Stock Parish Council has held two monthly meetings in December 2023 and January 2024.
Prior to those meetings, the annual Christmas Craft Fayre was brilliantly supported by villagers and visitors from farther afield.
Some 30 stalls selling everything from ironmongery to hot dogs did a roaring trade on what was a freezing cold afternoon, and we would like to thank everyone who attended. All were royally entertained by a brass band, musicians, choristers and singers, while the Cricket Club pavilion provided welcome warmth! The sale of mulled wine and a raffle for prizes donated by the stallholders raised £905 for Stock Cares and Stock Pre-School, both of which are licensed charities.
Having been discussed at length at recent Parish Council meetings and in communication with residents, the Parish Council has lodged a number of applications to the Local Highway Panel (LHP) to tackle road safety issues in the village.
Speeding and parking are clear priorities, and online surveys will be sent to village residents to gather opinions on how to take things forward.
Applications have been submitted to the LHP:
- for average speed cameras to be installed at each end of the 30mph speed limit in the village
- to introduce a 20mph Zone in the village
- to replace the zebra crossing in Stock Road by The Square with a puffin crossing
- to introduce a Quiet Lane designation, reduce the speed limit and restrict HGV access in Well Lane
- to reduce the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph on Stock Road/B1007 between Downham Road and Crondon Park Lane
- to reduce the speed limit on Stock Road/B1007 from School Lane towards Billericay from 40mph to 30mph and improve signage
- to move the Chelmsford-bound bus stop opposite School Lane towards All Saints Church.
- for a new zebra crossing on Stock Road/B1007 just south of All Saints Church.
The Council continue to make enquiries with a view to improving flooding issues in Smallgains Lane.
Councillors and residents have received Community Speedwatch training and have begun monitoring the speed of passing vehicles using a hand-held speed detection device at four locations in the village. Further sessions will be held regularly over the coming weeks and months, with the data collected then shared with the relevant authority, who will write to offending motorists.
The Council is also undertaking work to improve street lighting, signage – including the cleaning of the Stock village sign, pictured – and bus shelters in the village centre.
A number of planning applications were considered during both the December and January meetings, with the Parish Council voting unanimously to express strong opposition to an application to demolish existing buildings at Apps Farm in Mill Road and develop three buildings housing 45 specialist residential units for over-55s.
Full details of all the planning applications discussed can be found in the detailed minutes of the December meeting, which have been published on the Parish Council’s stock-pc.gov.uk and shared on Facebook at facebook.com/StockParishCouncil
Looking ahead, the Council is planning to host a number of fun events for villagers later in the year. If you have any ideas, please email clerk@stock-pc.gov.uk
Finally, the Parish Council would like to welcome four new Councillors – Mandy Baker, Paulette McAllister, John Pye and Mark Eade – who have joined us in recent weeks!
The Parish Council is committed to sharing information and updates as widely as possible with villagers and welcomes interest in the work being done to improve our village for everyone.
