MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL
ON WEDNESDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2008
PRIOR TO THE MEETING PARISHIONERS WERE INVITED TO RAISE MATTERS OF CONCERN WITH CLLRS:
 | Brian Webster |
Mr Webster reported that Stonehouse Rotary have, with the agreement of Frampton Court Estate, agreed that they will replace the oak seat at Manor Cottages/Portland Place on The Green. Rotary will undertake ongoing maintenance but wished to know if Parish Council would include this in their insurance cover.
The Chairman said this raised the question of whether all the village seats should be covered under the Council’s insurance policy and enquiries will be made with the insurers to see what cost would be.
| Keith Wilcox |
Mr Wilcox drew Cllrs attention to the pot holed state of the path on east side of The Green southwards towards Fitcherbury and asked if any maintenance could be carried out.
The Chairman confirmed that Council would discuss this during the meeting.
Keith Wilcox left the meeting
POLICE REPORT
PCSO Debra Hughes was unable to be present and had provided a written report. There had been 5 reported incidents over the last month and the year-to-date figure was 35 with a detection rate of 17.14%.
Cllr Alexander confirmed he was continuing to work with PCSO Hughes and PC Acres to get an improvement to the state of Fromebridge Lane and was hopeful some action would be taken to ensure the mud was cleared.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
PRESENT
Cllrs Alexander, Clifford, Greenfield, Howe (Chairman), M. Lewis, Price and Speed were present, plus County Cllr Booth, District Cllr Smith and Lynn Ireland (Clerk) and 5 members of the public.
APOLOGIES
Cllrs K Lewis and Wagstaff
124/08 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Howe declared a non prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 5.3 Accounts – Community Association.
125/08 PREVIOUS MINUTES
Minutes of the Meeting held on 1st October 2008 were amended as follows:
 | Police Report |
Insert at the end of the first paragraph ...."with the fun fair."
The Minutes were then approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
126/08 PLANNING
(a) decisions made by the district council
None received
(c) planning applications taken by the planning sub group
|
S08/1853/FUL |
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|
Netherhills Ind Site Fromebridge Lane |
Proposed siting of a Portacabin |
Support |
|
Parish Council support the development in accordance with Policy EM7. |
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S08/1971/FUL |
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|
Fernleigh The Green |
Demolition of existing garage and erection of a two-storey side extension and new dormer window to side elevation |
Support |
|
Parish Council support the development in accordance with Policies BE5 and BE6. However, it would be preferred if the new windows to the front were of wood rather than upvc. |
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|
S08/1948/FUL |
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Churchend Cottage Churchend |
Erection of wooden garden room |
Support |
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Parish Council support the development in accordance with Policies BE5 and BE6. |
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(d) planning application taken at the meeting
|
S08/2106/FUL |
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|
Sadlers Cottage Fromebridge Lane |
Restoration of Outbuilding |
Support |
|
Cllr Alexander confirmed that one neighbour wished to object about the height of the new building. After a full discussion Cllrs agreed unanimously to support the application quoting Policies BE1 and BE16. Policies EM3 and EM7 did not apply, however a small reduction in height would be welcomed. |
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(e) other planning matters
| S08/1840/FUL – The Elms, The Street |
The Chairman confirmed he had spoken to the Case Officer at Ebley Mill but she had not changed her view that the retrospective application for the replacement garden shed should be refused. District Cllr Smith agreed he would look at the site and give his views to the Planning Committee.
127/08 ACCOUNTS
(a) Invoices for Payment
|
Mr W. Alexander |
Refund of expenses Bill Wood Memorial Shield |
£20.55 |
|
FoS Village Hall |
Hire of hall (six months) |
£100.00 |
|
Mr Graham Vick |
Village Litter Collection |
£50.00 |
|
Compello Services |
Installation of PC equipment in Parish Office |
£88.13 |
(b) Financial Update
Cllrs noted the contents of the Financial Update for October prepared by Cllr M Lewis.
(c) Other Finance
- Village Hall
The Management Committee are planning refurbishments to the outside of the Village Hall and the replacement of some of the windows. Quotes have been obtained in the region of £7000 and the Committee ask if Parish Council would be prepared to make a contribution of £2500 towards this expense. Cllrs agreed in principle to support this request but before making a final decision asked Cllr Greenfield to suggest to the Committee that a quote be obtained from Leyhill Working Parties.
| Community Association |
Cllr Howe declared a non prejudicial interest. Cllrs agreed that Cllr Howe should remain in the Chair during the discussions.
- Donation of £500 towards works to restore the canal bank
- Maintenance of restored canal bank
This donation had been unanimously agreed under Minute Number 167/07 and the cheque was now signed.
T.W. Hawkins had been asked to include this area in their tender for grass cutting next season. In the meantime they had submitted a quote of £140 for a first cut of the area and Cllr Howe asked if Council would agree to this additional expense.
Proposal Cllr Speed proposed the sum of £140 be paid to T.W. Hawkins for a first cut of the canal bank
Seconded Cllr Greenfield
Vote Unanimous
| Extension to St Mary’s Burial Ground |
No response had been received from the PCC and therefore Council was unable to set a figure for the required works.
| Audit |
The External Auditors had confirmed that the accounts were fully compliant with all legal requirements. The Chairman thanked Cllr M Lewis and the Clerk for their work in preparing the papers for audit.
| Insurance of Wooden Seats in the Village |
Following the discussion before the meeting regarding seats in the village, Cllrs authorised the Clerk to enquire of the Council’s insurers what premium would be required for public liability cover for all the seats for which the Council was responsible.
128/08 BUDGET 2009/10
- Draft Budget Proposals
- Precept
Cllr M Lewis had circulated draft proposals for the 2009/10 budget. He calculated that Parish Council would need to make a 5% increase to enable planned projects to continue. This would equate to a very small increase in the overall Council Tax. £5000 was to be set aside for capital projects and £2000 as an emergency fund. £3000 would be required to cover other village projects as required. Charitable donations would be increased to £75.
Capital projects: Village Hall £2500
Car Parking £1500
St Mary’s Churchyard £7000
Lagger at Glebe Close £700
Cllrs were asked to agree the budget as proposed by Cllr M Lewis.
Cllrs were asked to agree a precept for 2009/10 of £13,540.
Proposal Cllr Speed proposed that Council agree the budget and precept.
Seconded Cllr Greenfield
Vote Unanimous
129/08 FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT
The Chairman had circulated a paper summarising the responses received from Severn Trent, Gloucestershire Highways, British Waterways, The Environment Agency, the Lower Severn IDB, in relating to responsibility for drains, ditches and watercourses in the parish.
Cllrs discussed the implications of the comments and a number of queries were raised. Further debate was deferred pending receipt of answers to these queries.
The Chairman was requested to contact Mr Ian Kear the newly appointed Environmental Health Officer at the District Council, and to seek more information from County Highways.
County Cllr Booth congratulated Cllr Howe on producing an excellent document and requested permission to use this in his discussions with the County Council. Council agreed.
130/08 FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
Cllr Speed reported he will present a paper to Council at the December meeting.
131/08 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
County Cllr Booth reported he has been replaced on the Flood Defence Committee by the County Council Cabinet Member for environmental matters.
132/08 DISTRICT CLLR’S REPORT
District Cllr Smith reported that the District Council would be discussing the proposals to extend the Conservation Area in Frampton at their meeting on the 6th November.
133/08 CORRESPONDENCE
Council was invited to send representation to the following:
|
12th November |
Community Safety Panel Meeting |
Ebley Mill |
| Community Legal Advice Network for Gloucestershire |
The District Council set out details of the new service to be introduced.
| Severn Voice |
Minutes of the meeting held on 10th September 2008. Copies had been provided for Cllrs. The next meeting in March 2009 is to be hosted by this Council and Member Councils had asked that David Hagg be invited. The Chairman will contact Severn Voice Chairmen to discuss an agenda for the meeting.
| Stop the Drop |
CPRE are planning an Anti-Litter Campaign and will be providing a toolkit for each parish council.
| Miscellaneous |
Various papers and publications were made available for Cllrs perusal.
Cllr Price left the meeting
134/08 CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
| Remembrance Sunday |
Cllrs were invited to take part in the procession and service at the War Memorial at 12 noon on Sunday 9th November. The Silver Band was holding an Armistice Concert at 7.00pm in the Community Centre.
| Electricity Works |
The Chairman reported a meeting he had had with the Project Engineer who explained the current works to put underground various high-voltage supply lines west of The Green and east of The Street. This was, of course very welcome, although it would not reduce the very visible wirescape along The Green and The Street, and it also replaced two relatively unobtrusive transformers with one very visible new one east of The Street. Council authorised the Chairman to write to the Project Designer to press for removal of low voltage lines and tree planting to screen the new transformer.
135/08 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Clifford advised that the works to the Whitminster Sewer are still to be finalised and that the IDB are currently dredging the reens in The Narles.
Cllr Alexander reported:
- A meeting has been held with interested parties to discuss the A38/Perryway junction. Gloucestershire Highways would cost the provision of a roundabout and it is hoped to receive a decision within six weeks.
- Gloucestershire Highways have been asked for a progress report on the scheme for traffic calming in Bridge Road and a response is awaited.
- Horsley Landfill now require prior bookings for vans and goods vehicles using the facility. The number to call is 0845 6029344.
Cllr Greenfield reported that the Tesco Free service bus would end on 14th November as it was not attracting sufficient passengers. She had discussed the possibility of diverting the Stroud service, but there was insufficient scope in the timetable to do this.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.00pm.