AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 10 SEPTEMBER, 2001, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors Peter Kelly, Gerald Gaden, Fran Huckle, David Vessey, Sally Hebbs and John Dear.
Presiding: Councillor Peter Kelly
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. There was one member of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Adrian Grazebrook.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July, 2001
The minutes were amended in paragraph 7.2, resolution 27/01, to add the words “with payment made from the Burial Grounds maintenance reserve.”
Resolution 28/01 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 9 July, 2001 be signed and adopted.
Concerns were expressed that the accounts were becoming increasingly complicated for the amount of money held in them. Following considerable discussion, it was agreed that a clear recording of all transactions, in and out of the reserves, should be made.
3. Matters arising from the meeting held on 9 July, 2001
3.1 Benches in the village.
Councillor Gaden reported that Harold Stevens had not had chance to repair the bench in The Pleydells. However, the gate leading into the Burial Ground is of more importance, as it was becoming increasingly difficult to open.
Harold Stevens had agreed to repair the gate.
3.2 Setts on Church lane.
These are now in place, and appear satisfactory.
3.3 Village Notice Board.
Frank Perkins will talk to Harold Stevens, and provide costings for a large notice board, split in two, for the November meeting.
3.4 Parachuting exercises affecting the village
Following the last meeting, the Clerk had contacted South Cerney barracks, to complain about the constant noise of the aircraft involved in parachute training.
A reply advised that every effort would be made to improve the situation by varying flight patterns, and where possible avoiding flying over villages and towns. Nevertheless where there were operational requirements, ie: major training exercises, these would continue to be held.
3.5 Snow Plough operator.
The Royal Agricultural College had agreed to undertake this role. The Clerk will write to the College, accepting their offer.
4. Report from District Councillor Evans.
Councillor Evans reported that:
q He had now stepped down as Chairman for the Council
q Following the implementation of the committee structure in the District Council, every decision made by one of the committees now has to be scrutinised.
q Preparations are underway for the District Council’s new budget, with some prioritising of capital expenditure.
q £470 was still set aside for a new photocopier for the village.
q The composting trial scheme had been extended to Ampney Crucis.
5. Questions from the Public.
Further information was asked about the parachuting exercises affecting the village. It was confirmed that the base had tried to reduce the disturbance made to residents of Ampney Crucis.
6. Financial matters
6.1 Current financial position.
It was noted that Cornhill Insurance had overpaid the Council for the insurance claim made for the broken windows in the Lych Gate. Cornhill Insurance had included the VAT element. As the Parish Council can reclaim this, the Clerk returned this amount. (£34.69)
Resolution 29/01 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved the financial statements as provided by the Responsible Financial Officer were an accurate reflection of the Council’s financial position on 2 September, 2001
Following some discussion, the following movement of reserves was agreed.
Resolution 30/01 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that:
a) £156.21 from the Village Maintenance reserve be moved to the unallocated reserve to make good the overspend on the unallocated reserve.
b) £75 from the Burial Ground Maintenance reserve be moved to the Burial Ground reserve as this was the excess on the insurance claim
c) £157.89 received from the insurers be placed in the Burial Ground reserve
d) £192.75 received from the District Council in settlement of the Praying Cross repairs to be placed in the Village Maintenance reserve as the Parish Council had already paid out this amount, effectively closing the Praying Cross reserve.
It was also agreed that the Clerk would contact GAPTC to ask for advice on how detailed the accounts for the reserves should be.
6.2 Agreement of payments
The invoice had been received from Ringway Highway Services for the setts on Church Lane, and it was agreed that this be paid.
The grant for £400 from the Ward Projects fund will now be claimed.
An invoice had also been received from Dike and Sons for repairs to several gravestones in the Burial Ground. It was agreed that the Clerk and Councillor Gaden check the work done, and if satisfactory, this bill should also be paid.
Resolution 31/01 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the invoice £1029.30 for Ringway Highway services be paid, and that the invoice for Dike and Sons, for £97.50 be paid subject to Councillor’s Gaden approval.
It was also agreed to award the Clerk an annual payrise, backdated to 1 April, 2001, as recommended by NALC.
Resolution 32/01 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that
a) the Clerk’s salary be increased by the recommended rate of 3.5% to £2241.45.
b) Lloyds Bank is instructed to amend the Standing order for October 2001 to £219.43 to cover backdated annual salary from 1 April, 2001
c) Lloyds Bank is instructed to amend the Standing order from 1 November, 2001 to £186.78.
7. Burial Ground matters
7.1 Clearance of land in the Burial Ground
As there had been no response from the gravedigger to moving the large mound of spoil at the bottom of the Burial Ground, it was agreed that possible solutions would be discussed at the Burial Ground clear up on 14 October.
Mrs Masek had asked that she remove a dead tree, bordering her mother’s grave, in the Burial ground. The tree has now been cut down.
7.2 Safety of gravestones
Councillor Gaden and the Clerk will check that the work to remedy possible unsafe gravestones is satisfactory.
Dike and Sons recommend that an annual inspection be carried out.
8. Planning matters
8.1 Decisions
174 CT 4784/E Lost Elm Permits
177 CT 1413/D Wych Elm Consent
176 CT 1762/1/A The Old School House Permits
179 CT 2706/E 15 Ampney Crucis Consent
8.2 Outstanding applications
156 CT 7739/D Ampney Field No objection
180 CT 5079 Minster Stud No objection
181 CT 3874/E The Bramleys No objection
182 CT 8177 Heathfield Cottage No objection
8.3 Minor amendments
None
8.4 Tree works
173 Contr 1113 The Lodge, Ampney Park No objection
178 Contr 1093 Convamore No objection
Although there were no overall objections to the application at The Bramleys, there were concerns that the proposed garage could have an impact on the frontage of the property. It therefore needs careful siting, and the height of the garages should not impinge on the neighbouring properties.
9. Village Update.
9.1 Praying Cross repairs.
Arnold Root had confirmed by telephone that the repairs to the Cross were unsatisfactory. His concerns would be put in writing, and the Clerk would then contact the contractors to remedy the work.
Mr Root’s main concerns were that the mortar was unsatisfactory, and the new copingstone requires ‘dressing’.
The Clerk will contact the contractors as soon as written confirmation is available.
9.2 Playground in the village
No further details are available.
A course for those interested in starting a playground is being organised in Northleach. The Clerk will ask Mrs Hartshorne if she wishes to attend.
9.3 Meeting with Chris Franklin.
The Clerk had a meeting with Chris Franklin from GCC. He has agreed to investigate possible problems with the drains on Hunt’s Hill, and will submit a bid for funding to replace the footpath.
The water flooding from the fields at the back of Durncoat Cottages is purely a private landowner matter, and he would not commit the County Council to doing anything about this.
The drains in the village are cleared once a year, and if they are blocked. They do not have funds to do it more often.
At this point, there was concern that the ditches were blocked with hedge trimmings, and would not allow water to run down them in the winter. Clearing these ditches is a matter for the landowner.
10. Footpath matters
Councillor Vessey reported that the footpaths in the Dudley Farm and Hilcot End area had been overgrown, however they were now being cleared.
11. Queen’s Golden Jubilee
Councillor Hebbs reported that plans for the celebrations were becoming more definite, with hopes of organising a barn dance, reminiscence project, and other projects involving community involvement.
It was suggested that there be commemorative items produced, either for the children in the village or as a permanent structure in the village. Councillor Hebbs agreed that this would be discussed at the next committee meeting.
12. Correspondence received
12.1 Restructuring of the NHS
This document had been circulated before the meeting, and it was agreed that it was a confusing and unclear document. It would appear that changes are proposed, leading to serious emergencies being moved to Cheltenham or Gloucester. A number of services will be cut, whilst increasing the budget. The Council were concerned that the reduction in services would affect Ampney Crucis and the surrounding villages, and that comments should be made accordingly.
12.2 Invitations to meetings.
Invitations were received from the Rural Access Forum, Police and Community Consultative Committee, the Community Health Council and Cotswold District Council (invitation to a playground seminar). Councillors were unable to attend.
12.3 CDC Standards Committee.
The Parish Council were invited to comment on the proposals for the new Standards committee. The Council had no comment to make.
13. Matters outstanding
It was requested that the Ampney Crucis Times include an article with guidance on the types, size and location of trees that can be felled without permission. It was also suggested that a plea is made for trees overhanging footpaths to be cut back.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting.
Monday 12 November, 2001, 7.15pm, in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm.