CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 15th JUNE 2009

 

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

Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;  Mr A Bell, Mr P Cundick, Mr P Sibbald and Mr T Watt.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 18th May 2009 were agreed and signed as a true record with one amendment to page 1, “boarding” was changed to “bordering”.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  A reply had been received from Defra dismissing our appeal for Gloucestershire County Council to determine the PC request to include the Hills Farm Track on the Definitive Map.  It was noted in the letter that Gloucestershire County Council had 120 unresolved applications for Definitive Map Modification Orders.  This was felt to be unacceptable and it was agreed to write to our new County Councillor, Fiona McKenzie, asking her to address this on our behalf.  It was reported that Philip Dickenson had repaired the stile between the playing field and the small paddock and had given a generous tread on the step as requested.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  A reply had been received from Stowell Park giving their reasons for the early cutting of their verges.  The Chairman took a copy to pass to the Environment Group.  It was reported that although we have had a recent verge cut within the village the visibility splay onto the Fosseway from the Chedworth Turning needed cutting.  The Chairman agreed to email Mr Swift at GCC Highways about this.  The Chairman reported a dead Elm overhanging the road opposite Perran House, this was felt to be GCC Highways responsibility and the Chairman would also ask them to cut it back.  A fallen branch was reported to be across the road from The Parsonage House, it was agreed to email the owner, Mr Beach, asking him to cut it back.  The Chairman invited Mr Musgrave, who was present, to speak about his verge Cultivation Licence.

 

Playing Field:  The Clerk reported that the Caravan Club wished to use the playing field for camping for a weekend next spring. This was agreed for the cost of £50.00 per 24 hour period.  The Chairman had received an email from Mr Westlake, on behalf of the Play Area Committee, seeking the Parish Council's agreement to the removal of the small gate onto the playing field from the play area and also for some fence alterations.  Unfortunately this email had not been received soon enough for it to be included as an agenda item. Other concerns were raised regarding the removal of the gate and the fact that the play equipment was to be taken out of use during the long school summer holidays.  It was agreed to consider this request at the next meeting.  An email had been received from Bibury Landscaping reassuring the Parish Council that the agreed sum was based on a schedule of 20 cuts

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 15th JUNE 2009 – Page 2.

 

throughout the season.  It was reported that a running track has been marked out on the playing field.  Nothing further had been reported back  from Mr Watt regarding the school rounders pitch. The Chairman agreed to email Mr Watt to remind him. 

 

Grass Keep Field:  It was reported that every other water bill was an estimate making it difficult to ascertain what water had been used.  The Chairman agreed to contact Thames Water to see if a reading could be submitted on those occasions when the bill is estimated.

 

Community Garden:  Nothing further but it was agreed to keep on the agenda at present.

 

Provision of Additional Tennis Courts:  Nothing further.

 

Affordable Housing:  The Chairman read a written progress report prepared by Mr Robson who could not be present at the meeting.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  It was noted that the unconfirmed Minutes had appeared on the website.  Mr Finch had been in touch to ask where the charity details he submitted could be found on the Chedworth website.  The Chairman would query this with Julie Young. A letter had been received and was read by the Chairman from Mr Musgrave explaining the Chedworth Society's proposed roadside map.  The Chairman invited Mr Musgrave to explain the scheme further.  When Council reconvened it was felt there was no real duplication of function between the proposed Chedworth Society map and our roadside maps and it was agreed to refurbish our maps as already planned while offering support in principle for the Chedworth Society proposal.  Mr Lunt from CHOC had emailed asking for further costings.  Mr Bell had agreed to look into the cost of the Perspex but had not yet reported back.  It was agreed to send a holding email to Mr Lunt.

 

 Parish Plan:  It was agreed to write to Mr Shaftoe thanking him for his work with  the Traffic and Transport Group.

 

            Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  Nothing further.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters  An email had been received from Mr Priest regarding speed control measures and reinstatement of white marker posts at The Hemplands.  It was agreed to refer this to GCC Highways to see what they suggest.

Mr Bill Carr from GCC had replied agreeing to re-routing of 864 bus service through the village.  It was agreed to publicise this in the Hill and Valley. 

 

Youth Council:  Mr Broad reported that he had spoken to Claire Dowan who was trying to get in contact with the Chairman.  The Chairman agreed to contact her.

 

Cutting of Grass at the Front of The Hemplands:  Nothing further.

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 15th JUNE 2009 – Page 3.

 

Freedom of Information Act – Parish Council's Publication Scheme:  It was agreed to hold this over until next month when it was hoped Mr Cundick would be able to help with this.

 

Underground Electric Cables:  Nothing further.

 

Mowing of Fields Belonging to Calves Hill House:  Several emails had been exchanged around the Environment Group regarding the cutting of the wild flowers and also Mr England cutting his meadow at Hills Farm.  Mr Broad had found out the details of the CDC Biodiversity Officer and the Chairman agreed to contact her.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD 9206    Anstey's Cottage – Garden Room – No comment.  A reply had been received from CDC regarding our complaint that the further amendment that had not been submitted to the Parish Council in time for it to be addressed.  The reply stated that the officer concerned had decided not to undertake any further consultation.

CD 2436/S The Bungalow, Fossebridge – Replacement Dwelling – No objection.

CD 3277/  Denfurlong Farm – Directional Signs – No objection.

CD Contr. The Old Farm – Tree Works – No objection.

CD 8307/   Elmridge – Replacement Garage – No objection.

CD Contr.  Ashley House – Works Under DDD Legislation – Noted.

 

Approval:

 

CD 9206    Anstey's Cottage – Garden Room.

CD 2436/S The Bungalow, Fossebridge – Replacement Dwelling.

CD 1236/1/B The Fossebridge Inn – L.B. Consent.

 

Other Planning Matters - Works to Apple Cottage:  Concerns had been raised that black slate tiles had been used on the rear elevation of Apple Cottage instead of “tiles to match existing” as stated in the planning application.  It was agreed to write to CDC Planning expressing concerns that an amended application had not been received and also write to Mrs Wilkinson informing her that the Parish Council was taking the matter up with CDC Planners and copying the letter to her.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  Mr Broad reported that Mr Guest had to vacate the Living Wagon adjacent to Cedarwood.  He also reported on the shed at 28 The Hemplands which had recently been replaced.

 

FINANCE:

1.   Clerks Quarterly Salary (inc. 3.5% pay increase included in the Precept this

      year) £499.00.  This item had to be held over for retrospective approval as

      Mr Broad declared an interest and now the Council could not remain

      quorate with only two members able to vote.

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 15th JUNE 2009 – Page 4.

 

2.   Clerks Quarterly Mileage (inc. Audit mileage) £22.54.  This item had to be held

      over for retrospective approval for the same reason as the item above.

3.   Stamps £15.78, prop. S Moore, sec. A Miles.

4.   Iain Selkirk (Internal Audit) £85.00, prop. D Broad, sec. A Miles.

5.   Viking Direct (Printer Ink) £32.81, prop. D Broad, sec. S Moore.

6.   Viking Direct (Printer Ink) £7.33, prop. A Miles, sec. D Broad.

7.   Bibury (Playing Field Cutting May 09) £207.00, prop. D Broad, sec. A Miles.

8.   GRCC Membership £25.00, prop. S Moore, sec. A Miles.

9.   Council in receipt of £50.00 Annual Ground rent from Chedworth Diggers.

10. 2008/09 Audit Recommendation from Mr Selkirk, Independent Internal Auditor.

      Mr Selkirk had recommended that Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

      were due for review.  Mr Westlake is understood to still hold the electronic

      document since its review in 2005 and it was agreed to ask him to make it 

      available for review by all members.  The Standing Orders also had to be

      displayed on the website under Freedom of Information Act provision.

      The Chairman thanked the Clerk for her work for the audit which was fully

      satisfactory.  The Annual Return was now with the External Auditor.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

It was reported that the Village Hall Committee had withdrawn the facility to display documents in the foyer.  It was agreed to write to ask them to provide a wall mounted literature dispenser or recommend an alternative place for such items.

 

Clerks and Council's Direct Magazine:  Noted.

 

GPFA “The Playing Field”:  Noted.

 

CDC Standards Committee Agenda:  Noted.

 

Letter from GCC - Winter Maintenance and Adverse Weather Provision:  It was agreed to copy this to Mrs Clarke asking for the Snow Warden information to be completed.  Mr Broad agreed to complete the Grit Bin inventory.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from E-mails:  It was agreed to include the Play Area on the agenda for discussion next month.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:  Several item were identified.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.10 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 13th July 2009 at 7.30 pm.

 

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

 

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