Minutes 17th July 2019

None

Cllr Gordon 15b – Salford Priors School Grant

Cllr Pattison 10 – Garden Allotment query

a)    Pecuniary Interests.

Members were asked to declare any other disclosable interests in items on the Agenda and their nature.

b)    Other Disclosable Interests. None.

Several residents were in attendance regarding the appeal to the planning application under agenda item 6a.  Cllr James spoke in response and assured residents the NDP is a primary planning document for the area, along with the planning core strategy. Residents were reminded that the Parish Council cannot stop planning applications being put forward, nor stop any appeals.  The Neighbourhood Plan will resist any further applications outside of the sites in the plan – 3 development sites have all received planning consent, as per the Plan.  This will be discussed in greater detail under agenda item 6a.

A further resident requested the following:

1.     The island at the junction of School Rd and Evesham Road has been re-planted.  She requested this receive regular watering.  Clerk to issue watering purchase order as and when necessary.

2.     A letter to West Point Construction regarding speeding lorries, transporting gravel to the site.  Clerk to send an email.

3.     That Highways meet with the Clerk to look at possibly replacing the sets by Corner Cottage with proper kerbstones as the sets are regularly damaged by buses and lorries.  Clerk to arrange a meeting.

Hamish Stewart & Alan Granger from Ragley Estate were also in attendance.  Hamish spoke about how Ragley are now farming the land.  Residents from Dunnington were in attendance and it was decided that a dialogue had now been opened and residents, with representatives from the Parish Council would meet with Hamish to discuss any issues they may have and to receive a tour of the estate.

a)     Have your say. No under 18s were present.

b)     County Councillor Mike Brain reported–

1.     Complaints have been received about the visibility at junctions re hedges.  He confirmed that if it is a road safety issue the hedges can be requested to be cut, either by the landowner or by Warwickshire County Council and the costs passed on to the landowner.

2.     Grass verges – these are now being cut to 1 metre, leaving the rest for conservation and wildlife.

3.     There has been an increase in rural crime across Warwickshire – sheep are being targeted and slaughtered in fields.

4.     £500 has been granted towards the telephone kiosk refurbishment from the County Councillor Grant.

County Councillor Mike Brain was asked to find out about the timetable of cutting grass verges at which point the amenity group can meet to discuss.

There is an issue regarding bus passes for school children which he is fully aware of.

c)     District Councillor Bill Fleming reported –

1.     There are less Councillors than there used to be, and he is on a number of committees.

2.     He confirmed he is keeping a watch on planning applications for the parish.

3.     Rural Transport Seminar attended – UBus system has been extended for a further 5 years.

4.     Reserved sites were reviewed throughout the whole District.  He will update the Parish Council once he has read through the document.

The Chairman closed the adjournment at 20:10 hrs.

The Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 19^th June 2019 at The Baptist Church Hall, Dunnington were agreed by the Council to be a true record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.

a)     APP/J3720/W/19/3231161 – an appeal has been registered against the refusal of the planning application for the erection of 7 dwellings with associated works at Orchard Close, Evesham Rd, Salford Priors, WR11 8UU.  Members supported further representations from the public and confirmed responses need to be made to the Planning Inspectorate by 29th July.  The Parish Council agreed that the appellant’s ambiguous appeal statement requires detailed scrutiny and a response to clarify the statement’s information.  Council members will meet on Monday 22nd July to consider the council formal response by using the Clerk’s delegated powers to respond on behalf of the Parish Council. The council response will be posted on the Stratford District Council website by 24th July.

b)     19/00292/FUL – conversion of agricultural barns to three dwellings; works to include removal of timber canopy and two metal sheds, construction of new link building, creation of graveled courtyard, parking areas, new paths and re-surfacing of existing drive, removal of section of hedgerow an conifers on frontage along with re-grading of embankment to provide improved visibility splays at Old Dunnington Farm, Dunnington, Alcester, B49 5NU.  This application was fully supported in principle under planning number 19/00293/LBC.  It was unanimously decided for Clerk to respond under delegated powers “No Objection”

Planning Applications Noted:

c)     19/01641/FUL – proposed garden room at Bramley House Evesham Rd, Salford Priors, WR11 8UU.  Following consultation to all Members via email Clerk responded with “No Objection”

d)     19/01710/FUL – erection of two storey side extension at 3 Fern Close Cottages, Rushford, Evesham, WR11 8SL.  Following consultation to all Members via email Clerk responded with “No Objection”

Planning Decisions :

e)     19/00976/FUL – proposed new dwelling with associated off-road parking at Marcy Oaks, 6 Ridsdale Close, Salford Priors, WR11 8XA – planning permission granted with conditions.

f)      19/01307/FUL – proposed erection of a 6-car garage at Burleigh House, Chapel Oak, Salford Priors, WR11 8SP.  Permission Granted with Conditions.

a)     Clerk has chased CALA Homes regarding a meeting for residents once again.  Alistair Russell, Planning Manager, CALA Homes, is in the process of obtaining costings for a mail drop to the area.  The Sales Team will contact the Clerk if they feel they are able to help with sponsorship monies for the telephone kiosk.

b)     Evesham Rd speeding – Clerk has contacted PCSO Carolyn Davis regarding this, she will be visiting the office on Thursday 18^th July with an update. Clerk to monitor.

c)     Speed Awareness – Clerk has contacted the volunteers interested in joining the group.  Training is in the process of being organised.  Clerk awaiting response.

d)     Highway road sign at the approach to Iron Cross crossroads – ongoing.  Clerk to monitor.

e)     Salford House Residence for the Retired boundary wall – Clerk has emailed the Planning Department regarding this and they will be paying an inspection visit on Thursday 18^th July.  Clerk awaiting response.

f)      Solar light on playing field – Clerk is still waiting for 1 further quote following the decision by Council to amend the way this can be actioned.  Clerk to monitor.

g)     Telephone kiosk refurbishment – Clerk awaiting Lengthsman to provide a list of items required to refurbish.  Clerk to monitor.

h)     Clerk confirmed the initial electrical works in the TOPs building has now been carried out and an Electrical Installation Condition Report provided. Noted and Closed.

i)      Clerk has written to Roger Huggins, Church Warden of St Matthews Church re possible flower festival to celebrate VE Day 75.  Awaiting a response.

j)      A report has been received that the VAS on the Evesham Rd is not working.  This has been reported to Highways who will inspect.  They have informed that the Traffic and Safety Team who retain responsibility for the VAS do not currently have a budget for VAS maintenance however he will let the Clerk have a response when available.  Clerk to monitor.

Monthly playing field inspection took place on 5^th July 2019 with nothing to report.  Clerk has arranged for weekly inspections to take place during the summer holidays. Kompan are still to repair the 10mm gap found in one of the pieces of Robinia and have been chased.  Cllr Penn has repaired the skate ramp.

The Lengthsman has now recovered from his recent back issue and has moved the 5-a-side goalposts.  He has also repaired the skate park surface needing attention – he will check on this over the next few days to see if the repair is sufficient.

Clerk has received an email regarding 2 males riding motorbikes on the skate ramps and also offensive language being used in the play area.  This was noted and the Clerk will mention to PCSO Carolyn Davis when she meets her in the morning.

The Lengthsman will provide Clerk with an order for parts to refurbish the kiosk and works will soon commence on this.  Members considered keeping the word telephone at the top of the kiosk which was unanimously agreed.

Cllr Pattison left the room.

Clerk has received a request from a potential tenant as to whether she will be allowed to keep bees on a half plot.  Cllr Stedman proposed that bees should not be allowed to be kept on allotment land as there could be a serious issue with members of the public.  Cllr Shale seconded.  Unanimous agreement.

Cllr Pattison returned to the meeting.

Clerk confirmed she had reported the fallen tree on path code 259/AL4/3 (Angus Soft Fruits).

Cllr Penn has carried out an inspection regarding various PROWs around the parish and he confirmed there are some overgrown areas which he will be dealing with.  He confirmed AL15 is also clear to walk.  AL4 and AL6 are also overgrown.  Cllr Penn will speak with landowner to arrange it be cut back.

a)     Cllr Green proposed a slight change to the Terms of Reference for the Working Groups whereby in future the leader of the group will arrange meetings, set agendas, chair the meeting and produce a report to full Council for the next Parish Council meeting.  Members unanimously approved.   Clerk to append the changes and put new version on website.

b)     Christmas Tree Switch On – not meeting until September – Cllr Pattison to organise.

c)     Communications – report received following meeting on 8.7.19.

Cllr Pattison requested all Councillors read through the newsletter and report back by Monday.  Members noted the recommendations in the report which will be continuously monitored.

Actions from this report:

1.     Look into the purchase of more dog waste bins.  Clerk to ask residents views on where these should be situated via Facebook and E-News.  Amenity Working Group will then meet to discuss the proposals.

2.     Monitor Public Rights of Way, reporting any issues to Warwickshire County Council.

3.     Advertise more fully the UBUS service.

4.     Obtain training for new volunteers for the Speed Awareness Group.

5.     Improve E-News update, utilise Facebook more and continue with Newsletters.

6.     CIL Working Group to look at the new Public Open Space area and consider best options for its use.

7.     Communications Group to update the Welcome Pack & Book of Walks and bring back proposed revised issues to the October meeting.

8.     The results of the survey to be placed on the website, sending a link via E-News and be made available on request for a fee.

9.     Clerk to approach previous newsletter delivery person to increase the cost of delivery.  If this is refused, Members happy to divide this between themselves for the August newsletter.

d)     Streetlights – nothing to report

e)     CIL – meeting to be arranged.

f)      Amenity – Cllr Green to arrange meeting.

Cllr Green has proposed a change to the guidelines for issuing community grant funds.  Following discussion Members decided not to make any changes.  Clerk to amend guidelines to pay by cheque or BACS.

Cllr James suggested the Clerk obtain a price for a Christmas tree.  There could be an issue if the country leave the EU without a deal whereby no wood/trees will be able to be imported.  Cllr Stedman advised the Council that no suppliers are providing prices at the present time.  Clerk to obtain a quote for a metal frame tree approx 20 feet in height.

a)     Following consideration of quotes received from NamesCo regarding the new website Cllr Maude proposed the 2 year option is taken up.  Unanimous agreement.  Cllr Maude to contact Namesco and Mark Millmore to set this in motion.

Cllr Gordon left the room.

b)     Members considered the grant application from Friends of Salford Priors School in the sum of £1,500 to provide waterproof clothing for the Forest School age range 5-11.  This seems an excessive amount of money for this purpose and as such Cllr Stedman proposed £300, Cllr Pattison seconded with a proviso that the money is spent on waterproof clothing.

Cllr Gordon returned.

An email had been received from Justin Kerridge regarding possible cycle routes.  Clerk has forwarded this to the Cross Parish Cycleways & Pathways Project who will follow this up.

a)     Consideration was given to the first quarterly bank reconciliation, account balances and income and expenditure budgets. These were agreed by all Councillors. Cllr Penn signed the quarterly bank reconciliation.

b)     The council gave consideration and approval of the payments listed in Appendix A. Cllr Pattison proposed, Cllr Maude seconded, unanimous approval.

c)     As there is not a meeting in August it was agreed that any regular monthly invoices requiring payment will be signed by the Chair or Vice-Chair and one other.  These payments will then be retrospectively approved in September.  Unanimous approval.

d)     It was agreed that Cllrs James and Gordon would sign cheques for payments/BACS remittances listed in Appendix A (Minute 20).

The Council noted the account balances reconciled with the Lloyds Bank Current Account statement Number 7 and Deposit Account Statement 44 issued 1st July 2019 :-

Lloyds Deposit Account:   £90,663.01

Lloyds Current Account    £  5,899.06
Total Fund Balance             £96,562.07

Council confirmed the date of the next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 18th  September 2019 at 7.00pm in the Memorial Hall, Salford Priors.