CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th JANUARY 2009

 

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

and Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

Mr Miles was not present at the beginning of the meeting.

 

VACANCIES ON CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL: The notices regarding Miss Gallagher's resignation had been posted on notice boards and parishioners had until 23rd January to ask for an election.  Mr Broad reported that he had spoken to Myra Burridge and she was not interested in filling the vacancy left by Mr Priest. Several names were identified of people who may be interested in joining the Parish Council, but it was agreed to consider again next meeting. It was agreed to write to Miss Gallagher to thank her for her service on the Parish Council.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 15th December 2008 were agreed and signed as a true record with two amendments.  Page 1, Flooding and Drainage paragraph, “t” was added and page 2, Other Planning Matters paragraph, “r” was removed.

 

SETTING OF 2009/10 PRECEPT:  The Chairman and Clerk had produced a draft budget for consideration, which was copied to all Councillors prior to the meeting.  The Chairman pointed out several item in the draft budget and the following was agreed:-

 

EXPENDITURE;

 

Village Hall Rent (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                    214.00

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

Donations (L.G.A. 1972 S. 137)                            315.00

Playing Field Grass Cut (L.G. (MP) A. 1976             700.00

Grass Keep Field (L.G. (MP) A 1976                       100.00

Footpaths (L.G.A. 1972 S 137)                               75.00

Vegetation Clearance (L.G.A. 1972 S. 137)             264.00

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

Clerks Salary (L.G.A. 1972 S. 112)                      1996.00

Insurance (L.G.A. 1972 S 111)                             365.00

Telephone/Stamps/Broadband (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111) 190.00

Chairman’s Allowance/Travel Expenses (L.G.A. 1972 Sch. 12)     100.00

Audit Fee (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                             205.00

Stationery (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                             50.00

I.T. Support (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                         100.00

Photocopier (L.G.A. 1972 S.111)                            50.00

 

                                                                     4924.00

 

Chairman……………………………………

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th JANUARY 2009 – Page 2.

 

ESTIMATED INCOME:

 

HVLTC Ground Rent                                            150.00

Playing Field Rental                                            120.00

Interest on Deposit Account                                 150.00

 

                                                                       420.00

 

Estimated Expenditure                                       4924.00

Less Estimated Income                                       420.00

Money from Balances                                         355.00

 

                                                                     4149.00

 

It was noted that the £355.00 taken from balances was for the new laptop and printer.  It was proposed by Mr Watt and seconded by Mr Cundick that the 2008/09 Precept should be increased by 2.29% to £4149.00, agreed unanimously. 

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  The Chairman was concerned about the lack of a gate or stile on the footpath opposite Mr Miles' property on Fields Road.  It was felt the footpath was on land owned by New Barn Farm.  The Chairman agreed to take the matter up with the landowner personally.  Mr Broad reported that he had been asked by Mrs Jess what was happening with regard to the claimed footpath at Hills Farm.  As nothing had been heard recently it was agreed to follow this up.  Mr Cundick raised the matter of a broken stile on the footpath at the back of the Cricket Pavilion, it was agreed to raise this with Mrs Clarke.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  It was agreed to make sure Mrs Watkins at GCC was aware who the landowner at Fossecross was with regard to the Japanese Knotweed.

 

Playing Field:  Requests for use of the playing field had been received from Cirencester Athletics Club for 5th April.  This was agreed for the usual fee of £15.00.  Also from the Horticultural Society for the show on 29th August.  This was agreed for the usual fee of £15.00.  The Clerk had received an enquiry from a Morris Dancing Group who may wish to use the field for camping in May.  If they wished to go ahead, it was agreed that the charge would be £50.00 per 24 hour period.  Mr Broad produced photographs of damage to the top gate onto the Playing Field from Fields Road and also the gate post into the Grass Keep Field was broken.  It was agreed to note this at present.  It was further agreed to write and inform Glebe Contractors that other arrangements had been made for the cutting of the Playing Field for this year.

 

Grass Keep Field:  The Clerk reported that she had been telephoned by Joanne

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th JANUARY 2009 – Page 3.

 

Leigh regarding the community allotment and had explained that it was too late to include this topic on the agenda for this meeting. The Parish Council had written to Ms Leigh in November explaining that the land was currently let as Grass Keep until May while also asking for proposals regarding access and fencing which had not yet been forthcoming.

 

Mr Miles joined the meeting during discussion on the next item.

 

Provision of Additional Tennis Courts:  Mr Scott Smith had circulated his proposals for additional tennis courts on the Playing Field by the current tennis courts.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Scott Smith to address the Council.  Mr Robson also spoke on the affordable housing issue regarding land in this area.  When Council reconvened concerns were expressed regarding the access to the Grass Keep Field area.  After further discussion it was agreed the Chairman would make enquiries about getting some guidance from GRCC through the Three Sector Match scheme.  Mr Robson also agreed to provide some information about advice given from GCC Highways regarding the access opposite Smuggs Barn.

It was agreed that the tennis court proposals could not be approved until further information had been received regarding the access issue, but Councillors were broadly in favour of the proposed scheme.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  The Chairman reported that both the glass fronted noticeboards needed attention.  It was agreed to invite local tradesmen to quote for the repairs in the Hill and Valley.

 

            Dog Fouling:  Nothing further.

 

            Parish Plan:  A report had been received from the Traffic and Transport Group with

a request for several points to be considered by the Parish Council.  These points were addressed one by one and the Chairman undertook to inform Mr Shaftoe of the Traffic and Transport Group of the result of deliberations.  During discussion a 30 mph speed limit was suggested on Fields Road.  The Chairman agreed to make enquiries from Mrs Watkins at GCC Highways regarding this.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  A copy of a letter to GCC Highways  had been received from Mrs Sissons.  The Chairman agreed to email Mrs Sissons enquiring when she was last flooded and asking if any reply had been received from GCC Highways.

 

Affordable Housing:  An update of the recent meeting of the CLT was reported.  The Clerk reminded Councillors that Miss Gallagher had been appointed as the Parish Council representative on the CLT but she was no longer a member of the Parish Council.  The Chairman reported that she had spoken to Mr Robson about this.  The possible conflict of interest if a member of the Parish Council was also a member of the CLT but not appointed by the Parish Council was also flagged up.

 

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th JANUARY 2009 – Page 4.

 

Reformation of Chedworth Guiding Group:  Nothing further had been heard but the Chairman would speak to Mrs Catton regarding this.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:  The problems of road gritting during the recent cold spell were raised.  Mrs Grimes from Chedworth Laines had been in touch to complain that there were no grit piles in The Laines and request a grit bin be provided by the Parish Council.  This request was rejected by Councillors but after some discussion it was agreed that GCC Highways be asked to provide grit piles in areas were there were residences such as The Laines and Fossebridge.  The Chairman agreed to email Mr Swift regarding this.

 

Youth Parish Council:  Nothing further.

 

Citizens Advice Bureau Donation:  A reply had been received from Cheltenham CAB stating that as the bureaus have now merged to send any future donations to either Cirencester or Cheltenham.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD Contr. 3 Courts Close – Tree Works – No objection.

CD Contr. Rose Cottage – Tree Works – No objection.

CD Contr. The Farmhouse, Fossebridge – Tree Works – No objection.

CD 3338/1/ 3 The Rookery – Amendment – No objection.

CD 0978/D Foxfield – Demolition and Replacement Dwelling – No objection.

 

Approval:

 

CD 0978/D Foxfield – Demolition and Replacement Dwelling.

CD 4817/J Box Tree Cottage – Retrospective LBC.

 

Other Planning Matters:  The Chairman reported that she understood the Chedworth Society had not yet elected a new Chairman but they hoped Mr David Musgrave would be appointed.  Mrs Moore would speak to the new Chairman when they have one. 

 

Mr Cundick left the meeting at this point.

 

Electronic Planning Applications:  Nothing further.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  Mr Bearcroft had been forwarded the email from Mr Bowsher regarding Hills Farm.  The Chairman thanked Mr Broad for his efforts regarding the windows at the Fossebridge Inn.

 

S.211 Changes in Consultation Process on Tree Work Notifications from CDC:  A letter had been received from Councillors Jepson and Birch informing Parish Councils that they would only be consulted when officers believe there is a

 

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

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th JANUARY 2009 – Page 5.

 

significant public interest.  In view of the letter sent after the last meeting to Sophia Price, Head of Heritage at CDC, in which queries were raised as to the commitment of CDC to the value of trees in the landscape  and her reassuring reply, it was agreed to write to her again expressing the Parish Council's regret at this decision and also suggesting that Parish appointed Tree Wardens be informed of all applications.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   Viking Direct (Printer) Retrospective £41.37, prop S Moore, sec. T Watt.

2.   Quarterly Financial Summary:  A copy was given to each Councillor.  The Clerk

      was thanked for producing this.  No points were raised.

3.   Appointment of Independent Internal Auditor:  It was agreed to appoint

      Mr Selkirk as our Independent Internal Auditor for the 2008/09 financial year.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

Village Agents Information:  Noted.

 

Communities and Local Government Code of recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity:  Noted.

 

The Tree Guardian Magazine:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from Emails – a) Neighbourhood Police Management Meeting-

9th February, Bibury VH – It was agreed to send apologies.  b)  Cotswold District Funding Newsletter January 09 – Noted.  c) Charter Group Notes from 18th December Meeting – Noted. d)  Cotswold Conservation Board Updates and Position Statement – Noted.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:  Several items were identified.

 

Village Hall Recycling Site:  The Village Hall Committee was concerned that the lorry emptying the bins had been coming into the car park.  It was agreed to write to CDC asking them to ensure the contractor empties the bins from the hardstanding at the side of the road as previously agreed.

 

The night-time illumination of Hills Farm were raised.  It was agreed to include on next month's agenda also the Chairman would speak to the Parish Plan Environment Group.

 

Mr Watt informed Councillors that he was no longer the Chairman of the PTA.

 

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

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th JANUARY 2009 – Page 6.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 16th February 2009 at 7.30 pm – The venue for

meetings was raised as it has been previously suggested moving meetings to the school.  Mr Watt agreed to speak to Mrs Buck regarding this.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.49 pm.

 

 

 

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

 

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