182/2026 Chairman’s Welcome
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

183/2026 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Mitchell and Cllr Maddison. It was agreed that these apologies be accepted. Proposed Cllr Carlaw, seconded Cllr Giles.

184/2026 Declaration of Interest
To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary, Pecuniary or non-Pecuniary Interest relating to items on the agenda.
No declarations of interest received. Cllr Carlaw stated that she is a recipient of a payment of the September finances.

185/2026 To approve the Minutes of the last meeting of Feering Parish Council

• i Following discussion, it was agreed that the minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 28 July 2026 were approved. Proposed Cllr Giles, seconded Cllr Evans.
• ii Following discussion, it was agreed that the minutes of the reconvened Full Council Meeting held on 6 August 2026 were approved. Proposed Cllr Carlaw, seconded Cllr Spencer.

186/2026 Public Participation Session
The Chairman will invite questions and observations from members of the public present. A maximum time of 15 minutes (3 minutes per attendee) will be allowed.
No members of the public present.

187/2026 Finance

• i To approve the bank reconciliation as at 31 July 2026 and 2026/27 budget account (circulated prior to meeting). After discussion the bank reconciliation and budget account for July 2026 was approved. Proposed by Cllr Giles, seconded Cllr Carlaw.
• ii To approve the bank reconciliation as at 31 August 2026 and 2026/27 budget account (circulated prior to meeting). After discussion the bank reconciliation and budget account for August 2026 was approved. Proposed by Cllr Carlaw, seconded Cllr Spencer.
• iii To retrospectively agree Payments for August 2026 (circulated prior to the meeting). After discussion it was retrospectively agreed that all August payments be made, the payments having been made in August after email authorisation. Proposed Cllr Spencer, seconded Cllr Giles.
• iv To agree Payments for September 2026 (circulated prior to the meeting). After discussion it was agreed that all September payments be made. Proposed Cllr Giles, seconded Cllr Warwick.
• v To receive update on the External Audit of the Accounts for 2025/2026. After discussion the External Auditor’s report was noted and accepted and action will be taken on this. Proposed Cllr Carlaw, seconded Cllr Evans.

188/2026 Report from District / County Councillor
Cllr Finch and Cllr Thorogood submitted a report before the meeting which was circulated and noted. The report included:

• County Council (“ECC”) Update: Minerals Plan (delays due to new regulations, preferred sites in autumn, discussions regarding Monks Farm quarry and risk of sterilisation); Local Highways Panels (scrapping LHP system from April 2027, review of existing schemes, reliance on Members Enquiries); School Buses (Honywood in Coggeshall charging £999, issues with children left stranded due to public service classification; safeguarding team investigating).
• Braintree District Council (“BDC”) Update: Monks Farm Planning Application (further objections regarding Anglian Water pressure and local mains capacity for 600 homes; Essex Highways withdrew objection); Local Plan Key Dates (draft plan to full council, extraordinary meeting on 21 September for Regulation 19 public consultation, December 2026 meeting for Planning Inspectorate submission under legacy system).

Cllr Thorogood had no further information regarding Local Government Reform and Devolution but updated on current thinking.

189/2026 Clerks Report
The report had been circulated prior to the meeting and was noted following discussion. Discussion was held around the Code of Conduct Training and residents’ correspondence was raised with Paul Thorogood.

190/2026 Public Participation Comments – 28 July 2026
After discussion it was noted that the comments made by the first member of the public have been responded to, the situation explained, and the schedule of works put on the website.
The second member of the public’s comments were discussed. It was agreed that the drains on Coggeshall Road by the railway bridge would be reported and Cllr Thorogood will escalate this.

191/2026 Housing Needs Survey
A face-to-face meeting will be held with English Rural in October 2026 to continue discussions around the rural exception site.

192/2026 Planning Matters

• i All decisions have been made by Delegated Authority by the clerk in conjunction with discussions with the Planning Working Group and these will be ratified at the next face-to-face meeting (Meetings held on 29 July 2026 and 21 August 2026). Applications discussed included: 26/01497/PLD (106 Feering Hill); 26/01460/HH & 26/01461/LBC (Cockerells Farm); 26/01366/HH (Alderbrook); 26/01633/FUL (Police Houses); 26/01575/HH (106 Feering Hill); 26/01629/FUL (31 Feering Hill); 26/01661/HH (Bridge Barn).
• ii To receive update on Kings Dene / BDC Local Plan: Updated by Cllr Thorogood in the District / County Councillor report. Nothing further to add.

193/2026 Highways & Transport

• i A12 VTAG: A meeting was held on 24 August 2026.
• ii Councillors to discuss any issues to report regarding Transport / Refuse to BDC and/or ECC: Nothing to report. Cllr Warwick mentioned street lights on The Street are not working; this will be actioned by the Clerk.
• iii Village Speeding Issues and Cycle routes: Discussion around the SID was held as part of the Clerk’s report. Representation from a resident regarding a “20’s plenty” area on Feering Hill was discussed and noted as a priority route where it is neither allowed nor enforceable.

194/2026 Feering Crown Master Planning
To update on planning application number 26/00119/OUT received from Braintree District Council for outline planning permission of 835 homes in Feering.
A meeting was held with Braintree District Council around S106 monies and community assets on 24 August. A note of the meeting was circulated to form the basis of our response to BDC. A request for Heads of Terms will be made to the Clerk. Discussion was also held regarding the new community centre allocated to Witham Town Council, and a meeting will be requested to discuss the process.

195/2026 Essex Devolution
Local Government Review has been cancelled for Essex but is under review. Devolution is due to continue with Mayoral elections expected to take place.

196/2026 Committee and Representatives Report

• i PROW & Cycleway Working Group: No report received. Discussion held around footpaths and letters to be sent to residents requesting hedge trimming.
• ii IWMF Rivenhall Airfield Site Liaison Committee: No report received (Cllr Carlaw).
• iii Playing Field Working Group: No report received (Cllr J Spencer). Work ongoing for play equipment and rabbit funding.
• iv BALC: No report received (Cllr Carlaw).
• v Feering Community Centre Report: No report received. AGM held on 10 September 2026; thanks given to Cathy Stewart. Priti Patel MP invited to open new doors (no response received).
• vi Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre Patient Participation Group: Report circulated and noted (Cllr P Carlaw).

197/2026 Review of Standing Orders following events of 28 July and addition of exceptional circumstances clause
After discussion, it was agreed that, subject to the repositioning of the paragraph, the Standing Orders be approved and adopted. Proposed Cllr Carlaw, seconded Cllr Giles.

198/2026 Packhorse Bridge Weir
A report was circulated prior to the meeting and noted.

199/2026 Grant Funding Request
To consider and agree community grant request from Arena Karate to support two Feering residents selected for the Team GB squad at the WTKA unified World Championships in Italy, October 2026.
After discussion it was agreed that a grant of £250 would be awarded to Arena Karate. Proposed Cllr Carlaw, seconded Cllr Spencer.

200/2026 Grant Applications
All grant funding has been received; no outstanding grant requests. Request to be submitted to Cllr Thorogood for his County Councillor Grant, and checks needed for CIF 2026/7 grants (ECC/EALC).

• i Funding for Rabbit Fencing: Nothing to update.

201/2026 Norwich to Tilbury Community Fund
A report from Cllr Carlaw was circulated prior to the meeting. After discussion it was agreed a response to the consultation should be made. Proposed Cllr Carlaw, seconded Cllr Spencer.

202/2026 Allotments S106 Contribution
Nothing to update. Discussed with Cllr Thorogood and agreed to speak to Neil Jones at BDC regarding S106 monies.

203/2026 Tree Works
To update on residents’ preference to Tree Works on the playing field and to consider and agree the quotation.
After discussion it was agreed that option 2 be accepted for the works to the tree on Rye Mill Lane playing field adjacent to footpath 16. Proposed Cllr Carlaw, seconded Cllr Giles.

204/2026 Bridge Meadows
To consider and agree quote for new posts at Bridge Meadow.
After discussion it was agreed that we should defer replacing the posts pending investigation into area improvements, including seats and planting with low-maintenance, drought-resistant shrubs and grasses. Proposed Cllr Evans, seconded Cllr Carlaw.

205/2026 Website Accessibility Update
Discussion held regarding councillor input and regular news stories. Communication Working Group meeting scheduled for 23 September to agree the new live site. It was agreed that the Working Group be delegated authority to approve live implementation of the Home Page, Council Meeting Page, and News Page. Proposed Cllr Carlaw, seconded Cllr Giles.

206/2026 Items for the Next Agenda

• iii Bridge Meadows
• iv Norwich to Tilbury response
• v Community Living Room – Profile Raising

207/2026 Close of Meeting
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 21.36 and thanked everyone for attending.