CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th APRIL 2010

 

PRESENT:  Mrs S Moore (Chairman) Mr A Bell, Mr D Broad, Mr A Miles,

Mr P Sibbald, Mr T Watt and Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;  Mr P Cundick.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES; The Minutes of the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting held on the 29th March 2010 were agreed and signed as a true record with one amendment to page 1, “Stationary” was amended to “Stationery”.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  The Chairman raised the matter of the outstanding Definitive Map Modification Order for Hills Farm Track.  Nothing further had been heard recently and it was agreed to write to GCC to enquire if our application had made progress up the list.  It was agreed to copy the letter to County Councillor Fiona McKenzie.  Mr Bell pointed out that he understood all DMMO's would cease in the future.  The Chairman raised the problem of the condition of the stiles in the Valley Bottom.

Mr Sibbald agreed to walk the paths and record the condition of the stiles.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  The Chairman had circulated some information on the management of roadside verges from the Cotswold Conservation Board.  It was agreed to pass this on to the Chedworth Environment Group with a request that it might wish to take it forward on the Parish Council's behalf.

 

Playing Field:  a) Booking by Camping and Caravan Club – The club had arrived over the Easter weekend but due to a problem with the booking of the Village Hall they had stayed only one night and then moved to the field opposite the Farm Shop.

After some discussion it was agreed not to charge the £50.00 due for the one night stay. b) Football – Rissington Arrows had turned up to play a match without booking with the Village Hall or the Parish Council. It was alleged bad language and unreasonable behaviour had been experienced at the match and the Village Hall had subsequently made the decision not to allow the football team to come back again.  The Chairman stated that she regretted the Village Hall decision had been made without consulting the Parish Council and noted that the camping weekend  debacle would also impact on the Parish Council finances.  Mr Sibbald had replaced the broken rail by the gate but it was reported that a top rail further along had now been broken.  Mr Sibbald agreed to obtain a replacement and was duly thanked.  Mr Watt was in the process of obtaining grant aid for replacement goal posts and was duly thanked by the Chairman.

 

Grass Keep Field:  a) The Diggers' License – This was due for renewal by the 18th May.  It was agreed to make no amendments to the terms or rent of £50.00 but if the Diggers wish to renew their tenancy the Parish Council asks that they reacquaint

 

Chairman.......................................

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th APRIL 2010 – Page 2.

 

themselves with the agreed terms particularly the extent of the leased area and the technical requirement for the 364-day term of the licence. 

 

It was agreed to discuss the renewal of the Grass Keep Tenancy later in the meeting.

 

Affordable Housing:  The result of the Parish Poll was reported.  In response to the question “are you in favour of the Chedworth Community Land Trust progressing the development of affordable housing on a site in the Grass Keep Field north of the Community Garden?”, there were 127 yes votes and 148 no votes.  275 votes were cast giving a 41.7% turnout.  The Chairman thanked Councillors for their work with regard to the poll and also the Clerk and Mr Hobart who had undertaken poll duties. It was agreed to thank the Clerk and write to thank Mr Hobart.  The Chairman drew attention to a discrepancy between opinions received by the Parish Council and the CLT.  As reported in the March minutes 10 communications had been received by the Parish Council all objecting to the CLT's proposal while the CLT had received twenty-three communications of support. The Chairman then went on to make a strong statement giving her views on the poll result. The Chairman then proposed a motion that “The Parish Council fully supports the efforts of the CLT to provide affordable housing to meet the needs of local people which the Parish Council believes is essential to ensure the future viability of this community”.  This was agreed with 5 votes in favour and one abstention. Other Councillors also spoke about the result. It was then agreed to open the meeting to allow members of the public present to speak.  Both yes and no supporters gave their views and much discussion ensued.  Council then reconvened.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  a) Roadside Maps – The cheque for £126.00 had been received from CHOC.  Mr Bell had the final version of the agreed map in hand.  b) Broken Noticeboard - The noticeboard by the Village Hall was currently under repair by Mr Wilson.  Mr Sibbald had the replacement catch on the Tuns Hill board in hand.  Mr Bell suggested making it possible for people to leave messages by “Twitter” on the Parish Council website.  Mr Priest had confirmed that it would be possible to set it up.  It was agreed to give this a trial. 

      

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  The waterfall was overflowing again

and it was agreed to ask GCC Highways to come out to observe the problem.  The Chairman reported on an email she had received from Mrs Sissions regarding the drainage at the top of her garden.  Mrs Sissons hoped to engage the help of our County Councillor to alleviate the problem.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:  The Village Gateway works on Fields Road had now been started.

 

Youth Matters:  The Chairman had received an email from Katie Essex stating that the Chedworth Youth Group had closed due to lack of support but the group at Withington was still continuing and Chedworth youngsters were welcome to go there.  It was agreed to publicise this in the Hill and Valley.

 

Chairman.................................................

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th APRIL 2010 – Page 3.

 

Traffic at the School:  Nothing further.

 

Adoption of BT Telephone Box:  No feedback had been received to the item in the Hill and Valley. It had been suggested that a defibrillator might be located in the box for use in emergencies and the Chairman agreed to make further enquires regarding this.  Also use as advertising space was suggested.  As it was not clear what work was required to the box it was agreed to meet there before the next meeting on the 17th May.

 

Renewal of Grass Keep Tenancy:  It was proposed by Mr Watt and seconded from the Chair to renew Mr Baker's tenancy for a further six months for the same rent of £125.00, agreed.

 

PLANNING:

 

CD 3139/B Cloud Cottage – Amendments – No objection.

CD 4322/B Adelaide – Replace Shed with Summerhouse – No objection.

CD 0356/D The Farm House, Fossebridge – Alterations – No objection.

CD 7114/D Honey Furlong – Alterations – No objection.

CD 1236/1/C Fossebridge Inn – Replacement Porch – No objection.

 

Approval:

 

CD 3139/B Cloud Cottage – Extension and Alterations.

 

Other Planning Matters:  There was none.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  There was none.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   E Broad (Poll Duties) £60.00, prop. S Moore, sec. A Miles.

2.   A Hobart (Poll Duties) £60.00, prop. S Moore, sec. A Miles.

3.   Viking Direct (Copier Paper & Ink Cartridges) £52.95, prop. S Moore,

      sec. T Watt

3.   Council in receipt of £126.00 Map Funding from CHOC

4.   Notice of Audit - 1st June 2010.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

GRCC Gloucestershire Vibrant Village of the Year 2010:  It was agreed to see if the Diggers may be interested in making an application as the prize money would be useful to them.  The Chairman agreed to pass on the information to them.

 

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Information:  Noted.

 

Chairman..........................................

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th APRIL 2010 – Page 4.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from E-mail:   a) Dog Fouling Email from Mrs Selway – The email,

sent to the Chedworth Society, had been copied to the Parish Council for information.

 

Items for the Hill and Valley:  Several items were identified for inclusion.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.05 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Annual Parish Council Meeting - Monday 17th May 2010 at 7.30 pm.

 

 

Chairman.....................................................

 

Date.............................................................