MINUTES OF STOW ON THE WOLD ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY
26THMAY 2016, AT THE YOUTH CLUB CENTRE, FOSSEWAY, STOW ON THE WOLD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL54 1DW AT 7.15 PM
PRESENT: Councillors: M Curtis (Chairman), C Smalley (Vice Chairman), A White, S Clarke, S Green,
M Moseley, J Scarsbrook, P Day*, Mrs L Burke, Deputy Clerk, Mrs H Sipthorp, Clerk & 7 members of the public
Also in attendance: PC R Webb & PCSO A Palmer
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllrs B Eddolls & V Davies, Cotswold District Cllrs B Dare & R Keeling & Gloucestershire County Cllr N Moor
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Members of the Public present were given an opportunity to speak during the course of the Meeting at the Chairman’s discretion.
- a) ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL
RESOLVED –Cllr Curtis be re elected as Chairman of Council. RECORD OF VOTING – 6 in favour and 1 abstention. Motion carried.
b) ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Cllr Curtis signed his Acceptance of Office and this was countersigned by the Clerk/Proper Officer.
- a) ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL
RESOLVED –Cllr Smalley be re elected as Vice Chairman of Council. RECORD OF VOTING – 6 in favour and 1 abstention. Motion carried.
b) ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Cllr Smalley signed his Acceptance of Office and this was countersigned by the Clerk/Proper Officer.
- CODE OF CONDUCT & DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
During the course of the Meeting Cllr Clarke declared an interest in the Stow & District Civic Society as he is a member.Cllr White declared an interest as a member of the Stow Community Land Trust.
- TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL’S COMMITTEES
Finance & General Purposes Committee
Cllr M Moseley
Cllr A White
Cllr B Eddolls
Cllr S Clarke
Cllr M Curtis
Staffing Sub Committee
Cllr M Curtis
Cllr A White
Cllr S Clarke / Planning, Traffic & Parking Committee
Cllr A White
Cllr V Davies
Cllr S Green
Cllr B Eddolls
Cllr M Moseley
Cllr C Smalley
Cllr J Scarsbrook
Cllr S Clarke
Cllr M Curtis
Parks & Square Committee
Cllr S Green
Cllr V Davies
Cllr B Eddolls
Cllr S Clarke / Burial Board
Cllr C Smalley
Cllr V Davies
Cllr M Moseley
Cllr J Scarsbrook
Cllr M Curtis
RESOLVED – Memberships of the above Committees be approved. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried.
- TO APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE FOLLOWING OUTSIDE BODIES/GROUPS
Neighbourhood Plan Group
Cllr B Eddolls
Cllr A White
Cllr M Curtis / Trustee of St Edwards Alms Houses
Cllr C Smalley
Cllr V Davies
Cllr M Curtis
Stow & Maugersbury Action Group
Cllr M Curtis
Cllr C Smalley / Silver Group
Cllr C Smalley
Cllr M Curtis
Trustee of St Edwards Hall
Cllr M Moseley / Gloucestershire Market towns Forum
Cllr A White
RESOLVED – That the above Members represent the Council on the above outside bodies/groups. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried.
- CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 26TH APRIL 2016
RESOLVED – That the Minutes were a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chairman. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried.
- CLERK’S REPORT MATTERS ARISING FROM ABOVE MINUTES
Clerk began by running through matters arising.
Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) – Council has registered for Foundation Level entry and she would commence work on this as soon as possible.
GAPTC AGM Resolution from Council: RESOLVED - That the following wording be put forward for this resolution. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried. “Stow Town Council is concerned about the lack of consultation with town and parish councils by principal authorities in deciding S106 (Town and Country Planning Act 1990) priorities and asks GAPTC to seek assurances from these authorities that their procedures include such consultation”.
Increase in crime and the Gypsy Fair – Sgt Payne was unable to attend the Meeting, as he was on annual leave, but had confirmed he would be present at the June Meeting.
Mayor’s Award – the revamp of the application form is still to be actioned.
Annual Town Meeting – Clerk asked the Chairman to report and he said it was well attended and a good positive Meeting.
Election of County Police & Crime Commissioner on 5th May 2016 – Mr Martin Surl had been re elected.
Internal Audit – Took place on 3rd May 2016 by Mrs Hodges (appointed by GAPTC). Full report awaited.
The Clerk said she was settling in and thanked the Members and residents for the warm welcome she had received. She also gave thanks to Deputy Clerk, Mrs Burke, for her help, support and patience over the past couple of weeks.
She had attended a training course run by the GAPTC last week and has another scheduled for the middle of June both on “Clerk’s the Knowledge”. She also said would like to take the CiLCA qualification at some stage.
She asked Members if anyone wished to attend the Chairmanship Course being run by GAPTC at Moreton in Marsh Town Council. Cllr Green said she would like to attend providing it was outside of business hours.
The Farmers Market is now taking place twice a month until September – 2nd and last Thursday of each month.
Finally, she reminded members that Mr Nick Bird, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue will be addressing the Council at the June Council Meeting. Clerk to finalise arrangements with Mr Bird.
- REPORT FROM COTSWOLD DISTRICT CLLR RICHARD KEELING/BARRY DARE
No report given as both Cllr Keeling and Cllr Dare had given their apologies. However, Cllr Keeling had spoken to the Clerk saying that he fully supported the Council’s concerns with regard to the Planning Application by McCarthy & Stone (for land North of Tesco) and was doing all he could from his perspective to get a fresh new Planning Application.
- REPORT FROM GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY CLLR NIGEL MOOR
None given as Cllr Moor had sent his apologies. Clerk reported that the A429 Black Barn to Stow Hill Road would be closed from 7.00 pm to 7.00 am commencing on 31st May to 11th June 2016 for resurfacing works. Union Street would also be closed from 13th to 20th June 2016 to allow new mains connection to be carried out by Thames Water.
- REPORT FROM POLICE
PC Richard Webb & PCSO Adrian Palmer were present. PC Webb gave the report which covered the past three months where crime had increased from 25 to 29 incidents when compared with the same period last year. He had also been carrying out speed checks (in the evening) on some of the approach roads into the town. He had issued tickets to some of the offenders and for others he had given strong words of advice and sent them on their way after all relevant checks had been completed. The highest speed recorded was 48 mph, in a 30 mph limit and the slowest recorded was 41 mph. It was suggested that perhaps a similar exercise could take place early in the morning too. He also spoke about the Gypsy Fair saying no major incidents and as already reported above Sgt Payne will go into greater detail on this at the June Meeting. Having taken questions PC Webb and PCSO Palmer left the Meeting.
- FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2016
a)To confirm and approve the Council’s Accounts for year ended 31st March 2016. RESOLVED – That the Accounts be approved. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried.
b)Annual Return 2015/16
To Members discussed and noted the Internal Auditor’s comments.
To approve Section 1 – Annual governance statement & then Section 2 – Accounting Statements. RESOLVED – That first Section 1 and then Section 2 be approved. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour.Motion carried.
c)Clerk reported that the Notice of Date of Commencement of Period for the Exercise of Public Rights for Accounts would be put on the noticeboard on 1st June 2016 and the period would run from 6th June to 11th July 2016. Motion carried.
- EXPENDITURE APPROVAL
RESOLVED – Thatthe APRIL 2016 accounts be approved. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour.Motion carried. See Appendix A – Page 6 attached for breakdown.
Estimate had been received from S Turner Electrical Limited for supplying a total of 11 external electrical sockets and timers to various properties in the town in relation to Christmas lights at a cost of £3202.65 + VAT. RESOLVED – Expenditure approved, however, it should be noted that “Nutter Antiques” should read “Christopher Clarke Antiques”. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried.
Council were asked to approve a spending limit of £1500 for the forthcoming event in the Square to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday on 11th June 2016. RESOLVED – Expenditure approved. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried.
- TO CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATIONS
Stow & District Civic Society
Mr Surman gave the Council some background on the Society’s application for a grant to go towards the running of a Pop Up Museum Event to be held at St Edward’s Hall on Saturday 20th August 2016. RESOLVED –Council give a grant of £1000 towards the event. RECORD OF VOTING – 6 in favour, 1 abstention. Motion carried.
Stow Community Land Trust (SCLT)
Mr Minty gave an overview of the application made to Council. RESOLVED – That £500 be given towards the setting up costs.RECORD OF VOTING - 6 in favour, 1 abstention. Motion carried.
Stow Cotswold Festival 2017
Mrs Deacon gave an overview of the grant application. RESOLVED – That £2000 be awarded but deferred payment until April 2017. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried.
- CO OPTION OF NEW MEMBER OF COUNCIL*
Mr Peter Day had applied to become a co opted Member of Council. He was given the opportunity to speak. RESOLVED – That he be co opted onto Council with immediate effect. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried.
- STOW COMMUNITY LAND TRUST (SCLT) AND HOW IT WOULD WORK WITH THE COUNCIL
Council fully support the Group and have placed it in the emerging Neighbourhood Plan as the body that will deal with affordable housing for the town. The SCLT is currently looking at the possibility of building some houses on the Council’s allotments site. It was agreed that this would be placed on the Agenda for a forthcoming Council Meeting when the Council could look at the feasibility of this proposal, perhaps along with other possible suitable sites in the town. It was also reiterated that it is not a straightforward exercise to get change of use for the allotments land and indeed would have to be approved by the Secretary of State and there are stringent guidelines to adhere to.
It was also suggested that a Member of Council should sit on this Group to represent the Council.
- TO DISCUSS PRIORITIES FOR THE TOWN WHICH COULD BE NEGOTIATED WITH PROSPECTIVE DEVELOPERS
Community housing for locals, Sports Centre/Youth Club, extension to Monarch’s Way, making Digbeth Street pedestrian friendly & White Hart Lane were all initial suggestions. Agreed that full costings will be required and this is to be deferred to the Finance & General Purposes Committee to drive forward.
- REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS
Burial Board
No report as the Meeting scheduled for 26th May 2016 had been cancelled as inquorate. Next Meeting scheduled for 7th July 2016. However, Clerk was requested to follow up the letter from Veale WasbroughVizardin relation to an invoice received from them for work not approved by Council.
Finance & General Purposes Committee
Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th May 2016 had not yet been circulated so Cllr Moseley gave a brief overview of the items discussed. Next Committee Meeting is scheduled for 14th July 2016.
Neighbourhood Plan (NHP)
In the absence of Cllr Eddolls – Mr Geoff Parke (an Advisor on the Planning Committee) gave an update saying that the NHP is nearly ready to go to the Cotswold District Council for them to make initial comments after it has been circulated to all Members for approval.
Parks & Square Committee
Minutes of Meeting held on 19th May 2016 had yet to be circulated. Cllr Green gave an overview and talked about the Council’s application to delist the stocks which had been turned down but alternative proposals will be discussed at the next Committee Meeting. Following success of Beacon Event the Council is organising a live event in the Square on Saturday 11th June 2016 with music from local bands. The Event is free and she encouraged as many people as possible to go along and enjoy. Finally, again following the success of “Clean for the Queen” a Dog Fouling Awareness Campaign is being organised and will be run from 20th June to 2nd July 2016 to try to highlight the issue of dog fouling in the town and its green spaces and encourage responsible dog ownership and to persuade the residents to note and report persistent offenders. Next Committee Meeting scheduled for 14th June 2016.
Planning, Traffic & Parking Committee
Cllr White said he would be attending the Planning Appeal, on behalf of Council, on 8thJune 2016 for the Planning Application on the former site of Stow Agricultural.
He had also been advised that on the same day the Planning Application for Land North of Tesco (McCarthy & Stone) would be on the CDC’s Planning Committee’s Agenda. He had asked the Clerk to contact CDC to see if the McCarthy & Stone application could be deferred to the July Planning Meeting. CDC had replied saying this was not possible. Cllr Curtis said he may be able to attend and speak on behalf of Council but would advise the Clerk in due course. Post Meeting Note: This latter application is not on the Agenda for the 8th June 2016 Meeting as the Planning Officer has not yet finalised her recommendations. Cllr White is investigating costs and possibility of engaging a barrister to take on the case, on behalf of Council, in the hope that McCarthy & Stone would be required to put in a fresh new planning application for this site. CDC Monitoring Officer had already advised Council this was not a legal issue but a planning one. He ended by saying that talks are still ongoing with Bromford Housing in relation to the pathway at Spring Gardens and Clerk requested to chase this up.
- ANY OTHER BUSINESS - ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT MEETING: None.
- MEETING CLOSED: 9.25 pm.
- NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 21st June 2016 at 7.15 pm – note change of date.
Appendix A
April 2016 - Financial Summary and Payments
March / April
Lloyds Current Account less outstanding cheques / 29,315 / 116,512
Invested (CCLA (1726) / 40,670 / 40,670
Lloyds Bond / 52,000 / 52,000
Cash book balance end of month / 121,985 / 209,182
Cheques
Cheque no. / Name / Description / Net / VAT / Power
2625 / T20 Media / VIC Website / 50.00 / LGA 1972 s 144
2626 / Blachere / Hire of Christmas lights / 1137.90 / 227.58 / LGA 1972 s 145
2627 / E Sajewicz / Secretarial work on NHP / 444.00 / LGA 1972 s141
2628 / B & W Hire / Hire of Portaloos / 215.00 / 43.00 / LGA 1972 s 144
2629 / G Force / QE11’s birthday fireworks / 500.00 / LGA 1972 s 144
2630 / UK life / QE11’s birthday medics / 195 / LGA 1972 s 144
2631 / Zurich / QE11 additional insurance / 54.75 / LGA 1972 s 144
2632 / GCC / Square improvements / 12000.00 / LGRA 1997 s.30/HA 1980 s274A
2633 / Viking / Stationery / 115.59 / 23.12 / LGA 1972 s 111
2634 / M Cowley / Hire of sound system / 125.00 / LGA 1972 s 144
2635 / Stow Times / Insert / 240.00 / 48.00 / LGA 1972 s 142
2636 / Tower Mint / Children’s medallions / 325.90 / 65.18 / LGA 1972 s 144
2637 / Clean for Queen / Pickers & rubber gloves / 16.77 / 3.35 / Open Space Act 1906 s9 & 10
2638 / G James / Christmas electricity / 74.00 / LGA 1972 s 145
2639 / R Coglan Ltd / Photocopier / 90.90 / 18.18 / LGA 1972 s 111
2640 / ROSPA inspection / Playground inspection / 150.50 / 30.10 / Open Space Act 1906 s9 & 10
2641 / NALC / Award registration fee / 50.00 / 10.00 / LGA 1972 s 112
2643 / Zurich / Annual insurance / 2039.43 / LGA 1972 s 111,113
2644 / Queen's Head Inn / Bar for QEII’s birthday / 384.72 / LGA 1972 s 144
2646 / J Wise / April inspections / 35.00 / Open Space Act 1906 s9 & 10
2642 / Administration / 1565.85 / LGA 1972 s 112
2645
19810.31 / 468.51
Minutes prepared by Heather Sipthorp, Clerk & RFO of the Council
Signed: ______Chairman
Dated: ______
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