AN ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2012, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, NORTH NIBLEY AT 7.30PM.

Present: Mr D Purnell (Chairman).

Mr K Brown; Mrs K Glancy; Mr S Hale; Mr K Larkin; Mr D Palmer; & Mr L Smitherman.

District Councillor: Mrs J Cordwell; and Mr P Smith.

County Councillor: Dr J Cordwell.

The Clerk: Mr R Symons & Mrs M King (Burial Clerk).

There were no members of the public in attendance.

1. To Receive and Accept Apologies for absence.

2. Apologies were received and accepted from District Councillor Mr. A. O’Connor.

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

4. To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on held on 3 September 2012, as a true record. The Minutes of the August 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.

5. 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 had:

• informed The Cotswold Wardens and the Gloucestershire Rights of Way Team about the problems with steps to the Monument. They are planning to carry out repairs;

• discussed with The Cotswold Wardens and the Gloucestershire Rights of Way Team a suggestion to install a handrail at the top of the steps leading to the Monument. The two parties have agreed to fund and carry out this work, but the Clerk needed to secure the land owner’s permission first. He had written to Lady Gass’ Agent and awaited a reply; (Mr Brown pointed out that the piece of land in question belongs to the North Nibley Knoll Trust and not to Lady Gass. The Trust would welcome the installation of a hand rail.) The Clerk agreed to take the matter forward;

• reported to Gloucestershire Highways the pothole at The Throat;

• received a ‘phone call from Richard Gray (Highways) who cancelled a planned meeting with the Clerk. Richard Gray will be getting his “tree expert” to look at the trees overhanging Barrs Lane and others in Smarts Green. Mr Gray had promised to report back to the Clerk on what will be done next; (Since the Update a contractor has been engaged to price the job)

• Lady Gass’ agent had responded to the Clerk’s letter. The Clerk had replied to him with the requested information;

• received all of the Councillors’ “Declarations of Interest” and will be forwarding them to Stroud DC;

• posted the “Code of Conduct” on the website. He will be posting the “Declarations of Interest” on the Parish Council website, once they have been signed-off by the Monitoring Officer;

• been working on drawing up Cemetery Regulations as a result of attending a training event on Cemetery Management. Once drafted, in consultation with Mrs King, they will be submitted for the Council’s approval;

• met with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, who have carried out a half yearly check of the Council’s Accounts;

• reported to Hawkins & Sons complaints received about loose grass in the Cemetery, following a recent grass cut. They have explained that weather conditions have made their work more difficult and assured me that they will take care in the future;

• explored the possibility of securing a grant for necessary work on the Cemetery.

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

There was none. The Chairman re-opened the Meeting.

7. The Council considered and commented upon the following Planning Applications:

• S.12/1913/FUL. The Old Kings Head, Nibley Green, North Nibley. (Full planning permission). Roof extension to existing agricultural barn to provide covered storage for hay & farm machinery. Following discussion the Council agreed to Support the Application.

• S.12/1820/CPL. Tedcombe, Waterley Bottom, North Nibley. (Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development). Proposed front extension. The Council considered the detail of the Application and were surprised that such a significant extension could be considered as a CPL Application. Following further discussion they were of the opinion that this should have been considered as a Full Planning Application and the Clerk was asked to relay this view to the LPA.

• S.12/1768/FUL. Park Farm House, Park Lane, Stancombe. (Full planning permission). Change of use from agricultural to equestrian use; and construction of an all-weather equestrian turn-out/exercise area with associated landscaping. Following discussion the Council agreed to Support the Application on the grounds that the facility would be for personal use, as stated in the Design & Access Statement.

• S.12/1750/DISCON. Daisy Green House Daisy Green Lane, Howley, Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 7PF. Discharge of all conditions (1 – 16) from Planning Permission S.09/0970/FUL. The Council noted this application.

8. The Council noted that Stroud District Planning Authority has agreed to give Permission for:

• S.12/1172/HHOLD Sandfields Farm, Smarts Green, North Nibley, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 6EQ. Erection of two storey and single storey rear wing extensions to existing farmhouse. Conversion of adjacent existing stone outbuilding to provide utility facilities for main farmhouse together with new porch and alterations to principal elevation.

• S.12/1173/FUL Sandfields Farm, Smarts Green, North Nibley, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 6EQ. To restore/remodel stone and timber clad agricultural outbuildings in existing farm complex. Demolition of number associated lightweight structures. Building No.3 to provide leisure facilities, parking and plant room for biomass energy centre in addition to agricultural function.

• S.12/1332/FUL Fortune Farm, Blanchworth Lane, North Nibley, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 6BA. Replacement parlour building and ancillary dairy and storage.

• S.12/1182/FUL. Bush Street Farm, North Nibley. Erection of wooden stable.

• S.12/1560/HHOLD. Willow House, Smarts Green, North Nibley, GL11 6EQ. Demolition of existing garage and erection of new double garage with workshop and store above.

9. The Council received a written District Council Report from District Council Mrs June Cordwell. There being no questions the Chairman thanked Councillor Mrs Cordwell for her Report.

10. The Council received a written County Council Report from County Councillor Dr J Cordwell. Following comments from the Councillors, the Chairman thanked Councillor Dr Cordwell for his report.

11. The Chairman invited Parish Councillors to report on Committees and Meetings they had attended.

• Mr Larkin reported that he had attended the quarterly meeting of The Recreation Field Trust. The meeting covered several housekeeping matters. The Committee also discussed the impact of this year’s Music Festival on the condition of the field. It had been agreed that a further meeting should be set up with representatives of the Music Festival to discuss future arrangements.

• Mr Larkin reported on a further meeting between The Recreation Field Trust (RFT) & North Nibley Music Festival Committee (NNMFC). The Parish Council, in an observer role, was also represented by Mr Larkin, Mr Purnell, (Chairman of the Council) and the Clerk. At that meeting both parties aired a wide range of issues which had come to the surface before and after this year’s Festival. It was agreed that there needed to be improved communications between the parties; some heads of terms for a 3 to 5 year plan for the Festival use of the Recreation Field should be drawn up and agreed; and financial arrangements should be agreed, including the responsibility for carrying out any future repairs to the Field, following Festivals. The RFT & NNMFC agreed to meet again to finalise their plans.

• Mr Palmer reported he had attended a meeting of The Tyndale Monument Trust. In addition to discussing housekeeping matters the Trust discussed other matters including the need for improved signage, which Mr Palmer thought could be addressed through the proposed Parish Information Board; Mr Palmer agreed to put information about the Monument onto his website; and Mr Palmer reported to the Trust that the steps to the Knoll were going to be repaired.

• Mrs K Glancy reported she had attended a meeting of North Nibley School Governors. The new school year saw 15 new pupils in the Reception Year and the overall numbers of pupils increase to 99. There had also been some staff changes. A new funding formula brought about changes to the school’s income. Mrs Glancy reported that the School’s finances were in a satisfactory order. As a result of funding from the Music Festival Committee new carpets had been fitted into two classrooms.

• The Clerk reported on the attendance of the Chairman and himself at Stroud District Council Parish & Town Council Forum. There had been presentations on: the future impact of changes to Council Tax funding and the potential impact on parish council Precept arrangements; an update on District Recycling services; and Planning changes brought about by government changes to the system. There was also a substantial discussion about the draft Consultation Agreement (“Working Together in Stroud District”) between the District and parish/town councils.

• Mr Brown reported that he had spoken to Defra to establish the Council’s grant position. He had discovered that in 2011/12 Defra had paid two year’s grants, which clarifies why the Council were credited with additional income in that financial year.

12. The Council discussed and comment upon the Draft Agreement (“Working Together in Stroud District”) for consultation between parish/town councils and the District Council. Following discussion the Clerk was requested to respond to GAPTC in Support of the Draft, with a suggestion that a Review Period of 12 months should be added to the document.

13. The Council considered and discussed the proposal for a Parish Information Board. It was agreed that this proposal should be included in the Council’s 2013/14 budget. After discussion it was agreed that Mr Smitherman would put some time into exploring the potential of part funding the Board through sponsorship by local businesses. Mr Smitherman agreed to provide further information by the time of the Budget discussions at the November Meeting. The Clerk agreed to explore the need for obtaining permission to install the Board in the agreed preferred location near the ‘bus stop.

14. Finances.

1. The Council approved the Invoices and drew up cheques for the following items on the Payments Schedule:

• GAPTC: Clerk’s Training (Clerk’s Networking Event, 5 December);

• Mr R V Symons: Clerk’s Salary (Quarter two 2012/13);

• The Post Office: Clerk’s PAYE (Quarter two 2012/ 13);

• Mr R V Symons: Clerk’s Expenses (Quarter two 2012/13);

• PerfectTurf: Hedge cutting at the Cemetery;

• Mr B Pick: Island Plant holders refurbished & replanted.

15. The Council received a Cemetery Report.

1. The Council considered and approved requests to introduce/amend memorials for:

• Dianne & David Brooks

• Maggie Coffin

• Marion Lilian Morrison-Bicknell

2. The Clerk informed the Council of the need to introduce “Cemetery Regulations” and advised the Council on how he will take this work forward.

16. The Council received for information details of Correspondence & Messages. (See attached).

There being no further business the Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.10 pm.

The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Village Hall on Monday 5 November at 7.30 pm.