16th March 2023

Present:

Cllrs: F. Winup (Chairman)

Mrs. J Halliday

S. Bettles

Mrs S. Parker (Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer)

Unitary Councillor N. Botterill

4 members of the public

Cllrs G. Clegg Littler, J. Mackelden, J. Prior, and B. Blair.

None

It was proposed by Cllr Halliday and seconded by Cllr Bettles that these be accepted as a true record. This was unanimously agreed by the meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.

Presentation.  Cllr. Winup thanked David Ryall for his 24 years as the parish clerk and presented him with a leaving gift of a dash camera and wildlife camera with three different lenses.

At the Area Board meeting on the 13th March, Cllr. Bettles attended and commented on the FOI response regarding the consultations on the car park.  He reported that WC are advertising for more Foster Carers, and that the PCC Phillip Wilkinson reported stated that he is trying to get more police presence in rural areas.  WC will be holding a hub to help those affected by flooding.    The next meeting is on 27th June and the venue is to be confirmed.

4ii)    Parish Forum.  There is still no news on the recommencement of these meetings.  Cllr. Botterill will speak to Cllr Greenman who chairs them to find out when they are starting again.

Cllr. Winup said that we are still waiting for the January and February statistics.

The new road markings appear to be working well, although we are in a quiet period at the moment.

The works needed by the toilets have been chased and Highways will talk to Ringways.

Our four clamp signs were installed last week but disappeared within 72 hours.  Three have reappeared, he will get a replacement if necessary.  The four CCTV signs have been purchased but will be held in reserve for the time being.

The Unitary Council continues to emphasise that a public consultation was held, but have never admitted that the response was a universal opposition.   As previously reported, the response to the PC Freedom of Information request confirmed that the Unitary Council has no idea how many consultations were opposed, or how many were subsequently withdrawn as a consequence.  They keep no central register which indicates how little regard is really paid to the consultation procedure, nor are they proposing to do so.  Cllr. Botterill said the evidence may be letters and emails requesting something is done about the parking.

The PC have also requested similar details relating to the Traffic Regulation Order process, this revealed that of the 35 consolations in the last three years, which resulted in a majority of objections, 33 nonetheless proceeded, one withdrawn and one amended.  The PC have asked for further details of these, i.e. was this because of the objections or something else.

The Information Commissioners Office has now reviewed the Unitary Council’s response to the original FOI request for details of Internal Unitary Council correspondence re Dunns Lane.  They were highly critical of the U. C response to our request and have formally logged this in their records on the basis that had our request been dealt with properly, there would have been no need for the PC to refer a complaint to them.   However the information that has now been provided is still minimal and indicates just how little discussion or factual information transpired before the proposal was put to Cabinet, despite the very proper reservations expressed by our Unitary Councillor.

The PC continues to exercise pressure on the UC in view of their refusal to undertake a risk assessment of the impact of their decision to charge.  They no longer respond directly on the basis that they have spent a lot of time on this already.  Cllr. Botterill said he will look into why Cllr. Winup has not received any responses to the requests he has sent in.  The impact on them is minimal compared with the impact on the parish.  We shall therefore involve the media further, especially if the warmer months see major problems.

As previously reported WC have included £325,000 in the capital budget for a possible extension to the car park for just 20 cars.  Cllr. Botterill said he has received emails supporting and opposing the expansion. He would like WC to present a formal proposal and hold a public consultation.  The councillors support this idea.   Cllr. Botterill will ask WC for this and a proper budget on the project.

4c. Footpath CCOM5.  Cllr Winup and SP (clerk) met with John Walker the Cotswold Warden to discuss the proposal to repair CCOM5, as we walked the path it was made clear that the PC do not contribute any funds towards the project, it is on private land and rarely used. J.W said he will discuss it with Stephen Leonard the WC footpath officer.

Scalpings the scalpings have not arrived yet, but when they do it was agreed that Cllr. SB will put some on the path by his garden, as it is very muddy.

4N. Congregational Chapel Car Park.  The land registry has mislaid the unregistered deed sent to them by our solicitors.  Fortunately the solicitors took copies but we now have to sign an affidavit as to why we cannot produce the original documents.  The reported oil tank is not on PC land.

4Q. Ultrafast Broadband.  Cllr Botterill reported that WC have not received any bids for the north of the county from the tenders that had been sent out.  The Government have vouchers from £1500 to £4,500 that that groups of residents can use to get Open Reach to put in Ultrafast Broadband.  There needs to be a plan to get it installed to rural areas.

6B. Community Governance Review.  We are waiting for the decision from WC on the boundary proposal, the PC have asked for a very narrow strip of Grittleton Council land to the south of The Gib, which includes Gatcombe Mill could be transferred to CCPC, whist the part of CCPC to the north of the M4 could be better placed in Grittleton PC.

5. Finance.  The £15,000 has been transferred to the Shawbrook account as agreed at the last meeting.

Income           interest                 5.96

Expenses
Cllr. Winup	Sucker pump		151.22
Cllr. Winup	Wheel clamp signs		49.11
SSE	electric		130.15
Cotswold National Landscape	donation		100
Cllr. Winup	Combe Courier		31.5
Sodbury Fuel	oil for village hall		383.25
Town & Parish Website	annual website fee		268
Shawbrook transfer	savings		15,000.00
		Total	16113.23

  Total 16113.23

Lloyds current account at 27/02/2023                                £ 9,756.14

Shawbrook bond                                                                 £30,001.46

PL/2022/05087 – : Fuchsia Cottage, Approve with Conditions.

PC comment No Objection. The Council agrees that the proposed alterations will have minimal impact on the original design.

PL/2022/06210 – Fuchsia Cottage.

Approve with Conditions

PC comment No Objection

PL/2023/00251 – Eastcombe Farm   Approve

PC comment No Objection, but would like replacement trees planted if possible.

PL/2023/00250 – Gatcombe Lodge   Approve

PC comment No objection, but suggest if possible for replacement trees to be planted.

        7. a   Planning Applications Under Consideration:

PL/2023/01404 – Proposed Works to Trees in a Conservation Area Address: MANOR HOUSE GOLF CLUB, SN14 7JW Proposal: T1 Oak tree to be felled due to having a heavy lean. All growth one sided and severe decay at the base. Also dropping dead limbs onto the golf tee below. T2 Double Stemmed Holly tree to be felled due to weak low union and has out lasted aesthetic value. Comments by 15th March 2023

 P. C. comments No Objection.

8. Unitary Councillor Report.  Cllr. Botterill reported that WC bin men will be checking peoples blue lidded bins, to improve the quality of recycling as some bins include items that are not recyclable which means the whole load goes into land fill.  If they men find wrong items in the bin they will put red, orange and green labels on the bins.  If it doesn’t improve people will receive letters with asking them to recycle correctly.  He said that black bags, shopping bags, food waste in pizza boxes, hard plastic toys go into the black bins.  NB and JM had been around the parish looking at pot holes and the state of the river bank, NB reported that this is being looked at.  Whitegates turning circle, NB suggested the PC applies for a grant from LHFIG to get it resurfaced.

Quarry Corner also needs to be a bid with LHFIG to make the exit from Summer Lane safe.

WC are encouraging parishes to do litter picks, they have lots of equipment that volunteers can use.  Cllr. FW said Sheila Prior does a litterpick in Upper Castle Combe.  He said it could be discussed at the Annual General Meeting in May.  Cllr. JM will put it on Facebook.

The A420 will be closed for tree removal.

9.  Playing Field and Circuit reports.  Cllr. JH said there is no report from the Playing Fields.  Circuit:-  Cllrs discussed whether the removal of the hedge will make the noise worse, and concerns were raised that drivers are driving faster and overtaking since it has been removed. The Circuit want to build a wall, they will arrange a meeting with the Parish Council to discuss their plans and are willing to have a consultation.

10.  Play Areas. Upper: Cllr JP said some areas will need attention when the weather improves.  Cllr. SB agreed to cut the grass.

11. Highways report from Cllr. JH.  She reported on the big holes that have now been filled in.  Coaches are reversing back to the bus top by the Castle Hotel, which is dangerous, she will speak to the drivers asking them not to do this.

There has been a complaint about the A Frame board outside of the White Hart, it is on the highway taking up a parking space. Cllr. FW agreed to speak to the owner and tell him this is not allowed, and neither are the police cones.

Do we need to ask for yellow Lines in Upper Castle Combe, as residents are parking on the bend by Westway.  It was agreed to monitor the situation and to discuss it at a future meeting.

Jubilee Mugs.  Cllr. JH reported that all have been sold and she passed the cheque for £157.50 to the clerk for banking.

12. Village Environment.  Cllr. FW presented the report from Cllr. GCL.

Cllr. GCL had a meeting with the Golf Club discussing ways to reduce plastic waste in the village and surrounding by firstly providing segregated waste bins and asking local vendor to use recyclable plastic.  The difficulties are the size of the bins, locations and collection.  He will report back to the council with an update when they have looked into the difficulties.

New sandbag containers will be investigated when the weather improves.

The new bench commemorating The Queen is in place and proving to be popular.  Many thanks to Gareth Hare for installing it.

St Andrews will be hosting a Coronation event and would welcome financial support.  The PC gave them £250 for the Jubilee event and unanimously agreed to do so again.

The PC has ordered 80 bone china mugs which will be presented to the school children free of charge, and surplus will be available for sale at £5.65 a mug.

There has been a request for filming which has been agreed in principle, with a donation of £3,000. We are waiting for further news.

Flood issues the flood plan has been circulated to parishioner volunteeers, and the puddle pump will help in the future.  Cllr. N. Botterill offered his one in there is flooding in the future.  He said WC have done a lot of work on flooding, they have another vac tanker and more money in the budget to repair broken drains.

13. Whitegates Cllr. JP.  Nothing has been planned at Whitegates for the Coronation, there was a street party in 1977 and it would be good to have another one.  There are no major issues.

14. TV Committee Cllr. FW presented the report from Cllr. GCL.

The invoices for the coming year have been issued.

Some remedial work to the aerial and ancillaries will be necessary this year, but the system is currently working well.

Gareth Hare is liaising with Mike Roberts re the committee membership.

15. Village Hall Report by Cllr. FW.  The quarterly checks have been completed, the funds are now £5767.00.

The circuit has asked if the PC are interested in manning a car boot sale on the 28th May, Cllrs discussed the proposal and said it is difficult to get people to volunteer for helping.  They would need about 30 volunteers to help with the car parking, if they only do 2 hours each.  Cllr. Winup proposed they thank them for the offer but regretfully have to turn it down.  All agreed.

Confirmed as Thursday 18th May 2023 at 7.00pm (half an hour earlier than normal) for the Annual Parishioners meeting, followed by the Parish Council Annual Meeting at 7.30pm in the Village Hall Castle Combe. All are welcome and refreshments will be provided