Brailes Parish Council

Minutes of the September meeting of the Parish Council

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY SEPT 24th 2007 at 7.00.p.m. in the Methodist Room.

Mr Charles Barlow came to update the Council on what progress he had made in finding land for more Social Housing. The Meeting was closed to the public until 7.30pm.

Apologies for Absence:
Mr A Jervis.
Present:
Mrs. G. Woods, Mrs. B. Foster, Mrs. B. Manley, Mr. R. Cheney, Mr. C. Righton and Mr. N. Drury. Cllr. Seccombe, Cllr. Saint and 7 members of the public.
Disclosure of Interests:
Mr Righton declared a non pecuniary interest in a Planning Application for Mr Nerding of High Russett.
Minutes:
of the last Meeting were approved and signed.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Resurfacing of the footway:
Mr Davison wondered why only some of the footways in Lower Brailes had been re-surfaced. The Clerk said she had been in contact with Mr Morris at the County and he said the work was commissioned before he took office. No weed removal had taken place before work was carried out so that the weeds were still in evidence in many places.
Dangerous tree:
A branch was overhanging the road from the hedge to Springfield House and needed attention.
Speeding:
Mr Sutcliffe spoke of the speed of the traffic through the village and mentioned signs he had seen in Binton and wondered why Brailes couldn’t have something similar.
Cllr Seccombe reported:
The Government had offered two choices - join a Unitary Authority or a Two Tier Partnership and the SDC would probably join the Two Tier Partnership to try and reduce costs. Waste Tenders were now in and would be considered in the next couple of months.
MATTERS ARISING:
Flood Committee report from Mr J Hyland:
Gully cleaning promised for the end of August had been started this very day, however, jetting had taken place in Orchard Close courtesy of Severn Trent but because gullies were blocked it had not achieved its purpose. Some damage to pipe work was apparent and a camera survey was needed. A letter had been sent to the Chief Executive and Mr. J. Maples is to have a meeting with the WCC on September 28th. Still no repairs to the gulley in Sutton Lane. The Clerk commented that this would not happen until the problem with the water had been sorted out. There was no light on the work site and this was a danger at night. Mr Hyland had met Mr Tiley at Shipston Drop In and was told a survey was under way and a report was expected in October. There had been no improvement in ditch cleaning by the landowners. The Clerk said she had not contacted anyone as she had not been told who they were. Mr Hyland said he didn’t know but he knew where the problems were. Some flood victims have received their £250. The Environment Agency denied any responsibility for the flooding and said they would not be taking any action.
Cllr. Saint reported:
Cllr. Saint said that he had told the meeting last month that the County had not taken on any more staff and had not been given a bigger budget, subsequently to get additional work done money had to be found from other sources and he had been busy trying to find money in other budgets that had not been used up. Cllr. Saint said that he had located a small pot of money but many items would have to be dealt with in next year's budget which would in turn put pressure on other maintenance that was needed.
Report from Mr. D. Packer - Brailes School:
Mr Packer, who is the member of the Governing Body representing the Parish Council spoke of the pupil numbers that this year were down from just over 100 to 82/83. The SATS results were very good. The comment was that the school and staff needed to work harder on the Maths and Mr Packer said efforts were already being made to remedy this. Ofsted report said Satisfactory with aspects of the school as good. This assessment covered about 40% of all the schools in the District with the Ecclesiastical report saying exactly the same. Pre School is now very much a part of the school with a capped intake of 20 and at this time is full to capacity.
Neighbourhood Watch:
Mr. Packer said at that at the time he was asked to take this on he was not too busy, but since then matters had changed. He was willing to continue but he was awaiting information from the prior leader and felt that a new start was probably needed. The Parish Council agreed that they would organise a meeting, hopefuly to get new volunteers.
Lighting:
Mr Righton said the lamp outside Park Cottage was still lit. The Clerk said she had been assured it would be disconnected over a week ago. At the same time the Clerk was told that the light was not on a timer but came on when it was dark and went off when it was light which was not quite what we had asked for.
Sutton Lane - White Gates:
The Clerk had established that “white gates" would not be erected and paid for by the County, but could be put in place by the Parish Council - with approval. Other than this there could be signing of some kind to indicate the problem. After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk would investigate the “white gates” further and see if she could get a rough estimate of the cost. Cllr Saint recommended contacting a Mr. Peter Sanwell, Structural Projects at the County.
NEW ITEMS:
Pump, Rectory Lane:
Mr. Drury said that reinstating the pump was not quite as straightforward as he had felt it would be. Concrete would have to be removed first. Mr. Righton offered his help.
MAINTENANCE:
Sutton Lane:
Mr Drury said that work had been done but the “hump” in the road was still there. The Clerk said she had reported this along with the pot holes but would report this again.
Cross Road Signs:
The Whatcote, Tysoe, Brailes sign had been turned around and needed attention.
MEMBERS REPORTS:
Fence:
Mr. Righton had a quote of £60 from Greyhound Leisure for a piece of fencing 2.8 metres long including two end posts for Henbrook. He said that this conformed to all the Health and Safety Regulations. Mrs. Woods proposed purchasing this, 2nd Mrs. Foster, all in favour.
Trees:
The Clerk asked for someone to look at the trees on the Salcrack to make sure they were not diseased as one had very red leaves which was most unusual.
PLANNING:
  • 07/02260/FUL.4 Gallows Hill Cottages, To site a Mobile Home within the garden Mrs. Woods proposed objection, 2nd Mrs. Manley with the majority in favour. The Clerk will comment that If minded to grant Consent we would request that this application goes to the Planning Committee for Consideration. We do not believe this conforms to policy.
  • 07/02283/FUL.Amendments to original consent(06/01309/FUL) No objections.

Permission granted to:-

  • 07/01963. Hill Barn, Brailes Hill for Shooting Lodge.
  • 07/02031/FUL. The Free School for conversion to form one dwelling.
  • 07/02095/FUL. 34 Jeffs Close for extension and Garage.
FINANCE:
Receipts:
£6,000 final payment of Precept. SDC
Cheques:
No 100898. E Tansley Internal Audit. £ 50.00
100899 Methodist Rent £500.00
100900 Petty Cash £ 54.90
Meeting closed at 9.00pm. Next Meeting October 29th 2007.