Minutes of the village meeting 22nd November 2025
Minutes of the Village meeting
Parish Committee Meeting - Scheduled as annual Village Meeting 22nd Nov. 2025
Attendees: Claire Entwisle, Gary Newman, Anthony Rogers
The Village residents of Wicken Bonhunt were invited to attend The Parish Meeting. An Agenda was advertised by poster, leaflet drop and in the bugle magazine. Item 3 was of particular relevance to the Wicken Bonhunt Community Centre management Committee (CIO). Pictures were provided to illustrate item 1, but are not included here, the Agenda is a matter of record.
Apologies: Rosemary Nash (CIO), Rev Gary Flemming (WB PCC) Gary declared a prior engagement and left prior to item 3.
Guests in Attendance: Cllr Edward Oliver, (Uttlesford District Council) Cllr Ray Gooding, (Essex County Council) Cllr Fabian Bullen, (Clavering Parish Council) Rev G Flemming
Agenda
Report from the speed watch team and proposed traffic calming measures. Introduced by AR.
‘The Clavering Neighborhood Plan’ . Process, update and how it might affect
Wicken residents. Introduced by Cllr Fabian Bullen, Chair, Clavering Parish Council
SHORT BREAK / RECOGNITION OF COMMUNITY ACHIEVMENT AWARD
Report from Wicken Bonhunt Community Centre CIO. Future plans for the management of the WBCC. Introduced by Chair Kent Davidson
ITEM 1 The Parish Meeting hope to purchase a VAS (vehicle activated speed sign), a company (Truvelo) has been approached and a preliminary survey completed in order to identify two possible sites. The equipment was demonstrated by the supplier, a meeting attended by both the Wicken Bonhunt Parish meeting and Cllr Fabian Bullen (Clavering Parish Council), the supplier provided details of a recent installation in Little Canfield and CE reported that the LC Parish Council were satisfied with the equipment and found Truvelo to be supportive and had delivered the project in a timely fashion.
Cllr Ray Gooding commented that moving the equipment between two sites can be a good idea if practical, as drivers seem to start to ignore signage at approximately 6 weeks, so moving the signage can reactivate the driver response. The Parish Meeting will firstly request a quoted proposal accompanied by site plan from the supplier, this will be submitted along with a letter of support from our local councilor and data supporting the increased speed and frequency of vehicle movements in WB. A submission will also be made to MAG (Stansted Airport Community Fund) to request matched funding. The Meting was asked if ‘on going’ maintenance costs would be incurred. This is unlikely as the equipment is solar powered and a sealed unit and once installed there is no expected maintenance cost. A two year guarantee is offered. The possibility of vandalism is also low, The company provided statistics during the evaluation, to suggest vandalism of this type of unit is unusual. An approximate cost of £5000.0 was suggested but until a formal quote is requested exact costs are not available. Currently this seems to be an achievable and affordable option.
ITEM 2 Cllr Fabian provided a comprehensive and informative introduction to the Clavering Neighbourhood plan. Clavering feel strongly that Clavering should retain a rural ‘feel’, new housing developments should be small, with the intention to avoid single large estates. He pointed out that it is important that as individuals Wicken Residents take part in the consultation process, the next important date will be in January. WB is closely associated with Clavering Parish and development on the periphery of the Clavering Parish boundary at Brands View has recently been completed, effectively growing the Village of Wicken Bonhunt. CE expressed concerns that further development might be located here, Cllr Fabian Bullen felt this was unlikely but directed CE to an already approved listing of potential sites.
Richard Taylor was warmly congratulated on his acceptance of an Uttlesford Community Achievement Award. A small gift from the village donated by The Ananta pub was received.
ITEM 3 Kent Davidson provided the village with an update on the desire of the CIO to formalize an agreement with the Rev. Gay Flemming and WB PCC on the future governance, financial structure and management of the community centre. The Church of St Margarets was reordered in 2012 in response to the need to provide alternative community space following the sale of Wicken House. The Church of St Margarets has been managed as a shared space supporting both faith and secular activities from that date. Kent proposed a governance model supported by the Church of England described as dual-use. A draft document (prepared by the CIO) is in preparation, once available the text will be shared with the Rev G Flemming. More details are available from Kent.
Cllr Ray Gooding and Cllr Edward Oliver were invited to comment on the VAS and the impact of changes in the unitary authority which will see the end of current district and county councils. Although this will certainly have an impact, the process is still in its infancy.
Your opinion?
Are you in favor of the installation of SID (Speed indicator detection) in Wicken Bonhunt
YES NO
ANS: The return rate was 70%, 100% in favor.
Are you in favor of a ‘Dual use’ management partnership and govenance model for St Margarets Church Community centre ?
YES NO
ANS: The return rate was 70%, 100% in favor.
Do you have any suggestions for making Wicken Bonhunt a better place for our residents? If you would like to join or provide feedback to The Parish Meeting please contact the chair/clerk by email. 
wickenparishclerk@gmail.com or write your response on the back.
Residents appreciated that we were sharing information, the parish meeting was asked if a safe 'crossing' was possible, (Zebra or traffic lights) by the pub
, we all heard the request for more 'mens' activities (perhaps something for the CIO to support) We have also received a request to investigate poor broadband speeds, the resident has already received some advice but perhaps something we can discuss at the next parish meeting, although probably better solved by the resident and the provider. But perhaps Gary can advise.
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