Stock Parish Council recently held its Annual Meeting, at which a number of pertinent topics relating to the village were discussed.
The meeting commenced with the election of the Chair and Vice-Chair for 2025-26, with Paul Fenwick and Mark Rolph elected to continue in their respective roles. A number of duties and areas of focus were also delegated to councillors.
Cllr Mark Rolph will focus on speeding, flooding and litter picks, Cllr John Pye will focus on public works, Cllr Rob Pritchard on communications, Cllr Sophie Clark on trees, open spaces and events, Cllr Paulette McAllister on the built environment and Neighbourhood Plan, Cllr Mark Eade on finances, and Cllr Liz Foster on footpaths and events.
The Parish Council’s Standing Orders and Financial Regulations were reviewed and confirmed, and it was reported that an Internal Audit had been carried out and this will be reviewed and shared with an independently appointed external auditor. Cllr Fenwick told councillors the move to Unity Trust Bank, a specialist business bank for not-for-profit organisations, had helped the council improve its financial arrangements.
Moving onto highways and maintenance issues, Cllr Pye reported that the South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) consultation regarding the potential installation of parking restrictions in the village centre and around Stock Primary School ended on 14 March 2025, and that the Parish Council is awaiting an update from SEPP.
The Parish Council remains committed to the imposition of measures to reduce speeding and improve road safety in the village.
Cllr Pye has written to Essex Highways and Essex County Council requesting an update regarding the Parish Council’s Local Highways Panel (LHP) applications for the installation of average speed cameras in Stock Road/B1007, the reduction of speed limits, improvements to the pedestrian crossing between The Square and Budgens and the moving of a bus stop, all of which were initially rejected by Essex Highways.
Cllr Pye and colleagues have met with local MP Sir John Whittingdale to raise these concerns, and a Stock Against Speeding petition containing 2,500 signatures has been presented to Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport Tom Cunningham.
Cllr Rolph reported that the Community Speedwatch team has experienced mixed results regarding speeding motorists in the village, but believes the Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) installed on Stock Road/B1007 and Mill Road are having the desired effect and that they have been well received by local people. It is hoped the data collected by the VAS will help the Parish Council’s campaign for average speed cameras to be installed on the B1007.
Moving on, Cllr Pye reported that he had reported a number of outstanding issues to Essex Highways, including potholes, very poor pavement conditions, blocked drains, kerbs, missing bollards and signs and unreadable road markings. Cllr Pye said the replacement of the pavement in the High Street has been rejected due to the large scale of the job, but that the section of broken pavement outside The Village Store will be repaired.
Positively, Cllr Pye reported that the new Village Gateway signs have been installed at each end of the village on Stock Road/B1007, that the Bus Shelter opposite The Hoop has been renovated and that the broken old fence by the filled-in pond on the Common has been removed.
Moving to trees, the Parish Council is to engage an arboriculturalist with a view to conducting a full survey of trees and to oversee tree management in the Parish. It was agreed that the Memorial Tree Project be placed on hold until planting season begins in the late summer and early autumn. Around 25 applications for Memorial Trees from villagers have been received.
On flooding issues, Cllr Rolph reported that Essex Water Management have agreed to help clear the blockage under the bridge at Smallgains Lane and the blockage in the culvert by the pond there. Essex Water Management will do this after holding a health and safety assessment, potentially in June 2025. The brook on the north side of Smallgains Lane will be the responsibility of Essex Highways and the landowner.
The Parish Council’s 2025 Christmas Craft Fayre will take place on Saturday 6 December. Any villagers, local clubs, businesses musicians or craftspeople who would like to be involved in the event should email clerk@stock-pc.gov.uk
The Parish Council’s next monthly meeting will take place at Stock Cricket Club pavilion on Tuesday 17 June at 7.30pm. Any villagers who would like to participate or ask questions should submit these to clerk@stock-pc.gov.uk at least three working days prior to the meeting.
