The Chairman, Cllr Stuart opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm.

Cllr Squire had made an apology for his absence due to holidays. Cllr Jay apologised for his absence due to another commitment. Cllr Webb and Cllr Mrs Clark (CDC) apologised for their absence as they were attending a meeting of the Parishes Liaison Committee of the Cotswold Water Park Society. Cllr Parsons (GCC) apologised for his absence.

Page 2016: First paragraph delete second and third line. Insert: Parish Council agrees to make the payment. The Parish Council was in favour.

It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Mrs Chubb that the Minutes as altered were a true and accurate record. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Over the past weekend I attended the annual Clerk’s Conference at Stratford upon Avon returning home on Monday afternoon. The Conference was opened by the retiring President Mike Kennedy at 2pm on Saturday 8th October. He gave a short history of his year in office and the numerous places he had visited including his meeting with the Gloucestershire branch of the SLCC. The theme of the Conference was a “Cleaner, Safer, Greener Environment”. Peter Parker from ODPM outlined the government’s plans to implement the objectives, four of which South Cerney, in my opinion, has already achieved. In no particular order the plan is to create attractive and welcoming parks; improving the infrastructure; making places cleaner and maintaining them as such; making places safer and tackling antisocial behaviour; engaging and empowering local people and communities; catering for children and tackling inequality. To achieve these objectives, grants should be streamlined, although not specifically but on the general principle of cleaner, safer and greener. The first afternoon workshop session I attended gave an in-depth description of the purpose and management of community support officers (CSOs). Surprisingly, in my view, CSOs have little powers and these are in the gift of the Chief Constable to be awarded from a restricted menu of policing duties. For example, a CSO only has the right to detain a suspect for a maximum of 30 minutes. On the other hand because of the light training given to CSOs they cannot be used as mainline Police Constables and are therefore less likely to be withdrawn from post for other police duties. Some Chief Constables demand a fee from local communities to assist with their deployment. The next workshop was opened by John Arthur, Town Clerk of Peterlee who introduced Dee Bingham from ENCAMS (Environment Campaigns Ltd) which was originally responsible for the Keep Britain Tidy and Blue Flag Beaches campaigns. It was emphasised that it was not a government department but a charitable trust which as well as advising government also criticised it when thought necessary. Currently the most obvious problems were fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles. Ms Bingham admitted that ENCAMS operated predominantly in urban areas and the organisation was urgently rethinking its rural strategy. Another workshop I visited debated whether or not to scrap the Quality Parish Scheme. Although since its launch in 2003 only 200 of the 8000 parish councils had qualified so far, another 800 were in the pipeline. Defra was currently reviewing the scheme. Overall the group at the session was in favour of its continuance.

On Sunday morning I attended a lecture on the challenges of working alone at home given by Bethan Osborne, Human Relations Advisor at SLCC. It was very interesting but little of note to record except minor tax advantages which seemed too complicated to take advantage to claim. Before the lunch break I joined colleagues debating “This conference believes higher precepts support progressive local councils delivering independent community services, appropriate to the needs of a satisfied electorate”. It was a lively and humourous debate which conference overwhelmingly supported. After lunch the AGM accepted the report and accounts for the previous year, elected a new president and conducted other SLCC business. The last workshop I attended on Sunday described the concept of living streets and how to achieve this in conjunction with traffic and other road users. Plenty of slides showed how obesity has relentlessly increased in western society through lack of exercise, reliance on car transport and diet. Action was needed to change attitudes and persuade us all to leave the car at home especially on shorter journeys. WOW (Walk on Wednesday) was a current campaign.

The first session on Monday morning was conducted by the Chief Executive of the SLCC, Nick Randle. Its theme was the Professional Clerk and Community Governance. He explained how policy is shaping our sector and the changes taking place which was affecting the role of the Clerk. By its nature the role of the Clerk is mostly unseen and the Society will be running a campaign in the next few months to bring this role more publicity by encouraging local newspapers to enlighten communities. He reaffirmed the attributes needed to be a clerk and welcomed the new terms and conditions agreed with NALC. Training and continuous development were necessary to enhance the Clerk’s performance and a benchmark qualification CiCLA should be sought as entry to the sector. Following on was a workshop conducted by Andrew Osborne (Defra – Local Environment Quality Team member) on the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 which had been introduced in the House of Commons on 7th December 2004 and received Royal Assent on 7th April 2005. This will give Parish Councils the power to issue FPNs (Fixed Penalty Notice) for litter, graffiti, fly posting and dog offences. It will also allow Parish Councils to introduce dog control orders for a range of offences. There will be no new funding available for its introduction and it will be a power and not a duty. Enforcement is only part of the answer and eduction, campaigning, communicating and partnerships must be also used. Parish Council powers come into force in April 2006. If, for example a Dog Control Order was implemented it would override any existing byelaw. Elected representatives would not be allowed to issue FPNs and Clerks would have to attend a training program before any such order could be issued. Fines would be set by the Primary Authority within the range of £50–£85 although discounts would be available at the discretion of the Parish Council regardless of the Primary Authority. If the collecting Council has Quality status the fines can be used for any budgeted project otherwise receipts can only be used in conjunction with the FPN.

I left the conference at 11.30am and did not attend the final session.

During September I averaged 3 hours 36 minutes over the 22 available working days which is par for my contract.

Cllr Stuart reported on the deliberations of the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee which had met on 10th October.

Cllr Caunce asked the Clerk to inform Ali Swainston at Cotswold Water Park Society that the bridle path from the Spine Road to the bridge over the river Thames was over growing and needed attention.

Cllr Harris suggested that a tender should be sent out for quotes to remove the tower slide from the Robert Franklin Way play area, remove the safety tiles, fill in resultant space with top soil, seed the area and leave the site clean and tidy. The Committee agreed with Cllr Stuart who argued that the equipment should be offered to GPFA in the first instance. Cllr Stuart added that the Unpaid Works Unit would be prepared to dismantle and re-erect the slide at another location.

Cllr Mrs Chubb was concerned with the remains left in the ditch after its recent strimming. Cllr Harris agreed to inspect and report back to the Parish Council.

Cllr Jay had been asked by the Cricket Club if the Parish Council would grant permission for it to erect a chain link fence to provide a cricket net practice area to coach youngsters. The bowling surface would be a roll up removable mat on a concrete base and the run up on recycled rubber safety tiles. It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Nicholas that the Parish Council be minded to approve the continuation of the project. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Stuart reported that he had been contacted by Gordon Stratford from South Cerney Football Club who informed him that the goal posts were now illegal and needed to be replaced. To ensure grant funding the football club needed to prove that they were in possession of a lease for the ground. The Parish Council agreed that it was improbable that any such lease existed but thought that a lease based on the one agreed to with the Cricket Club would be a good basis on which to start. Cllr Nicholas warned that the Football Club should carefully check the criteria of such a lease.

Cllr Stuart further reported that GCC PROW was dealing with the legalities concerned in the creation of the footpath from Upper Up to Keynes Park.

Cllr Stuart also reported that Mike Barton GCC PROW was hoping to arrange a meeting with Ben Knight to discuss the creation of the cycle path along the old canal from South Cerney to Siddington.

Cllr Stuart finally reported in order that GCC PROW might adopt the steps from Bow Wow to BSC1 as a public right of way it was necessary to obtain 20 signed declarations from residents who had used the steps over 20 years.

Cllr Smith reported on the deliberations of the Finance Committee which had met on 10th October.

Grass cutting costs for this current year and those of last year. Please note that the VAT element is inconsistent as some contractors are registered and others are not.

The Committee was in agreement with Cllr Nicholas who suggested that Parish Councillors should inform the Clerk by 31st December about their individual intentions regarding their entitlement to claim allowances. Co-opted members are not entitled to claim. The Clerk had contacted Nigel Adams, Head of Democratic Services CDC who informed him that the District Council would be deciding on its Councillors’ allowances within the next 3 to 4 weeks and shortly afterwards on those of Parish Councillors. His office was preparing a standard claim form which would be circulated.

The Committee agreed to recommend that the Parish Council makes the above payments.

Excepting the payments to James Harris Contracting, it was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Mrs Pollard that the Parish Council makes the above payments. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Harris declared a prejudicial interest as a recipient of the outstanding payments and left the room.

It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Mrs Pollard that the Parish Council makes the two payments to James Harris Contracting. The Parish Council was in favour.

Cllr Harris returned to the room.

Cllr Nicholas reported on the deliberations of the Planning Committee which had met on 10th October.

It was proposed by Cllr Stuart and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Parish Council agrees with the recommendations of the Planning Committee to the above applications. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Mrs Chapman, Cllr Caunce, Cllr Mrs Chubb and Cllr Stuart declared a prejudicial interest in one or more of the following applications and left the room.

It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Harris that the Parish Council accepts the recommendations of the Planning Committee. The remainder of Parish Councillors present were in agreement.

Cllr Mrs Chapman, Cllr Caunce, Cllr Mrs Chubb and Cllr Stuart returned to the room.

Replacement of approved 15 touring caravan pitches with 15 log cabins, associated parking and installation of sewerage treatment facility at Lake 15, Spine Road, South Cerney Conditions of note: 2. Notwithstanding Classes C2 and C3 of the Schedule of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, the accommodation hereby permitted shall be used to provide holiday accommodation only, which shall not be occupied as permanent, unrestricted accommodation or as a primary place of residence, and the said accommodation shall not be occupied for two periods of two weeks between October and March in each calendar year. Reason: The site is not suitable for permanent, unrestricted accommodation or as a primary place of residence because of its open countryside location. This condition is imposed in the light of PPS7 and PPG21, Policies 2 and 38 of the Cotswold District Local Plan and emerging Cotswold District Local Plan Policies 21, 28 and UT1. 3. The use of the development hereby permitted shall be solely ancillary to the use of the lake for recreational fishing purposes as previously authorised under planning permission Local Planning Authority ref CT.4073/D, dated 19th February 2003. Reason: Unrestricted holiday accommodation at this location would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the Cotswold Water Park, in accordance with PPS7, Cotswold District Local Plan Policies 2, 38 and 8.1, and emerging Cotswold District Local Plan Revised Deposit Policies 21, 28 and UT1. 9. No external lighting shall be installed within the site. Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the site and its wider setting. This condition is imposed because of Cotswold District Local Plan Policy 18, emerging Cotswold District Local Plan Deposit Policies 21, 5 and UT1, PPS1 and PPS7. 14. The development shall not start before the finish for the external woodwork has been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The external woodwork shall be finished and thereafter maintained in the approved colour. Reason: To ensure that, in accordance with Cotswold District Local Plan Policies 2, 40 and Water Park Policy 8.1, emerging Cotswold District Local Plan Revised Deposit Policies 21, 48 and UT1, PPS1 and PPS7, the development will safeguard the character of the site and its wider setting. It is important to protect and maintain the character and appearance of the area in which this development is located. The colour of the finish of the external woodwork will have a significant effect on the appearance of the proposed development.

(1) Revised position of first floor window to west gable; (2) Additional opening and safety rail to first floor of west gable; (3) Provision of single opening for ground floor french windows, rather than two openings at West Down Cottage, Cirencester Road, South Cerney

Erection of single Class A1 unit, with parking, delivery access and landscape works at Lake 19, Broadway Lane, South Cerney.

Cllr Stuart then read a statement which he would, with Parish Council approval, make to the meeting on 18th October. “For many years, South Cerney Parish Council has been subjected to a sustained stream of complaints about and demands that we use our influence to stop the weekend flying from Duke of Gloucester Barracks. In particular, the complaints have been aimed at what some consider to be a mainly commercial activity taking place from a government establishment.

Our Parish Council represents over 3,200 people and we have seen that the complaints come from a very small number of these. In fact, we have really only had regular complaints from two people one of whom only resides here on an irregular basis. We have also received occasional requests from maybe seven or eight other people including an owner of a lodge on the water park.

As Councillors, we have spoken to numerous inhabitants of the Parish regarding the flying from the airfield and the greater majority are fully in favour of the activities continuing. Furthermore, our Council has considered and debated the question of the flying and have on several occasions unanimously voted that we totally support the continued flying from the airfield. We notified the two main complainants of that fact and also told them that we considered the matter to be closed.

We were dismayed when we were informed that Mr Brassington, the CDC Environmental Health Officer was setting up this Liaison Group without his first having discussed the situation with local councillors including ourselves. If we had been consulted, we would have strongly argued against its formation as we consider that the low level of complaint is such that it does not warrant such a time consuming exercise. All that this Liaison Group will do is to resurrect the enthusiasm of the complainants and no doubt we will all be receiving a new crop of letters and phone calls from them in the immediate future. This is surely a case of a vociferous minority wearing down the resolve of the local council. South Cerney Parish Council would prefer that this proposed Liaison Group should not be set up but will take an active role if it is agreed to continue with its formation”.

It was proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Parish Council agrees that Chairman Cllr Stuart makes the above statement to the meeting on 18th October. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Mrs Pollard asked that the owners of the Old Post Office in High Street be asked to make the building secure as it was becoming increasingly a target for local vandals.

Cllr Mrs Chapman asked the Clerk to refer the over growing hedge at Manor Farm House to GCC Highways.

Cllr Bennett (CDC) advised the Parish Council that there was little chance of the concrete section of the A419 being resurfaced with tarmac before 2013.