CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 16th NOVEMBER 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).

 

APOLOGIES;  Mr A Miles.

 

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

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 19th October 2009 were agreed and signed as a true record with two amendments to page 3, Youth Matters paragraph, “Prior” was amended to “Pryor”.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  Mr Broad stated that he had been contacted by a parishioner who was concerned that a gap had appeared in the wire that connected the post and rail fence to the kissing gate opposite Smuggs Barn.  It was agreed to ask Mr Dickenson and Mr House to quote to join the existing fence to the kissing gate to fill the gap.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  Tuns Hill Triangle and the Chapel Graveyard and both been cut by Bibury, it was felt that a good job had been done.

The Chairman reported that the dead Elm opposite Perran House had still not been dealt with by GCC Highways.  It was agreed to raise this with Mr Flagg again.  Mr Sibbald reported on the overhanging trees opposite Adelaide on the side of the former railway bridge.  It was agreed to write to BRB Residuary Ltd and ask them to have them cut back.  Mr Broad raised a complaint by a parishioner of overhanging trees on Fields Road opposite Stoneridge House.  After some discussion it was agreed to postpone discussion of overhanging trees pending receipt of information from the Cotswolds Conservation Board and others on management options for village roadside verges.

 

Playing Field:  The Grass Cutting for the 2010 season was discussed.  Some costings were needed for next year's precept.  A card had been received from Adrian Gibbs offering his grass cutting services.  It was agreed to ask him to quote for the playing field cutting and the extra cutting around the village.  It was also agreed to ask Bibury to quote for a similar regime as they have done this year.  The Chairman said that Mr Watt had nothing further to report with regard to the Goal Posts.  The Clerk was asked to obtain the relevant forms for joining GPFA.

 

Grass Keep Field:  The tenancy had been renewed for a further six months.

 

Affordable Housing:  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Robson to update the Council.  Mr Robson reported that he had asked the CLT Board to approach the Village Trust for assistance with Parish Council legal fees but the CLT

 

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Board felt that the legal fees should be a one off charge to the precept.  Mr Robson also said that the access opposite Smuggs Barn was not acceptable to Gloucestershire Highways and the suggestion being worked on at present was repositioning the houses at the other end of the field with a short access road onto Fields Road from the Grass Keep Field entrance. Mr Robson also spoke about a meeting with the planning authority to discuss these proposals.  When Council reconvened Council discussed the legal fees.  After some discussion it was unanimously agreed not to raise the money for legal fees through the precept as this would increase the precept by an unacceptable amount, would be unpopular with  parishioners and have an impact on other projects.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  The Roadside Maps were still in hand with Mr Bell.  An item in the Hill and Valley which stated that the Chedworth Society intended to provide multiple maps in several locations around the village was raised.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Musgrave to speak.  Mr Musgrave stated that the item was misleading and the Chedworth Society's proposals were still under discussion.  It was noted that the draft minutes had been displayed in much better time this month.

 

Parish Plan:  Nothing further.

 

            Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  It was reported that the Tuns Hill

waterfall trough was overflowing at present.  The Chairman agreed to email Mr Swift and ask for the system to be jetted.  The flood signs were being displayed on the Airfield bend.  It was agreed to reiterate the flood telephone number in the Hill and Valley.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:  An email had been received from a resident of Ballingers Hill thanking the Parish Council for getting the grit bins provided.  It was also reported that the salt piles had being replenished on Withington Hill recently but not throughout Chedworth.

 

Youth Matters:  The Chairman reported that a meeting between Katie Essex and interested parties was being held next week.

 

Freedom of Information Act – Parish Council's Publication Scheme:  It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Broad to adopt the scheme as circulated to Councillors, agreed.  It was agreed to display on the website and a paper copy in the Village Hall Foyer.

 

Document Display:  It was agreed to remove from the agenda at present.

 

Mr Watt joined the meeting at this point.

 

Traffic at the School:   A reply had been received from Mrs Buck.  It was reported that the PCSOs had been at the school today.  It was agreed to open the meeting to

 

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MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 16th NOVEMBER 2009 – Page 3.

 

allow Mr Musgrave to speak, which he did.  Mr Beer was also concerned about emergency vehicles not being able to get through.  Council then reconvened.

 

Adoption of BT Telephone Boxes:  Mr Bell reported that he had emailed parishes that had adopted their BT boxes but had not received a single reply.  After some discussion it was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Watt to apply to adopt the telephone kiosk situated at the bottom of Hemplands Hill but retain the other listed kiosk near the Vicarage with functional telephony as a necessary service, agreed.  The Chairman agreed to try to fill in the application form on-line.  It was further agreed to write to Laurie Davies at CDC to inform her of the Parish Council's decision. An email had been received from the residents of Cobblers Cottage offering money to help maintain the kiosk at the bottom of Hemplands Hill.

It was agreed to reply thanking them for their kind offer and stating that it will probably be some time before the application process is complete and we have some idea of what is required to kit the kiosk out for its new role so perhaps further contact can be made when we know more.

 

CDC An Opportunity to Talk to Town & Parish Councils Meeting:  The  Chairman reported on the meeting she had attended at Moreton-in-Marsh.

 

Visit from PCSOs:  An email had been received offering to attend a Parish Council meeting.  It was agreed to reply thanking them for visiting the school and asking if they might also assess parking at other problem areas in the village specifically:  the junction of Ballingers Row/Cooks Hill, The Hemplands cul-de-sac, the Old Railway Bridge in Cheap Street and Valley View.  It was agreed to invite them to come to a meeting when they have familiarised themselves with the problems.

 

PLANNING;

 

09/03545/FORST Manor Farm – Forestry Commission Grant Scheme – Noted.

09/03479/TCONR Green Lane Cottage – Tree Felling – Objection to the felling of a Western Red Cedar at Green Lane Cottage on the grounds of its significant contribution to the landscape.  It notes that the tree was wrongly named as a Leylandii and that the tree was there before the house extension was built right behind it.

CD 5779/T Holly Cottage – Extensions and Alterations – Objection as it is over- development of the site and the flat roof is out of keeping.

CD 4678/E Hills Farm – Stables - No objection but because the site is so exposed to view from a large part of the village the Parish Council strongly urges the imposition of the following conditions:- 1) That the approved external lighting design incorporates low wattage fitments attached to the building (ie.not elevated) with manual operation (ie. not triggered by passing wildlife) to reduce light pollution and excessive energy use.  2) That significant planting be undertaken both to screen the stable from public view and to compensate for habitat destruction in the area and to provide continuous habitat to enhance biodiversity.

CD 4678/F Hills Farm – Demolition of Nissen Hut – No objection.

 

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MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 16th NOVEMBER 2009 – Page 4.

 

Refusal:

 

CD 7973/B Raybrook Cottage - Retention of Fence.

 

There were no other planning matters.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  The Chairman raised the matter of the two picnic tables in the field adjacent to Calves Hill House.  Mr Broad reported that as there was no hardstanding under them he understood that they were no infringement of  planning regulations.

 

Notification of Tree Work Decisions from CDC:  Two different versions had been received from different tree officers.  The Clerk had tried to register but had been told that the Parish Council were already registered to receive planning decisions but these still did not include tree consultations.   Mr Broad would make further enquiries at CDC.

 

HIGHWAYS AND RIGHTS OF WAY:

 

Parking at The Hemplands:  An email and photographs showing a van parked on top of the white posts at The Hemplands had been received from Mr Priest.  Mr Broad had passed these photographs and some from another resident of The Hemplands on to Mrs Watkins at GCC Highways.  After some discussion it was agreed to write to Fosseway Living asking if, as landlord, they would be able to arrange for the owner of the minibus to park elsewhere.  It was further agreed to alert the PCSOs to the dangerous parking here.  It was also agreed to email and inform Mr Priest of the agreed action.  It was reported that a Hacklings lorry was parking at The Hemplands overnight causing traffic visibility problems.  It was agreed to monitor this and obtain the registration number.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL:

 

Biodiversity:  The Chairman had the preparation of a guidance leaflet in hand.  The Chairman also reported on the recent stream walk undertaken by the Chedworth Environment Group.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   Clerks Quarterly Telephone and Broadband Contribution £39.40, prop. A Bell,

      sec. P Sibbald.

2.   Bibury (Playing Field Cutting October 09) £82.80, prop. S Moore, sec. T Watt.

3.   Thames Water £9.88, prop. T Watt, sec. D Broad.

4.   Bibury (Cutting Tuns Hill & Graveyard) £177.10, prop. T Watt, sec. P Cundick.

6.   P Dickenson (P/F Gate Repairs) £86.25, prop. T Watt, sec. A Bell.

7.   S Moore (Mileage to Moreton-in-Marsh) £18.13 – The Chairman declared an

      interest and took no part in the voting.  Prop. A Bell, sec. T Watt.

 

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MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 16th NOVEMBER 2009 – Page 5.

 

8.   Council in receipt of £130.00 P/F Rental from Rissington Arrows FC.

9.   2010/2011 Precept – The Clerk reported that the precept request had been for

      receipt by the 15th January but we had received agreement that ours could be

      submitted following the meeting on the 18th January.  The Chairman asked for

      suggestions for inclusion in the precept by the next meeting.  The Chairman

      raised an idea about building up a community fund to help groups such as the

      Cheery Club.  After some discussion it was agreed not to pursue this at this

      time.  It was also stated that the Village Charities may have funds available for

      this type of thing.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

CDC Request a Copy of The Register of Electors:  The Chairman reminded Councillors that they should respond individually to this request.

 

CDC Licensing Act 2003 Seminar:  Noted.

 

GAPTC Training Courses 2010:  Noted.

 

Citizens Advice Bureau AGM - 12th November:  The Clerk had sent apologies.

 

GAPTC Update:  Noted.

 

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Water Vole Appeal:  Noted.

 

GRCC Review 2008/09 & Information:  Noted.

 

GPFA “The Playing Field”:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from E-mail:  a) Email from David Peake/Feroz Goga regarding

Volunteer Work – It was agreed to reply suggesting that GCC volunteers might help with the stream project.  b) Email from CDC regarding Cotswold SHLAA – It was noted that the areas in front of The Hemplands and Courts Close had been removed from this document.  It was agreed to email to inform Mr Priest and Mr Chapple.

c) Email from Russ Thompson regarding Gloucestershire Waster Management – It was agreed to reply thanking Mr Thompson for his interest and outlining the situation to him as we understand it.  It was further agreed to include an item of explanation in the Hill and Valley.  d) Community Emergency Planning 1st Dec 6-8 Weston sub-Edge Cotswold Parish Plan Forum‏ - It was agreed to send apologies.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:  Several items were identified.

 

The Meeting concluded at 9.58 pm.  NEXT MEETING:   Monday 14th December 2009 at 7.30 pm.

 

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