CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 17th MAY 2010

 

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

and Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;   Mr T Watt and Mr P Sibbald.

 

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN:  Mrs Susie Moore was proposed by Mr Broad and seconded by Mr Bell, 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 19th April 2010 were agreed and signed as a true record with one amendment to page 2, Tuns Hill Waterfall and Drainage paragraph, the spelling of “Sissons” was corrected.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  A letter had been received from Mr Andrew Houldey at GCC PROW stating that it would take a considerable time to get around to resolving our DMMO at Hills Farm Track. Councillor Fiona McKenzie had also been following this up on our behalf and she had emailed the reply she had received which was similar to the one received by the Parish Council.  It was agreed to make a Freedom of Information Act request to GCC PROW asking for details of the number of DMMO applications in Gloucestershire which have been determined during the twelve month period to 1st May 2010.  The Chairman clarified Mr Bell's comments from the last meeting about the Government's intention to abandon the DMMO process for creating new PRoW's in 2016.  Mr Sibbald was not present to report on the condition of stiles in the valley bottom but the Chairman was aware of problems with the condition of the stile owned by Mr Needham of Brook Cottage, it was agreed to ask him to fix this.  The Chairman asked who was in possession of the Parish Council strimmer.  It was confirmed that Mr Priest still had it.  It was agreed to ask Mr Priest to return it and ascertain if Mr Sibbald had the correct qualifications to use it.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  No reply had been received to the letter to Mr Spooner, the Chairman agreed to follow this up.  The first GCC verge cut had taken place today.  The Chairman reported that the dead Elm opposite Perran House and been removed by GCC.

 

Playing Field:  A letter had been received from Mr Westlake regarding several items

 

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

MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 17th MAY 10 – Page 2.

 

discussed at the last meeting.  The matter of the Parish Council representative on the

Village Hall Committee was also raised at this point.  Mr Cundick did not wish to seek re-election.  Mr Broad had become the new Chairman of the Village Hall Committee but it was felt necessary to also have a Parish Council representative.

It was agreed to continue debate when the item came up later on the agenda.  Mr Bell reported that he understood Mr Sibbald had replaced the other rail on the fence by the Play Area.  The Chairman reported that she understood Mr Watt had the goal posts in hand. 

 

Grass Keep Field:  The Clerk reported that The Diggers had not yet renewed their lease.  Joanne Leigh had emailed to indicate they wished to do so but they had an issue with paragraph 6 in their lease which relates to the condition of the gate and fencing. It was felt that the gatepost needed repair as at present the gate could not be opened.  After some discussion it was agreed to obtain quotes from Philip Dickenson and Tim House for repairing the gatepost and separately for fence repairs.  The Chairman reported that the Diggers had entered the Vibrant Village of the Year competition and were currently creating a community orchard.  The Chairman suggested using the £100.00 remaining Calor money to buy them a fruit tree as a gesture of goodwill.  Mr Bell agreed to seek advice on what could be purchased for the money from Mr Sibbald.  The Chairman would speak to the Diggers and ascertain what kind of tree they would prefer.  The Clerk reported that Mr Baker had renewed the Grass Keep tenancy for a further six months.

 

Affordable Housing:  The Chairman declared a personal interest as her husband was now a member of the CLT Board.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Robson to update the Council.  Mr Robson reported that the CLT was continuing to try to find an alternative site in the village. The Chairman enquired if the CLT was relinquishing first refusal on the Parish Council owned land at the Village Hall  since other bodies within the village had previously shown an interest in other possible uses for the grass keep field.  Mr Robson stated that the CLT would not wish to stand in their way.  Mr Robson also stated that he did not intend to attend every Parish Council meeting in future now the Parish Council would not be directly involved in the affordable housing project.  When Council reconvened the Chairman referred to the 2008 Parish Meeting where other uses for the Grass Keep field were suggested including a boules pitch, multi use games area and tennis courts.  It was agreed to include an item in the Hill and Valley asking other people to get involved to help get some facilities in place.  It was further agreed to contact Mr Scott Smith to enquire if the HVLTC still wished to build their tennis courts.  

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  a) Roadside Maps – Mr Bell had the printing in hand.  It was reported that the stands needed some maintenance.  It was felt that Councillors would be able to undertake this. 

b) Broken Noticeboard – Mr Wilson had repaired the Village Hall Noticeboard and had done an excellent job.  The Clerk reported that she was awaiting the invoice.  Mr Bell reported on the “Twitter” feed suggested for the website, he would speak to Mr Priest about this and he also offered to give a demonstration at the next meeting.

        

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MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 17th MAY 10 – Page 3.

 

The Chairman suggested purchasing a book with loose leaf plastic pages to display official documents for public inspection in the kiosk.  Mr Cundick agreed to prune the noticeboards of adverts and out of date notices as the boards were getting full again.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  It was reported that GCC were to bore

out the pipe in the summer.  It was agreed to record thanks to Mr Sibbald for clearing the area around the waterfall.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:   The “Gateways” had been installed along Fields Road.  It was agreed to give this a trial to see how effective it was at slowing traffic.  It was further agreed to write and thank Mrs Watkins at GCC.  Several pot holes were identified in the village and it was agreed to write and pass these on to GCC Highways.  Mr Broad reported that a large lorry had damaged the walls at the lower end of Cooks Hill.  It was agreed to write to GCC Highways asking if a further width restriction could be imposed in this area.  Mr Bell reported on problems experienced with parking by a resident of Valley View whose parking space taken by other residents.  It was agreed to write to Fosseway Living asking if it would be possible to allocate a marked parking space for him.

 

Youth Matters:  It was agreed to canvass opinion on the feasibility of creating youth facilities on the Grass Keep field in the Hill and Valley.

 

Traffic at the School:  Nothing further.

 

Adoption of BT Telephone Box:  Councillors had met at the former telephone kiosk prior to the meeting.  Colonel Aylen had offered to fit out the box with shelves.  It was agreed to reply thanking him and asking him to meet with the Chairman on site to discuss details.  It was agreed to canvas opinion via the Hill and Valley on what to call the box and also to keep AJ Shah and Ceri Powell updated with progress as they had offered £150.00 towards the project.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Bradbury, who lived adjacent to the box and always cut the grass around it, to speak.  Mr Bradbury expressed concern that the kiosk's new role might invite acts of vandalism.  The Chairman assured Mr Bradbury that the necessary steps would be taken if the kiosk did become a focus for any antisocial activity. When Council reconvened, the installation of an emergency defibrillator, as suggested by Dr Sissons, was again discussed.  Many details such as the cost and size of a secure cabinet would have to be investigated.  The Chairman agreed to contact Dr Sissons and ask her to draw up a more detailed proposal and to consult with other members of the medical profession in the village.  The use of the kiosk for advertising was again discussed was not felt to be suitable.

 

PLANNING:

 

10/01456/TCONR Apple Cottage – Tree Works – No objection.

10/01524/TCONR Opposite Seven Tuns – Felling of Spruce – No objection.

 

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MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 17th MAY 10 – Page 4.

 

CD 3388/G Glebe House – Garage and Access – No objection.

 

Approval:

 

CD 4322/B Adelaide – Replace Shed with Summerhouse.

 

 

CD 0356/D The Farm House, Fossebridge – Alterations.

CD 7114/D Honey Furlong – Alterations.

10/01456/TCONR Apple Cottage – Tree Works

 

Other Planning Matters:  Mr Broad reported that having looked into the Apple Cottage planning application when asked to by a parishioner, permission had been  granted for a small amount of decking.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  There was none.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL

 

Sheep Worrying by Dogs:  Mr Bell raised the problem of sheep worrying in the field where he had sheep and he also reported that he understood other people had experienced problems.  It was agreed to include an item in the Hill and Valley.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   E Broad (Quarterly Telephone and Broadband Contribution) £40.30, prop.

      S Moore, sec. A Miles.

2.   Thames Water £10.10, prop. A Miles, sec. D Broad.

3.   AON Limited (Insurance) £391.37, prop. S Moore, sec. A Miles.

4.   Bibury (Playing Field Cutting April) £173.90, prop. S Moore, sec. A Bell.

5.   Council in receipt of £3378.00 Part Precept from CDC.

6.   Council in receipt of £208.88 VAT Refund 09/10.

7.   Income and Expenditure Account 2009/10 – Copy to each Councillor.

8.   2009/10 Annual Audit Return - The Annual Return was considered by Council

      for signing as required.  The books were currently with Mr Selkirk for the

      internal audit. The Chairman thanked The Clerk for the intensive effort she put

      in as Responsible Financial Officer in preparing the accounts.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

Letter from Mr Westlake regarding the Village Hall Management Committee:  This had been considered earlier in the meeting.

 

GCC PROW Dog Walking Leaflets:  In was agreed to place in the kiosk when it was ready.

 

 

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

MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 17th MAY 10 – Page 5.

 

GRCC Cotswold District Report:  Noted.

 

Cotswold AONB/Conservation Board Information:  It was agreed to reduce notices in size and place on the noticeboards.

 

Clerks and Councils Direct Magazine:  Noted.

 

NHS Gloucestershire Request to Close Branch Surgery Premises Letter:  It was agreed to respond to the consultation pointing out that members of the public expressed the wish that the Rendcomb Branch Surgery should continue.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Election of two Representatives to the Chedworth Allotment Charity for four years:  It was agreed to enquire if Mr Finch and Mr Juggins were willing to be appointed again.

 

Election of one Representative to the Chedworth Village Hall Management Committee for one year:  It was agreed to ask Mr Watt if he would be willing to serve on the Village Management Committee and if not include an item in the Hill and Valley asking for a volunteer to represent the Parish Council.

 

Items Arising from E-mail: a) CDC Notification of Change of Refuse Collection

Day:  It was proposed to change the collection day to Thursday but Mr Broad urged people to wait for an official confirmation letter from CDC as routes were still being planned.

 

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

 

The Parish Council Cupboard at the Village Hall:  The Clerk reported that the cost of the Parish Council double cupboard at the Village Hall was to rise from £52.00 to £104.00 per year.  It was felt that the Parish Council did not require a double cupboard as a lot of the space in the cupboard was taken up with storing the paper plans. It was agreed there was no need to keep these as they were only copies of the originals held by CDC.  It was agreed to include an item in the Hill and Valley inviting parishioner to re-claim their plans if so wished by contacting the Clerk and quoting the reference number otherwise the plans would be disposed of.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.28 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 21st June 2010 at 7.30 pm.

 

 

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

 

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