AN ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY 2 JUNE, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, NORTH NIBLEY AT 7.30PM.

Present: Mr D Purnell (Chairman).

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

District Councillors: District Councillors Mrs J Cordwell; Mrs L Reeves; & Mr P Smith.

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. There were none

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 Annual Council Meeting held on 12 May 2014, as a true record. The Minutes of the May Annual 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.

4. 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:

• Wood Lane. Sarah Macaulay-Lowe (County Rights of Way) had met with the Geotechnical expert from Amey and the Parish Council Chairman on 22 May to discuss the way forward. During a subsequent telephone conversation with Sarah Macaulay-Lowe the Clerk was advised that Amey were producing a report. The Clerk reported that Wood Lane had been cleared for access by vehicles, by Mr Brown.

• The Clerk’s review with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman was set for 4 June.

• The Cemetery. Treecreeper Arborists carried out planned work on the trees in the Cemetery during week commencing 19 May.

• The Council Accounts for 2013/14 have been through Internal Audit by Mr Kennett. The Accounts were on Agenda at Item 12 (2) ready to be signed-off by the Council and submitted for Audit by Grant Thornton.

• North Nibley Village School. The Chairman met with the Chairman of FONNS to discuss the outdoor learning area. The Chairman reported back by email (13/05/2014 21:56) as follows: “This structure has been well constructed and is complimentary to a really professional restructure of this corner the school front In my opinion this will positive addition to the school
  In the circumstances I don’t feel there is much more the PC can do.”

• Traffic through the Village. The Chairman & the Clerk met with John Kay from Highways. Report back at Item 11 on the Agenda.
  
  
  

5. The Chairman invited Karen Phimister (Rural Housing Enabler for Stroud District) from Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC) to discuss the potential for developing Affordable Housing in the Parish. Councillors were referred to the Clerk’s Background note on Affordable Housing; and the situation facing local people trying to enter the housing market was described. The main obstacle facing the Council had been obtaining suitable land for Affordable Housing. It was hoped that recent national government policy changes would open up the option of a developer using “cross subsidy” thus releasing suitable land in the Parish.

The Council was shown pictures of recent Affordable Housing developments in the district.

Following discussion the Council agreed that the 2003 Survey was now too dated and that more up to date evidence was needed before progressing. It should commission a further Housing Needs Survey through GRCC. It was hoped that the Survey could be distributed through “On the Edge”. A draft article for the next edition of OTE had been received from Ms Phimister and the Clerk would amend and submit for inclusion. This article should serve the joint purposes of advising parishioners of the latest on Affordable Housing; and alert land owners to the new potential available through cross subsidy. Ms Phimister also agreed to work with the Clerk on putting together the Survey questionnaire. The Chairman thanked Ms Phimister for her attendance and presentation.

6. The Council received and discussed the following applications for Planning Permission:

• S.14/0969/FUL. Park Farm House Park Lane, Stancombe, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 6AT. Relocation of existing single storey timber barn/store. Erection of new secure barn/store at location of existing barn/store that is to be relocated.

Following consideration of the application the Council agreed to make “No Comments”.

• S.14/1055/LBC. Black Horse Inn 1 Barrs Lane, North Nibley, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 6DT. Proposed replacement of 10 signs to the exterior of the building.

Following consideration of the application the Council agreed to make “No Comments”.

• S.14/1054/ADV. Black Horse Inn 1 Barrs Lane, North Nibley, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 6DT. Proposed replacement of 10 signs to the exterior of the building.

Following consideration of the application the Council agreed to make “No Comments”.

7. The Council noted that Planning Consent has been granted in respect of the following applications:

• S.14/0383/FUL. Katherine’s Farm, Swinhay Lane, Swinhay. Permission to set up a work experience project.

• S.14/0925/LBC - Forthay House, Forthay, North Nibley. Permission to remove the front porch.

8. The Chairman closed the Meeting for Public Discussion and Questions. As the only member of the public had left the Meeting after Item 5 the Chairman re-opened the Meeting.

9. The Chairman welcomed District Councillor Mrs Reeves to her first meeting and congratulated her on her recent election success.

The Council received a written District Council Report from District Councillor Smith. (See filed aside). The Chairman noted a Resolution being put forward by Councillor Smith to Stroud DC in respect of potential additional expenditure to be faced by Parish Council having to hold Parish Elections in 2015 & 2016. He thanked Councillor Smith for his consideration. The Chairman thanked Councillor Smith for his Report.

10. The Council received a written County Council Report from County Councillor Dr J Cordwell. (See filed aside). In response to questions, Councillor Cordwell commented on the impact on the County Council’s budget in future years. He also drew attention to “Active Together grants” which he confirmed are open to applications from “not for profit” organisations” to prioritise sport and physical activity. The Chairman thanked Councillor Cordwell for his Report.

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

• Mr Brown reported that he had had a meeting with an Ameys official about the fallen beech tree in Hookey Lane. (First reported to Council in May 2014). Mr Brown is awaiting further action.

• Mr Palmer reported that he had been unable to attend the recent meeting of the Monument Trust. He also reported that he had finished re-seeding the area adjoining the Garden of Remembrance in the Cemetery.

• The Chairman & Clerk reported on their recent meeting with John Kay from Gloucestershire Highways. (See report aside). Following discussion the Council agreed to request that Mr Kay arrange for a “Pedestrians crossing” sign to be installed; and that further consideration should be given to installing rumble strips on the approach to the Village along New Road. The Clerk will write to Mr Kay.

• The Clerk also agreed to follow up his request for action on the leylandi hedge in Pittcourt which was reported to be overgrowing the road.

12. Finances.

1. The Council received a Statement of Finances for the first two months of 2014/15 Financial Year. (See aside).

2. The Council received and approved the Annual Return for the Year ending 31 March 2014. The Annual Accounts having been cleared through internal audit were ready to be approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman & Responsible Financial Officer, in preparation for Audit by Grant Thornton. The Council agreed to approve the Annual Return. The return was duly signed by the Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer.

The Council agreed that the Clerk should write to Mr Kennett thanking him for his support.

3. The Council approved the Invoices and drew up cheques for following items on the enclosed Schedule of Payments.

• Stroud DC. Contribution to Neighbourhood Warden Scheme 2014/15. £200.00

• Treecreeper Arborists Ltd. Maintenance work on trees in the Cemetery as agreed. £1,300.

• Mr D Palmer: Reimbursement for grass seed provided for the Cemetery. £10.34

13. The Council received a written report (see filed aside) on recent works on trees in the Cemetery (as approved at Minutes 14/2/2014 & 14/3/2014). The Clerk reported that he had received a statement from Treecreeper Arborists Ltd. confirming that following work there were no problems in these 6 trees.

14. The Council received for information details of Correspondence received. (See aside).

The Clerk also informed the Council of:

• Planned temporary closure of bridge at Crowell Brook (16 to 20 June);

• A letter received on behalf of New Road residents thanking the Council for their support during their dealings with Stroud DC;

• Advising the Council that he would represent them at the GAPTC AGM in July.

15. The Clerk confirmed the dates of Council Meetings for the period until April 2015. (See aside).

Following discussion it was agreed that the 2015 Village Clean-Up day should be on Saturday 28 March.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the Meeting closed at 8.55 pm.

Councillors were reminded that the next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Village Hall on Monday 14 July 2014 at 7.30 pm.