AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 10 MARCH, 2003 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors Peter Kelly, Gerald Gaden, David Vessey, Adrian Grazebrook, Sally Hebbs and John Dear.
County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou
District Councillor Bruce Evans
Presiding: Councillor Peter Kelly
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There were 3 members of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
None.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 13 January, 2003
Paragraph 6.2, line 6 was amended to March 2003.
Resolution 8/03 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 13 January, 2003 be signed and adopted.
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 14 February, 2003
Resolution 9/03 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 February, 2003 be signed and adopted.
4. Matters arising from the meeting held on 13 January, 2003
4.1 Hunts Hill
County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou reported that funding for repairs on minor roads had been reduced by 50%, although there had been a small increase for trunk roads.
4.2 Extension of the Ampney Crucis Times to Ampney St Mary and Ampney St Peter
Both these parishes were discussing the possibility of having the Ampney Crucis Times delivered to homes in these villages. Should this happen, the Parish Council agreed that the name of the newsletter would become known as The Ampney Times. There would be no further cost to Ampney Crucis Parish Council.
5. Matters arising from the meeting held on 14 February, 2003
See paragraph 9.5
6. Reports from County/District Councillors
County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou gave the following report:
q The budget for 2003/04 has now been produced
q Overflowing sewage has become a severe problem in surrounding parishes. Councillor Theodoulou has been in contact with the MP and with the water authorities in an attempt to solve the problem. (Councillor Evans explained that Thames Water were fully aware of the problems at Ampney St Peter sewage station and have carried out a survey, the results of which would be available in 6 8 weeks time. Any work required will be subject to prioritisation. )
q He has received an invitation to comment to a County Council Commons and Right of Way panel in the near future to discuss the application for a modification order for Back Lane. He asked whether the Parish Council were in favour of this application. The Chairman confirmed that the Council would support this application.
District Councillor Bruce Evans gave the following report:
q The Council Tax has now been confirmed and is averaged at an increase of 16.1% on 2002/03. GCC are increasing their proportion by 13.1%, Gloucestershire Police Authority by 51.1%, CDC by 9% and the parishes and town councils, on average by 6%.
q A meeting, open to the public, will be held on 15 April to discuss the responses to the Local Plan, before it is sent to an enquiry.
q CDC has been awarded a grant for meeting planning targets. This money must be spent on planning improvements.
q Supplementary planning policies for open spaces and cycle routes are now available.
q The local authority social housing grant has been removed and replaced. The houses at School Lane will be started within 2 months.
q Councillor Evans explained that this would be the last meeting attended by him as District Councillor. The Chairman thanked him for the work undertaken for the parish and the Parish Council.
Councillor Hebbs asked whether there could be action taken to reduce the amount of uncontrolled parking at the top of School Lane. It was suggested that when the new houses on School Lane were eventually completed there should be discussions about how parking would fit in with the area.
7. Questions from the Public
None
8. Financial matters
8.1 Current financial position
Resolution 10/03 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the financial statements as provided by the Responsible Financial Officer were an accurate reflection of the Councils financial position on 3 March, 2003.
Resolution 11/03 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £500 is transferred from the current account to the imprest account
8.2 Agreement of payments
Resolution 12/03 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above amounts, totalling £39.31, be paid.
8.3 Correspondence on the External audit.
Further to the letter sent to Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP, NALC, GAPTC, CDC, (see minutes p 429) replies have now been received.
In summary, the response were as follows:
A formal internal audit has been in place since 1984. The previous external audit was subsidised by the suppliers, and Parish Councils are now expected to pay market rates for the work undertaken.
CDC
Sympathise with the predicament of increased bureaucracy and have lobbied accordingly, with no obvious effect.
GAPTC
They say that this Council is just one of many who have found that the cost of the audit has increased. However they have no suggestion that anything can be done.
MP
He has received a reply from Christopher Leslie, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the ODPM. Mr Leslie explained that the chantges are aimed at reducing the amount of work that auditors need to carry out and thus reduce the audit costs for most Counculs. He forecasts that total external fees for local Councils will be approximately half of 2001/02 fees. Financially inactive Councils will not have to pay a fee, whilst over 50% of the balance will pay the lowest fee of £50.
As none of the replies gave any indication that audit fees may fall in the future, it was agreed that copies of the correspondence between Mr Leslie and the Parish Council be sent to the national press in an attempt to highlight the situation. Letters will be sent to GAPTC and NALC asking for further clarification and if they intend to pursue a lighter touch audit which will be cheaper than before.
9. Planning matters
9.1 Decisions
229 CT 2865/1/D Threeways Permits
The stone wall at Threeways will be rebuilt on the completion of works.
9.2 Outstanding applications
190 CT 4170/D 1 Lake Cottages No objection
230 CT 3296/F The Pleydells No objection
236 CT 0607/E Firs Farmhouse No objection
244 CT 2165/P Birch Farm No comment
245 CT 2865/1/E April Cottage No objection
It was agreed that CT 2165/P not be commented on at this stage, and that comment should be reserved until a specific planning application for a building is made.
9.3 Minor amendments
None
9.4 Tree works
240 Contr/1361 The Old Mortar Mill No objection
9.5 CDC Local plan
Further to the meeting held on 14 February, a response reflecting the views of the Council was sent to Cotswold District Council (see paragraph 6 for date of CDC meeting.)
10. Burial Ground matters
10.1 Grass cutting contract
Tony Williams has provided proof of his public liability insurance. Therefore the contract has been formally offered and accepted.
10.2 Sunken grave.
Councillor Gaden reported that the edging round a grave in the Burial Ground had sunk. This will be filled in at the Spring Clean.
11. Village Update
11.1 Playground
It was reported that legal fees would be in the region of £700 from GCC and probably the same for the Parish Council, totalling an estimated £1,400. GCC have explained that a 10 year licence is probably possible and they also propose opening times of 10am 8pm. The Parish Council agreed that there would be no contribution towards the initial purchase of equipment.
There are still uncertainties about how much the Parish Council would be expected to set aside each year for maintenance of the playground. The Clerk will talk to the Gloucestershire Playing Fields association about this to try and suggest a figure that can be placed before residents of the Parish. The Clerk will also talk to the Health and safety Executive to check whether they have any guidance about responsibilities and maintenance of the playground.
The Clerk will also contact CDC to ask how the Council Tax for a Band D house would be affected by and increase of precept.
These figures will be available at the Annual Parish Meeting in May. The Playground Committee will be invited to put up an exhibition identifying the proposals. The proposed playground will be placed on the agenda for both the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Parish Council meeting in May.
11.2 Notice Board
The Chairman will talk to Frank Perkins once more and ask whether he is going to make new notice board. If not, the Harold Stevens will be asked to make one.
11.3 Double white lines on A417
The Clerk has explained that the new road makings will be painted once the roads are clear of salt. The markings will be painted as recommended by the Police.
11.4 Road safety on Village Street
A draft letter for all those contacted about traffic calming on the Village Street was circulated. It was agreed that this letter be sent to the original people contacted.
A recent traffic speed survey found that most drivers kept to the designated speed limit in both the Village Street and on London Road. It was suggested that temporary signs, similar to those in Poulton be placed at this site.
11.5 Ampney St Peter sewage station
It was agreed that the Chairman would be a co-signatory on a letter to Thames Water from surrounding parishes, asking that the Ampney St Peter sewage station be upgraded.
11.6 Spring Clean Up
The Ampney Crucis Spring Clean will take place on Saturday 12 April, 2003. Easter eggs will be placed around the village for people to find, to encourage residents to attend.
12. Footpath matters
12.1 Modification order for Back Lane
An application for a modification order has been submitted for Back Lane. The Council had no further comments.
12.2 Footpaths on Crucis Park Farm
The paths on Crucis Park Farm have not yet been marked out. A further letter will be sent to Mrs Schroeder.
Paths on the Huck estate have also not been clearly marked. A letter will be sent to Mr F Huck.
13. Correspondence received
13.1 Broadband connection in Ampney Crucis
It had been asked that the Parish Council promote the demand for Broadband connection in the village. An article has already appeared in the Ampney Crucis Times.
13.2 Referendum to establish a regional assembly.
No comments
13.3 Cycle Strategy draft supplementary planning guidance
No comments
13.4 Open Spaces draft supplementary planning guidance
No comments
13.5 Parish Council election nomination forms.
All Councillors have now received a nomination pack should they wish to stand for election to the Parish Council again. All Councillors present at the meeting explained that they would be standing again.
13.6 Village Hall Management Committee
The Committee sent a letter complementing the editors of the Ampney Crucis Times for the excellent newsletter produced, and hoping that the Parish Council would continue to contribute towards the costs.
14. Matters outstanding
The Clerk had been told that there were concerns about children skateboarding outside the bungalows on The Pleydells causing unwanted noise. It was felt that the Council could not ask children to stop playing on skateboards, but agreed that an article be placed in the newsletter asking children to show some consideration in respect of noise and times, and to alert them about safety.
15. Date, time and place of next meeting
Monday 12 May, immediately after the Annual Parish Meeting which will start at 7.30pm.
Signed: . Date: