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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
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The Chairman of the meeting, Cllr Stuart opened proceedings at 7.30pm. Cllr Kimberley apologised for his absence due to a family
circumstance. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11th MARCH 2009 Page 2523: Penultimate line – delete “vandalised bench previously sited on the Upper Up cycle mound.” insert “picnic table previously sited by the lake at Upper Up.” Page 2529: 4th paragraph 2nd and 3rd lines – delete “the Clerk to report the incident to the Enforcement Officer.” insert “fellow Councillors to keep a watchful eye on the situation.” It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Webb that the minutes, as amended, were a true and accurate record. Cllr Mrs Land abstained as she had not been present at the meeting. The remaining members of the Parish Council were all in favour and Cllr Stuart signed the minutes. YOUTH PARISH COUNCIL REPORT No member of the Youth Parish Council attended the meeting. MATTERS ARISING Cllr Jay requested that Mr Peter Redfern be invited to attend any further meetings of the Traffic Working Party. As Cllr Stuart and Cllr Jay had other engagements, Cllr Mrs Land volunteered to attend the Police Consultative Committee meeting to be held in Siddington on 15th April. CLERK’S REPORT On Monday 23rd March I attended a meeting of the Play Group at CDC. Cllr Stuart also attended. This group monitors the activities and achievements of projects which have benefited from the Big Lottery Grant fund. South Cerney is represented as it was granted £5,000 towards the cost of the youth shelter. It is a worthwhile group as future grants and potential funders are informally discussed and many tips on how to be successful in applying for funds are exchanged. There is also direct contact with service providers who could be useful. The meeting which started around 2pm closed at 3.45pm. Also on Monday 23rd I attended a meeting in the Committee Room of the Village Hall to discuss plans for the forthcoming official opening of facilities at the Upper Up playing fields. There was a very good turnout of people and the major decision was to change the date of the event from the 18th April to 26th April. It would be necessary to make new arrangements with the Silver Stars and GCC Youth Service who would be supplying the mobile skate park. A list of people to invite was agreed and a personality may be persuaded to attend the opening. On Thursday 26th I met with Sgt Matthew Holford, Silver Stars to survey the drop site at Upper Up in preparation for its display on Sunday 26th April. It was proposed that a competition prize of a tandem jump be included although the Parish Council would be expected to guarantee the cost of £195. The Gloucestershire Youth Service agreed to supply the skate park on the new date. On Monday 30th I attended a meeting of the Transport Committee in the Village Hall. Five residents including two Parish Councillors took part. Cllr Stuart opened the meeting and outlined the achievements of the Village Plan regarding transport issues: speed limits; interactive signs; meeting with Baillie Hamilton consultants on traffic matters in areas Clarks Hay/Silver Street and High Street. Cllr Mrs Land suggested that an open traffic plan design was not to be recommended as it could create more problems than it solved. She continued that it would be more productive if tactile paving and drop kerbs were installed as it was an offence for vehicles to obstruct these sites. Enforcement of this is a police matter and will have a more enduring effect than other means. Parking on pavements was another complaint. The Clerk recommended that matters like this and speeding could be raised at the Police Consultative Panel under the SARA plan. The next meeting will be held in the Community Meeting Room, Elizabeth Road, Siddington on April 15th. Crossing Clarks Hay was a constant problem for persons with restricted ambulation and even fit elderly residents. Reducing the speed limit in the heart of the village to 20 was another item on the “wish list”. David Roberts complained that he and his wife Jennifer had been attending meetings like this for many years and nothing ever seemed to be achieved. He was critical of Cllr Stuart for obstructing the pedestrian crossing in High Street some time ago. He also enquired which schemes the Parish Council objected to and emphasised the negativity of his question. Cllr Stuart retorted that this plan for the crossing had been rejected by Gloucestershire County Highways, as it was then, because of a budget restraint and surveys which did not meet the criteria necessary for its implementation. Cllr Stuart queried the validity of meetings such as these if so few residents were prepared to attend. David Hughes suggested that all businesses in the area should be contacted to enquire if they had any suggestions on improving traffic conditions within the village. He agreed to forward the Clerk a list of such businesses and a common letter could be sent to each asking for their views. Mrs Roberts agreed to canvass opinion from residents and forward results to the Clerk. The meeting which started at 6.05pm was brought to a close at 7.10pm. On Monday 6th April I attended a follow up meeting at 6pm to plan for the official opening of the facilities at Upper Up. I confirmed that the Silver Stars would perform a sky dive display on the rearranged date and that Helen Jones was positive that the mobile skateboard park would be available. A competition with tickets being sold on the day for £1 with a prize of a tandem jump at a later date would be a feature. Mary Mychaleckyj and Emily Hallett agreed to various tasks including the production of advertising posters, face painting, and other interactive activities. The date for the next meeting was agreed to take place at 7pm on Monday 20th April. As the meeting ended two members of the Football Club arrived having misunderstood the start time of the meeting. Cllr Stuart updated them on events. The meeting closed at 7.08pm. During March of the 22 available working days I averaged 3 hours 53 minutes per day which is more than my contract. Cllr Stuart remarked that at the Traffic meeting he had found the criticism from Mr & Mrs Roberts too personal. He welcomed Cllr Mrs Land’s suggestion to lay tactile paving slots with drop kerbs and the other suggestion to reduce the speed limit in Silver Street and Clarks Hay to 20mph. He would raise these points when he met with Chris Franklin, Gloucestershire Highways. REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAYING FIELDS & VILLAGE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 6th APRIL 2009 Cllr Mrs Chubb, Cllr Harris, Cllr Kimberley and Cllr Stuart attended the meeting. Cllr Stuart had opened the meeting at 7.10pm. Cllr Caunce thanked Cllr Stuart for standing in for him at the Committee Meeting and requested that he carry on and make the report. Apologies Matters Arising from previous Minutes Page 2520 – Certification of MUGA. The situation has not changed. £2,000 is being withheld from Park Leisure’s account until the remedial work had been satisfactorily completed. Page 2510 – Bus Shelter at the Lennards. Cllr Mrs Chubb had a meeting with PC Norgate, Gloucestershire Constabulary who had no objection to the erection or siting of the proposed bus shelter. The site would now be defined by spray marking and contractors asked to quote to cut out and remove the turf, prepare a firm level base of approximately 6 inches depth of concrete. The Clerk had asked Kevin Messenger, Dean Wheeler and Will Daniels to quote for the work and their replies were awaited. Cllr Stuart reported that the site had now been marked out in a blue spray. The Clerk will contact Paul Swift, Gloucestershire Highways and ask him to inspect the proposed positioning of the shelter and if necessary liaise with Cllr Caunce. Page 2510 – “Shorncote Link”. Cllr Stuart reported that Murphy contractors had removed all their equipment from the site. Richard Maggs had informed Stuart Milsom (MAI) that the outstanding work will be completed shortly. The path from the Ashton Keynes to Cirencester Road to the diversion leading to Keynes Country Park through Hills’ quarry has now been gravelled and is in need of rolling to complete. Cllr Stuart had emailed Mike Barton (GCC PROW) that the footbridge on the west of the Ashton Keynes road needs suitable ramps to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. Work on the Bow Wow steps by Steve Hanson and the Payback in the Community team was awaited. INSPECTION REPORTS Cllr Mrs Chubb and Cllr Mrs Tunbridge had carried out the inspections at Robert Franklin Way play area. All was in order. Cllr Caunce reported that the pyracanthas hedge on the northern side of the play area needed to be cut back to the fence line and remove the resulting cuttings. The Clerk will ask contractors to tender. The rest of the play area was in order. Cllr Stuart reported on the state of the play areas facilities at Upper Up. He had asked the users of the cycle mounds to clear away broken pallet timbers. The MUGA and shelter were being used more frequently now that the weather had improved. The Big Lottery Fund stickers have been removed yet again. The floor of the shelter has still not been repainted. The Football Club has promised to make good the ruts caused by contractors’ vehicles delivering material for the refurbishment of the changing rooms. Murphy contractors has cultivated the working area and reseeded during the past week. PREPARATIONS FOR GRAND OPENING OF FACILITIES ON UPPER UP PLAYING FIELDS A meeting had been held prior to this Committee meeting at which Cllr Stuart reported on the progress made since the previous meeting on 23rd March. The event was to acknowledge the completion of several years’ work by many groups including the Parish Council, Football Club, Cricket Club, Tennis Club, Mountain Bikers, District and County Council Agencies (Public Rights of Way and Cotswold Play Partnership) with finances from the Big Lottery Fund, Landfill c/o Hills of Swindon, the Parish Council and CDC for making a grant to help pay for the planting of new hedge. Events and participating groups on the day will include the Silver Stars Free Fall parachute team (depending on weather conditions), GCC Youth Services Mobile skateboard park equipment, Football matches, Cricket coaching (in the new nets), Tennis, Mountain Bikes on the specially built course. To observe and use the newly built multi purpose pathway leading to the Bird Hides and to Keynes Park; wander around the lake and picnic area; view the newly constructed football pavilion, note the new MUGA and Youth Shelter; join in the fun and take part in the attractions being put on by the clubs and by the Youth Organisations. The event is planned for Sunday 26th April starting at 2pm although the skateboard facility should be available from around 10am. The Silver Stars will make their display around at 2.30pm. There will be a competition to win a tandem free fall parachute jump. Refreshments and stalls will also be available. Cllr Kimberley had telephoned Lucy Abel-Smith who would ask Dom Joly, a TV personality, if he would be willing to open the event. Cllr Kimberley had informed the Clerk that Mr Joly would not be available. Cllr Webb made his apologies for not being able to attend the meeting on 20th nor the event on the 26th as he had church duties which conflicted and he must attend. Cllr Harris reported that the compost bins will be installed on 18th April. PAINTING OF LINES ON BASKETBALL SIDE OF THE MUGA Cllr Harris stated that he had received a verbal quotation of £200 plus VAT from Mr Houlton of Grimshaw to paint lines on the basketball side of the MUGA. Cllr Harris had spoken to Joe Lodge who agreed, on behalf of the Youth Parish Council, that it would be a good plan. The Clerk was asked to inform the Finance Committee. STREET TRADING APPLICATIONS The Committee agreed with Cllr Stuart who stated that the Parish Council should not object to the application from three ice cream vans to operate in South Cerney. The Clerk will inform CDC. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE The Committee recommends that the Finance Committee agrees to accept the quotation to paint lines on the basketball court side of the MUGA. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS Due to another commitment Cllr Stuart would be unable to attend the Police Panel meeting on April 15th in Siddington and requested that another Parish Councillor take his place. As no one on the Committee volunteered he would ask for someone to take his place at the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday. See Matters Arising page 2530. The Clerk was asked to write to Doltan Construction Ltd, The Byre, Upper Siddington, Cirencester, Glos GL7 6HL which was developing Chapel Cottage to point out that the back filling work on the trench leading from the electricity pole adjacent to the gravel driveway leading to Ivy Cottage back towards Chapel Cottage was unsatisfactory. Cllr Harris reported that he had retrieved the dog litter bin from the river Churn in Bow Wow and left it in the bushes by the bridge at Bridge House. The Clerk was to asked contractors to tender to re-erect the bin on a new post on the northern verge of Bow Wow, below Silver Street bridge. Cllr Harris complained that the sewage leak on Station Road, the signs at the end of Station Road adjacent to Lake 10 and Spring Lake and the fallen ash tree in Bow Wow had not been resolved. The Clerk will remind the relevant authorities that these problems remain outstanding. Cllr Harris reported that the gabion baskets and coir rolls were still presenting a problem which needed to be resolved. Cllr Stuart will raise this matter with Chris Franklin, Gloucestershire Highways. Cllr Harris reported that the chain link fence at the stile entering Robert Franklin Way play area from Lakeside needed to be taken away and replaced with three rails. The Clerk will ask contractors to tender. Cllr Harris reported that there is some garden rubbish which has been discarded on the Piece at the junction of Box Bush and Station Road. Cllr Jay had removed the items. Cllr Kimberley requested that a dog litter bin positioned at the entrance to Gypsy Lane, off Broadway Lane, needed to be moved in a westerly direction towards the unofficial path which joins Beverstone Road. Cllr Webb remarked that the position of the bin had been previously agreed and it would not be prudent for it now to be moved. TASK LIST The Clerk read the list of items on the Task List some of which had been accomplished and others outstanding but in hand. CORRESPONDENCE The Committee decided to note the receipt of a letter from Mrs Sylvia Davis regarding trees she considers dangerous overhanging her back garden. Tree Report: Cllr Harris would prepare a list of urgent tree work and present it for evaluation at the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday evening. Cllr Harris listed a number of jobs mentioned in the Tree Report he considered needed urgent attention. The removal of a dead Birch tree in Jubilee Gardens; the removal of limbs of Ash trees in Robert Franklin Way play area; the removal of limbs on the Lime tree next to the VAS sign in Silver Street. Cllr Harris quoted £55 plus VAT for this work. Cllr Jay stated that his quote would be discussed when he made the report of the Finance Committee later. There being no further business Cllr Stuart had closed the meeting at 8.28pm. REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 6th APRIL 2009 Cllr Jay, Cllr Mrs Land and Cllr Webb had attended the meeting. Cllr Jay opened the meeting at 8.30pm. Apology SPREAD SHEET ANALYSIS Cllr Jay noted that with the period completed the expenditure detailed on the spread sheet was in order.. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACCEPTANCE FROM THE PLAYING FIELDS AND VILLAGE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE The Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee recommended that the Finance Committee agrees to the verbal quote from Mr Houlton of Grimshaw to paint lines on the basketball side of the MUGA for £200 plus VAT. Cllr Harris had spoken to Joe Lodge who agreed, on behalf of the Youth Parish Council, that it would be a good idea. The Finance Committee was not convinced that the Youth Parish Council had been properly consulted. Joe Lodge should be requested to convene a meeting of the council and find out its view. The Parish Council was in agreement with the deliberation of the Finance Committee. Cllr Jay asked Cllr Harris who had a prejudicial interest as a potential contractor to leave the room while this next item was being discussed. He also asked the member of the public to leave the room as the content of the item was considered confidential. Both complied with the request. Two quotations had been received for work specified in the Tree Report. The Parish Council was prepared to award the contract to Tim Bryant if he agreed to include in his quotation, cutting back the pyracantha hedge on Cerney Wick play area all for £125. It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Jay that if Tim Bryant agreed the Parish Council would award him the contract. The Parish Council was all in favour. Cllr Harris and the member of the public returned to the room. SUSTENANCE ARRANGEMENTS FOR UPPER UP OPENING EVENT The Finance Committee agreed to recommend that the Parish Council commits itself to a total expenditure of £250 to cover eventualities at the Upper Up event. This would include underwriting the cost of the tandem parachute jump if the competition did not raise sufficient funds and the cost of advertising verbally quoted by Mary Mychaleckyj at £15.
It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Parish Council agrees to make the payments recommended by the Finance Committee. The Parish Council was all in favour. Cllr Harris declared a prejudicial interest as potential recipient of the next three payments and left the room.
CORRESPONDENCE The Auditors, Moore Stephens requested that the Annual Return for the financial year ending on 31st March 2009 should be completed and returned to the auditor by 1st June 2009. The Clerk informed the Committee that he had delivered the accounts to Mrs Gardiner to carry out the necessary checks. There being no further business Cllr Jay had closed the meeting at 9pm REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 6th APRIL 2009 Cllr Mrs Chapman, Cllr Mrs Land and Cllr Webb attended the meeting. Cllr Webb had opened the meeting at 9pm. Apology PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL 09/00243/FUL 09/00244/CON 09/00598/OUT It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Land and seconded by Cllr Mrs Chapman that the Parish Council accepts the recommendations of the Planning Committee. Cllr Stuart abstained although the remainder of the Parish Council was in favour. Cllr Caunce declared a prejudicial interest in the next two applications as he had a business relationship with the applicant. Cllr Harris also declared a prejudicial interest due to recent events as it might be construed that he would have a biased opinion. Both Councillors left the room. 09/00456/FUL 09/00457/FUL It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Land and seconded by Cllr Mrs Chubb that the Parish Council accepts the recommendations of the Planning Committee. The Parish Council was in favour. Cllr Caunce and Cllr Harris returned to the room. Cllr Stuart declared a prejudicial interest in the next application as the applicant was a friend and client of his and left the room. 09/00532/FUL It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Land and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Parish Council accepts the recommendations of the Planning Committee. The Parish Council was in favour. Cllr Stuart returned to the room. APPLICATIONS APPROVED 08/03459/FUL CT.4233/J 08/03674/FUL CT.0006/5/A APPLICATION REFUSED 09/00264/FUL CT.4086/J CORRESPONDENCE Cllr Webb objected to the content of an explanatory letter received from Ben Bendall (CDC Planning). Cllr Webb considered some of his correspondence objectionable especially his comment: “this Authority considers the use of traditional materials such as roughcast render to be a more appropriate material, despite other inferior materials such as Bradstone being used in the past”. The fact that Ward members had been aware of the decision and then not informed the PC was also disturbing. The Parish Council is well aware that the District is not obliged to consult the Parish Council but if there is not going to be an exchange of views then what is the point of a Parish Council Planning Committee? The Parish Council agreed that the Clerk should write to the Chief Executive Officer at CDC, copying the letter to its Leader, Cllr Mrs Jeffrey and Ward Councillors pointing out the possible litigation opportunity afforded by describing Bradstone as an inferior product. The fact that the Ward Members did not inform the Parish Council of other matters regarding the application was disappointing. There being no further business Cllr Webb had closed the meeting at 9.26pm. CALOR GAS VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION Cllr Stuart enquired from Cllr Harris if any progress had been made. Cllr Harris will liaise with Cllr Caunce on the issue. CORRESPONDENCE
COUNCILLORS' REPORTS Cllr Parsons hoped that a solution could be found to the problem regarding ownership of the Poplar trees in Bow Wow. The back-filling of Lake 16 was a District Council matter. He acknowledged that there were problems with the Police Liaison Consultative meetings and Cllr Stuart updated him as to the current obligations of the combined services. Cllr Jay complained about the signs in the vicinity of Station Road, Spine Road and Cerney Wick Lane. A new sign, in yellow and black, had been added to the chain link fence which advertised houses for sale in the village. Cllr Stuart will add this complaint to his list to discuss with Chris Franklin, Gloucestershire Highways. Cllr Webb suggested that if the Planning Department at CDC did not respond to the constant reminders about the advertising at the aforementioned crossroads the complaints should be made to a higher level. Cllr Caunce suggested that a member of the Planning Department should be invited to attend a meeting with Parish Councillors to explain its reluctance to act. Cllr Jay stated that he had attended a seminar on 19th March at CDC on Climate Change at Trinity Road. It was excellent and well worth the £24 investment by the Parish Council for his entry. It was a superb presentation. He was disappointed that only one CDC member attended and that was only for the first part even though their entry was free. He feared that the current leadership at district level showed little interest for the future of climate change. Cllr Mrs Chapman complained about vehicles leaving Lake 10, Waters Edge, without due regard for oncoming traffic. The member of the public suggested that a white line is painted to denote the priority on the bend. Cllr Stuart would add the suggestion to his list of items when he met with Mr Franklin. Cllr Caunce congratulated the clean up team which had done such a superb job throughout Cerney Wick. Cllr Mrs Land enquired on behalf of Mrs J. Roberts who wished to know if she was on the Traffic Committee. The Parish Council decided that there was no committee but the group should be known as a working party. Under Standing Orders a working party could be set up to advise the Parish Council on ideas for change. Cllr Stuart reported that the Waste Service was not conforming to the agreement that it should clean up the Upper Up recycling area once a week. Recently large amounts of rubbish had been left and in one instance polystyrene material which had then been broken up and dispersed over the playing fields. The Parish Council will discuss the problem at its next meeting and Cllr Stuart will argue for the recycling bins to be removed if the clean up operation does not improve. A static living caravan, two storage bins and a mobile toilet had been reported sited on Lake 16 near to the footpath leading from Huxley Court. The Parish Clerk was to ask the Enforcement Officer to investigate. CERNEY NEWS ITEMS Annual Parish Meeting There being no further business Cllr Stuart closed the meeting at 10.23pm. |
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