CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 16th MARCH 2009

 

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

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

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 16th February 2009 were agreed and signed as a true record.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  The Clerk had made enquires and stated that as Gloucestershire County Council had failed to make a decision on the Hills Farm Track within 12 months the Parish Council could now appeal to the Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). After some discussion it was agreed to make such an appeal asking for Gloucestershire County Council to determine the application within a specified time as the act allowed and also to write to inform Gloucestershire County Council PROW of the decision.  The Chairman reported on a email she had received from Suzanne Hopes from PROW regarding the lack of a barrier on KCH 62.  No reply had been received from Mrs Clarke regarding the stile on the path behind the Cricket Pavilion.  The fact that an electric fence has also been erected across the path was also raised.  It was agreed to write to Mrs Clarke regarding both these matters.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  Nothing further.

 

Playing Field:  Mr Watt reported that some parents wished to run an informal football session on the Playing Field as they had managed to obtain some inflatable goals.  It was agreed that the field could be used free of charge.  It was also noted that the Play Rangers would be returning again at Easter but it would be the last session as after that, in accordance with their rules, they had to move venue.

 

Grass Keep Field:  The Clerk reported that Mr Baker's tenancy expired on 30th April. 

 

Community Garden:  The Chairman and Mr Bell had drafted a proposed Licence which had been circulated prior to the meeting.  After some discussion it was agreed to send the draft to Ms Leigh as representative of the Community Garden Group for their approval.  It was also felt that the draft could be published on the website for public information.  It was felt that a target date of 1st May was realistic for the Licence to commence.  It was agreed that the Chairman, Mr Bell and Mr Sibbald would meet representatives of the group to measure the area and prepare a condition report of the fencing at the same time.  An email expressing reservations about the scheme had been received from Miss Gallagher.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Miss Gallagher to speak.  Miss Gallagher questioned several aspects of the scheme.  Council then reconvened.

 

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

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

 

Provision of Additional Tennis Courts:  This item was taken with affordable housing.

 

Affordable Housing:  The Chairman reported that she thinks she has secured some free legal advice through GRCC who will now require sight of the Deeds to establish the area owned.  It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Miles to remove the Deeds from the bank, agreed.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Robson to update the Council which he did although he was waiting to hear from Martin Hutchings at GRCC before any further progress with the PC site could be made.  When Council reconvened it was reported that the letter to the Village Trust had been drafted but not yet sent as there now seemed to be possible free advice available from GRCC.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  The Chairman reported that Mr Priest had taken off the old newsletter items from the website.  The Chairman had asked Councillors to look at the website with a view to making improvements.  After some discussion it was agreed to take off the old agendas as it was not necessary to keep them on the website when the minutes were there and to update the Councillor's photographs.  Mr Sibbald gave a report on the noticeboards.  He kindly offered to put some lead flashing on the Tuns Hill board to try to stop it leaking.  It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Broad spend up to £20.00 to purchase some wood preservative for the Village Hall board.  Mr Sibbald also reported that the Well Hill board was rotten but still usable.  The Chairman thanked Mr Sibbald.

 

            Dog Fouling:  Agreed to remove from the agenda.

 

            Parish Plan:  Updates from the various groups were on the Parish Meeting agenda.

 

            Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  The email Mr Broad had circulated

from GPFA regarding surface water drainage charges was raised but it was

considered to be of limited relevance to rural areas such as Chedworth.  It was

agreed that Mr Broad would complete the questionnaire on the website.  Mr Swift from GCC Highways had been made aware of the recent problem of water flooding from the road drains under Tuns Hill.  The Chairman also reported that the flooding problems in the village were slowly making their way to the top of the list at GCC Highways.  The Tuns Waterwheel was also raised.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Musgrave, Chairman of the Chedworth Society, to speak, agreed.  Mr Musgrave gave an update of the current position regarding the Waterwheel.  When Council reconvened the Chairman thanked Mr Musgrave.

 

Reformation of Chedworth Guiding Group:  Nothing further.  It was agreed to remove the item from the agenda and possibly reallocate the £100.00 offered elsewhere.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:  The Chairman reported on problems with the

 

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

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

 

gritting routes.  Cooks Hill can no longer be gritted because of the increased size of the gritting vehicle and the problem of parked cars.  Mr Swift wished to install a grit bin at the bottom to service Cooks Hill.  Mr Watt stated that he had observed 

that there were fewer cars parked around the school recently.  Mr Bell reported on his findings regarding the roadside maps.  Mr Bell was asked to obtain a quote for repairs.  CHOC funding was also suggested.

 

Youth Council:  Mr Cundick reported on the latest meeting and asked that a letter be sent from the Parish Council thanking them for their work so far.  It was agreed to ask the Chairman of the Youth Council to provide a short report for the Annual Parish Meeting.

 

Use of School Hall for Meeting Venue:  A letter had been received from Mrs Nashe, Chairman of the Governors, explaining in several points why the school cannot be used for Parish Council meetings.  It was agreed to reply thanking her and stating that the points were in accord with the verbal report given to the Parish Council by Councillor Watt.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD 8215/B Kimberley Cottage – Conversion of Barn – No objection.

 

Approval:

 

CD 3338/1/G 3 The Rookery – New Access, Driveway, Extension & Garage.

CD 3338/1/H 3 The Rookery – Conservation Area Consent.


Other Planning Matters:  There were none.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  The unsuccessful appeal by Mr Guest was raised and the decision notice would be included on the agenda for next month.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL:

 

The Play Area – Ownership of the Multi-Unit:  A letter had been received from Mr Westlake stating that there had been some misunderstanding regarding exactly when the Play Area Committee intended to take over ownership but they were now willing to do so and asked for confirmation in writing that it was still the wish of the Parish Council.  It was agreed to write and confirm.

 

Light Pollution:  The Chairman enquired if CHEG intended to publish a document promoting Dark Skies.  Mr Bell reported that it might happen after the April event.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   Clerks Quarterly Salary £482.05, prop. S Moore, sec. A Miles.

 

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

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

 

2.   Clerks Quarterly Mileage £9.47, prop. T Watt, sec. A Miles.

3.   Julie Young (Web Hosting) £19.54, prop. D Broad, sec. T Watt.

4.   Council in Receipt of £8.44 Water Bill Reimbursement from HVLTC.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

M & W News:

 

Town and Parish Standard Information:

 

Cotswold Lion:

 

Finishing of the Bledisloe Cup Competition Letter:

 

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Information:

 

GRCC Information “Rural Communities”:

 

The correspondence had been mislaid on route so it had not been seen by several Councillors. It was agreed to raise any relevant items again next month.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from E-mails:  The Chairman reported on an email she had received from Mrs Sissons regarding the burying of electricity cables.  It was confirmed that the Parish Council did not know about this and the Chairman would ask Mrs Sissons to keep us informed of any developments.

 

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

 

The meeting concluded at 9.28 pm.

 

Mr Musgrave commented on several items at the end of the meeting.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 20th April 2009 at 7.30 pm.

 

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

 

 

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

 

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