AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 14 JANUARY, 2002, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors Peter Kelly, Gerald Gaden, Fran Huckle, David Vessey, Adrian Grazebrook, and John Dear.
District Councillor Evans
Presiding: Councillor Peter Kelly
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There was 1 member of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
Councillor Sally Hebbs and County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 23 November, 2001
Resolution 01/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November, 2001 be signed and adopted.
3. Minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 23 November, 2001
Resolution 02/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November, 2001 be signed and adopted.
4. Matters arising from the meeting held on 12 November, 2001
4.1 Benches in the village
Harold Stevens and Gerald Gaden have repaired the final bench in The Pleydells. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Harold Stevens, thanking him for the work he had done.
4.2 Burial Ground gates.
Roland Hunt had repaired the gates, and it was thought that they would now last another five years.
David Vessey reported that he had a quote from Cherington Forge for £650 -£850 for a pair of new iron gates. There was some discussion about whether the gates should be purchased as a commemoration of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, however, it was agreed that as the present gates were satisfactory, the gates should not be replaced, and any money for the Jubilee be used for a different project.
4.3 Village notice board
The Village Hall Management Committee have approved the plan to commission a new notice board. Frank Perkins will (with the help of Harold) design and cost a notice board with two lockable sides: one side for the Parish Council and the other for general Village notices, thus ensuring greater publicity for local events and the ability to censor ‘fly’ posters. Notices specific to the Hall will continue to be displayed on the current board.
It was agreed that the Clerk would write back to the Village Hall Management Committee, asking for a date when the board would be completed, and the cost. The Parish Council will allocate money towards the board in the precept, however, it will be asked whether the Village Hall is willing to make a donation.
4.4 Bus services in the village.
Further to Councillor Hebbs query at the last meeting, the Clerk has heard from GCC that the size of bus on the Cirencester - Lechlade route has changed, and it should now be big enough to cope with the numbers using it. Timetables are dictated by the fact that only one bus (from Beaumont) is operating the route, compared with three when Stagecoach were running it, since that is all that is affordable in subsidy terms. This means that allowing for it being a two hour round trip, and legal breaks for the driver, there is going to be a delay between services. All subsidised services are up for review next year, (because of another subsidy shortfall) so this service may operate until 31 March, and then change.
It was agreed to ask Councillor Theodoulou to check that the service to Ampney Crucis will not be reduced any further.
4.5 Hunts Hill
The Clerk has spoken to GCC, who confirmed that a bid for funding has been made for Hunts Hill footpath for 2002/03. Apparently £5000 will hopefully be allocated. The drains on Hunts Hill, Ampney Crucis cannot be looked at until 2003/04.
It was agreed that the Clerk would find out the area of footpath that the bid will cover.
4.6 Twinning
There had not been a positive reaction to the proposals to ‘twin’ with Margaux in Normandy.
David Vessey will reply on behalf of the Council.
5. Matters arising from the extraordinary meeting
The applications have now been withdrawn. The applicants have 12 months in which to resubmit their plans.
The Chairman confirmed that the applications could not be discussed until the Council had officially received them.
6. Report from District Councillor.
Councillor Evans reported that the Government had issued a second copy of the Local Government White Paper, ‘Strong Local Leadership, quality public services.’ The Government is hoping for a vibrant local democracy, delivering high quality and improving local services.
County, District and Unitary authorities will be ‘scored’ by the Audit Commission, and if defined as poorly performing, DTLR may put in an administration, leading to a referendum offering the Mayor and Council Manager option of operating the Council. Greater freedom and more money will be offered to higher performing Councils.
The Parish Council will have the opportunity to apply for a quality mark. This will be discussed later in the meeting.
CDC will be making changes in operations further to the new political changes, and additional changes to cover a small funding deficit.
A further White Paper is scheduled to be published later this year, in which it will be suggested that an elected Regional Government could be put in place, where the electorate decides. This could lead to a fractured system, where there would be ‘regions’ and ‘non regions’. In addition, if a referendum were held, then the result would be dependent on a simple majority. If 20% of the electorate voted, and 55% of this number were in favour of the proposals, then a mere 11% of the electorate would vote in favour of an irreversible constitutional development of major significance in the country.
The brown paper bag recycling initiative for garden waste cannot be repeated, although it was very popular, it was too expensive.
7. Questions from the Public
None
8. Finance matters
8.1 Current financial position
Resolution 03/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved the financial statements as provided by the Responsible Financial Officer were an accurate reflection of the Council’s financial position on 17 December, 2001.
The Clerk explained that she is also Clerk to Preston Parish Council, who, like Ampney Crucis Parish Council, bank with Lloyds TSB. Resolution 32/01 authorised Lloyds TSB to increase the salary paid from Ampney Crucis in October 2001 to £219.43, and to £186.78 from November 2001. The bank correctly adjusted the October payment, but in the November payment, £219.43 was paid again. This was repaid the same day, and the correct figure (£186.78) paid.
In December, the bank paid £129.50 from Ampney Crucis to the clerk's account. This is the amount Preston Parish Council should have paid the Clerk.
The employees at the bank were only able to authorise that the underpayment would be paid in January, at the next standing order. Thus, the Clerk should have received £186.78, but actually received £129.50, an underpayment of £57.28. This £57.28 will be added onto the standing order for January, 2002, meaning that £186.78 + £57.28 (£244.06) is paid to the Clerk. The Standing Order from February 2002 will revert to £186.78.
There will be no increase in the Burial fees this year.
8.2 Agreement of payments
Stones had been thrown through the windows of the Lych Gate. A quote from Turbo Glass for £157.10, plus Vat, had been received. The Council can claim from insurance, but will have to pay the excess of £75.
8.3 Precept
This will be discussed at the end of the meeting, to allow any further items that may require expenditure to be included in the precept request. (See paragraph 16)
9. Burial Ground matters
9.1 Repairs to the Lych Gate windows
The Clerk reported that PC George Lager had been trying to identify the culprits who broke the windows in the Lych Gate. Although at present it was not possible to prove who had broken the windows, several children in the village had been spoken to.
Turbo Glass has now repaired the windows. (Resolution 4/02)
9.2 Grass cutting contract.
Two tenders were received for this work, and it was agreed that the tender be awarded to Jeremy Simmons Landscapes.
Resolution 5/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the grass cutting contract for 1 April 2002 – 31 March 2003 is awarded to Jeremy Simmons Landscapes.
10. Planning matters
10.1 Decisions
186 CT 1762/1/B Kate’s Cottage Permits
189 CT 1762/1/C Kate’s Cottage Consents
191 CT 7365/A Land west of Allotment Lane Withdrawn
192 CT 8194 Land at The Pleydells Withdrawn
193 CT 8195 Land west of School Lane Withdrawn
194 CT 2872/F Land opposite Gorston House Withdrawn
195 CT 8196 Land north of London Road and
east of School lane Withdrawn
197 Contr 1161 Pippins No objections
198 CT 5662/F 36 Ampney Crucis Permits
200 CT 5662/G 36 Ampney Crucis Consents
10.2 Outstanding applications
156 CT 7739/D Ampney Field No objection
182 CT 8177 Heathfield Cottage No objection
190 CT 4170/D 1 Lake Cottages No objection
196 CT 0434/L Abbey Home Farm No objection
203 CT 2163/M Fitzhammon House On circulation
204 CT 0302/K Crucis Park Farm On circulation
There was some concern about application CT 2163/M, as the proposals are fairly substantial. The site is immediately opposite the Church which is a Grade I listed building. A site meeting has been planned for Wednesday 16 January, at 1.15pm, to assess this application. The Clerk will notify the owners.
Reference will be made to the local plan due to the site’s proximity to the Church and Churchyard, and the other listed buildings in the area and also as the site is in the Conservation area.
10.3 Minor applications
188 CT 6523/C Sheepfold Barn No objection
199 CT 6523/C Sheepfold Barn No objection
201 CT 8177 Heathfield Cottage No objection
202 CT 3031/B Orchard Cottage No objection
10.4 Tree works
None
11. Village Update
11.1 Praying Cross repairs
The Clerk reported that English Heritage have yet to comment on the further repairs to the Cross.
11.2 Playground in the village
No further information available
11.3 Double white lines
Kate Alcock from GCC has advised the Clerk that GCC’s site consultants will carry out a speed and visibility survey to assess whether a double white line would be the correct solution to possible problems on the A417.
It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Ampney St Peter and Ampney St Mary Parish Councils to inform them of this information.
11.4 Fallen leaves.
Councillor Evans agreed to talk to Mike Wier at CDC to ask whether the fallen leaves in the village could be cleared.
12. Footpath matters
The handrails on a bridge in Holders Wood have broken. Councillor Vessey will write to the landowners.
13. Queen’s Golden Jubilee
The Celebrations will take place over the bank holiday weekend in June, 1, 2, 3 and 4 June. The weekend will start with family fun rides on Saturday followed by a Barn Dance in the evening. Sunday will be the time to spend with family and friends. Monday will feature the children’s picnic, reminiscence project and exhibition. There will be a peal of bells linked to a national bell ringing, music making and cannon firing cacophony, announcing the start of street parties and picnics. Following the peal there will be the opportunity for individuals to ‘have a go’ themselves. Tuesday will be a day for ‘National Thanksgiving’, with a service attended by the Queen in St Paul’s Cathedral. Ampney Crucis can share in this as our church is planning special services, with a live television link.
All Councillors were urged to identify ideas that could be used as a commemorative item for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The Village Hall Management Committee had suggested that a ‘boules’ pitch is laid, and the Parish Council agreed that this may be worthwhile, and may support such a venture.
14. Matters outstanding
14.1 Ward Projects Fund
It is hoped that a copier will still be purchased, using a grant from the Ward Projects Fund, but it is thought that the costs might be prohibitive.
14.2 Gritting in the village
Following the recent cold weather, roads in the village were extremely icy. Residents will be asked, through the newsletter, if they can sprinkle salt from the salt bins provided on roads near them.
14.3 Thames Water
The Clerk agreed to contact Thames Water again, to ask them to repair the broken cover on the fresh water supply on Ridings Lane.
14.4 Minutes of the Parish Council meeting.
It was agreed that only the most recent copies of the minutes would be on display inside the village hall.
15. Correspondence received
15.1 Draft model code of conduct for Parish Councils
Councillors were informed that this document requires adopting before May, 2002. Councillors will be circulated with a copy with their minutes. If all Councillors are agreed, then it should be adopted at the meeting in March.
Following this, Councillors will need to sign a declaration of interests that will be forwarded to CDC, and a written undertaking from each Councillor that they will fulfil the requirements of the code. The written undertaking and copy of the adopted code of conduct need to be sent to The Standards Board of England.
The ‘Declaration of interest’ forms will also be circulated with the minutes for completion before the next meeting.
15.2 Quality Parish Councils.
This is a 37 page document of proposals to encourage Parish Councils to be accredited with quality status. Overall, the scheme appears to be one of building up consultation between the principal authority (i.e. CDC) and all local councils within the principal authority.
The benefits are not obvious, and certain criteria will need to be met to allow any Council to be accredited with quality status:
q be elected in a contested election
q have at least six meetings a year with time for public participation
q ensure that Clerks meet standards of competence
q provide an annual report by 30 April each year.
q produce a distributed newsletter
q provide access to audited accounts.
A cost of £100 has been suggested for initial accreditation with the cost being met by the parish council seeking the status.
There was some concern about this report, and it was discussed whether the Council would benefit from ‘quality’ status, should they qualify. It was agreed that Councillor Vessey would respond on behalf of the Council using his brief as the basis.
15.3 National Training Strategy for Councillors and Clerks.
This consultation document was discussed: it was felt that the proposals were unclear. Councillor Vessey will respond on behalf of the Council.
15.4 Planning: a fundamental change
This document, published by DTLR, proposes a complete change to the planning system, changing the need for a local plan, and other current requirements. Councillors were unhappy with this proposal. Councillor Vessey to respond.
15.5 Skips in the Village
It was asked whether skips could be provided on a regular basis to hopefully reduce fly tipping. The Clerk agreed to contact Mike Wier.
16. Precept request
The following budget was agreed:
Advertising: £ 75
Burial Ground: grass cutting: £1030
maintenance: £ 250
GAPTC: £ 80
Hire of Village Hall: £ 80
Insurance: £ 400
Miscellaneous: £ 150
Clerk’s salary: £2310
Clerk’s expenses: £ 100
Donations/grants £ 100
Audit: £ 100
Queen’s Golden Jubilee £ 250
New Notice board £ 75
Total: £5000
Resolution 6/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that a precept request of £5000 is submitted to Cotswold District Council.
17. Date, time and place of next meeting
Monday 11 March, 2002, 7.15pm in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.05pm.