NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL |
2013 |
AN ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY 2 SEPTEMBER, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, NORTH NIBLEY AT 7.30PM.
Present: Mr D Purnell (Chairman).
Mr K Brown; Mr S Hale; Mr K Larkin; Mr D Palmer; & Mr L Smitherman.
District Councillors: Mrs J Cordwell & Mr P Smith.
County Councillor: Dr J Cordwell.
The Clerk: Mr R Symons.
Before the Meeting started, Christine Sweet, the new Village Agent for Wotton under Edge/Dursley areas, addressed the Council by introducing herself and speaking about her role. The Village Agent provides an important link for local people aged over 50, between the statutory and voluntary services operating in the area. Ms Sweet’s background has been in social care and social work, placing her ideally for the role of Village Agent. The Chairman thanked her for attending and invited her to keep in touch with the Council through future meetings.
The Chairman opened the Parish Council Meeting.
The Council invited apologies. There were none.
Declaration of Interests. The Chairman invited members to declare any Interests relating to this Meeting. The Chairman declared a personal interest in Item 4.
The Council approved and signed the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 5 August, 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 by the Chairman.
At this point in the Meeting, the Chairman having declared a personal interest, handed over the Chair to the Vice Chairman (Mr K Brown). The Chairman (Mr Purnell) left the room.
The Vice Chairman introduced the two applicants (Mrs J Burton & Mrs A Fletcher) for the vacant position of Parish Councillor. They were individually invited to address the Council, following which they left the room. Upon completion of the two speeches, the Clerk, overseen by District Councillor June Cordwell, invited the parish councillors to decide which applicant should be co-opted onto the Parish Council for the period to May 2015, through a secret ballot.
Upon completion of the ballot, the Vice-Chairman announced that by a majority Mrs Jane Burton had been co opted onto the Parish Council. The Vice Chairman invited both applicants back into the room. He congratulated Mrs Burton upon her election and thanked Mrs Fletcher for her interest in standing as a Parish Councillor.
The Clerk arranged for Mrs Burton to complete Acceptance of Office and Declaration of Interests documents.
Mr Brown stood down from the Chair and the Chairman (Mr Purnell) resumed the Chair of the Meeting.
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:
he had contacted Mr Corker at Stroud DC Enforcement Team with reference to Bird Farm. Mr Corker had advised the Clerk that he had heard by email from the Mrs Bird and was planning to follow it up. He informed the Clerk that Mr & Mrs Bird were in discussions with someone who wanted the land; and they are also progressing plans to move elsewhere. Mr Corker advised the Clerk that should there be no progress on this it is his intention to refer the matter to Stroud DC Legal Department to take the matter into the Courts.
he had sent Councillors copies of the two quotes received for the work at the Cemetery. Councillors had agreed unanimously that the contract should be awarded to Mr Ian James. Meanwhile Mr James had withdrawn his tender from the process, leaving the Council with a single tender. The decision to award the contract was placed on the Agenda for the September Meeting. (Item 11 (2)).
most of the essential maintenance work at the Cemetery has been completed by Garden Supplies, leaving the area accessible for the contractor to carry out the Cemetery Project.
he had reported to Stroud District Council Enforcement Team the development of a tennis court at Waterley House. The Enforcement Team have visited and reported back that “the tennis court itself is permitted development. However, the fencing around the tennis court requires the benefit of planning permission as it exceeds 2 metres in height”. Enforcement “has written to the owners requesting a planning application to regularise the matter”.
he had, at the request of one Councillor, reported to Stroud DC Enforcement Team the development of a caravan site and building on land opposite the Council land at Breakheart Hill, off Axe Lane. The Enforcement Officer had visited and reported back that “the Caravan and Camping Club activity does not require planning permission. However, I have informed the owners that if the activity increases or they erect any further outbuildings, then planning permission would be required. The agricultural building on the site at the present time got planning permission in January 2010”.
he had been advised by Mrs King that Mr Pick is discontinuing his business and will no longer maintain the flower beds on the Island. At some stage the Council will need to decide how it will continue to support this arrangement.
The Council discussed the first matter under this Agenda Item. Councillors were unhappy with the lack of progress by Stroud DC Enforcement Team on Bird Farm. Councillors reported receiving many approaches from parishioners who are angry and very unhappy with the lack of progress on this matter. Following discussion the Council agreed to make a complaint of maladministration to the Local Council Ombudsman. The Council also agreed to put questions to Stroud District Council at their next meeting. It was left to the Clerk to draft suitable questions for clearance with councillors prior to submission to Stroud DC.
The Council considered and commented upon the following Planning Application:
S.13/1493/HHOLD. Innocks House, New Road, North Nibley, Dursley. Erection of detached garage and study/studio, removal of bay window and erection of two storey extension and two storey extension to rear. Mrs Burton declared a Personal Interest and left the room.
Following discussion of the application and consideration of Local Plan Policy HN16, the Council decided to make “No Comments”.
Mrs Burton returned to the Meeting.
The Chairman closed the Meeting for Public Discussion and Questions. There were no questions. The Chairman re-opened the Meeting.
The Council received a written District Council Report from District Councillor Mr P Smith. (See filed aside) There were no questions for Cllr Smith. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Smith for his report.
The Council received a written County Council Report from County Councillor Dr J Cordwell. (See filed aside). The Chairman welcomed Cllr Cordwell and wished him a continued recovery following his recent operation. There were no questions on his report. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Cordwell for his report.
The Chairman invited Parish Councillors to report on any Meetings they had attended:
Mr Brown had received enquiries from the Rural Payments Agency about the amount of trees on the Council land at Breakheart Hill. The precise outcome of this enquiry was unknown.
Parish Council Finances.
The Council received the Quarterly Bank Reconciliation Report from the Clerk. (See filed aside). The Clerk explained the current financial position of the Council. There were no questions.
The Council received a statement of the current Budget. (See filed aside). The Clerk explained the position of the Council’s current budget. It was pointed out that income from Breakheart Hill land would be less than budgeted; expenditure on the Parish Information Board may be less than budgeted for; and that overall the Council looked to be operating within the Annual Budget. There were no questions.
The Council were advised that from the original four invitations to tender there was now only one tender available to accept. Having considered that tender the Council approved the tender for £5,725, which slightly exceeds the budgeted amount of £5,650. The Council also required the Clerk to work with the contractor to determine a start date for the work and to explore ways of reducing the overall cost to the Council.
The Council approved the Invoices and drew up cheques for items on the enclosed Schedule of Payments.
The Council agreed that they should hold Informal discussions about setting the 2014/15 Precept & Budget. The informal meeting was set for 7.00pm on Monday 21 October. The Clerk will draw up papers in advance of the meeting, to aid discussion.
The Council agreed that a date should be set for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to carry-out Half Yearly checks of the Accounts. The Clerk was asked to agree a date with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
The Chairman invited the Clerk to report on the Cemetery. The Clerk reported that he had been informed about damage to flowers on a grave at the Cemetery. It was suggested the matter should be brought to the attention of the Neighbourhood Warden.
The Council received a written report (See aside) on Correspondence & Messages received.
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 7 October 2013 at 7.30 pm.