AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 10 JULY 2006 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors David Vessey, Gerald Gaden, Roger Hayes, Adrian Grazebrook, Barry Dent, Peter Kelly and Tim Tremellen.
Presiding: Councillor David Vessey
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There were 2 members of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
District Councillor Edward Horsfall.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 8 May 2006
The following statement will be attached to Resolution 20/06:
These accounts, as amended on the reconciliation sheet, are attached to the minutes on pages 633 –648.
Resolution 30/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 8 May, 2006 be signed and adopted.
3. Matters arising from the meeting on 8 May 2006
3.1 Speed gun
The numbers of cars passing through the village during the survey was too small for the survey to be conclusive.
3.2 Standing water outside Tamarind
The Clerk agreed to contact GCC again.
3.3 Fly tipping
The Clerk will contact GCC again in the autumn when the grass has died back and the site is easily visible.
3.4 Village Directory
Elisabeth Gerver has received funding from GRCC for the new Village Directory. The Parish Council will act as banker for the directory, and all receipts and payments will show up on the accounts.
3.5 Drain on Hunts Hill
The Clerk will contact GCC again.
3.6 GPFA membership.
The Chairman will contact Kim Hartshorne explaining that the Parish Council would not be renewing the membership.
4. Reports from County/ District Councillors
None
5. Questions from the Public
None.
6. Financial matters
6.1 Current financial position
Resolution 31/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £500 be transferred to the imprest account.
Resolution 32/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the income received during the period 26 April - 19 June be placed in the Burial ground maintenance reserve ( £70) and the Ampney Times reserve (£23)
Resolution 33/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Councillors Roger Hayes, Barry Dent and Tim Tremellen be added as signatories to the Council’s bank accounts.
6.2 Agreement of payments
External audit: £350 + £61.25 VAT
Harold Stevens, new lock for notice board: £7.29
Resolution 34/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above amounts, totalling £418.54, be paid.
It was agreed that the external audit fee should be covered by £250 out of the precept with the balance coming from the Playground Sinking Fund Reserve.
It was also agreed that the Minute Book be bound.
Resolution 35/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Minute Book be bound at a cost not to exceed £50.
6.3 Audit for the year ending 31 March 2006
The internal audit was carried out by Neil Holt, and although the actual figures were correct and satisfactory he had written to the Chairman with some concerns about the actual procedures of the risk assessment, insurance and assets register. The Council confirmed that these issues will be addressed and finalised before the next audit. The Chairman and Clerk will meet to review the risk assessment and insurance, and the Chairman will contact GAPTC to seek confirmation on the definition of an asset.
Mr Holt identified that the playground jump box required repair. This has now been completed.
The external audit has been returned from Moore Stephens, with the only comment that the above issues be resolved before the next audit.
7. Planning matters
7.1 Decisions
371 CT 4142/A 3 Lake Cottages Refused
372 CT 3874/F The Malt House Permits
373 CT 5306/D Waterton Farm Permits
377 Contr 2086 Convamore No objections
378 Contr 2087 The Old Farm No objections
CT 5306/D was permitted with conditions:
· For the storage and repair of glider aircraft only
· Time restrictions of 8am – 6pm , Mondays to Saturdays
· Access from Witpit Lane
· A scheme to be developed and implemented detailing the means of preventing vehicular access from the A417.
7.2 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
374 CT 2905/Y Unit 1 Park Close No objections
375 CT 2905Z Unit 1 Park Close Objections
376 CT 0883/K Minster House No objections
379 CT 2165 Birch House No objections
380 CT 3914/D Talland Equitation No objections
7.3 Tree works
None
7.4 Berry’s Yard
The extraordinary meeting held on 12 June 2006 discussed the current position with reference to Berry’s Yard and Calves Hill.
Resolution 36/06 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 June, 2006 be signed and adopted.
An application for a Certificate of lawful Use was expected to be received by 28 June. The Chairman will check with Michael Grace.
7.5 Regional Spatial Strategy
This draft consultation document will be placed in the circulation folder for comments.
8. Burial ground matters
8.1 Burial of ashes
The Parish Council currently have such a plot where 3 out of 6 spaces are available. It was agreed that the Clerk and Councillor Gaden would survey the burial ground in the autumn to check which plots unsuitable for burials could be suitable for the burial of ashes.
9. Village update
9.1 Vandalism
The Chairman had discussed with Councillor Grazebrook what options the Council would have if a provable case of vandalism against Parish property came to the notice of the Council. The following options were available:
· Civil proceedings in court
· Police action. This could result in a criminal prosecution or in a caution
· ‘Naming and shaming’.
· Community resolution with all parties concerned (e.g., known culprit, Parish Council, Police)
It was agreed that civil proceedings were not a realistic way forward as they would be costly with no guarantee that the costs would be recovered. It was also agreed that ‘naming and shaming’ could do more harm than good in a small community.
The ideal solution would be agreed compensation between the Parish Council and the offender (as has happened on a previous occasion). It was agreed that in all cases of vandalism where a culprit had been identified, the Clerk would contact all Councillors asking for their opinion on which option should be followed and whether or not the police should be involved.
9.2 BAC 22
This is the track at the eastern end of the Village Street which leads down from the post box to the Old London Road. The current status of the track is as a RUPP (road used as a public path). The Government has finally clarified certain deficiencies in this type of track by legislation in the Natural England and Rural Community Act 2006 under which all RUPPs in the country will be come “Restricted Byways”. All mechanically propelled vehicles are prohibited from restricted byways, although the existing private rights of neighbouring landowners are preserved.
9.3 Highway matters
The Clerk had been asked by Richard Tombs, GCC, if we would write to GCC asking for the footway along the A417 from Park Cottages to the Crown to be resurfaced. It was agreed that the Council would not wish scarce County Council resources to be spent on a little used path, when other, more pressing problems remain in the Village, such as the standing water outside Tamarind.
10. Playground
The gate has been repaired, and the Council are waiting for the invoice.
11. Correspondence received
11.1 Leckhampton Court hospice
Request for funding refused as the request did not meet the required Council criteria.
11.2 Cotswold District Council Local Plan 2001 -2011, Notice of Adoption.
Noted.
11.3 Consultation documents
The following documents were noted:
11.4 Invitations to meetings
The following meetings were noted:
12. Matters outstanding
None
13. Date, time and place of next meeting.
Monday 18th September 2006, 7.15pm in the Village Hall.