MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 6^th JUNE 2007

POLICE REPORT

PCSO Debbie Hughes reported the current situation for the parish.  To date there has been a 36% drop in crime compared to figures for the same period last year, with burglary down 75%.  Detection rates will be available for the July meeting.

A Neighbourhood Policing consultation had taken place.  100 questionnaires were circulated and officers had visited residents asking what priorities they considered were required for this parish.   The responses gave three outcomes – speeding, antisocial behaviour and the requirement for a visual presence by officers, and action plans will now be drafted to tackle these.  The Neighbourhood Policing Area covering Frampton, Saul , Fretherne, Slimbridge and Whitminster is to be known as ‘Severnside’.  More information can be found on the website.

The PCSO Hughes left the meeting

MR PHIL SKILL AND MR JOHN LONGMUIR

The Chairman introduced Mr Skill and Mr Longmuir who had agreed to attend to explain the planning process used by the District Council.  Parish Council had raised concern over the recent decisions made on three particular planning applications - I The Oval, 10 Whitminster Lane and Tanfield, Church End.

Mr Skill had researched the three cases and explained how and why the decisions had been reached.  Using a powerpoint presentation he was able to show each stage of the process.  Mr Skill and Mr Longmuir answered questions from Cllrs.

Cllrs were concerned about inconsistencies with decisions given on previous applications for this parish.  They considered too many cases were being put through on the delegated list in order to comply with the timing requirement set by Central Government.  This did not allow sufficient time to investigate each individual case fully.

A full report of the discussion will be made available on a separate paper in due course.

Mr Skill and Mr Longmuir left the meeting

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

§          The Rev Dr John Hunter

Dr Hunter reported posters were still in place advertising a sale that had taken place at the Village Hall some weeks ago.  The Chairman confirmed it would be in order for Dr Hunter to remove the posters.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

PRESENT

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

68/07      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None

69/07      PREVIOUS MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd May 2007 were amended to correct a minor spelling mistake.  The Minutes were approved as a true record of proceedings and signed by the Chairman.

70/07      PLANNING

(a)    decisions of the district council

(b)        planning applications

(b)   other planning matters

None.

71/07      ACCOUNTS

§          Invoices for Payment

§          Financial Update

Cllrs noted the contents of a Financial Statement for May 2007 presented by Cllr M Lewis.  Papers will now be submitted to the Internal Auditor.

§            Other Financial Matters

Payments received

Invoices paid between meetings

-  A conference fee of £40 was paid to Cardiff University for two places at the Severn Estuary Forum meeting. Due to an over subscription only one delegate was allowed from Parish Council and £20 is to be refunded.

-  Renewal of the Parish Council Insurance was paid - £517.28. 

72/07      RISK ASSESSMENT

Papers had been circulated before the meeting and Cllrs unanimously agreed to accept the Risk Assessment.

73/07      AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Cllr Wagstaff had attended the meeting hosted by GRCC. There was a query over figures in the Summary Report for Frampton and these were to be corrected.  Participating parishes were asked to adopt the Survey and Frampton will do this at the July meeting when the correct figures are available.  A total of 45 houses were required for the Severn Voice parishes and a housing association would need to be created and managed, to ensure that only local people can occupy the houses.

Cllr Wagstaff will circulate the amended Summary Report prior to the meeting and Cllrs were asked to consider the possibility of a Frampton-on-Severn Housing Association for the management of any affordable housing in the parish. 

District Cllr Smith advised that the District Council have appointed Cllr Francis Roden as the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing. 

Cllr Clifford had attended a landowners meeting to discuss land availability for affordable housing.  The Elwes Plan is used by Cotswold DC and is approved by Stroud DC . 

District Cllr Smith left the meeting.

74/07      LEYHILL WORKING PARTIES

The Chairman is awaiting a response from Leyhill Prison regarding the working party project.  The Rev Dr John Hunter will make enquiries on behalf of Parish Council.  Cllr Alexander su gg ested that the painting of the church railings at St Mary ’s be added to the proposed work schedule.

Cllr Lewis advised he has a contact who can arrange voluntary work for groups of long term unemployed.

75/07      MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

Papers had been circulated before the meeting and Cllrs were asked to officially adopt the Model Code of Conduct.  The following resolution was unanimous.

It was resolved

(1)     That Frampton-on-Severn Parish Council adopts the Model Code of Member Conduct for Parish & Town Councils including paragraph 12(2) with effect from 1^st September 2007 .

(2)     That the Council also adopts as a non-enforceable Annex to the Code the Statement of General Principles from the same date.

The Chairman corrected a statement made at the last meeting.  In future when a prejudicial interest is recorded, the Cllr can make comments before the discussion but must leave the room during the discussion and vote.

76/07      PARISH NOTICE BOARDS

Cllr Alexander reported that there are two notice boards in Ann Wicks Road opposite each other.  The one by the sub Station is in need of major repair and Richard Knight has been asked to remove this and carry out the necessary work.  An alternative site will then be discussed.

Seats at the Three Horse Shoes and Village Stores have been damaged and repairs need to be carried out.  Cllrs asked for estimates for work to be presented to next meeting.  The Parish notice board in the Village Stores car park requires minor repair.

77/07      CANAL CONSULTATIVE GROUP

The Chairman had previously circulated a paper to inform Cllrs of the discussions at the meeting on 18^th April.  The contents were noted.

78/07      GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHARTER

Following a full discussion about the Charter, Cllrs were asked to consider signing up.

Proposal               Cllr Alexander proposed this Parish Council sign up to the Gloucestershire Charter

Seconded             Cllr Greenfield

Vote                       Unanimous

79/07      TRAFFIC IN BRIDGE ROAD

Cllr K Lewis had been asked by the Head teacher of Lakefield School to advise Council about a near miss involving a child cycling home from school and a car leaving the car park at The Bell Inn.  The Head teacher was concerned and asked if signage could be displayed to warn motorists.  Cllrs confirmed that there was a sign at the exit of the car park and there was no action for Parish Council to take.

Cllr Alexander reported County Highways had been asked to give an update on the progress of a crossing for Bridge Road , and the state of the road outside the Village Stores.  No response had been received and County Cllr Booth was requested to take these two matters up with Katie Griffiths .

80/07      NEIGHBOURHOOD WARDENS

Paul Helbrow had advised that there is no record of an agreement to provide a Warden to Frampton for 2.5 days a week.  Due to time restraints he was unable to allocate a Warden to Frampton for more than a half day a week.  He offered to increase the trial period from 3 to 6 months to enable the benefit of the Warden service to become evident. 

The Chairman was asked to request clarification of the long term plans and the costs involved in an allocation of 2.5 days a week for Frampton-on-Severn. 

81/07      COUNTY COUNCILLOR ’S REPORT

No report.

82/07      DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

County Cllr Booth left the meeting

8307       CORRESPONDENCE

§          Invitations to Meetings

§            Standards Board

Guidance on Revised Members’ Code of Conduct was circulated to all Cllrs.

§          Transfer of La gg er at Glebe Close

Penleys have confirmed the transfer and registration is complete.  Papers have been provided for Parish Council records.

§            Snow Warden/Snow Plough Operators

Gloucestershire Highways have been advised Les Coole is prepared to continue in this role. 

§            Bus Timetable

The Chairman reported the response from Mr Carr regarding the new public transport service for the Severn Vale parishes.  New services 14A and 113 came into force on 4^th June to replace Village Link.  Cllr Greenfield said many residents are concerned about the unsuitability of some of the routes in the new timetable.

§            Mobile Police Station

Will visit the parish on 12^th and 26^th July.

§          Miscellaneous

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

84/07      CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

§          Community Safety Meeting

Cllr Alexander and the Clerk had attended the meeting at Ebley Mill . 

§          Access to the Severn Lands

Notes of the meeting held on 6^th November 2006 were circulated for information.   Cllrs noted the contents.

85/07      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Alexander reported that some of the trees in the newly acquired la gg er at Glebe Close need urgent repair to ensure public safety.  Quotes will be obtained for the work and the item will be added to the Agenda for the July meeting.

Cllr Greenfield reported that a parishioner had expressed concern about the state of the churchyard. The Chairman confirmed he had been advised of this and the matter had been resolved.  He had spoken to the Church Wardens and Graham Lewis regarding a meeting to discuss future maintenance of the churchyard and been assured that Parish Council will be invited to send two representatives to meeting with the PCC. 

Cllr Clifford asked if any progress had been made with negotiations for the parish to celebrate Remembrance Day.  Cllr Clifford confirmed he would discuss this with Col Andy Hodson.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 10.28pm .