CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th MAY 2009.

 

PRESENT:  Mrs S Moore, Mr A Bell, Mr D Broad, Mr A Miles, Mr P Sibbald,

Mr T Watt and Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;  Mr P Cundick.

 

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN:  Mrs Susie Moore was proposed by Mr Broad and seconded by Mr Miles, agreed unanimously.  Mrs Moore then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office Book.

 

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN:  Mr David Broad was proposed by Mr Miles and seconded by Mr Watt, agreed unanimously.  Mr Broad then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office Book.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES:  The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 20th April 2009 were agreed and signed as a true record with the following addition to page 1, “for the addition of Hills Farm Track to the Definitive Map” was included.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  A copy of a letter from Defra to GCC PROW asking for their response to our appeal to add Hills Farm Track to the Definitive Map within six weeks was received for information.  A letter had been received from Mr England notifying the Parish Council of further vandalism to the signs on the track.  It was agreed to copy this letter to Defra to asking for it to be added to our portfolio of evidence in support of our appeal for our claim to be swiftly resolved.  The Chairman would email Mr England to notify him that a copy of his letter had been sent to Defra.  An estimate of £90.00 + VAT was received from Mr Dickenson for repairs to the stile on the Playing Field, it was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Watt to accept this, agreed.  The Chairman had emailed Ms Hopes at GCC PROW to remind her of the work required on the boggy land at Courts Close.  The Chairman reported for information only on correspondence between Mrs Tice at The Orchard and Mr Barton at GCC PROW regarding ownership of some of the area where Mrs Tice wishes to replace a gate on KCH 30.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  It was reported that the Tuns Hill Triangle needed strimming, this had been budgeted for.  It was agreed, with four in favour, to ask Bibury to do this at the beginning of June.  As it was not anticipated that this would take four hours, it was agreed to ask Bibury to contact the Clerk before they come to ascertain if the visibility splays needed strimming if there had not been a GCC verge cut, otherwise School Hill could be suggested.  It was also agreed with one against and one abstention to write to Stowell Park asking them to consider modifying their verge cutting procedures to conserve the habitats and wildlife that roadside verges can support. 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th MAY 2009 – Page 2.

 

Playing Field:   Bibury had very kindly chain harrowed the Playing Field to get rid of the moles free of charge, it was agreed to write and thank them. It was felt that the field looked good as it was being cut weekly at present. It was agreed to remind Bibury that that only twenty cuts had been budgeted for this year. An email had been received from Mr Chapple giving details of the proposed Running Track on the Playing Field.  It was agreed to reply that the Parish Council is happy for him to mark it out as drawn and while he is welcome to use its chalking equipment a grass killing chemical would give a better result particularly as the field is currently being mown very regularly. It was further suggested that he seeks advice from GPFA as to the best type of chemical to use.  Mr Watt reported that the inflatable goals were to be delivered in July.

 

Grass Keep Field:   The Clerk reported that she had received a telephone call from Julie Young regarding the water supply which the HVLTC had been fully reimbursing recently as there had been no stock in the Grass Keep Field.  Now that Mr Baker had his pony in there it was felt that the costs of water and standing charge should be apportioned appropriately.  It was agreed to write to Mrs Young asking that a reading from the HVLTC meter be provided when each bill is received to enable the usage to be calculated.

 

Community Garden:  All of the conditions requested had been met by The Diggers including a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and an amended constitution.  The Chairman asked for it to be recorded that she was very disappointed that the Village Hall Committee had implemented a charge of £25.00 to The Diggers for  using their car park demonstrating its priority for income generation over the facilitation of a village activity. Two copies of the Licence had been prepared by the Chairman and Mrs Sissons, representative of The Diggers was invited to sign it on their behalf, which she did with the Clerk signing on behalf of the Parish Council.  It was agreed to make the licence available on the website for interested parishioners to see.  In the light of a recent condition survey the Chairman asked for the condition of the fencing to be recorded.  The fencing bordering the playing field is in good condition while along the road frontage and along the third side of the triangular plot is in poor condition. The non-bearing gate post at the road access is wobbly.

 

Provision of Additional Tennis Courts:  Nothing further.

 

Affordable Housing:  Nothing further.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  The Chairman had received a reply from Mr Priest who was happy to display the minutes in draft form on the website a week or so before the meeting.  It was agreed to try this for a three month trial period.  Mr Sibbald reported that he had not yet renovated the Tuns Hill notice board.  It was noted that a new edition of “Local Council Administration” by Charles Arnold Baker, commonly thought of as the definitive Parish Council legal book, was to be available in June.  A copy had not been budgeted for in this

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th MAY 2009 – Page 3.

 

financial year but after some discussion it was proposed by Mr Broad and seconded by Mr Miles to dip into the contingency fund and obtain a copy when it is published, agreed.  Mr Bell reported that the cost of recopying the roadside maps using best quality ink would be £16.00 each.  It was agreed to write and ask if there may be funding available from the Oil Club Community Chest.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Musgrave to speak.  Mr Musgrave explained that the Chedworth Society was considering a proposal to provide a large roadside map to provide information and aid traffic navigation around the village.  When Council reconvened the Chairman thanked Mr Musgrave. It was agreed to go proceed with seeking funding for replacing the existing maps while awaiting further information on their proposal from the Chedworth Society.

 

Parish Plan:  An email had been received from Mr Musgrave on behalf of the Chedworth Society offering to oversee the proposed project to generate a village archive.  The Chairman invited Mr Musgrave to explain the proposal, which he did.  When Council reconvened the proposal was broadly welcomed.  The Chairman reiterated her request for CHEG to provide guidance on light pollution issues within the Parish.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  An email had been received from Mrs Sissons from Box Tree Cottage asking about altering the run-off from the soakaway at the top of her garden.  The Chairman invited Mrs Sissons to explain the problem, which she did.  When Council reconvened the Chairman agreed to raise the matter with Mr Swift at GCC Highways again.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:  The Minutes of the meeting organised by the Traffic and Transport Group at the school recently had been circulated.  The Chairman had attended to represent the Parish Council.  Mr Shaftoe, on behalf of the Traffic and Transport Group had been in touch with Mr Carr at the integrated Transport Unit at GCC regarding re-routing the 864 service through the village rather than it passing along the same stretch of road in both directions.  It was agreed to write and request this be done.  Mr Bell asked what criteria merited which pot holes were filled in around the village.  It was agreed to write and enquire from Mrs Watkins at GCC Highways. 

 

Youth Council:  Mr Broad had still to speak to Claire Dowan at CDC.

 

Cutting of Grass at the Front of The Hemplands:  This was still being done with no need for mediation as yet.

 

Freedom of Information Act – Parish Council's Publication Scheme:  It was agreed to defer this until the next meeting in the hope that Mr Cundick may be able to help.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD 2436/S The Bungalow, Fossebridge – Amendment – Objection.

 

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th MAY 2009 – Page 4.

        
CD 1236/1/B The Fossebridge Inn – L.B. Consent – No objection.

CD 9206  Anstey's Cottage – Garden Room – No objection but it was agreed to draw the attention of CDC Planning Department to the fact that a further amendment had not been submitted to the Parish Council in time for it to be addressed.

CD 4661/ Highfield House – Extension – No objection

 

Other Planning Matters:  The appearance of a new track up the hill from Hills Farm was raised.  Mr Broad reported that CDC Enforcement was monitoring it in the hope that it was temporary.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  Nothing further.

 

Withdrawn:

 

CD 4661/ Highfields House – Extension.

 

FINANCE:

1.   Clerks Quarterly Telephone and Broadband £45.25, prop. S Moore, sec. A Bell.

2.   Chedworth Village Hall (Rental) £206.80, prop. T Watt, sec. A Bell.

3.   Thames Water £14.98, prop. A Miles, sec. S Moore.

4.   Bibury (Playing Field Cutting April 09) £165.60, prop. S Moore, sec. T Watt.

5.   GAPTC Membership 150.38.  It was agreed not to take this up again this year. 

6.   Council in receipt of £3112.00 Part Precept from CDC.

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

8.   Council in receipt of £50.00 Donation from St Andrews School.

9.   Council in receipt of 257.96 VAT Refund 2008/09.

10. Council in receipt of £14.98 Water Bill Reimbursement from HVLTC.

11. 2008/09 Annual Audit Return - The Annual Return was considered by Council

      for signing as required.  The books were currently with Mr Selkirk for the

      internal audit. The Chairman thanked The Clerk for the intensive effort she put

      in as Responsible Financial Officer in preparing the accounts.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

ICO “Freedom of Information Act” Information:  Deferred.

 

Public Sector Duties Leaflet:  Noted.

 

Letter from St Andrews School:  It was agreed to reply thanking them for the £50.00 donation also agreeing their use of the Playing Field for the July Sports Day and for them to mark out a rounders pitch.  Mr Watt agreed to liaise with the school with regard to their plans for the rounders pitch.

 

Gloucestershire Link Information:  It was agreed to display in the Village Hall foyer.

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

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 18th MAY 2009 – Page 5.

 

GAPTC Membership Information:  This had been dealt with earlier on the agenda.

 

Supporting Rural Skills in the Cotswolds AONB Leaflet:  Noted.

 

CDC Pest Control Charges 2009/10:  Noted.

 

Anchor Staying Put Cotswolds Information:  Noted.

 

Chartered Parishes Group Meeting Minutes – April 2009:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Election of one representative to Village Hall Management Committee for one year:   Mr Paul Cundick was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Watt, agreed.

 

Election of one representative to Chedworth Community Lands Charity for four years:  Mr Andy Miles was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Broad, agreed.

 

Items Arising from E-mails:    Several items had already been dealt with that were included in an email from Mrs Sissons but two items were still outstanding.  Mrs Sissons asked for consideration to be given to asking the Cotswold Conservation Board to look into whether it would be feasible to put the electricity cable underground.  After some discussion it was agreed by majority to write to Malcolm Watt at the Cotswold Conservation Board expressing an interest. Mrs Sissons also raised her concerns about work being undertaken in the valley on the fields belonging to Mr Brister at Calves Hill House where the field has been closely mown and sprayed.  Mrs Sissons was invited to speak on this, which she did.  Mrs Sissons stated that she wished to firstly try speaking to Mr Brister herself regarding this.  When Council reconvened it was agreed that in the meantime Mr Broad would make enquiries as to who the Biodiversity Officer was at CDC for further consideration next month.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:  Several items were identified.

 

Date of the July Meeting:  It was agreed to change the date of the July meeting to Monday 13th July at 7.30 pm.

 

Mr Watt reported that the funding was nearly complete for the new play area and it was likely to be completed in the summer.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.58 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 15th June 2009 at 7.30 pm.

 

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

 

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