CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st  JUNE 2010

 

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

Mr P Sibbald and Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;  Mr A Miles and Mr T Watt.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on the 17th May 2010 were agreed and signed as a true record.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  A reply had been received from Gloucestershire County Council PROW stating that not a single DMMO had been determined between 1st  May 2009 and 1st May 2010.  As around 130 applications were outstanding in 2007, this was felt to be unacceptable and it was agreed to write to the Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, expressing our concerns that this statutory duty was being ignored.   Mr Needham from Brook Cottage had emailed to say repairs to his stile were in hand.  Mr Sibbald confirmed that he had not undertaken the relevant training to use the Parish Council strimmer.  The Chairman reported that she understood that Mr Priest was happy to keep the strimmer at present.  As he was the only person qualified to use it this was agreed, and it was also agreed to ask him if he would be willing to undertake some clearing if required.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  It was reported that another verge cut had just been undertaken by GCC Highways.  The Chairman reported that ChEG was willing to take on the verge project as outlined by the Cotswolds Conservation Board.

 

Playing Field:  a) Hire for Horticultural Show 28th August:  As no reply had been received to the letter sent in January, requesting details of the show proposals, it was agreed to re-send the letter.  It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Bell to charge £30.00 if the arrangements were to be the same as last year, agreed.  A letter and donation cheque had been received from St Andrews School who requested the use of the field for several visits.  It was agreed to write and thank Mrs Buck for the cheque and also request details of the dates required so it does not coincide with the grass cutting.

 

Grass Keep Field:  a) Fencing – Two quotes had been received for the replacement of the gate post.  It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Broad to accept the cheaper quote of £41.50 from Mr Tim House. Mr Sibbald declared an   interest as he is a business partner of Mr House.  Mr Dickenson had also quoted for replacing the fencing.  Mr House suggested leaving the fencing quotation until the autumn.  It was agreed to write and thank Mr Dickenson for quoting.  It was

 

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

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JUNE 2010 – Page 2.

 

suggested that the hedge could be laid to save the cost of fencing. The Chairman agreed to make enquiries from the Cotswolds Conservation Board to see if

they may be interested in using the site for one of their hedge-laying courses.  The Chairman reported that The Diggers would let her know the type of fruit tree required.

 

Affordable Housing:  The Chairman declared an interest as her husband was a member of the CLT Board.  The Chairman reported that she had attended the recent CLT AGM and they are continuing to look for possible sites.  The Chairman also reported that the HVLTC would let us know in September if they were still interested in providing new tennis courts on the Grass Keep Field.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public: Mr Bell had the roadside maps in hand.  Mr Priest had included a “Twitter” feed on the website and Mr Bell would give a demonstration at a later meeting.  The Clerk was asked to purchase a plastic loose leaf book for paper documents for the former phone box.  It was reported that the Lower End noticeboard backing board was very soft and the pins would not stay put.  It was agreed to ask for a quote to replace the backing board.  A carpenter from Northleach was advertising on the board and it was agreed to contact him to see if he would be interested in quoting.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  Mr Sibbald reported that he had met with Mr Swift, GCC Highways, and his team and they were to bring in a mini digger to rectify the problems within the next couple of weeks.  The Chairman thanked Mr Sibbald for all of his efforts.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters: a) Parking Space at Valley View:  A reply had been received from Fosseway Living stating that they did not own the parking spaces adjacent to Valley View.  After further discussion and a report that the resident was not registered disabled, it was agreed to leave at present pending further developments.  b) Parking in Queen Street:  Vehicles parked opposite the Ballingers Hill junction and preventing vehicles from turning around had become a problem recently.  The police had visited and spoken to the owner of a van that had been parking there and the van had now stopped but other vehicles parking there were now causing problems.  Mr Broad agreed to take some photographs of the offending vehicles and pass them on to the police to see if the problem could be stopped.  A reply had been received from Mrs Watkins, GCC Highways, stating that lorries should not be a problem as we were within the Freight Management Zone which excludes large lorries unless engaged in delivery or collection.  The Chairman agreed to include a item in the Hill and Valley asking residents to ensure their deliveries are undertaken using smaller vehicles.  A reply had been received from Mrs Watkins, GCC Highways, stating that the pot holes should have been filled by now.  Some of the pot holes reported had still not been repaired, so it was agreed to pass these onto Mrs Watkins again.

 

Youth Matters:  Nothing further.

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JUNE 2010 – Page 3.

 

Traffic at the School:  Nothing further.  It was agreed to remove from the agenda

and take this item under Traffic in the Village and Road Matters in future.

 

Adoption of BT Telephone Box:  No name had been suggested despite an invitation for suggestions in the Hill and Valley.  After some discussion it was proposed by Mr Bell and seconded from the Chair to re-name the box eXbox, agreed with one abstention. The Chairman reported that Dr Sissons would consult regarding her defibrillator idea in July.  The Chairman circulated drawings for the suggested shelving from John Aylen.  The type of shelves required was debated and it was agreed to allocated Mr Aylen up to £60.00 for materials, his labour would be free of charge.  An email had been received from Mr Lang from Glanton whose Parish Council were debating whether to adopt their own box and he wished to know the pros and cons.  It was agreed that the Clerk would reply answering his queries. 

 

NHS Gloucestershire Request to Close Branch Surgery Letter:  A reply had been received stating that the Rendcomb practice had not applied to close their branch surgery.

 

Parish Council Cupboard at the Village Hall:  Mr Broad reported that the Village Hall Committee review of charges for the cupboards was on hold at present.  It was agreed to go ahead with the disposal of the plans as agreed at the last meeting but the Chairman would include an item in the Hill and Valley reminding people it was their last chance to request their plans.

 

PLANNING:

 

The Clerk reported that she had experienced a poor response from Councillors in commenting on the plans circulated recently.  The Chairman asked Councillors to

bear this in mind in future.

 

CD 0243/E Laurieston – Extension – It was agreed to refresh memories with regard to these plans and reply via email to the Clerk tomorrow.

CD 0311/P Apple Cottage – Extension – Objection on the basis that an elevated ranch style verandah is out of keeping with the demands of the Conservation Area.

10/01877/TCONR Tall Trees – Tree Works – This had already gained permission.

CD 5808/J Roman Villa – Alterations – No objection.

 

Approval:

 

10/01456/TCONR Apple Cottage – Tree Works

10/01524/TCONR Opposite Seven Tuns – Felling of Spruce

CD 3388/G Glebe House – Garage and Access

CD 1236/1/C Fossebridge Inn – Replacement Porch.

10/01877/TCONR. Tall Trees – Tree Works.

 

There were no Other Planning Matters.

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JUNE 2010 – Page 4.

 

There were no Matters Under Enforcement.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   E Broad Quarterly Salary (inc. pay increase included in Precept) £516.50, prop.

      S Moore, sec. A Bell.

2.   E Broad Quarterly Mileage (inc. Audit Mileage + Extra Meeting) £25.72, prop.

      S Moore, sec. P Sibbald.

3.   Iain Selkirk (Internal Audit) £90.00, prop. S Moore, sec. D Broad.

4.   Bibury (Playing Field Cutting May) £173.90, prop. S Moore, sec. D Broad.

5.   Viking (Ink and Staples) £35.74, prop. S Moore, sec. P Sibbald.

6.   D Wilson (Repair of Noticeboard) Retrospective £75.00, prop. P Cundick, sec.

      P Sibbald.

7.   Council in receipt of £7.58 Part Water Reimbursement from HVLTC.

8.   Council in receipt of £2.52 Part Water Reimbursement from Mr Baker.

9.   Council in receipt of £125.00 Grass Keep Rental from Mr Baker.

10. Council in receipt of £50.00 Rental from Chedworth Diggers.

11. Council in receipt of £30.00 Donation for use of the Playing Field from

      St Andrews School.

12. 2009/10 Annual Audit – The Clerk reported that the Annual Return was now

      with the External Auditor.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

GPFA The Playing Field Magazine:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Election of two Representatives to the Chedworth Allotment Charity for four years: Mr Peter Juggins and Mr Nigel Finch had both indicated they were willing to stand again.  It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Broad to re-elect them both for a further four year term, agreed.

 

Election of one Representative to the Chedworth Village Hall Management Committee for one year:  As no volunteer had been forthcoming, it was agreed to leave as a vacancy at present.  The Clerk raised the fact that the Village Hall Committee had not yet invoiced the Parish Council for the use of the Village Hall during 2009/10.  It was agreed to follow this up with the Treasurer, Mrs Burridge.

 

Items Arising from E-mail:  a) CDC Meetings between Parish/Town Councils – Notification had been received that the meeting would be held later in the year.

 

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

 

Increase in the size of the Parish Council:  The Chairman suggested that consideration could be given to increasing the size of the Parish Council from seven

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 21st JUNE 2010 – Page 5.

 

to nine members.  The Chairman had made some enquiries on how this would be achieved.  After some discussion it was agreed not to pursue this at present.

 

The Seven Tuns Calypso Evening:   Mr Sibbald reported that he had received complaints about the antisocial behaviour exhibited by some of the customers of the Seven Tuns at the recent Calypso Night.  Other Councillors had also experienced problems.  After some discussion it was agreed to write to Alex Davenport Jones, Landlord of the Seven Tuns, raising concerns and making him aware of the problem in the hope that these problems will not recur at future events.

 

Mr Cundick reported that he was to take part in a charity cycle ride from London to Paris in August and would appreciate any sponsorship.  The Chairman would publicise this in the Hill and Valley.

 

The Chairman reported that she had represented the Parish Council at the recent service to welcome the new vicar.

 

The Chairman offered her free pass to the Chedworth Roman Villa Community Open Day on 27th July if anyone was interest in attending.

 

The Chairman drew attention to the GRCC Parish Network Meeting to be held on the 13th July.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.27 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 19th July 2010 at 7.30 pm.

 

 

 

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

 

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