AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 20 SEPTEMBER, 2002, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors Peter Kelly, Gerald Gaden, Adrian Grazebrook and John Dear.
County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou
Presiding: Councillor Peter Kelly
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm. 1 member of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 8 July, 2002
The minutes were amended on page 400, paragraph 4.1, line 3. “She” was changed to “Mrs Watkins, GCC”
Resolution 36/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 8 July, 2002 be signed and adopted.
3. Matters arising from the meeting held on 8 July, 2002
3.1 Highway matters
The Chairman reported that some work has been done to Hunts Hill, but the remainder of the paths on both sides of the road to The Pound require work.
The Clerk reported that these repairs had been omitted from the programme of works for 2003/04. The Clerk has asked County Councillor Raymond Theodoulou for help in reallocating resources to this area. Money appears to have been allocated for footpaths along the London Road. This is shared with Ampney St Peter and Ampney St Mary.
3.2 Ditch at the back of gardens on the Village Street
Councillor Gaden checked this ditch, and believes that it is the landowner's responsibility to keep it clear. It was agreed that the Chairman would ascertain the name and address of the agent, and the Clerk would then write to the agent. In the meantime, as the ditch has had garden waste and other debris placed in there, the Clerk will write to residents in this area, asking them to keep the ditch clear to aid drainage.
3.3 Parish Council representation as a school governor and on the Village Hall management committee
It was agreed that the Chairman would contact the School to ascertain the level of commitment required as a Governor, and would attend the next meeting of the Village Hall committee to check whether Parish Council representation is required.
4. Parish Council vacancy
CDC have confirmed that the Parish Council can now co-opt on a new Councillor. However, as there had been limited interest from parishioners, it was agreed that the matter be postponed until the Council elections in May.
5. Report from District/County Councillors
County Councillor Theodoulou gave the following report:
§ The County Council are receiving information on the allocation of grants made to County Councils. There appears to be some confusion surrounding the figures, meaning that the grant could be the same as previously, £21 million more, or £21 million less. This is obviously causing problems with the budgetary procedure. Areas that are deemed deprived will receive more money that those deemed to be not deprived.
§ A recent government white paper gives the Secretary of State the ability (at his discretion), to claw back profits from the sale of land. These profits have, in the past, been a considerable source of income to GCC.
§ There is a proposal to change the school year to 6 terms a year rather than 3 terms. Discussions are ongoing with teachers and unions.
§ GCC have encountered some problems with the backlog in the vetting procedures for new teachers, but schools have not had to close.
§ GCC have responded to the Minerals Plan.
§ Further information will be sought on the allocation of money for highway repairs.
There was some discussion about pensions paid to County Council employees. It was confirmed that if insufficient funds remain to pay pensions, then the Council tax would be adjusted to reflect this. It was also confirmed that County Council policy is to continue to support new tenants on small farms.
6. Financial matters
6.1 Current financial position
Resolution 37/02 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 5 September, 2002.
Resolution 38/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £400 be transferred from the current account to the imprest account.
6.2 Agreement of payments
The Clerk reported that John Ducker was looking for a contribution towards the postage of the ACT. It was agreed to make a contribution of £35 towards the cost of postage and envelopes.
The Clerk submitted expenses for £45.40
Resolution 39/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the above amounts, totalling £80.40, be paid.
6.3 Internal audit
The internal audit will be completed within the month.
6.4 Audit annual return
Resolution 40/02 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Section 2 of the Annual return required by the external auditors be agreed and signed.
6.5 Financial regulations
Draft financial regulations were circulated at the meeting, and these and the risk management issue will be discussed at the November meeting.
7. Planning matters
7.1 Decisions
209 CT 7739/E Ampney Fields Refuses
215 CT 2163/N The Lodge Pemits
216 CT 2163/P The Lodge Consents
219 CT 0607/D Firs Farmhouse Permits
220 CT 4793/F Waterton Garden Cottage Permits
221 CT 1762/1/D Ampney Crucis School Permits
226 Contr 1269 Convamore No objection
225 CT 5121/D 17 Park Corner Refuses
NB: the application to erect a detached double garage in CT 0607/D was withdrawn. The remainder of the application was permitted.
7.2 Outstanding applications
190 CT 4170/D 1 Lake Cottages No objection
217 CT 2706/D Malt Cottage No objection
218 CT 2706/E Malt Cottage No objection
224 CT 0906/F 8 Durncoat Cottages No objection
7.3 Minor amendments
7.4 Tree works
228 Contr 1284 April Cottage No objection
227 Contr 1288 Cider Orchard No objection
8. Burial Ground matters
9. Village Update
9.1 Playground
The playground committee is still waiting for written confirmation that the lease will be granted for the use of the site on Allotment Lane. When this is available, applications can be made for funding and grants. Draft plans have been made for the site, and initial costs are likely to be in the region of £40,000. This equipment is of a very high standard, and will include appropriate safety surfacing.
When the project begins to progress, meetings will be held with similar groups to discuss management issues, etc.
It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the County Council asking that the lease be agreed as soon as possible.
9.2 New Notice board
The notice board is partially built.
9.3 Double white lines on A417
Gloucestershire Constabulary are still unhappy about one or two areas in the scheme, however it is believed that these are minor details, and it is hoped that these will be resolved quickly.
10. Golden Jubilee
Councillor Hebbs sent a written report to the meeting, which explained that the group was not awarded funds from the lottery. There are 100 mugs available for distribution to the children in the Parish, and it is hoped that this could be included with a bulb-planting event.
Councillors were not entirely happy with bulb planting, as although the flowers are attractive for two or three weeks, they are untidy for another six weeks. It was suggested that a tree be planted instead. These details will be passed to the jubilee committee.
11. Footpath matters
There have been problems with motorcyclists using BAC22 (the track between Convamore and Dudley farmhouse) for racing up and down at high speeds. Don Underwood has apparently given permission for one motorcyclist to use his field at the bottom of this track, however, the boys riding the bikes are also using the track for racing. As the track is a Road Used as a Public Path (RUPP) the rules of the road apply, and all bikes should be licensed, and all riders eligible to drive. There are indications that one of the bikes is not registered, and that one of the riders is not eligible to drive.
Given that the track is used by horseriders and pedestrians, letters were sent to the parents of those involved, asking that the younger boys do not ride down the track, and that the older boys respect other users. Alan Bently, the PROW officer at GCC suggested that the police are asked to intervene if the problem continues.
The problem appears to have been resolved.
12. Ampney Crucis Times
It was agreed that an article about the work of the Parish Council be placed in the next issue of the ACT.
13. Matters outstanding
New telephone poles have been erected on Akeman Street from Lower Field Farm to Lower Field Barns. These poles are extremely close to the roadside, and in winter months, cars skid from the road into this verge. It was agreed that the Clerk writes to the County Council drawing attention to this.
The verge on the corner of the Pound requires cutting. The clerk will contact GCC re clearing this area.
14. Correspondence received
14.1 Highways and Road safety in the Cotswolds, 26 Sept, CDC offices, Cirencester.
Noted
14.2 Periodic Electoral Review of GCC
CDC has been reviewed, now it is the County Council’s turn. Preliminary comments to the Boundary Committee by 25 November. There will also be two periods of consultation. Details in the circulation folder.
14.3 Freedom of Information Act.
The Parish Council have been informed that they must adhere to the Freedom of Information Act, 2000. A model scheme has been produced for Parish Councils, and this is attached to the details. The Council should adopt the model scheme, or produce its own by the end of December, 2002. The details have been placed in the circulation folder, and will be discussed at the next meeting.
14.4 GCC Highway Maintenance and Traffic seminar, 6pm, 28 October, Barnwood.
Councillor Kelly to attend.
14.5 GAPTC AGM, 2.30pm, 19 October, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham
Noted
14.6 Affordable Village Housing seminar, Oaksey Village Hall, 30 September, 2002
Noted
14.7 Development Control and Conservation and design focus group, 6pm on 24 October (Moreton in the Marsh) and 11 November, (Cirencester)
Councillor Kelly to attend.
14.8 GRCC AGM 1.30pm , 9 October, 2002, Barnwood.
Noted
15. Date of next meeting
Monday 11 November, 2002, 7.15pm in the Village Hall.
Councillors should note the proposed dates for the meetings for 2003. These will be confirmed at the November meeting: 13 January, 10 March, 12 May, 14 July, 8 September and 10 November, 2003.
The meeting closed at 9.00pm.
Signed: ………………………………………. Date: ………………………………