SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2008, COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M.
PRESENT
 Councillor R. J. Fitchford (Vice Chairman)
Councillor J. Jacobs
Councillor A. G. M. Jones

 Councillor Mrs. S Morlidge

County and District Councillor R.G. Hobbs

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

There was a twenty-minute period of public participation prior to the formal agenda
01.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor G.J. Stammers - ill health
02. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 

Councillor Jones
Personal Interest

Planning Application 08/00124/FUL land at rear of Jago Green
 

Councillor Miss C. Kimberley
Personal Interest

Planning Application 07/02555/FUL Stratford Manor Hotel, Black Hill
03. MINUTES
 The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14th January, 2008, having been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman
04. MATTERS ARISING
  (a) Street Light - The Green
  The Clerk reported that the site was attended on 22nd January by employees of ABB
Ltd. and Central Networks. Excavation was completed at the street light at The Knob,
but for some reason as yet unknown, employees declined to disconnect the service and
the work could not progress
The Clerk added that enquiries, thus far, had failed to reveal the reason, but he
undertook to continue to press for a response
05. FINANCE
Receipts
(a) Village Hall Management Committee

Refund of fuel supply payments
£1,614-00
(b) HM Revenue & Customs

Refund of VAT payments
£560-00
(c) Mrs.Tanya Parr

Allotment Rents - No.3 (2007 and 2008)
£25-00
(d) Bank of England

Treasury Stock Interest
£7-42
Payments to be Authorised
(a) ABB Ltd Street Lighting Maintenance
£154-63
(b) Severn Trent Water

Water Services - Atteys Field (Direct Debit)

£42-96
(c) British Gas

Gas supply to Village Hall
(Direct Debit)

£4-00
Proposed Councillor Mrs. Morlidge, Seconded Councillor Miss Kimberley
'that the listed items be authorized for payment'

So resolved, nem con
Correspondence
(a) ABB Ltd Street Lighting Maintenance Noted. Agreed to seek alternative quotation
(b) Good Energy Electricity Price Increase (Village Hall) Noted. No further action
(c) Audit Commission Appointment of External Auditor Noted. No further action
06. PLANNING MATTERS
Applications
(a)

Mr and Mrs J. Queralt
5, Church Lane

 Proposed bedrooms extension at first floor level over existing ground floor. Internal alterations at ground floor level
Submission

Support: this will have no adverse impact upon the adjoining properties

(b)

Stratford Armouries Ltd.
Hawkswood Farm
Gospel Oak Lane

Change of use of agricultural land to childrens'play area and erection of associated play equipment
Submission

Support the concept of a children's play area, but concern is expressed that the flooring will need to comply with Health and Safety Standards
Concern is also expressed that the site is reaching the limit of development
(c)

Stratford Armouries Ltd.
Hawkswood Farm
Gospel Oak Lane

Erection of entrance porch on west elevation,remodeling of car park and changes to north, south, east and west elevation and internal layout (Change to Planning Permission 06/01558/FUL granted 26 July, 2006)
Submission

The change to the previous Planning Permission can only improve the appearance of the building
Concern that the site is reaching the limit of development
(d)

Black, Howarth Taylor & Partners
Land to rear of Jago Lane
Pigeon Green

 New pond/wildlife area (retrospective)
(e)

J.S. Bloor
Comyns Farm
Wayfield

 H1 - removal (and relocation) of a stretch of
hedgerow O.S. Grid Ref. SP 0962 5887
08/00168/FUL
Submission

Deferred
Decisions
(a)

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
Permission with Conditions
(b)

J.S. Bloor
Comyns Farm
Wayfield

 Construction of new hay barn creating 671m2 of floor space
Permission with Conditions
(c)

J.S. Bloor
Comyns Farm
Wayfield

 Construction of new cattle building creating 1065m2 of floor space. 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
Permission with Conditions
(d)

Stratford Manor Hotel
Warwick Road
Black Hill

 Three storey bedroom extension plus extension to existing Conference Centre and Leisure facilities including new aerobics studio and gymnasium
Permission with Conditions
07. CORRESPONDENCE
Warwickshire County Council
  
(a)

Formal Consultation - School Organisation Proposal Southam Primary School and Bishopton Primary School

 No Submission
(b)

Temporary Road Closure - Snitterfield Road, Bearley

 To be displayed on
Notice Board
Warwickshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan
  
(a)

Report 2001 - 2007

 Noted. Aims of Plan
to be borne in mind
for future action
RHT Developments Ltd
  
(a)

Shared Ownership Property at Hurdlers Lane

 Notice of vacancy displayed on Notice Board and at shop
Details supplied to Charles
Barlow, Rural Housing Officer
Warwickshire Association of Local Councils
  
(a)

Programme of Briefing Events

 Noted
(b)

Briefing Seminar - 8th March

 Clerk to attend
Councillor Jones to present
Workshop on Carbon Neutral
Community - What can
Parish Councils do
08. GRANTS/DONATIONS
 

The Clerk said that, following matters raised by Councillor Jones, he had sought advice from the Association of Local Councils. The advice referred to Section 142, Local Government Act, 1972, which permits Councils to make donations towards the cost of pulicising its activities through a Parish or Village Newspaper. Provided that the newsletter carries some news or information with regard to the Parish Council, then this is an appropriate power and will free up the Section 137 allocation
The Clerk added that, based on decisions made at the January Meeting, the sum of £1,300 would be available for additional Grants/Donations
It was agreed that it would not be appropriate to use the whole of the sum available for this purpose
It was further agreed that the grant to the Snitterfield Actioning Climate Change should be increased to £800
Additional grants agreed
Citizens Advice Bureau £100
C.P.R.E. Membership £28

Councillor Miss Kimberley declared a Personal Interest with regard to the 'Snipe'Magazine

09. REPAIRS TO COUNCIL OWNED PROPERTY
 

Bus Shelter
The Clerk reported that several tiles were missing from the roof of the bus shelter
It was agreed to obtain quotations for remedial action

Play Area
The Clerk said that he had received the Play Area Inspection Report relating to the site visit in November, 2007. This Report contained 25 recommended actions
A copy of the Report was being forwarded to the equipment installers, Wicksteed Leisure, for their observations
A site visit by himself and Councillor Mrs. Morlidge revealed several items for local action
It was agreed to arrange a further site visit with a view to obtaining quotations for remedial work

Cemetery
Note was taken of the refurbishment work which had taken place, as previously authorised
It was agreed that this had resulted in a significant improvement in the appearance of the Cemetery
10. TO RECEIVE COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS
 

Councillor Jacobs
Reported that the Moving Pictures project was proceeding, but problems had been encountered and the date of the first film show had been changed to 24th February
Arrangements were in hand for a second film show on 29th March
 

Councillor Jones
Said that he had been notified that, under the P3 Agreement, the strimmer was due for service
He undertook to arrange
Asked about the current position of allotment tenancies
The Clerk said that all seven allotments were taken; there was a waiting list of two

 

Councillor Fitchford
Referred to the amount of rubbish at Kings Lane lay-by and suggested the provision of a litter bin
The Clerk undertook to make enquiries

The Chairman suspended the Meeting for a period of public participation at 9-05 p.m.The Meeting was resumed at 9-10 p.m.
11. MOTION
 

Proposed Councillor Mrs. Morlidge, Seconded Councillor Miss Kimberley
'That the following matters be considered in closed session by reason of the confidential nature of the business'

So resolved, nem con
12. CONTRACTS FOR GRASS CUTTING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS
  The Clerk submitted quotations in respect of the Cemetery from :
Greenacre Garden Services
Thomgarden

A quotation in respect of the Play Areas, Stocks Tree and War Memorial from
Veolia Environmental Services

After consideration, it was agreed to defer a decision pending the receipt of further information
13. CLERK'S PAY AND CONDITIONS
  It was agreed to postpone consideration of this item pending receipt of further information
 
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the Meeting closed at 9-25 p.m
 
NOTES OF A PERIOD OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2008

Prior to Formal Agenda

Graham Barker

1 Spoke of meetings which he had with representatives of the Environment Agency. He said that they were most willing to learn of the problems and concerns. They had said that a survey of the catchment area was required
Councillor Fitchford said that the Chairman had been maintaining contact with the Environment Agency, but progress would be restricted by financial constraints
Councillor Hobbs referred to an e-mail from Robert Walsh, Stratford on Avon District Council, listing Parishes, households affected and remedial action required. He pointed to the number of households affected in Snitterfield as 22, whereas the correct figure was 34. No doubt the error had arisen due to the fact that not all householders had claimed the available grant.
He undertook to liaise with Councillor Stammers. He added that a letter to the Environmental Agency would be helpful.
He added that, in relation to other Parishes, the flooding effect in Snitterfield had been very significant
It was pointed out that the District Council had undertaken to give financial assistance to remedial works
2 Referred to the state of the road surface in The Green from Sherbourne House to the junction of Gospel Oak Lane. He said that the edges of the highway had crumbled away and remedial action was required. He added that action had previously been taken to fill pot holes, but this had been ineffective
Councillor Hobbs undertook to deal
3 Said that drivers were failing to conform to the speed limit on entering the village from The Green and they were a potential danger to other road users
Councillor Hobbs said that he had previously taken action to reduce the problem, including a request to extend the limits of the speed restriction, but without success
He undertook to follow up

Councillor Hobbs
Referred to the Planning Application in respect of the pond at Jago Green (08/00124/FUL) and a letter to the Planning Officer from Fairvale (Snitterfield) Management Co. Ltd. He said that, of the points made in the letter, neither the extent of ownership of the property, nor references to any possible future planning application(s) were of material consideration

Reported that the Appeal in respect of the proposed gypsy site at Black Hill, Warwick Road had been dismissed on highway considerations
He said that the owner had been seen apparently taking action to upgrade the entrance to the site

Reported that the County Council had rejected a request to fund Village Liaison Officers. However, funds were available, on application, for assisting communication, including welcome packs and newsletters

Councillor Fitchford raised the matter of continuing planning applications from Stratford Armouries, Hawkswood Farm and said that the Council was concerned at the possible over-development of the site
Councillor Hobbs asked to be kept informed of the Parish Council's response to the consultations

Reported that the car parking development at Highfield Close had been completed.
He would submit an application to the County Council for funding of a project in Hales Close for 2008/2009

Councillor Jacobs said that the pot holes at School Road and Pigeon Green, reported at the January Meeting, had been repaired

After the Open Meeting
Reported on the Carbon Reduction Project
He said that, with regard to the recycling trial, the volume had been greater than expected and four bins were being emptied each day. It was estimated that 6 tons of carbon dioxide had been saved, thus far. The trial would be extended until the new kerbside collections were introduced
The 'take up' for the Green Energy Tariff had been 'patchy'; a promotional event was planned
The Bring and Buy event had been a success
The tree planting had been postponed indefinitely, because of the delay in supply
He stressed the importance of financial support and said that several sources were being investigated