DANBURY PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25 January 2006 at 7.45pm in the Parish Office
Present: Cllrs	S Berlyn (Chairman)	C Lambert (from 9.15pm)
	A Allen	R Matthews
	J Brooks	D Powell
	C Creak (from 9.15pm)	M Telling
	D Hawkins	J Thomson
	A Keeler	D Whiteing

In attendance:	Mr P Sanders, Chairman, ‘Stop Stansted Expansion’ (for item 106) Mrs M Saunders, Clerk Mrs E Blyth, Assistant Clerk
Public Question Time No members of the public were present. 103 Apologies for absence Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr G Gardiner, Cllr M Wood. Cllr P Martin (Chelmsford BC) also sent apologies. 104 Declarations of Interest Members were reminded that they must declare any personal or prejudicial personal interests in any items of business on the meeting’s agenda. No such declarations were made. 105 Minutes The minutes of the meetings held on 30^th November and 14^th December 2005 were approved and signed as a correct record. Under minute 90, members noted that responses to the questionnaire had revealed widespread support for the Essex Police remaining as a stand-alone strategic force. No other matters were raised. 106 ‘Stop Stansted Expansion’ Campaign The Chairman welcomed Mr Peter Sanders, Chairman of the Stop Stansted Expansion Campaign. The organisation had sent papers to the Council regarding their opposition to the building of an additional runway at the airport, and had been invited to attend to put the Campaign’s point of view. Mr Sanders described the background to the campaign following publication of the Government’s Air Transport White Paper in 2003 which proposed the building of a second runway at Stansted. The Campaign had made a legal challenge to the White Paper and had won the right to a review. The company BAA was currently conducting a public consultation on the location for the new runway. Mr Sanders explained the grounds on which the Campaign was opposed to any expansion of the airport. These included the large increase in the size of the airport, the loss of more than 20 listed buildings, the destruction to the environment, and increased pollution. The Campaign also believed the proposal was financially unsustainable. The draft East of England Plan rejected the additional runway in favour of maximising use of the existing one. After answering questions from members, Mr Sanders was thanked for his presentation and left the meeting. After discussion, the Council agreed that it wished to hear from those in favour of the expansion before deciding whether to respond to the consultation, which closed on 24^th March. RESOLVED: that BAA be invited to address the Council at an Extraordinary meeting to be held prior to a scheduled Planning meeting before 24^th March 2006.
107 Parish Action Plan Mr Allen reported on minor revisions to the Plan, including those agreed at the last meeting. A quotation for printing had been received from Maldon Printing. In discussion it was agreed that an introductory letter from the Chairman would be added, and that the Plan would be reviewed annually. The draft Good Neighbour document was also discussed. RESOLVED: a) that 3000 copies of the Action Plan, revised as agreed, be printed by Maldon Printing Co Ltd at the quoted cost of £1,140 and a copy delivered to every household in the village; b) that the draft Good Neighbour document be circulated to all members for comment and for their views as to whether or not it should be published. 108 Standing Orders: Terms of Reference of Council and Committees The documents previously considered by the Council had been circulated. In view of the lapse of time since they were first drawn up, members agreed that the Terms should be reconsidered by the Committees. This would also enable the Clerk to comment on compliance with the law and Standing Orders. RESOLVED: that the Terms of Reference be referred back to individual Committees, and that comments and amendments be submitted in writing to the Clerk. 109 Standing Orders: Complaints Procedure The draft Complaints Procedure had been reviewed and approved by the Legal Officer at Chelmsford Borough Council. It was agreed In discussion that references to ‘the Chairman’ be replaced by ‘the Chairman or nominated deputy’. RESOLVED: that, with the amendment noted above, the Complaints Procedure be approved and adopted by the Council. 110 ‘Standards of Conduct in English Local Government’ The Clerk’s report on this document received from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was noted. Only one copy had been received. RESOLVED: That the Clerk obtain a second copy of the report for Mr Brooks, a Parish Council member of the Standards Board. 111 Parish Council Charters Council noted that a representative of Chelmsford Borough Council would be visiting the Clerk to discuss progress on Parish Council Charters. 112 Burial Provision in Danbury Churchyard The Parochial Church Council at St John’s Church had contacted the Council regarding burial provision in the village when there was no further space in the churchyard. This was expected to occur within the next five years. RESOLVED: that the St John’s PCC be informed that the responsible burial authority for Danbury was Chelmsford Borough Council, not the Parish Council.
113 Publicity a) Danbury Times Spring 2006 issue: Copy should be sent to Mr Wood as soon as possible for a Publicity Group meeting in mid-February. Members agreed that the state schools in Danbury should be asked to provide items for the newsletter. RESOLVED: that Danbury Park Primary School be invited to supply an article for the spring 2006 issue of Danbury Times, and that St John’s School be asked to contribute to the autumn edition. b) Danbury Leaflet: Distribution of the leaflet was discussed. It was noted that the local Estate Agents had agreed to pay for their supplies, which they issued to clients. c) Annual Parish Meeting – 10^th May 2006: Arrangements were discussed. It was suggested that the police be invited to provide a speaker. The Clerk reported that Kelvin Ward, CBC Emergency Planning officer had asked to update the Council on emergency planning in the Borough. RESOLVED: that a representative of Essex Police be invited to speak to the Annual Parish Meeting to address, in particular, the restructuring proposals; and that Mr K Ward be invited to speak about Emergency Planning. 114 Registration of Dawson’s Field Council noted that matter was in hand and that the necessary documents were being prepared. 115 Vacancy for Councillor Chelmsford Borough Council had confirmed that no requisition for an election had been received for the vacancy caused by the resignation of Cllr Budgey. RESOLVED: that vacancy be advertised for filling by co-option. 116 Mobile Skateboard Park CBC had offered local councils the use of a mobile skateboard facility for one day as part of its Youth Crime Reduction Scheme. There was no charge to councils, and staffing and insurance would be provided by the Borough Council. Members discussed whether to accept the offer and, if so, where the facility could be located. Although the sports hall at the Sports & Social Centre was appropriate for all weathers there was concern about possible damage to the floor. RESOLVED: that the outdoor basketball court be offered as a venue for the mobile skateboard facility, if suitable, and that the Clerk negotiate with CBC an appropriate date in May/June 2006. 117 Sustainable Communities Bill The Campaign supporting the Sustainable Communities Bill had requested Parish Councils to support the Bill by passing a Resolution to be forwarded to Members of Parliament. The Resolution expressed the signing authority’s concern at the decline of local services and jobs, and support for the local sustainability measures envisaged in the Bill. RESOLVED: that the Parish Council sign the Resolution and submit it to local MPs requesting that they support the Bill.
118 Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance: Danbury Glebe – Griffin Meadow The terms of the lease received from Strutt & Parker were noted. The annual rent from January 2006 would be £530, with the next review due in January 2009. RESOLVED: that the Chairman sign the lease on behalf of the Parish Council. 119 Council Finance Course RESOLVED: that the Clerk be permitted to attend the EALC ‘Council Finance’ Course on 22^nd March 2006, the course fee of £43.00 being met by the Council. 120 Reports from Village Organisations a) Danbury Twinning Association: Mr Whiteing reported that Croissy-sur-Seine wished to bring a group of about 20 children to Danbury for a week’s visit in 2006. Accommodation in the village would be required for the visitors; b) Neighbourhood Watch: An open village meeting had been arranged in February; c) Health Representative: It was noted that, following the retirement of Mrs Lambert from the Health Service, a new Health representative was required. 121 Timetable of Meetings for 2006 RESOLVED: that a minor revision to dates for September 2006 be noted and agreed. 122 Reports from Committees a) Resources: Mr Whiteing updated the Council on plans to purchase a digital projector and new committee chairs for the Parish Office; b) Environment: Mrs Lambert reported that problems with organising a street light near to the URC building on Little Baddow Road had not yet been resolved. At a recent meeting of the Danbury Lakes Forum measures to attract more visitors had been announced, including the conversion of the Warden’s Lodge into a tea room and enlargement of the car parks; c) Planning Committee: Mr Allen reported that the Committee had strongly opposed a further application for a change of use of a field near Colemans Lane to a ‘green’ burial site. Many local residents had also expressed opposition to the development. 123 Matters for Report Mr Hawkins drew attention to cars being parked and advertised for sale in the lay-by at the top of Elm Green Lane; Mr Brooks would be meeting with the representative of a supplier to discuss the installation of a hearing loop in the Parish Office; Mrs Lambert hoped to have a date soon for the annual Schools’ Litter Pick day; 124 Exclusion of Press and Public RESOLVED: that in accordance with S1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, in view of the nature of the business to be discussed it was, in the opinion of the Council, advisable that the Public and Press be excluded for the next item: 125 Danbury Sports and Social Club The Chairman reported on a recent informal meeting with members of the DCA Committee regarding the lease and other matters. The Council had received legal advice from NALC. The DCA’s lease with Bodyline had now been extended, which would allow planned improvements to be carried out and requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act to be implemented. The finalising of the lease between the Council and the DCA was proceeding. 126 Next Meetings Wednesdays 29^th March, 17^th May (Annual Meeting) and 26^th July 2006. The Annual Parish Meeting: Wednesday 10^th May. Business having been concluded, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.05pm.