WESTBURY-ON-SEVERN PARISH COUNCIL

Transcription

1 WESTBURY-ON-SEVERN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 16 September 2013 in Westbury Parish Hall. PRESENT: Councillors - P Ensor C Evers Chairman M Green D Landon S Phelps Vice Chairman P Radley N Stephens M Townsend Mrs F Wallbank Clerk District Councillor Edwards (partial attendance) Members of the Public: 6 (some partial attendance) 1 APOLOGIES: Councillor Brooke. 2 MINUTES OF MEETING: Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 15 July 2013 were agreed after an amendment to page 4 - the Burial Ground and not the Closed Churchyard where the memorial stone needs fixing the minutes were signed. 3 DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None 4 PUBLIC COMMENT: None 5 PLANNING MATTERS a) Applications: P1291/13/FUL Newnham Lodge, Ampney Lane, Northwood Green: Erection of a two storey and a single storey extension, demolition of existing garage. Alterations to existing parking area. Comments to Forest of Dean District Council: The Parish Council has no objections to this application. Applications considered since the last meeting: P1059/13/FUL Land South of Stantway Court Farm, Stantway Lane, WOS: Variation of condition 3 (traffic management plan) and removal of condition 4 (drive through bath measures) of planning permission P0031/11/FUL Comments to Forest of Dean District Council: The Parish Council has no objections to this application. P1090/13/FUL & P1091/13/LBC Lower Ley Farm, Lower Ley Lane, Minsterworth: Installation of a wood pellet boiler and associated flue in an existing stable/outbuilding to the rear of dwelling. Comments to Forest of Dean District Council: The Parish Council has no objections to this application. b) Decisions & Appeals: P0932/13/FUL Longcroft Farm, Blaisdon Road, WOS: Installation of various solar panels on barn roofs. (Retrospective). - Granted P1059/13/FUL Land South of Stantway Court Farm, Stantway Lane, WOS: Variation of condition 3 (traffic management plan) and removal of condition 4 (drive through bath measures) of planning permission P0031/11/FUL Granted P1090/13/FUL & P1091/13/LBC Lower Ley Farm, Lower Ley Lane, Minsterworth: Installation of a wood pellet boiler and associated flue in an existing stable/outbuilding to the rear of dwelling - Granted 1

2 P0842/13/FUL Little Croft Cottage, Blaisdon Road, WOS: Erection of a first floor side extension - Granted P0751/13/FUL Stantway Cottages, Stantway Lane, WOS: Erection of a detached double private car garage with storage above. Demolition of existing garage. Erection of two single storey extensions to dwelling - Granted Appeals: None c) Site Inspections: None d) Cart Shed: The Clerk reported that she had received an from Alastair Chapman who confirmed that the Cart Shed did not appear on the 2006 Buildings At Risk Register and he was not aware of any plans to update the register. He had consulted his colleague Tony Gwynne in Building Control with regards to advice on safety considerations of the building. Despite the Clerk chasing Mr Chapman she had not received any information from Mr Gwynne. The Chairman asked both the District Councillors to take this up with the FODDC. Councillor Stephens said that he may be forced to request for the building to be demolished which would be a great pity. 6 FINANCIAL MATTERS: a) Internal Audit Councillor Townsend agreed to carry out the internal audit. b) Accounts for payment and receipts The Councillors agreed the following payments: Mrs F J Wallbank: Salary 1-31 August Salary 1-30 September Less Tax for August 0.60 Less NI for August 4.38 Less Tax for September 0.60 Less NI for September Refund to FJW for Inland Revenue Payments due for August as follows: Tax FJW 0.60 NI FJW 4.38 NI PC Cheque No: Inland Revenue payments due for September: NI for PC 5.73 NI for FJW 4.38 Tax FJW Cheque No: Ilex Garden Services 7th cut th cut Cheque No: GAPTC cost of latest edition of Charles Baker Cheque No: Grant Thornton: fees in respect of the audit For the year ended 31 March VAT Cheque No: Mrs F J Wallbank: Expenses for the period April-September 2013: Half yrs room rental ¼ year s telephone rent Traveling expenses

3 Tel/broadband calls ( 5 per month) Photocopying expenses 8.00 Petty Cash South West Computer Repairs: cost of repairing Samsung printer share cost with Deerhurst Parish Council (refund due To Clerk) VAT 7.00 Way2save Limited: cartridge for Samsung printer Share cost with Deerhurst Parish Council (refund Due to Clerk) VAT 4.00 LESS: Amount collected from Deerhurst Parish Council in Respect of contributions towards repairs to printer And printer cartridge Cheque No: Countryside Maintenance for removing pine trees As per quotation less 30 as did not clear away Chippings Cheque No: Northwood Green playing field rent Cheque No: Chairman s Expenses Cheque No: Accounts for Payment Receipts M S Watkins: Fees in connection with the Late Derrick Hale Fees in connection with the late Elizabeth Freeman Cancellation of cheque no: to Countryside Maintenance for removing pine Trees and clearing site Total Receipts c) Audit for the year ended 31 March 2013: The Clerk reported that the new external auditors had completed the audit without any comments. The audit completion notices had been put on the noticeboards. d) Budget for 2014/15: The Clerk circulated half year audit for this financial year. This was discussed with the Councillors and the Clerk reported that the Parish Council were on forecast and there were no real areas of concern. The Chairman reported that as from this financial year the FODDC now pays the precept in two elements with the majority of the precept coming from funding raised from council tax bills and the balance from a government grant to fund the local council tax support scheme. This year the new scheme was 100% funded but the DCLG has not yet given any details as to how the grant for 2014/15 will be honoured, if at all. Currently the forecast reduction for Westbury-on-Severn will be if the local council tax support scheme element not longer remains available to the PC. The Chairman also pointed out that the grass cutting contract would have to be put up for tender as it was the end of the three year contract with Countryside Maintenance despite them handing the contract over to Ilex Gardening Services. It was agreed that the Clerk should place a small advert in the Forest Review at a minimal cost. The Chairman brought forward agenda item 8g) Autograss as there were six residents from Colchester 3

4 Close present who wished to raise their concerns on this matter. The Chairman reported that he had been led to believe that a representative/s from the Gloucester Autograss Club were attending tonight s meeting, but he noted their absence.. He went on to say that a number Councillors had visited Colchester Close on the last Autograss meeting held on the 21 July to assess the situation. Noise and other forms of pollution had not been a problem that day, but it was agreed that event had been quieter than normal for various reasons, numbers attending, wind direction. He pointed out that there was very little more the Parish Council could do to assist parishioners concerns as it was not a licensed event; and if it was a licenced event the responsibility for issue and conformity would rest with FODDC. All the Parish Council can do was pass on parishioners' concerns to the FODDC. He said that the PC had again been approached about holding a two day event so the Clerk had sent the secretary, Wendy Gardner, a copy of the Parish Council s letter to Daryl Smart, when the Forest Autograss Club had previously enquired about two day meetings, in which the Parish Council stated their total opposition to the idea. He also noted the organisers wished to hold a small car boot sale during the Autograss meetings but again this was not a matter for the PC but for the landowner and the FODDC. Councillors Stephens said he was appalled that the dates were being changed all the time with little regard for the local residents. He had spoken to the FODDC who had agreed to attend an event and monitor noise levels. The following points were raised by residents: Cancellation of event to be held on the 18 August with less than 24 hours notice the residents were notified that the meeting was cancelled for no apparent reason. September meeting scheduled for 15 September changed to 29 September. They understood the only valid reason for cancelling or changing dates is weather related. Neither the cancellation of the 18 August nor the change of date for the September meeting can possibly relate to weather conditions. How can residents plan their calendars" when they constantly change the agreed meeting dates. Those who attended the meeting on the 21 July with the Councillors wanted to know if any further action had been taken. Published dates issued by the organisers had changed so far as follows: 7 March. Cancelled. No reason given but presume inclement weather conditions. 21 April Meeting held. No date in May but a substitute day on 26 May subsequently selected. 16 June. Changed to 30 June. 14 July. Changed to 21 July. 18 August. Cancelled (subject of the above first bullet point correspondence). 15 September. Changed to 29 September. 13 October to be held. The Chairman asked both District Councillors if they could enquire into any further assistance that FODDC could provide to resolve the present state of affairs and minimise future impact on the parish. 7 GAPTC/NALC MATTERS: The Chairman reported on various matters that had been raised via the GAPTC and at recent County Committee Meetings. They included possible neighbouring associations operating joint working arrangements which could provide savings and improvements, the proposed introduction of 3 levels of Quality Councils, and training events are not being adequately supported by Parish and Town Councils from Glos [Councillor Phelps commented that Westbury kept booking on various events but they had been cancelled]. The Chairman also encouraged Councillors to attend the Gloucestershire Charter meetings. 8 MATTERS ARISING: a) Play Area: Councillor Green reported that he had started to paint the multi-play unit however there was quite a difference in the colour of the new paint on the frame. He was quite happy to paint the whole frame but did not have enough paint and would require more. It was agreed to purchase more paint. 4

5 Councillor Landon reported that the gap in the wetpour between the green and black by the spring board was getting bigger and required attention, Councillor Townsend reported that he had reported the two boundary posts to the Parish Hall Management Committee. It was reported that the staples in the springboard had been removed and the cut area filed, and the Chairman and Councillors Phelps/Radley would fit the u-bolts to the swings. b) Highway Matters: Layby by Westbury Court Gardens: No further update Jordans Hill Bridge/Railway: The Clerk reported that she had still not received confirmation from Mr Watkins that he had sent a letter to Mr Mountjoy about clearing the field of overgrowth on the right hand side before the bridge. Councillor Stephens said he would take this matter up and also pressurize Glos Highways to get some satisfactory action from Network Rail to clear the railway embankment which is extremely overgrown. Network Rail refuses to take action as the growth is not causing a problem for the trains. Ditches from Emmings Farm: No further update. A48 ponding by Chaxhill Hill Farm: No further update 30mph Sign Ampney Lane and sign at the top of Junction Hill: Still not replaced. Lumbers Lane sign: Requires attention. Church Lane sign: Requires attention Blaisdon Bridge: Warning sign needs tightening up. Church Lane: Councillor Townsend reported that he and Councillor Brooke had met with Mr Watkins and walked down Church Lane. and Since then the dropped camber had been filled in. Mr Watkins reported that the lane was not designed for heavy lorries as there was no ballast in the road. Church Lane to Adsett: Reports of this area flooding in heavy rain. Clerk to report. A48 Dip in Road outside Poppyfields: This is starting to drop again Clerk to report to Mr Watkins informing him that on that side of the road the drain gulley always contains water and on the other it is usually empty. A48 Major resurfacing works were scheduled as from 7 October and would be from 7am-7pm and likely to cause major traffic disruption. Highways Grant Money: Councillor Stephens said that the Parish Council s allocation of last year s funds - 1,111 was still in the pot and then there was 1,500 for this year totalling 2,611. The Parish Council needs to consider what projects this money needs to be spent on and to let him know before Christmas. Councillor Landon reported that someone from the bungalows at Westbury Court had said that they had great difficulty in crossing the A48 to catch the bus and was it possible to provide a crossing and perhaps move the bus stop. Councillor Stephens said that back in 1987 he had pushed quite hard for a crossing in the Village but the police were completely opposed to a crossing as felt it would cause more accidents. The Chairman observed that Newnham had two crossings and Blakeney had one so why was Westbury any different? c) Footpaths: Councillor Townsend reported: He had ed Peter Maunder several times and finally got a telephone call from him last week apologising for not been in contact sooner. Mr Maunder had promised to give him a half day of his time to discuss and investigate the various outstanding problems in Parish. Re ESW 101/1 at Garden Cliff he has matter in hand. Mr Maunder was very apologetic about the materials for Ley Park not materialising. ed PROW re EWS 68/1 by the Junction Pub being overgrown and it was agreed that his helpers would clear the overgrowth. Ramblers have complained about the Severn Way at Rodley along the river being used as a target range. The Chairman said that he had received a number of complaints of footpaths in that area being blocked. Blaisdon towards the brook at Northwood Green gate locked. Stile falling apart on Footpath by Frocester House. EWS/81/1 from the A48 to Walmore Common blocked. Raise with Peter Maunder during tour around the Parish. 5

6 Councillor Phelps reported that the footbridge over the stream in the Village on EWS 63/4 and EWS 63/5 was in urgent need of attention. Clerk to report the next day. d) Emergency Planning: In Councillor Brooke s absence the Chairman reported that several people had volunteered at Westbury Fete to assist with the Emergency Plan. It was reported that in the floods of 2007 Westbury was isolated as far as Emergency Services were concerned which should be taken into consideration when putting together the plan. e) Car park by the river at the end of Strand Lane (Garden Cliff): The Chairman reported that a very useful site meeting was held with Mr Rattenbury in attendance and a number of Councillors. The Parish Council now knows where the car park is. Councillor Brooke will report further at the next meeting. f) Doctors Surgery: The Chairman reported that Nikki Holmes had received confirmation that the IT Service Engineer visited the practice on the 14 August to check the technical link to the clinical system and the Practice Manager was going to carry out some operational testing but was on leave. Councillor Marrilyn Smart has been chasing this matter up with the various bodies but sadly without success. Apparently at Newnham Surgery they are changing their IT system as from 26/27 September and appointments will take longer for a time with the new IT system. A new opening date for the surgery is the end of October Councillor Stephens said he had been invited to a meeting on Friday, 20 September at Shire Hall. It was agreed that Councillor Landon should raise this matter with Healthwatch. g) Autograss: This item was brought forward h) Flaxley School Rooms Request for Streetlight: The Clerk reported that Lesley Smith from GCC had informed her that GCC were unable to install additional lighting at the present time. However, if the Parish Council is able to source money for additional lighting then they may be able to assist. Councillor Stephens said he would speak to Brian Watkins about possible costings. i) Holly Hedge at Closed Churchyard: The Chairman, Councillors Radley and Phelps agreed to cut back the elder, brambles etc and plant some new holly plants. Other Matters of Concern: Dog Mess - Closed Churchyard: The dog mess is extremely bad in this area and also down Ampney Lane. Councillor Stephens produced a sign and it was agreed that the Clerk would produce some copies which could be put around the bad areas. Also grass cuttings are being dumped in the ditch opposite the houses in Ampney Lane. It was agreed the Clerk and Chairman would devise a letter to be sent to households in the Ampney Lane area highlighting the seriousness of both these matters. 10 CORRESPONDENCE: a) GCC Gloucestershire Local Developer Guide: Infrastructure & services with new development The Clerk agreed to look at this document and report back if it needed to be commented on. Any Other Correspondence: Telephone Box, Chaxhill: The Clerk reported that she had received an from a parishioner enquiring as to the future of the telephone kiosk at Chaxhill. The Clerk contacted British Telecom to ascertain what the current state of play was with regards to the kiosk and they reported that it is a cashless payphone and a job is with their contractors for the removal of the kiosk. The Councillors agreed that the Parish Council did not want to adopt this kiosk and felt that the parishioner should negotiate with British Telecom direct if they wanted to purchase it. 11 MATTERS RAISED FOR NOTIFICATION: Noticeboard at Northwood Green: Councillor Townsend wanted to thank Councillor Green and his father for doing such a wonderful job on the noticeboard. All Councillors were fully in agreement. The late Bernard Stephens: The Chairman reported that he had very sadly passed away. Bernard Stephens was a Councillor and Chairman for many years and a life-long supporter of the Village. His death is a sad loss for the Parish. All Councillors offered their sympathy at his passing. 12 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday, 20 October The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45pm. 6