White Colne

White Colne

White Colne

Parish Council

White Colne

Parish Council

White Colne

Parish Council

White Colne Parish Cluster Group Meetings Archive

News from the Parish Cluster meeting 26th January 2009

22 people attended the cluster meeting which included Parish Councillors from White Colne, Earls Colne, Colne Engaine, Greenstead Green & Pebmarsh along with Councillors and representatives of Braintree District Council and Essex County Council.

Planning Issues.  

BDC confirmed that any approved technical amendments to granted planning permission would be recorded in their website and the Parish Council informed. They requested that we act as their eyes and ears on the ground and report if any conditions are not discharged.

Speed Calming measures.

ECC have sent out document showing their definition of a "village" which includes a street lighting system, properties on both sides of the road and a minimum of 11 properties within 350mtrs. Lively discussion followed including the suggestion that we should adopt the continental system where speed limits apply from the community boundary, i.e. the Village sign. ECC requested we read the document carefully and submit our comments and suggestions as soon as possible as this may be the last chance to change the criteria for 5 years.

There was discussion about a cycle and pedestrian way from Fox & Pheasant centre at White Colne to Halstead and Earls Colne to Coggeshall. ECC said they are working on this idea and looking at the old railway track as a possible route to Halstead but have not received feedback from the Parish Councils regarding land owners. ECC rejected suggestion of placing it beside the highway because they require a minimum of 3.5mtrs width along the entire length.

Some of the other topics discussed were enforcement of protected lanes, the proposed parking charges in Earls Colne, possible closure of public toilets in Earls Colne and allotment availability in the Three Colnes area. Full minutes of the meeting will be available in the near future

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 Parish Cluster Group Meeting Minutes

Parish Cluster Meeting

of Greenstead Green and Halstead Rural, Colne Engaine, Earls Colne and White Colne Parish Councils

Minutes of the Meeting held at the village hall Greenstead Green

on Monday 11 May 2009 at 7.30 pm

1. Apologies for absence: Clrs P Blenkinsop, P Wickes and C Butler, Greenstead Green;  J Powell, Colne Engaine; Clrs G Spray and C Siddall, Braintree District Council.

1. Declarations of  interest – none

1. Minutes of last meeting – minutes of last meeting held on 26 January 2009 were circulated read and amendment to point 7 should read  ‘to accommodate 1,400 dwellings are to be …..  ‘and then agreed as a true record by Clrs G Vine (Greenstead Green) and Clr J O’Riley-Cicconi (Braintree District Council.

1. Matters arising – see below

1. Proposal for the Essex Air Ambulance to re-locate to Earls Colne Airfield.  Various issues and concerns were raised and comments made regarding the proposed application yet to be considered by BDC:  two applications would be made, one for use of airfield coupled with use/conversion of existing hangars with parking and second application for provision of two further hangars; application to apply for operational hours 7 am-10 pm plus one return flight after 10pm, and open to have permission for 365 days;  concerns raised re emergency work in day light hours increased to possible transport work for the NHS in evenings with night time landing/take off; concern was made regarding noise level and whether an acoustics report was available, with a comment that previous applications for an additional helicopter at the Earls Colne airfield had been turned down on the grounds of noise and environmental pollution;  concern made by the number of envisaged flights by EAA would exceed current flights at the airfield that would generate more noise, plus flight paths of concern; helicopter maintenance would be carried out elsewhere.  Parish Councils agreed they would like to see 106 agreement as part of the planning application that will be need to  scrutinised prior to submission; concern raised whether search criteria had been thorough regarding site location;  flight paths were a concern;  lack of information on track record of current flights; point raised that test flights had been carried out without notification although publication of timings had been previously agreed; worries re land/traffic impact assessment and need for a new park.  Earls Colne suggested a special meeting be held to discuss the impending application. Comments made that Earls Colne Airfield Liaision Committee not particularly effective as there seems to be a breakdown in communication with infrequent meetings and lack of generally keeping people informed. Enquiry made whether both planning applications would be made at the same time.  BDC confirmed points raised above would be looked into and data would be made available as soon as possible.  Parish Councils had 21 days to send any comments from issue of notification.

1. Condition of roads
2. Penny Pots and areas in and around Greenstead Green – Parish Council had reported two months ago and main road from Halstead to Braintree, at Penny Pots where surface dressing continues to deteriorate.  Clr J Pike, Essex County Council replied that this work is imminent and introduced Mr R Jamieson from the Highways Department.  He circulated copies of capital maintenance programme with timings of works to be carried out in the area. He explained that the surface dressing is being changed to slow down deterioration and scheduled to be completed in September 2009. Poor road conditions at  Parley Beams towards Stansted Hall is worsened by lack of ditch clearance and lorries using rural roads.  ECC have notified landowners to carry out clearances.
3. Potholes in Earls Colne and surrounding area – concern at quantity and depth of pot holes and mention of rip in road at  Bluebridge.  Clerk liaising with ECC, Highways to set up separate meeting to address various problems.  Mr Jamieson explained that emergency repairs to pot holes are dealt with within 24 hours and then a team goes back to complete repair at a latter stage.
4. Erosion of village green at White Colne – an ongoing problem with ECC that includes concerns of parking close to junction and heavy goods vehicles using narrow road from Colne Hills down towards main road.  It was agreed to arrange another site visit to investigate possible options.

1. Progress on path from Fox and Pheasant, White Colne to Halstead – on works programme circulated by Mr Jamieson, ECC.

1. Emergency planning in the event of flooding, specifically road diversions –ECC and BDC looking into matter and Mr Jamieson offered to help with suitable worded signage being made available for rural roads/diversions. Suggestion of media coverage using local radio to inform public.

1. Parish Council influence in planning decisions and right of appeal – BDC explained that most planning applications (approximately 92%) are made at BDC officer level.  If Parish Councils raise objections the application then goes to committee level.  There is an allotted time slot at the beginning of the meeting for the public to speak.  Parish Councils can send along a representative giving parish views, notifying the committee in advance.  Parish Councils are notified of right of appeal in writing and further comments/objections can be made by Parish Councils.  Decision is then made at  higher level.

1. BDC report.  Mrs C Dean, BDC reported that down turn of economy affecting district as a whole and welcomed input from Parish Councils of specific areas where people are in need of help.  Draft of Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Development Framework Core Strategy being processed.  Funding put aside for a new people’s panel initiative whereby BDC working with representatives from Parish Councils to participate and have opportunity to improve quality of life for residents in district.  Comment was made by Parish Councillors that Parish Councils already represent their residents and further comment made that a curb on any new projects would be more prudent in the current down turn in the economy.

1. ECC report – Clr J Pike reported 1.9% council tax for 2009/10 lowest increase since tax introduced nearly 20 years ago.  Review process has identified £73 million savings and efficiencies to re-direct resources to priorities. ECC awarded highest star rating (3) by regulator for second year running re adult, health and community wellbeing. Support, investment and commitment to various areas of schools, children and families continues.  Congestion busting schemes being delivered and helped to reduce delays  by better use of existing road space.  Crime reduced; waste management on track to reduce dependence on landfill and increase recycling.  Campaigned against post office closures and opened first local authority funded post office and set up Essex Rural Commission to on post office activity and address issues affecting rural matters.  Full report available from ECC website.

1. Date of next meeting – to liaise with Earls Colne Clerk

Colnes Parish Cluster Meeting on 26 November  2009 at Colne Engaine

Kevin Nolan and I attended the meeting on behalf of White Colne PC on 26 November. The minutes will be circulated in due course and  the points of interest are as follows.

1. Parish Support Grant.  This was discussed at some length all local councils of course object to the potential threat by BDC to remove the grant however nothing new was revealed in addition to that discussed at our last White Colne Parish meeting.

2.  Recycling the Green Bins. Discussion led by Carol Love of BDC. Of interest was the fact that food waste can be added to the garden refuse as the recycling composter ran at temperatures high enough to destroy any harmful bacteria. In 2011 Essex CC will start introducing a weekly collection of food waste.

3.  Passenger Transport Consultation.  A presentation by Charm Hopps on the results of a recent survey. Conclusion was that White Colne was adequately served with local buses. ( Ok if you live on or near Colchester Rd.)

4.  Carbon Footprint. A discussion subject introduced by Colne Engaine on whether or not to turn off street lights after midnight. Conclusion was that residents in local parishes were split 50/50 on this matter.  

5.  Foot Path and Cycle Route from White Colne to Halstead. Subject raised by White Colne. Whilst there was general support to the concept progress had reached an impasse. Essex CC Olive Cowell had released a map of the proposed route with a request that local councils investigate ownership. No action over the past 2 years so it was agreed that the map would be reissued and White Colne and Colne Engaine PCs gave an undertaking to fill in the ownership gaps.

6.  Earls Colne Car Park. Negotiations with BDC are to start regarding the car park being taken over by Earls Colne PC.

7. Travellers sites. The representative from BDC was unfortunately not available to comment on the matter.

8. Fetes, Festivals and Shows. A discussion lead by Colne Engaine for cooperation between the parishes for some type of rotating activity. No conclusion

9. Next meeting will be hosted by Earls Colne in May/June 2010

Michael Abrahams

Clr W Fossick

Clr T Ardley

Clr P Foster

Clr G Vine

Clr J Bendall

Clr M Tracey

Clr I Sparks

Clr R Curtis

Clr M Abrahams

Clr K Nolan

Mrs C Dean, Head of Service

Mrs T Lambert, Development

                           Control  Manager

Clr J O’Reilly-Cicconni

Clr J Pike

Mr R Jameson, Highways

PS 2733 Painter