Brailes Parish Council
Brailes Parish Council
Minutes of the July meeting of the Parish Council
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY JULY 30th AT 7.30PM In the Methodist Room.
| Apologies for Absence: | |
| Mr. C. Righton and Mr. N. Drury. | |
| Present: | |
| Mrs. B. Foster, Mrs. G. Woods, Mrs. B. Manley, Mr. R. Cheney and Mr. A. Jervis 16 members of the public, Dist. Cllr. P. Seccombe and C. Cllr. C. Saint. | |
| Disclosure of Interests: | |
| None. | |
| Minutes: | |
| of the last Meeting were approved and signed. | |
| MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: | |
| Flooding: | |
| The majority of the people present had been affected by the floods and Mr. J. Hyland from Orchard Close said that he had not been flooded because of the brook behind his property but by the flooding at the bridge. The new housing on Sutton Lane had, he felt, exacerbated the situation and water from that development had finally burst through the road. Mr. A. Marriot, Bridge Cottage, said what was needed was a proper Survey of the drains throughout the village, so that the problems could be identified and acted on. Who would bear the cost? Cllr. Seccombe said that there was some monies available and a Mr. D. Tiley was the man to contact. Drains needed cleaning out and the road needed sweeping. The Clerk had already asked for a sweep and would ask for drains to be cleaned. It would be useful if clogged drains could be identified. Many people were unaware that sandbags were available. It was felt that those at the most risk could have some stored on their premises, as Mr. Cheney pointed out that trying to fill and distribute bags at the time the water was rising was very difficult. There was a lengthy discussion when everyone was invited to put forward their views and Mrs. Woods suggested that there should be a separate meeting. A committee could be formed to take matters forward. It was agreed to have such a Meeting on Monday August 6th at 7.30pm in the Methodist Room. | |
| Planning: | |
| Mr. G. James spoke regarding a Planning Application submitted by his neighbour and wished to comment. The balcony on the garage would be an invasion of his privacy he felt, as it would mean that he would be over looked in his garden. He did not feel it was a problem to change the use of the land from agricultural to domestic. Cllr. Seccombe advised him that if he intended to write to the SDC he must put his objections in planning terms only. | |
| MATTERS ARISING: | |
| Lighting: | |
| The Clerk had handed out copies of a letter she had received from a resident and also had copies of a further letter from the resident of Carless Cottage, the latter stating that she would like copies of the Minutes when the light was discussed and asking who it was who decided to put the light in its new position. She further felt that she may have grounds to complain to the Ombudsman. The Clerk asked if the timing could be changed and if there could be a shade put on the light. Mrs. Woods pointed out that a shade would restrict the light from the road and would not be of any value and the light needed to come on at 5am for people going to work. The Clerk was asked to write to both residents, thank them for their letters but say that no further actions would be taken. The Clerk spoke of the other problems with lighting. The light at Scuttlebrook was being attended to. Mr. Phipps in Friars Lane had agreed to have the light back on his wall providing it was a "bullet" type light that hugged the wall and Central Networks had agreed that this could be put in place and we were now waiting for a quote. Light No 4 in Upper Brailes was also moving forward, and it seemed that the supply would now come from across the road. Light No 1 in Castle Hill that had been at fault for so long needs a new cable and this will have to be done by Central Networks. | |
| Web Site Input: | |
| The Clerk pointed out that many of the Councillors were also involved in other clubs/societies etc and could they try and get something to put on the web site, new or forthcoming events? Mrs Foster said the site had been updated. The Clerk also asked for a footpath map to go on the site as many people walked exercising their dogs and there was a good number of ramblers coming to the village. Mrs. Woods said she would try and find something suitable. | |
| Code of Conduct: | |
| The new Code needed formal adoption and it was proposed by Mrs. Manley seconded by Mrs. Foster that the Brailes Council would adopt the new Code with the Clause 12(2). All in favour. |
|
| Burial Ground: | |
| The present insurance policy will cover public liability on the burial ground and Allianz Cornhill had promised to send some details. The Clerk reported that the funeral Directors had sent the £160 for reserving the grave for Mr. Shurmer. | |
| Weeds: | |
| Mrs. Woods said she had found out that Mr. J. Dudbridge had been responsible for clearing the weeds from the allotment wall and asked for a letter of thanks to be sent. | |
| Housing: | |
| Mr. Cheney felt that Mr. Charles Barlow should perhaps have been invited to speak at the Meeting. Mrs Woods pointed out that at the previous meeting it was agreed to wait until Mr Barlow, who was looking at an alternative site, would have some news to report as at the present time nothing had really changed since he had advised us that the chosen site was no longer available. | |
| NEW ITEMS: | |
| Notice Boards: | |
| The Clerk said she spent considerable time each month clearing the Notice Boards of old notices and removing and re-instating those that people had simply put over others. There will be an item in the Feldon News asking people to tidy the boards when they are adding notices and if there is lack of space remove notices that are not for or from Brailes organisations. | |
| MAINTENANCE: | |
| Trees/hedges: | |
| The trees on Winderton Road, just past the Industrial Estate, need trimming back off the road. These were planted by the Parish Council some time ago and need attention. The Clerk will ask for quotes. The hedge at Compton Cottage also needs cutting back and trees/ hedges overhanging the road on the B4035 on the opposite side to the two cottages need attention. The hedge at Blew Gates was also mentioned but the Clerk said she had already asked the County to trim this back. | |
| REPORTS OF OTHER MEETINGS/COMMITTEES: | |
| None. | |
| CORRESPONDENCE: | |
| Letter of thanks: | |
| Mr. Righton wrote asking for a letter of thanks to be sent to the company employing two very helpful men who on Friday 20th July spent 2 hours helping with the floods at the bridge in Lower Brailes. They showed considerable care and consideration and this should be on record. The Clerk will write a suitable letter. | |
| Crime Stoppers: | |
| A letter basically asking for financial help had been received that also outlined the work of the organisation. The Clerk pointed out that the Council had always had a ruling not to give to outside organisations, only for Armistice Day. Most Councillors agreed that this should be covered by the Council Tax. Mr. Cheney said he would give it more thought. | |
| Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places: | |
| Brailes Village Hall is seen as the most convenient place for the Polling Station. Councillors felt that it might be possible to allow other villages to use Brailes as their Polling Station - Sutton under Brailes, Cherington, Stourton - but would this mean that people were reluctant to travel to vote? | |
| MEMBERS REPORTS: | |
| Councillor Seccombe reported: | |
| The new Play Strategy encouraged a fenced area to keep dogs out. Stour Area - there are now 2 part time outreach workers for DASH-drug problems. There is a useful Stour Directory. |
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| PLANNING: | |
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| FINANCE: | |
| Receipts: | |
| £160.00 for reserving burial plot. | |
| £440.90 VAT Refund. | |
| Payments: | |
| Cheque No 100895. Mr C Cox for Directory. £ 59.88 | |
| Cheque No 100896. E ON Street Lighting. £ 192.83 | |
| Cheque No 100897. Petty Cash £ 43.24 | |
| Direct Debit: BT Office Telephone. £ 44.17 | |
| Meeting closed at 9.30pm. Next Meeting Tuesday August 28th, 2007. | |