DRAFT AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 7 JULY 2009 IN THE SCHOOL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors Barry Dent, David Vessey, Adrian Grazebrook, Frank Skinner, Alan Lewis and Peter Kelly.
Presiding: Councillor Barry Dent
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
Also present: Mrs Jayne Webster
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1. Apologies for absence
Councillor Gerald Gaden, District Councillor Edward Horsfall and County Councillor Fiona McKenzie
2. Appointment of new Parish Clerk
Councillors were reminded that as discussed at the last meeting, the Chairman and Councillors Kelly and Vessey were authorised to shortlist candidates for the position of Clerk. A number of people applied, and 2 were interviewed. Following the interviews, the Chairman circulated all councillors with the recommendation that Mrs Jayne Webster be offered the position. Councillors were asked for their opinions on the recommendation over the following days, and following these comments Mrs Webster was offered the position on 26 June.
It was agreed that Mrs Webster would begin her role with effect from 1 July, with the retiring Clerk working until the end of July.
Resolution 39/09 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Mrs Jayne Webster be appointed as Clerk to the Parish Council, on scale 18 of the recommended NALC scales, with effect from 1 July 2009.
Mrs Webster signed her contract of employment.
Resolution 40/09 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Mrs Webster be added to the list of signatories for the imprest account, and that the address for all bank correspondence would be Mrs Webster’s home address.
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2009
These were amended in resolution 25/09 to show Councillor Kelly being elected as Vice Chairman.
Resolution 41/09 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 11 May 2009 be signed and adopted.
4. Matters arising from the meeting held on 11 May 2009
4.1 Highways
4.2 Crucis Park Farm
Councillor Gaden has spoken to a representative from Crucis Park Farms, and they have amended the stile to make it easier to use, and have arranged to clear the ditch.
4.3 War Memorial
Councillor Lewis reported that the area of spalling on the War Memorial had been temporarily repaired by Wells Masonry, but the repair would not last throughout the winter. Councillor Lewis agreed to contact Wells Masonry for a quote for discussion at the next meeting.
These repairs were not provided for within the precept, therefore the Chairman agreed to contact the Schroder Trust directly to ask if they could help with the remaining repair.
4.4 The Pleydells
As requested, the Clerk wrote to Fosseway Housing, who confirmed that they are working with the Police and Community Safety Manager, visiting the alleged perpetrator of the anti-social behaviour.
Action is being taken, including an injunction served by the Police last week, but Fosseway Housing urge all those affected to keep them fully informed of the problems, thus providing a clear volume of substantiated evidence.
It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Fosseway Housing asking what polices are used to allocate homes in Ampney Crucis, and whether the original aim of housing elderly tenants in the flats was still being adhered to.
5. Reports from County and District Councillors
None
6. Questions from the Public
None
7. Planning matters
7.1 Decisions
478 09/01248/TCONR Ampney House No objections 474 09/01165/FUL The Bungalow Permitted 471 09/00895/FUL Lost Elm Permits
There was some discussion whether to contact CDC regarding the permission to erect a garage on this site. It was agreed not to contact them in this instance as it was a decision made on subjective grounds, making it difficult to decide what decision should have been taken.
7.2 Outstanding applications
458 APP/F1610/C/08/2086278 Park Close Objection 461 09/00095/FUL Crown of Crucis No objection 465 08/02944/FUL Land parcel north of London Road Objection 466 08/02945/FUL Land parcel north of London Road Objection 467 08/02946/FUL Land opposite Gorston House Objection 468 08/02948/FUL Land at The Pleydells Objection 470 APP/F1610/A/092101500/NWF Waterton House No comment 472 09/00948/FUL Ampney Cross(Half Acre) No comment 473 09/00949/CON Ampney Cross (Half Acre) No comment 476 09/01340/FUL Crown of Crucis No objection 477 09/01574/FUL The Old Sheephouse No objection 479 09/01579/FUL Nurse’s Cottage No objection 480 09/01580/CON Nurse’s Cottage No objection
CDC officers are recommending refusal for ACPC 472 and 473 as Policy 22 would not permit this application. CDC members have carried out a site visit for this application, with a decision to be taken at Committee on 15 July. There was some discussion, prompted by a letter from Mrs P Shakel, about whether the Parish Council should have made a more defined comment against this application. It would have been very difficult for the Parish Council to support this application, as it bore strong resemblances to the application at Stonelea to which the Council objected. To the contrary, there were also suggestions that the Council should support the application as the proposed building would have been aesthetically more pleasing than the existing building, but it was agreed that as the decision would, as with Lost Elm above, be taken on subjective grounds, the Council’s response should remain as neither supporting nor objecting to the proposal.
7.3 Amendments
465 08/02944/FUL Land parcel north of London Road Objection
7.4 Tree works
7.5 Park Close
The inquiry was deferred to 30 June as the appellant was insufficiently prepared. No further information is available at present.
7.6 Cripps proposals
As at 8 July, CDC had received 29 letters against the proposals and 17 in favour of the proposals. GCC highways were opposed to the plans to build 9 houses off School Lane, and the Environment Agency had concerns about flooding in the area. In addition, the Environment Agency explained that the provision of wetlands must not use water from existing watercourses. CDC’s department of Conservation and Heritage oppose the scheme. GCC have asked for a second archaeological survey.
The Ampney Crucis Association had responded to the Council’s comments by issuing their own bulletin, requesting that members of the public contact CDC with their letters of support or objection. Further to this, CDC have received two further letters: one in favour of the application and one against.
The Council agreed to make no further response relating to this latest correspondence.
7.7 CDC: Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)
The Council discussed the sites identified by landowners and developers as being suitable for housing.
R9 and R11 referred to the Cripps sites, and the Council’s response will suggest that CDC refer to the Parish Council’s correspondence objecting to the developments.
R12 and R13 are in open countryside, with a poor local road infrastructure in the area. There is no demonstrable demand for housing at these sites.
8. Financial matters
8.1 Current financial position
Resolution 42/09 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 24 June 2009
Resolution 43/09 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £330.00 be transferred from the treasurers account to the imprest account.
8.2 Agreement of payments
Clerk’s expenses: £10.15
Resolution 44/09 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above amounts, totalling £10.15, be paid.
8.3 Audit for the year ending 31 March, 2009
Neil Holt has completed the internal audit and all papers have been sent to the external auditors.
9. Burial ground matters
9.1 Reservations in the Burial Ground
Councillors were reminded that at the last meeting there was some discussion as to whether reservations in the burial ground should continue to be taken. Following some discussion, it was agreed that one possibility would be to increase the fee for reservation to £34. Reservations would lapse within 5 years if the owner or next of kin did not contact the Council to confirm that the burial plot was still required.
At certificate was circulated at the meeting. Changes to the font were required. This will be discussed further at the next meeting.
The Clerk also reported that whilst talking to local undertakers recently she had discovered that the cost of exclusive right of burial in Stratton or Chesterton was £1300 per plot. Ampney Crucis Parish Council charge £94. The Council discussed doubling the fees for use of the Burial Ground in an attempt to use some of the monies raised towards maintaining the land, although some Councillors were concerned that prices should not rise as local residents already pay, through the precept, for the maintenance of the Burial Ground. Suggested figures will be circulated at the next meeting for further discussion.
The Clerk had also spoken to Dike and Sons, Monumental Masons. They had received a request for the erection of an unpolished grey granite stone in the burial ground. At present this is not permitted within the Council regulations. Diocesan regulations have recently changed however allowing the erection of unpolished grey granite stones in Churchyards, and it was therefore agreed that permission could be given for this stone to be erected. The fees and regulations sheet, showing that unpolished grey granite would be allowed, will be changed when the new fee structure is agreed.
Councillor Lewis reported that substantial maintenance was required in the Burial Ground. The Clerk will contact Cottage Garden Services to ask if they could give a quote for the work.
10. Village Update
10.1 Playground
Nothing to report.
10.2 Ampney Times
Nothing to report.
10.3 Bench at The Pound
A suitable bench is available in Dobbies. Details have been given to the resident interested in providing the bench.
10.4 War Memorial drainage
GCC highways have confirmed that drains will be dug to move drainage from the War Memorial side of the road to the drains on the other side that lead to the river.
10.5 Grass cutting, School Lane.
A resident on School Lane has contacted the Council asking whether the verges on School Lane, in between the road and the new development, could be cut by the Council’s contractor. It would appear that these verges are the responsibility of Fosseway housing and are cut every 2/3 weeks.
11. Correspondence received
11.1 GCC Snow Wardens and snow plough operators.
Councillor Kelly will continue as Snow Warden. The Clerk will check whether David Hardy is happy to continue as plough operator.
11.3 CPRE – concern surrounding the Regional Spatial Strategy
CPRE had circulated an email with their concerns about the Regional Spatial Strategy. The Council agreed not to respond as a Council, although Councillors could respond as individuals if they wished.
12. Matters outstanding
None.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting.
Monday 14 September 2009, 7.15pm in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.20pm
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