EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL
COUNCIL MINUTES
Place: Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Date: 17
December 1996 High Street, Epping
Time: 7.30 - 9.10 p.m.
Members
Present: Councillors R Barnes OBE (Chairman), J Padfield
(Vice-Chairman) I Abbey, M Allen, Ms C Baggarley, S Barnes, D Bateman, Mrs M
Boatman, A Boydon, J Carr, Mrs D Collins, Mrs J Davis, K Easlea, Mrs K Ellis,
J Gilliham, S Goodwin, R Gow, Mrs N Green OBE, Mrs A Haigh, F Harewood, R
Heath, M Heavens, Mrs G Huckle, E Hudspeth, D Jacobs, D Kelly, A Larner, L
Martin, B Moore, R Morgan, T Norris, A O'Brien, Mrs J O'Brien, R Pearce, P
Pennell, J Pledge, S Riley, S Robinson, F Silver, P Spencer, B Sumner, C
Sumner, A Thompson, M Wardle, Mrs E Webster, Mrs S Welton, M Welch, Mrs J
Whitehouse, K Wright, D Yeo
Apologies: Councillors Mrs L Denham, Mrs M Harding, C Huckle, Mrs M
McEwen, J Murphy, S Murray, Mrs S Whiteford
Officers
Present: J Burgess (Chief Executive), T Carne, S Tautz, I Willett,
(Policy Unit), P Haywood (Head of Finance), Miss C O'Boyle (Head of Legal and
Administration), I Le Gallais (Head of Planning Services)
47. MINUTES
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 October 1996 be
taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
48. LAST MEETING OF 1996
The Chairman expressed his best wishes for Christmas and the New Year and
invited all Councillors, officers and members of the public present, to join
him in the members' room for refreshments after the meeting.
49. CHAIRMAN'S CHARITY - SNOCAP
The Chairman advised the Council of a general knowledge quiz to be held at
Epping Hall on 24 January 1997 in aid of his charity for the year.
50. MRS J WILMOT
The Chairman reported that the flowers from the meeting were to be given to
Mrs Joan Wilmot of Ongar. Mrs Wilmot was the widow of Stanley Wilmot, a well
known figure in the town and regular contributor to the Epping and Ongar
Gazette, who had died earlier in the year.
51. OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN SPORT AND THE ARTS
The Chairman and Councillor S Robinson, Chairman of the Leisure Services
Committee, made presentations to the following young people as part of the
Council's Bursary Scheme for Sport and the Arts, which helped 11-21 year olds
develop their talent in these fields.
Rebekah Airey (12) - Dance
James Borrer (17) - Music
Liam Dunseath (16) - Music
David Jennings (11) - Music
Jason Jagai (19) - Karate
Richard Stock (18) - Rugby
52. MR N THATCHER
It had been hoped that Noel Thatcher, a physiotherapist at the Paternoster
Nursing Home in Waltham Abbey, would be able to attend the meeting to be
presented with an engraved cut glass bowl in recognition of his achievement in
winning gold medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 metre races at the Paralympic
Games, held earlier in the year.
The Chairman reported however, that Mr Thatcher was presently in Japan to take
part in a marathon and that the presentation would therefore take place at a
later date.
53. QUALITY ASSURANCE AWARDS
On behalf of the Council, the Chairman made presentations to Councillors J
Gilliham and S Robinson, Chairmen of the Direct Services Board and Leisure
Services Committee respectively and to Councillor R Heath, Chairman of the
Development Committee, to mark the award of BS EN ISO 9002 accreditation for
the management and operation of Waltham Abbey Sports Centre and Swimming Pool
and the Council's Building Control Service respectively.
RESOLVED:
That the Council's appreciation of the work carried out by relevant staff in
achieving the quality awards be noted.
54. NOTIFICATION OF POLITICAL GROUP REPRESENTATIVES 1996/97 - LIBERAL
DEMOCRATS GROUP
The Council was advised that the Liberal Democrats Group wished to substitute
Councillor Mrs A Haigh for Councillor K Wright as the Group's spokesperson on
Plans Sub- Committee 'A'.
RESOLVED:
That, in accordance with Standing Order A58, the nomination of
Councillor Mrs A Haigh as the representative of the Liberal Democrats Group on
Plans Sub-Committee 'A' for the remainder of the municipal year, be noted.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
55. LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE (10.9.96)
(Mover: Councillor S Robinson - Chairman of Committee)
1. Tree Strategy 2000 ('Trees Please!')
The Council considered a proposed new tree strategy, which had also been
agreed by the Development, Housing, Transportation and Local Councils' Liaison
Committees.
Report as first moved ADOPTED.
RESOLVED:
That the Tree Strategy 2000 ('Trees Please!') be agreed.
56. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (29.10.96)
(Mover: Councillor R Heath - Chairman of Committee)
1. Proposed Conservation Area - Hill Hall, Theydon Mount
The Council considered a report in connection with the proposed designation of
an area of registered historic park and garden at Hill Hall, as a Conservation
Area.
Report as first moved ADOPTED.
RESOLVED:
That the area of registered historic park and garden at Hill Hall, Theydon
Mount, including the Church of St Michael the Archangel as shown on the map
attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes, be designated as a Conservation Area
under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act
1990.
57. POLICY AND CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (3.12.96)
(Mover: Councillor D Jacobs - Nominated in accordance with Standing Order
A20(1) by Councillor C Huckle, Chairman of the Committee, to present the
report)
1. Council Tax Base 1997/98 - Declaration
The Council considered a report of the Head of Finance relating to the
declaration of the Council Tax base for 1997/98.
Report as first moved ADOPTED.
RESOLVED:
(1) That the report of the Head of Finance on the calculation of the
Council Tax base for the year 1997/98 be approved; and
(2) That, pursuant to the report of the Head of Finance and in accordance
with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 1992, the
amount calculated for each precepting authority be as set out in Appendix 2 to
these minutes.
2. Working Group on Traps Hill - Co-option of Parish and Town Council
Representatives
The Council considered the proposed co-option of representatives of Buckhurst
Hill and Chigwell Parish Councils and Loughton Town Council, to membership of
the Working Group on Traps Hill.
Report as first moved ADOPTED.
RESOLVED:
That Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell Parish Councils and Loughton Town Council
each be invited to nominate one representative to become a non-voting co-opted
member of the Working Group on Traps Hill.
(Councillor Mrs J Davis declared a personal interest in this item in
accordance with Standing Order A29(3) by virtue of being a member of the
Loughton Town Council but, in accordance with Standing Order A29(4), had
determined that this was not a clear and substantial interest and therefore
remained in the meeting for the discussion and voting on this matter.)
3. Calendar of Meetings 1997/98
The Council considered a draft calendar of meetings for the next municipal year.
Amendment moved by Councillor Mrs D Collins and seconded by Councillor I Abbey -
"That the date of the Council meeting in December 1997 be brought forward to
the second week of the month."
Lost
Report as first moved ADOPTED.
RESOLVED:
That the calendar of meetings for 1997/98 as set out in Appendix 3 to these
minutes, be approved.
MOTIONS
58. YOUTH STRATEGY IN EPPING FOREST DISTRICT
The Council considered a motion moved by Councillor Mrs N Green OBE and
seconded by Councillor I Abbey, calling for a review of youth strategy in the
District, notice of which had been given under Standing Order A21(2). The
Chairman had determined pursuant to Standing Order A21(4), that it was
convenient and conducive to the despatch of business to allow the motion to be
dealt with at the meeting.
Amendment moved by Councillor S Robinson and seconded by Councillor S Goodwin -
"That the words 'In accordance with the actions and priorities previously
agreed in the Corporate Plan and by the Leisure Services Committee', be
inserted after the words 'of the District' in the first sentence of the motion."
Carried
The motion as amended was thereupon ADOPTED.
RESOLVED:
(1) That the Chief Executive be asked to undertake through the Management
Board, a review of current Council activity in connection with the youth of
the District in accordance with the actions and priorities previously agreed
in the Corporate Plan and by the Leisure Services Committee; and
(2) That a report be made to the Policy and Co-ordinating Committee at an
early meeting, with proposals for co-ordinating activity in this regard by
means of a plan charting a strategic way forward.
59. REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS
(a) Essex Waste Plan - Area Liaison Group (Minute 46(d) - 15.10.96)
This item was withdrawn by the Chief Executive.
(b) Essex Community Safety Forum
The Council considered the appointment of a representative to this Forum,
which was to develop a county-wide approach to all aspects of community safety
through the development of multi-agency partnerships.
RESOLVED:
That Councillor C Huckle be appointed as the Council's representative on the
Essex Community Safety Forum, with Councillor A Thompson as deputy.
(c) Essex Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Forum
The Council considered the appointment of a representative to this Forum,
which was to oversee the promotion of sustainable development and the LA21
process across the County.
RESOLVED:
That Councillor M Allen be appointed as the Council's representative to the
Essex Local Agenda 21 Forum.
(d) Local Government Association (LGA) - Urban and Rural Forums
The Council considered the appointment of representatives to these two new LGA
forums. The Council was entitled to two seats on each.
RESOLVED:
(1) That Councillors R Barnes OBE and D Kelly be appointed as the Council's
representatives to the LGA Rural Forum;
(2) That Councillor Mrs J Davis be appointed as a member representative to
the LGA Urban Forum; and
(3) That the Management Board be authorised to appoint an appropriate
officer as the Council's second representative on the Urban Forum.
60. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
RESOLVED:
That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and
press should be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out
below on grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt
information as defined in the paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the
Act indicated:
Agenda Exempt
Information Item No Subject Paragraph
Number
10(a) Lea Valley Nursery, 12
Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey
10(b) Former Council Depot, 9
Rectory Lane, Loughton
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
(CONTINUED)
61. WORKING GROUP ON LEA VALLEY NURSERY (25.11.96)
(Mover: Councillor Mrs D Collins - Chairman of Working Group)
1. Lea Valley Nursery, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey - Compensation Claims
The Council considered a report on the financial consequences arising from the
making of an Article 4 Direction in respect of this site.
Report as first moved ADOPTED.
RESOLVED:
(1) That the Council approves an offer of compensation to Wendy Fair Markets
Limited in settlement of its claim, at a figure not exceeding œ140,000
inclusive of costs and subject to a "confidentiality clause" ;
(2) That, as it has not been possible to assess the merits of the
landowner's claim, the Working Group report to a future meeting of the Council
after consideration of further evidence to be disclosed; and
(3) That, in view of the possible financial consequences arising from the
making of Article 4 Directions, any future proposals for such Directions be
accompanied by a critical financial appraisal.
62. RESOURCE COMMITTEE (26.11.96)
(Mover: Councillor R Gow - Chairman of Committee)
1. Sale of former Depot, Rectory Lane, Loughton
The Council considered a report on offers received for the purchase of the
freehold interest in this site.
Report as first moved ADOPTED.
RESOLVED:
That the offer received from Ruane Securities Ltd being the highest received,
to use the site to accommodate the Driving Standards Agency and the creation
of small business starter units, be accepted.