February 2010

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 3^rd FEBRUARY 2010

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

No matters.

POLICE REPORT

PCSO Debbie Flay reported that reported crime incidents from October 2009 to date were 21 as opposed to 24 for the corresponding period last year. There were now 18 ‘Horse Watch’ projects in the area and 10 ‘No Cold Calling’ zones. The Community Safety Team continue to work closely with parish councils in the area and Debbie would endeavour to ensure that good lines of communication were kept open.

The Chairman reported he had written to the Chief Constable regarding the suicide incident and the failure of the Police to provide any information to Parish Council or the landowner of the property. Sgt Harrison from Stonehouse had responded offering an apology and a suggestion that they would do make every effort to ensure that this lack of communication was addressed in future.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

PRESENT

Cllrs Alexander, Clifford, Greenfield, Howe, K. Lewis, Price, Speed and Wagstaff were present plus County Cllr Booth, District Cllr Smith and Lynn Ireland (Clerk).

APOLOGIES

Cllr M. Lewis.

13/10 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None received.

14/10 PREVIOUS MINUTES

Minutes of the Meeting held on 6^th January 2010 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

15/10 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

County Cllr Booth reported:

Severn Voice Meeting – he had been advised that the meeting was to take place on 24^th March. This was the date set for the Annual Parish Meeting of Frampton Parish Council. It was agreed that it was not essential for all Cllrs to attend the APM and a decision would be taken when confirmation of the date has been received.

Lakefield School Admissions – the final decision about admission numbers for 2010 would be known in mid-March following which further discussion would take place. The Head teacher and the County Council are not agreed on the expected numbers.

Lakefield School – the recent Offsted report for Lakefield School has recorded the school as ‘outstanding’.

Highways – Operation Road Rescue was underway to repair the many pot holes throughout the district. The A38 from the Cross Keys roundabout towards Whitminster would be closed on 20/21 February for resurfacing. Alternative routes will be signposted.

County Cllr Booth left the meeting

16/10 PLANNING

(a) DECISIONS MADE BY THE DISTRICT COUNCIL

S09/1872/VAR
Sandfield Mill House	Removal of occupancy condition (E) attached to Planning Permission G4942/E	Planning Permission

(b) PLANNING APPLICATION TAKEN BY THE SUB GROUP

S09/2295/HHOLD
1 Bridge Road	Erection of two storey side extension	Support
The application was supported under Policy HN16

(c) PLANNING APPLICATIONS TAKEN AT THE MEETING

S10/0038/FUL
Wincanton Fromebridge Lane	Installation of a two storey Portakabin Pacemaker building, to be used as office accommodation for a hire period of up to 3 years	Support
Cllr Alexander reported this minor application would not be visible from the roadway and Cllrs unanimously agreed support under Policy EN6.

S10/0037/FUL
8 Whitminster Lane	Proposed single storey extension and alterations	Support
Cllr Howe reported he had still to discuss the application with the close neighbours. In the meantime Cllrs were unanimous in their support of the application under Policy HN16.

S09/2184/LBC
Tom Clarke’s Cottage The Green	Internal and external alterations to annexe
The papers were not available at the meeting and it was agreed the Planning Sub Group would consider the application.

(d) OTHER PLANNING

Shipton Mill Planning Appeal

The Inspector had recommended that the planning permission should be granted.

17/10 FINANCE

(a) Invoices for Payment

There were no invoices due for payment.

(b) Financial Update

Cllrs noted the contents of the Financial Update for January 2010.

(c) Other Finance

T.W. Hawkins & Sons had submitted a quote for the 2010 grass cutting season. This totalled just over £950 which was a very slight increase on last year. Cllrs agreed that, taking into account the excellent services provided over the years by T.W. Hawkins, the quote be accepted.

Proposal Cllr Alexander proposed the 2010 quote from T.W. Hawkins be accepted.

Seconded Cllr Wagstaff

Vote Unanimous

18/10 PARISH COUNCIL INSURANCE

It was agreed to defer the item until the next meeting.

19/10 REGISTRATION OF THE GREEN

Cllr Clifford declared a prejudicial interest and took no part in the discussion

The Land Registry had received an application for registration of The Green from Mr P.R.H. Clifford. Cllrs had been contacted prior to the meeting and had given their support. The Chairman had responded to the Land Registry on behalf of Parish Council, pointing out certain discrepancies in the map provided with the application and other legal aspects. The Land Registry are now considering the comments made.

20/10 CORE STRATEGY CONSULTATION

The District Council have set a consultation period of 8^th February to 22^nd March for comment on the seven alternative Strategies for dealing with development in the District up to 2026 and the proposed policies to guide that development. An information event is due to be held in Frampton Community Centre later this month.

21/10 PARISH PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE

GRCC have requested completion of a questionnaire on the benefits of having a Parish Plan. Cllr Speed advised that the Plan for this parish was completed in 2003 and is now due for updating. He did not consider the questionnaire would have any relevance for this parish. The Chairman/Cllr Alexander agreed to contact Angela Burlow at GRCC to discuss the matter.

22/10 POST OFFICES – STROUD DISTRICT

The District Council had circulated advice on the future sustainability of local post offices. They suggest discussions should take place with the local postmaster with the offer of support and assistance if and when required. Cllrs discussed the local situation and were unanimous in their full support for the postmistress at Frampton Stores & Post Office.

As Frampton Stores & Post Office is currently up for sale, District Cllr Smith was asked to make enquiries about the local policy for change of use of such properties. Cllrs considered it essential that the community did not lose this valuable facility and it was agreed the Chairman would speak to the postmistress informally to discuss their future plans and how Parish Council could assist.

23/10 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

District Cllr Smith reported:

	the agreed Council Tax rise for the Stroud district for 2010/11 was 1.9%
	the District had made an efficiency saving of just over £720,000 and is currently debt free
	a claim is being submitted to the Icelandic Bank to recover the District Council deposit of £3M.

24/10 CORRESPONDENCE

Parish Council was invited to send representation to the following:

23^rd February	Community Safety Event	Ebley Mill
4^th February	Town & Parish Forum	Ebley Mill

Frampton Pill

The EA had responded to the Chairman’s letter and confirmed that they had carried out dredging to the Pill to clear silt from the flap in October. They have no plans for any further extensive work but will continue to keep the flap clear.

At this point Cllr Clifford advised that the IDB have carried out significant work to the rhine on the canal side. It was agreed the Watercourse Warden and Frampton Court Estate would check the area to see what works had been carried out.

Flooding at Church End

The Chairman confirmed he had spoken to the landowner about the tree roots which had blocked the ditch causing the area to flood. The roots have been cleared and the landowner was minded to reduce the height of the trees. Cllrs were concerned that this would not remedy the problem and it was agreed that the Watercourse Warden and the District Council’s Officer should be consulted. Possibly local bye laws could be invoked. It was agreed to monitor the situation.

Splatt Car Park

The drain in the highway is blocked. County Highways will be requested to check this.

District Council Waste Collection

The Chairman congratulated the District Council on the way they had kept parishes informed by daily issuing updates of disruptions and proposed collections during the recent bad weather.

Neighbourhood Warden

Phil Drew had submitted his report for the month of December.

Affordable Housing

Cllr Wagstaff reported that Bayhill Property had submitted site proposals for Frampton and Whitminster. Council felt that the sites mentioned in Frampton-on-Severn were unlikely to meet the District Council’s planning criteria.

Mobile Police Station

The MPS visits to this parish were to be on 2^nd and 15^th March 2010 in Frampton Stores car park.

Miscellaneous

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

25/10 CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

County Highways

Cllr Alexander had prepared a history of events relating to the attempts by this Parish Council to have either traffic lights or a roundabout at the junction of the A38/B4071. Cllr Speed suggested that a letter be sent to Cllr Waddington prior to the Severn Voice meeting to highlight the dangerous condition of the junction. He would draft a letter for consideration.

26/10 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Speed suggested that Parish Council write to the Head teacher at Lakefield School to congratulate her on achieving an outstanding result in the Offsted. This was unanimously agreed.

Cllr Clifford reported:

(a) There had been some pollution to the Cant Leaze ditch and it was suspected that the pumping station at Baccabox had failed. FCE had requested the Environment Agency investigate and take action. Cllr Price suggested that the problem had been caused by the contractors working in Ann Wicks Road to install ground source heat pumps.

(b) The Stroud Valleys Project have been tree planting and hedge laying in the parish. Work is ongoing and Lakefield School will be involved in the next stage of planting. Replacement of footpath signage is currently taking place.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm.

Copyright © 2005 Frampton on Severn Parish Council