MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
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The Chairman, Cllr Stuart opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm. APOLOGIES Cllr Nicholas had apologised for his absence due to ill health and Cllr Parsons (GCC) had apologised for his absence due to other commitments. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12th JANUARY 2005 Page 1923: Councillors’ Reports – 9th item delete “Harris” insert: Webb Page 1926: PLANNING – first line: delete “med” insert: met It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Mrs Pollard that the Minutes as altered were a true and accurate record. The Parish Council was in favour. Cllr Stuart signed the Minutes. MATTERS ARISING Portfolios Cllr Jay observed that under the new Portfolio arrangement an instance had arisen where a subject which was in the jurisdiction of a Committee was also in a Portfolio of a Parish Councillor who was not a member of that Committee. It was agreed that in the event of a repeat situation then the Portfolio holder would attend a meeting of the relevant Committee. Water Park meeting Cllr Stuart informed the Council that due to other commitments he would be unable to attend an Executive Committee meeting of the Water Park on the 11 February. Meeting with J. Whittaker (GCC Highways) Cllr Squire reported on a meeting held with Mr Whittaker on 9 February to determine the most appropriate place for the siting of the zebra crossing, the positioning of the interactive speed signs, the repositioning of the 30mph signs 150 metres north of their current position in Silver Street, readjustment of the speed limits from Silver Street to Preston Toll Bar and the use of the old railway line as a bicycle track to Siddington. CLERK’S REPORT On Thursday 20 January Cllr M. Stuart and I had a meeting with Alex Fraser from Afla Ltd to discuss revised plans for the public art scheme to be used at Jubilee Gardens. Mr Fraser will provide a plan for Parish Councillors to appraise and implementation will be in two stages. Firstly the ground work and general planting to be followed in the autumn with the tree planting. Provisionally it was agreed that the Parish Council would add the area to its ground maintenance schedule. On Thursday 3 February I attended a briefing and reception by the Army Presentation Team in the Corn Hall, Cirencester. Also present representing the Parish Council were Cllr Stuart, Cllr Squire and Cllr Jay. The presentation detailed the make-up and activities of the modern Army and how its role had changed to cope with the demise of the cold war and the threat of global terrorism in the 21st century. On Friday 4 February I met with Cllr S. Parsons (GCC), Cllr M. Stuart, Martyn Summerell and John Whittaker GCC County Highways in Cirencester to discuss outstanding matters, details of which appear in Matters Arising of the Minutes of the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee. This afternoon I met with John Whittaker, Cllr Stuart and Cllr Squire to decide on where the zebra would be best sited, the cycle track along the old railway line from Northmoor Lane to the Greyhound public house in Siddington, the position of the interactive signs and the resiting of the 30mph signs in Silver Street. During January I averaged 3 hours 30 minutes over the 20 available working days which meets the contract terms precisely. PLAYING FIELDS & VILLAGE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE REPORT Cllr Squire reported on the deliberations of the Committee which had met on Monday 7th February. Matters Arising Highway Matters: Zebra Crossing The Clerk reported on a meeting with John Whittaker (GCC Highways Area Traffic Manager (Cotswolds)), Martyn Summerell (GCC Highways Assistant Divisional Surveyor), Cllr S. Parsons (GCC) and Cllr M. Stuart on Friday 4th February in Cirencester. The zebra crossing which had been postponed and its financing transferred to the impact scheme to extend the resurfacing of Station Road, would be looked at once again. It was hoped that its priority would be maintained, as the scheme had already been close to construction, but because of disagreement the finance for it had been used elsewhere in the village. The highways officers were informed that the Parish Council had now voted in favour of its installation. Mr Whittaker envisaged that it would take three months for the legal side, one month to design and two months to construct the crossing and the scheme would be in competition for available funds. Cllr Parsons said that as its construction had nearly been started in the recent past the scheme should not be relegated. Mr Whittaker agreed. Interactive Speed Signs Mr Whittaker informed the meeting that interactive signs which used solar and wind for power cost approximately £4,000 to supply and install. He recommended that they be placed some 150 metres inside the 30mph zone. Speed Limits on Cirencester Road Mr Whittaker agreed to consider the reduction of the speed limits from Preston Toll Bar to the army camp from the national limit to 50mph and to reduce the existing 50mph outside the camp married quarters to 40mph until the Talland riding school. He would liaise with the police to reduce the national limit from beyond the Talland riding school to 50mph but was not sure if the limit could be enforced. He further agreed to move the existing 30mph sign from its current position to 150 metres before the entrance of Northmoor Lane and install another 30mph on that lane to inform oncoming vehicles that they were about to enter a 30mph limit. Footpath Widening Mr Summerell would increase the width of the footpath on the east side of Silver Street in the vicinity of Berry’s Farm. Cllr Stuart had spoken to Mrs G. Portlock (GCC Highways) who would inspect and possibly widen the section of footpath from the Meadow Way to Village Hall path and then only the narrow section running from the eastern end of the Riverside path down to Berkeley Horns. South Cerney to Siddington Cycle Route Cllr Stuart suggested that as the canal cycle route was proving difficult to implement why not use the old railway track instead. This idea was received favourably and Mr Whittaker was encouraged by Cllr Parsons to approach the landowners for their agreement. Road Sweeping Mr Summerell was adamant that it was the responsibility of CDC to keep roads swept clean in the Parish. This arrangement had been in force for more than four years although to his knowledge roads were swept infrequently if at all during the past two years. Mr Summerell suspected that the budget could not cope and other factors had reduced the number of contractors willing to quote for the work. Cllr Stuart gave a detailed report on the history of the road cleaning fiasco. Outstanding Work at Robert Franklin Way Cllr Harris reported that all of the outstanding maintenance matters reported to the Cotswold Water Park Society had been resolved. Street Lighting Cllr Stuart had been in contact with Mr Greenaway who agreed to inspect the illumination of the new bridge over the Churn at Bow Wow and Box Bush and report back on how it might be improved. The Clerk was asked to inform him that a light on the path from Box Bush to Station Road was obscured by trees owned by Mr R. Webb. Street Signs Street signs had not yet been replaced. The Clerk informed the Committee that the CDC had been informed and the Cotswold Water Park would be told about the missing Station Road sign at the junction of Station Road, Cerney Wick Lane and the B4696. Dog Warden Cllr Stuart reported that Julie Townsend CDC Dog Warden had promised to install dog litter bins at Upper Up car park and Riverside Walk near to Riverway although this would not be until the new budget came into force in April 2005. Refurbishment of Upper Up car park Cllr Stuart reported that his contact had declined an opportunity to refurbish the car park. The Clerk was asked to revise the specification for the work, that the surface is broken up with a digger bucket, levelled and compacted. The Committee agreed with Cllr Harris’ assessment that it was not necessary to add new gravel. Public Rights of Way Cllr Stuart and Cllr Webb had attended a meeting of local bodies at the Millennium Centre, Keynes Park to discuss local PROWs. The Clerk was asked to invite a representative from Siddington Parish Council to a meeting to discuss the South Cerney to Siddington cycle route and other mutually shared footpaths and bridleways. War Memorial Cllr Squire reported that he was very pleased with the amount of donations received so far for the refurbishment of the vandalised War Memorial. He expected to go to tender next week. When the work is completed a Service of Dedication would be held and those who had made donations would be invited. 29th Regiment at Duke of Gloucester Barracks had agreed to send a contingent of soldiers to the event. The Chairman, Cllr M. Stuart gave his heartfelt thanks to Cllr Squire for his effort and Parish Councillors applauded. INSPECTION REPORTS Upper Up play area Cllr Stuart reported that all equipment was in working order. Motorcyclists had been asked to leave the cycle mounds and if this behaviour persists then a sign banning them should be erected. Robert Franklin Way play area Cllr Harris reported that all equipment was in working order. The lamination of one panel on the adventure unit in the toddlers play area was peeling and should be removed. The Clerk was asked to contact Macventure Play Co to quote for a replacement board. The entrance at Robert Franklin Way was becoming muddy and needed some gravel. Cllr Squire had suggested at a previous meeting that over matter from the path to Bow Wow via the Church could be used. The pyracantha on far side of the fence on Lakeside boundary needs to be cleared. The chain link fence had been erected. Cerney Wick play area Cllr Caunce reported that the equipment at Cerney Wick was in good working order. ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTIONS Parish Councillors considered the report as satisfactory as the inspector had found only low risk items to criticise. BRIDGE SURVEY A report detailing the damage to the single span brick arch bridge which carries the disused railway over the river Churn at grid reference 405562 197359 had been received and two repair options were presented. The Parish Council agreed with the recommendation from Cllr Harris that the first option, excepting the installation of timber fences, is preferred. TREE REPORT Cllr Harris presented the tree report and thanked Cllr Webb for his participation. The Parish Council agreed with his recommendation that his analysis be used as the basis for a specification of the work needed and sent out to tender. The Parish Council agreed with the recommendation of the Committee that the area in the vicinity of South Cerney Farmhouse to the notice board in Clarks Hay, where the cherry trees are currently growing, be planted with hornbeam. The Clerk was asked to inform GCC Highways of ivy growth which should be removed on the parapet of the bridge nearest to the Old George public house. GCC Highways was to be informed that tree surgery was urgently needed on five weeping willows on the other side of the river Churn from the Old Vicarage. Likewise, it should be pointed out to Lady Fanshawe that the cuppressus hedge between Lower Mill and Lower Churn needs cutting back hard to stop traffic being pushed onto the opposite verge. As had already been mentioned in the Safety Inspection report the pyracantha hedge at Robert Franklin Way playing field should be removed and the ash trees thinned to leave only four of the better specimens. The Parish Council agreed with the recommendation of the Committee that a separate contract is awarded for this work. Cllr Harris asked that Parish Councillors should re-visit the area of South Cerney Farmhouse to the south of Meadow Way to determine if this area should be assessed as a separate tender item. Cllr Harris informed Cllr Jay that scrub clearance to the north of the Piece would be added as an addendum to the schedule. Cllr Stuart suggested that the Parish Council consider planting the area to the north of the lake at Upper Up playing field but agreed with Cllr Jay who argued that the area should be left to mature to see how it develops before any action is taken. The Parish Council agreed to a recommendation from Cllr Harris that the planting of the wet land area be discussed as an agenda item in September. GROUND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Cllr Mrs Chubb declared a prejudicial interest as the wife of one of the bidding contractors and left the room. After a long discussion on the performance and price of the various contractors, it was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Webb that the main contract, including the churchyard, is awarded to Adrian Gibbs for the next two years. The Parish Council was all in favour. Cllr Mrs Chubb rejoined the debate. It was further proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Smith that the contract for the next two years for ground maintenance in Cerney Wick is awarded to Rodney Gardiner. The Parish Council was all in favour. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS Cllr Mrs Chubb asked that the Committee consider erecting a bus shelter in the vicinity of the entrance to the Lennards. The Clerk was asked to source a supplier and the price of a “stand alone” bus shelter. Cllr Webb asked the Clerk to write to the occupants of 8 Broadway Lane and ask them to cut back their hedge which was overgrowing the pavement. Cllr Mrs Chapman asked the Clerk to write to Mr & Mrs Paxton at Cerney Wick and ask them to cut back their hedge which was overgrowing the carriageway. Cllr Mrs Pollard presented a photograph of cars parked on the pavement and public grass area at Thrift Cottage and asked the Clerk to write to them requesting that they stop this unsocial behaviour. FINANCE Cllr Smith reported on the deliberations of this Committee which had met on Monday 7th February. MATTERS ARISING Mr R. Hewer The Clerk was to enquire from Mr Hewer why no further payments had been received. Receipts D. Burke War Memorial donation to Parish Council £50.00 Outstanding R. Hewer Notice board repair £165.00 Payments Out Parish Council A. J. Squire Memorial Fund (D. Burke) £50.00 Petty Cash Bus Shelter Cleansing (February) £40.00 Petty Cash Litter Picking (February) £100.00 Petty Cash Postage £30.00 M. McKee Clerk’s Travel (January) £62.62 M. McKee BT Telephone and Internet access (January) £21.50 Maelor Trafflex Ltd Carriage 90 litre green rubbish bin £12.93 Busy Fingers Copying Photocopying £39.84 Raymond Fenton Updating Web pages 1 Oct 04 – 31 Dec 04 £150.00 JT (Fencing) Services Ltd Chain link replacement at Robert Franklin Way £232.77 John Hicks Ltd Annual playing field inspection £184.48 £924.14 Cllr Smith had previously inspected and agreed the Clerk’s travel expenses for January. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Pollard and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Parish Council agrees to make the above payments. The Parish Council was all in favour. Cllr Mrs Chubb, Cllr Jay and Cllr Stuart declared a prejudicial interest in this payment and left the debate. Village Hall Capital Grant – Table & Chairs £1,537.61 It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Webb that the Parish Council agrees to make the above payment. The remainder of the Parish Council was all in favour. Cllr Mrs Chubb, Cllr Jay and Cllr Stuart rejoined the meeting. £2,461.75 PLANNING Cllr Mrs Chapman, due to the absence of Cllr Nicholas, reported on the deliberations of the Planning Committee which had met on Monday 7th February. Planning applications received by Cotswold District Council CT.0006/4/C Applicants: Mr & Mrs Goble, 3 The Limes, Station Road, South Cerney Additional/Amended Plans: Garden room extension and loft conversion to form bedroom and study at 3 The Limes, South Cerney Although this additional/amended application had a response date of 14 February a Decision Notice had already been issued. S. Herbert (CDC) had informed the Clerk that the application had been inadvertently generated. CT.0006/4/D Applicants: Aggregate Industries UK Ltd, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leics Additional/Amended Plans: Erection of single storey office at South Cerney Works, Broadway Lane, South Cerney NO OBJECTION CT.0006/4/E Applicants: Mr & Mrs G. A. Brown, 11 Kingfisher Place, South Cerney Erection of rear conservatory at 11 Kingfisher Place, South Cerney NO OBJECTION CT.2475/1/W Applicant: Jon Shipman Contracting Ltd, 42 Elliot Road, Love Lane Industrial Estate, Cirencester Revised scheme for new light industrial unit, parking, turning and drainage at Plot G, Evergreen Industrial Estate, Broadway Lane, South Cerney NO OBJECTION CT.3140/B Applicant: Cotswold Hoburne Ltd, 261 Lymington Road, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset Demolition of dwelling and replacement with new single storey dwelling at Crosslane Cottage, Broadway Lane, South Cerney (R) NO OBJECTION CT.3887/3/C Applicants: Mr & Mrs M. Russell, 59 The Lennards, South Cerney Two storey side extension (revised scheme) at 59 The Lennards, South Cerney GL7 5UX (R) NO OBJECTION CT.3887/3/D Applicant: Mrs D. F. Lloyd, 19 Field Close, South Cerney Two storey side extension to provide lounge with two bedrooms over at 19 Field Close, South Cerney The Chairman of the Committee, Cllr Nicholas had invited Mr Deacon to give his reasons for his objections to this application. The Committee agreed with Mr Deacon that the extension would dominate the gardens of adjoining properties and adversely effect their privacy. It was also likely to cause damage to the roots of the adjoining hedge. OBJECTION CT.5322/P Applicant: Rebecca Jamieson, Rosemary, Cerney Wick, Glos. GL7 5QH Refurbishment and alterations to pair of adjoining bungalows to form one dwelling and works to existing outbuilding at Rosemary, Cerney Wick, Cirencester GL7 5QH NO OBJECTION CT.5946/H Applicants: Mr & Mrs D. MacDonald, Tobermory, Cerney Wick GL7 5QJ Amended plans: Erection of single storey extension to provide garage and playroom/store at Tobermory, Cerney Wick, Cirencester (R) NO OBJECTION It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Jay that the Parish Council accepts the deliberations and ratifies the decisions of the Planning Committee on the foregoing applications. The Parish Council was all in favour. Cllr Stuart declared a prejudicial interest as the applicant was a friend and left the room. CT.7927/C Applicants: Mr & Mrs D. Dunn, Albertine, Upper Up, South Cerney Rebuild Cotswold stone wall to 2m at front boundary at Albertine, South Cerney, Cirencester The remainder of the Committee had agreed that the proposed height would be detrimental to the visual effect of the area and out of character to the local style. It was proposed by Cllr Webb and seconded by Cllr Smith that the Parish Council accepts the deliberations of the Planning Committee. Cllr Mrs Chapman, Cllr Mrs Chubb, Cllr Harris and Cllr Jay abstained and the remaining five Parish Councillors voted in favour of the motion. OBJECTION Cllr Stuart rejoined the debate. Planning applications granted by Cotswold District Council CT.0006/4/C Garden room extension and loft conversion to form bedroom and study at 3 The Limes, South Cerney CT.4762/E Erection of single storey side extension to provide study at Lane End, Latton Close, Station Road, South Cerney CT.5790/N Erection of a single storey timber framed glazed conservatory at 2 Hambledon Close, South Cerney Planning applications refused by Cotswold District Council CT.0843/L Retrospective application for a Change of Use of the garage forecourt to allow for the sale of used cars at Central Garage, Clarks Hay, South Cerney CT.5790/M Proposed dormer extension at 2 Hambledon Close, South Cerney The application site is a relatively modern property which exhibits a neo-Georgian character in appearance, form and design detailing. The roof form of the building is an intrinsic and important element of its character and the proposal seeks to interrupt this roof form with a substantial hip-roofed dormer window. Due to its scale, bulk, form and design, the proposal would have a detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the property and is consequently contrary to guidance contained in PPG1 and PPS7 and Cotswold Local Plan Policies 2 and 40. VILLAGE PLAN Cllr Mrs Pollard had analysed the information from the wall charts onto a spread sheet. A meeting had been arranged with Mel Tarrant (GRCC) for 2.30pm on Wednesday 16th February and the Clerk was asked to invite Dr Stephenson, Steven Walker and Patrick Mills to attend. CORRESPONDENCE
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