CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 16th FEBRUARY 2009

 

PRESENT:  Mrs S Moore (Chairman) Mr D Broad, Mr P Cundick, Mr A Miles and Mrs E Broad (Clerk)

 

APOLOGIES;  Mr T Watt.

 

VACANCIES ON CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL:  Mr Adrian Bell from Pancake Cottage, Lower Chedworth and Mr Paul Sibbald from Iolanthe, Church Row, Chedworth  had both indicated their willingness to be co-opted.  It was agreed that the Council should go into closed session to discuss the matter as it concerned     individuals.  The members of the public present left the meeting. During discussion it was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Miles to co-opt Mr Bell and Mr Sibbald, agreed.  The Chairman invited the members of the public to rejoin the meeting and announced the decision.  Mr Bell and Mr Sibbald then  signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office Book and Code of Conduct form and took their seats on the Council.  The Chairman welcomed them both.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 19th January 2009 were agreed and signed as a true record.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:   A letter had been received from Mr England informing the Parish Council that his signs on the claimed track had been vandalised.  An email had been received from GCC PROW stating the footpath claim on this track was medium priority and was unlikely to be considered in the near future.  It was agreed to reply to GCC PROW informing them of the vandalism and asking if the urgency of our claim on this path can be reassessed.  The Chairman reported that Suzanne Hopes from GCC PROW was looking into the barrier on the footpath on Fields Road.  No reply had been received from Mrs Clarke regarding the broken stile on the footpath at the back of the Cricket Pavilion.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  Nothing further.

 

Playing Field:  Nothing further.

 

Grass Keep Field:  Nothing further.

 

Community Allotment:  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Joanne Leigh to explain certain aspects of the proposal for a Community Garden.  Ms Leigh had produced a plan which she gave to the Chairman and will be circulated to Councillors.  When Council reconvened and after some discussion it was agreed there was no objection in principle to a Community Garden on Parish Council land at the Grass Keep Field.  Certain conditions were identified as needing to be

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 16th FEBRUARY 2009 – Page 2.

 

addressed by a formally constituted Group.  A rent of £50.00 per annum was proposed by Mr Bell and seconded by Mr Miles, agreed.  The Chairman offered to make enquires about the drawing up of a formal lease.

 

Provision of Additional Tennis Courts:  The Chairman reported on the reply she had received from GRCC when enquiring about the Three Sector Match scheme.  GRCC had sent information about a pilot scheme called “Collaboration Benefits”

which encourages co-operation between action groups in rural communities.  It was felt that this scheme was not really suitable in this instance.

 

Affordable Housing:  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Robson to speak.  Mr Robson updated the Council on the CLT particularly about the proposed access.  It may not be possible to meet the criteria for the access to be opposite Smuggs Barn so the CLT were now looking at the alternative access across the Playing Field onto Fields Road.  When Council reconvened it was agreed in principle to allow extra land for the purpose of an access if necessary.  Mr Robson was asked to seek advice on the access issue as soon as possible.  Mr Robson had also raised the matter that the Parish Council may need to engage a solicitor to work on their behalf.  No funding had been put aside for this and it was agreed to write to ask the Village Trust if they would fund the Parish Council's legal expenses to allow the affordable housing to be sited on the Parish Council land.  It was agreed to wait for a reply from Mr Robson on the access issue before sending the letter.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  The Parish Plan Traffic and Transport Group had asked for the bus company weblinks to be included on the website.  Mr Shaftoe had produced a suggested document and Mr Broad had reproduced his updated timetable from several years ago.  The Chairman agreed to ask Mr Shaftoe to amend his suggested document.  No response had been received to the item in the Hill and Valley regarding work on the two glass fronted noticeboards.  Mr Sibbald agreed to have a look at them and report back.  The Chairman stated that she though the welcome section of the website needed updating and asked  Councillors to look and make any suggestions.

 

            Dog Fouling:  Nothing further.

 

            Parish Plan:  The Chairman reported on her meeting on Fields Road with Mrs

Watkins and Mr Macaulay Lowe of GCC Highways.  The proposal to lower speed

limit on Fields Road to 30 mph was not compatible with national guidelines.  Mr Macaulay Lowe did agree to look into rationalising the signage on Fields Road and also offered to arrange further speed and pedestrian checks in the summer.  It was agreed to ask the leaders of all the Parish Plan Action Groups to attend the Parish Meeting to give an update.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  The Chairman reported that she had received an email from Mrs Sissons stating that there had been no further flooding on her property.

           

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 16th FEBRUARY 2009 – Page 3.

 

Reformation of Chedworth Guiding Group:  The Chairman reported that she understood the possible new leader had not materialised.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:  Mr Shaftoe on behalf of the Traffic and Transport Group had asked for the roadside maps to be refurbished.  Mr Sibbald said that he had the original map.  Mr Bell agreed to undertake an inventory of the existing maps to see what work was required.  The road gritting was raised as the grit piles had not been reinstated at Fossebridge and Mr Bell reported that no grit piles were present on Pancake Hill.  The Chairman would report this to Mr Swift at GCC Highways and also ask if the Dumpy Bag of grit at the top of Tuns Hill could be removed.  Mr Swift had emailed regarding the provision of a grit bin at the end of Ballingers Hill.  The Chairman agreed to canvass local opinion regarding this. 

 

Youth Council:  Nothing further.

 

S.211 Changes in Consultation Process on Tree Work Notifications from CDC:

Sophia Price from CDC had telephoned and spoken to the Chairman but they were not willing to give any concessions.

 

Village Hall Recycling Site:  The lorry now seemed to be using the layby.

 

Meeting Venue:  Mr Watt had spoken to the Chairman of Governors, Mrs Nashe, and the school were unwilling to allow use of their premises for several reasons.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD 3338/1/G 3 The Rookery – Amendment – No comment.

 

Approval:

 

CD Contr. Brook Cottage – Works Under DDD Legislation.


Other Planning Matters:  There were none.

 

Electronic Planning Applications:  It was agreed to remove from the agenda.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  There were none.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL:

 

The Night-Time Illumination of Hills Farm:  The Chairman had spoken to Mr Probert at CDC and he had sent a leaflet on light pollution.  Other light problems were also identified in the area.  After some discussion it was agreed to ask the Chedworth Environment Group to promote the benefits of dark skies to the whole community.

 

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 16th FEBRUARY 2009 – Page 4.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   Clerks Quarterly Telephone and Broadband £37.85, prop. S Moore,

      sec. A Miles.

2.   Thames Water £8.44, prop. D Broad, sec. A Miles.

3.   Viking Direct (New Minute Book & Ink Cartridges x 2) £31.22, prop. A Miles,

      sec. S Moore.

4.   Viking Direct (Ink Cartridges x 2) £12.83, prop. A Miles, sec. S Moore.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

CDC Letter regarding Christmas and New Year Waste Collections:  Noted.

 

GRCC Calor Village of the Year Information:  It was agreed to pass on to the Chedworth Environment Group.

 

Play Rangers Information:  It was noted that they would be at the Village Hall tomorrow.

 

Police and Community Consultative Meeting - 4th February:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from Emails:  The Village Agent Information was noted.  The Charter Group meeting was also noted.  The Clerk agreed to forward the email to the new Councillors to see if they wished to attend otherwise we would send apologies.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:   The Chairman invited the new Councillors to write an item about themselves for inclusion in the Hill and Valley.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.32 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 16th March 2009 at 7.30 pm.

 

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:  Monday 23rd March at 7.30 pm.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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