MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, SOUTH CERNEY
ON WEDNESDAY 13th January 2010.
 

The Chairman, Cllr Stuart opened proceedings at 7.30pm and wished everyone a happy new year. He explained that as the Committee meetings scheduled for the previous Monday evening had to be cancelled because of the adverse weather conditions the format of this Parish Council meeting would be slightly altered to account for that fact. He asked for all Parish Councillors to support the revised procedure.

APOLOGY
Cllr Mrs Land had sent an apology for her absence as the road conditions were so icy. Cllr Bennett (CDC) had sent an apology as he was attending a previously postponed meeting, Cllr Jenkins (CDC) apologised as he was at Preston Parish Council meeting and Cllr Messenger had apologised for his absence as road conditions prevented his attendance.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th DECEMBER 2009

Page 2621 – MATTERS ARISING 1st paragraph 3rd line: delete 4pm insert 6pm
Page 2622 – Graffiti 2nd paragraph 1st line: after incidents insert “of graffiti”
Page 2622 – Bus Shelter, Station Road last line: add “Cllr Mrs Chubb informed the Parish Council that a timetable had been inserted into the holder of the bus shelter in Station Road; Cllr Nicholas likewise reported that the timetable and holder in the Limes bus shelter were now in order.”
Page 2622 – Bow Wow hedge last line now to read: “back the hedge, on the south side of Bow Wow lane, opposite Lady Fanshawe’s property.”

It was proposed by Cllr Webb and seconded by Cllr Harris that the minutes, as amended, were a true and accurate record. Members of the Parish Council were all in favour.

YOUTH PARISH COUNCIL REPORT

Jasmin Tresadern informed the Parish Council that the Youth Parish Council (YPC) had last met on 5th January. The main item discussed was the provision of Christmas lights in the village. Jasmin wanted to know how much money would be available for the scheme and Cllr Stuart explained to her that first it would be necessary for the YPC to get quotations from suppliers, then to find out how the power supply to the lights could be provided and then implications of health and safety considerations. He told Jasmin that Cllr Mrs Land was awaiting contact with any member of the YPC regarding the funding of schemes and Jasmin will inform the group of this request. Cllr Kimberley indicated that he may have access to a supply of lights and asked the YPC to contact him for further discussions. Cllr Stuart thanked Jasmin for attending the meeting, especially as the snow and ice covering the roads and footpaths made walking very hazardous.

CLERK’S REPORT

On Tuesday 4th January the Clerk took part, by conference phone, in a meeting with members of the Precept Committee where the budget for April 2010–March 2011 was discussed. The recommendations from that Committee will be put to this meeting later for consideration and approval.

During December of the 13 available working days the Clerk reported that he had averaged 4 hours 12 minutes per day which roughly averages 3 hours per week in excess of his contract. Over the period the Clerk had taken some of his annual leave entitlement but explained that the management of the Council does not stop during his absence and the workload remains regardless of his time away. Nevertheless, he stated that the arrangement was acceptable.

REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLAYING FIELDS AND VILLAGE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE AND MATTERS RELATING

Graffiti
In response to a query Cllr Caunce was informed that there was nothing of note to be seen of the graffiti after a recent road sweeping exercise.

Public Rights of Way
Cllr Caunce asked Cllr Stuart for an update on his meetings with Mike Barton, Gloucestershire County Council PROWofficer. Cllr Stuart reported that due to the effects of the extreme winter weather, that the whole area and especially around Wildmoorway Lane, was experiencing it is very unlikely that there will be any work carried out on the proposed boardwalk or the rest of the lane until after April at the earliest.

Cllr Jay and Cllr Stuart will attend a meeting of the Eastern Canal Partnership on 21st January. Cllr Stuart has arranged an invitation for Mike Barton who has confirmed that he will there.

Upper Up Car Park
Cllr Stuart updated Parish Councillors on his meeting with Hartell Construction on how best to refurbish the surface of the Upper Up car park and also how to prevent heavy goods vehicles from using it as a turning area and consequently churning up the gravel surface. Mr Hartell suggested that a fence is built on an east/west line, approximately half way across the car park, coming short of the entrance to enable the recycling activity. The structure would divide the car park and prevent lorries turning.

Cllr Harris left the room as he had given a quotation for the following work.

Two quotations had been received for the refurbishment of the car park by disturbing the gravel and re-compacting it. The Parish Council discussed the merits of the differing schemes. It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Kimberley that the Parish Council accepts the lower quotation from James Harris Contracting. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Harris rejoined the discussion.

The Parish Council were minded to go ahead with installing a fence to divide the car park thereby protecting the surface from abusive use. Councillor Caunce, Councillor Harris and Cllr Stuart agreed to hold a site meeting to finalise the fence line and its design. Cllr Stuart volunteered to arrange for quotations to provide such a fence to prevent lorries from using the car park as a turning area.

Keystoke Hedge
 Cllr Nicholas reported that the hedge was still obscuring the public light and the excessive growth should be removed. Cllr Stuart volunteered to contact the owners.

Station Road Bus Shelter
The Parish Council agreed with Cllr Jay who suggested that no further action, as this time, should be taken to replace the defaced perspex panel in the bus shelter in Station Road. Cllr Mrs Chubb reported that originally the suppliers of the shelter had informed her that a replacement panel would cost about £75 but a recent quotation had stated the work would be £205.

Damage to Cherry Tree
Cllr Harris had not been able to locate the address of the person alleged to be responsible for damaging the tree. The Clerk will write to Miss Rebecca Lodge requesting information on the whereabouts of the person.

INSPECTION REPORTS

Robert Franklin Way
Cllr Mrs Tunbridge reported on the condition of the play area at Robert Franklin Way. She repeated that there were still no wheels on the train and the graffiti remained. Cllr Harris stated that the wheels would be replaced when he had time. Mention was made that the equipment in the toddlers area looked “tired” and needed cleaning. Jasmin Tresadern volunteered to speak to the Youth Parish Council to see if it might consider washing it down. Cllr Nicholas volunteered to paint the large climbing frame.

Upper Up
Cllr Stuart reported on the Upper Up play area but stated that since the start of the snow fall inspections have been impossible and not necessary as no one had used any of the equipment. The car park, he insisted, must be levelled as soon as possible as it was becoming dangerous to pedestrians.

Cerney Wick
Cllr Caunce stated that the play area was now snow covered but otherwise the equipment was in proper order.

Bow Wow Scheme
Cllr Harris left the room as he had given a quotation for the following work.

Five quotations had been received for the works specified in Bow Wow. After all quotations were examined it was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Mrs Tunbridge that the Parish Council accepts the lowest quotation from Philip Dickenson. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Harris rejoined the discussion.

Gypsy Lane
Cllr Kimberley reported that Gypsy Lane was now passable after its recent flooding.

Damaged Willow tree, upstream of bridge over river Churn
Ali Swainston emailed that had inspected the tree and will arrange for a specialist contractor to give a further opinion. He expected to coppice the tree in the near future and would keep the Parish Council informed as to his timetable.

BSC12
In response to Cllr Nicholas’ report that BSC12 was in need of repair, Cllr Stuart stated that Mike Barton had informed that the path would be investigated.

Damage to public seat at Preaching Cross
Cllr Nicholas will meet with Matthew King to resolve the damage accidentally caused to the public seat sited by the Preaching Cross. The Clerk will forward seating information to Cllr Nicholas.

ALLOTMENTS AT UPPER UP

Cllr Stuart outlined his proposals for the setting up of an allotment group.

Following the abortive attempt to persuade the Gloucester Diocese to reopen Hill Orchard allotments it was suggested that the Parish Council should consider using the section of spare/unused land behind the tennis courts at Upper Up for the purpose.

Since our December meeting, when it was unanimously agreed that we should be of a mind to consider this proposal, we have visited and measured the area of land more precisely. With the details obtained a plan of the site has been drawn with suggested plots sketched in.

Following publicity in the local press and in the Cerney News, a number of would-be allotment holders have been in contact with now more than 20 people indicating that they would want a plot. One man said that he has been waiting on Bruton Knowles’ list for more than four years.

Information from many of these people suggests that they do not want a full size allotment as a 350 sq metre plot would be far too much to cope with. Most say they want something about the size of the small plots at the Church Lane allotments: approx a “quarter size” of some 75-80 sq metres (approx 13m x 6m plus pathways). If we set that as an average plot at Upper Up we could have some 21 plots, of which two would be a little smaller as the site is not a true rectangle. There could be some spare space along the hedge against Mr Slator’s pony paddock where sheds could be positioned.

The site would need to be fenced to prevent vandalism and theft of produce but as virtually three sides already have either hedges or fences the expenditure will not be too great. One national specialist fencing company has said that to have a post and chain link fence of 2.4 metres high would cost in the region of £40-50 per metre length plus extra for gates. As there will be some 65 metres of fencing plus gates, that firm would need approx £3.5k to do the job. That type of fence could be too substantial for the purpose and we will naturally get other ideas and estimates from local firms. However, it is unlikely that we would spend much less than £3K on enclosing the site.

Water supply is another requirement and this could be done by either connecting to the Thames Water main near to the cricket pavilion or have a pumping system from the river to a series of tanks. The second will be more labour intensive to keep going but much more economical and easier to control with no regular utility bills to pay. This is something for the actual garden users to settle on.

From our point of view, the main ongoing problem with such a scheme would be the routine management of the site. It is a time consuming and thankless task having to invoice individual allotment holders with annual rent bills and to cope with a steady flow of enquiries from would be gardeners. It is strongly recommended that we do not undertake to actually carry out such management but rather set up the initial set of “tenants” as a self managing group. The group would need to be agreeable to taking on the site and to dealing with all aspects of the lettings and routine management/rent collection, paying Parish Council an annual sum as rent. It is likely that the people we are having enquiries from are of a type that would be open to such a commitment and would be able to get it to work. Naturally, assistance would be available from several experienced sources to see the group through the initial stages but Parish Council would need to carry out regular inspections to ensure that the site was being run in a satisfactory manner.

Rent levels are open to debate but few allotments in the country are much below £25 pa for a “quarter plot”. However, most council landlords do give substantial discounts to pensioners and those on benefits. It seems that the existing allotment holders in our village pay a minimum £10 per annum for a plot whether it be for a half or quarter plot. Full plots are currently £20 pa. Incidentally, it is understood that full plots coming available on the church’s existing sites will in future be let as two individual half plots to ease the waiting list. If we were to base our projected income from this scheme based on £400 pa we would be setting individual plot rents at £20 pa which is not an extortionate figure. To achieve £500 pa an extra £5 per plot would need to be charged.

Sheds would be an essential requirement but would need to be controlled quite firmly. The type of design and materials used must be to a pre-set standard. Some councils insist on sheds having to be of one size and design purchased from one specific maker. Again this is something to debate and to get the allotment holders group involved in.

We should use our efforts to ensure that the allotment holders do work with the Composting Club right from the start and to this end it is recommended that we purchase a container or store such as already used by the cricket and football clubs. This should be positioned near to the composting site and will house the new shredder/chipper and the community rotavator (which naturally will be a vital part of any allotment scheme) plus whatever items Parish Council need to keep safe and dry (such as the sand for the Fenplay surfaces). Approximate cost for such a store is £1k but we may get assistance from grants etc. It is worth remembering that a few months ago we committed £690 to purchase the shredder but will fully recoup that sum through a grant from GCC.

It is suggested that to confirm the actual level of demand for allotments, everyone expressing interest should be invited to a meeting where they can be informed what is possible and what they would be committing themselves to taking on, not only as allotment holders/gardeners but also as members of a self governing group. Such a meeting should be held before this Parish Council takes any definite steps towards obtaining planning approval or spends any money on the scheme other than possibly purchasing a container for the composting site.

This community does require more allotments and as we do have the means of satisfying that need, we should seriously consider taking on this project.

The Parish Council was in full agreement that Cllr Stuart should arrange to hold a meeting of interested participants in the Village Hall as soon as it could be arranged. Cllr Stuart will report to the Parish Council at its next meeting.

REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND MATTERS RELATING

Spreadsheet
Cllr Jay started his report by commenting that the spreadsheet was very informative overall, highlighting the shortfall in the budget spend for Village Maintenance which could now be applied to extra jobs identified in the community. A peculiarity which should be understood was that the spreadsheet is a calculation of expenditure and did not account for income. For example, in the case of the insurance expense there was nothing to show that the football and cricket clubs had made a contribution. That is for the balance sheet to make clear.

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

Correspondence
John Hunt had requested a donation to subsidise toilet arrangements for the Street Fair. The Parish Council agreed that it was minded to make a donation of £250 at the appropriate time, when other donations were decided at the Parish Council meeting in March.

Cllr Jay noted that investment income for the Cutts Charity had dramatically reduced although it had been offset by the exceptional generosity of individuals and groups in the village enabling some very special contributions to be made.

Communication Proposal
Cllr Jay proposed that following the recent exercise when the Clerk had emailed Parish Council business to Parish Councillors because he had been unable to travel due to the treacherous snowy condition of the minor roads the scheme should be considered. Parish Councillors who did not have printing equipment could “buddy” another Councillor. This would reduce the cost of photocopying, travel and also the Clerk’s time in distribution. Parish Councillors not in receipt of their allowance could claim for the cost of an ink cartridge and the Clerk would supply a ream of paper for copying purposes. It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Kimberley that this new arrangement should be tried for a trial period of six months. The Parish Council was in full agreement.

PRECEPT PROPOSALS

The Precept Committee had agreed a budget and recommended its acceptance to the Parish Council. The figures were broadly in line with those of the previous year and because of a technical adjustment to the calculation of the local tax base there would be an insignificant increase of 5p per annum on a band “D” property. Cllr Jay proposed and Cllr Caunce seconded a motion that the Parish Council agrees to the budget deliberations. The Parish Council was all in favour. The Clerk will inform CDC accordingly.

REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE AND MATTERS RELATING

09/03281/FUL (NOTIFICATION OF FURTHER NEW DETAILS)
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

09/03282/LBC (NOTIFICATION OF FURTHER NEW DETAILS)
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

Cllr Caunce declared a prejudicial interest in the next four applications as he was a friend and/or business associate of the applicants and left the room.

09/04226/FUL
Applicant: Mr A. Dabrowa, 109 Grove Lane, Camberwell, London SE5 8BG
Proposal: Demolition of single storey flat-roofed previous extensions and construction of new pitched-roof extensions to rear of cottage at The Paddy, School Lane, South Cerney GL7 5TZ
A Condition is requested if the application is permitted that the glazed extension should be wooden-framed and painted a suitable colour.
NO OBJECTION

09/04227/LBC
Applicant: Mr A. Dabrowa, 109 Grove Lane, Camberwell, London SE5 8BG
Proposal: Demolition of single storey flat-roofed previous extensions and construction of new pitched-roof extensions to rear of cottage at The Paddy, School Lane, South Cerney GL7 5TZ
A Condition is requested if the application is permitted that the glazed extension should be wooden-framed and painted a suitable colour.
NO OBJECTION

Cllr Harris declared a prejudicial interest in this next application as he was a business associate of the applicant and joined Cllr Caunce outside the room.

09/04250/FUL
Applicant: Watermark Ltd, Isis Lakes, The Spine Road, South Cerney GL7 5TL
Proposal: Creation of a temporary construction access to development approved under permission 09/01069/FUL at Spring Lakes, Station Road, South Cerney GL7 5TH (R) Cllr Nicholas and Cllr Stuart had proposed that the Committee recommends to the Parish Council to accept its recommendation not to object to this temporary construction access, provided that as a condition the applicant is required to install a footpath along the western side Station Road, from the entrance to South Cerney Sailing Club/The Landings down as far as a point opposite the Station Road ‘Lakeside’ car park. This will fill in the ‘missing link’ to connect the bridleway – Sustrans Route 45 – to the footpath that runs south from the Lakeside car park.
Cllr Mrs Chapman had objected to this temporary access because it is on a bend which is not shown on the plans, and the access would not be easily seen when approached from South Cerney village.
Four responses had been received by email of which 3 had no objection and 1 objection. The response therefore made to CDC was no objection.
NO OBJECTION

It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Jay that the Parish Council agrees not to object to 09/04226/FUL and 09/04227/LBC and ratifies the decision on 09/04250/FUL of the Committee. The Parish Council was all in favour.

Cllr Caunce and Cllr Harris returned to the room.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS APPROVED BY COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL

09/03621/FUL CT.4073/K
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
Conditions of note: 2. Before the development is brought into use a pedestrian/cycle link between the site and the cycleway alongside of the Spine Road is to be completed in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority beforehand. Reason: To provide safe access for pedestrians and cyclists in accordance with Local Plan Policy 38. 5. The temporary vehicular access to the site shall be stopped up, its use permanently abandoned and the verge crossing reinstated in accordance with the submitted and approved details. Such works shall be completed within one month of the completion of the site works. Reason: In the interests of highway safety and in accordance with PPG13.

09/03281/FUL
Erection of single storey side and rear extensions at Walnut Tree Farmhouse, Upper Up, South Cerney GL7 5US

09/03282/LBC
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

09/04145/FUL CT.4894/M
Erection of single storey rear extension at Elliot View, Meadow Way, South Cerney

09/04162/FUL CT.7551/B
Erection of single storey rear extension at New House, High Street, South Cerney GL7 5UR

Correspondence

CT.4498/WFour Pillars Hotel Condition 24

After investigation Ian Coggon (GCC) is of the opinion that to provide a cycleway along the Spine Road frontage to the hotel site would have little advantage as this cycleway would not lead on to any other facilities at either end. There are no proposals or policy to have a cycleway down both sides of the Spine Road and currently a cycleway does exist all the way along one side (opposite the hotel).

In the event that a cycleway was provided under Condition 24 then it would involve both pedestrians and cyclists attempting to cross the road to get to the cycleway on the other side which would be potentially hazardous. Cyclists could of course just ride down the road but the provision of the cycleway is then nonsensical.

Site investigation shows that the hotel site is connected by an internal route into the Cotswold Water Park Gateway Centre. This Centre is then connected to the canal side cycle route which gives access under the bridge to the far side of the road and connection to the Spine Road cycleway. This would be the preferred leisure route to be used by cyclists.

Mike Napper (CDC) has already said that if a situation is accepted whereby the cycleway as per Condition 24 was not needed then the hotel would need to apply for a variation in condition. To agree to such a variation we would want to ensure that the internal route was secured by condition (if such a condition was in fact reasonable, as it would involve the land owned by the Cotswold Water Park Gateway Centre). We would also prefer that some signing was erected as this would direct people in the right direction.

Cllr Stuart was to enquire from Mike Barton if it was possible to create a footpath on the eastern side of the carriageway to connect the grounds of the Four Pillars hotel to the adjacent river Churn.

CORRESPONDENCE

COUNCILLORS' REPORTS

Cllr Nicholas asked that Parish Councillors should forward questions or thoughts to him for discussion on the agenda of next month’s Parish Council meeting on the current or future management of Cotswold Water Park. Questions to Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP who will be chairing a meeting on Friday 5th March to discuss developments at the Cotswold Water Park could then be formulated.

Cllr Caunce noted that large rectangular planter boxes sturdily built from old railway line sleepers had been positioned by a team from Wiltshire County Council, in order to restrict vehicles parking on the bridge and its approaches, on the lane leaving the village in a north easterly direction.

Cllr Kimberley asked the Clerk to enquire from the Enforcement Officer at CDC if an application for the very large advertising sign on the eastern side of the Spine Road, by the closed off entrance to the Four Pillars hotel had been made.

Cllr Harris presented the Clerk with three cheques totalling £580 he had received for memorial trees.

Cllr Stuart explained that Chris Graham our agent dealing with the refurbishment of the footpath from the Upper Up car park westwards for 175 metres approximately was unable to proceed until Thames Water’s agent Bruton Knowles had decided whether or not to accept the quotation for the work.

Cllr Stuart noted that the Village Plan had been operational for 5 years. He had spoken to Chris Coucher at GRCC who was in favour of refreshing and reviewing the plan and was interested in using South Cerney as a template for other areas. Cllr Stuart will inform Mr Coucher that the Parish Council is in agreement that a meeting is held in order to investigate how best to progress the plan.

Cllr Parsons stated that salt production in the United Kingdom amounted to some 30,000 tonnes per week whereas there were currently orders for 300,000 tonnes outstanding. As Cerney Wick was served by three separate school buses Gloucestershire Highways should upgrade its access to a secondary route for salting. Unfortunately any change to its status would not come into force this season.

There being no further business Cllr Stuart closed the meeting at 10.12pm.