MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 1^st NOVEMBER 2006

 POLICE REPORT

PCSO Debbie Hughes reported there had been six recorded crimes during October.  One incident had involved damage to the Tennis Court and the others were all under the category ‘non dwelling’.  There had been no detections. 

Cllr Alexander reported excessive speeds by some vehicles travelling along The Green and requested a police presence to deter drivers.  Debbie agreed to advise the Community Team and arrange for a police presence at peak times. 

The Chairman advised that the District Community Safety Dept was making available an Interactive Speed Warning Sign.  Parishes would be asked to make a one-off payment of £200 and then an annual contribution of £30.  This would enable the equipment to be loaned out for a five-week period.  After discussing the scheme, Cllrs decided it would not be appropriate for this parish. 

The chairman thanked Debbie for attending and she left the meeting. 

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

The Rev Dr John Hunter

Pleased to see the ‘for sale’ notice has been removed from display outside the old hairdressers. 

Mrs Rosemary Morris

1.   Mobile Library - Notices advising stopping places for the Mobile Library in the village notice boards are out of date.  The Clerk was requested obtain up to date notices to replace the old. 

2.  Neighbourhood Wardens – The letter to go every household giving details of the scheme had not yet been delivered. The Chairman confirmed a letter would be going to each village organisation as soon as possible.  

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 and District Cllr Smith 

131/06   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None. 

132/06   PREVIOUS MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th October 2006 were amended as follows: 

§           Page 581 – Item 119/06 – Frampton Pill. In order to make the terminology correct, Cllr Clifford has recommended further changes to the sub paragraphs:

-          The Free Parish Landing Place is on land belonging to FCE.

-          There are no public footpaths on the definitive map over land to the west of the canal bank.

-          There is a right for parishioners to bowhaul their craft along Frampton Pill.

-          FCE have always informally acknowledged use of the flood bank as a footpath for parishioners

-          Farmers and land owners have responsibilities relating to Ramsar sites and SSSIs as interpreted

       by the Capital Taxes Office which discourage access to areas during certain seasons. 

§            Page 581 – Item 120/06 – delete “War Memorial Lane” from the first Planning Application. 

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

133/06   PLANNING

(a)    decisions of the district council

(b)      to consider applications for planning

§           S06/2084/OUT – Land at Kingselm

The application has been withdrawn 

§           Tandem Development

The Chairman reported on behalf of District Cllr Smith that the District Council no longer accept ‘tandem development’ as a valid reason for objection to a planning application. 

§            Splatt Lane

Cllr Alexander reported that British Waterways have a ‘for sale’ notice on land at Splatt Bridge.  However, it is thought part of the land is in the ownership of Frampton Court Estate and this point is to be resolved.   

Cllrs considered the part of area in question owned by BW would be suitable for additional car parking for canal users and were not in favour of the proposed sale.  The Chairman was requested to write to BW to advise them of this.  Cllr Alexander said the situation at Fretherne Bridge should be monitored to ensure BW do not try to sell off any land in that area. 

134/06   ACCOUNTS

§          Invoices

The following invoices were unanimously agreed for payment: 

 §          Financial Update

Cllr M Lewis circulated a paper showing the current financial situation and confirmed a refund had been received on tax paid on interest earned from the bank. 

                The donations for 2006 were agreed as proposed, with the exception of the annual donation to St Mary’s for the maintenance of the churchyard.   The Chairman advised that the PCC plan to modify the ‘living churchyard’ project to include an increased level of maintenance and costings are being investigated prior to a meeting with the PC to discuss the way forward.  It was agreed to hold the £400 and defer any payment until the final outcome was known. 

The land transfer is going ahead on the extension to the burial ground but there are no immediate costs arising and it was unlikely there will be any requirement in this financial year. 

§            Charitable Donations

Annual grants to local charities deferred from the November 2005 meeting were discussed.  Cllrs were reminded of the criteria for making charitable donations. 

Proposal               Cllr Alexander proposed donations be made to the same charities as last year and at the same level.

Seconded             Cllr Greenfield

Vote                       7 in favour.  1 abstention. 

The Clerk was requested to make payments immediately as follows:

     §           Bank Signatories

                Cllr Speed was asked to complete the form that would enable all Cllrs to become signatories of the account. 

§            Other Financial Matters

Cllr Alexander reported that the boundary hedge of the Splatt public car park needed laying.  Anticipated costs were £300/£400.  

Proposal               Cllr Greenfield proposed payment of costs to lay hedging at Splatt car park.

Seconded             Cllr Alexander

Vote                       Unanimous. 

Cllr Speed suggested that this piece of land should be included when the Parish Council register land with the Land Registry.  

135/06   BUDGET

Cllr M Lewis circulated proposals for the 2007-8 budget for discussion and comment.   There were three options for Cllrs to consider when calculating the required precept:

1)          To increase the precept by 5% and not sign up to the Neighbourhood Warden scheme

2)          To increase the precept by 5% and sign up for a 50% share of a Warden to be funded from savings in capital expenditure

3)          To increase the precept by 13.8% which would cover costs of a 50% share of a Warden for the parish.  

Discussions on the budget proposals centred round the possibility of joining the Neighbourhood Warden Scheme.  Cllrs considered the advantages of having a Warden would outweigh the minimal increase in the Council Tax of 71p per person per annum.  It was finally agreed that approval would be sought from the community.  Initially it was agreed to take advantage of the free three-month trial and request the Wardens to give a presentation to the Annual Parish Meeting in March 2007. 

Proposal               Cllr M Lewis proposed that dependent on community approval, Parish Council sign up to a 50% share of a District Council Neighbourhood Warden. 

Seconded             Cllr Wagstaff

Vote                       7 in favour.  1 abstention. 

§           Projected Expenditure

Additional increases should need to be considered for Churchyard Maintenance, Rental of the Parish Office and Clerks salary. 

§           Charitable Donations

A number of requests had been received for funding, but after a full discussion it was agreed charitable donations for 2007/8 would be the same 2006.  Payment would be made in April 2007. 

§           Precept

After a full discussion, Cllrs agreed on the level of precept for the next financial year. 

Proposal               Cllr Greenfield proposed increasing the precept by 9.5%

Seconded             Cllr Speed

Vote                       Unanimous 

136/06   DISTRICT COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL PAPER

Cllr Speed had studied the paper and prepared a draft response for consideration by Cllrs.  It was considered the additional visitor numbers and car parking requirement anticipated by the Canal project could cause a conflict of interests.   Amendments to the draft were suggested and the Chairman and Cllr Speed would finalise the letter for submission to the District Council. 

137/06   CONSERVATION AREA REVIEW

The District Council are carrying out a review of the Conservation Area covering the parish and Cllr Speed circulated a report of his meeting with Kate Russell from the Planning Department.  Miss Russell is preparing a briefing document to go to the Strategic Planning Committee and has agreed the study area will be as shown in the Frampton Parish Plan. 

A questionnaire is to be distributed to each household in the parish and Parish Council has been asked to assist Miss Russell by delivering and collecting these.  This will probably take place in January or February 2007.  The Village Society and Community Association have also been consulted and have agreed to support Miss Russell with her review. 

Cllrs agreed to support Miss Russell and agreed the points in Cllr Speed’s paper.  

138/06   NEIGHBOURHOOD WARDENS

This item had been fully discussed under item 135/06.  The Chairman confirmed a free three-month trial would be requested.  A letter would go to all village organisations setting out the anticipated costs. 

139/06   AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Cllr Alexander had attended the meeting called by Sinead Barker of the GRCC and reported that questions for inclusion in a Housing Needs Survey had been agreed.  The District Council will print the survey document and GRCC will pay for return postage.  The contribution agreed for this Parish Council would be to deliver the surveys to each household in the parish.  It was anticipated the questionnaires would be ready in January and Cllrs agreed that if possible this could be distributed along with the Conservation Area Survey.  

140/06   COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report. 

141/06   DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report. 

142/06   CORRESPONDENCE

§           Invitations had been received for the following meetings:

 §            Christmas Lights

Central Networks has set aside funding and invite Parish Councils to apply for a one-off payment to be used for purchase of new or replacement lights, christmas trees and decorations.   

§            Mobile Police Station

Will visit the parish on 4^th and 14^th December. 

§          Miscellaneous

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

143/06   ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Alexander reported:

(a)   Gloucestershire Highways consider a traffic calming scheme by the bus shelter in Bridge Road may be possible in 2007.

(b)   Gloucestershire Highways will be carrying out a Feasibility Study for traffic lights at the junction of The Perryway and the A38.

(c)   Speed restrictions are to be imposed on the A38.  It is expected that 50mph will apply, except for a reduced limit through villages.  

Cllr Greenfield reported that Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service provide a free Home Safety Check.  They are willing to make evening visits to assess private houses and can be contacted on 01452 753333. 

Cllr Clifford reported the metal fingerpost on The Green outside Manor Farm should say “Fretherne Bridge” but is old and unclear.  An oak post to replace would be preferable. Cllr Alexander has received a quote for a replacement and will take this forward.  Cllr Alexander further agreed to carry out a survey of all footpath signs within the Conservation Area.   

Cllr Speed reported that a manhole cover outside Ivelway in Bridge Road is damaged and is extremely noisy.  Cllr Alexander will report this to Gloucestershire Highways. 

there being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm.