SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Please note: For minutes of the Annual Finance Meeting 2007 click here

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2007, COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M.
PRESENT
Councillor G.J. Stammers (Chairman)
Councillor R. J. Fitchford
Councillor A. G. M. Jones
Councillor Miss C. Kimberley
 Councillor Mrs. S Morlidge

County and District Councillor R.G. Hobbs

Clerk of the Council, I. A. Wilkins
6 Members of Public

There was a fifteen minute period of public participation prior to the formal agenda

01.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None

02. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
  Councillor Miss C. Kimberley Agenda Item 7 Planning Application
07/02555/FUL Stratford Manor Hotel
  Prejudicial Interest for both items Agenda Item 7 Planning Application
07/03253/FUL Aspi Specialist Cars
03. MINUTES
 The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12th November, 2007, having been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman
04. MATTERS ARISING
  (a) Flood Prevention measures
  The Chairman reported that the County Council had commenced work at four different locations within the Parish on roadside flood measures, e.g. repairing gullies etc.
The District Council was not in a position to offer immediate assistance, but had undertaken to help in promoting the proposal of balancing ponds
05. TO RECEIVE COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
  (1) Commented on the Flood Prevention Measures and said that the County Council work consisted of, not just flushing the gullies, but repairs to ensure that they were in good condition
He said that officials of the Environment Agency had visited the village and were considering various options to alleviate the problems. He said that he would continue to press for action
  (2) Apologised for his failure to acknowledge e-mail communications; his computer had 'crashed' due to the volume of e-mails sent in connection with the serious fire at Atherstone on Stour
  (3) The Chairman informed him of a Planning Enforcement matter at a cottage in The Green, where the owner had failed to carry out the terms of a Planning Approval. He added that he had been asked by the Enforcement Officer to advise the owner personally
06. FINANCE
Receipts
(a) A.E. Bennett & Sons

Cemetery Fee (Narbett)
£160-00
(b) A.E. Bennett & Sons

Cemetery Fee (Booth)
£160-00
(c) Mrs. J. Walker

Allotment Rent No 1
£12-50
Payments to be Authorised
(a) Veolia Environmental Services Grass Cutting contract
£758-47
(b) Snitterfield Sports Club

Donation to Fireworks Event
£150-00
(c) Society of Local Council Clerks

Membership Renewal
£70-00
(d) Lloyds TSB Safe Custody Fee
£7-50
  (e) British Gas Gas supply to Village Hall
(Direct Debit)
£4-00
Proposed Councillor Fitchford, Seconded Councillor Mrs. Morlidge
'that the listed items be authorized for payment'

So resolved, nem con
Correspondence
(a) Powergen

Notification of increased electricity prices for
unmetered supplies
Agreed to obtain quotations from alternative suppliers
07. PLANNING MATTERS
Applications
(a)

Stratford Manor Hotel
Warwick Road
Black Hill

 Three storey bedroom extension plus extension to existing Conference Centre and Leisure facility including new aerobics studio and gymnasium
Submission No representation
(b)

Mrs F. McConville
Appleton House
Church Road

 Creation of new vehicular access to dwelling to form an 'in' and 'out' drive
Submission

Objection
(1) site forms the boundary of the Conservation Area and the proposed entrance would have an adverse effect upon the Conservation Area and the street scene EF12
(2) it would be in conflict with Design Statement 2000
(3) there is no need for the entrance as there is ample room for turning vehicles on site
(4) proposed entrance is below the brow of a hill in Church Road with increase risk of road traffic accident
(5) there are three other entrances at this point serving 10/12 dwellings; this new entrance will only increase the impact upon traffic flows
Comment - the site has a history of proposed development to rear. The proposal would make it possible to develop this open space within the village
(c)

Mr. J.S. Bloor
Comyns Farm
Wayfield

For the demolition of existing brick building on the site and erection of new workshop/storage building for agricultural use, creating 671m2 of floor space
Submission Support, on condition that the proposed building is for agricultural use only
(d)

Mr. J.S. Bloor
Comyns Farm
Wayfield

Construction of new hay barn creating 671m2 of floor space
Submission Support, on condition that the proposed building is for agricultural use only
(e)

Mr. J.S. Bloor
Comyns Farm
Wayfield

Construction of new cattle building creating 1065m2 of floor area. New grass bund with trees planted on top to be created from the soil on site, which is being removed to enable construction of new buildings
Submission Support, on condition that the proposed building is for agricultural use only
(f)

Mr. Christopher Gallimore
The Barn at Lamplighter
Cottage
The Hill
Kings Lane

Change of use from store over garage/home office to office
Submission Support - it will not impact upon any other business or dwelling and will be of benefit to the local community
(g)

Mr B. Andrews
Land by Northern By-Pass
Ingon Lane

 Retrospective change of use of building from B8 storage to B2 general industrial (amended details)
Submission Objection (see Appendix A)
(h)

Aspi Specialist Cars
Warwick Road
Black Hill

 Change of use of dwellinghouse to form offices on ground floor with self contained flat over. Alterations and extensions to showroom and workshops and formation of hardstanding for display and parking of motor vehicles (some works retrospective)
Councillor Miss Kimberley made a statement and then left the Meeting whilst the application was considered
Submission Support - comment - it is noted that, with the removal of hardstanding, there will be, overall, a nett gain of area to the Green Belt
(i)

ICM Ltd
The Saleroom
Bearley Road

 Proposed conversion and alteration of auction room to office and storage
Submission

Support
(1) improved appearance of the building
(2) beneficial to local economy and employment
(j)

Mr and Mrs Yendall
Woodcote
Bearley Road

 Erection of replacement dwelling, triple garage and swimming pool enclosure
Submission deferred

 
Decisions
None
08. CORRESPONDENCE
Warwickshire County Council
  
(a)

Temporary Road Closure -
C94 Heath End Lane

 Notification to be displayed on Notice
Board
(b)

Proposal to Increase Admission Number of Stratford upon Avon High School

 No Submission
Warwickshire Association of Local Councils
  
(a)

W.C.C. Proposals for Involving People through Local Communities

 Submission to be prepared supporting
the proposals
Warwickshire Training Partnership
  
(a)

'The Next Step' - Making the most of your Role as Parish Councillor

No Member to attend
Rekk
  
(a)

Product Flyer for Youth Shelters

No further action required
09. CARBON REDUCTION PROJECT
 

Councillor Jones reported that the recycling bins had been sited outside the Village Hall and had, in the first week, already provoked a great deal of activity. The bins were emptied daily by volunteers and this necessitated a commercial load being delivered to Burton Farm on a regular basis
The situation would continue to be monitored
The tree planting was being held in abeyance, probably until January, because of supply problems from the District Council
The Green Energy leaflet distribution was almost complete. The Project Web Site will be checked to monitor the results
The Eco Schools Project had progressed well and a bronze status had been achieved
A post-Christmas Bring and Buy sale is being organized to take place on 19th January

10. ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE
 

The Clerk referred to the discussion at the November Meeting and said that he had presented the problem to the Secretary of the Association of Local Councils. She had, in turn, sent a circular e-mail to Member Councils asking for their experience. Replies were being collated
Councillor Fitchford said that he was pursuing information of a possible British Legion contact residing in the village
The Chairman read a letter from the Chief Executive to a parishioner, Meryl Rice, setting out the District Council point of view. No copy of the letter had been sent to him
He added that he had drafted a response
11. TO RECEIVE COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS
Councillor Jones
 

Said that he had met with County Council representatives to discuss options
available with regard to Public Footpath SD141(c). These options would be put out for consultation
Asked if it would be appropriate to invite Community Officer Sean North to a Meeting of the Council
The Clerk said that he had attempted to make contact, but so far without success
Councillor Mrs. Morlidge
  Reported evidence of moles in the Small Playing Field
Reported graffiti on a bench at the Large Playing Field
Councillor Fitchford
 

Pointed to graffiti in Bell Lane
Said that the paths in the Cemetery had been re-surfaced and had considerably improved the appearance
Reported evidence of moles in the Cemetery
Councillor Miss Kimberley
Reported on meeting which she had attended on behalf of the Council to see a presentation on the proposed Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge and changes to Waterside and Southern Lane
Councillor Miss Kimberley
 

Reported on meeting which she had attended on behalf of the Council to see a presentation on the proposed Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge and changes to Waterside and Southern Lane
Councillor Stammers
  Reported that he had attended a Briefing Event for Chairmen and Aspiring Chairmen organized by the Warwickshire Training Partnership. He expressed his disappointment at the content of the training and did not consider it to be cost effective
Submitted correspondence relating to the Stephen Hales Charity.
It was agreed to obtain legal advice on the position of the Charity
Clerk
 

Reported that branches of a tree in Park Lane at the edge of the Cemetery had fallen in the high winds onto the hedge damaging a 30 m.p.h. repeater sign
It was agreed to arrange arboricultural work as soon as possible
12. Proposed Councillor Fitchford, Seconded Councillor Mrs. Morlidge
'that the following matters be considered in closed session by reason of the confidential nature of the business'

So resolved, nem con
13. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND PAY OF THE CLERK
 

Councillor Miss Kimberley submitted a model Conditions of Service
A number of points were considered in order to be able to prepare a document appropriate to the Council
The matter of the salary was discussed and it was agreed that Members would consider further the various profiles in order to set the appropriate scale

Proposed Councillor Stammers, Seconded Councillor Miss Kimberley
'that payment of the National Salary Awards be made with immediate effect, as follows
1 April, 2005 2.95%
1 April, 2006 2.95%
1 April, 2007 2.475%

So resolved, nem con

It was further agreed to consider the purchase of a laptop computer to facilitate the Clerk's work


There being no further business, the Chairman declared the Meeting closed at
10-00 p.m
 
NOTES OF A PERIOD OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2007

Ken Chatland
Asked about progress on the situation of (1) Trees in The Park and (2) Hedgerow at Fruit Farm
Councillor Hobbs responded
(1) the matter was still ongoing; options included replanting in clumps or in line as previously
The Chairman said that the Parish Council would favour the situation as previously existed
(2) the court case had been adjourned

Mr Steve Lewis
Spoke with reference to Planning Application 07/03254/FUL, The Saleroom, Bearley Road
Mr. Bob Guest
Referred to a situation at Babe Ke where muslin/plastic had been draped over trees at the recent festival. This material had been damaged, presumably by high winds, blown away and had become unsightly and a possible danger to traffic on the A46
He added that the Conditions of the Planning Permission included a stipulation that all items should be removed from site after the festival
He had reported the matter to Mr, Lech Kocon, Enforcement Officer, who had visited the site and agreed that it was unsightly
Councillor Hobbs said that enforcement process was in hand and he undertook to follow up
Ms Meryl Rice
Spoke of a letter which she had written to Councillor Topham concerning the Rembrance Day Parade. This letter had been passed to the Chief Executive, who had responded
The Chairman thanked Ms. Riceand said that the matter would be further considered during the formal agenda