AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 8 MARCH 2004, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors Peter Kelly, Gerald Gaden, Kin Hartshorne, Adrian Grazebrook, Sally Hebbs and John Dear.
County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou
Presiding: Councillor Peter Kelly
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There were 6 members of the public present.
The Chairman reported that Richard Pile, Chairman of the Parish Council for many years, died earlier this year. Councillor Grazebrook attended the funeral on behalf of the Parish Council. One minute’s silence was held.
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12 January, 2004
Resolution 06/04 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2004, with the inclusion of paragraphs 9.5 – 9.8, be signed and adopted.
3. Matters arising from the Parish Council meeting held on 12 January, 2004
3.1 BAC 22
The Chairman reported that there is confusion about the future vehicular rights of way over BAC 22. This confusion has arisen from the 1949 Act, which did not specify whether vehicles could use Roads used as Public Paths (RUPPS). The 2000 Act, although supposedly clarifying the situation has not done so. The County Council, following a review in November 2003 are in discussion with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to have the Act revised to make it useable.
There are over 400 RUPPS in the County, most of which will have a query over access. The Chairman recommended that there was little action that could be taken by anyone at this stage, until the final position is resolved. At that time, individuals concerned will have to take legal advice if their access is prohibited.
GCC has stated that it does not own the path. The path appears to be owned by the individuals who live on either side of it, however this has not been confirmed.
3.2 Building works, School Lane
The Chairman reported that he had had confirmation from Julia Godwin, Jephson Housing, that the setts at the top of School Lane will be made good at the completion of works. However, as there are more problems a meeting had been arranged with the Chairman and Ms Godwin to walk round the village looking at the individual problems.
4. Reports from County and District Councillors
County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou gave the following report:
· There will be a council tax rise of 5.8% from the County Council
· The police proportion of the Council tax will rise by 9.5%
· There has been a lot of discussion about the proposed closure of secondary schools and sixth forms. The next phase will look at primary schools.
· The cabinet system has been approved by the Council, and is waiting for final approval from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
· District Councils are to start charging 90% Council Tax on second homes. This will raise an extra £1 million income for the County; 50% of this funding will come from the Cotswolds. CDC have agreed that £270,000 will be returned to the Cotswolds in the form of youth work and elderly people services
· District Councillors are campaigning to change the status of the A417 to a ‘B’ road.
5. Questions from the Public
Concerns were raised about access along BAC 22. However the Council repeated that at present access is not denied, and that action cannot be taken at this point, because no one knows how the situation will be resolved. This is a national problem, with many thousands of RUPPS in question.
The Council agreed that no action would be taken until they know what the proposition will be.
6. Financial matters
6.1 Current financial position
Resolution 07/04 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the financial statements as provided by the Responsible Financial were an accurate reflection of the Council’s financial position on 27 February, 2004
6.2 Agreement of payments
Clerk’s expenses for 4 September 2003 – 8 March, 2004 - £72.00
Resolution 08/04 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above amounts, totalling £72.00, be paid
6.3 Appointment of the internal auditor.
Resolution 09/04 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Neil Holt be appointed the Council’s internal auditor for year ending 31 March, 2004.
7. Planning matters
7.1 Decisions
281 CT 2163/Q Fitzhamon House Permits
292 Contr 1608 Convamore No objection
7.2 Outstanding applications
264 CT 3914/B Ampneyfield Farm No objections
275 3805/PATS Crucis Park Farm Objection
287 CT 5121/E 17 Park Corner No objection
288 CT 8382/A The Paddock No objection
289 CT 8382 The Paddock No objection
291 CT 0607/H Firs Farmhouse No objection
293 CT 7739/J Ampney Fields No objection
294 CT 7739/K Ampney fields No objection
295 CT 1762/1/G A C C of E School No objection
296 CT 1762/1/H A C C of E school No objection
297 CT 8399 Crown Field No objection
7.3 Amendments
273 CT 3914/B Ampneyfield Farm Objection
7.4 Tree works
290 Contr 1606 A C Burial Ground No objection
7.5 Procedure for dealing with planning applications
The new planning system has now been used for 2 months. Not all Councillors are happy with the system or feel that it is running efficiently. It was agreed that the scheme continues for a further two months and its suitability will be discussed at the next meeting. It was agreed that planning applications would be moved quickly between Councillors.
7.6 Local plan Inquiry
The Chairman and Councillor Vessey are to attend the Local plan Inquiry. Copies of the documents that will be discussed were circulated to all Councillors. The main argument surrounds some ambiguity in Policy 21, which identifies possible developments in the countryside and settlements as defined in the development plan.
The Chairman and Councillor Vessey will argue to keep the status quo, and stop ‘creeping development’ through the village.
During preparations for the inquiry, it was discovered that the Ampney Crucis Association had submitted an amendment to Policy 21for an omission site. It was agreed that this amendment be circulated to all Councillors with the minutes, the case for the site was an amended version of the plans submitted in November 2001, and subsequently withdrawn. It was agreed that the Chairman and Councillor Vessey would explain the Councils view that there was no case for an omission site.
8. Burial Ground matters
8.1 Removal of spoil from the burial ground
Following the last meeting, the Clerk and Councillors Vessey and Gaden met Andy Slade at the Burial Ground where he outlined his plans for the bank of earth at the bottom of the Burial Ground. The Councillors were happy for this work to be done.
An application has been made to CDC for permission to fell the four trees that are in the site of the new burial area.
Resolution 10/04 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Andy Slade be asked to prepare the raised ground at the end of the Burial Ground to release 23 new grave spaces, at a cost not to exceed £400.
9. Village Update
9.1 Notice board
The chairman and Harold Stevens will meet at the Village Hall to discuss the new board. The Clerk would try to identify grants for the work.
9.2 Repainting of white lines
This has now been completed.
9.3 Drainage on Riding Lane
Norman Simpson (Ampney St Peter) has been liasing with GCC on this on behalf of all 3 parishes involved. Remedial works have now started.
9.4 Parish Partnerships
All Councillors to identify where potholes have developed over the winter, and notify the Clerk.
9.5 CDC Spring Clean.
The Spring Clean will be held on Saturday 24 April. Details will be announced in The Ampney Times.
9.6 Alleged nuisance from bonfires
A complaint had been received that plastics had been burned on a bonfire near the Malthouse. The Clerk explained that this complaint was followed up by a visit to The Malthouse from CDC’s environment team who believed that the problem had come from Ash House. The Council was advised that the problem should have been resolved, however, any member of the public should contact Mr Symcox, at CDC (01285) 623413 if a similar problem arises again.
9.7 Removal of bin outside Kate’s Cottage.
The Clerk reported that CDC had removed the concrete bin outside Kate’s Cottage as it could not be emptied and rubbish was constantly blowing out of the bin. Councillors will monitor whether a replacement bin is required in this location.
9.8 Dog Fouling
A letter had been received about dog fouling in the village. An article will be placed in The Ampney Times.
10. Playground in the village
11. Correspondence received.
11.1 Gloucestershire medal of Courage.
A further copy of the poster will be requested for the village hall.
11.2 Management of memorials Inspection workshops
Noted.
It was agreed that Dyke and Son be instructed to carry out a survey of the Burial Ground, and to make good any dangerous gravestones.
Resolution 11/04 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved Dyke and son be instructed to inspect and make good any dangerous gravestones, to a maximum of £100.
11.3 Best Value review of County Council’s planning service
Noted
11.4 Code of conduct register of interests
A letter had been received advising Councillors that they should amend their register of interests if they have membership of the Freemason Grand Charity or a political party council association. Councillors will contact CDC’s monitoring officer directly if they wish to change these details.
11.5 Local investigation and determination of misconduct allegations consultation document
Noted.
12. Matters Outstanding
It was reported that footpaths in the village had not yet been marked out. The Clerk agreed to contact all landowners, asking them to mark out the footpaths clearly.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting.
Monday 10 May, immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30pm.
The meeting closed at 9.10pm.