DANBURY PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the meeting of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held on 6 December 2006 at the Parish Office

 

Present:  Councillors J. Thomson (Chairman), A. Keeler (Vice Chairman),

S. Berlyn (ex officio), Mrs J Wells, D. Whiteing, M. Wood (ex officio).

 

In attendance: Cllrs  A. Allen, D. Bolwell, J. Langley, D. Powell and A. Wells

                        Clerk to Council

                        John Bowen

                        Nick  Binder Head of Parking Enforcement, Chelmsford Borough Council

                        Cllr Ian Wright Chelmsford Borough Council

 

Public Question time   Three members of the public were present.

 

62  Head of Parking Enforcement – Chelmsford Borough Council

It was explained that there had been a transfer of roles within the Parking Enforcement Section at Chelmsford Borough Council.  It is hoped that an improvement will be made in the service as a further mobile vehicle had been purchased.  It was hoped that Chelmsford Borough Council could work together with the Parish Council to improve the parking problems experienced in Danbury.

 

Members explained that they were concerned that they rarely saw a Parking Enforcement Officer within Danbury.  School starting and finishing times were the largest problem 8.45 p.m. – 9.15 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.  It was explained that at these times the parking area at Eves Corner was full and a high level of inconsiderate parking in the vicinity occurred.  Butts Lane was also a problem at this time of day and any emergency vehicle would find it difficult to negotiate at these times.

 

Figures were provided from Chelmsford Borough Council of their attendance in Danbury which had increased over the last nine months.  It was explained that each Parking Enforcement Officer carried hand held relays which sent details back to central computer.  A new system was being implemented where the Parking Enforcement Officers could be tracked and will give more information.   Members of the Public can contact the Parking Enforcement Section to complain about inconsiderate parking on 01245 606303.  The issuing of tickets is governed by legislation – Road Traffic Act 1991.  The Officers cannot ask a vehicle driver to move on only the Police can enforce this.   

 

Public Question Time was taken at this point in the meeting.

Members of the Public raised questions regarding Parking around Eves Corner vicinity of the village including providing photographs of parking blocking the entrance to the road adjacent to Eves Corner. 

 

The Head of Parking Enforcement was not sure what could be done about this problem.  He would investigate the ownership of the land in question and the Traffic Order in place. 

 

Members explained that there was a series of meetings being held at St Johns School regarding the problem with parking and they are trying to implement a walking to school campaign.

 

Nick Binder was thanked for his attendance at the meeting he then left.

The three members of the Public left the meeting at this point.

Cllr D Powell left at this point in the meeting.

 

63  Apologies for Absence   None were made.

 

64  Declarations of Interest   None were made.

 

65  Minutes of the Meeting Held on 18th October, 2006

The following alterations were made to the Minutes:

In attendance and additional name was added Dave Bolwell.

Minute 47 item a should read Mr Bolwell

Minute 61.3 should read tea not team.

RESOLVED:  that with the inclusion of the above alterations the Minutes of the 18th October, 2006 be approved and duly signed as a correct record of the Meeting.

 

66  Footpaths

66.1 Mapping for Danbury Footpaths Leaflet. 

A further draft had just been received and the Clerk would arrange another meeting of the Footpaths Working Party in early January.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

66.2 Footpath 18 The Heights to Beaumont Park

This item had been continually brought to the attention of Essex County Highways.  The Clerk had been assured that if any finances become available the repairs will be completed.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

Cllr Ian Wright Chelmsford Borough Councillor left the meeting whilst this report was given.

 

67  Report from Planning Committee

67.1 St Cleres Hall Quarry

A Planning Application had been received for the quarry and Parish Council had objected to the proposal.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

67.2 Chelmsford Borough Council Local Development Framework

Members were reminded that the closing date for the consultation documents was Monday 18th December, 2006.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

68 Highways

Members agreed to take item b under this agenda heading first.

 

68.1 Speed Limit Woodhill Road

District Councillor Ian Wright  explained how he had written to Cllr Bass as Chairman of Sandon Parish Council and as a District Councillor requesting a 30 mph limit for the Sandon Parish are a.   At present there was evidence for this area to be altered. He was asking whether Danbury Parish Council wished to be included in the promotion of a 30 mph speed limit in Woodhill Road through the Danbury Parish.

 

A vibrant debate followed regarding changing the 30 mph limit within the Danbury Parish.

 

Detailed below are the decisions made by the Environment Committee

 

It was unanimously agreed to request a reduction in the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph from Well Lane to Manor View Cottages.

 

A further proposal was put forward by Cllr S Berlyn and seconded by Cllr M Wood that the proposal to lower the speed limit to 30 mph should be extended from Manor View Cottages to current 40 mph speed limit sign.  A vote was taken 4 Members were for the proposal and 2 against.  Therefore the proposal was carried.

 

A further proposal was put forward by Cllr S Berlyn and seconded by Cllr M Wood that a reduction in the speed limit should be sought out of the S bends to Rose Cottage.  This is an unrestricted area at the moment and a speed limit reduction was not specified.  A vote was taken and 3 members were for the proposal 2 were against the proposal and there was 1 abstention. Therefore the proposal was carried.

 

RESOLVED: that  a) that Cllr Wright request Cllr Bass to reduce the speed limit to 30 mph speed limit from Well Lane to Manor View Cottages in Woodhill Road.

b) that Cllr Wright also request Cllr Bass to reduce the speed limit from Manor View Cottages to 40 mph speed limit sign in Woodhill Road.

c) that regarding the area of West of Well Lane out of the S bends to Rose Cottage a reduction in the speed limit be requested it was not specified the speed limit to request.

 

Cllr Ian Wright left the meeting at this point. Cllr A Allen left the meeting at this point.

 

68.2 Turning Right from Riffhams Lane

This item was placed on the Agenda at the request of Cllr Whiteing.

It was explained that turning right from Riffhams Lane was a very dangerous turn.

Members talked about installing a traffic island.  It was decided to ask the residents to write to Parish Council with their problem.

 

RESOLVED: that the residents be requested to write to Parish Council with their problem.

 

68.3 Speed Watch Initiative

Correspondence had been received from Langford and Ulting Parish Council regarding how the trial initiative had worked in their are a.

 

RESOLVED:  Members noted the comments of the correspondence.

 

69 Daffodils

65.1 Members of the Danbury Society, the Chairman of the Council and the Clerk of the Council together with the Neat Officer from Chelmsford Borough Council planted bulbs outside the Public Conveniences in Danbury and outside Danbury Park School on Wednesday 1st November, 2006.

 

65.2  The Clerk had continually chased the Essex County Highways to remind them to re-instate bulbs as previously stated it was hoped that this work will be completed.

 

RESOLVED:  that the information be noted.

 

70  Quarries

70.1  St Clere’s Hall    Nothing further was reported.

 

70.2  Royal Oak Quarry

Cllr Thomson had attended a meeting held on 24th October, 2006 he explained that the quarry will be re-opening during Spring 2007.  It was planned that three lorries an hour would be used and the opening hours would be 7 a. m. – 5 p.m.  weekdays.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.     

 

70.3  Sandon Quarry Nothing further was reported.

 

71 Hatfield Peverel Traffic Meeting

Cllrs S Berlyn, D Powell and Mrs J Wells attended a meeting on 14th November, 2006.  Notes from the meeting were circulated to Members with Agend a.   £50 had been requested from Resources Committee to help fund this group.  The next meeting was to be held on Tuesday 30th January, 2006,  Cllr Wells is unable to attend.  Therefore Cllrs S Berlyn and D Powell will be attending.

 

RESOLVED: that a) that the Hatfield Peverel Traffic Meeting Notes be noted 

b) a request will be made to Resources Committee for £50.00 to help fund this group

c) the next meeting of the group will be on 30th January, 2006 and Cllrs S Berlyn and D Powell will be attending.

 

72 NHS East of England Strategic Health Authority

A reply had been received and was circulated to Members.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

73 Bus Shelter The Avenue

The Clerk had raised the question again regarding a new bus shelter at the Avenue and a reply was awaited.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

Cllr Berlyn left the meeting.

 

74 Bus Passenger Transport Representation

Colin Budgey had been contacted and was no longer able to continue due to ill health.  The meeting was asked if anyone was prepared to become a representative for Bus Passenger Transport.  No Members came forward.

 

RESOLVED:  that there is no representative on this committee for the present time.

 

75 Time Capsule

This item was placed on the Agenda at the request of the Chairman.

 

RESOLVED: that this item be deferred until the next meeting.

  

76 Costings for CPSO

The Clerk had contacted South Woodham Police station for some details and was still investigating the matter.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

77 Cycle Racks

Further to Minute 55.2 of the Environment Committee held on 18th October, 2006 this item was to be left on the Agend a.   The clerk had received verbal report from the residents that the situation had not improved.  Our local Community Police Support Officer had been checking the area regularly and had not witnessed any problems as youths were now in the bus shelters. It was decided to leave the racks as they were until after the costings for a CPSO had been formulated.

 

RESOLVED: that the cycle racks be left until costings for a CPSO had been confirmed.

 

78 Mobile Library Service

Cllr Ian Wright had contacted the Parish Council to request support as the Mobile Library Service was being cut in local villages.  The Clerk had ascertained that a planned cut for Danbury was the visiting of the mobile library to residential homes.

Members wished the clerk to put forward the Parish Council’s concerns regarding the cutting of this service.

 

RESOLVED: that the Clerk write to put forward the concerns of the Parish Council regarding the cutting of the mobile library service to residential homes.

 

79  Matters For Report

75.1 Cllr Whiteing had attended the inaugural meeting of the walking to school campaign at St Johns School.  A further meeting was to be held on 11th January, 2007 at 2.00 p.m. at the School.

75.2 Cllr Thomson reported that the studded slope adjacent to the pillar box on the main A414 was collecting with water and the levels must have been set incorrectly.

 

80  Date of Next Meeting in 2007

10th January, 7th March, 4th April, 6th June, 5th September, 17th October, 5th December

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.08  pm.