Chairman Cllr Stuart welcomed Peter Watson of Digital UK who gave a presentation on the forthcoming switchover from analogue to digital television reception. Some of the village would switch to digital reception from the Mendip transmitter on 24th March 2010 and the remainder from the Ridge Hill transmitter in 2011 although a final date had not yet been set. Those in the first group would have their analogue signal completely switched off on 7th April. The digital signal will be boosted by at least a factor of 10 then. Signal reception can be investigated on page 284 of Teletext. Further information can be found on the internet www.digitaluk.co.uk or on 08456 50 50 50. On 6th January there will be a mobile information van, painted pink, operating from the Tesco car park at Greenmeadow, Cirencester. Mr Watson emphasised that only accredited representatives of Digital UK should be invited into your home for advice. There will be further information sent to every household in the area before the switchover. Cllr Stuart thanked Mr Watson for his presentation.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, SOUTH CERNEY
ON WEDNESDAY 11th November 2009.
 

The Chairman , Cllr Stuart opened proceedings at 7.46pm.

APOLOGY
Cllr Kimberley had sent an apology for his absence as he was engaged on a family matter. Cllr Bennett (CDC) had sent an apology as he was attending another meeting.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14th OCTOBER 2009

It was proposed by Cllr P. Jay and seconded by Cllr J. Caunce that the minutes were a true and accurate record. Members of the Parish Council were all in favour.

YOUTH PARISH COUNCIL REPORT

Joe Lodge gave a report on recent activities of the Youth Parish Council. Of the current six members, three would be going to University in July, one was stepping down which left two. This core group would continue to function and concentrate on recruiting new members to the YPC through the Cerney News and local paper. Its next meeting was provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 1st December and Joe invited as many Parish Councillors as possible to attend. He promised to email the date and venue of the meeting to Parish Councillors. Cllr Jay remarked that it was obvious to him that people will move on and will need to be replaced. Cllr Jay showed Joe the artwork which he had provided and explained that it would not reproduce properly on the duplicating equipment used for Cerney News. Joe will reconstruct the artwork and email Cllr Jay a revised version. Cllr Mrs Land arranged a meeting with Joe for Wednesday 18th November at 6pm at her house. Cllr Stuart thanked Joe for attending the meeting and confirmed that he would sign his Duke of Edinburgh document.

MATTERS ARISING

Cllr Stuart reported that he had sent an email to Paul Swift, Gloucestershire Highways about the graffiti on the Bow Wow to no immediate effect. Cllr Stuart and Cllr Jay went to a meeting of the Police Neighbourhood Panel meeting at Siddington and raised this matter with the police who said that they had in fact already inspected the area but did not treat the damage as significant and took no action. The Clerk was asked to write to Gloucestershire Highways and request them to remove the offending writing on the carriageway and inform Les Haines, CDC Community Safety Officer that the Parish Council was disappointed with the lack of reaction from the Gloucestershire Constabulary to the incident. Cllr Harris reported that he had detected further graffiti applied to play equipment on the Robert Franklin Way play area and will report it to the police.

CLERK’S REPORT

On Thursday 15th October I attended meetings of the Charter Group and the AGM of the GAPTC held in the Cabinet Room at Shire Hall, Gloucester. Hester Hunt chaired the meeting. Amendments to the Charter had been published in the GAPTC Update magazine and these should be inserted into the original document. Mark Parker, Head of Flood, PROW and Travellers spoke at length on the progress the County Council had made since the July 2007 floods. On the prickly problem of riparian rights the focus now was on surface water management by agreement with landowners. Enforcement was not a priority. After the floods a levy was imposed which raised and extra £2.3m from Council Tax. Most of this had been used, but not all, on capital projects. Partnerships had been formed with other agencies and amounts of funding had generated many times its initial worth. Now that the money was nearing exhaustion the budget was reducing exponentially. In 2008 the budget was £8m, in 2009 it was £4m and in 2010 would be £2m. Properties flooded throughout the county in the disaster amounted to 4,500.

Mike Reid, Construction Admin Manager of Road Management Services, the company responsible for maintaining the A419 and A417, described his work. There was some criticism about the débâcle last year of a snow clearing exercise which failed. Mike blamed the weather forecasters who had got it wrong. Part of the difficulty is timing the salt run. Snow usually starts off as slushy rain and if salt is applied it will be washed away. There is a critical moment just before it freezes when the application is most efficient and determining when, is problematic. Most decisions are taken around 2pm for the coming night’s work but weather is unpredictable.

I enquired when the concrete surface from Latton through to the other side of Cirencester might be resurfaced with tarmacadam. Originally it was thought that it would last for 10 years but was proving much more durable and was likely to last for more than 30 years. The original contract in 1996 to manage the road had been for 30 years.

Charter meetings are now on a quarterly basis and the next one is scheduled for 14th January 2010.

SLCC Annual Conference Report

On Friday 23th, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October I attended the annual conference of the SLCC at Daventry. The keynote speech was given by Gerry Stoker, Professor of Politics and Governance at the University of Southampton. He had strong views on political disenchantment and civic behaviour. Thereafter I attended various workshops: finance in challenging times which focused on interest rates, where and how to safely invest public money and the problem with new electronic banking and its authorisation; a planning case study; help available for clerks of smaller councils; employment support session with Bethan Osborne the national HR advisor to the society; a lecture on local government and its horizons by three local MPs, two of whom would not be standing at the next election and another who would join the Upper Chamber shortly. Two workshops on personal skills – one on mental toughness on how to handle stress and another on negotiating skills. I found both of these stimulating. In fact I volunteered as a Guinea pig and was hypnotised to demonstrate the effect of how stress can be an unseen, unfelt part of our makeup of which we are not aware. The highlight for me was the motivational speaker Miles Hilton-Barber an internationally renowned blind adventurer. If sighted pilots had to learn to fly blind, i.e. on instruments, then why couldn’t blind people become pilots. He fascinated us with stories of his exploits from flying a microlight from UK to Australia, to taking part seven times in the world’s toughest marathons across the Sahara desert, walking to the South Pole, to deep sea diving. Fear he said was only a word for false evidence appearing real. All achievers are dreamers but not all dreamers are achievers. How to handle bullying in the workplace was a recurrent topic and Glenys Stacey, Chief Executive of Standards for England discussed a range of incidents. As always I enjoyed the conference although this year there was not the plethora of new legislation to contend with, probably due to the forthcoming election.

On 2nd November I attended a meeting at CDC where Lynden Stowe, Leader at CDC outlined the problems faced by the District Council in providing services with a dwindling income. The gathering was divided into a number of working groups to thrash out which discretionary services parish and town councils would wish CDC to continue to provide. Cllr Nicholas and Cllr Webb also attended although Cllr Nicholas and myself had to leave before the end as we both had prior appointments.

Cllr Webb added that his impression of the outcome of the workshop was that local government would function just as well if it was under the control of a Unitary Authority. This was evidenced by the collection of waste which is a CDC responsibility but its disposal was that of the Gloucestershire County Council. Surely, he argued, could not the whole operation be controlled by a single authority?

During October of the 22 available working days I averaged 3 hours 30 minutes per day which is about par for my contract. I did not include attending the conference in the calculations which, if I did, would have boosted my hours excessively.

REPORT ON THE MEETING OF THE VILLAGE MAINTENANCE & PLAYING FIELDS COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2009

Cllr Caunce, Cllr Mrs Chubb, Cllr Harris, Cllr Kimberley, Cllr Nicholas, Cllr Stuart and Cllr Mrs Tunbridge attended the meeting. Cllr Caunce had opened the meeting at 7pm.

Matters Arising from previous Minutes

As Cllr Stuart had another meeting to attend at 7.30pm Cllr Caunce promoted those items of Matters Arising which especially concerned Cllr Stuart.

Wildmoorway Lane. Cllr Stuart reported that work is well advanced on the clearance of the overgrown hedges and silted ditches along most of the lane. Cllr Stuart accompanied Mike Barton and Phil Cluley from GCC PROW to inspect the progress and all were delighted with the job. Cllr Stuart was pleased with the way in which much of the pathway is not too wet although the far end is quite muddy. The people carrying out the work stated that the clearance of the silted ditch should result in the pathway drying out all along the length. Landowner Mr Dave Read had installed an electric fence to keep his cattle away from the workings but it was unknown if this would be a permanent feature. GCC PROW is very keen to put in a pathway using some form of aggregate but the Environment Agency will have to be consulted which might result in a delay. Mike Barton would like to apply for further funds to build up the path in the next financial year although there is an outside chance that finance from another source may be available sooner. Cllr Stuart believes that if the Parish Council was minded to contribute this would be seen as a positive sign. Previously the Parish Council successfully contributed some £3,000 to the Shorncote Link and a similar sum pledged to this scheme would be seen as a convincing move to potential grant funders. The Parish Council had previously indicated its willingness to make a contribution and the scheme is one of the Village Plan objectives. It was proposed by Cllr Stuart and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee asks the Finance Committee to agree to its plan and recommend that the Parish Council is minded to contribute a sum to encourage the scheme. The Committee was all in agreement.

Upper Up car park. Cllr Stuart reported that he had spoken with representatives of both the Football and Cricket clubs on the redesign of car parking facilities at Upper Up. He also discussed the proposition with Roger Sollis (CDCWaste Management) who confirmed that he had no objection. A replacement bin for cardboard collection will be installed shortly which will be more user friendly. The bin will be emptied on site every 7 days which will lessen the wear of the car park surface. Cllr Stuart will have further meetings with potential contractors and hopes to be able to give an estimate of costs at the December council meeting.

Hedge at Kewstoke. Cllr Stuart had met with Mrs S. Dickson who assured him that the hedge will be cut back to allow the public light to show off the pathway.

Grass cuttings. Cllr Stuart persuaded Mr D. Higginson to deliver the grass cuttings from the cricket field to the composting bins.

BT Red Telephone Boxes. Newspaper reporter Andy Woolfoot informed Cllr Stuart that BT reportedly does not remove the kiosks if they are unadopted. Consequently Cllr Stuart had enquired from BT as to the validity of this action and a reply is awaited.

Scout HQ/Youth Facility. Following a meeting with local scout commissioners Ian Kennedy has not had a reply to his enquiry from scout headquarters. Mr Kennedy will now press the County Commissioner on the issue.

Bus Shelters in Station Road. The Clerk will enquire from Garrick Outdoor on the delay in replacing the damaged panel of the new bus shelter. A further request will be made to Jonathan Roberts (GCC Transport) that timetables are installed at both bus shelters in South Cerney. The light fitting replaced by Southern Electric in the shelter by the Limes had stopped working and the company will be informed.

Overgrowing hedge in Bow Wow. The Clerk had asked Paul Swift (Gloucestershire Highways) if he would liaise with Lady Fanshawe on the condition of the hedge overgrowing in Bow Wow. Mr Swift will cut back the growth on the opposite side and then request Lady Fanshawe if she will arrange for the growth on the other side of the lane to be similarly reduced.

Les Haines. Les Haines, Community Safety Officer at CDC will be retiring shortly. The Clerk was asked to write to thank him for the advice and support he has provided throughout his time at CDC.

Barracks Footpath. Cllr Caunce had met with Paul Swift to discuss warning signs to alert road users of the new access of the footpath. Mr Swift noted the potential and will discuss the provision of suitable signage with his colleagues.

Car Parking in Berkeley Close. Cllr Caunce reported that he had met with Mrs Lancaster and discussed the parking problem in Berkeley Close. However, he explained that it was not for the Parish Council to become involved in parking disputes.

Damage to Cherry tree. The Clerk reported that no compensation had been received. Cllr Harris will make a further effort to persuade the person responsible to make the promised payment. Cllr Harris reported at the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday that the person had returned to University and did not have funds available at the moment. He will exert further pressure and make a further report on his progress at next month’s meeting.

Allotments. Cllr Nicholas reported that the Gloucester Diocese Committee had turned down a request to provide additional allotments in South Cerney. Cllr Stuart had written to The Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace asking him to intercede on behalf of applicants. The Archbishop’s Correspondence Secretary Mr Nunn had replied that the Archbishop had no standing in the deliberations of the Diocese Committee and is not party to its decisions. Mr Nunn confirmed that a copy of the correspondence had been forwarded to the Bishop of Gloucester for his information.

INSPECTION REPORTS

Robert Franklin Way
Cllr Mrs Chubb and Cllr Mrs Tunbridge had carried out the inspections. Both Councillors reported that all was in order although the wheels were still off the train. Cllr Harris confirmed that he was in possession of them and arrangements would be made, possibly in the Spring, to reinstate them.

Cerney Wick
Cllr Caunce reported that the play equipment was all in order. Cllr Caunce volunteered to trim back the tree mid-way along the southern boundary to give better visibility of the play area. Moss clearance of the safety surfaces had been carried out satisfactorily.

Upper Up
Cllr Stuart reported that the Fenplay safety areas had new sand applied. The work was satisfactory. There were some broken pallets on the cycle mounds which needed to be removed. The electricity contractor had left piles of branches to the north of the mounds. Cllr Harris volunteered to contact the contractor and ask him to clear up. Alternatively the job could be accomplished when the hedges are flailed later in the month. The area was generally tidy except for the increase in mole activity between the cricket and tennis areas. The footings underneath the youth shelter at Upper Up had not been repaired by Park Leisure. Cllr Nicholas volunteered to remove the pallets.

CLEARANCE AND MAINTENANCE OF THAT AREA OF LAND BETWEEN THE MILL STREAM AND BOW WOW

Cllr Caunce suggested that the Parish Council asks for volunteer groups to become involved in the maintenance of a part of the bank as a biodiversity project. Groups would be encouraged to compete and a winner could be judged on the weekend of the Duck Race for a small prize. Cllr Nicholas asked that Gloucestershire Highways is informed and agrees that the Parish Council manages the bank in much the same way as it does the other grass verges throughout the village. At the Parish Council meeting Cllr Stuart stated that he was concerned about the health and safety aspect of people working on the bank so close to the mill stream and the proximity of the carriageway, especially if youngsters were involved. Cllr Jay said that professionals should be used to do the initial clearance. Generally the Parish Council would welcome the clearance of the area. Cllr Caunce, Cllr Harris and Cllr Jay volunteered to walk the lane, decide on what needs to be done and draw up a specification which the Clerk will forward to potential contractors.

REFURBISHMENT OF GUTTERING ON THE BUS SHELTER AT THE LIMES

The Clerk was to enquire if the shelter was a Listed Building or under any other planning restriction. Once determined a contractor might be instructed to refurbish the guttering. Laurie Davis at CDC Planning confirmed that the shelter was not listed and there was no planning restrictions. She suggested that instead of plastic guttering the Parish Council might consider using cast aluminium as an alternative to plastic. The Parish Council agreed to an assessment by Cllr Stuart that replacing the guttering was of no obvious benefit. Cllr Caunce, Cllr Harris and Cllr Jay agreed to inspect the area to see if the broken gutters need to be disposed of.

APPOINTMENT OF A PREFERRED CONTRACTOR

The Committee agreed that it considers the appointment of a preferred contractor for a range of maintenance tasks. Such jobs could be categorised as either urgent, that is work to be carried out within a week of notice or non-urgent which would require action within three weeks. A contract would be awarded for a term based on a fixed number of hours at a competitive rate. The Clerk was asked to analyse ground maintenance work, excepting grass cutting, over a period of three years and present a list to the committee at its next meeting. Cllr Caunce was adamant that the term preferred is removed from the description. Nevertheless the Parish Council debated the options. Cllr Stuart was concerned that if a contract was awarded then the opportunity for dishonesty was prevalent. Cllr Nicholas supported the point that further thought should be applied before a commitment was made. The Clerk was asked to include the subject as an agenda item for the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance agenda for next month.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Committee recommends that the Finance Committee is minded to agree to support a contribution towards the cost of a pathway in Wildmoorway Lane using some form of aggregate.

The Committee recommends that Tim Bryant is paid as his work has been considered satisfactory.

COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

Cllr Mrs Chubb reported that a street furniture sign on the entrance to Wickwater Lane, off the Spine Road, had been damaged. Cllr Caunce encouraged her to report the incident to Gloucestershire Highways on 08000 514 514.

Cllr Mrs Chubb reported that the glass in the new bus shelter had not been replaced. She also noted that there wasn’t a timetable in the shelter. The Clerk will ask Garrick Outdoor to replace the glass and inform Jonathan Roberts at GCC Transport about the missing timetable.

Cllr Harris reported a pot hole in the vicinity of No.5 Robert Franklin Way. Cllr Caunce encouraged him to report the incident to Gloucestershire Highways on 08000 514 514.

Cllr Harris presented a cheque for £140 from Mr & Mrs Veitch for the planting of a memorial tree.

Cllr Caunce stated that work on gulley cleaning and flood relief would begin in Cerney Wick during the last week of November. The road could be closed during the period.

TASK LIST

Cllr Harris confirmed that work would start on cutting back the hedgerow at Upper Up in two to four weeks time.

The Clerk was to enquire from Gloucestershire Highways if there was any update on the work in Bow Wow which was due to start sometime later in 2009.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Football Club had asked permission to erect additional lighting at Upper Up in its efforts to improve the facilities and utilisation of the Upper Up playing fields. The Clerk had written to Kay Allen and asked her to enquire from CDC if planning permission was needed. Cllr Nicholas was in favour if the facility was only used infrequently. He would like the Football Club to confirm how often it intended to make use of the proposed facility. Cllr Stuart had spoken to both Gordon Stratford Chairman of the South Cerney Football Club and Kevin Messenger who informed him that the lights would most probably be used for two evenings a week for two hour sessions. On that basis the Parish Council had no objection.

Katie Spencer from Play Gloucestershire had asked permission to provide a fire pit as part of the Play Ranger sessions at Upper Up. Cllr Kimberley agreed in principle although he had reservations and would like to see the Risk Assessment and Public Liability insurance of the Play Rangers. The Clerk will contact Katie Spencer and let her know of his concerns and ask her to liaise with him. The Committee agreed that if Cllr Kimberley approved the arrangements then it would have no objection to the provision of a fire pit.

There being no further business Cllr Caunce had closed the meeting at 8.35pm.

REPORT ON THE MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2009

Cllr Mrs Land, Cllr Nicholas and Cllr Webb attended the meeting. Cllr Webb opened the meeting at 8.35pm.

Apology
Cllr Jay had sent his apology as he was otherwise engaged.

Spread Sheet Analysis

Cllr Webb noted that the expenditure detailed on the spread sheet for period 7 was in order. Village maintenance expenditure was below budget.

Recommendations for acceptance from the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee

The Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee recommended that the Finance Committee considers that it is minded to agree to support a contribution towards the cost of a pathway in Wildmoorway Lane using some form of aggregate. At the Parish Council meeting it was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Jay that the Parish Council is minded to make a contribution of £4,000 to the scheme only on the understanding that this money will unlock the rest of the funds needed to complete the work. The Parish Council was all in favour.

The Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee recommended that the Finance Committee agrees to pay Tim Bryant for the work carried out on the safety surfaces at Upper Up and Cerney Wick and for the removal of the basketball post.

The Finance Committee did not object to the either of the above recommendations.

Cllr Webb inspected and agreed the invoices and also the Clerk’s travel expenses for October.

It was proposed by Cllr Webb and seconded by Cllr Nicholas that the Committee recommends the Parish Council agrees to make the above payments. The Committee agreed.

The account for Exorno Ltd will be explained at the Parish Council meeting.

At the Parish Council meeting Cllr Stuart explained that Exorno Ltd was importing two pieces of equipment from Sri Lanka on behalf of Jinasena Ltd who had so generously donated the rotavator to our community and was also supplying the shredder to the Composting Club at a very realistic price. Cllr Nicholas was very hopeful that a grant from the Waste Management & Residual Waste Project at Gloucestershire County Council would defray all or part of the invoiced cost. Cllr Jay warned that there could well be further importation charges to follow. Cllr Nicholas stated that the chopper, when operational, would provide an income for the benefit of the Parish Council. The grant had been agreed to be made under the provision of the Village Plan.

It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Mrs Land that the Parish Council agrees to make all of the above payments. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Correspondence

The response from CDC to the query on the disposition of Council Tax collected from Second Homes was still unclear. The Clerk was asked to enquire how much revenue (both Council Tax and Business Rate) is raised in the Parish from second homes and holiday homes and how is that revenue applied. The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with Mr Rod Smith, Revenues and Benefits Manager at CDC to include Cllr Jay, Cllr Nicholas and Cllr Webb.

CDC requested notification of the precept amount not later than 15th January 2010. The Finance Committee agreed it should meet on Tuesday 5th January at 7.30pm. Cllr Caunce, Chairman of the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee Cllr Caunce accepted and invitation to attend.

There being no further business Cllr Webb had closed the meeting at 9pm.

REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2009

Cllr Mrs Chapman, Cllr Mrs Land, Cllr Nicholas and Cllr Webb attended the meeting. Cllr Nicholas opened the meeting at 9pm.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL

Cllr Caunce and Cllr Harris both declared a prejudicial interest in this application as the applicant was a business associate of theirs and left the room.

06/00540/FUL
Applicant: Mr M. Thomas, c/o Watermark, Isis Lakes, Spine Road, South Cerney
Proposal: Construction of a motel with car park (revised scheme) on land at Lake 7, Cotswold Water Park, South Cerney
The committee recommends that the previous objection is maintained. The amended plans do not overcome the reasons for the previous objections made by South Cerney with Cerney Wick Parish Council, namely: The proposed motel development would fundamentally change the character of this rural location, as viewed from the adjoining footpaths. The Parish Council is concerned as to the precise appearance of the proposed buildings. The amended plans still show no details describing the roof colour to be used.
Conditions requested if permission is granted as follows:
1. A wheel wash to be mandatory for all vehicles exiting the site during construction.
2. A dedicated lane should be installed, to allow traffic accessing the motel to turn right safely.
3. There is now sufficient reason with the level of new development along this stretch of the B4696 (Spine Road) to reduce the speed limit to 40mph between Station Road/Cerney Wick Lane junction north towards the A419 or to the line of the old canal which is the Gloucestershire/Wiltshire border.
OBJECTION

It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Stuart that the Parish Council accepts the recommendation of the Planning Committee and objects to this application. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Harris returned to the room.

Cllr Caunce declared a prejudicial interest in the next two applications as he was a close neighbour of the applicant and remained outside the room.

09/03320/MINAM
Applicant: Mr Ian Russell, Brook House, The Street, Cerney Wick GL7 5QH
Proposal: New window on first floor north west of extension, double patio doors in single storey and a replacement window on south east elevation with a door at Brook House, The Street, Cerney Wick GL7 5QH
NO OBJECTION

09/03612/FUL
Applicant: Mr Ian Russell, Brook House, The Street, Cerney Wick GL7 5QH
Proposal: Amendment to approved scheme 09/02663/FUL for increase in size of extension to south-east elevation at Brook House, The Street, Cerney Wick GL7 5QH
NO OBJECTION

It was proposed by Cllr Stuart and seconded by Cllr Mrs Chapman that the Parish Council accepts the recommendations of the Planning Committee. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Caunce returned to the room.

Cllr Stuart declared a prejudicial interest in the next two applications as he was a close neighbour of the applicant and left the room.

09/03281/FUL
Applicant: Mr T. Slator, Walnut Tree Farmhouse, Upper Up, South Cerney GL7 5US
Proposal: Erection of single storey side and rear extensions at Walnut Tree Farmhouse, Upper Up, South Cerney GL7 5US
NO OBJECTION

09/03282/LBC
Applicant: Mr T. Slator, Walnut Tree Farmhouse, Upper Up, South Cerney GL7 5US
Proposal: Part demolition of existing single storey extension and erection of single storey side and rear extensions at Walnut Tree Farmhouse, Upper Up, South Cerney GL7 5US
NO OBJECTION

It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Webb that the Parish Council accepts the recommendations of the Planning Committee. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Stuart returned to the room.

09/03621/FUL
Applicant: Mr Jim Ridgway, c/o 2271 Dunbeath Road, Elgin Industrial Estate, Swindon
Proposal: Proposed amendments to existing fishing lake, extension to existing clubhouse and car park and temporary construction access at Lake 15, Spine Road East, South Cerney Condition requested if permission is granted as follows:
1. Wheel washing facilities are installed on Lake 15 and also in Broadway Lane where the spoil is to be stored during construction.
NO OBJECTION

PLANNING APPLICATIONS APPROVED BY COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL

09/02853/C CT.2778/FUL
Erect one dwelling, vehicular access and garage at The Willows, Broadway Lane, South Cerney

COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

Cllr Mrs Chapman reported that work had started on the new layby at Lake 10 as per the conditions imposed. The footpath was also under construction.

Cllr Caunce reminded his colleagues that the restricted occupancy condition of some holiday homes in the Parish would come into force from 6th January until 5th February. Cllr Caunce asked Parish Councillors to be vigilant and report any suspected breaches to Nigel Bowsher, Enforcement Officer at CDC. Cllr Jenkins had raised this question at a CDC meeting but the situation was complicated as various legal actions were either contemplated or taking place on the validity of the condition restricting access. Cllr Nicholas asked Cllr Jenkins to keep the Parish Council informed as it had an on-going interest in the proceedings.

There being no further business Cllr Nicholas had closed the meeting at 9.30pm.

ADOPTION OF RED TELEPHONE BOXES

Cllr Jay who had proposed a motion, which Cllr Caunce had seconded, that the Parish Council should decline the offer from BT to adopt the red telephone boxes in South Cerney and Cerney Wick, agreed to withdraw the motion. Then Cllr Caunce proposed and Cllr Jay seconded an amendment: as the offer from BT would mean the removal of the telephone apparatus, the Parish Council should refuse to adopt the boxes. The Parish Council was unanimously in favour of this amendment.

CORRESPONDENCE

COUNCILLORS' REPORTS

Cllr Jenkins (CDC) reported that he had asked Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP to chair a public meeting to debate the running of Keynes Country Park. Cllr Jenkins stated that there needs to be more representation of the people of the Water Park on the Executive Committee. There is an allegation that Section 106 money is not being used as agreed but seems to being spent on keeping the company afloat.

Cllr Jay commented that on his recent travels in Cornwall he posed the question to residents he met if they were aware of any change since the county became a Unitary Authority. Most persons replied that they were unaware of the change and saw no difference in the services expected.

Cllr Caunce emphasised that the promulgated flood relief work in Cerney Wick may result in the access road from the Spine Road being closed. It was not certain that this would be the case.

Cllr Stuart reported that he had attended a Police Neighbourhood Panel meeting with Cllr Jay at Siddington. The meeting covered incidents occurring in Siddington, South Cerney and Preston. Although the initiatives for action notified to the constabulary were only effective for three months as a priority it was pleasing to be informed that the police had actually continued with such things as dealing with speeding traffic. Speed checks had been carried out in the South Cerney area throughout the period but only two people had been cautioned. The police officer reported that there had been a marked improvement in the behaviour of individuals in the Robert Franklin Way area. During the next period illegal parking in Clarks Hay, throughout Station Road and the Lennards will be on the priority list for action. Cllr Kimberley had forwarded his concern about parking outside the Londis through the Clerk.

CERNEY NEWS CONTRIBUTIONS

Peter Watson of DigitalUK will provide information for publication on the forthcoming switchover from analogue to digital television reception.

The decision of the Parish Council to refuse to sponsor the red telephone boxes.

There being no further business Cllr Stuart closed the meeting at 10.19pm.