AN ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY 2 MARCH 2015, 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; & 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.

The Chairman opened the Parish Council Meeting.

1. The Chairman invited apologies. The Council received and accepted apologies from Councillor Mr K Brown.

2. Declaration of Interests. The Chairman invited members to declare any Interests relating to this Meeting. Mr Palmer declared an interest in item 14. Mr Purnell also declared an interest in Item 14.

3. The Council approved and signed the Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 2 February 2015, as a true record. The Minutes of the February 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.

1. 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:

• Affordable Housing. Karen Phimister (GRCC) has written to the landowners of several sites in the Parish to explore potential sites for Affordable Housing development. Ms. Phimister will report back at the Annual Parish Meeting on 13 April.

• He had contacted Mr Ian Crawley in connection with the suggestion that a Community Land Trust may be the way forward for Affordable Housing. The Clerk sought and received the Council’s agreement that he and Councillor Mrs. Burton will arrange to see Mr Crawley and report back at the Annual Parish Meeting. It was noted that for a Community Land Trust to operate effectively a strong and committed community group would need to be formed to take the lead. The group would need to raise the funds (probably through a Housing Association) in order to provide the necessary funding for the project.

• Information about the services the Neighbourhood Warden Service can provide to parishioners has been provided through an article in March Edition of OTE. Further leaflets and posters have been provided and are on display.

• He had written on behalf of the Council regarding the first planning application for Manor Farm solar farm and the outcome of the Chief Executive of Stroud DC’s referral of a matter concerning the Leader of Stroud DC. The Clerk read out Ms Trickey’s reply to the Council. The Council asked the Clerk to write to Ms Trickey as the Council considered her reply misleading and inadequate.

• He had contacted the contractor and instructed him to carry out repairs to the north wall at St Martin’s Churchyard, as previously agreed. He had also applied to Gloucestershire County Council Highways for a road closure of Frog Lane during the period of the Easter School holidays (28 March to 12 April). These arrangements have been publicised through OTE and elsewhere.

• The Council’s application for an Annual Precept for 2015/16 of £14,961 plus LCTS of £279 has been submitted to Stroud DC.

• Parish Council Election 7 May 2015. He had received nomination papers for the forthcoming Parish Council Election. The papers were distributed to Councillors at the Meeting.

• Wood Lane. He had been in touch with County Rights of Way about concerns that motorcyclists using Wood Lane are creating danger for walkers. He had been advised that this is a criminal offence and therefore a police matter, however without registration numbers or actually catching the culprits it’s very hard deal with. The Clerk has followed up the reply requesting County Council consider funding a lockable barrier. In a further reply he was informed that John Lane, as budget holder, has been advised of the Council’s request.

• Wood Lane. He had also been advised that “Things are moving quite quickly with the geotech investigation now and a site walkover has been completed with the optioneering report in progress”.

• Speeding in the Village. The Police have sited their M500 speed recording device in New Road. It will remain there for at least 2 weeks and should provide useful data on the speed and volumes of vehicles entering and exiting the Village. This data should be available for the Parish Meeting.

4. The Chairman closed the Meeting to enable members of the public to ask any questions.

A member of the public raised an issue about S.14/2460/FUL. Planning permission for “Continued use of land for agricultural purposes and the installation of up to 5MW of solar photovoltaic panels and ancillary works at Manor farm, Upper Wick. It was brought to the Council’s attention that hedging alongside the road and around the site entrance had been cut down. Following some investigation it was confirmed that this was a Condition of the planning Permission (Condition 17) to provide clear visibility” To reduce potential highway impact by ensuring that suitable access is provided and maintained”. There being no other matters the Chairman Re-opened the Meeting.

5. To consider and comment upon the following Planning Applications:

• S.15/0250/FUL.  Daisy Farm, Daisy Green Lane, Howley, Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 7PF.  New access drive, change of use and replacement dwelling.

Following discussion the Council agreed to make “No Comments”.

5. S.15/0374/HHOLD. The Nook, Vernals Lane, Swinhay, Wotton-Under-Edge. Householder Application. Demolishing of conservatory and alterations and extensions to existing dwelling.

Following discussion the Council agreed to make “No Comments”.

5. The Council noted that Planning Consent has been granted in respect of:

• S14/2784/FUL. Hay barn, Nibley Green, North Nibley. Agricultural barn for hay/straw.

• S.14/2861/ FUL. Land at Waterley Bottom, North Nibley. Construction of stables and change of use to equestrian improvements to vehicular access.

• S.14/2690/HHOLD. 21, The Street, North Nibley. Construction of extension to first floor level, new dormer roof and single storey extension- amending previous permission S.12/2081/HHOLD to provide rendered finish.

The Council noted that Planning Consent has been refused in respect of:

• S.15/0012/FUL. Land previously used as Quarry at Stinchcombe Hill. Construction of new 5 bedroom dwelling and garage.

8. The Council were advised of an opportunity to consider and comment upon Stroud District Local Plan: Post-submission Proposed Changes document.

Following a brief discussion the Council decided to make no comments.

8. The Council discussed Cllr. Palmer’s request that the Council should write to Secretary of State Pickles regarding the DCC decision on Manor Farm, Upper Wick, solar farm. Following advice from the Clerk the Council discussed the matter and instructed the Clerk to write a letter to the Secretary of State.

8. The Council received a written District Council Report from Councillor Paul Smith. The Council accepted the report. The Chairman thanked Councillor Smith for his report.

8. Following a brief discussion on the Council Stroud DC Boundary review of Electoral arrangements, it was noted that the proposal made no change to the current arrangements to representation of the Parish.

The Council decided not to make any comments.

8. The Council received a written County Council Report from County Councillor Dr J Cordwell. It was mentioned that there were some problems with mud on the road in the Hollow. The Clerk agreed to report the matter to Highways for attention. It was also mentioned that immediate attention had been given to similar problems in Park Lane, as a result of the recent Rally trial through the area.

8. The Chairman invited Parish Councillors to report on Committees and Meetings attended.

• Mr Hale reported he had attended a meeting about Affordable Housing at Kingshill House, Dursley.

• The Clerk provided a written report (see aside) on a recent meeting with PCSO King (Gloucestershire Police).

8. The Council received, discussed and approved eight applications for Parish Council Grants in 2015/16 Budget Year. In accordance with a notified Interest, Councillor Palmer left the Meeting when the “Northnibley.org.uk” application was discussed and agreed. He then returned. In accordance with a notified Interest, the Chairman Councillor Purnell left the room, whilst the application for the Chapel was discussed and agreed. He then returned.

Details of Grants made are at Annexe A. The Clerk reminded the Council that cheques for the grants would be issued at the Parish Meeting on Monday 13 April.

8. Finances.

1. The Council approved an invoice and drew up a cheque for the item on the enclosed Payments Schedule.

2. The Council received a written request from the Clerk for support with Computer maintenance. Following discussion the Council agreed to fund 60% of the total costs.

16. The Council were advised that repairs to the Churchyard wall had been arranged for the Easter Holidays in order to minimise disruption.

16. The Council received for information details of Correspondence received. See Paper aside.

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

The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Village Hall on Monday

13 April 2015, to follow the Parish Meeting.

The Annual Parish Meeting will start at 7.00 pm.