STINCHCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON 14th NOVEMBER 2007 AT 7.30PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL

Mrs Shaw, Chairman of the Meeting, welcomed the Parishioners, Mr Batty and the Councillors.

Presentation by Mr Batty (DRFC)

Additional land was purchased from Gloucestershire County Council in March and a swap of land arranged with Mr Policeswski and Mrs Maddon. The purchase has not yet been formally completed due to legal delays but should be complete by the end of November.The work on the Car Park can then proceed although cars are being parked on the field in the meantime.

The next stage will be the construction of a new pitch and this will stretch over some eighteen months as it will require the preparation of the surface and grass seeding. Sufficient funding is in place to cover the work in progress.

The Club are greatly concerned about dogs being exercised on the playing field without proper control. Dog excrement is a particular problem, and is particularly unacceptable with the increasing use of the field by children. Proper control of dogs is essential.

Mrs Shaw noted that the Parish Council had recently met Club Officials to discuss current issues. Communications had been poor and need to be improved. Parishioners wish the village to remain neat and tidy . Additional litter has been a problem and there have been worries about security with the influx of visitors from outside the Parish.The surface of the public footpath at the edge of the extension (CST20) has badly subsided following work by Eon to bury power lines. Mr Batty confirmed that this would be attended to by the contractors. Mr Batty also referred to verbal exchanges which had occurred between Club Officials and Residents. He apologised on behalf of the Club for any upset that may have been caused and undertook to convey the concerns of Residents to Mr Greaves.

In response to the concerns of Parishioners regarding cars being driven by Club supporters along the Bridle way, The Club will provide visiting teams with clearer parking information and try to dissuade home supporters from this practice.

The resiting of the Junior swings was discussed at a recent meeting of the Club Management Committee. The Club’s intentions will shortly be communicated to the Parish Council.One Parishioner noted that the footpath CST20 was obstructed by floodlighting and other equipment and wondered whether there was an intention to close the footpath. Clerk responded that public rights of way could not be extinguished or diverted without proper legal process and that this involved public consultation. Mr Batty confirmed that the present obstructions are temporary and would be removed when the layout of the new pitch is finalised.

Mr Wride stated that the District Council could volunteer the services of the Dog Warden if helpful although his authority on private property was unclear and that they could also install additional dog bins.

Other Parishioners commented that verbal abuse could never be excused whatever the circumstances. Mr Batty apologised again on behalf of the Club.

Finally Mrs Shaw thought that another meeting would be useful in some six months time.This concluded Mr Batty’s presentation. He and the Parishioners then left the Meeting, at which point Mrs Shaw opened the formal Meeting of the Parish Council.

1-Reports by District and County Councillors

Mr Wride noted that in respect of his report contained in the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 19/09/07 he had intended to indicate that SDC were starting consultation s with the Business Community on the 2008/9 Budget and that the imposition of taxation on unused business premises was an HMG initiative. (131/07)

The development at Hunts Grove has been called in by the Secretary of State and will now go to Planning Appeal. The outcome could have serious implications. If it finds against the District Council more Appeals can be expected and the legal potential costs could have serious impacts on Council Tax. A public meeting has recently been held at Berkeley and the concerns of Residents conveyed to the Secretary of State. Mr Wride asked for the support of the Parish Council. Clerk requested an E mailed precis on the issue for consideration by Councillors at the next Meeting of the Parish Council. (132/07) Action-Mr Wride

SDC have now assumed responsibility for the management of Car Parking in the District. Also the Supermarket in Dursley is going ahead. (133/07)

Mr Andrewartha noted the work of the Gloucestershire Disaster Response Centre.Work has started on the new school building at Rednock. HMG support amounting to £10m has been secured for repairs to highways following the July floods. Additional support is hoped for as the total costs are estimated at £26M.Difficulties are still being experienced when contacting Gloucestershire Highways. Mr Andrewartha will supply Clerk with contact details for Mr Roberts.A team had been set up to resolve drainage issues within the County. (134/07)

2-Approval of Minutes of Parish Council Meeting of 19th September 2007

Mr Wride’s comments under District and County Councillors’ Reports above were noted. The Minutes were then found to represent a true record of the Meeting and signed by the Chairman. (135/07)

3-Matters arising from Minutes

-Highway Issues  Following the Annual Highway Maintenance and Transport Seminar Clerk will be preparing a further letter to Gloucestershire Highways to bring outstanding highway issues within the Parish to their attention. (136/07)                      Action-Clerk

Clerk will arrange to circulate the Transport Seminar Viewgraphs. (137/07)  Action-Clerk

-Bund at Clingre Farm Mr Sant is now able to turn his attention to the matter again and will be reporting to the next Parish Council Meeting. (138/07)     Action-Mr Sant

-Community Safety Police were unable to provide any further information on the Taits Hill Road break in.(139/07)

All other Actions have been dealt with.(140/07)

4-Planning Matters

Current Planning Applications were reviewed. There were no specific issues.  (141/07)

There are no Enforcement Actions underway. (142/07)

5-Footpaths and Rights of Way

Clerk has asked for a Finger sign to be mounted at the junction of Oldhill Lane (CST 15) and the footpath through the DRFC extension (CST 20).
A “No Motor Vehicle” sign has been mounted at the junction of the Avenue and Old London Road (CST36) (143/07)

6-Highways

Issues have already been covered under “Matters arising from Minutes“.
It was noted that public consultation period has started on the extension of the 30MPH limit on Taits Hill Road. (144/07)

7-Facilities

Nothing to report. (145/07)

8-Community Safety

This has already been discussed under “Matters arising from Minutes“. There is nothing further to report. (146/07)

9-Special Items

-Registration of Stinchcombe Green
Clerk noted that registration as a Village Green would confer additional protection against future development compared with the current protection as Common Land.
Clerk is seeking further information under the Commons Act 2006 and will circulate this to Councillors. (147/07) Action-Clerk

-Adoption of  Gloucestershire Charter 
A copy of the Charter had been circulated to Councillors and had been favourably commented upon.
Mr Sant then proposed and Mrs Wannell seconded the motion that the Gloucestershire Charter be formally adopted. This was unanimously agreed. (148/07)

10-Correspondence

The Schedule of Correspondence is appended to these Minutes. (149/07)

11-Financial Matters

-Precept 2008/9
Clerk has prepared the appended note detailing the likely ongoing payments and receipts to the end of this financial year. This can be used as a basis for setting the Precept for the next financial year. Clerk asked whether the emerging Parish Plan will involve major commitments in terms of services or facilities. Mrs Shaw did not think that this would be the case. The Precept will need to be set at the 19th December Meeting. (150/07)

-The appended Statement of Receipts Payments and Authorisations was approved and the Building Society Account and balance verified. (151/07)

12-Reports by Councillors

Mrs Wannell, Mr Bartlam and Mr Sant had nothing further to report. (152/07)

Mrs Shaw referred to the recent Meeting of the Stinchcombe Hill Recreational Ground Trust. Minutes are being circulated. (152/07)Action-Clerk

Mrs Shaw updated the Councillors on progress with the Parish plan. (153/07)

13-Date of Next Parish Council Meeting

-Wednesday 19th December 2007 at 7 00PM

The Meeting was closed at 9 38PM.