Brailes Parish Council

Minutes of the October meeting of the Parish Council

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY OCTOBER 29th 2007 at 7.30pm In the Methodist Room.

Apologies for Absence:
None.
Present:
Mrs. G. Woods, Mrs. B. Foster, Mrs. B. Manley, Mr. R. Cheney, Mr. N. Drury, Mr. A. Jervis, Cllr. P. Seccombe, Cllr. C. Saint and 11 members of the public.
Disclosure of Interests:
Mr. Cheney expressed his interest in a planning application for Mr. Martin Cole.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Grass Cutting:
Mrs. Westerman asked for clarification of the item in the Feldon News that said grass cutting in Lower Brailes was poor. Mrs. Woods explained that Upper Brailes was completed but it then rained heavily and the contractor was unable to cut Lower Brailes. Mrs. Woods took the opportunity to say how pleased Brailes had been with the grass cutting this year.The Clerk commented that so far we had only had 7 cuts but were told we would get 9.
Site for Social Housing:
Mr. C. Cox asked if new Social Housing was to be built on Saltway Lane. Mr. Cheney said that it was one of the sites that the Parish Council had put forward and was under consideration.
Cats Eyes:
Mr. Sutcliffe said that since the resurfacing the cats eyes had not been replaced. Cllr. Saint said that the work is done by two different contractors and usually within two or three weeks. The Clerk will follow this up.
MATTERS ARISING:
Flood Committee Report:
Mr. Hyland reported. After continuous pressure gulley cleaning to the main road and to New Park Cottages had been carried out, however with less than 30 seconds being spent on each gulley some are still showing signs of residue. Some jetting had been carried out but more is needed. Mr. Righton said he had poured a considerable amount of water down the gulley near the school and found that it did not appear to run away until some considerable time later which suggested it was only leaking away very slowly. The gulley in Sutton Lane is still awaiting repair. Mr. Maples MP wrote following his meeting with the County and continues to press our case with them and the Environment Agency. (Mr. Righton, Mr. Cheney and Mr. Hyland have a meeting on Tuesday Oct. 30th with the Environment Agency). The survey carried out on behalf of the District Council was Mr. Hyland felt disappointing with the parameters of the survey too narrow and he did not feel it answered any of the concerns. Was it constricted by too small a budget? Bearing this in mind Mr. Hyland had presented the Council with a plan for their consideration. This involved putting a culvert connecting Henbrook with Sutton Brook. This would take water in a straight flow instead of the constriction of the bend at the present time, with a 60 degree bend to be added to Henbrook outfall. Councillors looked at the plan and agreed in principle. Cllr. Seccombe said he would look at possible funding. In the discussion that followed a number of points were raised. Mr. Marriot felt that further housing would exacerbate the situation. Mr Cheney pointed out that the housing on Sutton Lane could not be blamed for the flooding.
Mr. Hyland had a list of landowners and riparian owners and the Clerk was asked to write and asked for co-operation in keeping the ditches and watercourses clear.
Severn Trent had carried out further jetting of drainage in Orchard Close together with and inspection of the damaged drain. Blocked drain found at the frontage of No 8.
Cllr. Saint Reported:
Cllr. Saint said he had attended a meeting on Planning - a review of Regional Spatial Strategy and Regional Planning Guidance and one of items discussed was that when planning proposals were discussed there should be a firm plan to deal with the surface water drainage, making sure it goes into streams or ditches etc.
Cllr. Saint also met people who were doing a Report for the Government and was able to supply information regarding the flooding in his area. Cllr. Saint also spoke of a recent meeting where he tried to get money for local problems without any success, however new money will be available in April and now is the time to put forward any requests for capital expenditure - for example the culvert - and he asked that the Council give him details of any other work they needed in the New Year.
Sutton Lane-White Gates:
The Clerk had information which she had circulated. The County did not fund "white Gates" and the cost was considerable. A Road Survey Audit was needed before any work could be considered. Mr. Drury felt that it was important and that signs were also needed. It was agreed that further information was needed.
Web Site:
The Clerk expressed the view that the Web Site needed to be made more interesting and felt that not enough information etc was being passed on to Mr Doherty.
Lighting:
Central Networks had agreed that they could connect a "bullet" style lamp on the wall where the broken light had been in Friars Lane and they could connect to the present box. The cost of installation and the fitting was going to be about £1,000 and the Clerk said she hoped that B&Q would honour their commitment.
The County had written to warn of an increase in the cost of the maintenance of the street lighting for the year 2007/8. It would rise from this years rate of £13.50 per lighting point to £19.27 Health and Safety Regulations meant that any work must be done by two men not one as previously. It was unanimously agreed that we would accept the new charge.
Dangerous Tree:
The Clerk said she had looked and could not find this dangerous tree at Springfield House but would look again before contacting the owners.
Repeater Signs:
The Clerk said she would contact the County to get their opinion and if necessary get a price for such signs.
Footway Surfacing:
Why was only one side of the footway in Lower Brailes resurfaced? Why was no work done at all in Upper Brailes? The Clerk said she had already questioned these comments and had been told that the work had been contracted out before Mr Morris took over. This was considered a very unsatisfactory answer. Cllr. Saint said that a Mr. Peter Sandwell was the person to contact to try and get it into next years budget.
Overhanging trees:
Mrs. Manley said some work had been done to the hedges on Fant Hill but the overhanging trees at Knollands Farm had not been attended to. The Clerk said she would write again.
Neighbourhood Watch:
Mr. Cheney said that we had agreed to have a meeting to try and re-organise Neighbourhood Watch. It was felt that this would be done in the New Year now.
NEW ITEM:
Upper Green:
There was a large covered object on the Upper Green and the Clerk reminded the meeting that this was not acceptable. In the past the Council had complained to others regarding leaving things on the registered Greens. Mr. Cheney said he would have a word with the owner.
MAINTENANCE:
Pot hole:
- at Winderton, in the dip as you come out of the village.
Fly tipping:
Rubbish dumped up Compton Road from Agdons Spinney.
Sub Station:
This has still not been properly cleaned up since the flood.
REPORTS OF OTHER MEETINGS/COMMITTEES:
Social Housing Meeting October 3rd:
Mr. Righton reported that he had attended along with Officers from the District Council, Charles Barlow Housing Enabler WRRC, Jeremy Page SWHS, Councillors from Berwick upon Tweed Borough and Eden District and Uttlesford Council (Nth Cumbria).
Renato Monz stated that there was a shortfall of 954 houses in the District. The target for 2005-2008 was 350 and so far 311 houses have been built with £5.4 Million funding for 2003-2008 from the District Council.
The retiring Chair from Long Compton Parish Council spoke about their Social Houses and said that they had a Housing Liaison Officer on the Parish Council.
Mr. Righton then said a few words about Brailes Social Housing on Sutton Lane.
With time running short there was a quick visit to both of these housing developments.
Chairman and Clerks Liaison Meeting:
Mr. Cheney reported. The discussion centred around Conservation Areas, there are now 95 with no plans to add new ones. Conservation Area consent is required before demolishing gates walls fences and railings (subject to height limits) with reduced permitted development rights. TPOs and hedgerow rights were also discussed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Best Kept Village:
The Clerk had received the Silver Certificate and this was handed over to the Village Hall Committee for display.
MEMBERS REPORTS:
Trees in the Park:
A complaint had been received regarding some trees in The Park. The Clerk will contact Mr. R. Goodman for details. Mrs. Woods felt that Mrs. McFarland should deal with this but Mr. Cheney felt the Clerk should attend to this complaint as it had been made to the Council.
Stour Valley Planning Committee:
Mrs. Woods complained that the merging of this committee with Stratford was not a good thing for our area. Cllr. Seccombe said it was all down to costs and this was one way that money could be saved if we wanted our Council Tax kept as low as possible.
Fence at bridge:
Mr. Righton said he had the fence but he could not find time to put this up. Mr. Drury was asked and he said he would see what he could do before the next meeting.
PLANNING:
  • 07/02736/Tree. T1 T2 yews 30% crown reduction. The Presbytery Friars Lane. The Clerk had asked the tree Warden to look at this and Mr. Russell Carter had produced a report.No objection
  • 07/02808/FUL. Mr. and Mrs. Vale,Bridge Cottage. Demolition of existing leanto and conservatory. Proposed new kitchen, study and WC extensions to the rear. Proposed acceptance Mr. Cheney, 2nd Mrs. Manley all in favour.
  • 07/02841/TREE. Mr. Rogers Orchard Close. T1.T2-2 willows repollard. It was agreed these needed attention - no objection.
  • 07/02687/AGNOT. For proposed grain store at Vicarage Barn - Mr Cole. The District Council sent a message saying prior approval was not required for siting, design and external appearance of this building.
Permission Granted:
  • 07/01823.FUL. Mr. Rogers for erection of single storey galvanised steel cladded shed.
FINANCE:
Receipts:
£75.00 for Memorial stone.
Payments:
Cheque No 1000902 2 Ink Cartridges £ 23.50
Cheque No 1000903 Spoiled.
Cheque No 1000904 Street Lighting £ 192.83
Cheque No 1000905 Light Winderton Rd £ 2,916.16
Cheque No 1000906 CPRE £ 30.00
Cheque No 1000907 Greyhound Leisure £ 182.13
Future Meetings:
Mr. Drury felt that as the Council seemed to have a heavy agenda at the moment it would be wise to meet twice a month so that more attention could be given to items under discussion.
Councillors agreed but many found they had other commitments. It was decided that the next Meeting would be on November 13th - a Tuesday - then November 26th, December 10th and Jan. 7th in the New Year.
Meeting closed at 9.20pm.