Brailes Parish Council

Minutes of the June meeting of the Parish Council

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY JULY 2ND AT 7.30PM In the Methodist Room.

Apologies for Absence:
Mr R Cheney, Mr N Drury and Cllr P Seccombe.
Present:
Mrs G Woods, Mrs B Foster, Mrs B Manley, Mr C Righton and Mr A Jervis. C Cllr C Saint, and 2 members of the public.
Minutes:
of the last Meeting were approved and signed.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Housing.
A resident spoke regarding the proposed social housing in Sutton Lane and felt that it would detract from the view from the rear of his property. Mrs Woods, who Chaired the Meeting informed him that the site that he was concerned about was no longer under consideration. The gentleman then said he wondered if it was building for buildings sake as he pointed out that in the Parish Plan only 8 people expressed an interest in low cost housing. The Clerk said she had been told that 18 people were on the Housing List .The Parish Council was simply trying to fulfill a need.
Maintenance.
Mr J Critchlow spoke of the work that was needed that he had pointed out the last time he attended the Parish Council Meeting. The Clerk had reported the items needing attention-one had been attended to quite quickly and one was promised in the very near future.
Cllr Saint's Notes.
Cllr Saint reported that it had been a quiet time. He pointed out the availability of composting bins. The Community Development Fund was again open for Grants of up to £5,000 that can be spent on small scale projects that provide opportunities for local groups to enhance their facilities and activities.
MATTERS ARISING:
Lighting:
The Clerk spoke of the light on the main road opposite Friars Lane. It would seem that it will have to have a new pole, and the Parish Council will have to pay for this. The supply will be taken from the telephone box. It was agreed that we would ask for a low energy bulb in the lamp. The light in Frairs Lane is still unresolved .Mr Bob Yarwood had met Central Networks to look at the problem but could find no real solution. Mr Yarwood had said that in certain circumstances a light could be put on a house wall.and the Clerk was asked to pursue this idea. The light in Upper Brailes is also unresolved. The Clerk pointed out that the land must still be up for sale as there is no Sold sign on the board.
Computer - Web Site:
The Clerk had made a minor complaint that the web site was not kept up to date and information she had sent was still not on the site. This had bought about some action but items still needed attention. Mrs Woods questioned the Brailes History and said that she had been told it was in error. It had been taken from the Brailes Appraisal which was now out of date anyway. It will be looked at again.
First Responders:
The Clerk had spoken to Mrs Turner who said that the bag that they carry everything in was in poor shape but was expensive to replace. One of the volunteers had repaired the bag and she felt it would last a while yet. Councillors felt that the Council should replace this bag and Mr Righton said he had seen it and it was in poor shape.
Code of Conduct:
The Council was prepared to adopt the Code of Conduct including paragraph 12(2) and complete the necessary forms. Mrs Woods went through the questions and Cllr Saint helped with the answers as he had been to a seminar and was well informed. The Clerk now has five completed forms and will pursue the other two before sending everything off to the District Council.
Burial Ground Insurance.
After a conversation with one of the Quakers the Clerk wondered if the Parish Council's burial ground was covered in our Public Liability Insurance and said she would pursue the matter.
Housing.
Mr Charles Barlow said he would like to attend the July Meeting and give the Council an update. The Clerk said that he had told her what was happening and it seemed that he was in the process of trying to get land but he still had to arrange a meeting etc. He had obtained the advice of the Planning Officer who felt that it could be a viable site. Mrs Woods questioned the advantage of his visit if he had not real progress to report - would it be better to wait a while. In the end it was agreed that the Clerk would make the decision after speaking to Mr Barlow again. If a meeting was arranged then it was agreed it would be just the Councillors meeting - no public.
Maintenance.
Hedges were high on the agenda again with the trees on Fant Hill still needing attention. Mrs Manley also spoke of the water running down Fant Hill into the farm driveway. Cllr Saint said he remembered this being raised before and he would take the matter of the water and tree work to the County The hedge by The Lodge needs cutting back and the Clerk asked for the name of the owner. The Clerk had finally had a reply to her letter of March 19th. Mr Morris said he would chase up the missing 30mph sign and the problem of the water in front of Chendawan. He had put forward a request for the dropped kerbs at The Fountain to be included in this years programme. The hedge at Blew Gates will be cut back and the drainage problem in Sutton Lane will be dealt with.
REPORTS OF OTHER MEETINGS/COMMITTEES:
None.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Rural Housing Enabling Event.
19th July at Ettington Village Community Centre. The purpose of the event the way is to identify barriers and current issues which are hindering progress of site canvassing and sharing Information.
Footpath.
Friars Lane/Catholic Car Park through North Field and to Saltway Lane. Mr C Cox had walked the path and written to say that for most of its length there are thickly grown grasses 3ft or 4 ft tall with nettles and creeping thistles. A hawthorn hedge overhangs the path by some 15 to 18 inches. Grass has been cut in two places by Rectory Bungalow and the field has recently been cut for silage but the grass is left tall along the barbed wire boundary.
MEMBERS REPORTS:
Allotment Wall.
Mrs Woods asked if anyone knew who had removed the weeds from the allotment wall as she would like to thank them. Enquiries will be made.
The Fountain.
The Clerk was asked to write and thank the Hibberds for keeping the Fountain so neat and tidy.
Grants.
The A O N B had Grant money available for certain projects and Mrs Woods wondered if there was anything that Brailes could apply for.
PLANNING:
  • 07/01482/FUL.Cotswold Cottage for single storey extension stated as at rear but actually at front. No objections.
  • 07/01484/FUL.Springfield Farm. Change of use from agriculture to equestrian. Erection of new building and menage. No objections.
  • 07/01695/FUL.Upper Grove End Farm. Addition of first floor single and two storey extensions. No Objections.
  • 07/01723/LBC.Saddlers Thatch. New doors and windows. No Objections.

Permission was refused for:-

  • 07/01310/LDE. Change of use from agricultural to domestic garden. As a result Mr and Mrs Nerding withdrew a further application to demolish a barn and rebuild and build a cabin.
FINANCE:
Receipts.
2 x £75.00 for Memorials. £150.00
Cheques:
No 100894. Shaw and Sons £159.62
Meeting closed at 9.30pm. Next Meeting July 30th, 2007.