AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 14 JANUARY 2008 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors Barry Dent, David Vessey, Gerald Gaden, Elisabeth Gerver, Adrian Grazebrook, Frank Skinner, and Peter Kelly.
District Councillor Edward Horsfall
Presiding: Councillor Barry Dent
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There were no members of the public present.
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1. Apologies for absence
County Councillor Mavis Dunrossil., PCSO Daniel Sinclair.
2. Daniel Sinclair, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)
PCSO Sinclair was unable to attend the meeting, but asked a colleague, PCSO Simon King to represent him.
PCSO King distributed copies of the Ampney Crucis crime report, which showed that crime in Ampney Crucis remains relatively low. Motoring offences are not included in the crime figures. PCSO King said that crime figures in the Cotswolds are decreasing as a whole, and detection rates are increasing. Much crime in the Cotswolds is drug related, and the Cotswolds Division has had some success in targeting and jailing these offenders.
The theft of Cotswold stone and slate remains a problem in this area. This stone can be marked with ‘smartwater’, and householders undertaking renovations should be advised of this.
Crime prevention remains very important, and Gloucestershire Police are happy to visit individual householders to discuss home crime prevention. This will be publicised in The Ampney Times.
The role of the PCSO is to be a more visible face of the Police force. They cannot make arrests, but will patrol local areas, give reassurance, visit youth groups, church groups, old people’s homes, Parish Councils, etc. The regular Police force is more of a ‘response’ police force. Following arrest, paperwork will take up to 4 -6 hours of police time.
Suspects are taken to Stroud Police Station as Cirencester’s holding cells are redundant. Refurbishment to bring them up to the size and facilities now required would be prohibitive.
The Clerk explained that a trailer had been left in a lay-by in the village. This had been reported to Gloucestershire Police in July, and the owner had been advised to remove the trailer or put lights on it. PCSO King advised that the Clerk contact Cotswold District Council (CDC) to ask that they remove the vehicle.
PCSO King was advised that a licence application had been approved for 1500 people for June 2008. He agreed to pass this information on to PCSO Sinclair together with a copy of the agenda papers used at the Licensing Committee on the 7th January.
3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12 November 2007
The minutes were amended as follows:
· Page 746, note 3, to be amended from ‘…the lease’ to ‘... the licence’. · Page 748, paragraph 12.1. ‘that Councillor Vessey’! to ‘thank Councillor Vessey’.
Resolution 01/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 12 November 2007 be signed and adopted.
4. Minutes of the extraordinary Parish Council meeting held on 6 December 2007
The minutes were amended on page 753, paragraph 3, 3rd and 4th bullet point to read ‘the Welshway and Sheephouse Lane’
Resolution 02/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 6 December 2007 be signed and adopted.
5. Matters arising from Parish Council meeting held on 12 November 2007
5.1 Highway matters
The bus stop has been replaced.
5.2 Village name sign
The name place sign has been replaced.
5.3 A417 road safety measures
The Clerk has had a reply from Jenny Watkins: · Mrs Watkins has noted the Council’s comments on the current white lines · Gloucestershire Highways is aware of the damaged road surface on A417 between the junction of Witpit Lane and Ampney Crucis Village. The main road between Cirencester and Lechlade is almost 20 kilometres in length and on GCC drawings for improvement purposes it has been divided into sections in order to achieve scheme lengths for the design team to work on. It has been necessary to look at flood damage on each of the sections. The reality is that they need to prioritise and allocate funds to the worst sections of the route which are east of Ampney Crucis. If there is scope to undertake resurfacing or patching work between Ampney Crucis and Norcote then this will be carried out.
5.4 Church Lane
Gloucestershire Highways has confirmed that once they have a written undertaking of the sums allocated by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and Parish Council, officers will plan the work. The work proposed is 25 linear metres @ 1.5m in width. It is proposed to dig out the existing ground and install a grasscrete type material (this is similar to a concrete mesh with good compressive and tensile strength which permits some grass to grow through whilst at the same time supports cars and the like).
The Clerk would contact the PCC and ask for written confirmation.
5.5 Footpaths
The Clerk has been speaking to the County’s Public Rights of Way officers, who have been walking all footpaths in the County. This is due to be completed in February. The officer in charge of Ampney Crucis has walked the parish’s paths and found several faults, many of them matching comments made by Councillor Grazebrook. The County are responsible for bridges on the footpaths; the landowners are responsible for stiles and gates. Should a landowner wish to apply for voluntary help he should contact the agencies involved directly. The County Council may be able to help financially with the replacement of some stiles and gates, and the landowner should contact GCC public rights of way.
It was agreed that the Clerk and Councillor Grazebrook would draft letters to send to all landowners.
5.6 Register of Interests.
All Councillors completed their Register of Interest form. The Clerk will send them to CDC.
6. Matters arising from the extraordinary Parish Council meeting held on 6 December 2007
Following this meeting, the Clerk submitted a letter to CDC outlining the Council’s objections, and the Chairman represented the Council at the licensing sub-committee meeting on 7 January, 2008.
Approximately 30 letters were received by CDC, with only one in favour of the application. There were no official objections from the Police or Environmental Health, and the Police were not represented at the meeting.
The application was permitted, but for a single year. Local residents will be urged to monitor the event, with photographic evidence to support any problems arising from the event. The Police have agreed that they will monitor the event. Councillor Skinner agreed to liaise with the Police on behalf of the Council.
7. Reports from District/County Councillors
District Councillor Edward Horsfall gave the following report:
· Waste remains a major issue. Only 60% of residents have responded to the District Council’s request for confirmation of which service would be required when the new waste system starts. Environmental Health officers will be calling personally on those who have not responded. · He is fully supportive of the Parish Council’s concerns regarding the permitted 3 day music festival to be held at Ampney Downs Farm, and encouraged monitoring the event. · There is a flood alert in the northern part of the district
· There are ongoing discussions about shared working with other local authorities. The political structure will remain, but there are many possible options to streamline decision making and management. · A further application has been submitted for mixed organic waste composting at Sunhill. · It is hoped that plastic bottle recycling will shortly be available in Ampney Crucis. The Clerk will contact CDC
8. Questions from the public
None
9. Financial matters
9.1 Current financial position
Resolution 03/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the financial statements prepared by the Responsible Financial Officer should be adopted by the Council as an accurate reflection of the Council’s financial position on 30 December 2007.
Resolution 04/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £500 be transferred to the imprest account.
The budget sheet showed some overspend on some items.
Resolution 05/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £43.25 be transferred from the Village hall hire budget and £43.77 from the underspend on the insurance to the miscellaneous budge.
It was agreed that the payment made to the Citizens Advice Bureau in November 2007 should be taken from the general contingencies reserve.
Resolution 06/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the £50.00 S137 payment to the Citizens Advice Bureau be taken from the general contingencies reserve.
9.2 Agreement of payments
Councillor Skinner: £8.00 for copying of the Ampney Downs Farm licence application.
Resolution 07/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above amount, totalling £8.00, be paid.
It was also agreed that the grass cutting contractor be asked to undertake an extra cut before Easter 2008 to be paid from the Burial Ground Maintenance reserve at a cost of £80.00. An extra cut of the War Memorial site had also been completed, and the Clerk was authorised to pay this invoice when it is submitted to the Council.
Resolution 08/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that:
· the grass cutting contractor be asked to undertake an extra cut before Easter 2008 at a cost of £80.00 to be paid from the Burial Ground Maintenance reserve · the Clerk pay the invoice for the extra cut at the War Memorial for Remembrance Day.
9.3 Grass cutting tender
Councillor Skinner declared an interest and took no part in the discussion.
Three tenders were received. The Council discussed all three tenders in depth, and agreed that before making a decision one of the tenderers should be asked to submit references and details of completed work. All details will be circulated to Councillors and if necessary a further meeting will be held on 29 January 2008 at 12 noon, in the Village Hall to resolve the grass cutting tender.
Resolution 09/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that in the event of unsatisfactory information being provided, the Council proceeds to offer the grass cutting contract for 1 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 to Cottage Garden services.
9.4 Clerk’s salary
The Clerk left the room.
It was explained that page 674 of the minutes (meeting of 8 January 2007) showed that the Clerk’s salary was set at Scale 20, reviewable each January, from 1 April 2007, subject to the nationally agreed cost-of living increase. This increase was agreed by NALC in November 2007, and was briefly discussed at the last parish council meeting.
Resolution 10/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Clerk’s salary reflects the nationally agreed salary scales and increases to £9.242 per hour backdated to 1 April 2007. A cheque will be issued to the Clerk for backdated pay from 1 May 2007.
The Clerk returned to the room.
9.5 Budget and precept request for 2008/09
At the last meeting it was suggested that the sinking fund could be reduced in an effort to keep the precept down. Councillor Vessey has since confirmed that this would not be ideal as the licence sets out that the Parish Council is responsible for returning the land to its former state should the playground be removed. This removal could be at the request of the school or the LEA (very unlikely unless the playground becomes derelict) or it could be the Parish Council's decision if it felt that the use did not justify the cost to the village.
There is an unwritten understanding that the PC will not be asked to remove the playground in less than five years. The five years is significant as that is the minimum time the playground must exist in order to comply with the requirements of the main grant making bodies. If it closes within five years (i.e. before June 2010) then, technically, the Parish Council could be asked to refund part of the grants.
Consequently, by June 2010 there is a risk that the Council may have to fund the removal of the playground and, in order to meet the requirements of the risk assessment, the Council have to show that they can meet the risk i.e. they must have funds set aside to pay for the removal. The amount was estimated to be £5,000 in early 2005 but this amount should be reassessed nearer the time as it will probably need to be slightly higher by June 2010. At present there is £4041.67 in the sinking fund.
There was some discussion and it was agreed that in order to share the burden of creating the sinking fund over some years it would be appropriate to reduce the amount paid into the sinking fund to £500.
Further to paragraph 5.4 of these minutes, it was agreed that £300 would be allocated to the resurfacing works in Church Lane.
The following budget was then agreed.
Staff costs: salary £3643 increase of 2% on 2007/08 salary expenses £ 100 No change Grass cutting: £1296 To be confirmed Burial Ground maintenance £ 0 No change Ampney Times £ 142 Admin: GAPTC £ 110 Increase 5% village hall hire £ 80 No change insurance £ 697 Increase 10% on payment for 07/08 misc. and postage £ 120 No change Playground: sinking fund £ 500 See note above replacement £ 300 No change insurance £ 394 Increase 10% on payment for 07/08 Others: donations/grants £ 0 No change audit £ 150 No changeChurch Lane works £ 300 new item
TOTAL: £7832 increase of £332
Resolution 11/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above budget be adopted and that a precept request of £7832 is sent to Cotswold District Council.
It was agreed that an article be placed in the newsletter advising that £300 of the £332 increase was due to the resurfacing at Church Lane.
9.6 Assets register
The stapler has now been purchased, meaning that the assets register will require changing.
Resolution 12/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the assets register, as shown on page 763 of these minutes, dated 14 January 2008, be adopted.
10. Planning matters
10.1 Decisions
416 CT 4783/E Ampney House Permits 418 CT4425/G Litchmead Permits 419 Contr 2453 The Malthouse No objection 421 Contr 2460 Convamore No objection 426 07/03393/FUL Ivylen Permits
10.2 Outstanding applications
354 05/0071/CWFUL/CAPS Sunhill Objection 420 CT 2165/R Birch Farm No objection 422 CT 8455/C Wayside No objection 423 07/0077/CWMAJW Sunhill No comment 424 CT 2163/R Fitzhamon House No objection 427 CT 2672/M Narracott House No objection
Councillor Gaden declared an interest whilst discussing the Naracott House application.
10.3 Amendments
425 CT4783/F Ampney House No objection
10.4 Tree works
10.5 Park Close appeal
This appeal has not yet been decided.
10.6 Stonelea
A reply has been received from Anne Brinknoff, stating that there is little to be gained by further correspondence. The Parish Council agreed that they would still like a reasoned case why this application was approved, apparently against the direction of the Local Plan. It was agreed that the decision may be correct, but the Council would like an explanation of how this decision was reached. It was agreed that the Chairman and Councillor Vessey would draft a letter and send to Councillors for comment, prior to the final letter being sent to CDC.
Resolution 13/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Chairman and Councillor Vessey respond on behalf of the Council.
10.7 Electronic consultation on planning applications
The Clerk explained that she had contacted officers at CDC to discuss Parish Council concerns that they will be unable to identify, online or by printing on A4 sheets, the accuracy needed to see the detail of some planning applications. Officers at CDC have explained that they will be providing training to enable Clerks and Councillors to use the system fully and that Councillors will be able to overcome this problem after this training. CDC officers also suggested that Councils should purchase a lap top and projector to enable large scale viewing of applications. The Clerk has agreed that the Parish Council will trial the scheme, with their current resources, and respond to CDC with any comments about specific issues if and when they arise.
The Clerk explained that whilst registering comments online for the Ivylen planning application the options available were to support the application, object to the application or to make a general comment. The option of making no objections is no longer available unless it was as a general comment. It was agreed that the Clerk contact CDC again, asking whether this option could be made available.
11. Burial Ground matters
None
12. Playground matters
The playground inspection has been completed, and a copy of the report has been placed in the circulation folder. The report identified a missing bolt in the fence as the only problem requiring action, and this has now been replaced by Councillor Skinner.
There was some discussion about the possibility of putting a stile or gate in the fence to help children retrieve lost balls, but the Council agreed that this would not be suitable.
13. Village Update
13.1 The Ampney Times
Councillor Gerver explained that The Ampney Times was becoming more successful. There were 25 different items in the newsletter in the last issue.
Councillor Skinner is the new technical editor, and John Franklin the new advertising editor. Councillor Gerver explained that she would be stepping down at the end of 2008, and asked that Councillors think about a replacement. Although the editor writes very little copy for the newsletter, they must have the facility to write and edit fluently, own a computer, and be capable of liaising with residents in all 3 villages involved in the newsletter
13.2 Ampney Downs farm licensing application
See paragraph 6.
13.3 Spring Clear up day.
This will be held on Saturday 19 April, meeting at 10.00am at the Village Hall. Councillors Gerver and Gaden will plan the event.
The Clerk will book the Village Hall and arrange with CDC for high visibility jackets and litter pickers to be made available. The District Council will also be asked to litter pick London Road, as it was felt to be too dangerous for volunteers to complete.
14. Correspondence received
14.1 County Council tax increase 2008/09
Following the floods in July, the County Council is faced with substantial costs to repair damaged infrastructure. Limited money has been made available from Government, leaving a substantial shortfall. A below average increase in Government grant has also been received, reduced further by money being taken from Gloucestershire to support councils elsewhere. The County Council have 3 options available to them and have asked for comments.
· Option 1: to increase Council tax by 3.8%. This option allows no extra money to deal with flood prevention or drainage works · Option 2 : to increase Council tax by 3.8% + 1.1% to create a fighting fund of £2.3m to investigate and begin to tackle flood prevention and drainage works · Option 3: to increase by 4.9% + 2% to create a fighting fund of £4.5m and provide capital investment of £25m to fund major investment in flood prevention and drainage works.
The Parish Council agreed not to comment, although individuals could do so.
14.2 GCC protecting your Community Conference, 25 January 2008.
Noted.
14.3 Contacting County Council highways.
The County Council have released the contact details for highways that should be used. Telephone queries should be made to 08000 514514, email queries to highways@gloucestershire.gov.uk . They have also asked for a Parish Highways representative; the Clerk agreed to carry out this role.
14.4 Dog control orders questionnaire
Noted.
14.5 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)
It was explained that the Ampney Crucis Association (ACA) has submitted, or will shortly submit, a letter to CDC in relation to the SHLAA. John Ducker has asked the Council if they wish to comment.
Local authorities are obliged to undertake SHLAAs as set out in Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3). As part of this policy, local authorities must have a 5 year housing land supply available, or local developers can then get involved in land allocation.
Letters have been received at CDC identifying several pieces of land, from brownfield sites in Cirencester to very rural sites. The ACA application is therefore one of many, and even though an application has been made, it does not necessarily mean that this specific land will be allocated. Once all applications have been received, (by the end of January) site visits will be made to assess the suitability of sites on geographical, physical grounds. Officers will begin by assessing sites in sustainable communities, such as Cirencester, then the principal settlements, followed by larger villages, and then the least sustainable, smaller villages such as Ampney Crucis.
The current local plan runs until 2009. By this stage, Government have suggested that the Council’s Core Strategy (the first stage in the new planning framework) should be in place. Should this strategy not be in place (and it is unlikely that it will be) the Council can apply to the Secretary of State asking for an extension of certain policies. The District Council are happy with the operation of the current Local Plan, under which it is believed that the Ampney Crucis Association plan is unlikely to succeed, and they would hope to continue this in the next planning framework. The Core Strategy will be followed by the Local Development Framework, part of which will encompass housing allocation.
At this stage, CDC Forward Planning believes that little will change as far as the ACA application is concerned. Land will be allocated according to sustainability – Ampney Crucis is not regarded as a sustainable community.
Councillor Gerver explained that recent government guidelines put enormous pressure on local Councils to provide ever-increasing numbers of housing, and that sustainable housing was not necessarily important.
The Chairman will respond on behalf of the Council, explaining that the Council believe that there will be little opportunity for the AC to benefit under this new scheme.
14.6 The Gloucestershire Charter
Noted.
15. Date, time and place of next meeting
7.15pm, Monday 13 March, 2008, in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 10.00pm
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