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.

  1. 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.


  1. Declaration of Interests. The Chairman invited members to declare any interests.

There were none.

  1. 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.


  1. 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:

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;

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.


  1. The Parish Council considered and commented upon the following Planning Application received from Stroud District Council:

Following discussion and full consideration of the application the Council decided to make “No Observations” on this application.

Following discussion and full consideration of the application the Council decided to make “No Observations” on this application.



  1. The Parish Council noted the following decisions by Stroud District Planning Authority:







  1. 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.



  1. 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.



  1. County Councillor Dr J Cordwell provided a written report. (See attached).



  1. The Council received and discussed Reports of Committees and Meetings attended by Parish Councillors.



  1. 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.



  1. 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.



  1. 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.



  1. Finances.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  1. 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):

(LGA 1972 S.215) £150

(LGA 1972 S.137) £240.

(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.)



Following careful consideration of each item the Council agreed to approve payments for the following items; and cheques were drawn up:



  1. The Council received a Cemetery Report from the Clerk on behalf of the Burial Clerk. (See attached).



  1. 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.

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