AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 8 JULY, 2002, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors Peter Kelly, Gerald Gaden, Fran Huckle, David Vessey, Adrian Grazebrook, and John Dear.
District Councillor Bruce Evans
Presiding: Councillor Peter Kelly
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There were no members of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
Councillor Sally Hebbs and County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou were unable to attend.
2. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 13 May, 2002
Councillors were satisfied that these minutes were an accurate factual record of the meeting. These minutes will be approved at the Annual Parish Meeting in May 2003.
3. Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on 13 May 2002
Resolution 30/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, of the meeting held on 13 May, 2002 be signed and adopted.
4. Matters arising from the meeting held on 13 May, 2002
4.1 Highway matters
Councillor Vessey had heard from GCC that the request for repairs on the road leading to the grain dryer came from a private individual. The job was relatively cheap and GCC would not normally alert the Parish Council to such minor works. She is aware of the urgency of Hunts Hill and was encouraging about the work being done in the not too distant future.
4.2 Ditch at the back of the gardens on the Village Street
Councillors Vessey and Gaden hope to inspect the ditch before the September meeting.
4.3 Improvement of open spaces in the village.
It was suggested at the annual meeting that the contractors should cut the grass at the ‘Ampney St Mary’ triangle. It has been confirmed that the land lies within the parish boundary. However it would appear that this area is cut occasionally, by local residents. It was agreed that bulbs could be planted in this area in September.
It was also agreed that the Clerk would contact Fosseway Housing to ask that the grass in front of the rear two council houses in School Lane be cut in addition to those lying along School Lane.
5. Report from District Councillor
Councillor Evans made the following report:
· Another reorganisation of the District Council will take place soon, in an effort to cut costs. A strike by Unison may take place on 17 July, 2002. The Parish Council will be notified if it appears that this will affect waste collection.
· CDC have met their target of providing an additional 600 affordable homes. The next target is to provide an additional 500 units of affordable accommodation before 2011. The Rural White Paper, and PPG3, now state that private developers may have to provide up to 50% of affordable housing within any private development.
· The State of the District report is now available
· CDC has objected to the proposals for new regional government. Regional Government would mean the abolition of County and District Councils within 3 – 4 years, and the formation of a unitary authority, based in Cheltenham or Tewkesbury.
· The new houses on School Lane have been delayed due to difficulties with drainage rights.
6. Financial Matters
6.1 Current financial position.
Resolution 31/02 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 24 June, 2002.
Resolution 32/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £5.50 be moved from the Audit precept to the Audit reserve.
Resolution 33/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £400 is transferred from the current account to the imprest account
6.2 Agreement of payments
None
6.3 Appointment of internal auditor.
Resolution 34/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Neil Holt be appointed as the Parish Council’s internal auditor. A letter of appointment will be sent.
6.4 Appointment of external auditor
The Audit Commission has formally adopted Moore Stephens of Bath as external auditor to the Council.
6.5 External Audit.
The Council have now received a copy of the Annual return to be completed by the Council for the external audit.
The assets of the Council are valued at £33.283, and are identified below:
Burial ground (gift in 1888) Nominal value £1 .00
Burial Ground cross Replacement cost* £3,400.00
Lych Gate Replacement cost £25,000.00
Gates to burial ground Insured value (impact only) £130.00
War Memorial Site Nominal value £1.00
War Memorial Replacement cost* £3,400.00
Ancient Cross site Nominal value £1.00
Ancient cross structure Nominal value £1.00
Five bench seats Replacement cost £1,250.00
Series of maps Historic cost £99.00
*column only
The Council agreed that the figures for the years ending 31 March, 2001 and 31 March 2002, be shown on the Annual Return. All figures are rounded to the nearest pound.
Resolution 35/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Annual Return form, Section 1, be signed and approved.
6.6 Financial regulations
NALC have proposed financial regulations that will encompass the new audit regime. It was agreed therefore that discussion of this subject be delayed until September, when the regulations have been circulated.
Councillor Vessey then explained how the new audit could change the way that the Council’s accounts are presented. It is proposed that the Council operates a ‘cash book’ system, showing all expenditure and income on one sheet for a two month period. This will be supplemented by a budget sheet, and a further sheet showing the bank reconciliation and reserves.
The heading on these sheets will be simpler than the previous ones: the guidelines explain that staff costs and precept are identified separately, other income and expenditure can if wished be classed as ‘other payments’ and ‘other receipts’. Ampney Crucis will clearly identify burials, grass cutting, administration and burial ground maintenance.
A substantial part of the guidance notes encourage Councils to carry out a ‘risk assessment’ on a regular basis. It was agreed that this should be carried out each November, in anticipation of the precept request in January. Risk would not constitute rebuilding for wear and tear, but would include insurable risks. Identifying risk is an integral part of Section 2 of the new Annual return.
7. Planning matters
7.1 Decisions
None
7.2 Outstanding applications
190 CT 4170/D 1 Lake Cottages No objection
209 CT 7739/E Ampney Fields No objection
215 CT 2163/N The Lodge No objection
216 CT 2163/P The Lodge No objection
217 CT 2706/D Malt Cottage No objection
218 CT 2706/E Malt Cottage No objection
219 CT 0607/D Firs Farmhouse Inaccurate plans
220 CT 4793/F Waterton Garden Cottage On circulation.
Councillors felt unable to comment specifically on application CT 0607/D. Although the proposals were for a substantial change to the existing property, plans were inaccurate and unclear. The Clerk has requested that more detailed plans were made available.
7.3 Minor amendments
None
7.4 Tree works.
None
8. Burial Ground matters
8.1 Grass cutting contractors
The Clerk had received a complaint that the contractors were operating without the correct safety equipment. Jeremy Simmons Ltd were informed, and operators should now be wearing the correct clothing.
8.2 Damage to rose bushes in the Burial Ground.
Following the apparent loss of two rose bushes in the burial ground, the contractors were again informed. However, as it is difficult to pinpoint when the bushes were knocked down by grass cutting equipment no further action could be taken. It was suggested that in future, shrubs might not be allowed in the Burial Ground as it can make grass cutting difficult. It was agreed that this subject be discussed at a later meeting if necessary.
9. Village Update
9.1 Bus Services
There had been no reaction to the article placed in ACT asking for comments on the bus services.
9.2 Playground.
GCC have verbally agreed to the lease for the playground. Quotes of £35,000 - £40,000 have been received for equipment. The Council noted the statement.
9.3 New Notice Board.
Frank Perkins has agreed to make the board during the school summer holidays.
9.4 Double white lines on A417
GCC have informed the Clerk that the Police are unhappy with the proposed road markings and wish to look at the scheme again.
Councillor Vessey had seen another near accident on this stretch of road, and will write to GCC with this information.
10. Jubilee weekend
Councillor Hebbs was not able to attend the meeting, but sent the following report:
‘The weekend events took place as planned to celebrate the Queens Golden Jubilee. The children of Ampney Crucis School started off the weekend by sharing a day with the older people of the village, exchanging experiences of being a child in the fifties and today, this was followed by afternoon tea in the school. The peal planned for Saturday was undertaken with great enthusiasm, but a ‘wobble’ at one point prevented the bell ringers from achieving their aim this time. The ‘have a go’ at bell ringing did attract many visitors all of whom now appreciate the skill needed to ring successfully!
The Barn Dance was successful, attracting around 200 villagers of all ages on a warm evening to enjoy dancing, a wonderful English lamb roast and music from an excellent local band.
Response to the memorabilia event was wonderful, the village hall became fuller and fuller as visitors produced additional display items to enhance the wonderful keepsakes displayed. Toys, magazines, newspapers, household items, commemorative items, wonderful dresses and potentially embarrassing photographs captured the attention of visitors for hours. Fortunately excellent tea and cakes were available to keep us going, as many villagers also took part in the bell ringing and petanque games on this busy day.
The petanque club was officially launched on the Bank Holiday Monday, welcoming villagers of all ages to ‘have a go’. The mostly dry weather and wine, soft drinks and delicious cheese all contributed to a successful afternoon and got the club off to a flying start.
The televised service in church was well attended on Tuesday and it was a pleasure to sit with friends and feel part of the service in St Paul’s cathedral. The opportunity to view the Ampney Park Gardens and enjoy Jubilee Cake during the afternoon added to the enjoyment of the day and completed the weekend celebration.
The weekend was intended to offer a chance for the people of the village to meet and celebrate together through a range of activities planned around a theme of village life and reminiscence. Some funds were raised and these will be used to supplement money allocated by the Parish Council to purchase commemorative mugs for the children of the Parish. There are enough mugs, all personalised with the Ampney Crucis name, for people to purchase as gifts or for a keepsake at a small cost. It is also intended to plant ‘golden bulbs’ in the village to provide a lasting reminder of the event.
Answers to the Jubilee Quiz will shortly be on the web site and in the Ampney Crucis Times.
Many, many thanks to the people who worked so hard to make the weekend successful, there are far too many to name.
The current position on the account is £969.00. Payments will be made from this total to supplement money allocated by the Parish council for the purchase of 75 mugs at approx. £3.75 each, and for the purchase of ‘golden’ bulbs if Lottery monies are not awarded.
The remaining funds will be divided equally between the school, the church and the village hall.
The Lottery application is still awaited. The bid was resubmitted in June with the inclusion of an actual bank statement to replace the photocopy originally provided which was not acceptable.’
There was some concern that the children’s events did not go ahead as planned, and that as the event seemed to be raising money, it became expensive for some residents, particularly families with children to take part.
On behalf of the Parish Council, the Chairman thanked the Jubilee Committee for their hard work in providing a series of events for the Jubilee.
11. Footpath matters
Copies of the letter to Wildmoor and their response were circulated to Councillors.
If this piece of land is a Public Right of Way, then the public has a right to use it without hindrance. However, it is unclear whether it is a PROW. The Parish Council are pursuing the status of the lane with GCC. On receipt of their reply, the appropriate response will be sent to Wildmoor.
12. Matters outstanding.
Five car wheels have been dumped on Gassson’s Lane. The Clerk agreed to contact CDC to ask for them to be removed.
The Head of Ampney Crucis School has resigned, and an acting head will take over for at least 1 term, until a permanent head teacher can be found.
13. Resignation of Councillor Huckle
The Chairman received the resignation of Councillor Huckle who is moving away from the village.
Notices will be displayed on the village notice boards stating than an election can be called if 10 or more of the electorate of Ampney Crucis write to the Returning Officer, requesting an election.
Should this not happen, then the Council can co-opt a new Councillor. Anyone wishing to become a Councillor should write to the Chairman indicating his or her willingness to be co-opted, seven days before the September meeting.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Huckle personally, and on behalf of the Council, for her unstinting work as a Councillor, and as the Council’s representative on the Village Hall Committee and the School Governors.
The positions as School Governor and as the Parish Council’s representative on the Village Hall Committee, vacated by Councillor Huckle, will be filled at the next meeting.
14. Correspondence received
· Chairman’s reception, 23 July, 2002
· Parish Council representative on CDC Standard’s Committee
· Golden Jubilee unsung heroes.
Noted.
15. Date of next meeting.
20 September, 2002, 7.15pm in the Village Hall.
Signed: ………………………………………… Date: ……………………………………