AN ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, NORTH NIBLEY AT 9.30PM.

Present: Mr D Purnell (Chairman).

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

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 L Smitherman; District Councillors Mrs J Cordwell; Mrs L Reeves & Mr P Smith & County Councillor Dr J Cordwell.

2. Declaration of Interests. The Chairman invited members to declare any Interests relating to this Meeting. Mr Purnell declared an interest in item 5.

3. The Council approved and signed the Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 2 March 2015, as a true record. The Minutes of the March 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 written to Ms Trickey on 9 March, copied to Parish Council. To date a reply had not been received. The Clerk had earlier sent her a reminder.

• He noticed that Stroud Planning have rejected the Planning Application for the Nook, Vernals Lane, Swinhay, Wotton-Under-Edge. (S.15/0374/HHOLD).

• He had written to Secretary of State Pickles regarding the DCC decision on Manor Farm, Upper Wick, solar farm. A reply had not been received. This was to be expected during the election period.

• The problems with mud on the road in The Hollow had been reported to Highways, who had despatched a team to attend to the problem.

• Repairs to the Churchyard wall have been carried out over the Easter Holidays. Unfortunately Highways no longer provide the signs for road closures/diversions, so the Council hired these for the period. The agreed areas of repairs have been carried out, but there remain some areas that are likely to require attention in next few years.

5. The Council considered and comment upon the following Planning and CPE Applications:

• S.15/0305/FUL Twin Stable Block, Smarts Green, North Nibley, Gloucestershire. Retrospective application for the erection of a stable block (2 stables) to replace existing field shelter and equestrian use of the land. Following discussion the Council agreed to make “No Comments”.

• S.15/0510/FUL. Ashen Plains Waterley Bottom, North Nibley, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 6EF. Formation of new access and associated works. Following discussion the Council noted that this application for access had previously been rejected in an earlier application. It agreed to oppose the application on the grounds that the proposed access is across a sight line (towards Stinchcombe Hill) which crosses other landowner’s property and therefore the sight line cannot be guaranteed; and that there is a large beech tree in the sight line, which should remain. However, should the Application be granted conditions should be placed on use of the access. Namely, that it should be for private use for access to the stables only; and that it should not be used in conjunction with the adjoining camping site.

At this point in the Meeting Mr Purnell left the Meeting and Mr Brown took over the Chair.

• S.15/0326/CPE. Brookside Cottage Park Lane, Stancombe, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 6AY. Residential use of the site. Following discussion the Council agreed that the contents of the application were accurate. However the Council wished to add that the use of the caravan/mobile home should only be in conjunction with the house. It should not be set up as a separate home.

At this point in the Meeting Mr Purnell returned to the Meeting and resumed the Chair.

• S.15/0795/HHOLD. Westridge, Smarts Green, North Nibley, Dursley. Householder Application. Side and rear extensions to replace existing conservatory and lean-to.

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

The Chairman closed the Meeting to enable a member of the public to address the Council. The parishioner had recently purchased land in the parish and was planning to apply for planning permission to construct a residential property replacing buildings on what had been former agricultural land.

Councillors provided advice to the parishioner on the planning process, including reference to Stroud Local Plan policies and the desirability of securing planning officer’s advice on what is possible on the site. In response to questions the Council indicated they were willing to give their views but the ultimate decision lay with Stroud Local Planning Authority who would submit any application to the Parish Council for the Council’s comment.

The Chairman re-opened the Meeting

5. Finances. The Council approved invoices and drew up cheques for the items on the enclosed Payments Schedule.

5. The Council agreed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman should meet with the Clerk to review his last year’s performance. Date to be agreed following the Meeting.

5. The Clerk advised the Council that he would update the Council on Correspondence received at the next meeting.

5. The Clerk advised the Council that the May Council Meeting would be the last Meeting of the current Council. The first Meeting and Annual Meeting of the new Council will be held on 1 June at 7.30 pm.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 10.00 pm.

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

11 May 2015.