North Nibley Parish Council |
2010 |
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL, HELD ON MONDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2010, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, NORTH NIBLEY AT 7.30PM.
Present: Mrs EA James (Chairman); Mr D Purnell (present from item 4);
Mrs A Hale; Mrs. P Kelly; & Mr D Palmer.
District Councillors: Mrs J Cordwell; Mr. A O’Connor; & Mr P Smith.
County Councillor: Dr. J Cordwell.
The Clerk: Mr R Symons.
Cemetery Clerk: Mrs M King (present from Agenda Item 4)
Three members of the public present for parts of the Meeting.
To Receive and Accept Apologies for absence.
The following apologies were accepted:
Mr K Brown.
To Receive Mr R Smith’s resignation from the Parish Council. The Clerk read out a letter in which Mr Smith tendered his resignation as a Parish Councillor. The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Smith on behalf of the Chairman thanking him for his many years of service to the Community. The Clerk advised the Council of the procedure for filling the vacant position and it was agreed that the Council will post a Notice on both notice boards, seeking a Councillor for the period to the May 2011 elections.
Declaration of Interests.
The Chairman invited members to declare any interests.
Mrs James (Chairman) declared a Prejudicial Interest in Item 7.
To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on 4 October 2010, as a true and accurate record.
The Minutes had previously been distributed to all members and displayed on public notice boards and the website. 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 Note, which had been issued prior to the Meeting, informed the Council that he had:
held further discussions with Stroud DC (Open Spaces Team) about the wooden fencing to the Play area. He reported that they had reached the same conclusion as the Parish Council and commissioned a contractor to provide a quotation to replace the fencing with metal fencing. Cllr Mrs Cordwell reported that she had since spoken to officers who informed her that the quote was too expensive and they have now decided to replace the nails, securing the fencing, with screws;
included in the Parish Council OTE article reference to concerns about intrusive noise caused by light aircraft carrying out ‘stunts’. Cllr. Dr Cordwell provided details of earlier complaints experienced by a Wotton-under-Edge parishioner. Although that information was very detailed, it had not generated any action by CAA. The Clerk decided to await feedback from parishioners to the OTE article, before writing to CAA. The Clerk had also been given further information by Mr Palmer;
organised a visit on Monday 11 October, when some members of the Parish Council saw the pavilion;
forwarded the Parish Council’s early comments on the electoral review of Gloucestershire County Council. The reply has been e mailed to Parish Councillors;
submitted the Council’s response to Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan Questionnaire;
been informed that Mr R Smith had spoken to Mrs Convery regarding the location of a seat in the Cemetery. He was awaiting her decision;
been informed the hand rail at the entrance of the Cemetery has recently been installed;
been advised by Mr Brown that he spoke to Mrs Amanda Godber, Down to Earth Cooperative (Stroud) Ltd. and answered her questions about arrangements in North Nibley;
been advised that the Mayor of Nibley City Council, Utah USA, will be making contact with Mrs James. Mrs James informed the Council that she was still waiting to hear more;
given the accounts and supporting paperwork to the Chairman to enable a half yearly financial checks to be carried out;
received from HMRC, the last repayment of VAT on the Recreation Field loan.
The Meeting was opened for Public Discussion and Questions.
Mr Powell informed the Council that the footpath in the Cemetery was covered in moss and grass, making it difficult to use. Furthermore access to the Cemetery path, via the entrance nearest the village, was blocked by the hedge of the adjoining house leaning over the path.
The Council agreed that Mr Purnell should contact a contractor and arrange for the work to be carried out. Mr Purnell also agreed to speak to the residents in the house next to the Cemetery and advise them about the problem caused by the hedge. The Chairman thanked Mr Powell.
Mr Eddie Vick updated the Council and advised the Council that during October he had recorded 19 instances of intrusive light aircraft noises over the parish caused by pilots carrying out ‘stunts’. Five times on the previous Friday. Cllr. Dr Cordwell reported that following the last meeting he had investigated the matter further and he had reported this to the Clerk and in his Council Report (see Item 12). The Clerk explained that he had included this matter in his OTE article and was waiting to see if other residents wished to raise concerns before he wrote to the CAA. He stated that he would allow 10 days to pass before taking action. The Chairman thanked Mr Vick.
Mr Andrew Gregg reported that following the last meeting, when he reported on interest in developing a skate ramp in the village, he had contacted Andy’s Skate Shop in Stroud and found out about similar developments elsewhere in the District. Mr Gregg passed information to the Clerk. Mr Gregg agreed that the main issue to address is to acquire suitable land (about the size of a tennis court) on which to develop a skate ramp. The Clerk informed the Council that he had included this in his OTE article and was awaiting feedback. Mr Gregg reported that he had been unable to contact the person in Wotton under Edge who is leading that town’s project. He would try again. The Chairman thanked Mr Gregg for his efforts.
There being no others matters, the Chairman re-opened the Meeting.
The Parish Council considered and commented upon the following Planning Application received from Stroud District Council:
S.10/2004/HHOLD. Fortune Cottage, Road Green, North Nibley. Erection of extension and conversion of garage.
At this point Mrs James left the Meeting due to her earlier declared Prejudicial Interest. Mr Purnell took over the Chair.
Following discussions the Council agreed to make “No Observations” on this application.
Mrs James returned to the Meeting and assumed the office of Chairman.
The Clerk informed the Council that since the last Meeting he had not received any planning decisions. Stroud DC has written to Parish Councils to inform them that they will no longer be posting paper copies of planning decisions. In future decisions will be e mailed to the Clerk.
The Council received information about Stroud DC Planning Authority’s intention to make changes to their Delegated Powers. Cllr. P Smith was invited to address the Council. An e-mail from Cllr. Tait Portfolio Holder for Development had been distributed to Councillors. Following a full discussion the Clerk was instructed to write to Cllr. Tait setting out the Council’s opposition to the proposals.
Finances.
The Council considered a suggestion to fund the Clerk’s proposed membership of the Society of Local Council Clerks. Following discussions the Council agreed to fund the 2010/11 year membership at a cost of £103. It was agreed that this would be reviewed in a year’s time to see if the Council were getting value for money. (LGA 1972 s143 (1)(b).
The Council noted that the Clerk has passed the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA). The Council congratulated the Clerk on his success. The Chairman stated that this entitled the Clerk to a salary increment. Following discussion it was agreed that the Clerk’s salary should move to Spine Column Point 18 on the National Scale for Local Council Clerks, with effect from 4 October 2010.
The Clerk presented his Second Quarter Financial Report. There were no questions. The Council accepted the Report.
The Clerk presented his Finance Paper. (see aside). The Clerk explained that there were four activities for the Council to decide upon.
The Council first considered and set the Budget for 2011/12. The Clerk explained that this was the necessary first step before the Council could agree and apply for its 2011/12 Precept (deadline 11 January 2011). He informed the Council that he had been advised that decisions should be deferred until it was known what impact the District & County Council spending decisions might have upon local services. He suggested that the Council’s Precept decision be deferred until the December meeting. Following discussion the Council agreed that they would make their decisions at this meeting and only return to the issue at the December Meeting should spending decisions elsewhere require them to reconsider.
The Council agreed that it was desirable to maintain the Precept at the 2010/11 level (£12,000). Following discussions the Council agreed to adopt the Budget (see aside Annex B).
The Council agreed to set the 2011/12 Precept at the 2010/11 level (£12,000). The Clerk was requested not to submit the Precept application until after the December Meeting.
The Council agreed to set Draft Budgets for following 2 years (2012/13 & 2013/14). (See Annexes C & D).
The Clerk reported that the final repayment of VAT has been received in respect of the Loan for the pavilion. The Council agreed to transfer a sum of £922.30 from the Council’s main bank A/C to the Recreation Field loan A/C
The Council received and approved the following Invoices for payment. Cheques were duly made out:
Steve Vines Carpentry Services, for the Recreation Field pavilion. (£640.00) (LG (MPA) 1976 s. 19(3))
Dave Palmer. Reimburse from Parish Plan A/C for map of parish purchased from Gloucestershire County Council. (£20). (LGA 1972 s.111).
The Clerk provided a written update on the Recreation Field loan. (See aside).
The Clerk advised the Council that he had spoken with Stroud DC Housing officers regarding the sale of Council housing. At the request of one Councillor this was placed on this Agenda to enable the Council to better understand the policy relating to Council Housing for the elderly. The Clerk explained that he had sought advice on the position of elderly tenants in District Council Housing for the elderly under the Right to Buy legislation. These tenants are ineligible to buy the property due to conditions in the legislation which prevent such properties being purchased. However, this policy does not apply to disabled people (under age 60) who are tenants in such properties. Therefore any disabled tenants (under age 60) in a property which has hitherto been reserved for the elderly, could be eligible to buy the property. Cllr Mrs Cordwell explained that there are covenants on such properties which place restrictions of the onward sale of the property and establish financial conditions in the case of an early sale.
District Councillor Mr A O’Connor submitted his written District Council Report. (See attached). He brought to the attention of the Council the budgetary position of the Stroud Canal Project.
County Councillor Dr J Cordwell provided a written report. (See attached). The Council noted the contents of the Report. Cllr. Cordwell confirmed that Highways still have two projects on this year’s programme of works.
The Council received and discussed Reports from Parish Councillors and the Clerk of Committees, Meetings and other matters for information.
Mrs Kelly brought to the Council’s attention the forthcoming Table Top Sale at the Village Hall.
Mr Palmer reported his recent attendance at the Dursley Cluster Group Meeting. He added that this was the penultimate Meeting of the Group. The meeting heard about a spate of thefts from agricultural premises; and the forthcoming reorganisation of policing services.
Mr Palmer also reported that he had recently spoken with BT & TalkTalk who advised him that with effect from 31 March 2011 there should be an upgrading of broadband services to the Village.
Mr Purnell reported on the recent Meeting of Trustees of Stinchcombe Hill. The Trust are still in negotiations with Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club over the lease. The Trust has submitted a bid to English Nature to enable grazing to take place on the slopes of the Hill. Concerns had been expressed about further vandalism to the shelter.
The Clerk reported (see written report) on the GAPTC AGM.
Mrs James reported on the Standards Committee Meeting; and also informed the Council that she had recently attended Code of Conduct Training for Councillors. A further event is due on 18 November at Stroud and Councillors were encouraged to attend.
The Council agreed the dates for Parish Council Meetings in 2011. The Council will meet on the first Monday in the month at 7.30pm, except when a Bank Holiday falls on that date (namely in January & May) when the Council will meet on the second Monday.
Cemetery Report. The Council received a verbal report from the Cemetery Clerk. Following her recent death Mrs Tallboys will be buried in the Cemetery. The Council agreed the design of a memorial for Mr Peter Townsend.
The Council received a written update on Correspondence received since the last Meeting. (See attached).
There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.35 pm.The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held at the Village Hall on Monday 6 December 2010 at 7.30 pm.