CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th MAY 2008

 

PRESENT:  Mrs S Moore, Mr D Broad, Mr P Cundick, Mr A Miles, Mr T Watt,

Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;  Miss L Gallagher and Mr A Priest.

 

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN;  Mrs Susie Moore was proposed by Mr Watt and seconded by Mr Miles, agreed unanimously.  Mrs Moore then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office Book.

 

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN;  Mr David Broad was proposed by Mr Miles and seconded from the Chair, agreed unanimously.  Mr Broad then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office Book.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting, held on the 21st April 2008 were agreed and signed as a true record.

 

MATTERS ARISING;

 

Footpaths:  An acknowledgement had been received from GCC PROW to the letter about the signs to the Roman Villa.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  Mrs Burris had asked the Parish Council to request clearance of the roadside verges on Fossebridge Hill.  The Chairman outlined the Conservation Board’s proposals for a new maintenance regime aimed at restoring roadside verges.  As Fossebridge Hill did not constitute a road safety issue it was agreed to write to Mrs Burris explaining that the Parish Council was unable to support her request.  It was agreed to ask GCC to undertake a verge cut.  The Chairman raised the problem of the large Holly Tree in the Lower End Graveyard which needed pruning.  After some discussion the Chairman agreed to get in touch with Dick Handy for a quote for the work.

 

Playing Field:  It was agreed that the playing field could be used for parking in connection with the School/Church Fete on 21st June 2008 for the fee of £30.00 subject to the usual conditions regarding roping off the area and making good any damage.  A letter had been received from Pre-school asking to use the field for two events on 17th June and 16th July, this was agreed free of charge.  Mr Watt reported that the children’s football was proving very successful and it was hoped it would become a more permanent event with the involvement of parents.  Mr Watt still had to put up the other net.

 

Play Area:  The letter from Pre-School also stated that in Mrs Johnstone’s opinion the bark needed topping up and also asked if more “no dog” signs could be placed on the gates as particularly the area around the swings was being fouled.  It was felt

 

Chairman………………………..

MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th MAY 08 – Page 2.

 

that as there are plans to extend and replace the existing play area there was no point

in buying more bark at this point.  The Chairman has agreed to redistribute what bark there is in view of the imminent playground inspection.  The Chairman also agreed to make and display some new “no dog” signs.  It was agreed to write and inform Mrs Johnstone. A copy of letters to the Play Area Committee had been received from Mr Lewis representing his view and the views of neighbouring properties regarding the possible siting of the new play area adjacent to their properties and a copy of Mr Westlake’s reply had been received.  It was agreed to write to Mr Westlake and copy the letter to Mr Lewis noting residents’ concerns.

 

Traffic in the Village and Road Matters:  Nothing further although Mr Watt did raise possible concerns about waste collecting lorries using the narrow lane to his house.  It was agreed to see what happened when the new waste service started.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  Nothing further.

 

The Grass Keep Field:  The signed lease and payment had been received from Mr Baker.

 

Tennis Club Lease:  No reply or payment of the new rent had been received. It was agreed to write again to Mr Scott Smith and copy the letter to the Treasurer, Mrs Young.  It was also agreed to remind them that the water reimbursement was still outstanding.

 

Youth Council:  Emails had been received from Claire Dowan, CDC and Chris Miles.  Councillors were pleased that it was going so well but Mr Cundick was asked to suggest to the Youth Council that they make provision for the future succession.  The Chairman had been in touch with Northleach Parish Plan Group and they were going to invite the Youth Council to get involved with the consultation there.  The Chairman would email Chris Miles regarding this.

 

Dog Fouling:  It was agreed to include an item in the Hill and Valley regarding fouling in the play area.

 

Parish Plan:  A Letter and Minutes had been received from Isobel Milne on behalf of the Steering Group.  After some discussion it was agreed to reply thanking them for all their work and state that the Parish Council has agreed to take steps to involve more individual in the implementation of the plan, particularly in the areas of Traffic and Transport and Social, Leisure and Services by putting an item in the Hill and Valley but inform them that the Parish Council is unable to accept responsibility for the financial management as the Parish Council is funded largely by public money and is therefore subject to extremely stringent accounting procedures which would be incompatible with the type of project funding associated with the plan. The Chairman agreed to email Mr Watt asking if anyone from the Play Area Committee would be willing to undertake to work on any of the unfilled groups on the Parish Plan.

 

Chairman……………………………..

 

MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th MAY 08 – Page 3.

 

Affordable Housing:  The Chairman agreed to display posters reminding people that the form needed to be returned by 23rd May. 

 

Provision of Allotments:  Nothing further.

 

Calor Competition Money:  An email had been received from the Brownies Commissioner stating that unfortunately no one had come forward so the group had now folded.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  As no reply had been received to our letter sent in February to Mrs Watkins at GCC Highways, it was agreed to write again copying the letter to her.

 

Charity Mountain Bike Event – 20th July:  An exchange of emails had taken place with the organiser, Mr Porter, asking for contacts regarding parking and publicity.  It was agreed to refer him to Mr Westlake of the Village Hall Committee with whom the Village Hall had been booked for the event.

 

Trespassing - Emails from Mr Beach:  The Chairman had written to Mr Beach but no reply had been received.  It was agreed to remove from the agenda.

 

New Hire Charges for the Village Hall:  It was reported that these will still be implemented from September but held for two years.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD 8256/1/A & CD 8256/1/B The Summer House – L.B. Consent and Extension –

It was agreed to open the meeting to allow members of the public to speak.  Mrs Ross was present at the meeting and stated that she understood CDC were going to refuse the application so they were likely to withdraw and they hoped to have a consultation with the planning officer to see what she would allow.  When Council reconvened and in view of this the Parish Council did not comment.

CD 0311/ N Apple Cottage – Garage Roof and Window – No objection.

CD 9103/B    The Orchard – Amendment to Roof – No objection.

CD Contr. 3466 Tall Trees – Tree Works – No objection.

CD 4164/M 3 The Coaches – Extensions – No objection.

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

 

Problems were occurring with applications running out of time when they were left for discussion at meetings and with the need for Councillors to recall details of the applications.  It was agreed to comment by email as the applications came in and if any Councillor had concerns with the application to flag it up and then discuss at a meeting.  It was also noted that if no comment was received this should be taken as no objection.

 

 

Chairman………………………

 

MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th MAY 08 – Page 4.

 

Approval:

 

CD Contr. 3450 The Lanterns – Tree Works.

CD 1236/1/A  Fossebridge Inn Barn – Roofing Tiles.

CD 3277/M Stables & Barn at Denfurlong Farm – Removal of Chimney & Flue.

CD 3277/L Stables & Barn at Denfurlong Farm – Listed Building Consent.

CD Contr. 3452 Barnside – Tree Works.

CD 8739/D Land Adjacent to Winster House – Construction of Basement -

There is no record of the Parish Council ever being consulted on this application  dated 19th February 2008.  It was agreed to write to Mr Field, Principle Planner at CDC bringing this to his attention.

 

Application Withdrawn:

 

CD 5071/1/J Parsonage House – L.B. Consent.

 

Other Planning Matters:  No reply had been received to our letter to Mr England.  Mr Broad reported that the CDC website had been unavailable last week resulting in problems with enforcement action.

 

Electronic Planning Applications:  This was covered earlier on the agenda.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  Updates were given on Paddock Wood and Janes Cottage, no further action at present.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.  Clerks Quarterly Telephone £14.85 + Quarterly Broadband £22.50 = £37.35,

     prop. S Moore, sec. T Watt.

2.  Allianz Insurance £349.79, prop. S Moore, sec. A Miles.

3.  Iain Selkirk (Audit) £85.00, prop. S Moore, sec. T Watt.

4.  Thames Water £6.37 Retrospective, prop. S Moore, sec. P Cundick

5.  2007/08 Audit Return - The Annual Return was considered by Council and

     signed as required.  The Chairman thanked The Clerk for the intensive effort she

     put in as Responsible Financial Officer in preparing the accounts for this initial

     audit.  Mr Selkirk had no points to bring to the attention of the Parish Council

     this year.

6.  Council in receipt of £3042.00 Part Precept from CDC.

7.  Council in receipt of £150.00 Grass Keep Rental from Mr Baker.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

North Cotswold Voluntary Help Centre Letter:  It was agreed not to contribute this year.

 

 

Chairman……………………………….

MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th MAY 08 – Page 5.

 

Northleach Town Plan Letter:   The Youth Council had been invite to participate.

 

Cotswold School “Sports Hall” Letter:  It was agreed to reply to the school offering moral rather than financial support.

 

GCC Gloucestershire Charter Letter:  The Chairman would complete the questionnaire.

 

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Information:  Noted.

 

Clerks and Councils Direct Magazine and Local Councils Update:  Noted.

 

GPFA “The Playing Field” Newsletter:  Noted.

 

AONB Management Plan 2008 – 2013:  The Chairman pointed out that this was a document of some relevance.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Appointment of one trustee to the Village Hall Management Committee for one

year: Paul Cundick, prop. T Watt, sec. A Miles.

 

Appointment of one trustee to the Chedworth Allotment Charity for four years:

David Broad, prop. T Watt, sec. S Moore.

 

Items Arising from E-mails:   a) CDC Emergency Contact – After some discussion it was agreed that the Clerk’s name should be put forward. b) Leaders Report – Noted.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:  Several items were identified.

 

Illegal Rave – Held in Chedworth Woods on 10th & 11th May 2008:  Mr Broad spoke on this.  A meeting, arranged by Mr Broad as District Councillor, was to be held at Yanworth on Tuesday 27th May.  Mr Broad was given Council’s full support and was duly thanked for keeping the Council informed.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.46 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 16th June 2008 at 7.30 pm.

 

 

Chairman…………………………

 

Date………………………………