Draft AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 13 MARCH 2006 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors David Vessey, Gerald Gaden, Adrian Grazebrook, Roger Hayes and Peter Kelly.
District Councillor Edward Horsfall
Presiding: Councillor David Vessey
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There was 1 member of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
Councillor Tim Tremellen
2. Co-option of new Councillor
Following his co-option at the last meeting, Roger Hayes signed the Acceptance of Office and Acceptance of the Code of Conduct. He also submitted his Register of Interests.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 9 January 2006
The minutes were amended on p612 showing the correct date of the meeting.
Resolution 09/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended on Page 612, of the Parish Council meeting held on 9 January 2006 be signed and adopted.
4. Matters arising from the meeting on 9 January 2006.
4.1 Riding Lane
It was noted that Mr Crisp had carried out a lot of work on clearing and pruning tees overhanging the road. No further action.
4.2 Equestrian vehicles travelling through village
The owners of the Talland Riding School are keen to deter equestrian vehicles from using the Village Roads. It was agreed that no further action would be taken, and the Council would see if any problems arose.
4.3 Bus stop
The timetable is now on display.
4.4. Speed gun
It was agreed that the Council would try to book the speed gun for use in May.
4.5 Dead tree outside Durncourt Cottages
The dead tree has now been removed.
4.6 Standing water outside Tamarind.
The Clerk has spoken to Richard Tombs, GCC, who explained that the County Council were aware of the problem. There are two options available: to either reshape the carriageway or their preferred option, to provide a link to the drainage system. The Clerk will write to GCC requesting that this work goes ahead as soon as possible.
4.7 Snow plough operator
The Parish Council’s snow plough operator (David Hardy) is now accredited, so he can plough the streets if necessary. Councillor Gaden has agreed to act as snow warden. The Clerk will contact GCC and David Hardy.
4.8 Better regulation executive
Councillor Vessey has written to the Better Regulation Executive with comments about the annual audit and why Parish Councils cannot comment on Vehicle Operator Licence applications.
4.9 Fly tipping
The fly tipping been moved from Riding Lane and Ash Steeple Hill. There is further fly tipping on Gassons Lane (road number 40949). The Clerk will contact CDC.
4.10 Village Directory
Elisabeth Gerver is applying for a grant for the Directory. Any grant given will be paid to the Parish Council, as the District Council cannot pay the cheque to an individual. The Parish Council will then subsequently arrange for the production bill to be settled.
5. Reports from County/District councillors
District Councillor Horsfall gave the following report:
· CDC would not charge a Parish Council for legal fees. The Council agreed that the Chairman would contact County Councillor Dunrossil to ask why the County Council charged legal fees (£1000) for the playground lease.
· He has supported the grant application by the Village Hall Committee for replacement windows.
· Council Tax will rise by an estimated 3.6%/3.7%. CDC is increasing theirs by 2.5%, GCC by 3.5%, and the Police by slightly more.
· He is aware of the problems at the Berry’s yard site and will resist any expansion of planning permission on the site.
6. Questions from the public
None.
7. Financial matters
7.1 Current financial position
Resolution 10/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved to transfer £300 from the current account to the imprest account.
The gates in the playground are now in place, the sign has been delivered, the invoices are ready for payment, CDC and the Regional Development Agency have all details to pay the final grants before 31 March 2006, and the VAT reclaim has been sent to HM Customs and Excise.
The Chairman explained that in order to pay the two invoices from Landmark Paddock Services and Ringway Signs Ltd, £1000 would need transferring from the current account to the playground account on a temporary basis.
The Chairman also explained that the VAT reclaim for the post-installation inspection to the playground and the legal fees had been received. The inspection was paid from the current account, and the VAT reclaim was repaid back into that account. The legal fees (including £175.00 VAT) however were paid from the playground account, but the VAT reclaim credited to the current account.
It was agreed that £1175 be transferred from the current account to the playground account. £1000 of this will be repaid to the current account once the grant monies and VAT reclaim for the playground have been received.
Resolution 11/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved to transfer £1175 from the current account to the playground account.
Resolution 12/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved to transfer £1000 from the playground account to the current account once the Council has received payment of all grant monies and the last VAT reclaim for the playground.
The Chairman then explained that once all grant monies have been received, the Parish Council will need to transfer unused funds to the playground committee. The Chairman circulated a summary of all income and expenditure on the playground, which showed that, on the assumption that the final grant claims were approved, £780.62 would remain in the playground account after all transactions have taken place. It was suggested that the Council retain £540 of this money - £40 to cover the costs of the sign poles supplied by Ringway, and £500 as the amount saved on the signs and gate, and to make up the extra that was paid in legal fees. It was agreed therefore that subject to all monies being received, the Parish Council suggest to the playground committee that the Parish Council pay a cheque to the Playground Committee for any outstanding balance on the Playground Account once £1,540 had been transferred to the current account.
Resolution 13/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved to authorise the Chairman and Clerk to issue a cheque for the outstanding balance on the Playground Account to the playground committee once all monies from the VAT reclaim and grants from the South West Regional Development Agency and Cotswold District Council have been received.
7.2 Agreement of payments
Clerk’s expenses: £ 45.41
Landmark Paddock Services: £1128.01
Ringway Signs Ltd: £ 98.06
Resolution 13/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the amounts detailed above, totalling £1271.48, be paid.
7.3 Assets register
The bench at the Donkey Field has been replaced and needs one more slat fixing to it. The Clerk will write to Mr Keen to thank him once the work is complete.
Resolution 14/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the assets register, as attached to the minutes on page 617, be adopted.
7.4 Annual review of Clerk’s salary
The NALC recommended salary for scale 17 (the Clerk’s current level) has risen from £7.99 to £8.22, with effect from 1 April.
Resolution 15/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Clerk’s salary be increased to £8.225 per hour, with effect from 1 April 2006.
7.5 Appointment of the Council’s internal auditor.
Resolution 16/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Neil Holt be appointed the Council’s Internal Auditor.
8. Planning matters
8.1 Decisions
357 CT 5662/J Lavender Cottage Consents
358 CT 5662/H Lavender Cottage Permits
364 CT 5285/G The Old Farm Permits
365 CT 4484/G Farthing Cottage Permits
Appeal dismissed for Sunhill, mainly on the grounds of odour, dust and highway safety.
8.2 Outstanding applications
327 CT 0111/D Ampney Knowle No objections
332 CT 0111/F Ampney Knowle No objections
333 CT 0111/E Ampney Knowle No objections
354 05/0071/CWFUL/CAPS Sunhill Objection
367 CT 5580/P The Coach House No objections
368 CT 8455/E Wayside No objections
369 CT 7246/E Chantry No objections
ACPC 354 has been deferred, although official notification has not yet been received.
8.3 Amendments
None
8.4 Tree works
None
8.5 Sunhill
The applicants for the Sunhill development are seeking legal opinion on the Inspector’s report.
8.6 Berry’s yard
The current situation remains that although Calves Hill now have a vehicle operator's licence for the site they do not (in CDC's view) have planning permission to operate on the site. Michael Grace CDC has been in discussion with Wildmoor Construction (owners of the site) for some time, attempting to regularise the position regarding uses and planning permissions. As far as CDC is concerned, if Calves Hill and Project 18 Interiors wish to continue to operate on the site, they will need to make applications for planning permission. Mr Evans, of Wildmoor, is aware of this. He is currently out of the country, but CDC have asked him to contact them by mid March to clarify his intentions.
The meeting was then informed that Mr Evans no longer owns Wildmoor, but continues to own the land, thus leasing it to Wildmoor, Project 18 Interiors and Calves Hill.
There is a history of planning applications for residential development at this site, but these have been refused. The current and proposed District local plan provides the framework for continued refusal for residential accommodation at this site.
District Councillor Horsfall agreed to contact the enforcement officers to ask who, given the information about the ownership of Wildmoor, the District Council should be contacting for planning enforcement procedures. Councillor Horsfall will press for enforcement procedures to be carried out quickly.
9. Burial matters
The invoice from Andy Slade for the regrassing of the southern bank was outstanding.
10. Village Update
10.1 Bench at Donkey Field
See paragraph 7.3
10.2 Village hall windows.
The Village Hall Management Committee have submitted an application to CDC asking for funding towards replacement of the windows in the Village Hall. CDC wish to know if the Parish Council support the application.
Resolution 17/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Clerk contact the Grants Coordinator at CDC to support the grant application for funding for replacement windows in the Village Hall.
10.3 Clear up day.
The Clear up day on 4 March was very well supported. Thanks to all who were involved.
10.4 Cirencester/Latton bypass
The Clerk reported that the MP for the area, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, and local District Councillors were working with two local parish councils to try and promote a national campaign for all those affected by the decision not to resurface the Cirencester/Latton bypass. The Clerk explained that in the future, support would be needed for the campaign.
11. Playground
11.1 Grants
See paragraph 7.1
11.2 Signage and gate
See paragraph 7.1
12. Representation on Village Hall Committee
Councillor Tremellen has agreed to become the Council’s representative on the Village hall committee.
13. Correspondence received
13.1 Cotswold Leisure Centre are giving away the tables and chairs from the old, soon to be demolished, bistro.
The Clerk will notify Ann Bridges.
13.2 Invitation to enter the best kept village competition.
It was agreed not to enter.
13.3 Extended consultation period for Gloucestershire Walking Strategy; Highway Maintenance Area Parish Council Meetings; GCC: Planning the future of Gloucestershire’s waste: meeting on 22nd March 2006, 9.30 – 5pm; and Modifications to the Revised Local Plan.
Noted.
13.4 Royal International Air Tattoo – briefing meeting 11 May 2006. 6.30 – 9.30pm.
Councillor Kelly to attend.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting.
Monday 8 May, immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
The meeting finished at 8.30pm.