Brailes Parish Council.

Minutes of the August Meeting of the Parish Council.

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON Tuesday August 26TH 2008 AT 7.30PM. in the Methodist Room.

Apologies for Absence:-

Mrs. B. Manley, Mr. R. Cheney, Mr. A. Jervis, Cllr. P. Seccombe, & Cllr. C. Saint.

Present:-

Mrs. B. Foster, Mrs. G. Woods, Mr. N. Drury, Mr. C. Righton and 7 members of the publc.

Minutes of the last Meeting:-

were approved and signed.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:-

Parish Plan:-

Mr. C. Cox handed out information received after a meeting with Mr. D. Morgan who has promised to attend the September Parish Council Meeting and give a small presentation. There was money available towards the cost of heating the Village Hall and Pavilion that needed looking into.

Drains/Gullies:-

Mr. K. Durham spoke regarding the efforts to alleviate the flooding in Upper Brailes and was concerned that he had heard that plans were on hand to put a drain through some of the allotment land. Mr. Durham explained that this was not necessary as drains already existed that would serve the purpose and he could see no reason to embark on expensive measures when the existing drains, albeit possibly not in full use, would serve the same purpose. What was also needed was that a number of gullies needed unblocking - this wouldn’t solve the problem but it would help. This was all felt to be good advice.

Sign-Sutton under Brailes:-

Mr. Durham also raised the problem with the sign at the junction where the road to Brailes met the road to Sutton, Whichford and Cherington/Stourton giving two indications that vehicles had the right of way. This matter had been raised many years ago, without success and the Clerk said she would take the matter up again.

MATTERS ARISING:-

Flood Report:-

Mr. J. Hyland spoke about the CCTV Survey that was now complete and the report would be out by the end of September. 4 Locations in the Village were pinpointed as those requiring the most attention - the Old Brewery Upper Brailes, Jeffs Close, the Garage and Saltway Lane in Lower Brailes. Many gullies were blocked and the odd one was cleared during the survey, along with the ditch by the Industrial Estate. Mr. Hyland felt that the Industrial Estate needed reminding that the ditches needed attention.
Addition manhole covers were needed thoughout the village as there were many places where is was impossible to lift a cover to find out where the piping went - a good example was at the junction of Sutton Lane with the main road.
The electricity station was a problem when it rained heavily washing the gravel off into the road and Mr. Hyland said he had been in touch and improvements would be made.

Dragons Teeth and Sutton Lane:-

Mr. G. Stanley had sent a revised plan of the signs to be erected but had not changed the road colouring from Buff to Red as requested. The Clerk will ask him to do this.

Social Housing:-

The Clerk had been speaking to Charles Barlow that very day and there was no further news. Mr. Barlow felt that the Council should give it a bit more time. It was agreed that we needed the housing and that the location had been chosen as the most suitable so we would wait. Mr. Righton suggested a meeting with Mr. Bill Robinson, Estate Manager, to see if we could move the process forward, and Mr. A. Jervis will be asked his opinion as he probably knew Mr. Robinson.

St Peter & St Paul Parking Area:-

The Clerk asked if a letter had been sent and Mrs. Woods said she would put a letter together before the next Meeting.

Post Office Closure:-

Nothing had been heard and Mr. R. Blake had said that he now understood a decision would not be made before the end of September and it could even be October before he had had an answer.

Grass Cutting:-

The Clerk now had copies of the grass cutting plans for the Village that were used by the Contractor. She had already sent one back to get the area of land off Cow Lane cut the next time the contractor was in the village and had promised that the plans would be studied and revised where necessary before the next grass cutting season 2009. Mrs. Woods suggested that the Parish Council pay for a few extra cuts of its own to the Village Greens as if they had a decent cut it would enormously improve the look of the village and it was agreed that a price should be sought so that it could be considered when discussing the Precept for 2009/10.

Pump Rectory Lane:-

Mr. Drury said he had had difficulty getting the base from the old pump out. He felt he needed an oak post and possibly a few small pieces of oak as well to make a good job of it. Mr. Righton said he was sure he had a piece of wood that would serve the purpose and promised to look it out.

NEW ITEMS:-

Light-Winderton Road:-

The Clerk had circulated a copy of a letter received from a Mr. P. Beard asking for the light to be removed or moved. The Councillors were unanimous in their decision not to do anything further.

MAINTENANCE:-

Henbrook Lane:-

The sign has not been picked up and re-instated as asked for some time ago. Mrs. Woods said it had been moved around but was now at the bottom of the Lane and needed attention before someone removed it altogether.

War Memorial:-

Mrs. Woods asked if further work was to be done to the War Memorial. Mr. Drury said he had done all his work but the person filling in the lettering had only done a couple of lines but could be asked to do more and it was agreed he should be asked and try and get it done before the Armistice Day Ceremony.

Pot Hole at entrance to Hall Car Park:-

Mr. Righton wondered who was responsible? The Clerk wondered if the County would do anything about it but she said she would ask.

REPORTS OF OTHER MEETINGS/COMMITTEES:-

Parish Plan:-

Mr. C. Cox and Mr. N. Drury had met Mr. David Morgan and further discussions will take place with Mr. Morgan attending the September Meeting.

Parish Communications Grant:-

Acknowledgement of an application for £170 for a digital camera had been received.

Emergency Plans - Annual Update:-

The Clerk had filled this in and made amendments but wondered if both Brailes Web Sites should be listed.

Road Closure - Castle Hill Lane:-

The Order will commence on August 26th and last for a period of 18 months, or until the works are completed whichever is the earlier. However, it is anticipated that the road will only be closed for a period of two weeks between August 26th and 12th of September. A diversion will be in place.

Rural Housing Enabling Event:-

Wednesday 8th October in Ettington Village Community Centre at 4pm.

Green issues - Communications:-

Information regarding the formation of a forum that would aim to keep Parishes up to date with the latest developments for the proposal to establish Middle Quinton Eco Town, and to seek views on aspects of the project. If we do not wish to join the forum we can keep updated of proceedings of the meetings.

Forum - District Council:-

A Meeting will be held on September 9th at 6pm. in Ettington Community Centre.

BT Kiosks:-

Acknowledgement of a letter sent from the Parish Council objecting to the removal of the public telephone kiosk in Winderton has been received.

MEMBERS REPORTS:-

Pavement Sutton Lane:-

Mr. Drury had received a complaint that the work done had stopped before the end of housing. The Clerk will report this.

PLANNING:-

Permission given to:-

FINANCE:-

None this month.

Meeting closed at 9pm. Next Meeting September 29th.