MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 13 MARCH, 2000, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Presentation by Roy Tyler, Road Safety Officer
The Chairman welcomed Roy Tyler, Road Safety Officer for Gloucestershire County Council to the meeting.
Mr Tyler suggested a number of methods to reduce speeding through the village and to increase awareness of the dangers at the crossroads at the ‘Crown of Crucis’.
· It was suggested that the Parish Council may wish to liase with Barnsley Parish Council in a public awareness campaign
· The Parish Council may wish to carry out a survey of cars entering and leaving the village to ascertain the seriousness of the problem of cars using the village as ‘rat run’.
· The local Police could be invited to stop cars using the ‘rat run’ through the village, and distributing leaflets about the dangers of driving on country roads to the drivers.
· The primary school could be involved in a campaign, with projects for the school children, for example, using speed detection equipment, and inviting the Primary School Road Safety Officer to speak to the children.
· Publicity, including media coverage, posters and car stickers can also be effective.
· The council could participate in Road Safety week, organised by ‘Brake’
· The radar gun could be borrowed again.
Councillor Hebbs agreed to send off for publicity material for Road Safety Week.
The Chairman thanked Mr Tyler for attending the meeting.
************************************
Present: Councillors Peter Kelly, Gerald Gaden, Fran Huckle, Adrian Grazebrook, Sally Hebbs and John Dear.
Presiding: Councillor Peter Kelly
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The Council meeting commenced at 7.30pm. There was one member of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Councillor Vessey.
2. Minutes of the last meeting
The following sentence was added to the end of paragraph 6.1:
“Councillor Grazebrook emphasised that no disclaimer could prevent complaints or guarantee to be effective, but it should act as a deterrent.”
Resolution 13/00 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 10 January, 2000, as amended, be signed and adopted.
3. Matters arising from the meeting on 10 January, 2000
3.1 The War Memorial, repairs to the benches and fencing, and replanting at the War Memorial.
The Clerk reported that Cotswold District Council had made a grant of 25% of the costs of the repairs to the War Memorial.
Resolution 14/00 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved to proceed with the necessary repairs to the War Memorial, using Wells Masonry, Tetbury, to a maximum cost of £950.
The application to the Ward Projects Fund will be made when the costs of the repairs to the benches and fencing are available.
3.2 Traffic calming measures
The staff at the school have suggested to parents that speed could be reduced on the journey to school, and this appears to have had a positive effect.
4. Reports from County/District Councillors.
County Councillor Gayler reported
· that the County Structure Plan had now been adopted and printed
· the County Council’s share of the Council tax had risen by 9.8%. There was some discussion that the County Council will pay £23 million in interest payments in the forthcoming financial year.
· it was hoped that some money would be available to upgrade the road leading to RAF Fairford, although the A417 could still be affected by heavy goods vehicles during the work at RAF Fairford.
District Councillor Evans reported that
· the District Council’s share of the Council tax had risen by 3.7%, and the Police Authority’s by 9.8%. The District Council have written to the Police Authority to question this rise. This is a 9.4% net increase, leading to a £69 increase this year for a band D property
· London Road would have a new speed limit of 40 mph after the new development at Kingshill. It was proposed that this limit would become derestricted beyond the new bypass. The limit would then be reduced again to 50mph on the entrance to Ampney Crucis. The District Council had written to the County Council suggesting that the limits be considered again, as the proposed limits could lead to confusion
· that correspondence had been received from the Diocese of Gloucester proposing that the benefice of Preston and the benefice of Down Ampney would be incorporated into the benefice of The Ampneys, Ampney Crucis with Driffield and Poulton.
· the CDC Spring Clean would be taking place in April, 2000
· the application for planning permission at 8 Ampney Crucis would not be discussed at the next CDC planning meeting in March, as discussions are still ongoing.
5. Questions from the public
Frank Skinner explained that he has launched a Website covering Ampney Crucis.
Local clubs and Societies have been invited to submit information for the Website, and it was suggested that local businesses should be approached. This was felt to be a good idea.
It was agreed that draft agendas and minutes should appear on the Website, although this would be in addition to the statutory notification and circulation of minutes and agendas.
6. Financial matters
6.1 Current financial position
The financial reports had been circulated. The Reserves total shown did not include the grants received from Gloucestershire County Council. These will be amended.
Resolution 15/00 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the financial statements, as amended, and as prepared by the Responsible Financial Officer, were an accurate reflection of the Council’s financial position as at 2 March, 2000
6.2 Agreement of payments.
It was agreed to move £450 from the current account to the imprest account.
Resolution 16/00 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved to increase the standing order paid to the Clerk by £5.25 per month
The Clerk submitted a claim for expenses, totalling £61.35.
Resolution 17/00 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above payments totalling £61.35 be made.
6.3 Self-selection of Audit Scheme.
The Audit Commission has invited Parish Council’s in Gloucestershire to take part in a pilot scheme, whereby Parish Councils can appoint their own auditor. Councillor Evans suggested that the Parish Council take no action at present, as the District Council are inviting tenders for their Audit, and it could be possible that local Parish Councils could be involved with this scheme.
7. Burial Ground matters
7.1 Burial Ground regulations.
Following some discussion about the discretionary nature of the regulations it was agreed that the regulations would remain as they are.
If an application were made for the burial of someone who was not a parishioner at the time of death, then the Clerk would continue to contact Councillors for their opinion. It was agreed that the deceased should have lived in the Parish for a considerable period of time, or have enduring connections with the village for permission to be granted. As the Burial Ground is maintained from the precept, double fees could be charged for those not living in the village at the time of death.
7.2 Burial Ground reservations
A number of spaces in the Burial Ground appear to be reserved by unknown people. There is no record, other than ‘R’ in the plot book that these spaces are reserved. Advice has been received from the National Association of Local Councils that in the absence of any documentary evidence, the possibility of exclusive rights of burial appear to be remote. They suggest that the Council advertises in the local media and in the Burial ground, and if no further information is received , then the spaces can be reassigned.
It was agreed that the Clerk would:
· Compile a list of the affected spaces, and who they are adjacent to, and try to locate any next of kin.
· Place notices in the Burial Ground, the notice boards, and on the Website
· Contact the Insurers to check if an additional premium is necessary should any claim be made against the Council if a grave space is reallocated.
7.3 Health and Safety in the Burial Ground
It was agreed that the Clerk, Chairman and one other Councillor would inspect the Burial Ground twice a year.
7.4 Maintenance in the burial ground
Councillor Gaden will contact Mr. Ockwell with a view to starting some maintenance in the Burial Ground. It was agreed that cutting the ivy off the walls should be the first project.
Resolution 18/00 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Mr. Ockwell be authorised to maintain the Burial Ground, from 1 April, 2000, at a cost not to exceed £200 per annum.
8. Planning matters
8.1 Decisions
125 CT 3906/E Coach House (Old Rectory) Consents
126 CT 4784/C Lost Elm Permits
127 CT 2066/C Melita Permits
8.2 Applications outstanding
100 CT 3387/M The Ridge No objections
101 CT 3387/N The Ridge No objections
102 CT 5581/C Cobbler Cottage No objections
112 CT 3296/F The Pleydells No objections
128 CT 7493/E 8 Ampney Crucis Objection
129 CT 7493/F 8 Ampney Crucis Objection
130 CT 2908/T Crown of Crucis No objection
136 CT 2240/L The Vineyard
137 CT 1413/C Gardiners Cottage
138 CT 7258/D Hilcot House
139 CT 7258/E Hilcot House
8.3 Minor Amendment
122 CT 3296/F The Pleydells No objections
140 CT 3296/F The Pleydells No objections
8.4 Tree Works
132 Contr 747/3 The Old Rectory No objections
134 Contr 950 School House No objections
135 Contr 951 Bramleys No objections
9. Village Update
9.1 Possible Village Shop
Councillor Dear reported that a small working party had been set up and was amalgamating information, and discussing possible premises. Discussions had taken place with local supermarkets and the Rural Development Commission. It was agreed that the shop should be a meeting point for the village, but there was some concern whether a shop could be commercially viable.
9.2 Ampney Crucis Times
Councillor Huckle advised the Council that the next edition of the ACT was likely to be an A4 four page edition, and would include articles on planning, the Website, Neighbourhood Watch, the Millennium celebrations, the repairs to the War Memorial and footpaths.
It was agreed that some classified advertisements could be placed in the newsletter for a small charge to cover costs.
9.3 Telephone Directory
After some discussion, the Council accepted responsibility for ensuring that the parish Telephone Directory is kept updated, as necessary.
It was agreed that any income from the telephone directory would be used to finance the Ampney Crucis Times.
Resolution 19/00 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £35 of the Advertising budget be used to update and print the Telephone Directory.
9.4 Millennium Celebrations
Councillor Hebbs reported that the celebrations would take place on Saturday 8 July, and that a series of events would be held throughout the day. It is anticipated that events would begin at the Church, followed by a number of family events, culminating in a Barn Dance in the Clarke’s barn at Hilcot End.
The facilities at Ampney Park had proved to be unsuitable.
There would not be a fete this year, therefore the celebrations aimed to keep costs as low as possible, and raise money.
9.5 Street cleaning
It was reported that the roads in the village had been cleaned, but as vehicles using the road leading to the Church had damaged the verges, cleaning had not been completed in this area. The Clerk would contact the County Council to ask whether the side of the road could be clearly defined by a kerb. An offer had been received that the verges would be planted and maintained if the side of the road was clearly defined.
9.6 Clearance of verges
It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the County Council to ask who has the responsibility to clear the ditches adjacent to the highway.
10. Footpath matters
10.1 Church Path
The Clerk reported that a £500 grant had been received from the County Council towards the resurfacing of the Church path. The repairs would start in the summer.
10.2 Footpath map
A grant of £100 has also been received from the County Council towards the publication of a footpath map.
Resolution 20/00 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the necessary Ordnance Survey map is purchased, to a maximum of £50, to allow the new footpath map to be printed.
11. Correspondence received
11.1 Friends of the War Memorials
The Friends of the War Memorials state that the War memorial would not automatically be listed. The letter will be circulated.
11.2 Cotswold District Council Spring Clean
The Council agreed to take part this year, and encourage families to report to the Village Hall on Saturday 8 April to collect gloves and bags. Councillor Hebbs and Councillor Huckle will publicise this event.
The Clerk will order gloves and sacks.
11.3 Junior Citizenship
The Council agreed that it would not support this project financially.
11.4 Street naming and numbering review.
The Council agreed to take no action.
11.5 Rural Access forum
The Chairman would attend this meeting on 30 March, 2000.
11.6 Local transport plan
The Council agreed that they wished to inspect a copy of this plan.
11.7 P J Stoward
Professor Stoward had asked the Council if they would contact the Post Office to ask if one or more of the village post boxes could be made large enough to accept A4 envelopes. The Council agreed to follow up this suggestion.
11.8 Best Kept Village Competition.
The Council agreed not to take part this year.
12. Matters outstanding.
12.1 Basketball goals
The Clerk agreed to contact Cotswold District Council to investigate whether this would be possible in the village.
12.2 The Donkey Field
Councillor Gaden explained that the owner of the end house on the Donkey Field had asked whether the Council could be involved in reclaiming land on the edge of the Donkey Field. The Council agreed that this matter should be taken up by the landowner, and the land registry.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
Monday 8 May, in the Village Hall, immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting.
Helen Tonks
15 March, 2000.