CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th OCTOBER 2009.

 

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

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

 

APOLOGIES;  Mr P Cundick.

 

The Chairman announced that she understood Mr Broad would join the meeting later on as he had another meeting to attend this evening.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 21st September 2009 were agreed and signed as a true record with one amendment to page one,  first item, “Nation” was changed to “National”.

 

Email from Mr and Mrs Brister regarding the July Minutes:  An email had been received on the 21st September from Mr and Mrs Brister suggesting additions to the minutes of 13th July 2009.  It was agreed to reply stating Local Government procedures do not allow for any change to minutes of meetings once they have been agreed by a majority of members present at that meeting as a true record.  The July minutes had been duly agreed on 17th August.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

Footpaths:  Nothing further.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  A cut of the Lower End Graveyard and the Tuns Hill Triangle had been arranged for the end of October as previously agreed.

 

Playing Field:  An estimate of £175.00 had been received from Mr Tim House to replace the Gate.  Mr Sibbald declared a prejudicial interest, as he is a business associate of Mr House, and took no further part in discussion.  A further estimate of £75.00 + VAT to repair the existing gate had been received from Philip Dickenson.  It was proposed by Mr Watt and seconded from the Chair to accept the estimate of £75.00 from Philip Dickenson to repair the existing gate, agreed.  It was agreed to write and thank Mr House for quoting. Mr Watt reported on his finding regarding replacement goal post and nets.  The approximate cost would be in the region of £700.00.  Grant aid would be available to cover the full cost from the Gloucestershire Football Association and also from GPFA but we would have to be members of the GPFA first.  It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Mr Sibbald to rejoin GPFA, agreed.  Mr Watt would find out the relevant information to achieve this.  It was also agreed to take steps to replace the goal posts and nets.  No payment had been received from Rissington Arrows, the Clerk was asked to chase this.

 

Grass Keep Field:  The existing Tenancy Agreement expires on 31st October 2009. 

 

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MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th OCTOBER 2009 – Page 2.

 

Mr Baker had indicated he wished to renew it.  It was proposed from the Chair and

seconded by Mr Watt to renew the tenancy for a further six months at the same rent of £125.00, agreed.

 

Affordable Housing:  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Robson to speak.  Mr Robson updated the Council on progress being made including plans for a community meeting on January with the planning permission being sought in February or March.  When Council reconvened it was reported that a reply had been

received from the Village Trust suggesting that they might look more favourably on a request for funding were it to come directly from the CLT.  After some discussion where it was suggested that the CLT should pay both sides' legal fees, it was proposed by Mr Watt and seconded from the Chair to ask Mr Robson to ask the CLT to apply to the Village Trust on behalf of the Parish Council for help with the Parish Council's legal fees, agreed.  The Chairman invited Mr Robson to speak and he agreed to take this to the next board meeting.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  No further progress had been made on the Roadside maps.  No feedback had been received to the firework item in the Hill and Valley.  The Chairman referred to a comment from a member of the public that the agenda had not been published on the website until Sunday.  She stated that there is no requirement for the agenda to be made available to members of the public in advance of meetings.  Notice of the meeting had to be displayed three clear days before the meeting and this had been done.

 

Parish Plan:  The Chairman referred to a suggestion from GRCC that it may be necessary to refresh the Parish Plan.  She also reported that the Environment Group was flourishing although other parts of the plan were not doing so well.

 

Mr Broad joined the meeting at this point.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall, Flooding and Drainage:  The Chairman reported that she had met with Mr Swift from GCC Highways and Mr Sibbald had joined them.  Mr Sibbald agreed to monitor the waterfall and report any problems to Mr Swift.

 

Traffic in Village and Road Matters:  The Chairman had been contacted by a member of the public regarding the bad parking at the end of Ballingers Row.  It was felt this was a matter for residents to sort out among themselves but it was agreed to include an item in the Hill and Valley News.  Mr Swift from GCC Highways had met with the Chairman regarding the arrangements for the provision of grit piles on Tuns Hill and the Ballingers Row area since the gritting lorry can no

longer reach these areas.  GCC had offered to provide three grit bins, one at the end of Ballingers Row and two along the Row.  It was agreed that the largest bin should be placed by Laurel Cottage entrance at the end of Ballingers Row.

 

Youth Matters:  The Chairman had contacted Katie Essex who worked for GCC.  The Youth Group appeared to be thriving and a meeting was planned between the

 

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MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th OCTOBER 2009 – Page 3.

 

organiser, Mr Bearcroft and Mrs Pryor.  Mr Watt asked that further discussion be held over until next meeting to allow him to speak to Mr Bearcroft and Mrs Pryor to find out more.

 

Freedom of Information Act – Parish Council's Publication Scheme:  The Chairman was unable to find the adoption document to go with the publication scheme on the internet.  It was agreed to email Mr Cundick and ask him to provide an electronic copy.

 

Document Display:  Nothing further.

 

Review of Standing Orders:  These were displayed on the website.  It was agreed to remove from the agenda.

 

Works to Play Area at the Village Hall:  The opening had been held.  Mr Watt reported that the gate issue was the only thing still outstanding.  It was agreed to write to thank Mr Westlake and the committee for the fantastic job they have done in providing such a splendid play area.  It was agreed to remove from the agenda.

 

Traffic at the School:  A letter had been received from Mrs Buck inviting a representative from the Parish Council to join the school travel plan update team.  It was agreed to reply accepting their invitation but since no councillor was able to commit to the role on a regular basis the Parish Council asked for the meeting dates to be notified so councillors could attend on an ad hoc basis.  The Council has received two letters from Mr Musgrave in which he described several instances of inconsiderate and hazardous parking in the vicinity of the school.  It was agreed to communicate this to the school.  It was agreed to bring forward for discussion a further issue raised by Mr Musgrave.  He had disputed the authority of the Clerk to include unminuted sentences thanking the school for their efforts in the context of a perceived improvement in parking behaviour.  The Chairman referred Mr Musgrave to the relevant minute of the March meeting adding that no information had since been received to the contrary and said she felt entirely justified in including non material expressions of goodwill in letters to the school.  This view was supported unanimously.  It was agreed to open the meeting to allow Mr Musgrave to speak, which he did.  Council then reconvened.

 

Mr Watt left the meeting at this point.

 

Adoption of BT Telephone Boxes:  After some discussion Mr Broad was asked to look into the listing aspect of the Tuns Hill box.  Mr Bell agreed to investigate what happens in other communities when the boxes are adopted and it was agreed to include an item in the Hill and Valley seeking the views of the parishioners.

 

PLANNING;

 

CD 7973/B Raybrook Cottage - Retention of Fence – Objection.  The Clerk

 

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reported that she had received notification that the application was going to CDC Planning Committee on 28th October.  No one volunteered to attend and speak at the meeting.

CD 4817/K Box Tree Cottage - Listed Building Consent – No objection.

CD 4817/L Box Tree Cottage -  Extensions and Garage – No objection.

 

Approval:

 

CD 4029/M Salters Barn - Extensions.

CD 9103/E The Orchard - Field Shelter.

CD 4817/K Box Tree Cottage - Listed Building Consent.

CD 4817/L Box Tree Cottage -  Extensions and Garage.

 

Other Planning Matters:  Mr Broad reported that he had visited Adelaide and spoken with the builders reminding them about tree works in a Conservation Area.  It did seem that permission had been granted but the Parish Council was not aware that the application had been made as it is no longer consulted routinely on tree applications.  The Chairman was concerned that decisions were not being sent to Parish Councils and agreed to email Sophia Price at CDC asking if decisions could be notified in the same way as planning ones.

 

Matters Under Enforcement:  None.

 

CDC Contribution of Parishes to Planning Decision Making Questionnaire:  The Chairman and Clerk would complete.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL:

 

Biodiversity:   The Chairman had this in hand.

 

Unpleasant Smell in the Village – Mid September 2009:  As time had gone by, it was agreed to note this at the moment.

 

Chinese Lanterns:  Mr Bell was concerned about the danger of these to livestock.  It was agreed to support Mr Bell in lobbying on our behalf to get these banned.  It was further agreed to include an item in the Hill and Valley.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.   Viking Direct (Printer Ink) £34.99, prop. S Moore, Sec. A Miles.

2.   Bibury (Playing Field Cutting September 09) £82.80, prop. S Moore,

      sec. D Broad.

3.   Six Monthly Financial Summary – Copy to all Councillors.  The balance was

      noted.  There were no unusual items to bring to Council's attention.  The Clerk

      was thanked for producing this.

 

 

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MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 19th OCTOBER 2009 – Page 5.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

Letters from Mr Musgrave:  These had been dealt with during discussion on traffic at the school.

Great Western Ambulance Service Annual Review 2008/09:  Noted.

 

GCC Potential Waste Sites in Gloucestershire:  It was agreed to complete the questionnaire and state that it was felt Fossecross was not a suitable location.

 

Donation thank you letters from Chedworth PCC & Citizens Advice Bureau:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from E-mails:   a)  An Opportunity to Talk to Town and Parish

Councils: Mr Bell may be able to attend the meeting in Moreton on the 9th November but if not the Chairman may attend.   b)  The Future of the Play Rangers Scheme: It was agreed to support the scheme in principle but not offer any financial support.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:  Several items were identified.

 

Offer of a Visit from Police Community Support Officers:  It was agreed that the most pressing issue of relevance to the PCSO was the problem parking at the school and that a visit to the school would be beneficial. The Clerk was asked to email.

 

The meeting concluded at 9.55 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:   Monday 16th November 2009 at 7.30 pm.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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