MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 4^th JULY 2007

POLICE REPORT

PCSO Debbie Hughes reported that there had been a total of 6 recorded crimes, two of which had been detected. 

Cllr K Lewis reported the Football Club dugout had been vandalised by graffiti.  Photographs had been taken before the area was cleaned and reported to the Police.  PCSO Hughes said that graffiti should be left for the Police to take their own photographs, as they could be used in the event of a detection. 

PCSO Hughes left the meeting

CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND

Louisa Rumsey , Chair of the recently formed Playground Committee reminded Council that the playground was a valuable resource for the children in the community and had been in place for 20 years.  Over that time various upgrade work has taken place but now funds were required to replace major pieces of equipment and provide additional pieces.  Quotes have been obtained for £26,000.

The Committee is actively fundraising and has already had help from several local companies and charitable trusts.  The work is planned to be carried out on a phased basis over twelve months and Louisa asked Parish Council to consider helping the project.

The Chairman confirmed that Parish Council would discuss this later in the meeting.

Louisa Rumsey left the meeting

FRAMPTON TENNIS CLUB

Nigel Wills reported that the contractors have finished work at the site and the tennis courts and landscaping are now complete.  Cllrs were invited to the Official Opening on Saturday 21st July.   

Nigel Wills left the meeting

PRIOR TO THE MEETING PARISHIONERS WERE INVITED TO RAISE MATTERS OF CONCERN WITH CLLRS:

§          The Rev Dr John Hunter

Dr Hunter confirmed that responsible prison officers at Leyhill Prison were making arrangements for the working parties project.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Prior to the meeting, the Chairman expressed condolences to Cllr David Speed on the death of his mother.

PRESENT

Cllrs Alexander, Clifford , Greenfield , Howe (Chairman), K Lewis, M Lewis, Price, Speed and Wagstaff were present, plus Lynn Ireland (Clerk) and 2 members of the public. 

APOLOGIES

County Cllr Booth, District Cllr Smith

86/07      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None

87/07      PREVIOUS MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th June 2007 were amended as follows:

§           Page 617, Item 73/07 – final paragraph – delete the final two sentences

§           Page 618, Item 85/07 – Cllr Clifford – the final sentence to read “Cllr Clifford confirmed he would discuss this with Col Andy Hodson.”

The Minutes were then approved as a true record of proceedings and signed by the Chairman.

88/07      AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Cllrs agreed to take this item out of sequence and to allow Laura Mills from the GRCC and Jon Shaw from the District Council to address the Council.

Discussion focused on the accuracy of the figures for the Frampton-on-Severn Survey. Several Cllrs wondered particularly about the apparent requirement for rented rather than shared-equity accommodation.  The visiting officers assured Council that the report would merely form the basis for planning any housing provision, and that prior to a final decision further enquiries and interviews with individuals would take place to ensure an appropriate mix of housing types.  Adoption of the Survey was however essential as a basis for any planning application.

It was also confirmed that control of allocation of housing units would be in the hands of whatever Housing Association handled the development.

Laura Mills reminded Council that the project was envisaged as serving all the Severn Vale parishes, not just Frampton-on-Severn, and she hoped the Survey reports would be accepted by the autumn Severn Voice meeting.

Council then unanimously agreed, on the proposition of the Chairman, to adopt the Seven Voice Housing Needs Survey, noting that the figures therein are an estimate of present need and will require updating as planning proceeds.  Council further agreed to continue discussions with the other affected Severn Voice parishes to take the matter forward.

Laura Mills and Jon Shaw left the meeting

89/07      SEVERN ESTUARY FORUM

Cllrs agreed to take this item out of sequence and to allow Mr Roger Bagley to address the Council.

Mr Bagley had represented Parish Council at the 2^nd Annual Forum of the Severn Estuary Partnership in Cardiff on 7^th June.  Items discussed included flooding and tidal energy, which would affect the Severn Vale.  Mr Bagley will provide copies of the presentations for Cllrs, and su gg ested Council should formally join the Forum.

The Forum had been well attended by representatives from many organisations but not Stroud District Council.  Cllr Alexander was disappointed to note that the District Council had not sent a delegate to the Forum and su gg ested this be raised with David Ha gg .  District Cllr Smith will be asked to take this forward on behalf of Parish Council.

The Chairman commented that it was important to continue close contact with the Severn Estuary Partnership and thanked Mr Bagley for representing Parish Council.

Roger Bagley left the meeting

90/07      PLANNING

(a)    decisions of the district council

(b)        planning applications taken by the planning sub group

(c)   other planning matters

§           Development Control Training

The Planning Dept had provided papers for Cllrs to supplement those handed out at the training sessions.

§           Decisions by the Planning Dept

Cllrs were unhappy with the explanations given by Mr Skill and Mr Longmuir on the three applications that were discussed at the June meeting.  The Chairman had written to Mr Skill and copied the letter to David Ha gg .  Mr Skill had not responded but David Ha gg had replied that he would look into the matter. This will be added to the agenda for the September meeting to take forward with District Cllr Smith.

§           Planning Sub Group

Cllrs noted that the Planning Sub Group would take planning applications requiring a response before the September meeting.  Members were confirmed as Cllrs Alexander, Clifford , Greenfield , Howe , Price and Wagstaff.

91/07      ACCOUNTS

§          Invoices for Payment

§          Financial Update

Cllrs noted the contents of a Financial Statement for 2007 presented by Cllr M Lewis.

Cllr Lewis asked Cllrs to inform him of any possible expenditure for the 2008/09 budget for initial discussion at the September meeting so budget drafting could begin.  He noted £8000 remained in the capital budget and wondered if some should be reallocated.

§            Other Financial Matters

The Audit papers are available for inspection until 9^th August when they will be forwarded to Moore Stevens. 

92/07      CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND

Cllrs noted the presentation by Louisa Rumsey and agreed that Parish Council should make a grant for the purchase of new equipment.  A proposal would be put to the September meeting.  A sum of around £200 was su gg ested and possibly a further grant in 2008/09.

Information about possible grant sources would be passed to the Committee, and Parish Council would strongly recommend this project if a bid were made to the District Council’s Rural Initiative Fund.

93/07      VILLAGE FLOODING

Cllrs agreed to record areas of flooding in the village during recent extreme weather conditions.  Areas affected included:

The Green - Manor Cottage, Parks Cottage, The Grange, The Old House, The Old Coffee House, Nastfield Cottage

Watery Lane

Whittles Lane had encountered minor problems

9 The Oval

Fromebridge

Splatt Bridge

Oatfield

Most problems had been caused by surface water and blocked drains.  In view of the forecast for continuing heavy rainfall there might be more problems. Cllr Clifford had spoken to Mr Portlock at Gloucestershire Highways who would arrange to jet the gulleys.

94/07      GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S 1000^th BIRTHDAY

Copies of the papers will be provided for Cllrs to consider before discussion at the September meeting.

95/07      VILLAGE HALL CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Cllrs were invited to attend the centenary celebrations of the Village Hall on Saturday 14^th July. 

96/07      PARISH NOTICE BOARDS / SEATS

Cllr Alexander reported that Richard Knight would repair the notice boards from Ann Wicks Road.  Cllrs agreed the estimated costs in the region of £200.  Following repair consideration will be given to relocating one notice board to the car park at Oatfield Road .

97/07      LAGGER AT GLEBE CLOSE

Cllr Alexander reported that Laurence Wood the Tree Warden had been asked to survey the trees in the la gg er. Costs may be more than £1000 and tenders will be invited.

Cllr K Lewis reported that the tree on the roundabout in Lake Lane required cutting to avoid damaging school buses.  Cllr Alexander will take this forward.

98/07      COUNTY COUNCILLOR ’S REPORT

County Cllr Booth had provided a paper for Cllrs on the restructuring of the County Highways Team.

99/07      DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

                No report.

100/07   CORRESPONDENCE

§          Invitations to Meetings

§            Parish Charter

The signed copy of the Charter has been received from the County Council. This will be signed by the Chairman and placed in the parish records.

§            Footpath Survey

Jackie Harris from the County Council has asked if Parish Council would be willing to make a contribution towards provision of wooden posts for footpath signs throughout the parish.  This will be added to the agenda for the September meeting.

§            Leyhill Prison Working Parties

The Rev Dr John Hunter had agreed to contact the responsible prison officer.

§            Street Lighting

The County Council is considering extinguishing some street lights after midnight . A copy of the letter will be circulated to Cllrs for discussion and decision at the September meeting.

§            Neighbourhood Wardens

Paul Helbrow has advised that the cost for a Warden for 2.5 days per week would be £1000 per annum.  A copy of the letter will be circulated to Cllrs for discussion at the September meeting.

§            Saul Marina

Saul Parish Council had asked if anything can be done to ensure that Marina construction traffic use a wheel washer before exiting the site.   Cllrs were not aware of a requirement for a wheel washer on site as plans stated that no material would be taken off site.

§            Village Agent

Christine Lingard‘s End of Year Report to April 2007 would be circulated to Cllrs for information.

§            Mobile Police Station

Will visit the parish on 13^th and 23^rd August and 10^th and 26^th September.

§          Miscellaneous

Various papers and reports were made available for Cllrs’ perusal.

101/07   CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

§            Lake Lane Footpath

The Chairman reported various actions to remove obstructions to Lake Lane footways.  He believed that further cutting back would be done in the autumn.

102/07   ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Alexander reported his actions on highways matters:

§           Resurfacing of the road outside The Village Stores

§           Traffic lights at the junction of the A38 and the Perryway

§           Traffic calming in Bridge Road

Current restructuring of the Highways Dept was making progress difficult but he will contact John Roberts direct. He will also investigate the removal of the safety barrier at the junction of the footpath from The Oval at Bridge Road .

Cllr Speed su gg ested that Parish Council discuss Affordable Housing before the next Severn Voice meeting. Cllr Wagstaff agreed to prepare a paper for discussion at the September meeting.

Cllr Clifford reported:

(a)     Christine Lingard , the Village Agent, had visited families affected by the recent floods.

(b)   A Committee to discuss events for Remembrance Day 2007 was made up of Cllr Clifford (Chair), Cllr Alexander, Cllr Howe, The Rev Peter Cheesman, Col Andy Hodson (Church Warden), The Rev Dr John Hunter and Brian Ireland (Bandmaster).  It was agreed to add this as an agenda item for the September meeting.

Cllr Price su gg ested the waste bin removed from Church End be relocated to the bus shelter in Bridge Road .  This would require a fixing post somewhere between the telephone box and the bus shelter.  The Clerk will check that this could be added to the District Council route for emptying before a decision is made.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 10.03pm .

ADDENDUM TO THE PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF 4^th JULY 2007

DISTRICT COUNCIL PLANNING

MR PHIL SKILL and MR JOHN LONGMUIR

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY 6^th JUNE 2007

Mr Skill and Mr Longmuir had been asked to give Parish Council an explanation of how planning applications are considered, and what criteria is used by the planning officers. 

Over recent months it has become increasingly obvious that concerns submitted by Parish Council on planning applications are not being heeded.  Planning officers have not taken note of serious misgivings expressed by Parish Council on a number of occasions and this has caused concern to be expressed both by Parish Council and residents.

Mr Skill explained that the Planning Department have to consider approximately 2700 applications each year, most of which are for private households.  Of this number about 250 go to the Planning Committee and the remainder are taken under Delegated Powers.  Another team deals with Listed Building applications. All planning application papers are publicly available and can be viewed on the website.  Members of the public are welcome to talk to Case Officers on any application.

The Government have set targets for all District Councils and the result is that planning officers are required to turn round applications within the minimum time.

Cllrs explained that Parish Council was looking for consistency on applications.  The Parish Plan should be used for material consideration and the wishes of the whole parish, as expressed in the Plan, should be paramount in cases of doubt.  Common sense rather than cost implications should prevail. Targets should not be the ultimate consideration on an application.  A quality decision rather than a quick decision must be preferable on all occasions.

In conclusion it was noted that over the years this Parish Council has been extremely fortunate in its relationship with the Planning Dept but unfortunately this seems to have changed.

There were three applications in particular which Parish Council wanted to discuss and the visiting officers gave the reasoning behind the decisions made:

S07/0499/FUL - 10 Whitminster Lane

Single storey front extension and two-storey side extension

Parish Council had objected on the grounds of size of the structure, position of the structure in relation to the building line and the subsequent loss of rear access, overlooking and overbearing on neighbouring property.

Mr Skill gave the following explanation:

§           45 degree rule applies when overshadowing is assessed.

§           Access to the rear garden is personal choice not a planning reason for refusal.

Parish Council did not accept this explanation on this application.

S07/0099/FUL - 1 The Oval

Retrospective application for erection of a 1.8m high boundary fence

Parish Council had objected on the grounds that the fence spoilt the aesthetic view of the area but had put forward a compromise regarding the height of the fence.

Mr Skill gave the following explanation:

§           The District Council feared they would have lost at Appeal and therefore did not wish to incur the expense.

§           Have to consider human rights.

Parish Council did not accept this explanation on the grounds of lack of consistency.

S07/0430/FUL – Tanfield, Church End

Detached carport and workshop

Parish Council had supported the application but had submitted concerns regarding the size of the structure, the position of the structure in relation to the building line and the style of roof.

Mr Skill gave the following explanation:

§           The pitched roof in the original application was deleted at the request of the house owners.

Parish Council accepted this explanation.

As reported under Minute 90/07 at the Parish Council meeting on 4^th July 2007 , Cllrs were unhappy with the explanations given and the Chairman had written to Mr Skill with a copy to Mr David Ha gg .