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 11TH JUNE 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 J. Jacobs

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

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

01.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Mrs. S. Morlidge

Family commitment
02.. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
  None
03. MINUTES
 The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11th May, 2007, having been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman
04. MATTERS ARISING
  (a) Ongoing Business Activity at Premises Kings Lane/Ingon Lane
The Clerk read a communication from Lech Kocon, Enforcement Officer confirming that planning permission had been granted to these premises for storage of steel, a Class B8 use. Under current legislation, it is permitted to change the use of a building from a B8 use to a B1 use without the need to seek planning permission. B1 use will include the current light industrial use being conducted on the site. A visit to the site has confirmed that it conforms to the floor space restriction of 235 metres
The planning permission contains a noise level restriction, but there is no need for further action unless this Condition is being contravened
The Clerk also submitted a copy of a letter from Paul Waldron, of The Hill Cottage, Kings Lane addressed to Paul Lankester, Chief Executive in which he strongly complains of the procedure adopted in this case.
Councillor Miss Kimberley condemned the principle of planning applications which contained hidden features
The matter was fully discussed and Councillor Hobbs undertook to follow up enquiries
05. APPOINTMENT TO SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY
  One Appointment deferred from the May Meeting
  Public footpaths Councillor Jones
06. COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
  (1) School Road - the drainage work has been completed and a new roadside fence has been installed
  (2) Luscombe Culvert - work completed. He added that the recent incident of flooding was unrelated and was, in fact, due to the incorrect siting of adjacent drains
  (3) The Chairman spoke of a traffic count carried out at the bottom of Ingon Lane
Councillor Hobbs said that he was unaware of this, but it possibly related to the follow-up action following recent road traffic accidents at the junction
  (4) Said that he was continuing his efforts to resolve the parking problem adjacent to the Mercedes Garage
07. FINANCE
Receipts
(a) Charifund

Investment Dividend
£102-86
(b) A.E. Bennett & Sons

Cemetery Fee - Lea
£85-00
(c) Anthony Sutcliffe

Donation to Cemetery Maintenance
£50-00
(d) Mrs. M. Follis

Allotment Rents (2)
£25-00
Payments to be Authorised
(a) Allied Westminster

Insurance Policy - Village Hall
£849-80
(b) Greenacre Garden Services

Grass Cutting contract
£336-00
  (c) Jukes Pest Services Mole Control contract
£75-00
  (d) Lloyds TSB Safe Custody Fee
£7-50
(d) British Gas Gas supply to Village Hall (Direct Debit)
£121-00
(e) Powergen Electricity supply to Village Hall (Direct Debit)
£22-00
The Clerk said that negotiations with Allied Westminster for an insurance policy relating to the Village Hall had resulted in a saving of £295-00

Proposed Councillor Jacobs, Seconded Councillor Miss Kimberley
"That payment of the above items be authorised"
So resolved, nem con

Note was taken to include grass cutting of verge opposite the War Memorial in the contract for the financial year 2008.2009
08. PLANNING MATTERS
Applications
(a)

Stratford Oaks Golf Club
Bearley Road

 Retention of 7 floodlighting lamps serving driving range
07/01037/FUL
Submission Objection if this increases the light intensity. Light pollution in the midst of the countryside should be discouraged
Comment - should the application be approved, suggest that lighting be restricted to 8-00 p.m
(b)

Mrs. Helen Hayter
Bramley Orchard Farm
Kings Lane

 To provide a driveway and access for Bramley Orchard Farm onto Ingon Lane
07/01119/FUL
Submission Following a site visit Members fully support the proposal
(c)

Mr J.S. Bloor
Comyns Farm
Wayfield

 Demolition and rebuilding of existing workshop building
07/00889/FUL
Submission The development has the same footprint, the proposed design is good and will retain the appearance of the old workshop
(d)

A. Gale
1, Pigeon Green

 Rebuilding garage
07/00941/FUL
Submission Support - it will improve the visual appearance
(e)

Mr. H. McLean
2, Highfield Close

 Erection of single storey wooden garage at side of existing house, 5.4m x 3.6m x 2.6m
07/01108/FUL
Submission Support application. Comment - would prefer the structure to be of brick construction, in keeping with the house
Decisions
(a)

Arden Fisheries Ltd Snitterfield Fruit Farm

 Erection of fishermans timber clubhouse
07/00718/FUL
Permission with conditions
(b)

Mr. R. Houghton
Downing
Smiths Lane

 Single storey rear extension, new pitched roof to replace flat roof and internal alterations
07/00994/FUL
Permission with conditions
(c)

Mr and Mrs White
13, The Green
Church Road

 Change of roof design and size to provide first floor storage accommodation to previous plans approved under 06/02576/FUL
07/01092/FUL
Withdrawn
09. CORRESPONDENCE
Warwickshire County Council
  
(a)

Temporary Road Closure - C40 School Road
Revised Bus Timetable Bus Service 24

Displayed on Notice Board Work now completed
10. CARBON FOOTPRINT PROJECT
Councillor Jones reported that an abbreviated model of the recent exhibition would be organised for the forthcoming fete
As a result of the exhibition, 20 parishioners had signed up to the Project and it was the intention to organise a meeting of all interested parties
He added that it was now the appropriate time to appoint a formal committee and, from a list of projects, to select a certain number to progress
11. STREET LIGHTING COLUMN - THE GREEN/THE KNOB
The Clerk submitted a letter from Sandra Townson, Sales Engineer, ABB Limited. The letter set out the series of events leading up to the installation of the lighting column from the point of view of ABB Limited. The company did not admit blame, but, as a gesture of good will, offered the following solution to the problem
  (1) Re-site the new column to the position at The Knob and remove the existing column
  (2) Provide a quotation for installing a new standard street light at the junction of The Green and Bearley Road
After discussion, Proposed Councillor Jacobs, Seconded Councillor Miss Kimberley
"To accept the offer as set out by ABB Limited"
So resolved
It was also agreed that steps be taken to initiate the sale of the cast iron lighting column from The Knob
The Chairman spoke of a request that he had received for a street light adjacent to The Wolds, The Green
It was further agreed to review the report of the Working Party on Street Lighting at the July Meeting
12. LOCAL AUTHORITIES (MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT) ORDER 2007
Proposed Councillor Stammers, Seconded Councillor Fitchford
"To adopt the Model Code of Conduct for Members, including paragraph 12(2), with immediate effect"
So resolved, nem con
It was also agreed to amend Standing Orders, viz.,
"With the permission and at the discretion of the Chairman, any member of the public may comment on an issue being debated by the Council in order to provide information or clarification of items relevant to the matter being debated. If this occurs during a Meeting, the Chairman will formally close and adjourn the Meeting.
The facility will normally be limited to a maximum of only three minutes per person on the subject being debated"
It was noted that Councillors were required to complete Registration of Financial and Other Interests within 28 days
13. COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS
Councillor Jacobs
(1) Asked about the progress of sorting the matter of the Village Hall Management Committee Deed of Trust
The Clerk said that the matter had not progressed. The Council's solicitors, Robert Lunn & Lowth were in the process of negotiating the transfer of the Youth Club premises and the matter of the Village Hall had been left in abeyance
It was agreed that, in view of the delay, Robert Lunn & Lowth be requested to initiate the revision of the Deed of Trust
(2) Referred to the matter of a Fire Risk Assessment for the Village Hall
It was agreed that the process should be expedited
Councillor Fitchford
(1) Referred to the matter of storm drains and the number which were obstructed by debris
Councillor Hobbs said that the drains were inspected annually, but reported obstructions were dealt with individually. He undertook to follow up
(2) Said that the grass in the Small Playing Field had not been cut and was overgrown
The Clerk undertook to follow up with the contractor
Councillor Miss Kimberley
(1) Commented on the recent Training Session on Material Considerations in Planning and expressed her concerns about the lack of positive action in Enforcement Policy
Councillor Hobbs responded and said that he understood her concerns, but pointed to the various significant constraints under which the Planning Department was working

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the Meeting closed at 9-35 p.m
 
PERIOD OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT THE MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 11TH JUNE 2007

Prior to the Agenda

Alan Morris
Spoke of the Planning Application in respect of Blossom Cottage, The Green. He said that the Planning Officer's recommendation was to grant permission to demolish and rebuild, whereas the Conservation Officer had stated that the building was of importance to the Conservation Area and all attempts should be made to resist demolition. He expressed his confusion at the contradiction
The matter was fully discussed and Mr. Morris expressed his intention to attend the Meeting of the Planning Committee
Councillor Stammers said that he would attend on behalf of the Parish Council, which had submitted an objection to the application

After the Agenda

Miss Cathy Kimberley
Referred to the premises of Aspi Cars, Black Hill and spoke of the illumination of the site. She said that lighting was left on outside the hours permitted in the Planning Permission. She complained that no action was being taken to investigate what was a clear breach of the Planning Permission