NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL

2014


AN ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY 6 JANUARY, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, NORTH NIBLEY AT 7.30PM.

Present: Mr D Purnell (Chairman).

Mrs J Burton; Mr S Hale; Mr K Larkin; & Mr D Palmer.

District Councillors: None present.

County Councillor: Dr J Cordwell.

The Clerk: Mr R Symons.

There was one member of the public present for part of the Meeting.

The Chairman opened the Parish Council Meeting.

  1. The Chairman invited apologies. Apologies were received and accepted from Mr K Brown & Mr L Smitherman. Also from District Councillors Mrs J Cordwell; & Mr P Smith.

  2. Declaration of Interests. The Chairman invited members to declare any Interests relating to this Meeting. There were none.

  3. The Council approved and signed the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 2 December, as a true record. The Minutes of the December Ordinary Meeting had previously been distributed to all members and displayed on the public notice boards and the website. All members agreed the Minutes should be signed, as a true and accurate record. The Minutes were duly signed by the Chairman.


  1. The Council noted matters arising from the Minutes, not covered by agenda items. The Clerk referred to his Update Note, which had been issued prior to the Meeting. He advised that:

  1. The Chairman closed the Meeting for Public Discussion and Questions.

There being no matters raised, the Chairman re-opened the Meeting.


  1. The Council considered and commented upon the following Planning Application & Application for Listed Building Consent.:

The two applications were considered together. Following a full consideration of the documentation linked to these applications the Council agreed to Support both applications on the following grounds: The Council support the planned improvements to this property and the intention to return the house to a good standard. The Parish Council considers that these proposals fully meet the requirements of the Stroud Local Plan Policy HN 16.

  1. The Council noted that consent has been granted in respect of:


  1. The Council further considered the Parochial Church Council’s application for the Parish Council to take on full responsibility for the Closed Churchyard at St. Martin’s Church. (Local Government Act 1972 S 215 (2)). This was first discussed at the December Meeting (Minute 8/12/2013). The Clerk referred to his “Update Note on the Closed Churchyard at St Martin’s Church”, issued on 30 December 2013. (See filed aside). Following discussion the Council decided to accept responsibility for the Churchyard (rather than pass it to Stroud DC). The Council instructed the Clerk to write to the PCC, raising the following issues:

  1. The Council received a paper entitled “North Nibley Parish Council: Finance Paper: Setting the Council’s Budget and Precept for 2014/2015”. Following a full discussion and consideration of the paper and associated spreadsheets the Council agreed:

  1. A Budget for 2014/15 (See Annex B attached);

  2. Draft Budgets for 2015/16 & 2016/17 (See Annex C attached);

  3. To defer the final decision on the 2014/15 Precept until after the Parish Council has been advised of the level of Local Council Tax Support to be paid in 2014/15. Meanwhile the Council set a Preliminary Precept of £13,500 (including LCTS) for final approval and sign-off at the February Meeting.



  1. The Council received a written District Council Report (see filed aside) from Councillor Mr Paul Smith. Councillor Smith was unable to be present.



  1. The Council received a written County Council Report from County Councillor Dr J Cordwell. (See filed aside). There were no questions on his report. The Clerk advised that he usually found no problems in getting Highways to repair street lighting. A recent report on the light at the corner of The Street and New Road received a reply within 24 hours. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Dr. Cordwell for his report.



  1. The Chairman invited Councillors to report on Committees and Meetings they had attended. To receive and discuss Reports of Committees and Meetings attended by Parish Councillors.



  1. Parish Council Finances.

  1. The Clerk was unable to present the Parish Council Bank Reconciliation to end of December 2013 due to non-arrival of bank statements. It was agreed that the item should be deferred to the February Meeting.

  2. The Council approved the Invoices and drew up cheques for the following items:

  1. The Council received a quote from TW Hawkins & Sons for carrying out grass cutting & strimming in the Cemetery in 2014. The Clerk advised the Council that TW Hawkins & Sons last increased their prices to the Council in 2011/12. The proposed price for 2014 was £102.48 per cut (plus vat). A 2.99% increase. Following discussion the Council approved the quote.



  1. The Council received a verbal Cemetery Report from the Clerk.



  1. The Clerk invited Councillors to put forward suggestions on items to be included in the Agenda for the Parish Meeting Agenda 8 April 2014. The following suggestions were made:

The Clerk was directed to draw up a draft agenda for approval.



  1. The Council received for information details of Correspondence received.

(See attached).

The Council agreed that the 2014 Village Clean-Up event should be held on the morning of Saturday 12 April 2014. The Clerk will make the necessary arrangements.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.15 pm.



The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Village Hall on Monday 3 February 2014 at 7.30 pm.

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