Draft AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 8 JANUARY 2007 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors David Vessey, Gerald Gaden, Peter Kelly, Roger Hayes, Barry Dent and Tim Tremellen
District Councillor Edward Horsfall
Presiding: Councillor David Vessey
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There was 1 member of the public present.
1. Apologies for absence
Councillor Adrian Grazebrook
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2006
Councillor Grazebrook wished to amend the second paragraph on page 667 to read ‘Councillor Grazebrook asked if the Enforcement Officers were strict enough’.
Resolution 01/07 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 13 November 2006 be signed and adopted.
3. Matters arising from the meeting held on 13 November 2006.
3.1 Village Directory
The Council are waiting for the final list of expenses from Elisabeth Gerver.
Resolution 02/07 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that a new reserve be created for the remaining balance of monies left over from the 2006 edition of the Directory. This reserve will be used for future editions of the Directory.
3.2 Cirencester/Latton bypass
No further comments have been received from residents about the Cirencester/Latton bypass. The Clerk will pass on the comments received so far.
3.3 Gasson’s Lane
The potholes have been filled in.
3.4 Stonelea
Michael Grace (CDC Enforcement Officer) been to the site twice recently and found no sign of anyone at the caravan, nor any sign of activity at the site. Unfortunately there is no control over the speed at which they must work on the site, only a date by which work must commence.
There were concerns that this may develop into a situation where a Certificate of Lawful Use (CLUED) would be applied for in later years. The Clerk will check with Michael Grace to ensure that this is not possible.
3.5 Abandoned caravan
Paul Swift (the GCC replacement for Richard Tombs who retired earlier this year) has visited the site and advised that the caravan is definitely on private land. No action can be taken by GCC. Councillor Gaden reported that the caravan had been moved and tidied slightly.
The caravan has a broken back window and is not lived in.
3.6 A417 resurfacing.
The Chairman had had correspondence from a local resident concerned about the road surface on the A417 who had learned the following:
4. Reports from County/District Councillors
Councillor Horsfall gave the following report:
· He will talk to John Parkinson (CDC) about the possibility of plastic recycling in the village. The Clerk will also contact Mr Parkinson.
· He will suggest to Councillor Dunrossil that a written report may be useful for future Parish Council meetings.
· He has spoken with CDC Planning and building control officers about the possibility of flooding if the new cellar is built at The Chantry. Building Control will monitor the progress of the cellar. It was thought that letting the owner of the Chantry know that concerns have been raised locally may be appropriate.
· The application at Wayside for an extension has been refused. Councillors felt that this showed some inconsistencies as similar large extensions to houses in the village had been permitted
· The tree warden scheme is to be become independent, with a new scheme being launched at a meeting on 25 January 2007. This will release officer time, and allow for funding that is not normally available to local authorities.
· Residents opposite April Cottage are upset that the extension at April Cottage is taking place. Councillor Horsfall has explained to her that at this stage nothing can be done to stop the extension and that her concerns needed to be voiced during the consultation period. If there were concerns that the decision had been made incorrectly, then she could report the matter to the Ombudsman.
· A show produced by ITV is looking for local rural communities who need funding. No further action.
· The District Council precept will rise by 2.5%, and the County Council by no more than 3.5%. The Police element is as yet unknown.
· CDC were concerned by Government suggestions that the District Council be abolished in favour of a unitary authority. The County Council initially considered supporting the proposal, but following discussion both authorities have agreed to support the current structure, with the sharing of resources, improved communication, links, and cost efficiency.
· There are some licensing issues in Cirencester. The licensing team is to be strengthened to ensure that enforcement action is taken where necessary.
· In response to a question, Councillor Horsfall explained that the Regional Government (an unelected body) is still operating.
5. Questions from the Public
None.
6. Financial matters
6.1 Current financial position
Resolution 03/07 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £250.00 be transferred to the imprest account.
6.2 Agreement of payments
John Ducker has emailed to say that the cost of the wreath for Remembrance Day was £18, and that the Parish Council’s cost for the distribution of the Ampney Times over the past year and the Directory in October came to £38.
Resolution 04/07 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above amounts, totalling £56.00, be paid.
The playground inspection has been carried out, and the invoice was due for payment. The Friends of the School (see paragraph 9.1) had agreed to pay the costs of this inspection. In the meantime, The Council have paid this invoice in anticipation of a cheque for £125 (excluding VAT of £21.88) being forwarded to the Parish Council.
Resolution 05/07 The Chairman proposed and the Council retrospectively resolved that the above amounts, totalling £146.88, be paid.
6.3 Clerk’s salary and condition of employment
In view of the confidentiality of this matter, the Clerk and members of the public were asked to withdraw.
The Chairman had circulated a note to all Councillors informing them that the recommendation of the Working Party was that the Clerk’s job fell into ‘Spinal Column Point’ SC20 rather than the current SC17. This would raise her hourly rate from its current £8.225 per hour to £9.019 though this would rise further after implementation of the nationally recommended cost of living increase.
The recommendation was accepted and will take effect from 1 April 2007.
The Working Party also recommended that the Clerk’s salary should be a ‘spot salary’. This would mean that the Clerk’s salary would be reviewed annually by the Council at its January meeting. This was agreed.
Resolution 06/07 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved to raise the Clerk’s salary to £9.019 per hour (uplifted by any nationally agreed cost-of-living increase) to take effect from 1 April 2007 and that the Clerk’s salary should be reviewed annually each January.
The Chairman informed the Council that the Working Party was still engaged on defining the Clerk’s Terms and Conditions but that some matters had been referred to NALC for guidance.
The Clerk rejoined the meeting.
6.5 Grass cutting contract
The Council had received three quotes for the grass cutting contract.
Resolution 7/07 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the grass cutting contract for 1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008 is awarded to Cottage Garden Services.
The members of the public were invited to rejoin the meeting.
6.4 Precept request for 2007/08
The following precept was agreed:
Staff costs: salary £3587 Recommended by NALC
expenses £ 100 No change
Grass cutting: £1200 Increase 5%
Burial Ground maintenance £ 0 No change
Ampney Times £ 0 Decrease of £108.00
Admin: GAPTC £ 105 Increase 5%
village hall hire £ 80 No change
insurance £ 693 Increase 10%
misc. and postage £ 120 Increase of £35
Playground: sinking fund £ 835 No change
replacement £ 300 No change
insurance £ 330 Increase 10%
audit £ 0 No longer needed
Other:
donations/grants £ 0 No change
Ampney St Mary and Ampney St Peter will not be required to pay contributions towards The Ampney Times for 2007/08.
Resolution 8/07 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above budget be adopted and that a precept request of £7500 is sent to Cotswold District Council.
Resolution 09/07 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the unspent balance of The Ampney Times budget would be allocated into a reserve for use in 2007/08.
7. Planning matters
7.1 Decisions
327 CT 0111/D Ampney Knowle Permits
332 CT 0111/F Ampney Knowle Consents
333 CT 0111/E Ampney Knowle Permits
389 CT 3084/B Mead House Permits
391 CT 7246/F Chantry Permits
394 CT 8455/B Wayside Refused
397 Contr 2219 The Old Rectory No objections
No objections were made to CT 7246/F, although the Clerk had asked CDC planning about the possible increase in water flowing through the area. CDC had explained that there was nothing on the planning side that could be done. The Parish Council cannot become involved in neighbour disputes.
7.2 Outstanding applications
354 05/0071/CWFUL/CAPS Sunhill Objection
383 CT 2905/1/A Park Close Objection
392 CT 3203/F The Old Orchard No objections
395 CT 3387/J The Ridge (LBC) No objections
396 CT 3387/K The Ridge No objections
7.3 Amendments
7.4 Tree works
There was a slight problem with a tree works application. It was from Fitzhamon House and was for the removal of three large Norway Spruce trees at the end of the church path immediately opposite the church. The trees actually stand in land belonging to The Old Rectory.
The problem was that the paperwork had been mislaid and the owner of Fitzhamon House was pressing for an answer within the six week period.
Matthew Reid, the Tree Officer, asked the Chairman to attend a site meeting. In Mr Reid’s opinion, there was no case for a Tree Protection Order and that he would in principle agree the removal. (Approval now granted, see decisions above.) It was confirmed that the owners of the Old Rectory had no objection to the request and David asked that the owners of the Coach House be approached as well. It was also agreed that the stumps would be removed (i.e. ground out) and a replacement native tree planted.
The point was made that the trees were old and in Mr Reid’s opinion, most of the trees along the church path would need serious attention within the next 20 years.
During this report Councillors reported that garden debris was being placed in the hedgerow between the Old Rectory and Fitzhamon House. The Clerk agreed to write to the owners reminding them that they are within the conservation area, and asking that they clear the area.
8. Burial ground matters
The Clerk reported that 4 more burial plots, unsuitable for graves would be set aside for the burial of ashes. This would provide up to 24 more ashes plots. The Clerk would amend the burial plot map and book.
It was agreed that the possibility of asking Dike and Son to inspect the burial ground would be discussed at the March meeting.
9. May elections
The elections for the Parish Council will be held on 3 May and nomination papers will need to be in by 4 April. It was agreed that an item would be included in the next Village Newsletter outlining the work of the Council to ensure that any residents considering standing get due warning of the timescale.
10. Village Update
10.1 Playground
The Chairman has briefly spoken to the Chair of the Friends (Layla Heather) and it has been agreed that the Friends of the School would take on the management of the playground. Their first task is to consider the results of the safety report which has pointed out some minor wear and tear which needs sorting out.
Councillors were unsure whether the Friends of the School were aware of their responsibilities of managing the playground, as inspections did not appear to have been carried out for some weeks. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Friends of the School along the following lines:
The Chairman reported that Councillor Grazebrook had suggested an addition to the paragraph regarding inspections to emphasise the insurance aspects and a further paragraph relating to the need to close the playground on two occasions during the year was agreed.
The Chairman agreed to redraft the letter incorporating these points.
10.2 Pleydells notice board
Following the last meeting the Parish Council received a grant from the Rural Initiatives Fund, but only for £300 rather than the £435 asked for and believed they would receive. Even with a possible contribution from the Ward Projects Fund of £80, this still left the Parish Council spending more money than anticipated. A majority of Councillors agreed to cancel the project for the forthcoming financial year.
The Clerk will return the cheque to the Rural Initiatives Fund.
The possibility of repair or renewal will be discussed at a later date.
10.3 Akeman Street
Land at the side of the road on Akeman Street has been turned over and left looking unkempt. The Clerk agreed to contact GCC to ask whether he knew why it had been done, and whether any action could be taken.
10.4 Ampney Crucis Association
A meeting of the Ampney Crucis Association will be held on 15 January 2007.
10.5 Church Lane
The PCC have asked whether the Parish Council would support the installation of kerb stones on both sides of Church Lane, to allow more parking. Councillors felt that they did not wish to issue a positive endorsement of the proposals but that if the PCC were to approach the County Council to ask that kerb stones be placed on Church Lane, then the Parish Council would have no objection. It was also suggested that the PCC talk to the residents at Fitzhamon, The Old Rectory and the Coach House.
It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the PCC advising them of the Council’s view.
11. Correspondence received
11.1 Cotswold play partnership – COTSWOLD@PLAY event
Noted.
11.2 Register of electors
Councillors Grazebrook and Hayes wished to receive a copy of the electoral register.
11.3 CDC Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document
Noted.
11.4 Ward Projects Fund
This scheme, operated by CDC, will close on 31 March, 2007.
12. Matters Outstanding
13. Date, time and place of next meeting.
12 March 2007, 7.15pm, in the Village Hall.