Staunton Coleford Parish Council meeting – 14November2017
Minutes 2133-2150
STAUNTON COLEFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 14 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 19.30
[N.B. These minutes remain in draft form until approved at a subsequent meeting of the Council]
PRESENT
Parish Councillors: John Flynn JFJean Sadler JS,James Langdon-Down JLD, Jessica Horler JH, Marian FlynnMF,DistrictCouncillor Marrilyn Smart MS,Terry HaleDistrict and County Councillor, John Watkins Resident.
2133APOLOGIES
Parish CouncillorChristine Televantos CT
.
2134DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
2135REQUEST FOR DISPENSATION
None.
2136MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 10
OCTOBER 2017
It was resolved to confirm the minutes as an accurate record.
There were no matters arising
2137QUARRY FIRING COMPLAINT
This item was moved to the beginning of the meeting to accommodate the schedules of the guests. The discussion was led by Terry Hale and John Watkins. Residents and Councillors are concerned that the recent big explosions have been shaking houses in the area. It appears that the blasts are within the agreed parameters as recorded by the monitors placed around the village. Councillors understand the parameters are met but are nonetheless concerned that properties may be damaged. Councillors and residents believe that the blasts have recently become stronger with the potential to damage their properties. TH reported that the relationship between the quarry and the community had deteriorated and that there have been no liaison meetings for over a year.
TH reported that 27 people signed recent letter to MP and this should help him to put some pressure on quarry. TH agreed to discuss the issues further with the quarry since they do not appear to be complying with set procedures and to contact Mark Harper. Pressure should be exerted on the quarry management to resume the community liaison meetings. He noted there had been changes with the location of the work and with the methods that they use for extracting the rock.
To keep on future agendas
2138 REPORT FROM COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
The County Councillor was not in attendance.
The report from the District Councillor is as follows:
Community Hospitals in the Forest of Dean
Further to my report last month The consultation into options for Community Hospitals in the Forest of Dean is still open for comments the 10 December 2017.
New Company Publica in the Forest of Dean
This is now up and running. Now that the former Head of Paid Service has moved into Publica a new Head of Paid Service was agreed at Full Council on the 19 October. It is Peter Williams who you will no doubt be familiar with as Head of Planning at the District Council. As I reported last month Residents will see no difference in the way services are delivered. The Council will remain as it is and will still be the place where residents go for their normal services, advice and support.
Boundary Review Proposals
This was approved at Full Council on the 19 October very much as I described at your last meeting. The Final proposals for the whole district will be announced in the New Year.
Lawnstone House Development
The original plans have now been revised after receiving a mixed response from the public. I am pleased to report that the block of Flats next to the District Council Offices has been removed from the design. A further consultation ran until the 3 November. The revised plans were approved by Full Council on the 19 October with unanimous support for this 2.3m regeneration project.
Webcasting of Council Meetings.
This was approved on the 19 October. New equipment will enable council meetings to be web cast live and will be installed in the Coleford Council Chamber. The equipment will cost £17,000 and the public will be able to view meetings from the comfort of their own home.
Street Warden Award.
Our Street Warden Team has been awarded a Gold Footprint for the 4th year as part of the RSPCA’s Community Animal welfare Footprints scheme in recognition of the high quality standard in which the Council handles stray dogs. You may have seen the report in the Forester but just to point out the dog in the picture was Terry’s Jack!
Overhanging branches over the pathway opposite the Church
I have not heard further from Brian Watkins who was getting Amey to look into this. Has it been done if not I will contact Brian again.
2139PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
- For members of the public to ask questions and make comments.
- For the Chairman to direct whether public comments or questions shall be responded to and how.
None
2140FINANCE
- The cheques as listed were agreed and signed
To / Purpose / Power / Value of cheque (£)
Jack Coburn / Village Membership pack / LGA 1972 s.111 / £50
SLCC / Membership / LGA 1972 s.111 / £10
Complete landscape gardeners / Grass Cutting October / Public Health Act 1875 s. 164, Highways Act 1980 s.96 / £100
Total / £160
- To approve a financial statement and cash re-conciliation to date
The Clerk had found several anomalies with the spread sheet and had been unable to complete the bank reconciliation
The Clerk will do further work on this, JH agreed to assist if necessary
2141PARISH CLERK VACANCY
The chair asked Council for approval to appoint the new clerk. JH proposed and JLD seconded. Council had agreed to sort out the payment of the past clerks by using PATA payroll service. Clare Davies has taken over the role of clerk from 14/11/2017. The new clerk, would also like to use this service going forward. To add to January’s agenda.
2142VILLAGE WELCOME PACK
Councillors reported that it has been distributed and there has been no feedback as yet.
2143SPEAKER FOR 2018 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Mr Houldey is keen to speak at next year’s Annual Parish meeting Future Agenda Item
2144TO CONSIDER AND AGREE QUOTE FOR CLEARANCE OF GROUND AROUND VILLAGE HALL FROM COMPLETE LANDSCAPE GARDENERS
Council Agreed to spend up to £350 to complete gardeners for works. If the quote is found to be higher than that Council will review it at the next meeting.
2145 LEANING TREE CREATING OBSTRUCTION AT BRINDSEY WELL
Council noted that it appears that trees had been pruned on the day of the meeting.
A: JF to check.
2146REMOVAL OF TREES FROM THE BUTTS
JH raised concerns about a horse chestnut tree growing into the electrical cables opposite The Hermitage. Utility companies may be able to help with this but Council believe that they no longer do this.
JS hasn’t had a response from Andy and is struggling to get tree surgeons to quote. JLD reported that he had a contact A: JLD to provide contact and JS to arrange for quotations
Future Agenda Item
2145VILLAGE HISTORY
Council would like to support Jack Cockburn’s work on the history of the village and will invite Janet Marriott archivist to the next meeting. It was also suggested that the work could be published on the web site.
2146MINOR MATTERS
a) Council looked at a sample of the new windows. Council agreed to pay for half of the planning application.
b) Litter picking group successful attracting a team of 12 volunteers. MF to inform MS on how much was collected so that she can publicise this good work.
c) MF discussed the lights issue with Brian Watkins who confirmed that he could not change the timer on the lights in the village but that he will look into the one that is on all the time.
d)Training: Council expressed interest in the new clerk attending training as soon as possible with GAPTC. CS and JH to be booked onto being a Better councillor’s course
A: clerk
2147 PLANNING
P1606/17/FUL Land off Staunton Road Staunton Coleford, Gloucestershire Construction of a new vehicle and pedestrian access
No comments
P0091/17/DISCON White Horse Inn Staunton Coleford Gloucestershire
No comments
2148TO RECEIVE PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
None
2149ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Using PATA, Budget, Feedback from Coleford Area Partnership
2150DATE OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
To note that the date of the next Parish Council meeting is 16January2017 at 7.30pm
No further business and the meeting ended at 9:10pm
Signed Chairman……………….……………..date: 14/11/2017
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