DANBURY PARISH COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
Minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2006 at 8pm in the Parish Office
Public question time Four members of the Public were present.
Chairman of the Council took the Chair as the previous Chairman of Environment had resigned from the Parish Council.
Item 1 on the Agenda was taken before Public Question Time
1 Brian Ladd Casualty Reduction Officer Brian Ladd Casualty Reduction Officer came to speak to Parish Council regarding traffic issues.
The following figures were quoted regarding Speed Enforcement Cameras:
At Fixed Site 2004 January – November 1576 offenders 2005 January – December 1592 offenders 2006 June – April 539 offenders At Portable Site 2004 543 offenders 2005 up to date 461 offenders
Requests had been made to place the portable speed camera in the opposite direction. This had not been possible due to the strict legislation for operating cameras imposed by the Government and safety issues.
A speed camera cannot be installed where there had been no record of injury collisions.
A new programme called Community Speed
Watch is being piloted. The Trial area
is in the Langford and Ulting are
Reduction of Speed Limits Mr Ladd explained the position regarding reducing Speed Limits. The Essex County Council Highways Department set the Speed Management Policy. The Police can make comments. Ultimately it is Essex County Council Highways final decision to put into force. There had to be an identified problem in an area which fits into the Essex County Council Policy. To reduce the Speed Limit from 40 mph to 30 mph does not necessarily reduce the speed limit.
The following questions were raised: What was the time of day that the offenders were caught? Mainly late in the evening. Count downs to 30 mph speed limits are only installed where the main 30 mph sign was concealed A request was made to ask for a Data Recording Machine near The Ridge at Little Baddow
Mr Ladd was thanked for coming and left the meeting at 8.35 pm.
Public question time Four members of the Public were present. A request was received from a resident, for
the Parish Council to oppose proposals for the left turn ban at Butts Lane and
also to state their reasons. A meeting
had been arranged with Cllr Bass and it was requested that a member of the
Parish Council would attend. Also that a meeting was planned with Essex County
Councillors, Borough Councils together with the Parish Council to discuss the
no left turn. The resident further
requested that the Parish Council support the local Member of Parliaments view
to ask the Essex County Council to
evaluate his scheme for the are
2 Election of Chairman Cllr Mrs C Creak proposed that Cllr John Thomson become Chairman of the Environment Committee this was seconded by Cllr M Wood. Members unanimously agreed that Cllr J Thomson be Chairman of the Environment Committee for the ensuing municipal year. Cllr Thomson then took the chair for the meeting.
3 Election of Vice Chairman Cllr S Berlyn proposed that Cllr A Keeler be Vice Chairman of the Environment Committee this was seconded by Cllr M Wood. Members unanimously agreed that Cllr A Keeler be Vice Chairman of the Environment Committee for the ensuring municipal year.
4 Apologies for Absence There were none.
5 Declarations of Interest Cllr S Berlyn declared a general interest in Minute 9.1 by virtue of living in the vicinity. Cllr M Wood declared a general interest in Minute 9.1 by virtue of living in the vicinity.
6 Minutes of the Environment Committee Meeting held on 12th April, 2006 RESOLVED: that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12th April, 2006 were a true record and were adopted. .
7 Footpaths a) Mapping for Danbury Footpaths Leaflet The Clerk had circulated to the meeting notes from the Footpaths Working Party Meeting. Over the summer period volunteers were walking the footpaths within the Danbury Parish. The first step forward would be to have a meeting with the Essex County Council and also to employ a cartographer who would produce the mapping side of the leaflet. It was thought that on the reverse side of the leaflet should be some scenic photographic points within the Danbury Parish. An estimate of £1500 would be required to produce the leaflet. The Clerk had written to the Essex County Council to request whether they would be prepared to pay half the monies. A request would be required to Resources for funding from the Parish Council. Members unanimously agreed to request monies for the leaflet at the next Resources Committee.
RESOLVED: that a request be made to the Resources Committee for funding up to the sum of £1100.
b) Footpath 18 The Heights to Beaumont Park The Clerk had checked with Essex County Council, and funding is still the issue for this project. Members requested that the Clerk write to the Essex County Council to ascertain when this work is likely to be considered or can some remedial works be completed in the interim as the footpath is very dangerous especially when the weather becomes icy.
RESOLVED: that the Clerk writes again to the Essex County Council and requests when the works are likely to be considered and also if any remedial works can be carried out.
c) Parish Paths Partnership Confirmation had been received that £200 had been reserved for 06/07 from the Parish Paths Initiative.
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
8 Planning Issues referred from Planning Committee The Chairman of the Council explained that some guidance training days were to be organised in conjunction with Chelmsford Borough Council. A question was raised regarding applications being approved even when the Parish had objected to the application. The Clerk informed the meeting that the Borough Council had to comply to strict regulations also that objections had to match “Material Considerations”
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
9 Highways 9.1 Traffic Scheme Butts Lane Meeting 21st June at Parish Office at 7 p.m. for Parish Council, District Council and Essex County Councillor A meeting had been arranged as above at the Parish Council Offices to discuss Butts Lane.
Chairman of the Council requested that a policy should be made regarding a “No Left Turn into Butts Lane”. Members unanimously agreed that the Environment Committee should formally request Parish Council to oppose a no left turn into Butts Lane. Due to the following reasons: Runsell Lane would be used even more as a “Rat Run” Traffic would turn right into Little Baddow Road and then find somewhere to turn round Traffic would be increased accessing the A 414 with its junction at Butts Lane, hindering the flow of traffic along the A414 in both directions It would increase the flow of traffic through the Belvedere Estate (with inherent risk) and again hinder the traffic flow at the A414 near Tesco Express.
It had been requested by the Member of the Public to ask the Parish Council to request the Essex County Council Highways to evaluate the proposed alternative scheme produced by himself.
Members unanimously formally rejected the alternative scheme due to the following points:-
Members further agreed that they could not support a request for an evaluation of the scheme by Essex County Council Highways.
RESOLVED: that a) a formal request be made to Parish Council to oppose a “No left turn into Butts Lane” due to the above reasons.
b) Member of the Public be notified that the alternative scheme had been rejected and that Parish Council could not support a request for an evaluation by Essex County Council Highways
9.2 To receive letter from Member of the Public re enhancing Car Parking Mayes Lane and Signage Members requested that this be forwarded to
Essex County Council Highways for consideration. The letter also asked the Parish Council to consider the surface of the car parks
regarding the Drainage/Car Parking Project which the Parish Council was embarking
on. It had already been explained that
the surface would be governed by the Planning Department at Chelmsford Borough
Council due to the area being part of a Conservation Are
RESOLVED: that a) the letter be forwarded to Essex County Highways for comments b) It had already been explained that the Car Parking Surface had not been discussed at the present time
9.3 Meeting Cllr Bass It was agreed that the Chairman of the Council and the Clerk attend this meeting if at all possible.
RESOLVED: that the Chairman of the Council and the Clerk attend this meeting.
9.4 Hatfield Peverel Parish Council Meeting re Traffic Cllr D Powell had attended this meeting at very short notice. Members wished that Cllr Powell be formally thanked. Notes from the meeting were circulated to Parish Council. Members agreed that support should be given to the improved link between Maldon and the A.12. The Chairman of the Environment Committee agreed to attend any further meetings that might be held.
RESOLVED: that a) Cllr D Powell be formally thanked b) support be given to the improved link between Maldon and the A12 c) The Chairman of the Environment Committee be the representative for the Parish Council on this Committee
9.5 Proposed Traffic Schemes Further to Minute 143.7 Environment Committee held on 12th April, 2006. Members requested that this item be discussed at next meeting. £210,000 was available in the Locally Determined Budget with Chelmsford Borough Council managed by Essex County Council for highways be put forward for improvement:- Little Baddow Road (including pavements) Eastern part of Cherry Garden Road Butts Lane Riffhams Lane by Graces Lane Millfields
RESOLVED: that the Clerk write back to Essex County Council Highways with the above suggestions.
10 Solar Lighting re lighting outside United Reformed Church The previous Chairman had agreed to investigate Solar lighting. Members decided to contact previous Chairman to ascertain position regarding investigation.
RESOLVED: that this matter be discussed at next meeting.
11 Calor Village of the Year The Clerk had ascertained that one set of judging had already taken place. A further round was planned. Cllr D Whiteing had been contacted by Essex Chronicle and a photograph of Danbury had been taken.
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
12 Quarries a) St Clere’s Hall - nothing further to report b) Royal Oak Quarry – nothing further to report c) Sandon Quarry – nothing further to report
13 Annual Litter Pick The Parish Office was open for soft drinks for this event. Mrs C Lambert organised the day. A container full of litter was collected. There was disappointment at the number of people who attended this event.
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
14 Litter Pickers With the grant from Danbury Society the Parish Council had purchased 12 litter pickers which had now all been distributed to Members of the Public who are clearing litter on a regular basis in Danbury.
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
15 Community Money Marketplace – Thursday 26th May The Clerk had attended, mainly the information was regarding a Big Lottery Grant which may be able to be used for the Car Parking/Drainage Project.
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
16 Hit Squad The Clerk had contacted the previous Chairman of Environment but no areas could be identified which were in need of clearance. Members of the Committee had no further areas to report.
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
17 Parking in Danbury Statistics had been received from Chelmsford Borough Council regarding tickets issued within the Danbury Parish. These were circulated to the meeting.
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
18 Dog Bins and Notices 4 sites have been put forward for Danbury. Dog Signs had been left for Danbury Parish Council use. Requests were made that some signs be erected in Danbury Vale. It was suggested that the signs be placed at such a height that they could not easily be removed. Members were requested to inform the Clerk of any further locations then it could be considered how the signage was to be erected.
RESOLVED: that the item regarding Dog Notices be discussed at the next meeting.
19 Planting Daffodils Essex County Council was prepared to replace bulbs in the Autumn in the following areas: Area 3 - On grass bank north side of road before lay-by. Planting ruined by realignment and widening of path. Area 11 On the North side of the road, on the bank by Griffin Meadow. Considerable damage due to footway works and the provision of a new seat. Area 19 North side of road opposite West end of Cherry Garden Lane. Part of larege 20 metre long planting destroyed by footway works. Area 20 Runsell Green, North side of road. Grass triangle in front of Woodham Walter sign.
RESOLVED: that a) the information be noted b) a copy be forwarded to Dave Bolwell
20 Essex NHS a)Formal Consultation on Proposals for the Reconfiguration of Cancer Services Parish council’s views had been noted. A supplementary paper was on the website www.essex.nhs.uk
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
b) Commissioning a Patient-led NHS Ambulance Trust – Essex was to be part of East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
c) Health Representative Members were again asked if anyone could be the health representative. It was requested to take this item to Parish Council.
RESOLVED: that the request be taken to Parish Council.
21 Danbury Lakes Forum 23.5. 2006 The evening had commenced with a walk around the Park. Then a discussion hosted at the Parish Council Office. The project to turn the lodge into a tea room was still under discussion but would be taken to the new Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Parks who would visit the Park.
RESOLVED: that the information be noted.
22 Chelmsford Borough Council Sport and Recreation Strategy and Arts Strategy Members had no comments on the Strategies. A request was made for the Clerk to return the documentation.
RESOLVED: that the Clerk return the documentation.
23 Matters for Report 23.1 Old Tea Rooms Notice served by Chelmsford Borough Council to board up building so no entry can be gained. 23.2 Betting Shop Licence hearing will be heard at Witham on 14th July, 2006 Cllr A Allen attending. It was also noted that a change of use for the building had appeared on Chelmsford Borough Council’s web site. This had not been received at the Parish Council as yet. 23.3 Chelmer Housing Partnership S 4 Forum date Bekeswell Place Sheltered Unit (Barnard Road Galleywood 6 – 8 p.m.) Concerns regarding play areas had been passed to Chelmsford Borough Council for action. 23.4 Village Hall Representative next meeting 3rd July, 2006 at Village Hall Committee Room commencing at 8 p.m. The Chairman of the Council had agreed to attend this meeting on behalf of the Parish Council. 23.5 Cllr M Wood had attended the Chelmsford Neighbourhood Policing Launch there should be an improvement locally if all that is planned comes into force. They are hoping to provide Community Police with bicycles.
24 Date of Next Meetings 6th September, 2006, 18th October, 2006 and 6th December, 2006
Business having been concluded the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.20 p.m
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