CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 13th JULY 2009

 

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

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

 

ABSENT;  Mr A Miles.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 15th June 2009 were agreed and signed as a true record.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:   A parishioner had complained about the difficulty in walking through the crops on KCH 58 Fields Road to Fossecross.  The Clerk had spoken to Mr Finch and he had agreed to clear a path through.  An email had been received from Fiona McKenzie stating she had passed on our concerns about the number of unresolved Definitive Map Modification Orders and was awaiting a reply. Mr Bell asked if a footpath map could be available at the meeting.  The Chairman agreed to see if the ChEG map may be borrowed.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  Mr Broad reported that the bough protruding across the road from The Parsonage House reported at the last meeting had been turned around and was now over hanging the garden.  GCC had not yet undertaken work on the trees across the road by Perran House but they had mowed the visibility splays at the Chedworth Turning.

 

Playing Field:  A request had been received for use by Girl Guides for a Camp Fire event on 19th September, a cheque for £11.00  had subsequently been received for the booking despite £15.00 being quoted.  It was agreed to accept the booking subject to the usual conditions but return the cheque requesting a replacement for the proper fee.   A request had been received by Mrs Corbett for use for Football Courses in the Summer Holidays. Two sets of dates were given one being acceptable but the other being already booked by the Chedworth Show.  The use was agreed subject to proper Public Liability insurance being taken out, suggesting CRB checking and also Health and Safety compliance may be required, also referring her to GPFA for further information.  It was agreed that as this was a “start up” event there would be no charge on this occasion but this may change if it became a profitable enterprise.  A request had been received from Pre-school to use the playing field for their Sports Day.  This was agreed for no charge.

 

Grass Keep Field:  The Chairman had contacted Thames Water and ascertained that bills could be reissued in place of estimated bills on submission of a meter reading by telephone or online.  Mr Broad agreed to obtain a meter reading when required.

 

Community Garden:  Some of the wood from the redundant play area was to be reused by the Community Garden project.

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 13th JULY 2009 – Page 2.

 

Provision of Additional Tennis Courts:  Nothing further.

 

Affordable Housing:  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Robson and Mr Lewis to speak.  Mr Robson stated that the CLT had agreed that the Village Hall site was the most preferable.  Mr Robson also updated the Council on the progress so far and asked that the Parish Council at some point consider the basis on which the land at the Village Hall could be made over to the CLT.  He also raised the fact that CDC planners would now charge a £1000.00 pre-application consultation fee to the CLT.  When Council reconvened it was agreed to write to CDC Planners, Chris Vickery, Gwen Russell and Kevin Field also copying the letter to John Birch, Portfolio Holder and Lynden Stowe, Leader asking for the pre-application consultation fee to be waived. 

 

The Chairman then brought item 4 on the Planning agenda forward.

 

CDC Cotswold Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment:  Four plots had been identified by GRCC as possible sites for affordable housing.  CDC had asked for the Parish Council's opinion on the sites at Courts Close, in front of The Hemplands, the Parish Council site at the Village Hall and Parcel A at the Village Hall.  It was agreed to reply that Courts Close is considered unsuitable for development on topographical grounds while the small triangle at The Hemplands is more suited to amenity use.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  The Chairman closed the meeting and invited Mr Musgrave to again give an idea of the Chedworth Society map for the benefit of Councillors who had been absent last month. When Council reconvened, Mr Bell reported that he had priced up the replacement roadside maps at £126.00.  It was agreed to pass this onto CHOC and it was agreed to tell them that if the Parish Council request for funding was successful, CHOC's contribution would be acknowledged on the maps.  The Chairman had invited a member of the Parish Council to man a stand at the Horticultural Show this year.  Mr Bell volunteered and this was gratefully accepted.  It was also noted that Julie Young had set up a charities page on the Village Website but only two charities had posted information on it.  It was agreed to write and remind the Church and Community Lands Charity and the Village Trust that the site was now available.

 

            Parish Plan:  Nothing further.

 

            Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  Nothing further.

 

The Chairman brought the next item forward on the agenda.

 

Freedom of Information Act – Parish Council's Publication Scheme:  The Chairman asked Mr Cundick if he was willing to collate the relevant information from the scheme suggested on the internet.  Mr Cundick agreed to do this.

 

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

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 13th JULY 2009 – Page 3.

 

Mr Cundick left the meeting at this point.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:  A reply had been received from Mrs Watkins

regarding the traffic speeds at The Hemplands also suggesting a sign be displayed

with the replaced white posts on the grass.  It was agreed to decline the offer of the sign but thank her for replacing the posts.

 

Youth Council:  The Chairman had emailed Claire Dowan and she had replied but the Chairman had not received the reply.  Mr Broad had spoken to Mrs Dowan.

 

It was agreed to bring item 16 on the Matters Arising agenda forward as the residents of Calves Hill House were present at the meeting.

 

Mowing of Fields Belonging to Calves Hill House:  The Chairman invited Mrs and Mrs Brister to speak at this point but they declined.  The Chairman suggested that there was a need to put together some information for landowners on biodiversity and grassland management.  The Chairman undertook to do this.  Mr and Mrs Brister then indicated they wished to speak.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow them to do so.  Mrs and Mrs Brister were unhappy that their property was listed as an agenda item and felt they should have been previously notified.  When Council reconvened the Chairman explained that this matter originated at the May meeting where a member of the public informed the Parish Council of her concerns over habitat destruction at their property.  This discussion had been minuted, as had the outcome of a subsequent discussion at the June meeting.  Minutes and agendas had been displayed as required by law.  The Chairman also reminded those present that the weekly item appearing in the Wilts and Gloucester Standard under “Community News” was neither submitted or sanctioned by the Parish Council.

 

Cutting of Grass at the Front of The Hemplands:  A letter had been received from Ian Williamson at Fosseway Living informing the Parish Council that Fosseway Living would require some payment to continue cutting the grass at the front of The Hemplands.  It was agreed to reply that the issue of grass cutting at The Hemplands is the concern of Fosseway Living, Gloucestershire Highways and The Hemplands residents.  The Parish Council bears no responsibility whatsoever on this matter and cannot offer any assistance.

 

Underground Electric Cables:  Nothing further.

 

Works to Apple Cottage:  A detailed reply had been received from Laurie Davies, Planning Officer at CDC.  It was agreed to copy this letter to Mrs Wilkinson.

 

Document Display at the Village Hall:  A reply had been received from Mr Westlake on behalf of the Village Hall Committee suggesting that the Parish Council approaches the Farm Shop to ask if documents can be displayed there.  Mr Broad agreed to speak to Mrs Dickenson.

 

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

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 13th JULY 2009 – Page 4.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD 3277/P  Denfurlong Farm – Directional Signs Amendment – No objection.

CD 3277/P  Denfurlong Farm – Further Amendment – No objection.

CD 8739/    Land Adjacent to Winster House – Garage Amendment – No objection.

CD 8739/    Land Adjacent to Winster House – Further Amendment – No objection.

 

Approval:

 

CD 3277/P  Denfurlong Farm – Directional Signs.

 

Other Planning Matters:  There were none.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  Mr Broad reported that the Enforcement Officer was due to visit Calves Hill House tomorrow.  It was reported that the permissive track at Hills Farm was blocked due to the building works at the barn but Mr England was allowing people to use the temporary track in its place.

 

Fossebridge Inn – Renewal of Temporary Planning Consent:  The Chairman had asked for this to be included on the agenda but she reported that the decking had now been removed.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL:

 

Works to the Play Area at the Village Hall:  Mr Westlake's email from last month was discussed.  Mr Westlake had contacted the Chairman during the month to ask if the digger could remove the fence to access the play area.  The Chairman had attempted to contact Councillors without success but had given permission on the express condition that no costs be incurred by the Parish Council as a result of these works.  Mr Westlake asked if the gate into the football field could be removed.  Mr Broad declared an interest and left the meeting as this involved possible expenditure and he was a member of the Village Hall Committee.  It was agreed to reply that the Parish Council is unhappy for this access route to be lost as it is widely used and if the gate was taken away people would just climb over the fence.  The Parish Council's preferred solution would be for the existing gate to be relocated at the corner of the play area nearest the tennis courts.  Self-closure can be achieved  cheaply with a spring device.  The fence at the old gateway would need to be made good at  their expense.  Mr Broad rejoined the meeting.  The Palisade fence was then discussed.  Assuming that this type of fence is acceptable to ROSPA the Parish Council agreed that attaching new timbers to our old fence posts would compromise the longevity of their brand new fence and it would be better if the palisade fence were self supporting and free standing.  The current fence is not in particularly good condition but at present it serves its purpose and there is no budgetary provision for its replacement.  The machinery access has been sorted.  It was further agreed to thank Mr Westake and the Committee for all their work.  An email had been received from George Broad who was concerned that the swings had been taken

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 13th JULY 2009 – Page 5.

 

away and there were no plans to provide swings for older children.  Mr Watt

assured the Council that a Cradle type swing was to be provided which would be suitable for older children.  Mr Watt offered to reply to George Broad's email.

 

FINANCE:

1.   Clerks Quarterly Salary £499.00 Retrospective from June Meeting,

      prop. S Moore, sec. T Watt.

2.   Clerks Quarterly Mileage £22.54 Retrospective from June Meeting,

      prop. A Bell, sec. S Moore.

3.   Bibury (Playing Field Cutting June 09 + Tuns Hill Strimming) £184.00,

      prop. T Watt, sec. D Broad.

 

4.   Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Subscription £25.00, prop. T Watt, sec. S Moore.

5.   Viking Direct (Copier Paper & Printer Ink) £39.36, prop. S Moore, sec. T Watt.

6.   P A Dickenson (Stile Repairs) £103.50 Retrospective, prop. D Broad,

      sec. S Moore.

7.   Council in receipt of £150.00 Annual Ground rent from HVLTC.

8.   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.

9.   2008/09 Annual Audit:  The Clerk reported that this should be returned soon.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

Letter from St Andrews School re. Playing Field:  Noted.

 

Letter from Cotswold School re. Funding for Sports Hall:  It was agreed to reply that the Parish Council wishes the project every success and is happy to offer support in principle but that our funds will not allow us to support this project financially.

 

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Information:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from E-mails:  There were none.

 

Review of Standing Orders:  The electronic copy had been received from Mr Westlake and had been circulated.  The Chairman had circulated her suggested amendments.  These were agreed with the exception of Standing Order number 48 regarding the circulation of planning application where it was agreed to leave as it was at present.

 

Enlargement of the Parish Council to Nine Members: The Chairman suggested that consideration could be given to exploring this further.  Mr Broad felt that any

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 13th JULY 2009 – Page 6.

 

increase in numbers would not be implemented until the next election in May 2011.

Bearing this in mind the Chairman withdrew her suggestion.

 

The meeting concluded at 10.22 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 17th August 2009 at 7.30 pm.

 

 

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

 

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