MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 5^th DECEMBER 2007

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

Lake Lane

Peter Morris reported he has now tidied the area adjacent to Miss Bradley’s boundary and the footpath is now clear. The Chairman thanked Mr Morris for carrying out the work.

County & District Cllrs’ Reports

After a brief discussion it was agreed to continue existing practice as to the place of these reports on the agenda.

Police Report

PCSO Debra Hughes was unable to attend the meeting but had provided a report showing the up-to-date crime figures for the parish. There had been 2 reported incidents bringing the total this year to date to 34 with a 20.5% detection rate.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING  

PRESENT

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

APOLOGIES

Cllrs Greenfield and K Lewis, District Cllr Smith

175/07   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None received

176/07   PREVIOUS MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7^th November 2007 were amended to correct minor spelling errors.  The Minutes were then approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

177/07   PLANNING

(a)    decisions of the district council

 (b)    planning applications

(c)        other planning matters

§           Statement of Community Involvement

The District Council has provided information about the consultation process for the new Local Development Framework.

§           Severnvale Services

Council has been notified that Severnvale Services have extended their car park to the east into the land of the adjoining property.  It is not clear if Change of Use has been applied for.

Proposal               Cllr M Lewis proposed that Cllr Alexander talk to the property owner.

Seconded             Cllr Wagstaff

Vote                       Unanimous

§           Chapel House

Cllr Wagstaff reported she has received a complaint about the inappropriate size of the extension being made to Chapel House that had been approved by the District Council against Parish Council advice.   The parishioner himself had had a planning application turned down due to the size of the proposed extension.  The Chairman was requested to write to the District Council reiterating Parish Council’s dismay at such apparent inconsistency in District Council decisions.

178/07   ACCOUNTS

§          Invoices for Payment

              §           Financial Update

Cllrs noted the contents of the Financial Statement for November 2007 prepared by Cllr M Lewis.  

§           Budget for 2008/09

Cllr M Lewis presented his proposals for the 2008/09 budget.  Cllrs discussed the various options and the following items were highlighted:  

-     Lagger at Glebe Close:   all the major works being now completed, £500 has been allowed for minor clearing work.  Laurence Wood has prepared a planting programme to be carried out in late 2008.  

-     Village Maintenance:   it was observed that the current honorarium to Mr John Goulding equated to £3.50 per hour. Cllrs noted that this was substantially less than the current national minimum wage rate.  It was therefore proposed by Cllr Price that this be increased forthwith to a level compatible with the national minimum wage; viz £6 per hour.  It was further noted that more work was required during the summer than during the winter, but Cllr Price believed that an average over the year of 2 hours per week would probably be appropriate.  It was agreed that the figures should be reviewed when the 2008/09 budget is set.

Proposal      Cllr Price proposed increasing the honorarium to Mr Goulding to £6 per hour to include expenses.  This will be reviewed in twelve months.

Seconded    Cllr Alexander

Vote               Unanimous

Mr Dicky Baker has offered to carry out litter picking in the playing field.

          -      Roes Pool:   Cllr Clifford reported that Frampton Court Estates would consider placing bollards to deter parking on The Green and erosion of the verges for example around Roes Pool.  Parish Council supported this offer and the Chairman suggested that Frampton Court Estate discuss the proposal with local residents.  

After a full discussion Cllrs agreed to accept the budget for 2008/09.

Proposal      Cllr Alexander proposed increasing the precept by 3% for 2008/09 and leaving the decision about 2009/10 until a later date.

Seconded    Cllr M Lewis

Vote               Unanimous

§           Request from Stroud Valleys Project for funding

After a brief discussion Cllrs agreed it would not be appropriate to make a donation.

179/07   EMERGENCY PLAN 

§           Plan 

Cllr Speed reported that the Emergency Planning Committee had not yet met and it was agreed that the Chairman of that Committee should be contacted so that a meeting can be arranged.

§           Insurance of Emergency Work

Cllr M Lewis advised that the present Parish Council insurance covers most risks for volunteers working on behalf of Parish Council.

Cllr Speed asked County Cllr Booth whether the County Council was considering the recent threat from the National Insurance Association to end cover for properties when local flood defences were inadequate.  Cllr Booth replied that the statement had only just been made, so had yet to be considered by the various responsible authorities.  However, a major problem was lack of funding, which was the responsibility of Central Government.  He noted also that some of the recent floods resulted from poor maintenance of watercourses, etc, and this was being addressed.  There were also questions about the accuracy of the Environment Agency’s Flood Risk Map, which he believed was being reconsidered.

Cllr Alexander advised that a major problem for the parish was the free flow of water out of the village during heavy rainfall.  Wicksters Brook carries water through the parish from upstream to the River Cam and then to the Canal and he has written, on behalf of the Parish Council, to British Waterways requesting the Brook be cleared of overgrowing silt and weeds.  A response is awaited.

180/07   AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Cllr Wagstaff reported that Fretherne and Longney would be able to take about 5 houses each which would leave Frampton to take the remainder.  Proposed sites have been submitted to the Planning Dept for consideration.  This will be taken forward in the New Year.

181/07   REMEMBRANCE DAY

The Chairman reported that the events held in the village on 11^th November had been very successful and thanked all those who had been involved in the planning.  Cllr Speed felt that there had been some problems with the timing and it was agreed this would be reported to the Debrief meeting to be held on the 17^th December. 

182/07   CRICKET ON THE GREEN

Cllr Clifford advised that Frampton Cricket Club are having problems with insurance cover for their matches played on The Green.  Parish Council was asked if any action could be taken to ensure the safety aspects of the footpath was covered.

Cllrs discussed the possibility of diverting or closing the footpath in front of The Bell Inn while matches are being played and County Cllr Booth agreed to discuss this with the Rights of Way Department.  Cllr M Lewis advised that the Cricket Club’s insurance should be checked to make sure they would accept this solution.

It was agreed a Sub Group of Cllrs Clifford, Alexander and Price would take this forward.

183/07   NOTICE BOARD

Cllr Alexander reported the Parish Council had a spare notice board and proposed this be sited in the Oatfield Road car park adjacent to the playing field entrance.  Mr R Knight is prepared to carry out the work.  

Proposal               Cllr Alexander to take this forward.

Seconded             Cllr Wagstaff

Vote                       Unanimous  

184/07   COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

County Cllr Booth reported:

§          The Overview & Scrutiny Committee have prepared a Report on the recent flooding.  County Cllr Booth has been invited to join sub group to look at planning following the flooding. 

§           The proposals for the Hunts Grove development will be going to public enquiry in January.

§           Regional Spatial Strategy inspectors will be presenting their Report due in January.

§           Planning Bill going through which will allow smaller extensions to be carried out without planning permission.  This will need to be monitored for its effects in Conservation Areas.

185/07   DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

186/07   CORRESPONDENCE

§           Meetings

Parish Council has been invited to send representation to:

§           Mobile Police Station

Will visit the parish on 3^rd and 21^st December.

§          Miscellaneous

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

187/07   ANY OTHER BUSINESS

No business.

The Chairman wished Cllrs the compliments of the season and advised that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 9^th January 2008.  There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40 pm .