CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JULY 2011

 

PRESENT:  Mr P Sibbald (Chairman) Mr A Bell, Mr G Brister, Mr D Broad,

Miss L Gallagher, Mr J King and Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;  Mr T Watt.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 20th June 2011 were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record with one addition to page 1, Visit by PC Watkins and PCSO Shutt paragraph, “PC

Watkins and PCSO Shutt said that all reported crime would be followed up” was included.

 

MAIN MATTERS:

 

Taking Stock of Chedworth Parish Council:

a)  Setting of a Four Year Plan:  Mr King had done some research on the Council obtaining “Quality Status” although it was acknowledged that the Council did not fit the criteria to officially obtain this as not enough members had been elected.  After some discussion it was agreed that the models and procedures could be followed.  Mr King agreed to look into this further.  It was agreed that Mr Brister would draw up a draft plan incorporating suggestions from Councillors for further consideration. It was suggested that in forging closer links with the Village Hall Committee the booking of the Playing Field could be undertaken by them on behalf of the Parish Council as people do experience problems dealing with both parties.  It was proposed by Miss Gallagher and seconded by Mr Bell to approach the Village Hall Committee about this, agreed.  It was further agreed that the August meeting should be changed to Wednesday 17th August as the Village Hall was not available on the 15th and because copy for the Hill and Valley had to be submitted by the 20th of the month, in future the meetings would be held on the second Monday of the month from September.

b)  Individual Councillors Roles:  It was acknowledged that decisions could not be delegated to individual Councillors but it was agreed that individual Councillors could take the lead making recommendations to the full Council.  It was agreed that Mr Bell would take on Environmental issues and the Chairman would take on Highway and Rights of Way issues.   It was further agreed that all Councillors would continue to respond to planning applications when they were circulated.

c)  Reviewing Standing Orders:  Agreed to consider again next month.

d)  Re-styling The Parish Council:  A suggestion to change the name of Chedworth Parish Council was discussed.  The Clerk had checked this in the Local Government Act and it was in order if the Council wished.  Views both for and against were expressed and it was agreed to consider again next month.

e)  Reviewing the Budget:  It was felt that as the precept for the coming year was set in January, then would be a good time to review the budget.

f)  Circulation Route for Correspondence:  Agreed to remove from the agenda at present.

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JULY 2011 – Page 2.

 

g) Sending Internal Correspondence via Email:  The Clerk asked if documents could be sent in .doc format rather than docx as she was having problems opening these documents with the current Parish Council system.

h) How to get help from the new Parish Council:  Agreed to consider further next meeting.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:

a)  Roadside Maps:  The perspex had been obtained by Mr Watt.  It was agreed that the Chairman and Mr Bell would attempt replace the maps and perspex by the next meeting.

b)  The Parish Council Website;  The Chairman had obtained details on local government websites from a firm which specialises.  It was felt that the silver option offered  would be easier to update and take control of and would cost in the region of £500.00 to set up and £200.00 per annum to host.  The Chairman agreed to make further enquiries about this.  Mr King agreed to approach the GRCC Vibrant Village team, who won the most resilience village prize of £500.00, to ascertain if they would be willing to put the prize money towards this.  It was further agreed to thank Mr Priest for his work on the current website and explain to him what the future intention was.  

c)  Communication with Parishioners Via Email:  Mr King had made some enquires from village organisations who already had village mailing lists.  After some discussion it was agreed to incorporate this draft four year plan.

d)  Social Media:  Twitter and Facebook were discussed.  Miss Gallagher offered to set up a Parish Council Facebook page and this offer was accepted.

 

MATTERS FOR UPDATING AND DISCUSSION:

 

Footpaths:

a)  KCH 22 Footpath below Parsonage House:  The Chairman had spoken to Mr Beach the landowner, and the stile was to be fixed soon.

b)  Mrs Jewell Complaint - Rail on Footpath in The Woods:  The Chairman reported that he understood this had been mended.

c)  Mr Duggleby Email – Item in the Hill and Valley:  Mr Duggleby was not happy with the item in the Hill and Valley regarding footpaths.  Mr King reported that he had spoken to other dog owners and they did not have a problem with it.  It was agreed that the Chairman would reply to Mr Duggleby.

d)  Mrs Jess Email – Signs at New Barn:  Mrs Jess reported that the signs on posts on KCH 71, the path towards Fossecross at New Barn, had been knocked down and were laying on the ground.  It was agreed to pass this on to GCC PROW.

Mr Bell reported that the handhold was loose on the stile at the bottom of the valley on KCH 44, the footpath leading down beside Denfurlong.  It was agreed to bring this to the attention of Mr Stainforth and Mr Booth as it was not certain who the landowner was.

 

Grass Keep Field:

a)  The new Fence and Dog Latch on Footpath:  This was in hand with the Cotswold

Wardens.

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JULY 2011 – Page 3.

 

Provision of New Tennis Courts: 

a)  Legal Issue Regarding the Lease:  The Clerk had made enquiries regarding the length of the lease and a lease longer than seven years was permissible provided certain criteria was met.  It was noted that the HVLTC currently had a twenty five year lease on their present courts.  It was agreed that Mr Brister would draft a letter to the HVLTC setting out the legal issues with regard to the lease.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:

a) Winter Maintenance & Grit Provision:  The Chairman offered to speak to Mr Swift at GCC Highways to ascertain what responsibilities the Parish Council would be expected to take on.  The Snow Warden and Plough Operator information had been requested from GCC Highways, it was agreed at ask Mrs Clarke if she was willing to continue and also how much grit she would be able to store at Manor Farm.

b) Purchase of Grit Spreader:  The Clerk was awaiting further information from our insurers regard the public liability aspect.

 

The eXbox:

a) The Village Hall Defibrillator:  Mr Broad reported that the welds on the door had failed and a new cabinet had been delivered to his house which he had subsequently fitted.  The old cabinet was still at the Village Hall awaiting collection.  It was agreed to contact the Community Heartbeat Trust and ask them to collect the box.  Mr Broad was concerned about the ownership issue as the boxes were bought by public subscription not the Parish Council.  Mr Bell stated he felt this issue had already been sorted out and the Parish Council had agreed to accept ownership.

b) Purchase of the Third Defibrillator:  The former Chairman had handed over the donation cheque from NFU Mutual towards the third defibrillator for the Seven Tuns.  It was agreed to send this to the Community Heartbeat Trust.  The donation from Mrs Thacker on behalf of the Conservatives was still awaited.  It was agreed that the Chairman would organise the collection of this money.

 

Cotswolds Conservation Board:

a)  Election of Replacement Parish Member:  The Ballot Paper had been received.  It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Brister to vote for Mr Bell, agreed with one abstention from Mr Broad as he was acquainted with one of the other candidates.

 

The Wall at the Lower End Chapel:

a)  Estimates for Repair:  Two estimates had been received.  It was proposed by Mr King and seconded by Mr Bell to accept the estimate of £295.00 + VAT from Mr Chapple, agreed.

 

Items Arising from Email:

a)  Mr Aveline Email:  i) Inadequate Broadband - It was agreed to invite Mr Aveline along to the next meeting to discuss this.  ii)  Community Digester – It was agreed to reply that the Parish Council feels it is not a top priority at this time in view of the existing green bin collection service provided by CDC.

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

 MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JULY 2011 – Page 4.

 

b)  Playing Field and Play Area of the Year Competition 2011:  It was agreed not to enter.

c)  Provision of a Lease Car for PCSO's:  It was agreed to reply that the Parish Council feels that it would be better for the PCSO's to use their own vehicles and be paid mileage by the police for whom residents already pay Council Tax.

d)  Mr Priest Email - CLT Update for Parishioners:  It was agreed to reply that the Parish Council has very little detail of the CLT's current position due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations and are happy that when appropriate the CLT will present their proposals to the village.

 

PLANNING:

 

Applications:

 

No objection raised from Chedworth Parish Council

 

CD 7532/A Wookeys Tump – Amendment

CD 7532/B Wookeys Tump – Amendment

CD 2394/B The Daniels, Fossebridge – Replacement Agricultural Dwelling

CD 1430/Y The Oxbyre – Extension and Alterations

 

Objection raised by Chedworth Parish Council

 

CD 9035/A Land West of Pinkwell – New Field Access

 

Cotswold District Council Approval:

 

CD 4128/Q Rowan House – Extension.

11/03080/DDD Green Lane – Works Under DDD Legislation. No consultation.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   Bibury (Playing Field Cutting June) £133.20, prop. J King, sec. A Bell.

2.   Moore Stephens (2010/11 Audit) £144.00, prop. J King, sec. P Sibbald.

3.   Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Subscription £25.00, prop. P Sibbald, sec.

      J King.

4.   Mr T Watt (Purchase of Perspex) £50.41, prop. J King, sec. D Broad.

5.   Council in receipt of £20.00 from St Andrews School for use of the Playing

      Field.

6.   2010/11 Annual Audit – The Clerk reported that the audit had been completed

      and the statutory notice advising of the closure of the audit had been displayed.

      Everything was satisfactory and there were no matters to bring to the attention

      of the Council.  The Chairman thanked the Clerk for her work on the audit.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

 

GCC Waste Core Strategy Proposed Focus Changes:  Noted.

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th JULY 2011 – Page 5.

 

Mr King asked for a “To Do” list following this meeting.  The Clerk would undertake this.  Mr King also asked if a note could be sent to Mr Musgrave and his team congratulating them for winning a prize of £500.00 for Resilient Village category in the recent GRCC Vibrant Village competition.  Mr King also reported on a recent GRCC Rural Neighbourhood Group Meeting attended by Mr Musgrave where car provision for the PSCO's, speeding on Fields Road and a free Crime Home Survey were discussed.

 

Mr Broad reported on the affordable housing issue at Withington where residents were being intimidated.

 

It was noted that the email from Mrs Duggleby regarding a dangerous animal on a footpath would be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

The meeting concluded at 10.15 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 17th August 2011 at 7.30 pm.

 

 

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

 

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