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 12TH MARCH 2007, COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M.
PRESENT
Councillor G.J. Stammers (Chairman)
Councillor R. J. Fitchford
Councillor Mrs. S. Morlidge
Councillor A. G. M. Jones
Councillor Miss C. Kimberley

Clerk of the Council, I. A. Wilkins
1 Member of Public

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

01. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
County and District Councillor R.G. Hobbs
02. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Miss Kimberley Planning Application 07/00083/FUL
Spring Farm House, Warwick Road, Black Hill
Prejudicial Interest
03. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12th February, 2007, having been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman
04. MATTERS ARISING
  (a) Affordable Housing
    Nothing further to report on the availability of land off Bearley Road.
It was agreed to have a site visit to the land off Park Lane
  (b) Best Kept Village Competition
    After discussion, it was agreed that it would not be appropriate to submit an entry.
The need for a community effort was emphasised and improvements to certain areas, including the Cemetery
It was further agreed to consider submission of an entry in 2008
  (c) Annual Parish Meeting
    Dates for the Annual Parish Meeting and the April Meeting of the Council, provisionally set at the last Meeting, were confirmed
The Chairman undertook to invite representatives of the Village organisations to attend
The Clerk undertook to book the Village Hall
  (d) Green Energy
    Councillor Jones said that he had been unable to produce revised fuel costings, as the new prices had not yet come into effect
It was agreed to proceed on the basis of quoted prices for green energy
Councillor Jones to liase with the Clerk on the way forward
05. FINANCE
Receipts
(a) Charifund

Investment Dividend

£63-30
Payments to be Authorised
(a) ABB

Repair to street light
Church Road

£35-25
(b) ABB Repair to street light
Kings Lane
£35-25
  (c) Jukes pest contol Mole Control - quarterly payment
£75-00
(d) Powergen Electricity Supply to Village Hall
(Direct Debit)
£22-00
(e) British Gas Gas Supply to Village Hall
(Direct Debit)
£121-00
Proposed Councillor Miss Kimberley, Seconded Councillor Mrs Morlidge
'that the listed payments be authorised'
So resolved, nem con
Correspondence
    Severn Trent Water Statement - water supply - Atteys Field. In Credit
£18-80
06. PLANNING MATTERS
Applications
(a)

Mr. Aspi Mobed
Spring Farm House

Warwick Road
Black Hill

Change of use from partly garden and partly storage of vehicles to predominately parking of vehicles with perimeter planting. Change of use of agricultural land to parking (all retrospective)
07/00083/FUL
Submission Two Councillors have declared interests for this application. The remaining Councillors all support this application for the reasons stated in the response dated 31-08-06.
'Evidence confirms there has been a business activity on this site for more than 10 years. Also, we support local business opportunities because they offer employment and help the local economy'
(b)

Mrs. B. Bainbridge
Dawnedge
Church Road

T1: ash - crown reduce by 25%
07/00252/TREE
Submission deferred  
(c)

Snitterfield Sports Club
Bowling Green
Wolverton Road

Changing Room and mower store
07/00183/FUL
Submission deferred
(d)

T. Mousley
Treetops

Cedar Drive

T1: sycamore - fell
07/00409/TREE
Submission deferred
The Chairman reported that he had attended a Meeting of the Area Planning Committee on 8th March
07/00083/07 - Spring Farm House, Warwick Road, Black Hill
He had been unable to make a verbal submission because of a declared interest. He said that the application had been refused and he gave a summary of the reasons for the decision
06/03606/FUL - Sycamore House, White Horse Hill
He had made a verbal submission, but the application had been approved. He gave a summary of the reasons for the decision and commented that this was based on an amended plan which had not been seen by the Parish Council
The Clerk reported on correspondence with Mr. Gary Fisher, Team Leader, Planning Enforcement with regard to Corner Cottage, The Green. He had been advised that it was proposed to take enforcement action, subject to the view of the Highway Authority on highway safety. Instructions would be prepared for the legal team, but action would depend on priority of other cases
07. CORRESPONDENCE
Stratford on Avon District Council
 

Tree Warden Scheme

Noted. To be brought up at Annual Parish Meeting
Enjoy England
 

Celebrate St George's Day

Noted. No further action decided
Warwickshire Association of Local Councils
 
Nominations for Attendance at Royal Garden Party Councillor Stammers nominated to attend
Mrs. Sarah Protheroe
 

Event: Snipe 7

Noted and supported in principle - to await further details
08. CARBON FOOTPRINT PROJECT
Councillor Jones reported on the initial meeting of Snitterfield Low Carbon Group, attended by five members. The decided aim was to have ready the draft terms of reference in two weeks
It was the intention to involve the School as much as possible and that they be asked to come up with a name and logo for the Group
It was intended to launch an exhibition at the Village Hall and various ideas for the stand had been discussed
The Group had discussed various projects for Carbon Reduction in the Village
After discussion, it was agreed to arrange the exhibition for Sunday 1st April, leaving it in situ for the Annual Parish Meeting on the following day
The Clerk undertook to book the Village Hall accordingly
09. COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS
Councillor Miss Kimberley
Referred to the Clerk's Pay and Conditions and asked if any progress had been
made in obtaining a copy of the 'Green Book'
The Clerk said that he now had the details of supply
It was agreed to go ahead with the purchase
Councillor Mrs. Morlidge
Referred to Councillor Jones' comments at the February Meeting and his subsequent e-mail to all Members on the subject of the creditable state of the Parish Council finances. She said that the comments were most appropriate and she suggested that they should be forwarded to the Editor of 'Snipe'
Asked about the current situation with regard to car parking in Highfield Close
The Chairman understood that an Enforcement Notice had been served on a certain householder in Highfield Close relating to carrying on a business of car valeting. Councillor Hobbs had since advised him that a submission at the forthcoming Meeting of the Area Committee would be inappropriate
Councillor Jones
Expressed his concern at the decision of the Planning Committee in respect of Sycamore House. He was opposed to the demolition of an old building and its replacement by a building of modern design
He expressed his appreciation of the efforts of the Chairman in arguing the case of the Parish Council
He was also concerned at the number of extensions and luxury new homes in the Parish and said that there was a growing differential between low and high priced accommodation
Councillor Fitchford
Referred to the matter of the Cemetery path discussed at the February Meeting and asked if progress had been made
The Clerk said that he was pursuing the matter of a second quotation

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the Meeting closed at 9-15 p.m
 
PERIOD OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT THE MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 12TH MARCH 2007

Prior to the Meeting
Mr. Ken Chatland
Referred to the matter which he had raised at the February Meeting regarding the ongoing business at the premises in Kings Lane at the junction of Ingon Lane
The Chairman undertook to re-visit the premises and advise Mr. Andrews accordingly
Said that a meeting would be held at the Sports Club on Thursday 15th March to consider options for a development programme. He hoped that as many Councillors as possible would attend
Referred to the ongoing matter of the Trees in The Park and said that all the trees now appeared to be dead. He was critical of the lack of positive action by the District Council and expressed the hope that replacement trees would be planted

After the Meeting
Miss Cathy Kimberley
Referred to the matter that she had raised at the February Meeting regarding the premises of Aspi Specialist Cars.
She said that she had since been in discussion on the subject with Mr. Lech Kocon and he had agreed that a planning application should be invited in order to regularise the position