MINCHINHAMPTON PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the meeting held

MINCHINHAMPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, April 27th, 2015 at 7pm at The Trap House.
75/15. Present: Cllr N. Hurst (presiding), Cllrs P. Callaghan-Wright, S. Draper, G. Ford, S. Hemmings, G.
Lloyd, A. Mylechreest, R. Nicholas, K. Plank, P. Schwartz, S. Waddington, J. Williams. Mr Martin Evans,
from Colburn Homes, the clerk.
76/15. Apologies: Cllrs M. Beard, C. Morriss, S. Morgan.
77/15. Public questions: There were none.
78/15. Declarations of interest: There were none.
79/15. Minutes: The minutes of the full council held on March 30th, 2015, were proposed by Cllr Williams,
seconded by Cllr Plank, and approved. The minutes of the council planning meeting held on April 13th,
2014, were proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Schwartz, and approved.
80/15. Presentation by Colburn Homes: Managing director and owner of Colburn Mr Martin Evans, also
a parish resident, introduced himself and his Cirencester based company. The firm had gained the contract
from Gloucestershire County Council, subject to planning, to purchase the former Amberley Ridge School
site overlooking the common. Mr Evans distributed to councillors a resume of his proposals which were for
the conversion of the existing Victorian building into five residential units, limited new build on the site of
the large extension and temporary classroom, and also a replacement dwelling on the site of the
headmaster’s house. There would be no more than 10 dwellings in total. The existing tennis court was to be
retained. Colburn had previously been responsible for the conversion and redevelopment of the Old George
in nearby Nailsworth. The company was at the very start of the process at Amberley Ridge but proposed to
use natural materials i.e. stone and wood even if designs were contemporary. A pre-application had been
made to the Stroud District Council local planning authority and the proposals were in line with SDC’s
recommendations. During questions and answers councillors raised queries about why the tennis court was
to be retained and the possibility of closing one of the two entrances to Amberley Ridge across the common.
Suggestions from members included the possibility of some smaller, two-bedroom, homes, and about the
potential re-location of the local croquet club to the site.
81/15. County and district councillors’ reports: Gloucestershire County Cllr Waddington had visited
highways’ contractors Amey’s control centre, and had met the new local highways manager Andrew
Middlecote. Discussion turned to potholes in the roads, and to markings on the roads across the common.
The clerk raised with Cllr Waddington the concern of Cllr Morriss that the speed limit was defective as no
roundels had been painted between the Halfway House and Tom Long’s Post. Cllr Morriss was further
concerned that signs on the road between Crane Quarry and The Bear were too far to the west.
A complaint, scheduled for discussion under Traffic Matters, was raised at this point. It was from residents
at Iron Mills that the new cattle grid was noisy and a disturbance. Cllr Callaghan-Wright agreed to
investigate the situation and report back to council.
There were no district councillors’ reports due to the forthcoming elections.
82/15. Updates: a) Seats/seats survey – Cllr Ford expressed his exasperation over his trying to liaise with
the National Trust over a site for the Brown/Wright family seat and asked for sites other than in the
ownership of the trust. Cllr Ford distributed a list and map of 72 seats in the parish and asked that members
to assist with a survey of the condition of the seats by the next meeting;
b) Beeches Park bus shelter – the clerk highlighted advice she had received from the Gloucestershire
County Council Transport Infrastructure Officer that an extended concreted area, suitable for wheelchair
access, would make this bus shelter compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act. The advice followed a
request by Beeches Park residents to have the shelter turned around to prevent them being splashed by
passing traffic. Cllr Hurst would measure the size of the concrete area required in order to gain an idea of
the cost. The council was already in possession of a quotation from Queensbury of £917 for turning around
the shelter. Cllr Nicholas proposed, and it was agreed, that a further letter be sent to the Beeches Park site
owners suggesting they might have overlooked the council’s previous correspondence and repeating a
request for a contribution towards the works to benefit their tenants.
c) Section 106 options – An e –mail from the Stroud District Council regeneration officer had been
circulated with the agenda. It sought clarification as to the use of £12,670 from the Barcelona Farm
development which was had earlier been earmarked for a community orchard and new allotments. The SDC
officer had received information about two new council projects to which the money might be diverted – the
purchase of Box Woods and car parking on The Park. She now needed advice on how to proceed. After
discussion the officer would be asked to wait for that advice until after May 1st, 2015, when there was a
meeting which would clarify if the woods purchase was to go ahead. Cllr Waddington proposed, and it was
agreed, that provided the purchase was agreed the council would allocate the Section 106 money to that
project until the end of 2015.
83/15. Reports: a) Nkokoto Link – Cllr Lloyd circulated a report on the extremely productive past year for
this African link charity. As the council’s representative on it he had found the volunteers involved
incredibly hard working. Donations of tool kits, sewing machines, ducks, and solar lights had been the main
focus. College students were sponsored by the Nkokoto Link and bikes, school lunches and mosquito nets
provided. The link’s AGM had been addressed by the Tanzanian Deputy High Commissioner who had
impressed his audience;
b) Cows on Common meeting – Cllr Schwartz had previously circulated her report stating six cows had
been killed (in collisions with cars) last year which was half the number of the previous year. The meeting
had tackled road safety issues, messages and publicity in readiness for the cows release on the annual
Marking Day, May 13th, 2015.
c) Cotswold Care Hospice Five Year Plan – Cllr Hurst had attended a presentation by this charity which
was now rebranded Longfield to reflect its work in a wider community. There was no intention to turn it
into a residential facility, rather it would continue and expand its care in the community. More fund raising
shops were planned and an extension of outreach work to Gloucester and the Forest of Dean;
d) Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group – Cllr Hurst said the five councillors involved had
met and resolved not yet to invite community representatives to join the group. First, it had been agreed, a
representative of the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council would be invited to present to the
community at an open meeting the pros and cons of the NDP process. Arrangements were underway with
the meeting to be confirmed, but expected to be at Minchinhampton Community Library at 7.30pm on either
June 1st or June 8th, 2015;
e) Policies Review Working Party – A further meeting was due to begin assembling an updated asset
register. Deeds and documents retrieved from storage at the council’s solicitors would be examined to assist
the compilation of the register. Councillors would be contacted via e-mail about both these arrangements.
83/15. Adoption of Code of Conduct – It was resolved to adopt the updated Code of Conduct as advised by
the National Association of Local Councils in order to comply with mandatory obligations for members as
outlined in the Localism Act 2011.
84/15. Future use of Vosper Field and Legacy: Cllr Mylechreest was concerned that the council had no
strategy for the future use of both the field and the legacy and urged consideration be given to the same. It
was agreed to allow councillors time to think about the matter before it was placed on the agenda again in
June, 2015. Discussion ensued about the tidiness or otherwise of the field and it was agreed a letter would
go to the tenants reminding them of their responsibilities as outlined in their agreement with the council.
85/15. Traffic matters: A complaint about a noisy cattle grid above Iron Mills had been heard under county
councillor’s report (81/15 above). Cllr Draper raised an issue of a footpath between grass verges along
Cirencester Road that was in need of clearance.
86/15. Clerk’s report/correspondence: After its recent public consultations about proposed
improvements the Minchinhampton Market House Management Committee would be updating the council
at its June meeting.
An issue of footballs landing in gardens surrounding the Muga had been notified to the local police officer
and PCSO. Following discussion it was agreed to again alert the PCSO and also the Neighbourhood Warden
to take action on the problem.
A quotation was being obtained for a permanent wooden “open” sign to hang beneath the office name board.
The assistant to the clerk presented a report on two new computer desk chairs that were needed in The Trap
House, and also a screen riser. It was proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Ford, to purchase this
equipment at a cost of £315.45.
Correspondence: Coneley’s fun fair would be at The Park July 10th-19th, 2015;
The spring issues of “Council Matters” and “Carers Gloucestershire “Caring Matters” were received.
GCC highways contractors Amey had offered a free training day for PROW volunteers on May 29th, 2015.
The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens had drawn attention to their work on the Cuckoo Row kissing gate.
Council had paid for their materials. It was agreed a letter of thanks would be sent to the wardens, who
might also be asked to consider re-painting inside the Butt Street bus shelter.
SDC had written encouraging VE Day commemorations on May 8th, 2015 and wishing to record beacons
that might be lit for VE Day anniversary.
A copy of a resident’s claim to GCC for pothole damage to a car was noted.
Longfield hospice, formerly Cotswold Care, had set out its five year strategy
Correspondence forwarded by e-mail: SDC April e-news, Cotswold Canals Trust e-news, GAVCA bulletin,
Glos Wildlife Trust re: ecology courses.
87/15. Council payments: The below list of payments of the council was proposed by Cllr Hurst, seconded
by Cllr Williams and approved.
Veolia (play area inspection)
£144.00
Veolia (green sacks)
£180.00
Stroud Cleaning and Maintenance (cleaning)
£88.00
Mrs J Corry (pay)
£281.12
Ms J Barber (salary)
£992.81
Inland Revenue (tax, NI)
£123.70
Utility Warehouse (direct debit)
£209.13
The above invoices include VAT where applicable. Minchinhampton Parish Council is able to reclaim this.
88/15. Councillors’ items for future discussion: There were none.
At close of the meeting Cllr Hurst recorded his thanks to Cllr Draper for his service to the council. Cllr
Draper had not submitted a nomination for re-election at the forthcoming polls on May 7th, 2015.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm.
Signed: …………………………………………………………. Date: …………………………………