PC Meeting – 11th September 2024
Recorded by: Clerk
Date: 11th September 2024
Meeting Commenced: 19:30
Meeting ended: 21:40
Present:
| Parish Councillors: | Alastair MacFarlane (Chairperson)
Marian Shaw Ian Kirkham Alison Wall
|
| District Councillors: | Catherine Braun |
| County Councillor: | Linda Cohen |
| Clerk: | Mandy Rossiter |
| Other: | One member of public |
Items
- To receive and accept any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Legg and District Councillor Kitchen
- To invite and receive any declarations of interest
There were none
- To approve the accuracy of the minutes from the council’s 31st July 2024 meeting
The minutes were approved
- To receive an update on matters arising from previous meetings and agree any next steps
Discussion took place around the lack of communication from Stroud District Council on enforcement issues.
Action: Councillor Cohen to raise with planning department
- Meeting for public discussion and questions
Member of the public in attendance was invited to speak at relevant agenda item (9A)
- The Council to receive the following reports:
- Written report from district councillors
The Parish Council confirmed receipt of the report
- Written report from county councillor
The Parish Council confirmed receipt of the report
The Parish Council thanked the Councillors for their reports.
Clarification was provided on the Crowd Funding Opportunities and suggestion that the Play Area is rebranded to make clear that it is not just for young people.
- To review and comment on the following planning applications, enforcement notices and appeals:
- 24/1538/HHOLD | Rough Hill Cottage , Wick Lane, Stinchcombe, Dursley. | Amendments to approved application S.23/0192/HHOLD – Demolition of modern additions & extensions. Refurbishment & extension of listed cottage and conversion of outbuilding to create
home office/annexe accommodation
- 24/1539/LBC | Rough Hill Cottage, Wick Lane, Stinchcombe, Dursley. | Refurbishment and extension of dwelling – Revision of S.23/0192/HHOLD
Items 7a and 7b were discussed as one application. The Parish Council resolved to make no comment.
- 24/1507/HHOLD | Gardeners Cottage, Park Lane, Stancombe, Dursley. | Erection of a two storey rear extension, single storey rear and side extensions and replacement porch
The Parish Council resolved to make no comment
- 24/1546/LBC | Orchard Byre, Echo Lane, Stinchcombe, Dursley. | Enlargement of existing window and installation of bi-fold doors.
The Parish Council resolved to make no comment
- 24/1456/P3R | Clingre Farm, Clingre Lane, Stinchcombe, Dursley. | Change of use of two former agricultural barns for use Class B8, storage and distribution.
The Parish Council resolved to make no comment
- 24/1528/FUL | Dursley Rugby Club The Avenue Stinchcombe Dursley Gloucestershire GL11 6AJ | Installation of 8 lighting columns on the playing pitch and 3 lighting columns in the car park
The Parish Council noted resident comment on lighting.
After full consideration the Parish Council resolved to support the application.
The PC was impressed with the thought and care DFRC had put into both the strategy and the application, having sought pre-application advice from SDC and undertaken an environmental assessment including an impact assessment on local residents.
- To note decisions on planning applications, enforcement notices and appeals since last meeting of the council (Appendix 1)
Report noted
- To discuss ongoing Parish Council matters and agree further actions:
- Play Area
Councillor Macfarlane has a copy of the lease agreement. Noted that our current solicitor is retiring at end of the month.
Due to a break clause, the National Lottery have denied funding. Other fundraising initiatives were discussed and the working group will continue to try and raise funds. It was noted that Build Back Better funding has been received
- Swings
Working party should be attending the site this weekend. Requested that Parish Council refer to the agreement re signage and fencing and Cotswold Wardens will be notified when the fence and gate can be installed.
Action: Councillor Macfarlane to arrange the sourcing of the signage
- Footpaths and Accessibility
Councillor Kirkham has walked the footpaths, but has no update on the plans to increase accessibility. Conversation took place around the footpaths that are not currently public rights of way.
Action: Councillor Macfarlane to meet with local volunteers and progress the matter
- Biodiversity
Deferred until after Councillor Macfarlane meets with local footpath volunteers
- Parish Council’s Communication Strategy
Councillor Wall shared draft text for introductory text for the Parish Council home page of the website.
Discussion took place over community engagement and how the Parish Council can explore what the community want from the Parish Council. Suggestion that a survey can be put together, both online and in person. Suggestion that we hold a council meet and greet toward Christmas and start residents thinking about what they want from the Parish Council so that we can shape the future of the Parish Council and the funding applied for.
Parish Council agreed that a survey could be circulated, invites to attend an engagement day and website updates can be made by the clerk and the Community Engagement working party. Suggested date of 5th December.
Action: Councillors to consider the values which the Parish Council could sign up to
Action: Working Party to invite various community groups to the engagement day
Action: Clerk to note ideas for website.
Stroud District Council recycling days / useful information on the website.
Community initiatives around sustainability and recycling
Welcome Pack
- To discuss green energy within the community and agree any actions
Parish Council agreed that a local working party should be called for to investigate options for the parish.
Church has applied for funding from Severn Wye for green energy options at the church
Action: Councillor Macfarlane to engage with community for volunteers and start group
- To discuss remembrance day service and agree donations for Royal British Legion Wreaths
Provisionally agreed to purchase a wreath if that has been previous practice
Action: Clerk to find out what the practice is and act accordingly
- To review and agree Parish Council Policies and Procedures
- Risk Management
Agreed policy
Action: Clerk to prepare a draft of specific risk assessments to accompany policy and circulate
- Asset Register Review
Parish Council reviewed and agreed the Asset Register with the addition of the Parish Council trees
Action: Clerk to note trees on our Asset Register (3 Oaks)
- Business Continuity
Approved
- Parish council finances
- To review and agree payments on the payment schedule
Payments agreed
- To note any receipts
Information not available to clerk – Deferred
- To ratify accounts
Accounts agreed to the best of the Parish Council knowledge. Noted that Coventry have not processed new signatory forms and therefore updated balance is not available to clerk.
Action: Councillor Shaw to obtain cheques from Building Society and pass to clerk to be posted
- To note completion of risk assessments
Footpaths have been checked. Noted that tree needs to be removed
Action: Councillor Kirkham to chase highways to remove tree
- To receive report from clerk on Parish Council correspondence
Clerk provided verbal report. Written copy will be uploaded to website
Action: Councillor Shaw to find out defib code and share with clerk
Action: Clerk to arrange a Community Defib training session in the spring of 2025
- To receive verbal reports on Parish Councillor activities not covered by agenda
Councillor Shaw discussed fund raising challenges at the Village Hall.
Overgrown vegetation, dangerous trees and damaged road signs have been reported on Fix My Street by cllrs
Action: Councillor Shaw will make contact with Gloucestershire County Council on the Community funding scheme for support at the village hall
- To confirm upcoming meeting dates
Parish Council agreed to continue to meet each month with the exception of August. Meetings will be held in the meeting room at Stinchcombe Village Hall, on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm, unless stated otherwise.
Next meetings will be the 9th October, 13th November, 11th December (7pm start)
5th December for a Community Engagement
MEETING CLOSED
