March 2009

FRAMPTON-ON-SEVERN PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 4^th MARCH 2009

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

Shipton Mill Planning Application

Many of those present commented on the Shipton Mill Planning Application. Among the points made were:

Concern that additional production and traffic movements might result from the proposed extension, particularly more lorries along the Perryway and Bridge Road.

There was concern about existing noise levels and fear that these might increase.

The proposed tower was far too high.

It was suggested that there was insufficient space on the site to allow for the construction work to take place.

The building is in a newly designated Conservation Area and it was felt that the proposed tower was inappropriate in this situation.

The Chairman confirmed that these comments would be taken into consideration when the application was discussed during the meeting.

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POLICE REPORT

PCSO Debra Hughes was unable to be present and had provided a written report. Since January 2009 there have been 29 reported incidents in Frampton.

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SEVERN BARRAGE CONSULTATION

Mr Roger Bagley had been asked to check the consultation papers on behalf of Parish Council and gave a short résumé of the genesis of the current consultation document. He reported that the original ten possible schemes for utilising the tidal energy of the River Severn had been narrowed down to five, and these were to be further examined.

Any scheme would clearly have a significant impact on the Severn Vale and of course this village. The changes to the tidal flow might affect erosion and deposition in the Severn, and other changes might affect the fluvial flow into the Severn, which could be a major concern. Mr Bagley suggested that Parish Council should discover what line Stroud District Council and Gloucestershire County Council were taking, and should emphasise the need for proper study of potential changes to the hydrology and geomorphology of the estuary.

The Chairman thanked Mr Bagley for his informative explanation and confirmed that Cllrs would discuss the response to the Consultation Document later in the meeting.

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING

PRESENT

Cllrs Alexander, Greenfield, Howe (Chairman), K Lewis, M. Lewis, Price, Speed and Wagstaff were present plus County Cllr Booth and Lynn Ireland (Clerk). There were 12 members of the public present.

APOLOGIES

Cllr Clifford and District Cllr Smith

30/09 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Howe recorded a prejudicial interest in agenda item 5.3 – Frampton Community Association

31/09 PREVIOUS MINUTES

Minutes of the Meeting held on 4^th February 2009 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

32/09 PLANNING

(a) decisions made by the district council

S08/2325/DISCON
Walk Farm Whitminster Lane	Compliance with Conditions 2,3&5 of permission S03/1773	Compliance with Existing Conditions

S09/0011/DISCON
Land at Kingselm Perry Way	Discharge of conditions 1,2,5&7 of permission S06/2578	Compliance with Existing Conditions

S08/2453/CPL
Orchard House Whitminster Lane	Conservatory to the Rear of the Property	Certificate of Lawfulness for Use
This is the first planning matter of this type to be received by Parish Council following the introduction of new planning law. The Certificate confirms that the development proposed does not require planning permission.

(b) planning application taken at the meeting

S09/0101/FUL

Shipton Mill

Frampton Ind Park

Bridge Road

Erection of extension (vertical) of house new milling and sieving equipment

Oppose

The Chairman reported that the consultation event held at the Community Centre had been well attended, and comments made then had been forwarded to Stroud District Council.

Cllr Price then proposed that Parish Council object to the application. She considered that the Council should support the views of the parishioners who had voiced their opposition to the proposals. It could be argued that the application was contrary to Policies GE1, EM6 and BE6 of the Stroud District Council Local Plan.

Cllr Alexander reported he had spoken with the architects who confirmed that the tower would not contain facilities to increase production, but merely to clean grain prior to milling. There would be no greater noise and no more traffic than at present. No details of glazing had yet been agreed but it would be perfectly possible to use opaque glass so that no light would escape. Lighting in the tower would be low level and minimal.

The proposal was seconded by Cllr Speed and was put to the meeting. The vote was 4 in favour 2 against 2 abstentions and the proposal was therefore carried.

Council then noted that, should the District Council Development Control Committee nevertheless grant the application, it would be essential to establish several conditions:

	Noise levels to be minimised
	Light pollution to be avoided
	No additional traffic to be generated
	It might be possible to impose a Section 106 Agreement, perhaps to fund road improvements etc.

At this point 11 of the visitors left the meeting

S09/0281/FUL

4 Glebe Close

Erection of first floor rear & first floor side extension with single storey extension at rear

Support

Cllr Greenfield had received no objections from neighbours. Cllrs unanimously agreed to support the application under Policy HN16.

(c) other planning matters

Lake House, Lake Lane

The site meeting proposed for 5^th February had been cancelled due to snow. District Cllr Jones had since advised that the application for Lake House had gone through on a Resolve to Grant Permission. The Case Officer will now negotiate a better design for the summerhouse following which permission will be given.

Planning Forum

Cllrs were provided with copies of the slides used in the presentation by Mr Phil Skill, Head of Planning.

33/09 ACCOUNTS

(a) Invoices for Payment

Mr Laurence Wood	Tree works to Glebe Close lagger (interim )	£372.60
Mrs Lynn Ireland	Clerk’s Salary/expenses	£936.00

(b) Financial Update

Cllrs noted the contents of the Financial Update for February prepared by Cllr M Lewis. Cllr Lewis reported that he will check the interest currently being paid by the bank which appears to be a minus figure.

(c) Other Finance

Grant to the Village Hall

Cllr Greenfield declared a prejudicial interest

Following a full discussion at the February meeting about a grant to the Village Hall to assist with funding replacement windows and internal decoration, Cllrs now confirmed an appropriate sum would be £2000.

Proposal Cllr M Lewis proposed a donation of £2000 to the Village Hall

Seconded Cllr Wagstaff

Vote nem con

Frampton Community Centre

Cllr Howe declared a prejudicial interest and passed the Chair to Cllr Speed

Cllr Price declared a prejudicial interest

The Vice Chairman of the Community Association has requested a donation to assist with funding a heating system at the Community Centre. The work will be in three stages and initially funding is required to provide secondary glazing and new doors for the main hall. Bids have been made to the District Council and O2 and the Community Association will meet any shortfall. Affiliated Groups have not been approached but fundraising events for the project will be encouraged.

Cllr M Lewis confirmed that any funding given to the CA would need to be diverted from some other budget head. The Clerk will check the upper limit of the Section 137 allowance.

Proposal Cllr Alexander proposed a donation of £500 to the Community Association

Seconded Cllr Greenfield

Vote nem con

Independent Internal Auditor

Cllrs confirmed the appointment of Mr Iain Selkirk FCA as the Independent Internal Auditor for the next financial year.

Resolution from the Chair to reappoint Mr Iain Selkirk as the IIA

Vote Unanimous

34/09 EMERGENCY PLAN MITIGATION

In view of the length of the meeting, Cllrs unanimously agreed that this item be taken forward to the March meeting.

The Chairman reported he had attended a meeting with the Parish’s Watercourse Warden and the District Council Watercourse Officer. It had been agreed to prepare a map of watercourses in the parish giving details of ownership.

35/09 SEVERN BARRAGE CONSULTATION

The Chairman reported that Parish Council had an interest and he felt that a response to the Consultation should be made. He confirmed that he would draft a response for consideration at the April meeting before submission. He asked any Cllr interest to inform him of any views they held.

Cllr Alexander noted that Parish Council should register an interest in the currently developing Severn Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy. The Chairman confirmed that this had already been done.

36/09 HIGHWAYS

Cllr Alexander reported:

Bridge Road Traffic Calming Scheme – will be taking place in the early part of the new financial year.

A30/Perryway Junction – no progress has been made with negotiations about installation of traffic lights at the junction.

Fromebridge Lane – it was reported that the responsible land owner had again been seen by the Police, but the roadway was still in a hazardous condition and the farmer did not appear to be complying with the numerous requests to ensure the road was cleaned. It was agreed that Parish Council write to Gloucestershire Highways to advise of this and other problems with roads in the parish.

Perryway – Cllr Alexander has advised Highways that repairs are needed at the north end of The Perryway. It was understood that Cullimores would be making a donation to the reinstatement of the roadway once work at the landfill was completed.

Whitminster Lane – repair and resurfacing of the roadway from the Drs Surgery at Oatfield was required.

The Oval – the highway drain outside 10 The Oval is blocked and needs investigation.

Cllr Alexander agreed to compile a list of highway repairs required.

County Cllr Booth left the meeting

37/09 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

38/09 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

39/09 CORRESPONDENCE

Council was invited to send representation to the following:

Wednesday 25^th March

Canals

Stonehouse Town Hall

Friday 8^th May

Thanksgiving Service for Volunteers of Gloucestershire

Gloucester Cathedral

Neighbourhood Warden

The District Council have confirmed that no refund will be possible in the interim before a new Warden is appointed for this parish.

Countywide Housing Needs Survey

Stroud District Council in conjunction with other Gloucestershire Local Authorities are to undertake a Survey to help inform and shape future affordable housing strategy and delivery. Cllrs were concerned that this duplicated the work carried out by GRCC.

Miscellaneous

Various papers and publications were made available for Cllrs perusal.

40/09 CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

Annual Parish Meeting – 25^th March 2009

Cllrs confirmed their agreement to the Agenda for the APM.

Severn Voice Meeting

It was agreed to suggest 23^rd or 30^th April as dates for the meeting to be hosted by this Parish Council.

Town & Parish Council Forum

The Chairman had attended the meeting with Cllr Alexander and the Clerk. The subjects covered had proved very informative and the opportunity had been taken to network with other parishes. Copies of the meeting presentation slides will be copied to Cllrs for information.

Backup of Parish Council Documents

The Clerk has copied Parish Council Official Documents and Minutes from 2003 to 2008 onto discs which will be stored in the Parish Office for safekeeping.

Sustainable Energy Forum

The drop-in had been held at the Community Centre on 3^rd March and had been extremely well attended. Information had been available on a range of renewable energy products including ground source heat pumps.

Mr Bob Sawyer

The Chairman thanked those Cllrs who had attended the funeral of Mr Bob Sawyer. Mr Sawyer was a long term resident of Frampton and over the years had contributed to the community in many ways.

41/09 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Wagstaff reported that Mr Barron from Tompkins Barron had met with the Pippa Stroud, the Social House Officer at Stroud District Council to discuss an affordable housing scheme on the site in Lake Lane. This had not been supported and Mr Barron will now carry out additional costings and submit an alternative scheme. Cllr Wagstaff will contact Pippa Stroud to discuss what type of scheme would be acceptable.

Cllr Alexander reported:

The District Council have advised that they will be offering free sand bags to houses as risk of flooding. He had submitted a list of 20 properties in the village but they had not been agreed as they had not been flooded in the latest incident. Cllr Alexander will carry on negotiating.

Mr Laurence Wood is currently carrying out planting etc in the lagger at Glebe Close. This is the first phase of ongoing works.

Cllr Speed reported:

The Environment Agency have delivered letters to houses in the parish offering registration on the Flood Protection Register. This is a local scheme and not nationwide.

The Lakefield School Art Day had been excellent.

Cllr Price reported that the milestone in Perryway has been knocked over. Cllr Alexander will report this to Highways for action.

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

Copyright © 2005 Frampton on Severn Parish Council

Wednesday 25^th March	Canals	Stonehouse Town Hall
Friday 8^th May	Thanksgiving Service for Volunteers of Gloucestershire	Gloucester Cathedral