MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, SOUTH CERNEY
ON WEDNESDAY 10th SEPTEMBER 2003.

CLERK'S CONTRACT
Cllr Jay reported on a meeting of the Personnel Committee held on 26 August to discuss revising the number of hours worked by the Clerk in the light of the ever-increasing workload experienced. It was agreed that Cllr Nicholas be allowed to withdraw from the Committee as the Clerk was a client of his firm. It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Mrs Chubb that the Parish Council increases the weekly employment of its Clerk from 15 hours to 18 hours with the increase in hours backdated to 1 April 2003. With the exception of Cllr Nicholas, who abstained, the Parish Council was all in favour.
Cllr Jay wished to alert members of the Parish Council that this decision to increase the Clerk's working hours would exceed the amount budgeted in the accounts.

CLERK'S REPORT
On 19th August on behalf of the Parish Council I made an Attachment of Earnings order on Robert Hewer at Swindon Magistrates Court. The original debt of £295 was increased with initial fees by £30 to £325. To make an attachment of earnings order a further fee of £60 was paid boosting the total outstanding to £385.
Various people had been in contact about ground maintenance in South Cerney since Jeremy Simmons Landscapes Ltd went into liquidation. To obtain the most competitive quote I have been referring interested contractors to our web site, especially to read recent Minutes which will give a guide to what the Parish Council was paying the previous contractor.
The Parish Council meeting in April 2004 is scheduled for Wednesday 14. Normal Committee meetings would therefore take place on Easter Monday which falls on 12. This means that the Committee meetings and Parish Council meeting must be changed to either the 5 and 7 or 19 and 21. As the March meetings are planned for 8 & 10 may I suggest that the Parish Council agrees to meet on the 5 & 7 of April which would give a 4 week gap rather than the 19 & 21 which would mean a break of 6 weeks between meetings. The Parish Council decided to discuss this matter at its next meeting. In August I worked 77.75 hours which averaged 3 hours 40 minutes per available working day which justifies the extra time allocated in my revised contract.
On 9 September I attended a meeting of the reorganised Robert Franklin Way Playground Sub Committee in the Village Hall. Also present was Cllr Mrs Chubb, Cllr Squire and Mr Simon King. Mr King outlined the history and achievements of the previous Sub Committee which had started to disintegrate at the end of the previous Parish Council term. Difficulties and delays experienced in sourcing suitable grant funding was also a factor in its lack of action. Nevertheless the plan for the project was still viable and the Sub Committee agreed that new tenders should be sought. The Le Spa and Hags units were ready for installation but it was agreed to delay this until the rest of the plan had been costed and grant funding achieved. Loosely it was envisaged that Phase 1 of the scheme would cost about £40k. It was decided to break Phase 1 into four elements: 1. Safety Surface, 2. Le Spa and Hags equipment, 3. Paths and fence work and 4. The supply and installation of new equipment. The Parish Council had budgeted for approximately half of this. One third or £13k may be forthcoming from a CDC Community grant which left a shortfall of £7k. The Clerk would contact various agencies to see if they might fund this. Mr King agreed to meet up with the Clerk on Tuesday 16 September to prepare a contract tender and the Sub Committee agreed to meet in the first week of October to consider what progress had been made.

PLANNING
Cllr Nicholas reported on the recommendations of the Planning Committee which had met on 8 September 2003.

Matters Arising
CT.2648/1/Z Residence at Lake 10, Cerney Wick Lane
A copy of a letter sent by Mr M. Grace (Enforcement Officer) asking the alleged occupant to justify how he/she qualified for residence as a condition of the original planning permission stated: "The residential accommodation shall be occupied only by persons who are employed solely or mainly at Lake 10, Cotswold water Park, or the immediate family of such persons." The Clerk was asked to obtain a copy of any response made.
CT.7318/D Mill Cottage, Cerney Wick
Mr Colin Davis CDC Enforcement Officer confirmed that amended drawings had been received for the door in the gable. Mr Davis would visit the site to inspect the roof height.
CT.8163/D
Mr C. Davis (Enforcement Officer) confirmed that he had written to Ms Lloyd advising her to abide with the conditions of the planning permission for the wall at Orchard House within 28 days. Cllr Nicholas asked the Clerk to obtain confirmation that an enforcement notice had been issued. He was to ask for clarification on whether the stone pillars were to be reinstated and to enquire about the new metal gates with stone pillars which was not detailed in any application to date. The Parish Council also wished to know what action was to be taken regarding the larch lap fence which was still in place although permission had been granted only for a temporary fence.

Planning applications received by Cotswold District Council

CT.0776/Q
Amended plans for erection of detached dwelling on land adjacent to Walnut Tree Farmhouse, Upper Up, South Cerney (R)
NO OBJECTION. CDC had subsequently granted permission

CT.0807/U
Minor amendment to repositioning of previously approved rooflight and the insertion of an additional rooflight on the front elevation at The Old Farmhouse, High Street, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos.
NO OBJECTION

CT.1454/3/Z
Club House on land at South Cerney Golf Course
NO OBJECTION

CT.1599/C
Amended plans for erection of new dwelling at Morning Dew, Cerney Wick, Cirencester
NO OBJECTION

CT.1939/H
Listed Building Consent application for the removal of contemporary internal wall at Glebe Cottage, Church Lane, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos.
NO OBJECTION

CT.3887/2/W (ii)
Minor amendment to revised window design at ground floor level on the side elevation at 58 The Lennards, South Cerney, Cirencester (R)
NO OBJECTION. CDC had subsequently granted permission

CT.3930/D
Minor amendment ­ Part infill of existing balcony to form larger lounge area to existing fisherman's croft at Lake 75, Cotswold Water Park, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos.
NO OBJECTION

CT.4498/X
Installation of four (4) fascia signs at Lake 6, Cotswold Water Park, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. Fascia signs "A" and "D" were acceptable but "B" and "C" were treating the building as an advertisement hoarding and as such would have an adverse impact on the visual amenity of this rural setting.
OBJECTION

It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Webb that the Parish Council agrees to accept the above deliberations and to ratify the decisions of the Planning Committee on those applications which it determined. The Parish Council was all in favour.
(R)=Ratification

Planning applications granted by Cotswold District Council

CT.0776/Q
Erection of detached dwelling at land adjacent to Walnut Tree Farmhouse, Upper Up, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos.

CT.1454/3/X
Erection of office and storage building at Watermark, Spine Road, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. Condition 2: The development hereby permitted shall be used solely for office and storage uses ancillary to the existing authorised leisure use of the associated lake, and shall not be used for purposes of a separate commercial enterprise because the introduction of a separate commercial activity would encourage unsustainable vehicular movements contrary to guidance provided by PPG13.

CT.1454/3/Y
Building of bund to divide lake into two (2) at Wildmoor Waters, Wildmoorway Lane, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos.

CT.3887/2/W (i)
Minor amendment approval: re-arrangement of windows and doors and the insertion of larger windows on the front elevation at 58 The Lennards, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5UX

CT.3887/2/W (ii)
Minor amendment approval: revised window design at ground floor level on the side elevation at 58 The Lennards, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5UX

Planning applications refused by Cotswold District Council

CT.0006/3/M
Erection of conservatory and first floor side extension to existing dwelling at 1 Kingfisher Place, South Cerney, Glos.

CT.8163/E
Erection of single dwelling (revision to previously approved scheme under planning reference CT.8163/C) at land at Orchard House, Upper Up, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5UT

Planning applications withdrawn
CT.0650/D
Conversion of building to two (2) dwellings; erection of further four (4) dwellings and carports at Old Post Office, High Street, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos.
Shorncote Encampment
From a query by Cllr Webb, Cllr Mrs Clark (CDC) informed the Clerk that the CDC Planning Committee would discuss the travellers development at Shorncote at their next meeting scheduled for 24 September at Moreton in Marsh.
Dentist's Sign in Sudeley Drive
Cllr Squire reported to Mr M. Grace Enforcement Officer at CDC that a large sign had been erected to the side of a building in Sudeley Drive which could be considered as an advertisement.
Unadopted Road, Kingfisher Place
An email from Mr B. D. Corke had been received complaining that the road through Kingfisher Place had not yet been adopted although most of the homes there have been occupied for more than six years. The Clerk had forwarded a copy of the correspondence to Cllr S. Parsons (GCC) who had acknowledged receipt and promised to investigate the circumstances. The Parish Council agreed with Cllr Nicholas who suggested that the Parish Council could encourage GCC to expedite the adoption.

PLAYING FIELDS & VILLAGE MAINTENANCE
Cllr Squire reported on the deliberations of the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee which had met on 11 August.

Litter Picking
Mr Curtis had attended the Committee meeting to discuss litter picking throughout the village of South Cerney. Mr Curtis made it clear that he would be responsible only for the play areas, paths and roadsides in the village excepting that area in Berkeley Close around the Flats and would not consider any maintenance. Mr Curtis agreed to a proposal from the Committee to include but not be restricted to the following areas: The War Memorial, Cross, Upper Up and playing fields, Robert Franklin Way and play area, Bow Wow, Clarks Hay, Ditch in Station Road, outside Londis, the path from the Village Hall to Upper Up, the Piece and around all public seating. It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Harris that the Parish Council should pay £5 per hour for 1 hour per day Monday to Friday inclusively for litter picking and the arrangement to be reviewed by both parties after 6 months' trial. The Parish Council was all in favour. The Clerk then suggested that he negotiate with Mr Curtis and offer him £100 per month and the Parish Council concurred. Cllr Harris had thanked Mr Curtis at the Committee meeting for his conscientious cleaning of the bus shelter outside the Limes.

Matters Arising
Basketball Net
The Committee decided to remove the damaged basketball net and not to replace it.
Grass Cutting throughout the public areas in the Village
Two quotations for grass cutting had been received. It was proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Webb that the cheaper quote from Lee Ponting be accepted. With the exception of Cllr Squire who voted against, the Parish Council was in favour.
Graveyard Grass Cutting
It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Squire that the Parish Council agrees to a verbal quote from Tim Stephens to mow and strim the graveyard at a cost of £70 per cut. The Parish Council was all in favour.
GPFA
It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Stuart that the Parish Council agrees to renew its membership of Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association at a cost of £50. The Parish Council was all in favour.
Robert Franklin Way play area
It was proposed by Cllr Harris and seconded by Cllr Stuart that the Parish Council accepts a quote from R. O. W. Berry of £145 to replace the play bark under the swings. The Parish Council was all in favour.
Upper Up Hedge
It was proposed by Cllr Stuart and seconded by Cllr Jay that the Parish Council agrees to a verbal quote from David Chubb to cut back the hedge surrounding the playing fields with a flail at a cost of £20. Cllr Mrs Chubb declared a prejudicial interest and did not vote. The remainder of the
Parish Council was all in favour.
Storage of Le Spa equipment
It was proposed by Cllr Stuart and seconded by Cllr Webb that the Parish Council agrees to a suggestion from Macventure Play Co. that the storage rental outstanding of 5 weeks to the end of August be charged at the current rate £12 per week and a fixed charge of £125 be levied to cover the 5 months from 1st September to 31st January. The Parish Council was all in favour.
Path from Upper Mill to Meadow Way
The Clerk was asked to enquire from GCC Highways if it was possible to make the sign more visible to prevent bicycles from being ridden on this path.
Upper Up Park
After a request by Cllr Harris, Cllr Stuart proposed and Cllr Jay seconded that the Parish Council agrees to accept that the weeds and other growth on the Upper Up Park are mown and the residue left in situ in lieu of the hay cut as stipulated in the contract. Cllr Harris declared a prejudicial interest and did not vote. The remainder of the Parish Council was in favour.


INSPECTION REPORTS
Upper Up Play Area
Cllr Mrs Chubb noted that the safety tiles around the junior, senior swings and activity area were coming apart. One rung was missing from ladder at left hand side of activity area and other rings have been hacked. The Chairman asked Cllr Harris for an immediate quote in view of the urgency of the situation. Cllr Harris quoted £110 to replace all the rungs with solid aluminium bars. It was proposed by Cllr Stuart and seconded by Cllr Mrs Chubb that James Harris Contracting should proceed with the repair as quickly as possible. Cllr Harris declared a prejudicial interest and did not vote. The remainder of the Parish Council was in favour. The Parish Council agreed with a suggestion from Cllr Nicholas that the cycle mounds be added to the list of items on the inspection form.
Robert Franklin Way Play Area
Cllr Harris reported that the play bark level needed to be refilled. The old goal mouth needed to be levelled and seeded. The top of the pyracantha bush, which sides had recently been pruned, should be reduced in height to around 5 feet from pavement level. In the den alongside self seeded ash trees and other low growth should be removed to give a view to the inside of this area. The Clerk was to ask R. O. W. Berry and James Harris Contracting to quote for this work. Mr Groves of Ash Moon, had written to warn that youths were using the den for nefarious purposes.
Cerney Wick Play Area
Cllr Mrs Chapman reported that two cross members of the fence needed to be replaced and another required to be re-fixed. The hedge near the entrance to the front of the play area needed to be trimmed back.


FINANCE
Cllr Jay reported on the deliberations of the Finance Committee which had met on 8 September.

Receipts
Scottish & Southern Energy Wayleave £46.00

Invoices to be paid
Alex Lawrie Factors Ground Maintenance South Cerney (July) £753.11

Outstanding Receipts
Mr R. Hewer Noticeboard repair £385.00
An "Attachment of Earnings" demand had been made by the Swindon County Court on Mr Hewer to provide a statement of earnings (N61 Order) and for his employer to make a statement of his earnings (N338 Order) for a fee of £60. Mr Hewer has since moved from his lodgings at Ryedale, Clarks Hay and had not left a forwarding address but his employer has confirmed his employment.

Payments Out
Cllr Smith deputised as Cllr Jay declared a prejudicial interest as Treasurer of the Village Hall Management Committee with the Village Hall grant payment. Cllr Stuart also declared a prejudicial interest as Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee.

Petty Cash Bus Shelter Cleansing (September) £40.00
Village Hall Village Hall Grant (part payment) £2,372.23 M. McKee
Clerk's Travel (August) £81.51
M. McKee Court Fee £60.00
British Telecom plc Clerk's Telephone £111.80
R. W. Gardiner Ground Maintenance Cerney Wick (August) £80.35
Busy Fingers Photocopying £45.43 David Chubb Ground Maintenance
Play areas (August) £115.00
GPFA Annual subscription £50.00 £2,956.32
Cllr Jay had inspected and agreed the Clerk's travel expenses for August. After a suggestion by Cllr Nicholas, Cllr Jay supplied copy receipts of the invoices covered by the grant to the Village Hall to the Clerk for the record.
It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Webb that the Parish Council agrees to make the above payments. With the exception of Cllr Jay and Cllr Stuart, the Parish Council was in favour.

Maintenance Quotations
The Finance Committee had agreed that all the recommendations by the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee be accepted.

Graveyard Stone Wall Extension
Cllr Squire reported that the PCC had received four quotations to extend the natural stone wall at the graveyard and the Finance Committee recommends that the Parish Council agrees to accept the lowest at £9,323. Cllr Squire calculated that the final grant required by the PCC, which would include a registry charge albeit defrayed by a CDC grant, will be £8,410. Cllr Squire agreed that the PCC will supervise the construction contract. It was proposed by Cllr Webb and seconded by Cllr Harris that the Parish Council agrees to make a grant of £8,410 to the PCC to extend the graveyard wall.
Cllr Squire declared a prejudicial interest and did not vote. The remainder of the Parish Council was in favour.
Committee Meeting Arrangements
Cllr Jay suggested that the timing of the Committee Meetings should be rearranged permanently to allow decisions on budget expenses by the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee to be agreed by the Finance Committee. The Parish Council agreed that Monday evening committee meetings start with the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance, followed by the Finance and Planning committees.


CORRESPONDENCE
1. Cotswold Voluntary Wardens (part of the Cotswold AONB Partnership)
2. GCC Highways ­ Estimated cost of new footway from Langet to car park
The Clerk was asked to obtain the plans for the footway.
3. CDC ­ Consultation of proposed changes to the allocation of affordable housing to applicants
4. CDC ­ Residence at Lake 10 (Enforcement Officer)
Clerk to ask for copy replies
5. Swindon County Court ­ Progress report on Attachment of Earnings application
6. R. O.W. Berry ­ Quote to poison weeds at Upper Up play area and car park
7. K. & J. V. Williams ­ OPinch Point' in Broadway Lane
Parish Council agrees in principle to gateways
8. Four Pillars Hotels ­ B. P. Murtagh acknowledgement
9. Hags Play Ltd ­ Basket ball net quotation
10. Cotswolds AONB Partnership - Annual Report 2002-03 (on circulation)
11. Cotswold Canals Trust ­ TROW Magazine Autumn 2003 (on circulation)
12. Davey Son & Jones ­ Legal Update August 2003 (on circulation)
13. DEFRA ­ Rural Services Standard 2003 (leaflet to noticeboard)
14. GCC Highways ­ Copy email from J. Whittaker to Cllr Parsons re Impact Scheme (emailed to Parish Councillors copy to Cllr Squire)
15. Countryside Agency ­ Rejection of Community Service Grant for South Cerney Play Equipment
16. Aeshton Services ­ Grass cutting quotation
17. GCC Highways ­ 30mph Speed Limit on Broadway Lane
Clarification of position of re-sited gateway pinchpoint requested
18. GPFA ­ Membership Renewal
19. Local Council Review ­ (on circulation)
20. NALC ­ Parochial Fees Order 2003 and proposed fees for 2004
21. Glos Hospitals NHS Trust ­ Locality Groups (poster to noticeboard)
22. The Boundary Committee for England ­ Periodic Electoral Review of GCC: Draft Recommendations (poster to noticeboard)
23. The Local Channel ­ "Free" web site to Parish information
24. K. & J. V. Williams ­ Pinch Point in Broadway Lane
25. R. O.W. Berry ­ Quote to renew wooden surround around swings at Robert Franklin Way play area; quote to replace bark in the base of swing area
26. GRCC ­ Offer of help with grant funding applications
27. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust ­ 3rd Annual Report 2002 (on circulation)
28. B. D. Corke ­ Adoption of Kingfisher Place (passed to Cllr S. Parsons GCC)
29. GCC ­ Glos Structure Plan 3rd Alteration 2001­2006 "Examination in Public" (emailed to Parish Councillors copy to Cllr Squire)
30. CDC ­ Cancellation of Standards Committee meeting on 16 September.
31. CHYP ­ Newsletter August 2003 (on circulation)
32. Swindon County Court ­ Progress report on Attachment of Earnings application
33. Macventure Play Co ­ Storage costs of Le Spa play equipment
34. Glos Training Partnership OLocal council Training Calendar' (emailed to Parish Councillors copy to Cllr Squire)
35. CDC ­ The Town & Parish Newsletter ­ September 2003 (on circulation)
36. Swindon County Court ­ Progress report on Attachment of Earnings application
37. J. M. Nicholas ­ Pedestrian crossing in High Street (emailed to Parish Councillors copy to Cllr Squire)
38. Swindon County Court ­ Employer response to Attachment of Earnings application
39. CDC ­ Consent refused to fell horse chestnut on land at Clarks Hay, South Cerney. Permission given to allow a crown lift of up to 4.5m, prune back from house to give 1.5m clearance and up to 20% crown reduction
40. CS (Policy Secretariat) 1a Headquarters Land Command ­ Aircraft noise at 29 Regt RLC (published on web site Bulletin Board)
41. Lee Ponting ­ Grass cutting quotation
42. T. W. Groves ­ Evidence of solvent abuse at Robert Franklin Way play area
Cllr Harris was monitoring the situation


COUNCILLORS' REPORTS
Cllr Harris was concerned with overgrowing willows between Lower Mill and Upper Mill but especially alongside Bow Wow. The Clerk would ask GCC Highways to inspect. Cllr Harris asked the Clerk to write to the occupants of Lynton Cottage in School Lane and request them to cut back their hedge.
Cllr Jay asked that the PROW office at GCC be informed that horses were using footpaths, especially BSC1 alongside the disused Thames & Severn canal.
Cllr Smith apologised for not attending a Police & Community Consultative meeting at Poole Keynes due to pressure of work.
Cllr Mrs Chubb reported that the pavement outside Ellington, in Station Road was damaged and was likely to be a hazard to pedestrians. The Clerk was asked to report it to the relevant authority.
Cllr Mrs Chapman reported that damage was being inflicted on the road verges in Wickwater Lane and asked the Clerk to report it to the relevant authority. Cllr Mrs Chapman reported that the hedges alongside the Jet Ski lake, the Sailing Club from its entrance as far as Churn Pool and from the Crown Inn to Back Lane were all overgrown and asked the Clerk to write to the respective owners to request them to cut them back.
Cllr Stuart reported that the steps on the footpath BSC1 opposite the Lock House on the Canal Path were virtually non existent and in a very bad state of repair. The Clerk was asked to report it to the relevant authority.

There being no further business Cllr Stuart closed the meeting at 10.12pm.