CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JANUARY 2010

 

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).

 

The Chairman stated that she understood that Mr Watt would join the meeting later.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 14th December 2009 were agreed and signed as a true record.

 

SETTING THE 2010/2011 PRECEPT:  The Chairman and Clerk had produced a draft budget for consideration which was copied to all Councillors prior to the meeting.  The Chairman went through the draft budget item by item and the following was agreed:-

 

EXPENDITURE;

 

Village Hall Rent (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                                            216.50

Subscriptions (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                                                161.00

Donations (L.G.A. 1972 S. 137)                                                      315.00

Playing Field Grass Cut (L.G. (MP) A. 1976                                   740.00

Footpaths (L.G.A. 1972 S 137)                                                       100.00

Vegetation Clearance (L.G.A. 1972 S. 137)                                   175.00

Noticeboard (L.G.A. 1972 S. 137)                                                  100.00

Clerks Salary (L.G.A. 1972 S. 112)                                               2066.00

Insurance (L.G.A. 1972 S 111)                                                       370.00

Telephone/Stamps/Broadband (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                 200.00

Chairman’s Allowance/Travel Expenses (L.G.A. 1972 Sch. 12) 100.00

Audit Fee (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                                                       150.00

Stationery (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                                                      170.00

I.T. Support (L.G.A. 1972 S. 111)                                                      50.00

Photocopier (L.G.A. 1972 S.111)                                                      50.00

 

                                                                                                         4963.50

ESTIMATED INCOME:

 

Grass Keep                                                                                       175.00

HVLTC Ground Rent                                                                       150.00

Playing Field Rental                                                                         120.00

Interest on Deposit Account                                                             10.00

Copier Income                                                                                      5.00

 

                                                                                                           460.00

 

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

 

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JANUARY 2010 – Page 2.

 

Estimated Expenditure                                                                 4963.50

Less Estimated Income                                                                   460.00

 

                                                                                                         4503.50

 

Two scenarios were suggested to Councillors, a) to precept in full for the expected expenditure which would mean an 8.5% increase or b) to restrict the precept increase to 3% and subsidise the shortfall from reserves.  The Chairman asked Councillors individually which scenario they preferred and it was agreed 4 votes to 2 votes to increase the precept by 8.5%. It was proposed by from the Chair and seconded by Mr Sibbald that the 2010/11 precept should be £4504.00, agreed. 

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  An invoice had been received from Mr Dickenson for repairs to the fence by the kissing gate.  The Clerk would have a look to see if the work had been completed satisfactorily.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  The Chairman had forwarded an email giving the Cotswold Conservation Board guidance on road side verges.  As several Councillors had not read the email as it had only arrived today, it was agreed to consider again next month.  GCC Highways had still not cut back the dead Elm opposite Perran House.

 

Playing Field:  a) Hire by Folk Camps Society – A reply had been received asking for a price for longer hire.  The longer hire option was discussed but it was felt that it might not be acceptable to the community for the playing field to be put beyond use for long periods.  It was therefore agreed to restrict the invitation to any weekend and periods of up to 5 days during term time only.  The hire charge would remain at £60.00 per 24 hour period.  b) Gate between Playing Field

and new Play Area – An email had been received from Mr Westlake asking for permission to replace the gate into the playing field from the play area when funds become available.  It was agreed that the Parish Council was happy with this.

c) Hire by Horticultural Society for Show 28th August 2010 – An email had been received from the Horticultural Society asking for permission to rent the field as usual.  In years prior to 2009 the use made of the playing field was restricted to a few stands and events so the Parish Council were surprised when last year the majority of the show had moved on to the field.  It was agreed to ask the Society of their intentions for 2010 as it was felt that greater use is worth a higher hire charge and a fee of £30.00 for the use of the whole field was agreed.  It was further agreed to remind them of their obligation to ensure that the correct licensing measures are in place bearing in mind that the Parish Council playing field is a separate venue from the Village Hall and its car park.

 

Grass Keep Field:  Nothing further.

 

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JANUARY 2010 – Page 3.

 

Affordable Housing:  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Lewis from

the CLT to present to latest plans.  Councillors considered the plans and  concern       was expressed that this latest plan was the least popular siting of the three options presented by the CLT at the last meeting.   Mr Lewis was asked to take the Councillors' comments back to the CLT Board.

 

Mr Watt joined the meeting at this point.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  a) Roadside maps – Mr Bell had this in hand and would send a copy of the maps around to each Councillor via email.  The Chairman thanked Mr Bell. b) Broken Noticeboard – One of the doors had come off the noticeboard at the Village Hall over Christmas.  It was agreed to ask Mr Dai Wilson if he would be able to repair it and ease the other doors at the same time.  The Chairman suggested that consideration could be given to locking the board.  It was agreed not to do this at present.  The Chairman also raised an email she had received from Mr Duggleby suggesting that a volunteer taskforce be established to undertake tasks such as snow clearing.  She suggested that a “bulletin board” on the website could be useful for sharing information and

co-ordinating volunteer effort but it was felt that it may be a problem keeping this up-to-date as the website was updated by a third party.  The GRCC initiative aimed at the production of parish emergency plans was referred to and it was agreed to circulate the information CD for the next meeting.

 

Parish Plan:  Nothing further.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  The waterfall was still overflowing.  A letter had been received from Mrs Watkins stating that any upgrade of the drain would need to come through a Capital Funding bid.  It was agreed to ask Mrs Watkins to arrange for an assessment of the problem and our options as a preliminary step towards a capital funding bid.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:  It was noted that Fields Road had been kept

gritted during the recent snow but the other roads in the village had received no treatment except the snow plough and where residents had distributed the grit from the piles on the roadside.  It was felt there were fewer grit piles than in recent years and some residents had collected bags of grit from GCC Highways Depot.  The Chairman agreed to email Mr Swift thanking GCC Highways for their efforts over the recent bad weather but asking for more grit piles to be provided around the village.  It was further agreed to include an item in the Hill and Valley regarding this.  The Chairman reported that she had been contacted by a parishioner asking for the advance warning of the Chedworth Turning sign to be reinstated on the Fossebridge side of the Chedworth junction on the A429.  It was agreed to request this be done as soon as possible.

 

Youth Matters:  Nothing further.

 

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JANUARY 2010 – Page 4.

 

Traffic at the School:  A letter of acknowledgement had been received from Mrs Buck.

 

Adoption of BT Telephone Boxes:  Mr Bell reported that an email had been received stating the application was being dealt with.  The Chairman also reported that she had received a similar response when enquiring about solar energy to light the box.

 

Dial-a-Ride Bus Service:  The Chairman would chase this up again.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD Contr. Jude Amphlett – Tree Works – Mr Bell agreed to have a look and advise on this application.

 

Approval:

 

CD 5779/T Holly Cottage – Extension and Alterations.

CD 5808/H Roman Villa -  Erection of Buildings.

 

Other Planning Matters:  The current demolition work at Foxfield on Fields Road was raised in relation to the quantity of mud being left on the road.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  Nothing further.

 

Notification of Tree Work Decisions from CDC:  Mr Broad understood this was in hand with Mr Pennington.  He would follow it up.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL:

 

Biodiversity:   The Chairman had this in hand.  The Chairman also reported on a CCB document on Rural Tranquillity and Dark Skies that the Environment Group were to be requested to use as a basis for local advice.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   P A Dickenson (Fence by Kissing Gate repairs) £48.87, prop. A Miles, sec.

      S Moore.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

GCC Talking Transport – Gloucestershire's Local Transport Plan: The Chairman agreed to respond if necessary.

 

GRCC Community Emergency Plan Folder:  It was agreed to circulate the CD.

 

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JANUARY 2010 – Page 5.

 

A reply had been received from BRB Residuary Ltd stating that the bridge opposite

Adelaide had been inspected in May 2009 and gave no cause for immediate concern also vegetation removal was undertaken in 2008 and there was not intention to undertake further work at this time.  Mr Sibbald undertook to take some

photographs and send them to BRB Residuary Ltd outlining the Parish Council's concerns.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from E-mail:   a) Transport Email from Cynthia Laird – Mr Broad had forwarded the bus timetable to be published in the next Hill and Valley as requested by Mrs Laird.  Mrs Laird also asked if any provision was in place for owners of 4 wheel drive vehicles to take people into town and to appointments in bad weather.  It was agreed to reply that the Parish Council is discussing the whole issue of emergency planning and volunteer support and at this stage it seems possible that it may attempt to facilitate some kind of informal volunteer arrangement however nothing is in place at the moment.

 

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

 

Mr Bell spoke about areas of the old railway line being used as a cycle route.

 

The Chairman asked if updating of the welcome information on the website could be included on the next agenda.

 

Mr Watt gave his apologies for the next meeting.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.29 pm.

 

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 15th February 2010 at 7.30 pm.

 

 

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

 

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