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Parish Council Minutes 190 28/04/06 |
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MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2006
AT 7 30PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present
Mr G Brown (Chairman)
Mrs M Shaw (Vice Chairman)
Mr R Bartlam
Mr R Holloway
Mrs Wannell
In Attendance
Mr D Andrewartha (County Clr)
Mr D Wride (District Clr)
Mr J Larroucau (Clerk)
The Chairman opened the Meeting by welcoming the County and District Councillors.
1-Approval of Minutes of Meeting of 10th January 2006
The Minutes as previously circulated were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman. (27/06)
2-Matters arising from Minutes
-Trafalgar Oak-The planting ceremony took place on Sunday 12th February and was reported on the Dursley Gazette. Mrs Wannell was thanked for her efforts. (28/06)
-Cricket and Rugby Ground-Clerk noted that there was no provision for consultation with Parish Councils in the resolution of issues held over in the grant of Planning Permissions. Thses issyes are dealt with by the District Council officers. Nevertheless, because of the public interest in ensuring that adequate parking facilities are provided in the further expansion of the Rugby Club facilities, Clerk was asked to ask SDC for the Parish Council to be informed of the proposals. (29/06) Action-Clerk
-Chain at war Memorial-Mr Bartlam has completed the repair and was thanked by Chairman. (30/06)
-Motorcycles on Bridleways-The matter was raised at the latest Meeting of the Meeting of the Dursley Cluster of Parishes. All occurrences need to be reported promptly to the Police who will take action if the matter is found to be sufficiently serious. (31/06) Action-Councillors
-Speed Limits on Taits Hill Road Mrs Wannell noted that the plastic repeater signs displayed os light posts were often disturbed and asked whether more permanent metal signs could be provided. Clerk noted that the law does not provide for repeater signs on highways with street lights. After some discussion it was agreed that the way forward would lie in the installation of Electronic Warning Displays. Clerk was asked to discuss the matter with GCC Traffic Manager (South). (32/06)Action-Clerk
-Deterioration of Oldhill and Church Lanes-Repairs have been effected by GCC Highways. Clerk noted that more extensive repairs of Church Lane were being programmed over the next Financial Year. (33/06)
-Neighbourhood Watch-It was noted that the Scheme is in operation in the Wick and Church Lane areas but that no progress has been made in other areas. Chairman encouraged Councillors to move the matter forward. (33/06)Action-Councillors
-Planning Regulations for the Installation of Swimming Pools-Clerk has circulated the information to Councillors. (34/06)
3-Planning Matters
Planning Applications
-S06/0453-Playing Field The Street-Creation of Agricultural Access-Chairman outlined the background to the problem which is associated with the loss of access to the fields behind the Village Hall and Townsend Farm following the sale of the Farm. Granting an access through the Village Hall Car Park would be inappropriate at this stage as this might preempt the conclusions of the Parish Plan.
An alternative solution creating a new access from The Street through Stragglers Field along the Village Hall boundary has been proposed but as currently proposed would result in the relocation of the Junior Swings. Chairman noted that at a recent Meeting with Mr Grant of DRFC he had taken the view that the swings should not be relocated bearing in mind the considerable sum of money which has recently been spent on the installation of a Safety Surface.
Having considered the Planning Application he was recommending that the proposed access would be acceptable with the following proviso’s:
- use of the access to be restricted to farm machinery
- the access to be located as closely to the Village Hall boundary
- the access gate to be kept locked at all times except when in use.
- the access to the public footpath to be moved to the right of the gate when facing the field
- an annual review to be conducted by SDC, Parish Council, DRFC and GCC of the use of the Access
One Councillor noted that the problem had been created by GCC in their efforts to maximise the commercial value of the Townsend Farm assets and that the new access could have serious road safety implications. Councillors agreed that the current position of GCC Officials in their insistence in effecting the resolution of the access issue before exchange of contracts for the sale of the Plaiyng Field extension was most unreasonable.
Under the circumstances County Councillor was asked to lobby the responsible GCC Cabinet or Scrutiny Committee Member to effect an acceptable resolution of the problem. (35/06) Action-County Councillor
Chairman asked for comments by Councillors on the Application to be returned to him for his final comments. (36/06)Action-Clerk
Chairman noted the concern of Residents that GCC might use the field for housing purposes. County Councillor viewed that this would be extremely difficult within the Policies of the recently adopted SDC Local Plan at least until 2026. (37/06)
Enforcement Actions
Clerk noted that the responsible Officer at SDC is absent on sick leave and that as a result he is unable to update the Meeting until a replacement Officer is designated.
Clerk was asked to inform District Councillor of all Enforcement currently in process of preparation or issue. (38/06)Action-Clerk
Land adjacent to Whitehouse Farm Wick Lane-A briefing has been prepared for members of the Development Control Committee outlining the background to the problem and the preferred way forward. This will be considered at the Meeting scheduled for 14th March.
District Councillor noted that an Application for tipping at Lower Wick Farm has been submitted to GCC. Clerk was asked to contact GCC to express a Parish Council interest in the matter. (39/06)Action-Clerk
County Councillor was asked to approach GCC Officials regarding the settlement of Highway repair costs with Mr Berkely. Clerk also noted that no report had yet been received from GCC Highways regarding the condition of Wick Lane and possible hazards to road users. (40/06) Action-County Councillor
4-Footpaths and Rights of Way
Nothing further to report.
5-Highways
Nothing further to report
6-Facilities
Clerk noted that start of work on the refurbishment of the Drinking Water Fountain was still in abeyance. Clerk was asked to contact the Contractor. (41/06) Action-Clerk
7-Parish Plan
Chairman reported that a Working Group had been formed and that Mrs Selby had agreed to act as Coordinator for the time being. Chairman and Mrs Shaw are members of the Working Group.
GRCC have been contacted and a Meeting is being arranged within the next fortnight to draw on available expertise. SDC will become involved at a later date.(42/06)
8-Correspondence
The current Schedule of Correspondence was circulated and is appended to these Minutes (43/06)
Clerk noted that no response had been received to the SDC Community Grants letter which had been circulated in January.
Clerk was asked to circulate another copy of the letter and place the matter on the Agenda of the next Meeting. (44/06) Action-Clerk
9-Community Safety
Clerk asked Councillors to remind Residents of the need to report all occurrences of crime to the Police. There is a perception that Police generally fail to take action and that therefore there is no purpose in reporting crime. It is important to realise that all incidents are entered on the Police file and are reviewed. Action will be taken if the situation is seen to be sufficiently bad. (45/06) Action-Councillors
10-Financial Matters
-Appointment of Internal Auditor
Mr Bartlam proposed and Mr Holloway seconded the motion that Mr Iain A Selkirk’s appointment as Internal Auditor should be renewed for the Financial Year 2006/7. This was agreed unanimously. (46/06)
-The current Statement of receipts Payments and Authorisations was approved and is appended to these Minutes. The Building Society Account was verified. (47/06)
11-Parish Council Elections
Chairman viewed that a contested Election will be preferable and asked Councillors to approach potential Candidates. (48/06) Action-Councillors
Clerk was asked to obtain additional Nomination Papers. (49/06) Action-Clerk
12-Reports by Councillors
County Councillor noted that the Council Tax had been set for this Financial Year. This shows increases of 3.4% for the GCC related element, 4.9% for the Police element and 2.5% for the SDC element. County Councillor outlined areas of increased and decreased budget allocations. (50/06)
A new Highways Management structure is being introduced. This may involve changes to the Stroudwater establishment and therefore upset the working relationship between the Parish Council and GCC Highways. (51/06)
The contract for the build of a new Supermarket development is scheduled to be signed in May. (52/06)
Chairman asked whether the study of the traffic repercussions of the Littlecombe development on Dursley and the surrounding parishes had been completed. Comments had been forwarded by the Parish Council some time ago but nothing had been heard since. County Councillor noted that the development will stretch over a considerable number of years and therefore action at this stage was not urgent. (53/06)
District Councillor reported that one challenge to the recently adopted Stroud District Local Plan had been received. The Plan as published was being implemented until the ruling of the Court is received. (54/06)
District Councillor noted the 2006/7 Council Tax settlement and that services to the young and the elderly were being increased. (55/06)
Lottery funding has been received in support of the Stroudwater Canal restoration. (56/06)
Finally he noted that requests for the clearance of rubbish from verges etc should be addressed directly to Mrs Samuk the responsible SDC officer. (57/06)
Mrs Shaw has received complaints about the debris left of the Taits Hill Road Triangle following the recent clearance. Clerk will investigate and have the debris removed as necessary. (58/06)Action-Clerk
Mr Holloway noted that a Planning Application has been submitted to GCC by Bristol and Avon for the build of a bund at Lower Wick Farm in Alkington. As traffic to the site may travel through Stinchcombe Clerk was asked to obtain a copy of the Application for comment by Councillors.(59/06) Action-Clerk
Mrs Wannell and Mr Bartlam had nothing further to report. (60/06)
Mr Brown referred to the annual Spring Clean and will be preparing a leaflet for distribution to Residents. (61/06)
He also asked for contributions to the next Newsletter. (62/06) Action-Councillors
The Meeting was closed at 9 45PM.
J Larroucau (Clerk)
min 190
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