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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
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Cllr Caunce had apologised for his absence, Cllr Bennett (CDC) apologised as he was attending another meeting. CO-OPTION OF A NEW MEMBER TO THE PARISH COUNCIL Cllr Stuart drew attention to Standing Orders 58 and 59 which dealt with members and candidates’ interests and relationships with elected members of the Parish Council. Cllr Nicholas carefully explained to assembled Parish Councillors the implications of their having personal and/or prejudicial interests in a subject under discussion by the Parish Council. Overall the Code of Conduct took precedence over Standing Orders. The following Parish Councillors declared personal interests: Cllr Harris as a friend of John-Charles Kimberley; Cllr Mrs Chubb and Cllr Mrs Tunbridge had a family interest in Chris Jeffery; Cllr Mrs Land was an associate of Valerie Beddoe-Sims. With the exception of Cllr Mrs Tunbridge who declared a prejudicial interest as Chris Jeffery was her son-in-law, the other councillors declaring a personal interest did not have a prejudicial interest in any candidate. Cllr Mrs Tunbridge then left the room. The Clerk then read the statements given by all candidates. There was no discussion as all Parish Councillors were already aware of the candidates’ presentations. The Clerk distributed 8 ballot papers, one to each Parish Councillor, asking them to vote for one candidate only. Cllr Messenger (CDC) scrutinised the collected votes the outcome being 6 votes for John Charles Kimberley and 2 for Chris Jeffery. John-Charles Kimberley was therefore duly co-opted on to the Parish Council. The Clerk will inform all candidates of the result and thank them for their participation and interest. Cllr Webb left the meeting after the result of the vote
had been announced. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10th DECEMBER 2008 Page 2491 INSPECTION REPORTS, Robert Franklin Way – First line: delete Chub and insert Chubb It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Harris that the minutes as amended were a true and accurate record. The Parish Council was all in favour and Cllr Stuart signed the minutes. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising that were not dealt with through the reports of the Committees. CLERK’S REPORT On Monday 15th December I attended a follow up meeting of the Youth Group in the Village Hall. 15 people attended the meeting and discussions centred on the provision of premises suitable for all youngsters in the village. Cllr Bennett (CDC) explained the situation regarding the Scout Hut and had emailed members the outcome of his discussions with CDC planners. The group would await the result of Ian Kennedy’s dialogue with the Scout Association before it would meet again. Other venues were debated and various options would be considered. On Tuesday 16th December I attended a meeting of the Play Portfolio group at CDC. Rosemary Lynn was concerned that no certification of completion had been lodged. I explained that the Parish Council would supply one when it was satisfied with the completion. Cllr Stuart would provide her with the monitoring figures on usage in the near future. In April the Play Rangers will hold some sessions of their activities in South Cerney as an example of what they provide. On Friday 19th December I attended a meeting of the Chartered Parishes group held at the Fire Station, Barnwood, Gloucester. On Friday 2nd January I attended a meeting of the Precept Committee where the budget for April 2009-March 2010 was discussed. Recommendations will be put to this meeting for consideration and approval. During December of the 21 available working days I averaged 3 hours 56 minutes per day which is par for my contract. REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE VILLAGE MAINTENANCE & PLAYING FIELDS COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 5th JANUARY 2009 Cllr Mrs Chubb, Cllr Harris, Cllr Nicholas, Cllr Stuart and Cllr Mrs Tunbridge attended the meeting. Cllr Stuart had opened the meeting at 7.05pm. Apology Matters Arising from previous Minutes Page 2490 – Bus Shelter at the Lennards. CDC Planners had informed the Clerk that planning permission was not necessary to erect a bus shelter. The Clerk confirmed that he had asked six contractors for a cost to design and build a shelter in reconstituted Cotswold stone. A deadline of January 31st 2009 had been given for responses. Page 2491 – “Shorncote Link”. Cllr Stuart reported that he had been informed by the contractor installing the bridge, that a representative from Murphy had stated that when they upgraded the footpath across the playing fields Murphy would complete the pathway to the new bridge including the construction of the required ramp. Cllr Stuart had contacted Stuart Milsom (MAI) and asked him to have Thames Water agents’ Bruton Knowles confirm that the path will be made good. Cllr Stuart had spoken to Mrs Ruth Berry who was quite amiable to the suggestion that we work jointly on the plan to divert the footpath to the other side of the hedge which divides her land from the playing fields. Other refinements to the PROWs which cross the playing field could also be redefined or extinguished by the creation of a substitute pathway. Cllr Stuart suggested that negotiations on the footpaths should proceed with GCC PROW. Cllr Harris stated that now was the time to also formalise other paths in the parish. He quoted, for example, the steps to the old railway line in the Bow Wow. In his experience it would reduce the costs if a series of plans could be “piggy-backed”. Cllr Stuart said that he would liaise with Mike Barton and Phil Cluley regarding the changes to the pathways. Cllr Stuart agreed to a suggestion from Cllr Harris that contact be re-established with the new person at Aggregate Industries who had taken over from Robert Westell. Page 2492 – “Councillors’ Reports”. Regarding negotiations with Mr Mould over the installation of a light near to the wooden bridge in Bow Wow leading to Box Bush, Cllr Harris stated that it was important Mr Mould should not have a veto on any decision. Cllr Harris went on to say that notice should be taken of any suggestion Mr Mould might make regarding the installation. The Clerk will contact Mr Barry Greenaway at GCC to find out if there were suitable low height level lights available. INSPECTION REPORTS Cerney Wick Robert Franklin Way Upper Up GROUND MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS The Clerk reported that five quotations for the ground maintenance contract had been received. From the analysis it was agreed that three contractors should be contacted to ascertain if they would be willing to share parts of the work for which they had made the most competitive quotation, on condition that they additionally quote for the jobs in Cerney Wick. The third contractor should be offered that part of the contract for which he had given the lowest quote. After further analysis the Parish Council agreed with the Clerk that only the two contractors with the lowest quotations should be contacted. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE As there was correction work needed to the surrounding surface of the youth shelter, the Committee had recommended that £2,000 is withheld from the payment to Park Leisure Ltd. To compensate the Parish Council for the length of time taken to make good the equipment and to show good faith, Park Leisure should be asked to paint court markings on the basketball side of the kick wall. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS Cllr Harris reported that the cover of the bin in Bow Wow was still missing. The Clerk had notified Jack Austin (CDC). Cllr Jay stated that the cover had since been replaced. Cllr Harris queried why at the entrance to Bow Wow orange plastic barriers were necessary and why the wall was not rebuilt to its original height. The Clerk will enquire from Dave Ludford at the Environment Agency. Cllr Harris requested that the questions also be referred to Gloucestershire Highways. Cllr Harris queried if something could be done to move the service pipe which crosses the river Churn, located up river from the Village Hall in School Lane in the vicinity of Brook House adjacent to Churn Cottage. The Clerk will enquire from Dave Ludford at the Environment Agency. Cllr Harris asked the Clerk to enquire from CDC if an applicant applied for permission to show an advertisement for 2 years, when the maximum allowed was 5 years, did the permission expire after the requested length of time or when the maximum period elapsed. Cllr Harris reported that he had noted a sewage leak 40 metres from the metal gates leading into Lakeside car park on the village side of Station Road. The Clerk will notify the Environment Health office at CDC. Cllr Stuart requested the Clerk to ask Scottish & Southern Power Distribution for a definitive reply as to why parts of South Cerney were losing electric power on an increasingly regular basis. The Clerk will write to the Restoration Manager at the Swindon Department of Scottish & Southern Electric Distribution, Faraday Road, Dorcan, Swindon SN3 5EY. Cllr Jay reported that the grille on the open drain in Station Road, near to the Piece, was two-thirds full and needed to be cleared. The Clerk will inform Gloucestershire Highways. There being no further business Cllr Stuart had closed the meeting at 8.35pm. REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 5th JANUARY 2009 Cllr Jay, Cllr Mrs Land, Cllr Nicholas and Cllr Stuart attended the meeting. Cllr Jay had opened the meeting at 8.35pm. Apology MATTERS ARISING Betec Joinery Ltd Spreadsheet Analysis Recommendation for acceptance from the Playing Fields &
Village Maintenance Committee
Cllr Jay had inspected the invoices and agreed the Clerk’s travel expenses for December. The Committee recommended that the Parish Council agrees to make the above payments. It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Mrs Land that the Parish Council agrees to make the payments recommended by the Finance Committee. The Parish Council was all in favour. PRECEPT PROPOSALS The Finance Committee agreed to make minor alterations to the draft Capital Budget by sharing the amount for Village Plan projects with a grant to the Football Club for £5,000. The £1,000 for Heritage Buildings & Monuments in the Capital Replacement Funds was cut and the projected interest from investments was reduced to £1,000. Cllr Jay stated that the commitment to Village Plan projects was secured. Cllr Nicholas noted that the total planned expenditure for the coming year was £1,020 less than last year’s and could have been greater if interest rates had not fallen so precipitously. The increase on a band “D” property was a modest 19p per annum. The precept demand remained as agreed by the Precept Committee. Cllr Jay commended the budget and recommended that it is accepted by the Parish Council. Cllr Nicholas proposed and Cllr Mrs Tunbridge seconded a motion that the Parish Council agrees to the budget deliberations. The Parish Council was all in favour. Cllr Stuart thanked the Precept Committee and especially its chairman Cllr Jay for the diligent and purposeful way they had constructed the proposals. There being no further business Cllr Jay had closed the meeting at 8.55pm REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE The Planning Committee had agreed not to meet as the only application had already been determined by email. For the record it is listed below. PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL Cllr Nicholas reported that the Planning Committee had submitted a response to CDC that there was no objection to this application [but omitted to propose a resolution ratifying that response]. Since the applicant was Watermark, Cllr Harris declared his ongoing personal interest. 08/03503/FUL APPLICATIONS GRANTED 08/03227/FUL CT.3930/J APPLICATION WITHDRAWN 08/02801/FUL CORRESPONDENCE 07/02826/FUL CT.7528 VILLAGE PLAN REVIEW Cllr Stuart proposed various amendments to the timetable and participation of the various items which make up the Village Plan. The Clerk will update the document and liaise with Cllr Stuart on the revised content. When agreed a reprinted version will replace the current one and the web site will also be updated. CORRESPONDENCE
COUNCILLORS' REPORTS Cllr Nicholas reminded the Parish Council of its commitment to making a response to the Local Development Framework. Cllr Nicholas will arrange a meeting of Parish Councillors by email. Cllr Mrs Chapman again complained that no action had been taken to remove advertisements on the junction of Cerney Wick Lane, Spine Road and Station Road. Cllr Stuart suggested that the Parish Council could show a more encouraging attitude towards local businesses in the present economic climate. Cllr Parsons (GCC) will enquire about the penalties for advertising without permission. Cllr Messenger (CDC) will enquire on behalf of the Parish Council if action by the Enforcement Officer could be taken. Cllr Mrs Chapman asked the Clerk to inform his counterpart at Latton about the slippery road conditions on the bridge over the A419 from Cerney Wick to the old A419. Cllr Parsons (GCC) will enquire on the back filling being carried out on Lake 16 and report back to the Parish Council. Cllr Parsons (GCC) stated that GCC was supporting the application for a public footpath at the Barracks. The long standing application was shortly to be considered by an inspector who would in due course announce his decision. Cllr Parsons (GCC) stated that a comprehensive statement from Watermark declared that it had no intention of stopping the pedestrian access to Keynes Country Park and that permissive paths would remain open. Cllr Parsons (GCC) reiterated that this was now a matter of public record. Cllr Jay asked the Clerk to report to Gloucestershire Highways that the access sign on entering Station Road from the Spine Road was illegible. Cllr Harris complained about the large amount of rubbish outside the Redland site in Broadway Lane and requested the Clerk to ask them to remove it. The Clerk will inform CDC. Katharine Isles had enquired from Cllr Stuart what use should be made of excess funds from the calendar project. Cllr Stuart proposed and Cllr Harris seconded a motion that the Parish Council’s allotment should be given to support the Football Club. The Parish Council was all in favour. TASK LIST Cllr Harris produced a list of tasks he wished to add to
the list: CERNEY NEWS Cllr Mrs Land reported that 48 people had turned up for Christmas lunch at Watermoor Church hall. Co-option result. Reminder about memorial trees. There being no further business Cllr Stuart closed the meeting at 9.50pm. |
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