MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL The meeting began at 7.05pm with Chairman Cllr Stuart welcoming PC George Lager Rural Beat Officer. The Constable explained the new shift patterns being introduced to comply with a European Directive. Shifts would be increased from four to five to allow personnel 11 hours rest between shifts. To supplement manpower Police and Community Safety Officers (PCSOs) would be introduced to the service on a annual salary of £19k and it was expected that two would be assigned to Cirencester. Wardens was another option being considered but these would be funded through the District Council. Cllr Bennett (CDC) assured the meeting that the Cirencester area was one of the safest in the country and by inference one could say Europe. Cllr Nicholas asked what could the Parish Council do to improve conditions. PC Lager was in favour of youth shelters and referred to the success of such a scheme in Lechlade. Cllr Stuart said that such a project would benefit South Cerney as 20% of the population was under 21 years of age. PC Lager informed the meeting that grant funding was available and will pass on details of the funding providers to the Clerk. Concern was raised with the new appointment of a Crime Reduction Officer at CDC as the role was being duplicated with the service being provided by Gloucestershire Constabulary. PC Lager explained that both positions would work in concert for the benefit of the community at large. The Chairman Cllr Stuart thanked PC Lager for his visit and the Constable left the meeting at 7.30pm.
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| The Chairman Cllr Stuart opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.35 pm by
wishing all assembled a happy and prosperous new year and thanking Cllr
Squire for deputising at last month's meeting. APOLOGIES An apology had been received from Cllr Harris who had been unavoidably delayed. CLLR PARSONS UPDATE RE KINGFISHER PLACE ADOPTION Both Redcliffe Homes and Watermark had agreed to sign the Easement agreement to allow Gloucestershire County Council to proceed with the road adoption. Plans were now needed for attachment to the document and Tom O'Connor from Redcliffe Homes confirmed that he would forward them to GCC. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10 DECEMBER 2003 It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Mrs Pollard that the Minutes were a true and accurate record. The Parish Council was all in favour and the Chairman Cllr Stuart signed the Minutes. MATTERS ARISING Ham Lane Cllr Nicholas reported that Ham Lane had no registered title but Sudeley Drive and the verge thereof did have registered title. RoSPA Refund The Clerk informed the meeting that no refund had yet been received from RoSPA. It was expected that RoSPA would reimburse the fees paid by the Parish Council for last year's inspections £177 plus VAT (£207.98). CLERK'S REPORT On Monday 15 December I attended a regional conference with Cllr Smith at Bristol on Quality Councils. The main speaker was Alun Michael, Minster for Rural Affairs, Defra. Government is keen that Parish and Town Councils take responsibility for more of the services presently managed by District Councils and County Councils. He was eager that Parishes should join together to form clusters to achieve economy of scale. He was signalling the start of a new era of two tier local government based on Unitary Authorities and Town and Parish Councils. The next speaker was the Chief Executive of North Wiltshire District Council who explained that District Council's partnership with towns and parishes in its area concentrating on the redevelopment of Calne and praising what had been achieved. Overall, I did not see how South Cerney could benefit from Quality status except by joining a cluster of nearby towns and parishes if and when the District Council has been abolished but that is for Parish Councillors to decide. I am quite happy with the present arrangement of working 18 hours a week on a part time basis and have no intention of becoming a full time Clerk. At the moment South Cerney Parish Council abides by most of the criteria necessary to achieve Quality status. The two glaring exceptions in my view are that I do not have an AQA qualification and the Parish does not publish its own newsletter. Quality status is not compulsory. The afternoon session was devoted to a morale boosting exercise for Clerks and its representative body the SLCC, punctuated with a lecture on pitfalls affecting Clerks by its Legal Adviser. I asked the Executive Officer from the floor if he could justify the 33% increase in subscriptions. His answer and that of a cohort was less than satisfactory in that the increase was really quite a small amount £18 and very good value for money. If given a chance to reply I would have pointed out that the presentation given previously by the Chief Executive was totally based on percentages and pi charts to illustrate his points. On 30 December I contacted CAPS, regarding the non-payment from R. Hewer, to be informed that his employers had been asked for payment on 17 December. The two outstanding payments have now been received. During December I logged 791/2 hours which averaged just over 21 hours per week based on the 19 working days available. The extra time I worked is due to the conference I attended and over the period I took 2 days holiday. On 2 January I met with Cllrs Jay, Nicholas, Smith, Squire, Stuart and Webb at 8pm in the New House to discuss precept proposals for the year 2004-05. After two hours the members of the Finance Committee agreed the recommendations which will be put to the Parish Council meeting on 14 January for approval. On Friday 9 January I forwarded pictures of the unsatisfactory finish to the Impact Scheme to Jennifer Watkins, Senior Supervisor Glos County Highways. On Friday 9 January I enquired from CDC Enforcement Officer if Planning Conditions were being breached by Titcombe Motors in Clarks Hay through having cars displayed for sale on its forecourt. I was subsequently informed that they were in breach and the business told to apply for planning permission. Cllr Harris joined the meeting at 8pm. VILLAGE MAINTENANCE & PLAYING FIELDS Cllr Squire reported on the deliberations of the Village Maintenance and Playing Fields Committee that had met on 12 January. Matters Arising Safety Tiles at Upper Up Cllr Stuart had met with Steve Griffiths of Macventure Play Co and explained the work needed to refurbish the safety tiled area at Upper Up. Steve Griffiths had promised to reassess the problem and the Clerk was to enquire from Mr Griffiths if he had made any progress. Churchyard Wall Extension Cllr Squire had agreed to become Project Leader and would liaise with the contractor to ensure that the work was carried out as per the specifications. Cllr Squire agreed to a request from Cllr Jay to view the recent archaeological report on the graveyard. Upper Up Planting Due to illness the Committee had not yet met to discuss a planting plan for Upper Up. It was agreed that when planting was complete a definitive map would be produced showing the position where donated trees had been planted. An individual map would also be presented to each person making a donation. Upper Up Cycle Mounds Both Cllr Harris and Cllr Stuart had independently inspected the problem of water accumulating on the lower surfaces of the mounds. Both were in agreement that a French drain with a perforated pipe of approximately 150 metres would be needed to relieve the flooding and wet area between the heaps to make the site more user friendly in wet weather. Cllr Harris, Cllr Squire and Cllr Stuart agreed to make a further inspection in the afternoon of Saturday 17 January after which specifications for the work needed would be drawn up and three quotations sought. INSPECTION REPORTS Upper Up Cllr Stuart in his report stated that the cycle mounds were virtually unusable due to the excessive water actually flowing through the area and that a drainage scheme was needed. Contractors have yet to reconstruct the fence by the new footpath. The overgrowth around the safety tiles has not been cut back and the gaps in the tiles remain. Cerney Wick Mrs Chapman report stated that the fence had been repaired. The play area was in good order. Robert Franklin Way Cllr Harris reported that a heap of tarmac scalpings had been left on the play area by Mr Mould's work gang. Cllr Squire will ask Mr Mould to arrange from its removal. Ground Maintenance Tender The Clerk was asked to send the revised tender specification for ground maintenance to potential contractors. FINANCE Cllr Jay reported on the deliberations of the Finance Committee that had met on 12 January. Cllr Jay thanked Cllr Nicholas for his hospitality when the Finance Committee met at his house on Friday 2 January to discuss the precept. Payments Received South Cerney Football Club Share of water bill £7.95 South Cerney Cricket Club Share of water bill £5.30 CAPS R. Hewer £80.00 £93.25 Outstanding Mr R. Hewer Noticeboard repair £265.00 Payments Out Macventure Play Co Robert Franklin Way 30% deposit payment £7,078.50 Petty Cash Bus Shelter Cleansing (January) £40.00 Petty Cash Litter Picking (January) £100.00 M. McKee Clerk's Travel (December) inc Training £126.21 SLCC Membership Renewal £72.00 Glos County Council Archaeological evaluation at All Hallows £1,192.63 Thames Water Water Services 15 September to 14 December £13.25 Southern Electric Bus shelters in South Cerney & Cerney Wick £10.79 Busy Fingers Photocopying £45.48 £8,678.86 It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Chubb and seconded by Cllr Webb that the Parish Council agrees to make the above payments. The Parish Council was all in favour. South Cerney Village Hall Village Hall refurbishment (S. Dyer) Cllr Mrs Chubb, Cllr Jay, Cllr Stuart and Cllr Webb declared a prejudicial interest in this payment as the Councillors are members of the Village Hall Committee. £348.97 £9,027.83 It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Parish Council agrees to make the payment to the Village Hall account. The Parish Council, with the exception of those Councillors who had declared an interest, was in favour. Cllr Jay inspected and agreed the Clerk's travel expenses for December. Precept Recommendations Cllr Jay explained the proposed precept drawing attention to two new headings. On Members Allowances he emphasised that no Councillor should be penalised by attending Parish Council activities. Many Parish Councillors were disinclined to claim allowances but this should not prevent others from claiming. Under the heading Capital Replacement he highlighted the new section Heritage Buildings and Monument Fund which had been suggested by Cllr Squire. This fund was created as a long term project to provide capital for the upkeep of the many buildings and monuments in the village. Cllr Nicholas added that such a fund would make the Parish Council proactive instead of reactive in their treatment of such cases. Cllr Squire will encourage local companies to contribute to the fund. It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Mrs Pollard that the Parish Council agrees to a precept of £51,065 for 2004-05. The Parish Council was all in favour. This represents £38.50 per annum for a Band 'D' Household which is an increase of 47p per calendar month on the previous year. Quotations Cllr Harris declared a prejudicial interest and abstained from voting. It was proposed by Cllr Squire and seconded by Cllr Smith that the Parish Council accepts the quote from R. O. W. Berry for £55, which was the lower of the two received, to remove the two concrete posts in Silver Street. The Parish Council was all in favour. Correspondence CAPS had forwarded overdue payments on behalf of R. Hewer. SLCC had written to justify its increase in subscriptions. Alex Lawrie Factors had accepted the Parish Council's offer of £500 in full and final settlement and the Clerk was to ask them to provide a VAT invoice. A copy of Members Allowances, as suggested by CDC, had been given to each Parish Councillor. Churchyard Wall Extension Cllr Squire had agreed to become Project Leader and would liaise with the contractor to ensure that the work was carried out as per the specifications. The Parish Council consented that it was in order for Cllr Squire to agree to stage payments with the contractor if the work carried out was satisfactory. PLANNING Cllr Nicholas reported on the deliberations of the Planning Committee that had met on 12 January. Planning applications received by Cotswold District Council CT.0006/3/R Removal of Condition 16 on CT.0006/3/L to allow the use of colour coated steel as the roofing material on the clubhouse at Lake 16, Spine Road, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. Colour change would be to goosewing grey profile sheeting. NO OBJECTION CT.0006/3/S Variation of Condition 20 of Permission CT.0006/2/X for erection of boundary fence at The Limes, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5RF Since Westbury Homes have failed to obtain planning permission for residential re-development of the adjoining industrial site, it is now doubly important that Condition 20 be enforced. The wall was an integral part of the design of The Limes housing development, and is still required to enhance visual amenity. Moreover, the existing temporary wooden fence is not strong enough as a safety barrier, bearing in mind the vehicles which use the adjoining industrial site. Also, a wall will afford a much more effective noise barrier, shielding the new houses better than a fence. OBJECTION CT.0006/3/T Erection of 3 garage/storage buildings and 1.8m high mesh fencing to create secure compound at Lake 16, Spine Road, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. NO OBJECTION CT.1599/D Erection of a single garage at Morning Dew, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5QJ NO OBJECTION CT.2475/1/R Variation of condition 10 (details of contamination scheme) of planning permission CT.2475/1/L for land at Evergreen Industrial Estate, Broadway Lane, South Cerney NO OBJECTION CT.2648/2/Z Amended plans for 50 holiday lodges, cable tow water ski course with clubhouse, boating lake and boathouse, restaurant and shop with office over at Lake 11, Spine Road, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. The lake and surrounding area is not sustainable as a competition course. The course is incompatible with residential use of the site. The area allowed for car parking is inadequate for a competition site so adjacent roads would inevitably be used for overflow parking. If permission granted Conditions thereof should include: a contribution to the proposed cycle track/footpath along adjacent Spine Road; make pedestrian access to Cerney Wick safer by creating a footpath along southern end of lake; new access from site to disused railway line; upgrade existing bridleway on disused railway line from Lake 75 to South Cerney to provide a sustainable means of transport e.g. cycle track and/or footpath. OBJECTION CT.3424/E Erection of orangery/conservatory, detached garage with loft over; canopy over front door; and part new front boundary wall at Lower Churn, Bow Wow, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. NO OBJECTION CT.4072/D Renewal of outline planning permission for the erection of one dwelling in garden of Hampton Villa, Cerney Wick, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5QJ NO OBJECTION CT.4125/1/H Conservatory at 24 Beverstone Road, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5XU NO OBJECTION CT.5790/L Erection of two-storey side extension at 3 Hambledon Close, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 6JA NO OBJECTION CT.7318/D Minor amendment: Increased height from ground level to eaves of approximately 50cm (no change in the overall height of the building). Insertion of a door at first floor level on the north-west elevation at Mill Cottage, Cerney Wick, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5QJ (R) The Committee had submitted an objection to this amendment. After discussion the Parish Council reversed this decision and the Clerk was asked to inform CDC Planning accordingly NO OBJECTION CT.8163/G Retention of metal gates at Orchard House, Upper Up, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. (R) NO OBJECTION CT.8163/H Retention of stone wall at Orchard House, Upper Up, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. The existing stone wall is in breach of express conditions. Currently it is too high and should be reduced to the original permitted height of 2 metres from the pavement. The wall defines an important boundary of the Conservation Area and, in this very prominent location, it is an excessively imposing feature at this entrance to the village. Furthermore the wall is very conspicuous from the adjoining public playing fields and car park. OBJECTION 03/03294/NEI Use of Lake 62 as a Personal Watercraft Members Club by North Wiltshire District Council The proposed use of this lake would result in a very intrusive noise level which would be unacceptable and detrimental to the large areas of residential properties in the nearby village of South Cerney. The resultant noise from the operation of this club's activity would be exacerbated by the prevailing south west wind. The jet ski activities on Lake 11 have demonstrated just how intrusive is this disturbing noise to village residents. OBJECTION It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Parish Council agrees with the decisions of the Planning Committee, except CT.7318/D which objection will be removed. It was further proposed to ratify the other decisions made by the Planning Committee. The Parish Council was all in favour. Planning applications granted by Cotswold District Council
CT.0649/2/G |