Minutes 9th January, 2002

Mrs P Carrick

Chairman

Mr M G Flint

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Mrs J M Martin

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Bisley Ward

Mr J P L Perkins

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Mr N S Rogers

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Mr T G Carter

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Mr R K Brooks

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Eastcombe Ward

Mrs O M Turner

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Mr R N Budgeon

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Oakridge Ward

Mr R S Bryant

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Mrs E F Jordan

Clerk

02.01

1.

Apologies for Absence

District Cllr C Fellows, Mr A N Newman (previous appointment), Mrs J W Russell (illness)

02.01

2.

Public Participation

Nothing was raised under this heading

02.01

3.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The draft Minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2001, having been circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman

The Chairman read out to the meeting, an article that had appeared in the Citizen Newspaper on 9^th January, which stated that Bisley-with-Lypiatt Parish Council had been classed by the Countryside Agency as being ‘vibrant’. The members of the council were delighted with this assessment.

02.01

4.

Matters Arising

a)

Eastcombe Pedestrian Crossing

A letter had been received from the Highways Department indicating that they would consider this but, unfortunately, no map had been included for consideration. This should be available shortly.

b)

Bisley Road Quarry – Removal of Rubbish

The Clerk has been in touch with the County Council with a request that they remove the offending rubbish. This has not yet been done and the Clerk was requested to chase them.

c)

Eastcombe Pavilion – Insurance Payments

The Clerk confirmed that she had written to the Eastcombe Pavilion Committee confirming that the Parish Council would take over the responsibility of the insurance payments in future.

d)

Bisley Road – Red Tarmac

A letter had been received from the Highways department stating that they were in agreement with the placing of red tarmac at both the 20mph and 30mph restriction signs. The Clerk was asked to write to confirm whether the road described in their letter as ‘Pack Lane’ should in fact be London Road.

Toadsmoor Road

The Clerk was asked to obtain a copy of the Contract between the Highways Department and the Contractors.

Winter Maintenance

Mr Bryant told the meeting that he had a long and informative telephone conversation with Roger Williams, Technical Co-ordinator, Gloucestershire County Council. Mr Williams agreed with Mr Bryant’s comments on the Snow Warden’s Duties recently circulated and would do his utmost to assist the snow wardens in the parish. In future, in bad weather, the Snow Wardens will liase with Mr Bryant who will then contact Mr Williams direct. It was generally felt that the service offered by the Highways Department this year had been exceptional.

02.01

5.

District Council Matters

District Cllr Greene told the meeting of proposed Sod Cutting Ceremony organised by Sovereign Housing in respect of Windyridge in Bisley. This will take place on Monday, 11^th February at 11.30 a.m. Invitations will shortly be sent out by the Housing Association.

02.01

6.

County Council Matters

County Cllr Fellows, although unable to attend the meeting, had sent a message to the effect that there would be an extra £27,000 available in the Highway’s Budget next year to enable repairs to Bisley High Street to go ahead.

02.01

7.

Finance

Receipts

£

VAT

Total

Interest

4.45

Midlands Electricity (Wayleaves)

43.68

£48.13

Payments

Sodexho (Grass cutting)

124.00

21.70

145.70

Electronic Imaging Services (P’Copies)

9.64

1.69

11.33

Severn Trent (Water – Allotments)

37.81

John Davis (Stonecote Ridge, Waterlane)

141.58

G L C & R Williams (Headwell)

68.40

11.97

80.37

Valley Trading (Headwell)

33.82

5.91

39.73

Inland Revenue (Income Tax & NIC)

25.32

E F Jordan – December Salary

440.24

Petty Cash

175.00

N Power (Bisley Pavilion

13.20

.66

13.86

£1110.94

02.01

8.

Matters for Discussion

a)

DTLR Model Code of Conduct for Relevant Authorities

A letter had been received from Mr M Rowan, Head of Legal Services, Stroud District Council, in respect of this, in which Mr Rowan had offered to attend a Parish Meeting to explain procedures. It was agreed that Mr Rowan should be invited to the next meeting on 6^th February.

b)

DEFRE Quality Parish & Town Councils – Consultation Paper

This paper had been circulated to all members who were asked to let the Clerk have comments that could be passed to DEFRA

The Chairman asked for the opinion of the Council as to whether the Draft Minutes could be displayed in the local post offices. This met with approval.

c)

Bobby Bus

The Clerk had been requested to contact parishes that had experienced the new Mobile Police Station and passed on their comments to the meeting.

d)

Public Mobile Library Services

A letter had been circulated in respect of a possible review of routes. The Clerk was asked to reply to see if the stop at Eastcombe could revert to the Village Green, outside The Lamb instead of Bracelands.

The Clerk was also asked to write to the Group Librarian expressing the thanks of the Parish Council for an excellent service.

e)

Street Lighting

A letter had been received from Stroud District Council Community Safety Partnership asking for recommendations for street lighting. The Clerk was asked to reply stating that no street lighting was required in the Parish.

f)

Governor Report & Retirement of Mrs Marie Westley

The Governors’ Annual Report was available for inspection. It was noted that Mrs Marie Westley retired in December and the Council expressed its appreciation for her contribution to Eastcombe Primary School.

g)

Website

The Chairman read out an e-mail that had been received from the Countryside Agency complimenting the Parish Council for the contents of the website that had been set up by Mr Brooks who was able to show this to the meeting on his laptop computer.

It had been suggested that maps showing local walks could be put on the site and that an article be put in the newsletters asking for volunteers to prepare them.

Mr Brooks said he would welcome any input for the site, and again, this could be requested via the village newsletters.

A vote of thanks was give to Mr Brooks for his work and time in creating the website.

9.

Planning

The following applications have been received in the last month together with the Council’s responses :

The Studio, Eastcombe

Demolition of existing sub-standard dwelling. Erection of new dwelling and garage – Comments: We are pleased to see that the revised plans specify the use of real stone. It is not clear from the plans if this will also include the use of quoin stones but this would be a very desirable feature.

Kirkland, Calfway Lane, Bisley

Landscaping works including summer house – Supported

Upper Battlescombe Farm

Alteration to cottage – Supported

Timbercombe Cottage, The Scrubs, Bisley

Extension to existing cottage – Object – Comments: The size of the proposed extension would totally destroy the character of this small historic cottage.

3 Jasmine Cottages, Eastcombe

Bywell Cottage, Tunley, Sapperton

Erection of glass house and log shed – Supported

02.01

10.

Correspondence

The following correspondence had been received during the past month and was on the table for inspection and information:

RoSPA

Annual Inspection Leaflet

David Drew – House of Commons

Surgery dates

GAPTC

Update – December 2001

Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association

Extraordinary General Meeting – Agenda

Ventur Play Designs

Playground maintenance advert

02.01

11.

Ward Matters

a)

Bisley

The Clerk was asked to write to the Highways Authority stating that it supports the resurfacing work to be undertaken at Piedmont during the next financial year.

Windyridge – A letter had been received from Sovereign Housing regarding responsibility for the play area – the Clerk was asked to liase with Mr Flint before replying.

The Clerk was asked to contact the Highways Authority regarding the hedge at Sign Post Cottage in Camp and ask for it to be trimmed in order that the road may be seen more clearly when exiting from the side road.

b)

Eastcombe

The Clerk was asked to write to the County Council and enquire as to the progress with regard to public footpath MBL16 at Bismore Farm.

The Clerk was asked to contact Thomas Keble School to ascertain when the repair of the fence will be completed.

District Cllr Greene had received a letter of complaint in respect of motor vehicles blocking The Street. The Ward has investigated this and it is not felt that any further action can be taken in view of the signs indicating that the road is unsuitable for motor vehicles and also the width restriction signs.

Mr Carter told the meeting that there are still a few copies of the Eastcombe 2002 calendar available at a cost of £3.

c)

Oakridge

There have been problems with people misusing the village green and therefore it has been proposed that posts be erected to stop vehicles driving over it. The Ward will look further into this action.

The Clerk was asked to contact the Highways Authority regarding potholes, mud on the roads and drainage at The Round and Solomans Court

It was requested that paths that had been surfaced in tarmac be swept once a year. The Clerk and Chairman will make enquiries.

02.01

12.

Date and Place of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held at Bisley W I Hall at 7 30 p.m. on Wednesday, 6^th February 2002.