NORTH
NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL.
AN ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY 5 JULY 2010, THE VILLAGE HALL, NORTH NIBLEY AT 7.30PM.
Present: Mrs EA James (Chairman); Mr D Purnell; Mrs A Hale; & Mr R Smith.
District Councillor: Mrs J Cordwell; & Mr P Smith. County Councillor Dr. J Cordwell
The Clerk: Mr R Symons.
To Receive and Accept Apologies for absence.
The following apologies were accepted: Mr K Brown; Mrs. P Kelly; and Mr D Palmer.
District Councillor Mr. A O’Connor also sent his apologies.
Declaration of Interests. The Chairman invited members to declare any interests.
There were none.
To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 June 2010, as a true and accurate record.
The Minutes had previously been distributed to all members and displayed on public notice boards and websites. It was pointed out that the Minutes were incorrectly numbered. Following amendment all members agreed that the Minutes should be signed as a true and accurate record. The Minutes were duly signed.
The Council noted Matters arising from the Minutes that were not covered by agenda items. The Clerk’s Update Notes, which had been issued prior to the Meeting, informed the Council that he:
had written to Mark Hemming, advising him that the Parish Council decided not to progress its enquiry about a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on the oak tree at Bush Street Farm;
informed Stroud DC that the Parish Council would part finance the cost of installing a new larger waste bin outside the Cemetery. The new bin has been installed and the existing bin is still in place, at a cost to the Parish Council of £85 plus VAT;
has advised Parish Councillors that the revised figures on the end of year spend should have read £10.630.78 against an end of year income of £11,874.29, for the period ending 31 March 2010;
the Council’s Accounts have been sent to the Auditors;
wrote to Alan Kennet to thank him for carrying out the Internal audit on the Council’s Accounts;
wrote to all the applicants for Parish Council grants, advising the successful ones that cheques will be raised at the July Meeting. Several have replied, thanking the Council. He also wrote to North Nibley Music Festival to inform them that their application had been unsuccessful;
wrote to Mrs Baxter & Mrs Bunn thanking them for their work in the Cemetery;
has contacted Cotswold Conservation, to find out more about placing a bench on the Hill. He has spoken to their Volunteer Warden (Noel Banks) and agreed to arrange a mutually
convenient time for Noel Banks, a Councillor and Steve Penfold to meet and agree the site for the bench. He has kept Steve Penfold informed;
has visited the Land Registry to register Parish Council land at Breakheart Hill;
understands that Smarts Lane/ Waterley Bottom resurfacing has been completed;
has been advised Gloucestershire CC Highways plans to resurface The Street/Frog Lane and to carry out the drainage and footpath work. An Addendum for On The Edge has been distributed to households that are directly affected. A Notice has been posted on the notice boards;
has failed three of the 25 Sections of his CiLCA qualification and has applied to re-sit the three Sections;
has been invited by GAPTC to become the “small parishes” representative on the Gloucestershire Training Partnership Committee;
Mr R Smith was invited to give an update on the fencing of Council land at Breakheart Hill. Mr Smith reported that the fencing materials have been delivered and the contractor will be carrying out the work week commencing 12 July.
The Clerk reported that Mr Turk had suggested a valuer whom the Council could use to revalue the Council’s assets. The Clerk will make contact to check out costs.
The Clerk reported that he had again spoken to David James & Partners and been advised that the sale of land on Nibley Hill (Mr EA Mason) is still proceeding and is currently with solicitors. The Clerk was advised that Mr Blaken would inform the Parish Council once the sale is concluded.
The Parish Council considered and commented upon the following Planning Application received from Stroud District Council:
10 Warren Croft, North Nibley. S.10/1082/HHOLD. “Single storey side extension.”
Following discussion and full consideration of the application the Council decided to make “No Observations” on this application.
Whiteway Cottage, Whiteway Hill, Dursley. S.10/1216/HHOLD. “Erection of conservatory, single storey mono-pitch extension to side elevation, erection of porch, two storey reduced eaves rear extension. Demolition of existing garage and erection of garage/workshop. Replacement of outbuilding roof with pitched roof. Erection of open sided caravan shelter.”
Following discussion and full consideration of the application the Council decided to make “No Observations” on this application.
The Parish Council noted the following decisions by Stroud District Planning Authority:
Planning Reference S.10/0607/FUL. Planning Permission has been granted to carry out demolition of existing agricultural building. Erection of store building and garage at Elmcote Farm, Swinhay Lane, Swinhay.
Planning Reference S.10/0899/AGR. A Development Order has been made in respect of the erection of two storage buildings at Sandfields Farm, Smarts Green. (Agricultural Notification).
The Meeting was opened for Public Discussion and Questions.
Mr R Smith said that he thought it a pity that the Council had decided in May to award a £100 grant to the Village Show when the Committee has subsequently donated £1000 to the Village Shop. Mrs Hale explained that the Parish Council donation had been used to sponsor rosettes at this year’s show. The Committee’s later decision was as a result of them deciding to step down and to use their reserves to make a donation to the Village Shop.
It was reported that the Neighbourhood Warden had visited The Quarry at Nibley Hill on a day when a large number of KLB pupils were having an “end of school” party. There was a lot of rubbish deposited; and possible under-age drinking taking place, but otherwise no disorderly behaviour. The Clerk reported that following a complaint from a parishioner he had visited the Quarry and collected a large amount of rubbish which was brought down to the bin at the bottom of Wood Lane.
The Clerk informed the Council that he has learnt that Westridge Wood is now owned by Lady Gass, from Somerset.
District Councillor Mrs J Cordwell submitted her District Council Report. See attached. In response to questions Mrs Cordwell informed the Council that the District Council were currently making budget cuts.
County Councillor Dr J Cordwell provided a written report. (See attached).
The Council received and discussed Reports of Committees and Meetings attended by Parish Councillors.
Mrs James reported that she had attended a Standards Meeting. The Committee was uncertain about its future following recent government announcements.
The Council considered a motion to approve the appointment of Mr D Palmer as Parish Council representative on Tyndale Monument Trust Board. Following discussion the Council approved the appointment.
The Council considered a Resolution to permit the Clerk, wherever possible, to electronically serve the summons confirming the time, date, venue and the agenda of all Council Meetings. Following discussion and an explanation of the legal position relating to the Summons to Attend Parish Council Meetings, the Council agreed to approve the resolution.
The Council received and considered a draft of new Standing Orders for North Nibley Parish Council, based upon the model standing orders produced by NALC. Following a full and considered discussion, the Council agreed to endorse the draft, with agreed amendments. The Clerk was asked to produce a final version for distribution to all Councillors at the next Meeting.
Finances.
The Council received the Clerk’s written First Quarter Finance Report. The Clerk explained that the Council’s finances were currently within budget. The Clerk informed the Council that the current finances contained adequate contingency arrangements and confirmed that money had been budgeted to meet the anticipated costs of an election in 2011. The Council agreed to accept the report.
The Council received a written report on the Recreation Field loan. See attached. The Clerk informed the Council that he had written to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs for advice on reclaiming VAT in respect of payments made on the Recreation Field pavilion.
The Council agreed to accept the report.
The Council received details of the following Invoices for payment:
Cheques were drawn up for the payment of Grants which had been approved at the June Meeting (Minute 14/06/10):
St Martin’s Church, for maintenance and repairs to the churchyard and its walls.
(LGA 1972 S.215) £150
Cotswold Vale Talking Newspapers, to support the maintenance & necessary upgrading of equipment for the Talking Newspaper. (LGA 1972 S.137) £50
North Nibley Pre-School, to purchase two free standing notice boards,
(LGA 1972 S.137) £240.
North Nibley Village Hall, to purchase a white board and flip chart for the Annexe Meeting Room. (LGA 1972 S.133) £250
On The Edge, towards the running costs of producing OTE.
(LGA 1972 S.137) £200
North Nibley Friendship Club, towards the hire of a coach to take members out to a garden centre (or similar) for lunch. (LGA 1972 S.137) £200
(The Council agreed that because the Group do not have an account, this cheque should be made payable to Mrs M King, for the full use of the Friendship Club.)
North Nibley Village Shop. To improve the shelving & product display arrangements. (LGA 1972 S.137). £500.
Stroud CAB. To support running costs of CAB. (LGA 1972 S. 142(2A)). £100.
Following careful consideration of each item the Council agreed to approve payments for the following items; and cheques were drawn up:
Village Hall hire for period January to June 2010. £72.00.(LGA 1972 s.134(4))
Hawkins Cemetery grass cut period 12 April to 3 June 2010. £453.08. (LGA1972 s.214)
Printerinks.com. Purchase of ink cartridges for computer. £89.10. (LGA 1972 s111)
Clerk’s salary Quarter 1. £1242.08 (LGA 1972 s. 112)2))
Clerk’s expenses Quarter 1. £37.89. (LG(FP)A 1963)
Clerk’s CiLCA re-sit fee. Reimbursement to the Clerk for fee already paid. £70.00 (LGA 1972 s111).
Land Registry fee for registration of Parish Council land at Breakheart Hill. Reimbursement to the Clerk for fee already paid. £40.00 (Land Registration Act 2002 ss4 & 58)
The Council received a Cemetery Report from the Clerk on behalf of the Burial Clerk. (See attached).
The Council received a written update on Correspondence received since the last Meeting. (See attached).
The Clerk sought the Council’s views on inviting GRCC to attend a future meeting to discuss Affordable Housing; and to write an article for “On The Edge” inviting landowners to consider offering their land for Affordable Housing. It was agreed that the Clerk should progress both matters.
There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.30 pm.
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held at the Village Hall on Monday 2 August 2010 at 7.30 pm.