was herbaceous gardens.  It was also proposed to extend the entrance to the Lakes so that coaches could be catered for.  Plans were also being made for the short stay car parking arrangements.  The Parish Council representatives had explained at the meeting how useful the Forum Meetings were and asked whether the summer meeting would still be in the evening.  It was confirmed that this would be the case.

Members thought that it might be a good idea for an article to be placed in the Danbury Times to enlist help.

 

RESOLVED: a) that the information be noted

b) That the Chairman of Environment contacts the Forum to ascertain if they would like to place an article in the Danbury Times.

 

111  Chelmer Housing Partnership

A representative had been asked to come to speak at this meeting but unfortunately was not available until the next meeting on 6th March, 2006.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

112 Street Cleansing

A request had been made from Chelmsford Borough Council to complete a Questionnaire regarding Street Cleansing. 

 

RESOLVED: that the following comments were made:

Teams had been spotted litter picking in the village.  The cleanliness of the village had not improved in the last six months.  The outlying areas of the Parish had not improved in the last six months.  More attention should be paid to around the schools, the verges around Dawson Field, Maldon Road between ‘One Stop’ and ‘Tescos’.  It was also requested that the litter bins be emptied more frequently in the centre of the village.

 

113 Formal Consultation on Proposals for the Reconfiguration of Cancer

services in  Essex Consultation period 12th December, 2005 – 13th March,

2006.

Members completed feedback form.  There will be a meeting at Central Baptist Church in Chelmsford on Wednesday 22nd February 6 – 8 p.m. if anyone wished to attend.

 

RESOLVED: that the following comments be made:

Cancer Networks

Maintain the current networks.  It would be more cost effective to maintain the current networks.

Upper GI for South East and South West Essex

Develop the existing specialist surgical centre in Chelmsford.  More central location and more cost effective.

Urology (for Chelmsford/Colchester Area)

Develop a single specialist team with two specialist surgical centres. Available to more people in more places.

Head and neck – for north-east, mid, south-east and south-west Essex

Develop a specialist centre in Chelmsford.  The Parish Council supported this proposal.

Other information

With the increasing use of Chelmsford the Parish Council are concerned with the infrastructure.

 

114  Commissioning a patient led NHS Consultation period 14th December, 2005 to 22nd March, 2006.

 a) New Primary Care Trusts’ arrangements in Essex

 b)New Strategic Health Authority arrangements in the east of England

 c)Configuration of NHS Ambulance Trusts in England

 

Members completed consultation forms on the above three documents. Meetings available:

8th February, 2006 6.30 – 8.30 p.m. Lower Hall, Central  Baptist Church, South Victoria Road, Chelmsford

27th February, 2006 6.30p.m. – 8.30 p.m.  Saville Banqueting and Function Rooms Maldon Football Club Maldon 

 

RESOLVED: that the following comments be made:

New PCT

Parish Council supported Option 1 2 PCTs; North Essex PCT and South Essex PCT This would reduce overall management and administration costs. Providing the funds are redirected to Patient Care. Planned programme of implementation

Single SHA for East of England

Parish Council thought that this would be too remote and too undemocratic.  There would be a lack of local knowledge and input. This would be too unwieldy and too remote.

 

115 Essex Strategic Health Authority Board Meeting

 Meeting to be held at Ivy Hill Hotel, Writtle Road, Margaretting, Chelmsford  at 9.30 a.m. on 25th January, 2006.  A new Health representative for the Parish Council requires to be appointed.

 

RESOLVED: that a new Health representative is requested at Parish Council.

 

116 Chelmsford NHS Primary Care Trust (See attached calendar)

 Meetings as attached for 2006.  A new Health representative for the Parish

 Council requires to be appointed.

 

RESOLVED: that a new Health representative is requested at Parish Council.

 

117 Matters for Report – For Information only

Letter to Health Centre re Lleyandi hedge as it is dangerous.

Essex County Highways is contacted for the following matters:

·  To ascertain when the bus shelter for the Avenue is expected. 

·  To ascertain the position regarding the installation of the shrubs on the land opposite the shops in Maldon Road

·  When are the old lighting poles to be removed

 

118 Date of next meeting:  8th March, 2006. 12th April, 2006, 7th June, 2006

6th September, 2006, 18th October, 2006 6th December, 2006

 

Business having been concluded the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.17 p.m