AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL

Draft AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 8 MAY, 2006 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.

Present: Councillors David Vessey, Gerald Gaden, Roger Hayes, Barry Dent, Peter Kelly and Tim Tremellen.

District Councillor Edward Horsfall

Presiding: Councillor David Vessey

Clerk: Mrs H Tonks

The meeting commenced at 7.40pm. There were 3 members of the public present.

1. Apologies for absence

Councillor Adrian Grazebrook and County Councillor Lady Mavis Dunrossil.

2. First business of the Annual Meeting

2.1 Election of Chairman and receive Chairman’s Declaration of Office

The retiring Chairman took the Chair and called for nominations for the post of Chairman. Councillor Kelly proposed, Councillor Gaden seconded and the Council agreed that Councillor Vessey be elected Chairman. Councillor Vessey signed his Declaration of Office.

2.2 Election of Vice Chairman

Councillor Vessey proposed, Councillor Hayes seconded and the Council agreed that Councillor Dent be elected Vice Chairman.

2.3 Declarations of Office and model Code of Conduct

All councillors signed a declaration that their circumstances had not changed since they last signed the declaration.

2.4 Consideration of any annual subscriptions

Resolution 18/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved to renew the Council’s annual subscription (£97.57) to the Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils

£2.43 remains unspent from this budget, it was agreed that this be transferred to the insurance budget.

Following some discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would not renew their membership of the Gloucestershire Playing Field Association. (GPFA). Should the Playground Committee wish to join then they should do so independently of the Parish Council. The Chairman will notify Kim Hartshorne.

3. Minutes of the meeting held on 13 March, 2006

Resolution 19/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 13 March, 2006 be signed and adopted.

The Minute Book is at present with the internal auditor. It will be signed as soon as it is available.

4. Matters arising from the Annual Meeting

None

5. Financial matters

5.1 Formal adoption of the accounts for the year ending 31 March, 2006

Resolution 20/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the financial statements prepared by the Responsible Financial Officer should be adopted by the Council as an accurate reflection of the Council’s financial position on 31 March, 2006.

5.2 Current financial position

Resolution 21/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £150 be transferred to the imprest account.

In January 2006 (page 609 of the minutes) the Council agreed that Tony Williams would carry out an extra cut of the grass, but did not agree where the money would come from. The Clerk has paid the latest invoice and allocated the money from the Burial ground maintenance reserve.

Resolution 22/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council retrospectively resolved that £73.33 be transferred from the Burial Ground maintenance reserve to cover the cost of the extra grass cut as authorised in January 2006

From 1 April 2006 Tony Williams will be VAT registered. This does not directly affect the Council as VAT is reclaimed at the end of each year.

5.3 Agreement of payments

Cornhill Allianz Insurance: £908.44. This increase comes from the increased Lych Gate valuation, change to benches, and general increases in values. Allianz Cornhill informed the Clerk that the playground and safety surfacing accounts for £273.33 of this amount.

This means that the general insurance budget would therefore be overspent by £2.68. It was agreed that this overspend be taken from the reserves. The playground insurance budget is underspent by £26.70.

Resolution 23/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above amounts, totalling £908.44, be paid.

Resolution 24/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £2.68 from the general contingencies reserve be used towards this invoice.

It was agreed that 50% of the postage and packaging costs for the external distribution of the newsletter would be paid by the Parish Council. Costs involved were unlikely to be more that £30.00.

Resolution 25/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that 50% of the costs of distributing the newsletter would come from the Ampney Times budget

5.4 Allocation of reserves

It was agreed that the excess amount left in the Ampney Times budget on 31 March 2006 be carried forward into the current financial year, and placed in the reserves.

£400, as part of the amount outstanding on 31 March 2006, would be placed in the playground sinking fund.

The balance would be placed in the general contingencies fund.

Resolution 26/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the reserves as shown on p624 of the minutes be adopted.

5.5 Assets register

The Assets Register requires amendment to show increased insurance values.

Resolution 27/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the assets register as shown on p625 of the minutes be adopted.

It was agreed that an allowance would be made in the precept for 2008/09 to allow for a full valuation of all Council property.

5.6 Risk Assessment

The risk assessment has been amended to take into account increased insurance values.

The playground gates and fencing would be included in the Risk Assessment. The fencing and gates would not be insured as insurance is available for impact only, not all risks. Impact only covers only accidental impact, and it was agreed that this was extremely unlikely, however a risk remains, and therefore it should be covered in the risk assessment.

Resolution 28/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the risk assessment as shown on p 626 -632 of the minutes be adopted.

5.7 Audit for the year ending 31 March, 2006

All papers and cheque books are currently with the Neil Holt, the internal auditor.

Two sections of the Annual Return require authorisation and signature:

Section 1 is the accounts sheet as shown in the end of year accounts, and this has already been resolved (resolution 20/06)
Section 2 is a statement of assurance that states that the council are carrying out all necessary checks. The Chairman and Clerk confirmed that this is satisfactory.

Resolution 29/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Return as required by the external auditors be agreed and signed when available.

6. Planning matters

6.1 Decisions

367 CT 5580/P The Coach House Permits

369 CT 7246/E Chantry Permits

370 CT 3964/D Cotswold Cottage Consents

6.2 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

368 CT 8455/E Wayside No objections

371 CT 4142/A 3 Lake Cottages No objections

372 CT 3874/F The Malt house No objections

373 CT 5306/D Waterton Farm See below.

ACPC 354 has been deferred although official notification has not yet been received.

ACPC 373, Waterton Farm, was discussed at some length. The application to restore and store gliders would not fit into B1 activity, and therefore the only application that could be made would be for B2 activity. B1 is quiet activity that could fit in with residential neighbours. B2 is more general light industry. Several concerns were raised:

Local residents have no objection to the proposal on condition that access and egress to the site is by Witpit Lane rather than the A417.
Permission for B2 industry in this area could lead to a precedent for B2 industry in other areas of the village.

It was agreed that the Chairman write to CDC planners to include the following information:

That the conditions of the appeal on the previous application at Waterton Farm be used if permission is granted for this application.
Buildings should only be used as described on the application, i.e. for glider restoration
Vehicular access should be by Witpit Lane.
That any permission given for this application should be specific for this property and not to be used as a precedent
That comment is made to restrict the use of engine powered gliders.

During the discussion Councillor Gaden explained that there had been an article in the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard advertising the opening of retail space at Waterton Farm Studios. This use was not permitted in the Inspector’s report. The Chairman will contact CDC enforcement officers.

6.3 Amendments

None

6.4 Tree works

None

6.5 Sunhill

It was reported that Paul Lilley had seen GCC planners suggesting that the application to process green waste at Sunhill should have not have been permitted, as some of the factors that the Inspector gave to dismiss the appeal were applicable to the green waste application.

Poulton Parish Council have asked their insurers if their insurance would fund a Judicial Review.

6.6 Berry’s Yard

Wildmoor have now instructed agents (DPDS) to act on their behalf.

The agents have advised Michael Grace, CDC planning enforcement, that they will apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness before the end of May 2006. Should they fail to submit this application, then enforcement action will be taken.

When the Parish Council receives formal notification of the position after 28 May, an extraordinary Parish Council Meeting will be called to discuss the action that should be taken by the Parish Council. Written representation may be made in either situation.

GCC Highways had previously raised concerns about the use of heavy vehicles on this site, and the Chairman will contact the Road Manager for the area and the County Councillor to ask for support when appropriate.

7. Matters arising from the meeting on 13 March, 2006

7.1 Speed gun

The speed gun will be delivered to the Chairman on 9 May for 3 weeks. The Chairman and Councillors Kelly, Hayes and Dent agreed to carry out the survey.

7.2 Standing water outside Tamarind

Jennifer Watkins, GCC, is aware of this problem and will remedy it by either levelling the ground or providing drainage.

7.3 Fly tipping

The fly tipping on Gassons Lane is still there. The clerk will contact CDC again.

7.4 Village Directory

Elisabeth Gerver has applied for a grant from CDC to cover production costs for this booklet. The Parish Council will act as banker and these details will show in future accounts.

8. Reports from County and District Councillors

A report from County Councillor Lady Mavis Dunrossil was made available at the annual parish meeting and will be inserted into the minutes.

District Councillor Edward Horsfall explained that he was still concerned that the Park Farm/Berry’s Yard situation was taking so long to remedy.

9. Questions from the Public

A question was raised whether it would be cheaper to replace certain items after damage rather than insure them. The Chairman explained that the insurance had not yet reached that level.

10. Burial ground matters

None

11. Village Update

11.1 Bench at The Donkey Field

This has now been fully repaired. The Clerk will write to Mr Keen thanking him for his work.

12. Playground

The playground gate has been damaged, probably by teenagers swinging on it. The playground committee have asked for quotes to do the repairs. The costs of repairs will be taken from the reserves.

13. Correspondence received

13.1 Section 106 bus shelters

GCC wish to know whether, if a bus shelter is provided through a S106 contribution, whether the Parish Council would assume ownership and responsibility for maintenance and repairs. Bus shelters provided through the normal channels also become the responsibility of the Parish Council. The Council agreed that a bus shelter is not required in the village.

13.2 Calor village of the Year and the Bledisloe cup.

The Council agreed not to enter either competition.

13.3 Childline - appeal for funding.

There is no direct evidence that the charity is used locally, and therefore in accordance with Council policy, funding will not be allocated.

14. Matters outstanding

The drain at the top of Hunts Hill gets blocked very quickly. The Clerk will contact GCC.

15. Date, time and place of next meeting.

Monday 10 July 2006, 7.15pm in the Village Hall.