MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 5^th SEPTEMBER 2007

VILLAGE GARDEN COMPETITION

Cllr Speed welcomed 32 parishioners to the presentation of the prizes for the 2007 Competition.

Trophies and Certificates were presented by:

A Special Commendation was awarded by the Judges to Frampton Congregational Church and collected by Headley Woodhouse whose hard work ensures the area is an asset to the community.

Cllr Pam Greenfield said what a hard task the judges had this year and introduced Jane Hey who confirmed that this year’s judging had been a challenge due to the adverse weather conditions.  The date for the judging was arranged in advance and on the actual day it was pouring with rain.  However this could not detract from the tremendous efforts put in to produce fabulous gardens.  Jane thanked the people of Frampton for continuing to improve the environment we live in.  We are all very proud to show our gardens to visitors to the village.

Cllr David Speed congratulated the winners on behalf of the Parish Council.  Special thanks were extended to Frampton Court Estate for maintaining The Green and other areas under their responsibility; to Caroline Williams for her planting schemes and care of the War Memorial; and to Michael Selby for ensuring that Roes Pool and its surroundings were always well cared for.

A full list of the prizewinners is attached for information.

Those present were invited to join Cllrs for refreshments before the start of the Parish Council meeting.

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

§           Mr Duncan Morris

Mr Morris presented a letter to Parish Council strongly opposing any increase in the Council Tax in order to pay for the cost of the Neighbourhood Warden scheme.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

CODE OF CONDUCT

Before the start of the meeting Cllrs were asked to complete the new Registration of Interests form and Declaration of Acceptance of Office form to comply with the new Code of Conduct.  The Clerk was asked to check the procedure if Cllrs did not wish to sign the forms.  This will be added as an Agenda item for the October meeting.

PRESENT

Cllrs Alexander, Clifford, Greenfield, M Lewis, Price, Speed and Wagstaff were present, plus Lynn Ireland (Clerk) and 3 members of the public. 

APOLOGIES

County Cllr Booth, District Cllr Smith and Cllrs Howe, K. Lewis.

In the absence of Cllr Howe, the Chair was taken by Cllr Speed the Vice Chairman.

123/07   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None

124/07   PREVIOUS MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1^st August 2007 were amended as follows:

§           Page 625, Item 107/07 – second bullet point – to correct the spelling of Darell Gardens

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

125/07   PLANNING

(a)    decisions of the district council

(b)    planning applications taken by the sub group

(c)    planning applications

(d)     other planning matters

No matters.

126/07   ACCOUNTS

§          Invoices for Payment

§           Financial Update

Cllrs noted the contents of the Financial Statement for August 2007 prepared by Cllr M Lewis.

§           Budget for 2008/09

Cllr M Lewis asked that he be advised of any proposals for projects to be included in the 2008/09 budget in good time to enable a draft to be presented to the October meeting.

Cllr Alexander asked that a sub group be set up to discuss equipment for John Goulding.  Cllr Price will take this forward.

The Chairman asked Cllrs to consider the use of email for circulation of papers.  This will be added as an Agenda item for October.

§           Other Financial Matters

The Audit papers have been submitted to the External Auditor and a response is awaited.

127/07   FLOODING IN THE PARISH

§           Update

This will be discussed in detail at the October meeting when Cllr Howe will be present.

§           Emergency Planning

Cllrs noted the contents of a Briefing Note prepared by the Sub Group.  Cllrs were asked to advise Cllrs Speed and Alexander if they considered anything further should be added. If required a special meeting would be convened to finalise the Plan.  It was anticipated that the final Emergency Plan would be adopted by the November meeting to enable it to be in place before the winter months.

128/07   AFFORDABLE HOUSING

§           GRCC Report

Copies of the final survey report for Frampton-on-Severn had been circulated to Cllrs.  This will be an agenda item at the Severn Voice meeting on 17^th September.

§           Affordable Housing Project

Cllrs discussed whether it would be preferable to go forward jointly with the other Severn Vale parishes or whether Frampton should act independently.  Concerns were raised that, as the largest village, Frampton would be expected to take the affordable housing allocation for all the parishes.  The Chairman gave a word of warning and expressed the wish that the expectations of Frampton’s parishioners must be managed carefully.

Cllr Wagstaff confirmed that the finer detail of housing type and allocation would be discussed in detail with GRCC before any decision was made.

129/07   LEYHILL PRISON WORKING PARTIES

Tricia Byrne, Head of Learning & Skills at Leyhill Prison, has confirmed details of the working parties and the associated costs of £125 per day for an 8-man working party plus supervisors.  It was agreed to invite Tricia Byrne to a site meeting in the parish to view potential projects. Cllr Price is to lead the project.

130/07   FOOTPATH SIGNPOSTS

Following discussion at the August meeting (Minute 113/07) Cllr Price has sourced oak posts at a cost of £10 each and obtained quotes from four suppliers for finger bars, the most competitive of which was Bathhurst who could supply a complete post for £35 to include finger bar.  The County Council would fit the posts and Cllr Price will enquire if they can reimburse Parish Council the cost of £20 per post, which would be the cost of the type they would supply.

131/07   LAGGER AT GLEBE CLOSE

Cllr Alexander advised that following the survey of trees in the lagger carried out by Laurence Wood, he asked three tree surgeons to quote for the work.  The most competitive was Bartletts Tree Experts at £2300 + vat + removal of all debris. Cllrs unanimously agreed that Cllr Alexander should proceed with Bartletts for the work to be carried out in October.

Cllr Alexander said it was important to advise residents of Glebe Close that the work was to be carried out and what the initial visual impact would be.  He will also write to residents and ask them not to deposit their garden waste in the lagger, as this has been instrumental in the death of the trees and shrubs. 

132/07   NEIGHBOURHOOD WARDENS

The District Council have advised that the cost of a Neighbourhood Warden for 2.5 days per week would be £1000 per year.  The present Warden was covering all the Severn Vale parishes and it was unlikely he would be able to work solely in Frampton for 2.5 days.  Cllrs considered the Warden was working as required with certain sections of the community, but his presence in the village was not widely known.  In order to justify the expense Cllrs were asked to request written recommendations from parishioners who have had dealings with the Warden.

In general discussion it was felt that there probably would not be enough work to occupy the Warden for 2.5 days, and that it would be more realistic for him to work hours as and when required – this could be anything from a half day a week or one or two days depending on demand.  It was agreed to request a further estimate of costs for a reduced time allocation.

Cllrs noted the contents of the letter from Mr & Mrs Duncan Morris. 

133/07   COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

134/07   DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

135/07   CORRESPONDENCE

§           District Council ThE NEWS

The monthly newsletter from the District Council included the following message from HM The Queen:

“I have been shocked and deeply concerned by the extent of the devastation caused by the most recent severe flooding across large parts of the country.

Please extend my sympathy to all the many people whose homes have been damaged, livelihoods threatened, or who have been affected by the water and power shortages.  May I also express my continued admiration for the emergency services, military personnel, local authorities, and volunteers working tirelessly and selflessly to bring people to safety and avert further damage.  To all those concerned, I send my heartfelt thanks.”

§           Special Event Road Closure

The Perryway is to be closed to eastbound traffic on 9^th September for the Frampton Country Fair.

§           Maintenance of St Mary’s Churchyard

The PCC have requested a donation of £1000 for the purchase of machinery to enable the volunteers to continue with the grass cutting in the graveyard.  This will be added to the October Agenda to enable a decision to be made.

§           Rural & Community Investment Scheme 2008/09

List of parishes and details of the grants applied for.

§           Gloucestershire Charter

Agenda for Test Group meeting on Thursday 13^th September 2007. 

§           Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service

A petition has been posted on-line at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/TriService.  Parish Councils are encouraged to go on-line and sign to support the local service.

§           South West Regional Assembly

Notification of public consultation to review pitch requirements for gypsies and travellers in the south-west.

§           BBC Radio Gloucestershire

Andy Barnard has taken over reporting responsibilities for Stroud and the Severn Vale.  He will be pleased to receive any village issues that may need publicising.

§           Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk 2007 

Will take place in Frampton-on-Severn at 1.30 pm on Sunday 23^rd September.

§           Frampton Recreation Ground

A parishioner has written to express her dismay dogs are to be banned from the recreation ground. The letter will be passed to the Community Association.

§           Mobile Police Station

Will visit the parish on 18^th and 28^th October and 5^th and 16^th November.  

§          Miscellaneous

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

136/07   CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

§           Part Night Street Lighting Scheme

The County Council have provided a proposal for part night street lighting in the parish.  Cllr Alexander will check the papers and report to the next meeting.

137/07   ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Price reported:

(a)   the hedge adjacent to the Old Tennis Courts in Lake Lane is overgrowing the roadway.  The Clerk will contact JP Sturge to request this be cut back.

(b)    there are graffiti in the bus shelter on Bridge Road.  The Clerk will report this to the police to enable them to take photographs.

(c)   it is proposed to remove dog refuse bins from the playing field, ‘No Dogs Allowed’ signs will be displayed and gates will be locked.

(d)   bins at Frampton Stores were missed by the refuse collection.  Cllr Price had reported this to the District Council but no action had been taken.  The Clerk will contact the department to advise that certain bins are being missed.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.35 pm.

Copyright © 2005 Frampton on Severn Parish Council