AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 14 NOVEMBER, 2005 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.

 

Present:                  Councillors David Vessey, Gerald Gaden, Adrian Grazebrook, Peter Kelly, Barry Dent and Tim Tremellen.

                                District Councillor Edward Horsfall (from 9pm)

Presiding:              Councillor David Vessey

Clerk:                      Mrs H Tonks

 

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm.  There were 4 members of the public present.

 

 

1.                   Apologies for absence

 

Lady Mavis Dunrossil. District Councillor Edward Horsfall sent his apologies for the earlier part of the meeting.

 

Resolution 50/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 26 September 2005 be signed and adopted.

 

The Chairman confirmed that Kim Hartshorne had resigned from the Council and that notices had been displayed inviting electors to call for an election.  If a request for an election had not been received by 25 November the Council would be able to co-opt.

 

2.                   Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2005.

 

The minutes were amended in resolution 49/05 to show the page numbers of the playground licence as pages 596 – 600 rather than 597 – 601.

 

3.                   Matters arising from the meeting held on 26 September 2005

 

3.1           Riding Lane

 

Trees are still overhanging Riding Lane.  The Clerk agreed to contact the owner again.

 

3.2           Talland Travel Plan

 

This has now been received but is of little use in confirming what action would be taken to prevent traffic using the Riding School from using the village roads.  The Clerk agreed to write to the Riding School confirming that they will direct all customers on to the Bibury – Barnsley road away from the village.  The Clerk will also write to GCC Highways asking what preventative signs could be erected.

 

3.3           Bus stop

 

A bus stop has been erected in the village, but no bus timetables have been displayed.  The Clerk will contact GCC and ask that they display timetables as soon as possible.

 

3.4           Speed Gun.

 

The speed gun should be delivered this week.  Councillors Gaden, Kelly and Dent agreed to help Councillor Vessey by manning the gun.

 

3.5           Dead Tree

 

The Clerk will ask CDC to look at this tree.

 

4.                   Reports from County/District Councillors

 

Councillor Horsfall gave the following report later in the meeting, but is minuted here:

• The Sunhill proposal was objected to by Cotswold District Council.  The County Council discussed both proposals at a later date and agreed the use of a composting plant for green waste.  The proposal for a composting plant for mixed organic waste was deferred until January.  Concerns were raised about the way the County Council meeting was chaired. 
• The public are invited to public consultations on the CDC’s budget for 2006/07.  The Council tax increase will be limited to 3.5% from the District Council, with some reductions in services.  This could include a fortnightly refuse collection which would save £400,000 per annum, and the closure of Bourton-on-the-Water’s Tourist information Centre.
• There were proposals to table a motion to calling on the government to honour its pledge to resurface all concrete roads by 2011.
• The District Council will remain issuing tokens for bus travel rather than distributing bus passes.

 

5.                   Questions from the public

 

None

 

6.                   Financial matters

 

6.1           Current financial position

 

Resolution 51/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £350 be transferred from the treasurers account to the imprest account.

 

6.2           Agreement of payments

 

The invoice from the County Council for the playground licence fee had been received.  The costs of £1000 plus VAT were a lot higher than anticipated.  The Chairman will therefore contact GCC asking for a breakdown of how the invoice was formulated.

 

Resolution 52/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that subject to the agreement of the Chairman and Councillors Kelly and Grazebrook, the fees for legal services (not to exceed £1000) should be paid to Gloucestershire County Council.

 

If this invoice totalling £1000 (plus VAT) is paid the Council will have to transfer £500 from the Playground Sinking Fund to the Playground Legal Fees reserve.  This will bring the Legal Fees Reserve up to £1,000.  £1,000 will need to be transferred from the Business Call Account to the Playground Account to pay the bill.

 

Resolution 53/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £500 be transferred from the playground sinking fund to the playground legal fees reserve.

 

Resolution 54/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £1000 be transferred from the Business Call account to the Playground account.

 

6.3           Insurance

 

The insurance has been amended to take account of the Council’s request to increase the cover from impact only to all risks for all benches and memorials.

 

6.4           Assets register

 

This will be discussed at the next meeting as a bench may have to be removed.

 

6.5           Grass cutting

 

The Clerk reported that the grass cutting budget is about to go over budget – Tony Williams is keen to keep the village looking tidy, and has cut the grass more often than he should.  It was agreed a further cut be authorised for November at a cost of £73.33.  The Council will discuss in January whether a further cut is necessary.

 

Resolution 55/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that a further grass cut be made in November, at a cost of £73.33.

 

Resolution 56/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that £30 be transferred from the Audit fees budget and £32.78 from the grants budget to cover the costs of the extra grass cut in November.

 

The grass cutting contract will not be changed, but money may be set aside in the reserves for further cuts if necessary.

 

6.6           Provisional budget 2006/07

 

The Clerk submitted a draft budget based on the figures for 2005/06. 

 

Staff costs:                            salary                     £3207                      increase of 2.95%

                                                expenses                £  120                      no change

Grass cutting:                                                      £1250                      possible increase of £150 to reflect 6.5 above

Burial Ground maintenance                             £      0                      adequate reserve

Ampney Times                                                     £    75                      no change

Admin:                   GAPTC                                  £  100                      increase of 5%

                                Village Hall Hire                    £    80                      no change

 Insurance                             £  930                      See *

                                Misc. and postage               £  138                      to make a nice round figure…

Playground:                          sinking fund          £1000                     

                                                replacement           £  300

Other:   

Donations/grants                                 £  100                      no change

                Audit                                                      £  250                      See **

 

TOTAL:                                                £7550                   

 

* In 2005/06 the Council have paid £810.12 in insurance, including the playground.  There will have an increased premium for the increased cover for the benches, and there will probably be a 10% rise in premiums.

 

** The council were made aware that the funds this year have exceeded the amount for the basic audit, and the Council could therefore be faced with a fee of £250 this year, compared with the usual £150.

 

The percentage increases are rounded.

 

The budget for 2005/06 was £6900.  The major increases for 2006/07 are for insurance (last year was offset by £335 from the reserves), and a possible grass cutting increase.  The precept could be decreased in 2006/07 by offsetting the unused £300 replacement fund (in 2005/06) and the unused £100 from the playground audit. 

 

There was some discussion about the large proportion of the precept that is spent on insurance but this was agreed to be unavoidable.

 

7.                   Planning matters

 

7.1           Decisions

 

355          CT 2706/J                                               14 Ampney Crucis                               Permits

356          CT 3986/G                                              Orchard Hill                                           Permits

359           CT 3387/R                                             Ridge Barn                                            Permits

360          Contr 1957                                             The Old Farmhouse                             No objections

 

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

353          05/0070/CWFUL/CAPS                       Sunhill                                                    See paragraph 7.5

354          05/0071/CWFUL/CAPS                       Sunhill                                                    See Paragraph 7.5

357          CT 5662/J                                               Lavender Cottage                                                No objections

358          CT 5662/H                                             Lavender Cottage                                                No objections

361          CT 6685/C                                              Penny Patch                                          No objections

362          CT 1413/D                                             Gardener’s cottage                              Objection.

 

There was some discussion about application CT 1413/D, and that the Parish Council were being too restrictive.  It was agreed by a majority of the Council that they should object to the application on the following grounds:

 

• Policy 1.2 of the Local Plan.  This is not infill of an undeveloped or under developed plot.
• It is close to 3 listed buildings
• It is within the conservation area, and would lead to the loss of open spaces within the conservation area.

 

7.3           Amendments

 

None

 

7.4           Tree works

 

None

 

7.5           Sunhill

 

See paragraph 4.

 

7.6           Berry’s Yard

 

The Council have received a letter from CDC, explaining that the legal department are investigating what action should be taken with reference to the use of Berry’s Builder’s Yard.  It is anticipated that the change of name of owner will go ahead and that planning applications will be required for the other businesses there.

 

8.                   Burial Ground matters

 

The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Andy Slade about completing the work at the burial ground, and that it would be completed soon.

 

9.                   Village Update

 

The bench at the Donkey Field is unsafe.  Councillor Gaden agreed to remove the plaque and ask Harold Stevens to remove the bench, and make the area safe.  In the meantime a local resident has offered to acquire a second hand bench and place it there.

 

10.                Playground

 

10.1         Playground licence

 

Licence and plan have been returned, signed by the Clerk, to GCC.  They will be returned shortly for filing.

 

10.2         Repairs to skateboard ramp

 

The skateboard ramp has been repaired, but the contractors, Bendcrete, have suggested that the damage had been caused by tree roots.  The Clerk agreed to write to Bendcrete after seeking advice from Matt Reid about what damage could be done by hedgerow tree toots.

 

10.3         Outstanding items:  signage and gate

 

A quote for £1450 has been received from David Underwood for the gate into the playground.  Further information is required for this quote.  Quotes are also available from Cotswold Estates Services and Hailey Wood Sawmills for a gate. 

 

Resolution 57/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Chairman and Clerk would, after discussion with Councillors, order the gate.

 

Kim Hartshorne had earlier contacted several companies for quotes for the necessary signs.   The only company who replied has quoted £92.80 for the two signs.

 

Resolution 58/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that subject to final wording being checked by the Chairman, these signs be ordered.  Final costs to include poles and not to exceed £200.

 

When invoices are available for these the final grant applications can be made to CDC and the Regional Development Agency. 

 

10.4         Gloucestershire Playing Field Association.

 

Following some discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would continue in its membership of Gloucestershire Playing Field Association.

 

Resolution 59/05  The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that a cheque for £50 be sent to Gloucestershire Playing Field Association to renew membership.

 

11.                Allotments

 

Councillor Gaden explained that he had investigated the proposal for allotments in the village, and had spoken to some of those who wished allotments, and to the managers of Crucis Park Farm.  Some land was available at the back of Durncourt Cottages.

 

Residents of Durncourt Cottages (some of whom were present at the meeting and who were invited to comment) had objected to the proposals for allotments at the back of their homes, mainly on the grounds of security and health issues.  It was agreed that the Council was under no obligation to provide allotments, and it was also agreed that the best way forward would be for those interested to set up their own Allotment Association, and then discuss possible available land with local landowners.  Any change of use from agricultural land would be subject to planning permission.

 

The Chairman will inform Mr Pizzey (who initiated the discussions) and Mrs Glanville of the Council’s decision.

 

12.                Representation on the Village Hall Committee

 

Councillor Tremellen will consider this in the New Year.

 

13.                Correspondence received

 

13.1         Reclassification of the A417

 

Plan now available

 

13.2         Consultation documents

 

The following documents were noted:

 

• CDC Local plan 2001 – 2011.  Proposed modifications to the revised deposit.  Comments by 1 December 2005.

 

• GCC Provisional local transport plan – comments by 18 November 2005

 

• Application for NHS Foundation Trust Status – comments by 28 November 2005

 

• CDC Local Development Framework  Draft Affordable Housing Supplementary planning document – comments by 24 November 2005

 

13.3         Invitations to meetings

 

The following meetings were noted:

 

• South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) – meeting at the Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham, on 2 December to discuss the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) .  Mornings will look at the RES and the afternoons at the RSS.  The SW Regional Assembly are the organisation who will implement the RSS, the SWRDA will implement the RES. 

 

• Gloucestershire Charter – to formalise and strengthen relations between all tiers of local government.  CDC offices, Trinity Road 6.30pm – 8.30pm.

 

• CDC invitation to a civic service on 4 December, Tetbury.

 

13.4         Glos Home Safety Check scheme.

 

Following the indication that this organisation will lose their grant, the Council were asked to lobby their local District Councillor.  No action.

 

13.5         Victim Support

 

Refused with regret.

 

14.                Matters outstanding

 

Water stands outside the football field on wet days.  The Clerk will notify GCC Highways.

 

15.                Date, time and place of next meeting.

 

Monday 9 January 2006, 7.15pm in the Village Hall.