AMPNEY CRUCIS PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 10 NOVEMBER 2008 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, AMPNEY CRUCIS.
Present: Councillors Barry Dent, David Vessey, Elisabeth Gerver, Adrian Grazebrook, Frank Skinner, and Gerald Gaden
Presiding: Councillor Barry Dent
Clerk: Mrs H Tonks
Observers: Alan Lewis and Janet Campbell
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm.
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1. Apologies for absence
Councillor Peter Kelly, District Councillor Edward Horsfall and County Councillor Mavis Dunrossil.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2008
The minutes were amended as follows:
Paragraph 3.5: Councillors Dent and Vessey reported that had the application gone to appeal, it was their opinion that, given the history of similar appeals, it would have been refused.
Paragraph 6.3 (in relation to the Birch House planning application): Councillor Vessey declared an interest and did not comment on this application,
Resolution 61/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the minutes, as amended, of the meeting held on 8 September 2008 be signed and adopted.
3. Matters arising from the meeting held on 8 September 2008
3.1 Highway matters
The missing drain cover on Riding Lane has not yet been replaced. The Clerk will contact Gloucestershire Highways.
The 30mph sign on Riding Lane is still propped against a hedge. The Clerk will contact Gloucestershire Highways.
3.2 Bench at The Pound
Following the recent article in the newsletter, residents have not responded to sponsor a replacement bench on The Pound
3.3 Plastic recycling
There have been no complaints from local residents about the plastic recycling bins at Durncourt Cottages. They appear to be being kept tidy and emptied regularly.
4. Reports from County and District Councillors
County Councillor Mavis Dunrossil sent the following report to be read out at the meeting:
5. Questions from the Public
None
6. Planning matters
6.1 Decisions
440 08/01360/FUL Ridge Barn Permits 447 08/00965/FUL Waterton House Refused 448 08/01787/FUL Ampney Knowle Permits 449 08/01806/LBC Ampney Knowle Consents 453 08/02313/FUL 46 Ashbrook Lane Permits 454 08/02451/FUL Birch House Permits
6.2 Outstanding applications
451 08/02146/CON Half Acre No comment 452 08/02147/FUL Half Acre No comment 456 08/02813/FUL Pippins No objection 457 08/03171/FUL Lost Elm No objection 458 APP/F1610/C/08/2086278 Park Close Objection
The Council’s response to CDC for 08/02813/FUL noted inappropriate materials were proposed for the property.
Although there were no objections to 08/03171/FUL, Councillors agreed that they would raise concerns about the lack of parking provision. The sub-division of the property would mean that there would be one garage between 2 houses.
There are still concerns about the application at Park Close, (APP/F1610/C/08/2086278) as the appeal does not appear to relate to the Certificate of Existing and Lawful Use refused by the CDC. Representations should be made by 2 December 2008.
Resolution 62/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that Councillors Dent and Vessey would respond on behalf of the Council. This letter is attached to these minutes at pps xx.
6.3 Amendments
None
6.4 Tree works
None
6.5 Cripps proposals
The Clerk has received notification from CDC planning that the Cripps application has been received, and is being split into 4 related applications There is however, more information required from the applicant before the applications will be validated and advertised. The application will rely on English Heritage’s Enabling Development. The Clerk will ask for a printed copy of this policy.
6.6 Park Close
See 6.2 above.
6.7 Stonelea
Some Councillors are concerned about the visibility splay being built at Stonelea, believing that it will be a dangerous junction to use. Councillor Vessey has asked for advice from the Police and Community Services Officer.
6.8 Letter to CDC planning from Chipping Camden Town Council
Chipping Camden Town Council had written to CDC, with copies to every Town and Parish Council in the District, with concerns that Town and Parish Council comments are often not taken into account when CDC decisions are made. CDC had responded to Chipping Camden, with copies to all Town and Parish Councils in the District, explaining their planning decision procedure.
The Chairman had already written a holding reply to Chipping Camden. The Council discussed this matter and agreed that as Ampney Crucis Parish Council had had similar concerns in relation to specific planning applications, the Council should contact CDC with their concerns.
The Chairman agreed to draft a letter, including comments from Councillors Vessey and Skinner.
7. Financial matters
7.1 Current financial position
Resolution 63/08 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 31 October 2008.
7.2 Agreement of payments
None
7.3 Praying Cross Insurance
Mike Harris has almost completed the repair of the wall at the Praying Cross. Two small holes are still waiting to be completed.
Mr Harris also suggested that the wall adjacent to the gate needed repair and that this could be completed for £40.00
Resolution 64/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved Mike Harris be instructed to repair the wall adjacent to the gate at a cost not to exceed £40.00
He has valued the length of wall at £3,000 for insurance purposes. The Clerk confirmed that she had written to the insurance company asking that this is included in the insurance schedule.
The wall adjoining Half Acre has been damaged. The Council agreed that this would be monitored.
Councillor Gaden has agreed to remove the ivy from the wall, and the Council can then assess the condition of the section of wall covered by the ivy.
7.4 New account for playground sinking fund
The new account with Barclays is in the process of being authorised. The amount in the playground sinking fund will be transferred once the Clerk has received confirmation that the account can be used.
7.5 Clerk’s salary
The Clerk and members of the public left the room.
It was reported that the National Association of Local Councils had recommended that Clerks should be paid a 2.45% cost of living increase, backdated to 1 April 2008.
Resolution 64/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Clerk’s salary reflects the nationally agreed salary scales and increases to £9.468 per hour backdated to 1 April 2008. A cheque will be issued to the Clerk for backdated pay from 1 May 2008.
The Clerk and members of the public returned to the meeting.
7.6 Grass cutting contract
The Clerk had distributed a draft grass cutting contract. This was discussed, and the final contract agreed, and attached to these minutes at p xx.
7.7 Draft budget for 2009/10
The following draft budget was discussed. This budget will be discussed again at the meeting in January 2009, when final figures will be confirmed, and the budget set, and precept request made. It is anticipated that the amount to be paid into the sinking fund may increase, as will the grass cutting contract and insurance.
Staff costs: salary £3784 see note 1 expenses £ 100 No change Grass cutting: £1335 Increase of 3% Burial Ground maintenance £ 0 No change Ampney Times £ 204 Increase of £62 Admin: GAPTC £ 120 Increase £10 village hall hire £ 80 No change insurance £ 765 Increase 10% on payment for 08/09 misc. and postage £ 140 Increase of £20 Playground: sinking fund £ 242 See note 3 replacement £ 300 No change insurance £ 434 Increase 10% on payment for 08/09 Others: donations/grants £ 0 No change audit £ 150 No change
TOTAL: £7654 decrease of £178.
Note 1: 2.5% added onto the salary paid for 2008/09
Note 2: Councillor Gerver submitted a draft indicative budget, suggesting that the amount needed for 2009/10 would be £204.
Note 3: A payment of £241.60 would take the sinking fund to £5000, the amount suggested (in 2005) as needed for removal of the playground. It was agreed that it would be prudent to allow this fund to increase in line with inflation.
8. Burial ground matters
The Chairman and Councillor Gaden had, separately, inspected the wall at the rear of the Burial Ground, and ascertained that 3m of wall needs repair. It is not urgent, and will be monitored.
9. Village Update
9.1 War memorial
The Clerk has spoken to GCC highways. They still hope to move the drainage at the War Memorial but are still waiting for drainage levels to be assessed.
A local resident has co-ordinated the cleaning and remarking of the War Memorial. The land is owned by the Parish Council therefore the Chairman saw the quotation and insurance details prior to work starting. As agreed in resolution 39/08, the Parish Council will use the fundraising bank account to allow the payment of the invoice, and receipt of the grant.
9.2 The Ampney Times
Councillor Gerver distributed a paper showing actual costs for 2008/09 and projected costs for 2009/10. These are shown below:
Income Ampney St Peter /Ampney St Mary 72 Ampney Crucis precept 204 Advertising 50 TOTAL 326
Expenditure Paper 75 Printing 202 Mailing 22 Staples 2 Travel/phone 25 TOTAL 326
£204 has been allocated in the Parish Council draft budget for 2009/10.
It was agreed that as the newsletter is not a Parish Council newsletter but a village newsletter, the financial team for the newsletter would continue to contact Ampney St Mary and Ampney St Peter to ask for their contribution.
The Parish Council would continue to accept income and arrange to pay the expenses for the newsletter.
The new volunteer onto the editorial team is only able to carry on the role on a part time basis, therefore Councillor Gerver will continue to act as community editor for a limited period of time.
In future, Councillor Skinner would be the Parish Council contact.
9.3 Playground
Councillor Skinner had made an inspection of the playground, and had not found any items that needed repairing. It was agreed that following the official annual inspection, the Clerk would liaise with the inspection company and insurance company to ensure that both organisations are satisfied with any future action by the Council.
9.4 Praying Cross
See paragraph 7.3
9.5 Footpaths
Councillor Grazebrook has walked most of the footpaths in the Parish and apart from one specific area has not found any areas of great concern. Once he has walked all the footpaths, he will contact the Clerk, to discuss which footpaths will need addressing.
10. Correspondence received
10.1 Ampney Downs Farm Licensing Application
An application has been made for a perpetual licence for further annual 3 day events at Ampney Downs Farm.
There were some concerns that if a perpetual licence were to be granted, numbers at the event could increase to 5000 without any need to reapply.
It was agreed that the Council would comment on these issues, asking that in the event of any licence being granted, it should be granted for one year, with numbers limited to 1500.
Councillor Skinner also has concerns about the process of publicising these applications online, (as the full application cannot be read online) and suggested that the Parish Council contacts CDC with a request that the system be changed. A draft letter was circulated and agreed. This letter is attached to the minutes at p xx
10.2 Letter to CDC planning from Chipping Camden Town Council
Discussed in paragraph 6.8.
10.3 Freedom of information model publication scheme
The Council were reminded that some years ago the Council adopted the model publication scheme to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. GAPTC have since informed the Clerk that new legislation has now been produced (in accordance with section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000) meaning that the Council has to adopt a more general and wide ranging scheme by 1 January 2009. Any item that does not relate to the Council should be scored through, with reasons why it does not apply. The Council discussed the draft copy that had been circulated. The final content of the document was agreed .
Resolution 65/08 The Chairman proposed and the Council resolved that the Council adopts the Model Publication Scheme as required by Section 20 the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This scheme is attached to these minutes on page xx of these minutes.
10.4 Resignation of Councillor Elisabeth Gerver.
Councillor Gerver has, for personal reasons, resigned from the Parish Council, taking effect at the end of this meeting.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Gerver for her work whilst she has been a member of the Parish Council, and Councillor Gerver thanked all those she had worked with on the Council.
The Clerk explained that there would be call for an election. If an election was not required, the Council would be able to co-opt.
10.5 Consultation of the Code of Conduct.
This consultation refers to the Code of Conduct signed by Councillors, particularly the area referring to the policy of allowing Councillors, and members of the public to comment factually, when they have an interest in a specific item.
It also referred to a new code of conduct for employees. There were 2 issues attached to this: whether such a code should be mandatory for all local council employees, and if so, whether it should include the following ‘core values’?
General principles Accountability Relations with members, the public and other employees Equality Stewardship Personal interests Whistleblowing Treatment of Information Appointment of staff Investigations by monitoring officers
The document also asked whether the Council believe the code of conduct for employees should be extended to parish councils and if so, whether it should apply to part time staff.
The Council agreed that they had no comments on the policy surrounding Councillor’s interests, and also agreed that this code of conduct for employees should not apply to Parish Councils. The Clerk will respond on behalf of the Council.
11. Matters outstanding
There is some fly tipping on the Old London Road. The Clerk will contact CDC.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The following dates were agreed for 2009: 12 January, 9 March, 11 May, 13 July, 14 September and 9 November. All meetings at 7.15pm, apart from 11 May which will be held after the Annual Parish Meeting which will start at 7.30pm. All meetings to be held in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.40pm.
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