• Mr Nicholas Turkentine (Vice Chair)
• Mr David Drane
• Ms Diana Frost
• Mrs Laura Saxel
• Mr Mark Welbourn
• The Clerk

The Parish Council meeting started at 8.00pm

148. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

     Apologies had been received from District Cllr Smith and County Cllr Foley.
     Apologies for absence were also accepted from Mr Sean McCarthy
     
     

149. REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS

     Monthly reports from District Cllr Smith and County Cllr Foley had been received and circulated to councillors prior to the meeting.
     
     

150. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

     The Minutes of 9^th December 2021 were agreed as a correct record, and signed by the Vice Chair.
     
     

151. MATTERS ARISING

     The Bluebell Inn – The Council reaffirmed the position that they are happy to take a communicative role to ensure interested parties in the Parish are kept abreast of the situation and to take a watching brief. It was agreed that The Bluebell’s status as an “Asset of Community Value” was very important and that the Clerk would find out when this is due to expire, to ensure that the Parish Council can take action as and when required.
     
     

152. FINANCE

     Financial Update – The Clerk confirmed the current account balance is £4187.55.
     Precept and Budget - The Clerk had circulated a draft 2022/23 Budget prior to the meeting, which was approved as final. It was also agreed that the Precept should be increased to £10,800. The Budget and Precept request form were signed by the Vice Chair and the Clerk. A letter to residents regarding the increase in Precept was approved, and it was agreed that Diana Frost would circulate by email.
     Invoices – Payment of £198 annual fee and £35 in payment of VAT for training, both to Community Heartbeat were approved and invoices signed by the Vice Chair.
     
     

153. PLANNING

     The Moat House: UTT/22/0019/LB Proposed alterations to existing cloakroom to form shower room with window proposed to external wall. It was agreed NO COMMENTS REQUIRED.
     The Bluebell Inn: UTT/21/3719/TCA 1no. walnut – fell. It was agreed NO COMMENTS REQUIRED.
     Land at Village Hall: UTT/21/3671/TCA Fell 1no. Horse Chestnut as close to ground level as possible. Planning application made by Laura Saxel on behalf of the Parish Council.
     Blackthorn: UTT/21/3396/HHF AWAITING DECISION
     Lakehouse Farm: UTT/21/1862/FUL. AWAITING DECISION
     
     

154. VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT ENVELOPE

     With a backdrop of Uttlesford District Council’s Local Plan being under pressure to be finalised by Summer next year, and following the Parish Council’s decision not to create a Neighbourhood Plan for Hempstead due to the commitment, timeline, resources and finances it would require, an open discussion was held on where future development might be acceptable, based on the village development envelope. It was noted that a series of new individual homes have been built over the last two years in line with the Government’s push for increased housing numbers. Some potential locations were considered favourable should planning requests be forthcoming. It was agreed that there is no intention to alter the existing envelope as part of this discussion.
     
     

155. CORRESPONDENCE

     The Clerk and other members of the Council had received emails from concerned residents of Wincelow Hall Road, Church Hill and Finchingfield Road due to the Affinity Water road closure and excessive use of the single track lanes being used as unofficial bypasses. It was agreed to discuss with Highways and Rights of Way.
     
     

156. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH & WELLBEING

     Policing - Laura Saxel has emailed the local PCSO highlighting concerns that residents have raised regarding suspicious behaviour/possible drug dealing in the village, and is awaiting a response. The Clerk had received an email from County Cllr Foley regarding whether these concerns had been reported to the Police and Laura confirmed that no crime reports appear to have been made. The Clerk to reply to County Cllr Foley’s email.
     
     

157. HIGHWAYS AND RIGHTS OF WAY

     Affinity Water Road Closure - The current road closure and heavy use of Boytons Lane/Church Hill and Wincelow Hall Road/Witchtree lane, including residents’ concerns, were discussed. Affinity Water have promised that additional signage will be placed on the roads affected to dissuade drivers. The possibility of reinstatement work to verges etc, that had been damaged was raised as something that should be pushed for, but would ultimately be for Essex Highways to negotiate with Affinity. It was agreed that Mark Welbourn would draft an email to Affinity Water raising these issues, for the Clerk to send.
     
     

158. ENVIRONMENT

     Tree Work – A planning application for the felling of the Horse Chestnut by the village hall has been submitted. Laura Saxel is awaiting Josh Watson’s availability to carry out the work.
     Village Pump - Diana Frost is finalising a grant application for Essex Heritage Trust.
     
     

159. FLOODING

     Nick Turkentine has written to County Cllr Foley requesting support for getting Highways to action outstanding flooding issues, including drain and ditch clearance.
     
     

160. COMMUNICATIONS

     Diana Frost confirmed that the village email distributions will now be coming from a new email address diana@hempstead-essex.org.uk.
     
     

161. VILLAGE HALL

     A grant for car park work has been applied for. Village Hall Management Committee AGM to be held on 3 February at 8pm.
     
     

162. PLATINUM JUBILEE

     Although it had been agreed that the Parish Council would not be able to fund Jubilee celebrations, it was felt that support for events would be provided. It was agreed that a request for volunteers to make up a Platinum Jubilee committee would be made in the next village newsletter, and that the Council very much encourages residents to step forward and get involved.
     
     

163. EMERGENCY PLAN

     Nick Turkentine confirmed he is now working on a formal review of the plan.