Minutes 3rd September 2008
September 3, 2008
LONG ITCHINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER 2008 AT
7.30 pm IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, STOCKTON ROAD, LONG ITCHINGTON
Present: Cllrs:David Cobley (Chairman), David Williams (Vice-Chairman), Barbara Atkins, Ian Briggs, Christopher Hancock Don Loughman, Michael Pails and Adrian McNally
District & County Cllr: Robert Stevens
Parish Clerk: Sue Jack
Southam Police: P.C. Hill and P.C. Joy
Members of the public: 2
1. Apologies accepted: Councillor Spencer (holiday).
2. Questions from members of the public: Mr. And Mrs. Simister, of The Brindles, Marton Road, were concerned about parties held at Marton Road Farm three weekends in a row where loud music was played until 1am Sunday morning. The marquee used – which appears to be permanent – was sited behind the houses in Willow Grove on farm property. It was agreed to inform the Environmental Health officer at Stratford District Council. It was also reported that 4 or 5 mobile homes had been placed at the rear of the farm buildings and it was believed that people were living in them. It was agreed to report this to the Enforcement Officer.
3. Declaration of interests: none.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd July 2008
Councillor Hancock proposed that the minutes, having been circulated to all councillors prior to this meeting, were signed as a correct record. Councillor Williams seconded this proposal and it was agreed.
5. Police Report:
P.C. Hill reported that youths had been throwing vegetables about on the allotments but had been caught and now written letters of apology to those affected. Damage had been caused to the extractor fan at the pavilion and there was new graffiti but there was no proof to catch the culprit. There was a spate of scrap metal thefts over the county and domestic oil tanks were being drained. Councillor Hancock reported that men on motorbikes were using the Sustrans footpath on Sunday mornings between 12 – 2pm. Councillor Loughman reported that youths were raiding the Co-op waste bins. It was agreed to raise this with the Co-op and ask them to lock the bins. The PACT meetings were now incorporated with the new Community Forum meetings.
6 Reports from committees:
6.1Planning 6.1.1 Monthly report: Councillor Hancock distributed the attached planning report and a schedule of current applications and recent decisions. Stratford District Council, the Planning Authority, had shortened the time available for parish councils to respond to planning applications to 21 days and would no longer agree to extensions of time. Clerks would be e-mailed as soon as an application was received. Concern was expressed at the reduction in time for discussion on new applications. Fir Tree Farm, Bascote - it was agreed to approve the new application. Dallas Burston Polo Grounds - the application for a sign was refused. A master plan was to be presented to Stratford on 8th September and to the Parish Council as soon as possible. The Duck on the Pond - confirmation was required as to which plans had been approved.
6.1.2 Cemex – Climafuel Facility: Councillor Stevens said that he had heard from several people that they were not happy with the increase in the number of lorries which would result from the application. It was agreed to put an item in the Parish Diary encouraging people to object to the County Council and to inform Mrs. King, the Primary School Head, because of the effect of increased traffic on parents and children travelling to school.
6.1.3 Housing Needs: the Clerk had heard from Mr. Barlow that he was liaising with several landowners and would report back as soon as possible.
6.1.4 Enforcement matters: a response was required from the enforcement officer on the outstanding issues at The Buck and Bell, the Polo Grounds, Manor Farm and The Glebe House. Councillor Stevens agreed to help progress these items.
6.1.5 East Area Planning Committee Meeting: no items.
6.1.6 Planning Rota: a new rota was to be circulated to all councillors.
6.2 Street Lighting/Highways
6.2.1 Faulty Lights: PL2 Dale Close and PL16 Church Road were out.
6.2.2 Bus shelter, Southam Road: the Clerk had met Mr. Romano and he had approved the site for a bus shelter at the existing bus stop. It was agreed to commence the process for installing the shelter and to inform adjacent residents of the decision.
6.2.3 Land opposite the Co-op: it was agreed to purchase 3 stones to protect the grass verge and to ask the Co-op to pay for them. The stones should be anti-graffiti coated if possible.
6.2.4 Highways working party items: the poor condition of the Chapel car park entrance to be added to the list. Next meeting 7.30pm on15th September at The Harvester.
6.2.5 Gulley cleaning: Mr. Romano had agreed to arrange for the gulley opposite the Buck and Bell to be jetted.
6.2.6 Diversion of buses: it was agreed to request the diversion of the No.64 bus on 5th November because of the problems caused by cars parking in Church Road.
6.2.7 Village speed limit review for Bascote: it was agreed to arrange a meeting with Bascote residents with, possibly, the help of Ann Hall.
6.2.8 Recycling/waste collections: it was agreed to ask residents if they had unwanted concrete bin stands and if there was a substantial response ask the District Council to arrange to collect them. It was decided not to arrange a green waste collection but to investigate the possibility of the County Council chipper visiting the village after Christmas to chip Christmas trees for residents.
6.2.9 Mr Romano’s Outstanding Defect List: Councillor Hancock undertook to try and ‘age’ some items.
6.3 Playing Fields/Open Spaces
6.3.1 LILAC: the Chairman had attended a meeting recently and it had been agreed to hold an Annual general Meeting on 24th September to elect a new chairman, approve a constitution etc.
6.3.2 Open Spaces Working party items: a) Church road verge – it was agreed to get a quote for granite sets to be installed along this verge to protect it from further damage b) agreed to ask for the balance of the “Noggin” money to be spent on bulb planting around the pond c) the doors of the Stockton Road noticeboard had been vandalised. It was agreed to ask Mrs. Fincham to remove the doors d) Mr. Romano had offered to remove the leylandii hedge on the Southam Road side of Shepherd Close, but not to maintain it. It was agreed to take up this offer and then to decide if any screening is required.
6.3.3 Next meeting: 8pm on 15th September at The Harvester.
6.3.4 Replacement Strimmer: Councillor McNally agreed to obtain a quote.
6.3.5 New Field Area: Grass cutting is required; The Clerk will inform Mr Mann.
6.3.6 Dog Group: This idea to be revived in the Parish Diary.
6.3.7 Galanos: Greenbelt again to be asked about maintenance of land south of SM2.
6.4 Emergency Planning
6.4.1 Parish Emergency Planning booklet: the updated booklet was available from the County Council.
6.4.2 Flood Grant application: a decision was expected in September.
6.4.3 Proposed flood alleviation scheme: Mr. Hau, Environment Agency, had written to say the scheme had not yet been approved.
6.4.4 Severn Trent – proposals for rectifying faulty connection: Mr. Harrison was waiting for a response from Mr. Timms. Clerk to chase up.
6.5 Community Centre:
Councillor Hancock reported that the new kitchen had been fitted during the summer holidays. The lease of the premises needed to be reviewed and updated and a web page on the community website had been prepared. The Annual Horticultural Show was due to take place on Saturday 13th September.
6.6 Finance
6.6.1 Monthly statement: see attached report.
6.6.2 Payments for approval: Councillor McNally proposed that the accounts were approved and Councillor Briggs seconded the proposal. All agreed.
7. Reports from meetings:
PACT meeting 16th July at Southam College: Councillor Loughman reported that the priorities identified had been speeding on local roads and young people in Southam.
8 Attendance at future meetings
8.1 Community Forum (to include PACT meetings) 11th September at 6pm at the Graham Adams Centre, Southam - Cllr. Loughman to attend.
8.2 Southam Area WALC 9th October at 7.30pm at Stockton Village Hall
8.3 Rural Housing Enabling Event 8th October at 4pm at Ettington Village Hall
8.4 WALC AGM 28th October at 7.30pm at The Town Hall, Leamington Spa
9 Correspondence In:
9.1WALC Newsletter
9.2 Community Centre Man. Cttee Minutes13.8.08
9.3 ”Outlook” – Warks. County Council magazine
9.4 Invitation to WCC Chairman’s “At home” 27th September at 6.30pm.
10. Other Items
10.1 Parish Plan: the Chairman had prepared a draft and wanted comments and additional text within the next two weeks.
10.2 Website: the Clerk was to meet Mr. Buchholz on 2nd October.
10.3 Clerk’s Performance Targets: Councillor Briggs to complete.
10.4 BT’s phone box removals: Stratford District Council have objected to Long Itchington removal plan
10.5 New recycling Scheme: concrete bin bag stands – Cllr. Stevens
10.6 Local determination of breaches of Code of Conduct: response to survey required.
10.7 Parish BAP survey: response required.
10.8 Parish diary items: “Stop the drop” CPRE anti-litter and fly-tipping campaign, Cemex open day, Bonfire Night bus diversion, 30mph scheme for Bascote, concrete bag stands, dog group, LILAC.
11. Date of meetings – all at 7.30pm in the Community Centre, Stockton Road, Long Itchington
3rd September 2008 1st October 2008 29th October 2008
3rd December 2008 7th January 2009 4th February 2009
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.45 p.m.