AN ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY 5 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: District Councillors Mrs J Cordwell; & Mrs L Reeves.

County Councillor: Dr J Cordwell.

The Clerk: Mr R Symons.

Ms Karen Phimister, Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC).

There were five members of the public present at the start of the Meeting.

The Chairman opened the Parish Council Meeting.

The Chairman informed the Council that Mrs Ann James, a former Councillor and Chairman of the Parish Council was very ill. He added that the members of the Council remembered her tonight and that everyone’s thoughts were with her and her family at this time.

1. The Chairman invited apologies. The Council received and accepted an apology from Mr K Brown. The Clerk had also received (by email) a late apology from Mr L Smitherman. An apology was also received from District Councillor 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 Ordinary Council Meeting held on 1 December, as a true record. The Minutes of the December Ordinary Meeting of the Council 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:

• He had approached a local contractor to provide a quote on the cost of repairing the large bulge and other damage revealed recently to the north facing wall of the churchyard, at St Martin’s Churchyard. The contractor has requested that the Clerk should speak to Highways about the need for restricting traffic flows past the site during work. The Clerk has contacted Highways and been asked to contact them again in the New Year.

• The Council have been sent an email from Phil Skill (copied to Councillors on 11 December) advising on a ministerial statement from Brandon Lewis that “due to the disproportionate burden of developer contributions on small-scale developers, for sites of 10-units or less, and which have a maximum combined gross floor space of 1,000 square metres, affordable housing and tariff style contributions should not be sought. This will also apply to all residential annexes and extensions”. This will mean that there is no possibility of the Parish receiving grants through the Stroud DC Recreation Community Facility Projects scheme in respect of Millmans Farm.

• He had written to Councillor Stephens, Chairman of Stroud Development Control Committee about planning application S.14/2460/FUL. Land parcel to East of Wick Bridge, Upper Wick, Dursley, Gloucestershire. On the day of the Meeting the Clerk received a response (which he read out to the Council) stating that the Parish Council would not be able to speak at this DCC. As a result of the Clerk’s contact with Alkington Parish Council’s Clerk, their Council meeting has been brought forward to 6 January.

District Councillor Lesley Reeve said she would enquire about the position of Ward Councillors speaking on behalf of the Parish at the January DCC.

• He had advised the Agent (S.14/2320/FUL Land At, Waterley Bottom, North Nibley, Gloucestershire. Full Planning Permission.) acting on behalf of the applicant in accordance with Council’s wishes. To date no response had been received.

• He had invited and received acceptance from Police Inspector Andy Poole to attend the Annual Parish Meeting on 13 April.

• Peter Gleed has agreed to attend the February Meeting when the Council will have an opportunity to explore with him services which the Neighbourhood Warden Service could provide to parishioners.

• The Council had received from Stroud DC information about the taxbase & Local Council Support Grant for 2015/16. The Council has also received an invitation to apply for a Precept for 2015/16. The matter will be on the 2 February Agenda.

• He had contacted Gloucestershire Rights of Way for an update on Wood Lane.

5. The Chairman closed the Meeting to enable members of the public to ask any questions. A member of the public asked for an update on Wood Lane. The Clerk reported that Gloucestershire Rights of Way are planning to carry out works on the bank to Wood Lane. They were also planning to reduce the impact caused by water running down Wood Lane. But no news on this had been received since the last meeting.

The Chairman Re-opened the Meeting.

6. The Chairman introduced Ms Karen Phimister from Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC). Ms Phimister explained her role as the Rural Housing Enabler for Stroud District. She explained the survey & report process which she had conducted and set out, for the benefit of the Council, the key findings from the Survey.

Following questions and discussion about the Report, including questions from the members of the public, the Council agreed that the Survey showed that there is a need for Affordable Housing in the Parish. It was agreed that in order to take this matter forward the Council should meet with Ms Phimister to identify and visit potential sites for Affordable Housing. The Clerk was asked to set up a suitable arrangement as soon as possible. The Council also invited Ms Phimister to attend the Parish Meeting in April, as this would provide a good opportunity for a wider audience to receive the Report and ask questions of the Council and Ms Phimister. This was agreed.

Ms Phimister mentioned that Affordable Housing could also open up the potential for the Community Infrastructure Fund to assist Community projects. The Clerk agreed to find out more on this.

During the meeting, members of the public spoke in favour of a mix of housing to also meet the needs of older people who wished to downsize, thus freeing up larger properties. The Council also identified that there was a need to apply cross subsidy to enable this project to move forward. It was also mentioned that in Wales there is a Pilot Schumacher Trust (A Community Land Trust) and that there might be an opportunity for a similar pilot in England.

Ms Phimister identified the need for someone from the Council to lead on the Council’s behalf. This was agreed by the Council and following the Meeting Councillors identified their willingness to take on this role.

The Clerk will arrange for the Executive Summary to be published in “On The Edge” and for the full report to be made available to anyone who wished to receive it.

Ms Phimister said that she would be sending the Report to Stroud DC so that they were aware of the outcome.

Ms Phimister & members of the public left the Meeting at this point.

7. The Council received and discussed the following planning applications:

• S.14/2797/HHOLD. Bassett Cottage, North Nibley, Dursley, Gloucestershire. Householder Application. Two storey side extension and replacement detached garage. Following discussions the Council agreed to make “No Comments” about the extension. Due to lack of details about the proposed garage the Council were unwilling to comment. The Clerk was asked to obtain further details about the garage and to contact Councillors with any information. Following the Meeting the Clerk obtained further details. Following consideration it was decided to make “No Comments”.

• S.14/2784/FUL. Hay Barn, Nibley Green, North Nibley, Gloucestershire. Full Planning Permission. Agricultural barn for hay/straw. (Revised proposals following approval S.13/2757/FUL). The Council had previously considered an early application which had been “Approved” by Stroud DC. The Council considered the amendments and agreed to make “No Comments”.

8. The Council noted that Planning Consent had been granted in respect of:

• S.14/1804/FUL. Millmans Farm, Wotton Road, North Nibley, Dursley. Change of use to outbuildings to form two new dwellings, one annexe and ancillary accommodation adjacent to Millmans Farmhouse. Creation of new access and landscaped courtyard.

The Clerk advised the Council that due to a recent ministerial announcement there was no longer any opportunity for the Parish to benefit from a Stroud DC Recreation Community Facility Projects scheme in respect of Millmans Farm. Following discussion the Clerk was asked to write to the developer to see if there was any prospect of a voluntary contribution being made to local projects.

Councillors reported to the Clerk that a stable had been erected in a field immediately opposite Westridge House, Smarts Green. The Clerk said that as far as he was aware planning permission had not been granted. He agreed to report the matter to Enforcement.

9. The Council received a written District Council Report from District Councillor Mrs Lesley Reeve. The Chairman invited discussion. There was none. The Chairman thanked Councillor Reeve for her report.

10. The Council received a written County Council Report from County Councillor Dr J Cordwell. Dr Cordwell mentioned that there had been no further developments regarding the number 87 ‘bus service. The Chairman thanked Councillor Cordwell for his report.

11. The Chairman invited Parish Councillors to provide reports of Committees and Meetings they had attended. There were none.

11. Parish Council Finances:

1. The Council received and approved the Parish Council Bank Reconciliation to end of December 2014.

2. The Council approved the following invoices and drew up cheques for the items on the enclosed Payments Schedule:

• Treecreeper Arborists: Work on an oak tree in the Cemetery.

• The Clerk: Salary for quarter three 2014/15.

• Post Office: Clerk’s PAYE for quarter three 2014/15.

• The Clerk: Clerk’s Expenses for quarter three 2014/15.

The Council noted and approved the Clerk’s increase in salary in accordance with the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (dated November 2014).

3. The Council had received a Quote from TW Hawkins & Sons for grass cutting & strimming in the Cemetery during 2015. The Clerk informed the Council that Hawkins had increased their rates by 2.99% last year. This had been the first increase since 2011/12. The quote received for 2015 was for a further 3% increase. Following discussion the Council approved the quote.

13. The Council received and approved written Reports on (a) The Cemetery; & (b) The Closed Churchyard. (See aside).

14. The Council were asked to consider ideas for the Parish Meeting Agenda in April 2015. The Clerk advised the Council of the following Draft Agenda:

• Reports from Councillors;

• Ms Phimister GRCC, Parish Housing Needs.

• Statement of Council finances

• Attendance by Inspector Poole to discuss speeding & other Community concerns.

• Annual award of Parish Council Grants.

• Information about Parish Council Elections in May

13. The Council received for information details of Correspondence received. (See report). The Clerk added that since writing the Report he had received details of four further Motocross events at Nibley House. The dates are:

• 11 January; 1 February; 5 April; & 10 May 2015.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.05. The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Village Hall, on Monday 2 February 2015 at 7.30 pm.