MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 10^th JANUARY 2007

PROPOSED MARINA AT SAUL JUNCTION

County Cllr Booth, District Cllrs Jones and Smith were present together with Mrs Teasdale and 8 representatives from Severn Vale parishes to discuss the current planning application for reserved matters for the Marina at Saul Junction .  

The District Council had granted Outline Planning Permission for a marina 6/7 years ago and Cllr Howe outlined background to the proposal.  The present application included detail for administration, chandlery, WCs, manager’s accommodation, car parking and landscaping.  Frampton-on-Severn Parish Council had submitted a two-page response (copies circulated) commenting on various points in the application and highlighting concerns.  

In general discussion the following points were noted:  

§            This application was not due to be heard by the District Council at the next planning meeting and therefore Parishes had time to submit comments.  

§            It was noted there were a number of discrepancies between the Outline Planning Permission and the present application.   

§            The current application contains reference to 268 moorings and 140 car parking spaces.   This is a considerable increase on the original.  

§            It was said that 20% of the moorings are designated residential.  This may be a response to British Waterway’s wish to move moorings from the Canal into the Marina

§            A residential development was included in the original application and Frampton-on-Severn Parish Council opposed this.  The approved Outline Permission did not mention any residential provision.   

§            It is not anticipated that every mooring will require a car park space.  

§            The District Council Legal Department will be consulted to ascertain Council Tax liability on permanently residential boats.  

§            The Environment Agency will be consulted about the flood risk and if they object a full Flood Risk Assessment will be required.  

§            Potential problems with water and light pollution would need to be closely monitored.   

§            In view of the increased capacity of the Marina it should be possible to request a new Traffic Impact Assessment.    

§            A Section 106 for improvements to the highways/footpaths should be investigated.   

§            Fretherne-with-Saul Parish Council would wish to challenge the scope of the Outline Planning Permission and are considering a Judicial Review.  

§            Discussions should be held with the District Council and the Developers to ensure the proposed development does not have an adverse affects on the locality.  

Cllr Howe confirmed that this item was tabled for discussion later in the meeting when Councillors would agree any action to be taken.  

District Cllr Smith, and the representatives from the Severn Vale parishes left the meeting.   

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POLICE REPORT

A PCSO from the Community Team provided crime statistics for the four weeks since the last meeting.  

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

§          The Rev Dr John Hunter

The road outside The Top Shop is in a very bad condition and needs urgent repairs.

Cllr Alexander reported that he has carried out a survey of the parish roads and made a report to Stroudwater.  He confirmed that the road adjacent to The Top Shop has already been reported to the Highways Authority and he will now request them to give priority to this work. County Cllr Booth confirmed he will also take this forward with County Highways.    

§          Mrs Rosemary Morris

No gutter cleaning has been carried out since 18^th September 2006 .  The west side of The Street is in a very bad state.

Cllr Alexander reported he has been advised that the County Council will be carrying out a programme of drain clearance in the near future.  

§          Mrs Hookway , Kingselm, The Perryway

(1)     Some vehicles are not keeping to the 40mph speed limit in The Perryway.

(2)   The Planning Application for an additional building on the Kingselm site is repeatedly being turned down by the District Council.  The reasons given are very confusing.

Cllr Alexander requested District Cllrs Jones and Smith arrange for a planning officer to visit Mrs Hookway to ensure that she is fully aware of the situation with regard to her planning application.  

§          District Cllr John Jones

Blocked drains have caused flooding in Whitminster Lane .  A number of garden rubbish sacks were removed from a culvert and it may be necessary to insert a grill to ensure this does not happen again.  

MINUTES OF THE MEETING  

PRESENT

Cllrs Alexander, Clifford, Howe (Chairman), Greenfield, K Lewis, M Lewis, Price, Speed and Wagstaff were present, plus Mrs Lynn Ireland (Clerk) and 4 members of the public.   

APOLOGIES

County Cllr Booth for early departure and District Cllr Jones  

1/07        DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.  

2/07        PREVIOUS MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December 2006 were amended as follows:  

§          Page 590 Agenda Item 152/06       

To read “The GRCC and the Countryside Alliance have reported…..”  

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

3/07        PLANNING

(a)    decisions of the district council

§          Marina at Walk Farm

The Chairman summarised discussions with the Severn Vale parishes before the meeting and Cllrs agreed it would be important to work with the Developers in order to minimise any adverse impact and maximise benefits to the communities.  

Cllr Speed su gg ested that residents in Oatfield be asked for their comments on the proposal and the Chairman confirmed he intended to circulate information to the residents of the hamlet.  

Cllrs agreed the main impact would be from an increase in traffic and the Chairman agreed to request a new Traffic Impact Assessment.   

The District Council will be asked if any planning gain can be allocated to improvements to the highways and footpath in Whitminster Lane and Oatfield.  

It is possible that the potential for increased traffic flow could strengthen the case for traffic lights at the junction of the Perryway and the A38.  

County Cllr Booth advised that the District Council would no doubt require a new Traffic Impact Assessment to be carried out.  It may be possible to obtain a Section 106 agreement and he will be discussing this with the Director of the Environment at County level.   

It was agreed that a paper of further comments covering the material planning considerations discussed should be sent to the District Council  

4/07        ACCOUNTS

§          Financial Update

Cllr M Lewis circulated a paper showing the current financial situation.  Cllrs noted the contents.  

§            Other Financial Matters

The following invoices had been paid since the last meeting using the Chairman’s Discretionary Power:  

5/07        BRITISH WATERWAYS PROPOSAL ON BRIDGE CONTROL

An emergency meeting of Severn Voice had been called to discuss the BW proposals on bridge opening.  Mr Ian Jarvis had attended and explained that the proposal is to close the Canal to water traffic for two days in the middle of the week through the winter months.  In the summer, temporary bridge keepers would operate some bridges and the waterway users would control electronically operated bridges.  

Parishes in the Severn Vale had concerns about these proposals and had contacted County Highways and the emergency services to get their views.  The local MP David Drew has also been advised.  It is understood the County Council will write to British Waterways and that Ian Jarvis will then take this up with his Board.  

One major concern would be to ensure that Fretherne Bridge remained manned all year round to ensure traffic flow would not be disrupted.  Cllr Alexander confirmed he would raise this point at the Canal Users Forum.  

British Waterways have invited representatives from the Severn Voice parishes to visit a Kennett & Avon Canal on the 10^th February to see a similar project in operation.  

6/07        FLOOD PREVENTION

Cllr Speed circulated a paper proposing Parish Council prepare a Strategy for emergency planning for use as a first step in the event of flooding.  Any work would cover two issues - (1) the Environment Agency would be pressed to change the description of the Severn Vale as an area liable to flooding, and (2) detailing self help for the community in the event of an emergency.   

Cllrs unanimously agreed to set up a Sub Group to take this forward - Cllr Speed (Chair), Cllrs Clifford, Price and Wagstaff.   

County Cllr Booth considered this would be an appropriate subject for discussion by the Severn Voice Group of Parishes.  Officers from the County Council would be available to advise on the production of a Strategy.  He confirmed he would pass Cllr Speed a copy of the EA paper “Preparing the Nation for Flooding”.   

County Cllr Booth left the meeting  

7/07        ST MARY ’S CHURCHYARD – MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Cllr Speed su gg ested that the PCC be reminded that Parish Council would be willing to add maintenance of the churchyard to the Parish grass-cutting contract.  Cllr Alexander advised that TW Hawkins were not able to take on this type of work and alternative quotes had been obtained from a number of companies when Parish Council discussed this some time ago.  

The Chairman said that the PCC still wish for volunteers to undertake the work.  However it is the belief of Parish Council that the majority of residents would wish to see a structured programme of maintenance for the churchyard.  

In conclusion it was agreed the Chairman would contact the secretary of the PCC to ask about the possibility of employing a professional company to carry out a maintenance programme.  If they respond they are not in a position to do this, then Parish Council could offer to organise a contract and cover the cost.  

8/07        COUNTY COUNCILLOR ’S REPORT

Cllr Alexander had wanted to ask advice from County Cllr Booth about possible action to be taken over the state of the highway in Fromebridge Lane .  This is in a highly dangerous state with mud left by farm vehicles causing problems for vehicles.  He had contacted County Highways and had been advised that the first step would be to involve the Police and they in turn would notify County Highways.  Cllr Alexander did not wish to take this action without approval from full Council.  After discussion it was agreed that initially a letter be sent to the farmer asking him to take action to clean the highway.  

9/07        DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

District Cllr Jones reported that the District Council propose to increase the District section of the Council Tax for 2007/08 by 2½ %.  This will be discussed by the Members at the budget meeting and will be confirmed at the February meeting when the Council Tax will be set.  

10/07      CORRESPONDENCE

§            Licensing Authority

David Drew advised he had asked a Parliamentary Question about the fact that Stroud District Council requires written evidence of representation received in cases of licensing applications.  

§            Mobile Police Station

Will visit the parish on 8^th and 26^th February 2007 .  

§          Miscellaneous

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

11/07      CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

§            Post Office Consultation Document

The Chairman has studied document and this will now be passed to Cllrs Greenfield and M Lewis.  A response is required by 8^th March.  

§            Gambling Act

A Statement of Principles for implementation of the Gambling Act had been received from the District Council.  The Chairman has studied the papers and reported there was nothing that would affect this Parish.  

§            Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

This will take place on 2^nd May 2007 not as shown on the printed sheet circulated to Cllrs.    

§            Car Parks at Splatt Bridge

Parish Council had been copied into correspondence between a resident and British Waterways.  The su gg estion had been made that the car park at Splatt be left unlocked to allow other users to take advantage of the facility.   British Waterways did not approve the su gg estion.  Cllrs would like to support the resident and contact British Waterways to take up the proposal, but problems were foreseen with insurance, planning permission and maintenance.  It was agreed to discuss this in full at the February meeting.  

§            Housing Needs Survey

Questionnaires were distributed to Ward Cllrs for delivery in their Wards.  

§            Neighbourhood Wardens

The Parishes of Arlingham and Slimbridge are keen to take part in the three-month free trial.  The Clerk would contact Paul Helbrow to arrange.  

12/07      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Price reported the litterbins by The Top Shop had not been emptied this week.  She will contact the District Council to report this.  

Cllr Speed reported:

(a)    The Village Hall now has a licence for singing and dancing.  

(b)   In an attempt to encourage more parishioners to attend the Annual Parish Meeting, consideration should be given to inviting other village organisations to make presentations.  The Chairman will contact Lakefield School , Community Association, Village Society, Village Hall committee and WI with the proposal.  

(c)   Drains have collapsed along a section of The Perryway.   In the section adjacent to the landfill site the drains have been recessed into the kerb and if this were extended it would solve the problem.  Cllr Alexander advised he has already reported the problem to Stroudwater and they will be carrying out repairs as soon as weather permits.  It was unlikely that the whole length of The Perryway could be kerbed.   

Cllr Greenfield reported

(a)   The south side of the la gg er at Glebe Close is blocked by foliage.  The Chairman will investigate and ask John Goulding to clear the area.  

(b)  Graham Vick who carries out litter picking for Parish Council is recovering at home following a hip replacement operation.  The Chairman agreed to contact him.  

(c)  The area of the bus stop and telephone box in Bridge Road . Is badly overgrown.  Cllr Price agreed to ask John Goulding to add this to his list.   

Cllr Alexander enquired if the Conservation Survey was ready to be distributed to residents.  He will contact the District Council to ask about this.  

there being no further business the meeting closed at 10.10pm .