CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JANUARY 2008

 

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

Mr T Watt and Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;  Miss L Gallagher and Mr P Cundick.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 10th December 2007 were agreed and signed as a true record.

 

ELECTRONIC PLANNING APPLICATIONS:  Mr Carl Jones, Business Improvement Officer at CDC, was present to explain the new electronic planning consultation system which will start on 28th January but trials on some applications have been taking place over the past six months.  The Chairman welcomed Mr Jones and it was agreed to open the meeting to allow him to speak.  Mr Jones explained the new system in detail and was questioned by Councillors.  He was also given a demonstration on the Parish Council laptop.  Councillors raised several points regarding the new system with him.  When Council reconvened Mr Jones was thanked by the Chairman for attending.

 

SETTING OF THE 2008/09 PRECEPT:  The Chairman and Clerk had produced a draft budget for consideration, which was copied to all Councillors prior to the meeting.  The Chairman read through the draft budget item by item and the following was agreed:-

 

EXPENDITURE;

 

Village Hall Rent (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                                            183.40

Subscriptions (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                        120.00

Donations (L.G.A. 1972 S. 137                             340.00

Playing Field Grass Cut (L.G. (MP) A. 1976             611.10

Other PC Land Maintenance (L.G. (MP) A. 1976      100.00

Vegetation Clearance (L.G.A. 1972 S. 137)             350.00

Noticeboard (L.G.A. 1972 S. 137)                         100.00

Play Area (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                              23.50

Clerks Salary (L.G.A. 1972 S. 112)                      1928.20

Insurance (L.G.A. 1972 S 111)                             350.00

Telephone/Stamps (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                150.00

Chairman’s Allowance/Travel Expenses (L.G.A. 1972 Sch. 12)     50.00

Audit Fee (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                             200.00

Stationery (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                            100.00

I.T. Support (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                         110.00

 

                                                                     4716.20

 

Chairman……………………………………

 

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JANUARY 2008 – Page 2.

 

ESTIMATED INCOME:

 

HVLTC Ground Rent                                            125.00

Playing Field Rental                                            135.00

Interest on Deposit Account                                 100.00

 

                                                                       360.00

 

Estimated Expenditure                                       4716.20

Less Estimated Income                                       360.00

Money from Balances                                         400.00

 

                                                                     4056.20

 

It was agreed to raise the Precept by 3% for this year.  This meant taking £400.00 from balances, but this still left an estimated  balance in hand of around £3700.00 at the end of the financial year.  This was considered to be sufficient for a Parish of our size.   It was proposed by Mr Broad and seconded by Mr Priest that the 2008/09 Precept should be increased by 3% to £4056.00, agreed unanimously. 

 

 

MATTERS ARISING;

 

Footpaths:  The Chairman reported that bridleway KCH 12 had now been cleared.  Mr Broad reported that he had been unsuccessful in getting anything done about the dog at Greenhill Farm.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  Nothing further.

 

Playing Field:  Bookings had been received from the Cirencester Athletics Club & Horticultural Society. These were both agreed for the usual fee of £15.00 each.

 

Play Area:  Mr Watt updated the Council on the Play Area Committee’s progress and stated that a meeting was being held tomorrow evening.  The Chairman expressed concern about a newsletter item she had read from CHOC which stated that responsibility for the equipment would be handed over to the Parish Council when the equipment was in situ.  The Clerk had researched the Minutes and this had never been agreed.  Mr Watt agreed to take this point to the Committee meeting tomorrow.

 

Parking in the Village:  Nothing further.

 

Traffic in the Village and Road Matters:  Nothing further.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  An email reply regarding

 

Chairman…………………………….

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JANUARY 2008 – Page 3.

 

the Tuns Hill notice board had been received from Col. Aylen but he did not appear

to offer to undertake the work.  After some discussion the Chairman agreed to email the Chedworth Society to see if they had a working group which may be willing to undertake some work on the Village notice boards.  Mr Priest reported that the new Hemplands notice board was due to be installed in early February.  It was reported that due to the wet weather it was impossible to open the doors to display the Parish Council notice on the new notice board at the Village Hall as the doors had stuck.  The Chairman agreed to email Mr Sellers Smith for advice.

 

The Grass Keep Field:   The Clerk reported that the meter was being monitored but no water had been used when it was last checked.  It was also reported that the future of the Grass Keep field item was to be included on the Parish Meeting agenda on 10th March.  The Chairman also reported that Martin Large from Gloucestershire Land for the People also wished to come along and speak. Concern was expressed that this speech should not go on too long and it was suggested a time limit should be given bearing in mind this was a Parish Meeting.

 

Provision of Extra Tennis Courts:  Nothing further.

 

Dog Fouling:  A letter had been received from Ms Kate Bishop at CDC.  The Chairman agreed to speak to Ms Bishop.

 

Parish Plan:  Nothing further.

 

Bus Stop at Fossebridge:  It was agreed to remove from the agenda.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall:  GCC Highways had now attended to the waterfall and its drain on a number of occasions and had expressed the view that they could do little more to resolve the problem which, at its root, is that there is too great a volume of water for the hole in the wall to cope with, thus forcing water through the wall itself, thereby missing the trough and drain.  It was agreed to defer at present because of the problems of flooding in other parts of the county.

 

Youth Council:  Nothing further although it was noted that two members were now on the Play Area Committee.

 

Low Cost Housing:  The Chairman was concern that DEFRA was to withdraw funding for the Rural Housing Enabler posts.  It was agreed to write to the Government Housing Minister asking for the posts to be saved.

 

Provision of Allotments:  Nothing further.

 

Calor Competition:   It was agreed to give the Cheery Club another £100.00.  It was noted that £200.00 was now left from this money.

 

Chairman……………………….

 

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JANUARY 2008 – Page 4.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD 5071/1/G Parsonage House – Spa Pool – Objection

CD 7379/E Hill House – L.B. Consent – No objection

CD 7379/F Hill House – L.B. Consent – No objection

CD 3039/G Baldwin House – Alteration and Extension – No objection

CD 0539/C Brook Cottage – Amendment – No objection.

 

Approval:

 

CD Contr. 3337 The Orchard – Tree Works

CD Contr. 3348 Woolpack – Tree Works

CD Contr. 3362 Woolpack – Tree Works

CD Contr. 3347 Hills Farm – Tree Works

CD 0539/B Brook Cottage – Garage and Log Store – Additional Information

CD 7379/D Hill House – L.B. Consent

CD 1795/B Green Lane Cottage – Extension

CD 9103/A The Orchard – Mobile Horse Shelter

 

Other Planning Matters:  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Woods to speak on the Janes Cottage shed application.  Mr Woods spoke about the application. The Chairman explained that the application had come in too late to be included on the agenda and would now be circulated for comments from the Parish Council.  The Chairman reported that Mr Charles Sykes from The Rookery had asked whether there would be any grant assistance available for improvements to the garages.  It was agreed to reply and say no.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL:

 

2008 Playground Inspection:  A letter had been received from John Hicks and Associates offering to do the inspection for the same fee as last year.  Information had also been received from ROSPA which was more expensive.  It was agreed to instruct Mr Hicks to undertake the inspection.

 

HIGHWAYS AND RIGHTS OF WAY:

 

School Traffic Plan:  Ms Leigh had emailed for advice on behalf of the school and she had also attended before the meeting started and had spoken to the Chairman.  The Chairman filled Ms Leigh in on the options explored in the past regarding parking at the Village Hall and walking to School.  The Chairman also agreed to refer Ms Leigh to the relevant bodies for assistance.

 

Flooding & Drainage:  Mrs Sissons, from Box Tree Cottage, had emailed regarding the drain clearance on the road above her house.  It was agreed to refer this to GCC.  The Chairman agreed to email Mrs Sissons to inform her of this.  Mr Broad reported on a telephone call he had received from Mr Boothman from Queen Street regarding

 

Chairman…………………………….

 MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JANUARY 2008 – Page 5.

 

damming of the stream which nearly resulted in the flooding of his property.  It was felt to be a private matter between the landowners.  Mr Boothman had also removed the stones forming the bridge over the river on the footpath below Ballingers Row.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   Viking Direct £40.74 Retrospective prop. S Moore, sec. A Miles.

2.   Stamps £12.00, prop. S Moore, sec. A Priest.

3.   Council in receipt of £29.17 Water Reimbursement from HVLTC.

 

Donation from Calor Money:

 

1.   Chedworth Cheery Club £100.00, prop. A Priest sec. T Watt.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

GCC Highways Parish Survey:  The Chairman would complete this on behalf of the Council.

 

Richard Lovett-Turner Memorial Letter:  The letter of thanks from Mr Bowley was noted.

 

Gloucestershire Highways Changes Letter:  It was agreed the Chairman would be nominated as the line of communication as requested in the letter.

 

Post Office Network Changes in Gloucestershire:  GRCC were mounting a campaign to ensure an appropriate response to forthcoming Post Office closures.  It was agreed to write letters of support for the post offices at Northleach and Rendcomb to their respective Parish Councils.

 

GCC County Council Tax Increase 2008/09 Consultation:  It was agreed to support Option A, no increase.

 

Environment Agency Cotswold Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy:  Noted.

 

Gloucestershire Environment Trust Letter:  Noted.

 

GAPTC Newsletter:  Noted.

 

Tree Information:  Noted.

 

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Information:  Noted.

 

Gloucestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment:   Noted.

 

GCC Protecting Your Community:   Noted.

Chairman…………………….

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JANUARY 2008 – Page 6.

 

GCC Update on Flooding:  Noted.

 

GCC Your Essential Flood Guide:  Noted.

 

GCC Shared Spaces DVD:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from E-mails:  There was none that had not been dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.

 

Local Authorities Model Code of Conduct Order 2007:  The Clerk asked for the new Declaration of Members Interest Forms to be completed and returned.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:  Several items were identified.

 

The meeting concluded at 10.06 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 18th February 2008.

 

 

 

Chairman…………………………

 

Date