STINCHCOMBE PARISH WEBSITE - Parish Council Minutes 181 07/06/05

1-Election of Chairman and ViceChairman

Mr Holloway proposed the nomination of Mr Brown as Chairman. This was seconded by Mrs Shaw. As there were no other nominations Mr Brown was unanimously elected . (32/05)

Mrs Wannell then proposed the nomination of Mrs Shaw as ViceChairman. This was seconded by Mr Holloway. As there were no other nominations Mrs Shaw was unanimously elected as ViceChairman. (33/05)

2-Signature of Declarations of Acceptance of Office

These were duly completed and signed. The newly elected Officers then assumed their positions. (34/05)

3-Confirmation of Appointments

-Snow and Flood Warden
Mr Holloway’s appointment was confirmed. Mr Sheldon remains the Snowplough Operator.

-Tree Warden-
Chairman undertook to contact Mr Connell to ascertain whether he is willing
to continue in the position. (35/05)
Action-Chairman

(Post Meeting Note-The matter was resolved at the followup Meeting -see below)

-Trustee to Stinchcombe Hill Recreational Ground Trust
Mrs Shaw ‘s appointment was confirmed. (36/05)

-Trustee to Stinchcombe United Charities and Trustee to Dursley United Charities
Mr Holloway’s appointments were confirmed. (37/05)

-Trustee to Stinchcombe Village Hall Trust
Mrs Wannell's appointment was confirmed. (38/05)

-Internal Auditor
Mr Selkirk’s appointment was confirmed. (39/05)

4-Financial Matters

-Confirmation of Clerk's Salary
Chairman proposed and Mr Bartlam seconded the motion that Clerk's salary be raised by 2.95% from 1st April 2005 in accordance with the last National Agreement. This was unanimously agreed. (40/05)

-Approval of Statement of Receipts Payments and Authorisations
The statement as appended to these Minutes was approved and the balance on the Building Society Account verified.(41/05)

Other items were deferred to the follow up Meeting.

5-Approval of Minutes of Meeting held on 27^th April 2005

It was agreed that the Minutes as circulated represented an accurate record of the Meeting. They were duly signed by the Chairman. (42/05)

6-Matters arising from Minutes

-Neighbourhood Watch Scheme-
This item is discussed below.

-Restoration of the Village Water Fountain-
Mrs Wannell has now obtained two quotations for the work. Chairman thanked Mrs Wannell. (43/05)

-Footpath Sign at Wick Lane, Damage to Roads and Verges-
This item is discussed below.

-Highways-Works at Land adjacent Wick Lane-
The current position as reported by the Clerk following a converstion with Mr Morriss, the Enforcement Officer at SDC, is that a second survey has been completed to ascertain the profiles of the bund at five defined sections so that they may be compared with the approved shapes. The survey shows that the height of the bund generally accords with approved drawings, with only one section exceeding the approved height, but that the toe of the bund into the field is longer. SDC have therefore written to the Agent requesting a further Meeting in order that actions may be agreed to effect a better match between the actual and approved shapes. SDC are not aware of any further import of material to the site.
Mr Sant was then asked to comment. He noted discrepancies in the claims made by SDC regarding the amount of material shown on approved dreawings and the actual amount imported. The second survey, for which the terms of reference were unclear showed that there was a significant excess of imported over approved amounts. As only finishing materials for the Gallops were now to be brought on site it would not be unreasonable for some of the material to be taken away during the return journeys of these lorries.
Mr Wride was anxious that the work be completed as early as possible and that nothing should be put in the way of early completion.Mrs Wannell noted that as the finishing materials and the soil originate from different places removal of soil would probably involve different lorries and additional journeys.
Mr Holloway noted the deteriorated condition of the lanes and verges. This was interfering with the free movement of Residents. This had Health and Safety implications.Also the financial responsibilities foor the repairs to the Highways need to be defined.

At this point Chairman stated that it was necessary to define the Way Forward
Further lorry movements were to be expected as finishing materials needed to be brought in for the Gallops. SDC needed to be approached to urge the Contractor to complete these movements in the shortest time possible so that thhe repair of the roads can be got underway to restore the ease of movement of Residents.

Chairman therefore proposed that a letter be sent to SDC strongly urging that the required finishing materials be brought on site as quickly as possible (limited to the amounts stated in the supporting letter sent by the Agent at the time of the initial Planning Application) so that repair work to the Highways can be completed by GCC by early September ahead of the start of winter weather.This letter should emphasize the dangerous condition of the road surfaces and verges. This was unanimously agreed. (44/05)
Action-Clerk

-Rural and Community Investment Scheme-
It was noted that an Application needed to be made to assist with the costs of the Restoration of the Drinking Water Fountain. (45/05)

-Trafalgar Weekend-
A leaflet for circulation to Residents has been prepared. Some Residents have commented that the proposals may be overambitious.(46/05)

-Lister Development-
Chairman was anxious that the Parish be involved in the traffic impact assessments. (47/05)

-Security of Townsend Farm-
Chairman expressed concern on the vulnerability of the Farm buildings to vandalism and intrusion and on the riks of Travellers' encampments on Farm Lands. Clerk noted that he intended to write to GCC Estates shortly requesting that the pavement outside the Farm be cleared of vegetation. He will raise the security issues concurrently. (48/05)
Action-Clerk

10-Reports by Councillors

-Mr Andrewartha's Report is appended to the Minutes. (49/05)

-Mr Wride
reported that the impact of the Inspector's Report on the Local Plan on housing numbers was being considered.He also noted the recent enactment of the Hedge Legislation. Todate mediation had been successful.(50/05)

A followup Meeting to consider the deferred items of the Agenda has been fixed for Wednesday 15th June 2005 at 7 30PM.

The Meeting was concluded at 9 28PM

The Meeting was resumed on Wenesday 15th June at 7 30PM in the Village Hall to consider the deferred items of the Agenda.

Present
Mr G Brown (Chairman)
Mrs M Shaw (ViceChairman)
Mrs M Wannell
Mr R Bartlam
Mr R Holloway
Mr J Larroucau (Clerk)

3-Confirmation of Appointments
-Tree Warden
Mr Connell is willing to continue with the appointment for a further year. He has recently completed some tidying up at the Millennium Tree.(51/05)

4-Financial Matters

-Budget 2005/6
Clerk noted that the Budget included the forecast items of expenditure which had been agreed in the course of the 16th December 2004 Meeting during the Precept discussion with the addition of the Discretionary Items, ie the Neighbourhood Warden Patrols (£300) and the repair costs to the Village Fountain (£500)
Approval of the Budget was proposed by Mr Bartlam and seconded by Mrs Wannell. This was unanimously accepted.(52/05)

-Approval of Financial Accounts for Year ended 31st March 2005
Clerk reported that the Internal Audit had recently been completed by the Chairman and ViceChairman and that as a result the Accounts which had previously been circulated in draft form at the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting on 4th May had been signed off. Mr Holloway then proposed and Mr Bartlam then seconded the motion that the Accounts as presented be approved. Yhis was unanimously agreed.(53/05)
Chairman then noted that Parts 1 and 2 of the Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 2005 had been completed and signed by the Chairman and RFO. Clerk noted that the statement of accounts (Part 1 of the Annual Return) was based on the approved Accounts. Chairman noted that in completion of Part 2 (Statement of assurance) as in previous years all financial risks to which the Parish Council was exposed had been considered and insured against.
Mrs Wannell then proposed and Mr Holloway seconded the motion that the statement of Accounts and the Statement of Assurance as presented be approved. This was agreed unanimously.(54/05)

-Approval of Donations
Following some discussion Donations of £40 to each of three Charities were unanimously agreed. These are listed in the appended Schedule.(55/05)

-Chairman's Allowance
Mrs Shaw proposed and Mr Holloway seconded the motion that the Chairman's Allowance be set at £40. This was unanimously agreed.(56/05)

-Parish Council Insurance
Clerk noted that the sum assured had been raised by £1200 to cover the Safety Surface at the Playground.(57/05)

7-Planning Applications
All curent Planning applications were reviewed. (58/05)

8-Correspondence
The current Schedule is appended to the Minutes.
Clerk noted that a Programme of Councillors Training Courses had been received. These include an Update Session on 30th June and the "Nuts and Bolts "Course on 21st September. Clerk asked interested Councillors to notify him.(59/05)
Action-Councillors

9-Community Safety
-Crime and DisorderPartnership_Strategy 2005/8
Chairman reminded Councillors of the note which had been previously circulated by the Clerk. This listed a number of possible actions which had previously been discussed.
Some discussion took place on the need to limit fly posting. It was agreed that posters could be displayed on private property provided that they were removed after the event, but not in public places. In any case a facility exists for displaying notices on the Noticeboard by the Village Hall and the Clerk is willing to display suitable notices on Parish Noticeboards if they are made available to him.
Persistent offenders will be reported to the responsible officer at Stroud Community Safety office.
Clerk was asked to write to Blanchworth Care with the request that notices should not be pinned to the outside of Parish Noticeboards.(60/05)
Action-Clerk

It was agreed that the Neighbourhood Watch will be restarted and that arrangements will be made for regular Neighbourhood Warden Patrols in the Village.(61/05)
Crime Awareness literature will be distributed whenever available.(62/05)

-Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
The letter from Mr Whitlock has been circulated to Councillors.Contacts have been identified in the various parts of the Village. Clerk was asked to contact Mr Whitlock to take advantage of his offer to attend a Meeting in the Village. Once a date has been agreed the Neughbourhood Watch Contacts will be invited to attend.(63/05)
Action-Clerk

-Neighbourhood Warden Patrols
Mr Sullivan's recent letter was discussed. It was felt that a cost of £300 for the service was very reasonable.
Clerk was asked to arrange another meeting with Mr Sullivan or his reprensatative at which the details of the operation of the patrols will be finalised.(64/05)
Action-Clerk

10-Reports by Councillors
-Mrs Shaw noted the overgrown state of the pavements along Taits Hill Road in the vicinity of Newnham House. Clerk agreed to raise the matter with the adjacent landowners.(65/05)
Action-Clerk

It was also noted that the triangle at the junction of Taits Hill Road and Clingre Lane was overgrown and needed tidying. Clerk undertook to obtain a quotation from Mr Workman. (66/05)
Action -Clerk

-Mrs Wannell has obtained two quotations for the refurbishment of the Village Drinking Water Fountain.Mr Bartlam proposed and Mr Holloway seconded the motion that the quotation from Omar L Cottle be accepted and should form the basis of the Application for a Rural Grant. This was unanimously agreed.(67/05)

Chairman undertook to submit an Application.(68/05)
Action-Chairman

-Mr Holloway noted that the Dursley Rugby Club were pursuing proposals for an extension of the Rugby field.Mr Holloway was asked to obtain a copy of the Proposals for consideration by the Parish Council.A meeting with Club Officials may be arranged if necessary. (69/05)
Action-Mr Holloway

-Mr Bartlam asked for contributions to the Parish Newsletter to be made available by the end of next week.(70/05)

A dicussion took place on the Trafalgar Weekend leaflet.(70/05)

11-Dates of Next Meetings
-Tuesday 26th July at 7 30PM
-Tuesday 6th September at 7 30PM

The meeting was closed at 9 08PM

J Larroucau
Clerk to the Council min 181