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

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2006, COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M.
PRESENT
Councillor Mrs. S. Morlidge (Chairman)
Councillor W. A. Collett
Councillor R. J. Fitchford
Councillor J. Jacobs
Councillor Miss C. Kimberley
Councillor G. J. Stammers

County and District Councillor Hobbs

Clerk of the Council, I. A. Wilkins
9 Members of Public
There was a 25 minute period of public participation prior to the formal agenda

01. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
02. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Miss Kimberley
Prejudicial Interest

 Planning Application 06/00121/ADV
Aspi Specialist Cars
03. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9th January 2006, having been previously  circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman
04. MATTERS ARISING
  (a) Protected Trees at the Park
Councillor Hobbs reported that instructions had been given to an external solicitor to pursue a prosecution; the nature of the charge had yet to be decided
The same course of action had been taken in relation to the removal of the hedgerows at the Fruit Farm
Additional evidence to support the charges is being sought
  (b) Planning Enforcement Matters
Councillor Hobbs reported that the matter of Corner Cottage, The Green was being negotiated. He understood that the applicants were willing to lower the wall, but wished to retain the gate
He referred to the position of the caravans owned by Mr. Dawkes and said that future action was being determined
The caravans owned by Mr. Freeman were apparently for use by seasonal workers and he was being informed of the conditions for their use
  (c)

A46/M40 junction
The Clerk reported that the proposal had been discussed by the Barford, Wasperton and Sherbourne Joint Parish Council, but there had been no agreement on a response
Councillor Antoinette Gordon of Sherbourne had been in contact and she had been apprised of the views of Snitterfield Parish Council, in particular, the matter of 'rat runs'
Councillor Stammers said that he had been notified of the next meeting arranged by the Highways Agency/Contractors on 2nd March. He undertook to attend
  (d) Parish Plan Actions
The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with Dr. Leyland on Wednesday 22nd February. The Chairman, Councillor Jacobs and Councillor Stammers to attend
  (e)

Cemetery Maintenance
The Clerk reported that Greenacre Garden Services had been notified to carry out the work as agreed at the January Meeting
Also, Mr. Harry Terry had been asked to carry out the work of replacing the rotted gateposts. It would be necessary to place an order for the posts to be delivered on site
Councillor Stammers reported that one gatepost had fallen across the entrance, but this had now been made safe
  (f) Car Parking - Mercedes Garage
The Clerk said that the matter was ongoing
  (g) Corporate Signs - Large Playing Field
Nothing further to report
  (h) Sewage Spillage in Brook
Councillor Stammers said that the basic problem was a crack in the sewage pipe at the bottom of Bell Lane. The replacement of the pipe would be a major project and would be considered for action by Severn Trent Water as and when resources permitted
05.  MINUTES
    The minutes of the Finance Meeting held on 16th January, 2006, having been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman after the following amendment had been made
'item 4 - include sub-heading 'Village Hall' before 1st paragraph
06.  MATTERS ARISING
  (a) Parish Plan
Councillor Stammers drew attention to the fact that the cost of printing the brochures was in excess of the amount requested and granted under Section 136
It was resolved, with the agreement of 'Smartworks', to make payment in two stages, the main payment now and the second payment in April. The additional funding to be either by grant(s) from outside bodies or by Section 136 grant in the 2006/2007 Financial Year
07. TO RECEIVE COMMENTS / OBSERVATIONS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
  (a) Said that he needed to contact Thierry Richards regarding proposed facilities for young people and asked for information
  (b) Referred to the suggestions agreed at the January Meeting for the improvement of the verge opposite the War Memorial. He said that he would shortly be having a meeting with the Divisional Surveyor and would put the suggestions to him
  (c)

Gave details of proposed increases in Council Tax by the various Local Authorities
08. FINANCE
Receipts
  (a) Bank of Ireland

Interest on Deposit Account
£98 - 97
  (b) Bank of England Treasury Stock Interest
£7 - 42
  (c) A.E. Bennett & Sons Cemetery Fee (Earp)
£20 - 00
  (d) A.E. Bennett & Sons Cemetery Fee (Bloxham)
£50 - 00
  (e) Geo. Clifford & Sons Cemetery Fee (Thornett)
£15 - 00
Payments to be Authorised
  (a) Severn Trent Water

Water supply to cattle trough Atteys Field
£283 - 08
  (b) Edward Brain & Sons Limited Water leak investigation - Atteys Field
£70 - 50
  (c) Baby Point Ltd. Baby equipment (changing table) to Village Hall
£296 - 39
  (d) Smart Works Supply Parish Plan Brochures
£1,883 - 00
  (e) Powergen Street Lighting supply
£109 - 75
  (f) Clement Keys Audit of Annual Return
£352 - 50
  (g) C.P.R.E. Annual Subscription
£26 - 00
  (h) Powergen Electricity supply to Village Hall (Direct Debit)
£22 - 00
  (i) British Gas Gas supply to Village Hall (Direct Debit)
£86 - 00
The Clerk said that he was unable to explain the total of the water charge from Severn Trent Water, which was far in excess of the normal charge
The supply had been investigated for leaks by Edward Brain & Sons, but with negative result
It was suggested that there might be a problem with a defective ball valve
The Clerk undertook to contact a plumber to investigate

Proposed Councillor Mrs. Morlidge, Seconded Councillor Stammers
'that, subject to the agreed procedure with the invoice from Smart Works, all payments be authorised
So resolved, nem con
09. PLANNING MATTERS
Applications
(a)

Mr. S.F. Dawkes
Snitterfield Fruit Farm
Kings Lane

5 bay portal frame (steel) agricultural building for dry storage and processing of fruit
05/03801/AGNOT
Submission The Council is unable to support this application
because there is insufficient information and no structural designs are available
(b)

Aspi Specialist Cars
Warwick Road
Black Hill

 Pole mounted internally illuminated sign with name of new owner to replace existing sign
06/00121/FUL
Submission Objection
  (1) the sign (illuminated) is not appropriate in the countryside environment
  (2) on the grounds of road safety - the sign may cause distraction to drivers on the A439 travelling in both directions
  (3) in the event that this application is granted, a Condition should be included to reduce the period of illumination to a limit of 9.00 p.m.
Comments
  (1) the existing sign is adequate and has a minimal impact on the locality
  (2) light pollution from this site is already a concern and should be investigated by the Planning Department
Decisions
(a) Future Forests
Monday Cottage
Bearley Road
 T1, T2, T3 - sycamore - fell
T4, T5 - Lawson cypress - fell
05/03302/TREE

Permission granted
10. CORRESPONDENCE
Office of Deputy Prime Minister
Warwickshire County Council
  
Warwickshire's Waste Development Framework
To be considered for submission
Coventry and Warwickshire Ambulance
  
Configuration of N.H.S. Ambulance Trusts in England - Consultation
To be considered for submission
Stratford on Avon District Council
  
Stratford on Avon (Parishes) Order, 2006
Noted
Age Concern
  
Launch of Parish Links Scheme
No Member to attend launch event. Notice displayed onParish Notice Board
Warwickshire Rural Community Council
  
Affordable Housing for Local People
Mr. Charles Barlow to be invited to attend March Meeting
Warwickshire Association of Local Councils
  
(a) Briefing on The New Local Planning Development Framework
No Member to attend
(b) Briefing Seminar 'Topical Issues for Parish Councils'
No Member to attend
(c) Nominations for Attendance at Royal Garden Party
Councillor Stammers nominated
11. GRASSCUTTING CONTRACT 2006

The Clerk reported that he had ascertained from Cleanaway Ltd. That the annual additional cost to cut the two grass areas at the Stocks Tree and the War Memorial would be £10
Acceptance of the original quotation was confirmed
A quotation from Greenacre Garden Services was submitted for work at the Cemetery. The grass mowing and strimming at £110 per cut and weed killer spraying of footpaths at £53 per session

Proposed Councillor Jacobs, Seconded Councillor Mrs. Morlidge
'that the quotation from Greenacre Garden Services be accepted'
So resolved, nem con
12. DEVELOPMENT OF PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITES

The Chairman reported that the District Council had contacted all Parish Councils on the subject of the provision of Internet access and websites. It was proposed that the District Council, Parish and Town Councils would agree to form a partnership entitled 'Connecting our Communities' and that funding would be by application to a nationally run scheme 'Awards for All'.
The process for funding applications was on a very tight timescale, leaving little time for proper consultation. An assurance was given that if the Parish Council eventually decided not to proceed, any funding could be returned without a problem
The Chairman said that, in view of the assurance received, a decision had been taken to submit the application for funding
Councillor Hobbs explained the process and said that the project was part of the Council's
E-Government programme. He fully supported the application for funding
Members endorsed the action taken
13. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

It was agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 3rd April, the format as last year
The monthly Council Meeting to be held, as usual, on the second Monday of the month
14. TO RECEIVE COMMENTS / OBERVATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS
Councillor Jacobs
Spoke of the continued nuisance of youths at the bottom of Bell Lane

Councillor Stammers
Re-iterated the need for a replacement litter bin at the site of the War Memorial
The Clerk said that he had spoken to the District Council on the matter, but he undertook to follow up
Spoke of a project to enhance the War Memorial site by improving the steps, with possible wheelchair access
Referred to the cattle in Atteys Field and the churned-up surface at the gate entrance
Spoke of the need for publicity of the May Parish Election and encouragement for parishioners to stand for election
It was agreed to publicise the election in the 'LINK' and 'SNIPE'

Councillor Fitchford
Referred to the banner displayed at the front of the Foxhunter Inn and said that it now appeared to be a permanent fixture
Councillor Hobbs undertook to follow up
Said that he had information that the new owner of the Fruit Farm intended to replace the cultivation of apples with a livery stable
It was agreed to monitor the situation

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the Meeting closed at 9-45 p.m.


NOTES OF PERIOD OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PRIOR TO MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL ON 13th FEBRUARY, 2006
Mr. Usherwood
Referred to the collapse of the culvert underneath the car park at his address
at 19, The Green and asked for advice on obtaining financial assistance to
to carry out repairs. He was advised that the culvert under his property was solely his
responsibility as riparian owner
Complained of the potential danger to traffic at the Snitterfield turn from the
A46. He was advised to set out details in a letter to Councillor Hobbs, who will
forward to the Highways Agency

Mrs. Manise
Referred to the garages at the rear of Bearley Road and said that there was
now evidence that they were being used by people taking drugs
She said that both the Police and the Housing Association were aware of the
problem

Councillor Hobbs
Referred to the need to improve lines of communication with the Police. He
said that consideration was being given to setting up a monthly report from
Parishes of non-urgent matters

Mr. Morris
Congratulated those responsible for the Parish Plan. He noted, however, that
there were no statistics in the Traffic Survey for The Green and Smiths Lane
Said that the hedges opposite The Wolds, The Green had been flailed and the
cuttings had been thrown in the ditch
Reported that the lamp cover to the street light outside 16, The Green had
broken off

Mrs. Terry
Complained of the quantity of dog faeces being deposited on footpaths in the
village. She suggested the installation of additional bins at particular
locations, including Kings Lane