CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th OCTOBER 2008

 

PRESENT:  Mrs S Moore (Chairman) Miss L Gallagher, Mr D Broad,

Mr P Cundick, Mr A Miles, Mr A Priest and Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;   Mr T Watt.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 15th September 2008 were agreed and signed as a true record.

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Robson to speak.  Mr Robson updated the Parish Council on the current situation with regard to setting up the CLT including the meeting with Steve Bendall from The University of Salford.  Mr Robson raised a few points with the Parish Council and these were answered when Council reconvened.  Mr Robson had voiced his objection to being asked to leave the meeting while Martin Hutchings from CDC addressed the Council last month.  The Chairman apologised but explained that procedures to exclude the public when passed did not allow for individual members of the public to remain in the meeting.  The matter of the 2nd Paddock which was identified by Ms Smith from CDC as the most suitable site was raised.  After further discussion It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Miss Gallagher that in principle the Parish Council is happy to allocate the whole or part of  the 2nd Paddock to the CLT when formed for the purpose of affordable housing on a basis to be determined by the requirements of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the District Auditor.  This motion was carried.  Mr Robson had also asked for a member of the Parish Council to act as a trustee of the CLT.  Miss Gallagher volunteered and this was agreed.  Mr Robson had also asked for use of some of the Parish Council notice board for the purpose of keeping the community informed, this was agreed.  The matter of concerns by the Vicar that the name was similar to the Community Lands Charity was also raised but it was felt that in future the Community Land Trust would be known as the CLT.

 

YOUTH COUNCIL:  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Ellie Whittles and Lewis Taylor to update the Council which they did.  The plans of the Youth Council included showing a youth Rural Cinema film.  The importance of getting new members interested to ensure the continuation of the Youth Council was also raised as some of the present members were intending to go to University.  The Chairman thanked Ellie and Lewis for attending.

 

MATTERS ARISING;

 

Footpaths:  A complaint had been received about the missing lower step on the stile between the Grass Keep Field and the Playing Field.  The Chairman had been to see and felt there were many worse stiles in the village.  It was agreed there was no money in the budget this financial year to facilitate repairs.  The Chairman had met

 

Chairman………………………………

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th OCTOBER 2008 – Page 2.

 

with Suzanne Hopes from PROW to discuss KCH 10 crossing the waterlogged field at the rear of Courts Close.  Ms Hopes was to now write to Mrs Clarke, the owner,

suggesting some measures which may help alleviate the problem and proposing that the costs be shared between Mrs Clarke and GCC.  The work would not take place until the next financial year.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  The Tuns Hill triangle was raised as the area needed cutting.  GCC Highways had accepted responsibility for the area but nothing had been heard regarding the amount they intended to give for the cutting.  It was agreed to write to GCC Highways regarding this. The Clerk had spoken to Andy Dean but the cutting had still not been done.  The need for a cut of the Lower End Graveyard before Remembrance Day was identified.  The Clerk was in receipt of a list of contractors from Caroline Braidwood at Northleach Town Council.  After some discussion it was agreed to write and ask for quotes for strimming in the village and for the Playing Field cutting next year from some of these contractors. It was agreed to discontinue Andy Dean's employment and for the Chairman and Clerk to try to arrange some emergency strimming in the village.  An email had been received from Gillian Catton raising concern about an area of highway verge in the vicinity of the Tuns Hill triangle which had Japanese Knotweed growing on it.  It was agreed to write to GCC Highways informing them of this and the Chairman also agreed to acknowledge Miss Catton’s email.

 

Play Area:  Mr Westlake had emailed an item to the Chairman which he intended to include in the Hill and Valley News explaining the situation regarding the play area.  The Chairman had suggested some alterations to Mr Westlake.  In view of the Play Area Committee’s decision to proceed with replacing the existing equipment, it was agreed to remove this item from the agenda at present.

 

Playing Field:  As agreed previously, it was agreed to go ahead with obtaining quotes for next season’s cutting.  The Play Rangers had also requested the use of the field for their half term event on 28th October, this was agreed at no charge.

 

Provision of Additional Tennis Courts:  Mr Scott Smith requested to put a proposal to the Parish Council with regard to the provision of new tennis courts but had since emailed and asked for the item to be removed from the agenda.

 

Grass Keep Field:  The additional six months rental and signed agreement had been received from Mr and Mrs Baker.  The Parish Council was also informed that the electric fence across the paddock had been cut.

 

Traffic in the Village and Road Matters:  Nothing further.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  The Clerk stated that the notice board at the Village Hall was full of adverts and events that were not local.  It was agreed to remove these notices if space was needed.  The Chairman would

 

Chairman……………………………..

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th OCTOBER 2008 – Page 3.

 

include an item in the Hill and Valley News.  The Clerk also reported that the Tuns Hill notice board was in a bad state of repair.

 

Dog Fouling:  As nothing further had been heard from the Animal Wardens at CDC it was agreed to follow this up.

 

Parish Plan:  The Chairman reported that the owner of the Fossebridge Inn had agreed for a notice board to be positioned on the end wall of the barn at the Inn.  The Chairman would go ahead and apply for a grant for this.  Mr and Mrs Shaftoe had agreed to head the Traffic and Transport Group.  The Chairman suggested that she write to the Chedworth Society with regard to creating a village archive.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  A large crack has appeared recently in the road surface outside the former Methodist Chapel in Cheap Street.  It was agreed to write to GCC Highways regarding this.

 

Number 855 Bus Service:  A letter had been received from Mr Lucas from GCC Integrated Transport Unit stating that the service was unlikely to be changed in the near future.  It was agreed to copy this letter to Mrs Jess for information.

 

Reformation of Chedworth Guiding Group:  Nothing further had been heard.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD Contr. Saffron Hill – Works under DDD

CD Contr. Railway Cottage – Tree Works – No objection

CD 7073/M Walnut Tree House – Retention of Dormer – No objection

CD 7073/N Walnut Tree House – L.B.Consent – No objection

CD 5975/D Barnfield House – Amendment - No objection.

CD 5975/D Barnfield House – Further Amendment - No objection.

 

Approval:

 

CD 9103/C The Orchard – Stables Amendment

CD 4817/G Box Tree Cottage – L.B. Consent

CD 4817/H Box Tree Cottage – L.B. Consent

CD 9103/D The Orchard – 5 Boreholes


Other Planning Matters:  The matter of the replacement dormer windows at the Fossebridge Inn had been raised.  Mr Broad had spoken to CDC Enforcement and they were investigating several enforcement matters at the Fossebridge Inn at present.

 

Electronic Planning Applications:  Nothing further.

 

 

Chairman…………………………….

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th OCTOBER 2008 – Page 4.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  Mr Bowsher CDC Enforcement Officer had emailed regarding Hills Farm Spoil heap.  Mr England had been given until 30th April 2009 to remove this.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL;

 

Plastic Recycling Facility at the Village Hall:  The Chairman was concerned that every time she visited the site the plastic bottle recycling was overflowing.  It was agreed to write to Mr Sollis at CDC asking for a larger receptacle or for it to be emptied more often.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   Council in receipt of £15.00 P/F Rental from the Horticultural Society.

2.   Council in receipt of £1014.00 Part Precept from CDC.

3.   Quarterly Financial Summary – Copy to each Councillor.  The Quarterly

      summary was evaluated by the Council and was felt to be quite satisfactory.

      The Chairman thanked the Clerk for producing this.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

CDC Play Matters Seminar – 7th November 2008:  It was agreed to copy this to Mr Westlake.

 

Conservation Board “Parish Wardens” letter and “Cotswold Lion” Newsletter

and Meeting Information:  It was agreed to write accepting the help of the Parish Wardens in maintaining the parish and its public rights of way.

 

GCC Provision of Bus Shelters Letter:  It was agreed to reply declining the offer.

 

Letter from St Andrews School regarding Auction of Promises:  It had already been held but the invitation was appreciated.

 

Gloucestershire Charter Group Meeting – 30th October at 7.00 pm:  No one wished to attend.

 

GCC Lorry Management Zone MGW Restriction Order 2008:  Noted.

  

GCC Highway Maintenance and Transport Seminar – 15th October:  Noted.

 

Town and Parish Standard Newsletter:  Noted.

 

Communities and Local Government “The Making and Enforcement of 

Byelaws”:  Noted.

 

GRCC Information:  Noted.

 

Chairman……………………………….

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th OCTOBER 2008 – Page 5.

 

Police and Community Neighbourhood Area Meeting – 16th October:  Noted.

 

Clerks and Councils Direct:  Noted.

 

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Information:  Noted.

 

Star College Information:  Noted.

 

Letter of thanks for donation from Mrs Clarke on behalf of PCC:  Noted.

 

Letter of thanks for donation from Citizens Advice Bureau:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from Emails a) Japanese Knotweed email from Gillian Catton:  This had been dealt with earlier on the agenda.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:  Several items were identified.

 

The PC Computer:  Unfortunately the Parish Council’s laptop had developed problems.  Mr Priest had looked at it but was unable to mend it and suggested a replacement be obtained.  The Clerk had made enquires from Viking Direct, with whom we have an account making the reclamation of VAT much easier, and a Toshiba Satellite model was identified for £319.99 + VAT.  It was proposed by Miss Gallagher and seconded from the Chair to go ahead and purchase this model from Viking Direct, agreed.  The Chairman thanked Mr Priest for his work in keeping the website updated and his help with the IT provision.

 

Village Hall Toilet Refurbishment Project:  Mr Westlake had requested a letter of support from the Parish Council to help with grant applications.  It was agreed to send a letter of support but to note that this project was really nothing to do with the Parish Council.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.15 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 17th November 2008 at 7.30 pm.

 

 

Chairman………………………………

 

Date………………………………........