AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 14 MARCH 2005, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors David Vessey, Gerald Gaden, Kim Hartshorne, Adrian Grazebrook, Peter Kelly and Barry Dent.
District Councillor Edward Horsfall
Presiding: Councillor David Vessey
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There were 3 members of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou
2. Declaration of Office for Barry Dent
Barry Dent signed his Declaration of Office and agreement to abide by the Code of Conduct, and was welcomed to the Council.
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January, 2005
Resolution 08/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January, 2005 be signed and adopted.
4. Matters arising from the minutes of 10 January, 2005
4.1 Request for plastic recycling sites
Further to the District Council’s request that plastic recycling sites are found in the village, The Clerk has spoken to CDC and suggested that the car park to the side of Durncourt Cottages may be suitable. The Cricket Club Trustees have explained that positioning the recycling bins on the cricket field entrance would not be acceptable.
CDC has confirmed that a site in Poulton may be available.
4.2 Notice board
The Clerk has spoken with Timpson’s on Cricklade Street, who claim that the plaque will cost no more than £85.00. The Parish Council will pay for the plaque, but a donation will be received to cover the costs. The donor has requested confidentiality.
Resolution 09/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the plaque for the notice board be ordered and paid for in anticipation of a donation to cover the costs.
It was agreed that a short ceremony be held at 7.15pm on Monday 9 May, 2005 to unveil, officially, the plaque. It was agreed that the Clerk and Chairman would check the minute books to ascertain who was involved with the Council at the time Mr Pile was Chairman, and invite them to be present.
4.3 Riding Lane
Chris Huck has said that he will clear the ditches as soon as he has time. The Clerk agreed to ask when this would be.
4.4 The Lannocks
The Clerk has received confirmation that Back Lane will be resurfaced using recycled materials during spring 2005. A limited area near The Lannocks will be improved with bitumous surfacing. This has come about because part of Back Lane was added to road records in March 2004 on the recommendation of GCC’s Commons and Rights of Way panel.
The Clerk agreed to let Mr Hamilton of The Lannocks know that some work will be done.
4.5 Lych Gate valuation
Following the £56,000 valuation for the Lych Gate, Councillors Kelly and Hartshorne had checked with personal contacts whether this would appear to be an appropriate valuation. However, professional indemnity and consideration prohibited other informal valuations being given. As the valuation will undoubtedly increase the insurance quote, it was agreed that a final attempt be made to get another valuation, without payment, before the May meeting when a decision must be made.
Councillor Hartshorne will talk to the Conservation Officer at CDC.
4.6 Gloucestershire Freight Partnership
The Clerk had contacted Gloucestershire Freight Partnership to explain what type of lorries use Butchers Arms Lane. The Partnership replied saying that advisory signage could help. A formal restriction would be difficult to set up and enforce as it would have to specifically exclude local access; through traffic would have to have a reasonable alternative route which has been clearly identified via signage and maps; and a limit is only enforceable via mechanisms such as Lorry Watch which require continuous local action.
It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the partnership, asking what type of advisory signage (e.g. ‘not suitable for heavy vehicles’) would be available, and what costs, if any, would be involved.
4.7 Talland Equitation.
The Clerk agreed to contact CDC to ask whether the travel plan for the new Talland site was available.
4.8 Transco site
The Chairman reported that Cotswold Fasteners has bought the Transco site. District Councillor Edward Horsfall also reported that the business will be run from the ‘shed’ and the bungalow used for offices. They currently employ 14 people and may expand, but have no plans to develop the site. The Tree Preservation Order on all the trees will now be enforced and therefore there will be a meeting with the Council Tree Officer on site to consider sensible pruning.
5. Resignation of Sally Hebbs
Sally Hebbs has moved out of the village and resigned from the Parish Council. The Council wished to record their thanks to Sally for her hard work.
6. Co-option of new Councillor
The appropriate notices have been on display in the village and an election has not been demanded. The Council were informed that they were therefore able to co-opt if they wish. Timothy Tremellen has indicated that he is still willing to be co-opted.
Resolution 10/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved to co-opt Timothy Tremellen onto the Parish Council.
Councillor Tremellen signed his Declaration of Office and agreement to abide by the Code of Conduct and was welcomed to the Council.
7. Reports from County/District councillors
District Councillor Edward Horsfall gave the following report:
8. Financial matters
8.1 Current financial position
Resolution 11/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the financial statements as provided by the Responsible Financial Officer were an accurate reflection of the Council’s financial position on 25 February 2005.
The Clerk reported that £8,500 had been received from the Countryside Agency and that this would show on the next set of accounts.
Resolution 12/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £150 is transferred from the treasurer’s account to the imprest account.
The Clerk also requested transferring £700 into the Treasurer’s account from the Business Call account to cover payments until mid May.
Resolution 13/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £700 is transferred from the business call account to the treasurer’s account.
8.2 Agreement of payments
An invoice for £204.50 had been received from Harold Stevens. Mr Stevens had agreed to construct the board, charging only for materials (see resolution 39/03 page 466).
The Clerk submitted expenses of £53.85.
Resolution 14/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above amounts, totalling £258.35, be paid.
Three Councillors attended a training course on the new planning structure at a cost of £15.00, costs of which were met from the imprest account.
Resolution 15/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council retrospectively resolved that £15.00 be spent on training for Councillors.
8.3 Appointment of Internal Auditor
Resolution 16/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Neil Holt be appointed the Council’s internal auditor for year ending 31 March, 2005.
8.4 Annual salary review for Clerk.
At the meeting on 20 September the new salary scales were discussed and the salary increase for 2004 agreed. At this meeting the recommended increase for April 2005 was explained to be 2.95%. This would mean an increase from £7.76 per hour to £7.99 per hour for 7½ hours a week. The increased salary would be effective from 1 April and paid from 1 May, 2005.
Resolution 17/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Clerk’s salary be increased in accordance with NALC recommendations to £7.99 per hour effective from 1 April, 2005.
9. Planning matters
9.1 Decisions
295 CT 1762/1/G A C of E School Consents
296 CT 1762/1/F A C of E school Disposed
Please note that ACPC ref 296 is CT 1762/1/F, rather than CT 1762/1/H
9.2 Outstanding applications
321 CT 1221/K Sheephouse Farm No objections
324 CT 8455 Wayside House No objections
325 CT 4170/F 1 The Lake No objections
327 CT 0111/D Ampney Knowle No objections
328 CT 8273 38 Ampney Crucis No objections
329 CT 8273/A 38 Ampney Crucis No objections
330 CT 0607/J Firs Farmhouse No objections
331 CT 3503/G Ampney Downs Farm No objections
332 CT 0111/F Ampney Knowle No objections
333 CT 0111/E Ampney Knowle No objections
334 CT 2130/F Stonelea No objections
335 CT 8399/A Crown field Objection.
There was some discussion on the application at Crown Field. It was agreed by Councillors that the proposed entrance was too close to the main road, and agreed to object on road safety grounds.
9.3 Minor amendments
None
9.4 Tree works
326 Contr 1782 Cumberland House No objections
9.5 Sunhill recycling – Planning application CT.2584/G
The Chairman circulated information about the proposal – the salient points are detailed below:
a) The Sunhill operation was set up in 1987 to produce growing compost for mushrooms. The market is in serious decline in the UK and there is a reducing need for this compost.
b) The raw materials require a special ‘in vessel’ heating system for the removal of unwanted pathogens. Sunhill has two such systems; one is adequate for their residual mushroom needs, the other could be adapted to treat mixed organic waste. There are very few (three has been mentioned) such facilities in the UK
c) Green waste is recyclable garden waste; mixed organic waste (MOW) is essentially green waste that has been through a kitchen and possibly contaminated.
d) The adaptations at Sunhill will allow the treatment of both types of waste. The proposed kerbside collection of green waste (which currently goes to Fosse Cross) will be supplemented in 2007 by the collection of MOW and everything will go to Sunhill. The proposal is for all the MOW produced in Gloucestershire to be treated at Sunhill eventually. The attraction of Sunhill is that it will enable GCC to meet Government targets for the recycling of waste without the heavy capital outlay of developing its own facilities.
e) The output is a type of compost that is suitable both as a fertiliser and as a soil conditioner and that is particularly suited to poor soils. It is suggested that all the output will be taken up by local farms but there is little evidence yet to support this. The proposal contained one letter only and that was from a farmer/contactor asking to be allowed to tender for the distribution contract. This letter emphasises the attraction to organic farming but, unfortunately, a letter from the Soil Association is not supportive of this because of possible GM contamination.
f) All deliveries of green waste and mixed organic waste will go along the A417 to the cross roads at Meysey Hampton. Some of this will be delivered by refuse lorries; some (e.g. MOW from Stroud) will be delivered in 40 tonne articulated lorries.
g) It has been conceded that there will be a significant increase in lorry volumes along the A417 as a result of this input. The impact of the output distribution is less clear.
h) The future is uncertain. If the requirement for mushroom compost continues to decline, there would seem to be nothing to limit the facility to handling just GCC waste. The Waste Local Plan requires GCC to deal with its own waste; there is nothing to suggest that other County Councils have the same conditions. The proposal comments on the good road links with the A419, the M4 and the M5.
i) 50% of the Sunhill operation would be able to handle the total estimated 27, 000 tonnes of waste (22,000 tonnes of which will be MOW). By 2010, it is expected that the GCC total for MOW will be 58,000 tonnes at a minimum. The current ‘in-vessel’ Sunhill facilities could presumably be switched to 100% MOW recycling if mushroom compost loses its appeal.
j) The planning consent for the original facility granted in 1987 placed no limit on production but the site operates under a Vehicle Operators Licence which apparently limits production of mushroom compost to 78,000 tonnes per annum (current production is around 40,000 tonnes and falling).
k) There is some concern that future mixed organic waste could include other kitchen waste such as meat scraps and dairy produce.
The decision has been taken by GCC to defer the proposal pending an independent Environmental Impact Assessment.
The Chairman explained that momentum is growing objecting to the proposal to allow the Sunhill site to accept organic and mixed organic waste. (MOW).
The Sunhill Action Group (SAG) has been formed and has the aim ‘to protect the health and safety of people living and working in communities close to the Sunhill kitchen waste site and from the associated impact of HGV traffic.
The Parish Council had three possible reasons to object: traffic, pollution and waste collection principles. The application indicates that pollution should not be a problem as the composting would be enclosed at all times.
The Council had a number of options that they could follow:
a) Join SAG
b) Attend a meeting at Shire Hall on 5 April
c) Comment on information as the Parish Council are informed.
It was agreed that as residents in the village would wish this application to be opposed, then the Council should reflect these wishes. Councillor Dent agreed, if available, to attend the meeting. Councillors Dent and Vessey will draft a letter explaining the Council’s concerns. If the Council cannot be represented, then the concerns will be forwarded to District Councillor David Fowles who is co-ordinating the campaign.
Resolution 18/05 – The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Chairman and Councillor Dent would draft a letter to be sent to Gloucestershire County Council laying out the Council’s concerns relating to planning application CT.2584/G.
9.6 Circulation of planning applications
The Chairman explained that few responses are made on planning applications that are placed in the Lych Gate. It was agreed that Councillors Vessey or Kelly would comment on all planning applications, advise all Councillors on all applications and suggest when all Councillors should look at any individual application. All planning applications where a refusal is recommended will be placed in the Lych Gate.
9.7 Planning Procedures in the Cotswolds.
The Chairman reported that he and Councillors Kelly and Dent attended a meeting at Cotswold District Council to discuss the new planning procedures that will operate within the District from 2009. Notes from this meeting are attached at page 550.
10. Burial Ground matters
10.1 Inspection of gravestones
Dike and Son have completed the work in the Burial Ground.
10.2 Removal of spoil from Burial Ground
The Clerk has spoken to Andy Slade. Apparently the area has been seeded but as it failed to grow, he will clear the area of weeds and reseed in the spring.
10.3 Burial ground Clear up
The Burial ground clear up will take place on Saturday 7 May as part of a general village ‘tidy-up’.
10.4 Notices for Burial ground
The Clerk has arranged that a ‘green’ wheelie bin will be placed in the Burial Ground. Councillor Vessey circulated a draft notice advising visitors where to dispose of their rubbish. The Clerk will copy and laminate these.
10.5 Assessment of Burial fees
Resolution 19/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the burial fees be increased as shown on page 551 of the minutes.
11. Village Update
11.1 Straying dogs
The Council has received complaints that a dog that is roaming the village on occasion. It is escaping, apparently, through gaps in the fence in the school playing field. CDC explain that any dog without a lead and not under control can be technically classed as a stray.
The Clerk will write to the school asking that they arrange for GCC to mend the fence, and an article will appear in The Ampney Times informing residents what they should do if they see a stray.
11.2 Parking near the school
The Council have received reports that cars collecting and taking children to school are parking on the island at the top of School Lane, restricting access in areas. Lorries have been forced to drive over the grass verges to get past. The Clerk agreed to write to the school, asking if they can place an article in the newsletter requesting that parents do not restrict access on the road.
12. Playground
A retrospective resolution is required to show the Parish Council’s decision in January (p540 of the minutes) to change exactly what the Parish Council is paying for with regard to the playground.
Resolution 20/05 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that:
The draft licence is not yet available.
The Working Party met for the final time, and checked that all documentation relating to the playground is available and filed. The minutes are attached to these minutes on page 552.
The Clerk and Chairman will check that all papers relating to the finance of the Playground are fully complete before the May meeting.
It was noted that when £19,000 of invoices have been received, a further £4,000 can be claimed from the Regional Government Office for the South West. It was agreed that further payments can be made in relation to the construction of the playground without reference to the full Council under the terms of resolution 22/04
Councillor Hartshorne explained that there had been a meeting with users of the Playground and they requested that the opening hours be changed to extend the summer opening into September, and to allow the playground to remain open until 8pm. The final change is to extend the winter closing time from 4pm to 5pm. This was specifically requested by the older boys, as their bus does not drop them off from school until after 4pm, so they would miss out altogether in the winter school term. In February particularly, it is light enough to play outdoors until 5pm.
The Council agreed that the hours should be as follows:
Winter Hours (1st October – 28th February) 9am – 5pm
Summer Hours (1st March – 30th September) 9am – 8pm
The draft licence, when available, would be amended.
Signs for the playground will be ordered. These must include details of the nearest telephone box, and who the playground is operated by, but will also include opening hours and the Council’s legal liabilities. Councillor Grazebrook agreed to draft the legal liabilities.
An update report is required for both CDC and the Countryside Agency. Councillor Hartshorne agreed to send these reports. The 50% advance payment is also due to Richard Minnett; Councillor Hartshorne advised the Council that she was in communication with the contractor and would authorise payment when the materials were in stock as agreed
Work has now started on site and it is anticipated that the playground should be completed by mid April. RoSPA will carry out the inspection as soon as the playground is completed.
An official opening ceremony, organised by the Playground Committee, will be held in May.
The next fundraising ball will be held on 18 June, 2005.
13. Correspondence received
The following items of correspondence were noted:
Childline made an appeal for funding – the Council agreed that they could not help.
The Council agreed not to enter the Bledisloe Best Kept Village Cup
14. Matters outstanding
It was confirmed that Wildmoor have made arrangements for the gate along Back Lane to be moved to lie parallel to the path.
15. Date, time and place of next meeting
Monday 9 May, in the Village Hall, immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30pm.
The meeting closed at 9.40pm.