New Rose Cottage Chapel Lane Hillesley Gloucestershire GL12 7RQ

Clerk Mary Leonard Telephone: 01453 844659 Email : [email protected] Web Site : www.kingswoodparishcouncil.gov.uk

Minutes of a Meeting of Kingswood Parish Council held on Monday 10th July 2017 commencing at 7.15 at the Village Hall Wickwar Road.

PRESENT

Councillors: Chairman David Rockey, Vice Chairman Ken Wood, Cllr. Sue Evans, Cllr. Paul Hemming and Cllr. Jean Simmons.

Clerk Mary Leonard

Stroud District Council: District Councillor Cllr. Mark Reeves was in attendance at this meeting.

Gloucestershire County Council Cllr John Cordwell was in attendance at the start of this meeting. He left to attend the Alkington parish council meeting which is held on the same night as Kingswood’s meeting.

Public: There was no members of the public present for the meeting. Press: There were no members of the press present. Police: There were no members of the Police in attendance at this meeting. Neighbourhood Warden – The Neighbourhood Warden was not in attendance at this meeting.

15363/17 - To receive and note apologies for absence.

Cllr. Christopher Dunn and Cllr. Toby Phillips sent apologies as they were unable to attend the meeting due to personal reasons.

Rachel Pratt the Neighbourhood Warden sent her apologies as she is unable to attend the meeting.

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PCSO Mark Lifton sent his apologies as he was unable to attend the meeting.

Councillors noted the apologies.

15364/17 -To receive and record declaration of personal and pecuniary interest in matters on the agenda.

Cllr. Paul Hemming is the parish council representative for the village hall in respect of agenda items 28 and 29 and will be able to discuss and vote on these items.

Cllr. Sue Evans holds the cleaning contract at the public convenience. Agenda Item 25 does not relate to the cleaning of the toilets and Cllr. Sue Evans should be able to discuss and vote on this item.

15365/17 -To take questions and concerns from the public. (This session is for information only and no decisions can be made on matters raised in this meeting unless the issue is already on the agenda. If not on the agenda the matter can be brought to the next meeting)

There were no members of the public present.

15366/17 -To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 12th June 2017 and the chairman to sign on behalf of the council that they are an accurate record of proceedings.

It was proposed by Cllr. Jean Simmons to accept the minutes of the meeting on 12th June 2017 as an accurate record of proceedings. Cllr. Ken Wood seconded the proposal. Cllr. Paul Hemmings abstained as he did not attend the meeting in June. All remaining councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15367/17 -To discuss District Council matter relating to Kingswood and receive a report from District Councillor Mark Reeves.

Councillors noted the report which was only received on Sunday 9th July 2017. Cllr. Mark Reeves updated the council on his report.

15368/17 - To discuss County Council matters relating to Kingswood and receive a report from County Councillor John Cordwell.

Councillors noted the report.

15369/17 - To discuss the Neighbourhood Wardens Report and take decisions as necessary. Councillors noted that no report had been received for the meeting

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15370/17 - To review Policing issues and discuss any report received from the Police.

Councillors noted the report.

Financial Matters

15371/17 -To approve accounts for payment, sign cheques and Note Additional Payments Made in line with the Parish Council’s financial regulations. Those received at the time the time of the issue of the agenda below.

July payments Date AMOUNT VAT TOTAL Comments 15/06/2017 £ 1,099.10 £ 1,099.10 Employees salaries and Expenses 12/06/2017 £ 86.00 £ 86.00 Public Convenience Cleaning Contract 26/06/2017 £86.00 £ 16.00 £ 102.00 Pal Hire Porto Loo at playingfield Cabot Landscapes grass cutting 30/06/2017 £ 638.06 £ 127.61 £ 765.67 churchyard and Cemetery 30/06/2017 £ 19.50 £ 3.90 £ 23.40 Smiths bin at Cemetery 31/05/2017 £ 29.25 £ 5.85 £ 35.10 Smiths bin at Cemetery Ecotricity . Electricity at public 02/07/2017 £ 9.00 £ 0.45 £ 9.45 conveniece Tree and Country Care Service. 03/07/2017 £ 100.00 £ 20.00 £ 120.00 Allotments Tree and Country Care Service 03/07/2017 £ 145.00 29.00 £ 174.00 Tyndale View 10/07/2017 £ 182.22 £ 182.22 Nest pension 01/07/2017 £ 112.10 22.42 £ 134.52 BT Broadband £ - £ - £ -

£ -

£2,506.23 £225.23 £2,731.46

It was proposed by Cllr. Paul Hemming to agree to the above payments. This was seconded by Jean Simmons. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved

15372/17 - To consider the monthly bank reconciliation for May 2017 as prepared by the Clerk and for the Chairman to sign as a correct record on behalf of the Parish Council.

It was proposed by Cllr. Paul Hemming to accept the bank reconciliation for May 2017 as a true record. This was seconded by Cllr Ken Wood. All councillors agreed and the matter was resolved.

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Planning Matters Requiring a Decision or for noting

15373/17 -To review and comment on planning matters received at the date of issue of the agenda.

As the planning system has been available decisions on the planning applications to be carried forward to another meeting. The only exception is the Mounteneys Farm Screening application below.

Mounteneys Farm] EIA Screening CS Creation 2017 Stewardship Woodland Creation Grant (WCG) – CRM[854000- application the Forestry Commission have received to J5R8S1]- support the planting of 9.43ha of new woodland (OS Jean and ken support [Mounteneys Grid Ref: ST 751896. There is a further 9.11 ha recently Farm] EIA planted adjacent to the application area as part of the Screeningtryside Woodland Trust MOREwoods Project).

CS Creation 2017 – CRM[854000-J5R8S1]-[Mounteneys Farm] EIA Screening

Stewardship Woodland Creation Grant (WCG) application the Forestry Commission have received to support the planting of 9.43ha of new woodland (OS Grid Ref: ST 751896. There is a further 9.11 ha recently planted adjacent to the application area as part of the Woodland Trust MOREwoods Project).

Councillors discussed the above application which form part of the Wind Turbine application. It was proposed by Cllr Jean Simons to support application. This was seconded by Cllr. Ken Wood. All councillors were in favour and the matter was proposed.

Applications below to be carried forward to a future meeting for a decision.

Cricket net specification and management and open S.17/1195/MISC Land At Chestnut Park, Kingswood, Gloucestershire, space management, as required under S106 Agreemen

Wind Turbine Cherry Rock Farm, Wickwar Road, Kingswood, Variation of Condition 14 (noise limits) for Application S.17/1270/VAR Gloucestershire, Reference Number: S.12/0229/FUL

Mounteneys Farm Chase Lane, Wickwar, Wotton-Under-Edge, Variation to Condition 14 from permission S.17/1271/VAR Gloucestershire, GL12 8JY S.12/0255/FUL.

24 Tyndale View Kingswood, Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, S.17/1172/CPL loft conversion GL12 8RY

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1B Walkmill Lane Kingswood, Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, S.17/1197/TCA Silver Birch - Remove GL12 8RZ

Reduction of foot print of the houses to create a S.17/1344/MINAM Land Adjacent To 18 Crow Meadow, Kingswood, Gloucestershire, walkway to the side of house A

1 The Walk Kingswood, Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 S.17/1269/HHOLD Two storey extension and associated works 8RP

Kingswood County Primary School Abbey Street, Kingswood, Wotton- Reduce silver birch by at least 50% & single branch .17/1411/TCA Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 8RN removal of field maple

14 Tyndale View Kingswood, Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, .17/1173/CPL Loft conversion GL12 8RY

Single storey extension to the rear of the property, 56 Hillesley Road Kingswood, Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, 17/1384/HHOLD New porch to the front of the property and internal GL12 8RU changes including garage conversion.

Mounteneys Farm] EIA Screening CS Creation 2017 – Stewardship Woodland Creation Grant (WCG) CRM[854000- application the Forestry Commission have received to J5R8S1]- support the planting of 9.43ha of new woodland (OS Jean and ken support [Mounteneys Grid Ref: ST 751896. There is a further 9.11 ha Farm] EIA recently planted adjacent to the application area as Screeningtryside part of the Woodland Trust MOREwoods Project).

Items Requiring a Resolution from Council:

15374/17 - To review and take decisions on the following matters concerning the allotment site;

I. To receive a report from the Chairman of the Kingswood Allotment Association (KAA )in respect of Sheds on the Allotment Site.

Councillors discussed the report and the request for sheds at the Allotment site. It was proposed by Cllr. Ken Wood to accept the specification put forward by Kingswood Allotment Association and to add the following additional criterion to the specification.

 All paving slabs to be installed at the same time.  All sheds to be maintained and repainted if necessary at least every two years.  All allotment holders to share the cost of the ecologist for supervising the preparation of the ground for the sheds as per the Method Statement from the ecologist if required.  A budget of £900 set for the appointment of an ecologist.

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This was seconded by Cllr. Paul Hemming. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

There was no further update from the clerk.

15375/17 -To review the Community Engagement Policy and take a decision on any amendments.

Cllr. Paul Hemming made some minor changes to grammar. It was proposed by Cllr. Paul Hemming to accept the Community Engagement Policy after these amendments have been made and for it to be reviewed in two years’ time in July 2019. This was seconded by Cllr. Ken Wood. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15376/17 - To review the Complaints Procedure and take a decision on any amendments.

Cllr. Paul Hemming made some minor changes to grammar. It was proposed by Cllr. Jean Simmons to accept the Complaints Policy after these amendments have been made and for it to be reviewed in two years’ time in July 2019. This was seconded by Cllr. Ken Wood. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15377/17 -To review the Dignity at Work Policy and take a decision on any amendments.

Cllr. Paul Hemming made some minor changes to grammar. It was proposed by Cllr. Jean Simmons to accept the Dignity at Work Policy after these amendments have been made and for it to be reviewed annually the next review to take place in July 2018. This was seconded by Cllr. Ken Wood. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15378/17 - To review the Disciplinary Procedures Policy and take a decision on any amendments.

Cllr. Paul Hemming made some minor changes to grammar. It was proposed by Cllr. Ken Wood to accept the Disciplinary Procedures after these amendments have been made and for it to be reviewed in two years’ time in July 2019. This was seconded by Cllr. Paul Hemming. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15379/17 -To review the Equal Opportunities Policy and take a decision on any amendments.

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It was proposed by the Chairman Cllr. David Rockey to accept the Equal Opportunities Policy and for it to be reviewed in two years’ time in July 2018. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15380/17 -To review the Risk Assessment Policy and take a decision on any amendments.

Cllr. Paul Hemming made some minor changes to grammar. It was proposed by Cllr. Paul Hemming to accept the Risk Assessment Policy after these amendments have been made and for it to be reviewed annually. The next review to take place in July 2018. This was seconded by Cllr. Jean Simmons. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15381/17 -To review the Training Policy and take a decision on any amendments.

Cllr. Paul Hemming made some minor changes to grammar. It was proposed by Cllr. Ken Wood to accept the Training Policy after these amendments have been made and for it to be reviewed in two years’ time in July 2019. This was seconded by Cllr. Jean Simmons. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15382/17 -To review the Data Protection Policy and take a decision on any amendments.

It was proposed by Chairman Cllr. David Rockey to accept the Data Protection Policy and for it to be reviewed in in 2018 following a review of new legislation. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved

15383/17 -To consider and take a decision on Gloucestershire Association of Town and Parish Councils (GAPTC) Star Awards for

Councillors discussed the various categories. Cllr. David Rockey proposed that the council put forward the following for consideration of an award in the following categories; Local Project Category- The Wild about Kingswood Project and the allotments for an award. Clerk Category – Kingswood Clerk. All councillors were in agreement and the matter was resolved

15384/17- To consider and take a decision on the National Association Local Council’s (NALC) consultation on the Local Government Unions pay proposal.

Councillors discussed the Local Government Union proposal and had no comment to make on it.

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15385/17 -To consider and take a decision on the Clerk attending training organised by the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) on Data Protection.

It was proposed by Cllr. Ken Wood that the clerk to attend the above training on Data Protection. This was seconded by Cllr. Jean Simmons. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15386/17 - To review and take a decision of the Stroud District Council’s consultation on Dog Control Orders.

Councillors reviewed the consultation documents and had the following comments to make.

Cllr. Ken Wood proposed that there be no change to DC04 and in addition the details relating to cemeteries amended to include places of internment of bodies thereby including churchyards. This was seconded by Cllr. Paul Hemming. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15387/17 -To consider and take a decision on a stand at the Kingswood Village Show to promote Wild about Kingswood (WAK).

It was proposed by Cllr. David Rockey to agree to the stand at the village show. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15388/17 - To review the quotes and take a decision on works at the public Toilets.

Councillors reviewed the specification for the works at the public convenience and checked if this covered all necessary works required in relation to the building. Councillors wished the work to go ahead and reviewed the quotes. It was proposed by Cllr. Sue Evan to accept the quote from Pete Ponting. This was seconded by Cllr. Ken Wood. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15388/17 - Cllr. Paul Hemming has an amendment to the objective to re-site the barrier outside of the village hall to improve access for those with disabilities. The council to review and take a decision.

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Cllr. Hemming presented an alternative proposal to improve the disabled access at the village hall. Councillors instructed the clerk to get quotes on both options and to bring back to the September meeting for a decision.

15389/17 - To review and take a decision on the Highways Customer Service Survey.

Councillors discussed the Amey contract and there general dissatisfaction with the contractor.

Councillors reviewed the survey and the Chairman proposed that as the Clerk is the one to liaise with Amey on behalf of the parish council the completion should be delegated to the clerk. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15390/17- Cllr. Paul Hemming has the following proposal for the council to consider “ That the Parish Council undertakes to update Standing Orders in order to accommodate a change of either day or time of a Parish Council meeting in extenuating circumstances.”

Cllr. Paul Hemming proposes that Kingswood’s Standing Orders are amended to allow a change of either day or time of a Parish Council meeting in extenuating circumstances. This was seconded by Cllr. Jean Simmons. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15391/17- To review and take a decision on the booking of the village hall for the parish council meeting on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.

Councillors reviewed the proposal put forward by Cllr. Paul Hemming that the parish council agrees to book and pay for the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month whether they use the room or not. This would reserve the room for the parish council permanently.

Cllr. Ken Wood proposed that the parish council agree to pay £12.00 to book the Community Room in the village hall for the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month and that this will be paid regardless of whether the council uses the room. This was seconded by Cllr. Jean Simmons. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

15392/17 -To take decisions in relation to the Annual General Meeting of Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils (GAPTC) as follows;

i. To review and take a decision on the proposals put forward for debate; Cllr. Christopher Dunn is representing the parish council at the above meeting Councillors reviewed the following proposals.

a) Tetbury Town Council

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That, while the failings of the previous Code of Conduct regime are well-known by longer-serving councillors, its replacement in 2012 lacks the teeth to be effective and, in view of that, that GAPTC urges the National Association of Local Councils to work with the Government and the Local Government Association on measures for its improvement, ideally by supplementing it with a range of stronger sanctions that can be imposed by Monitoring Officers with the minimum of bureaucracy.

Councillors reviewed the Tetbury Town Council proposal and agreed that improvements on sanctions would be beneficial. It was proposed by Cllr. David Rockey to support this proposal. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

b) Newent Town Council Newent Town Council would like pressure to be brought to re-establish the introduction of small rural community police stations.

Councillors reviewed the Newent Town Council proposal and agreed that introduction of small rural community police stations would be a benefit. It was proposed by Cllr. Ken Wood to support this proposal. Cllr. Paul Hemming seconded the proposal and all councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

c) Westbury-on-Severn Parish Council Persons, businesses, developers and other organisations are increasingly engaged in building work without prior planning approval where it is required and then applying for retrospective planning permission when the matter is noticed. This is a highly unsatisfactory and deplorable activity that needs to be prevented wherever possible. Westbury-on-Severn Parish council proposes that, as a penalty to deter people from making retrospective applications or changes to approved applications without further consent,

Planning Authorities should charge double fees for a retrospective planning application or a significant unapproved variation from an approved plan. NOTE: This is a repeat of a motion submitted to the 2013 AGM, although the proposal then was for triple fees. The motion was carried, but it is not on NALC’s current list of priorities for action.

Councillors reviewed the Westbury on Severn Parish Council proposal. Councillors agreed that this was an issue but did not believe that the above proposal was the correct solution. Councillors believe that this proposal could penalise an applicant who is trying to rectify a planning offence that was made by a previous owner. It was proposed by Cllr. Paul Hemming that there should be a penalty but that the Westbury on Severn Proposal was not the right method to tackle the issue. This was seconded by Cllr. Ken Wood. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved

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d) Longhope Parish Council That Gloucestershire town and parish councils support the use of housing exception sites for local affordable housing need only, without the tenant’s right to buy.

Councillors reviewed the Longhope Parish Council proposal and agreed the use of housing exception sites for local affordable housing need only, without the tenant’s right to buy would be beneficial. It was proposed by Cllr. Ken Wood to support this proposal. Cllr. Sue Evans seconded the proposal and all councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

e) Lydney Town Council The Cabinet at Forest of Dean District Council are proposing to recommend to Full Council that any Bye-Election costs incurred by parishes with a precept of less than £100k should be underwritten by FoDDC. Lydney Town Council are of the view that this proposal is discriminatory and furthermore that the District Authority have not investigated/considered the proportion of 'Reserves' which must be held by local authorities that should be proportionate to the size of the council. The approval of such a proposal would disadvantage larger councils within the Forest of Dean district and is therefore a matter that GAPTC as our county association and NALC as our national association should address on our behalf. NOTE: Forest of Dean District Council adopted the policy in its budget setting meeting in February 2017

Councillors had no decision to make on the proposal as it relates directly to the Forest of Dean District Council (FoDDC) and that it appears to have been now resolved by FoDDC.

f) Slimbridge Parish Council Asks GAPTC to lobby NALC and the government to look at repealing LGA 1894 s8(1)(i) (highlighted below) to allow parish councils to give money to churches in their parish based on the concept that they are buildings of historical value to the community and are valued community assets. S8 (1)(i) ……….to execute any works (including works of maintenance or improvement) incidental to or consequential on the exercise of any of the foregoing powers, or in relation to any parish property, not being property relating to affairs of the church or held for an ecclesiastical charity.

Councillors reviewed the Slimbridge Parish Council proposal and agreed that repealing LGA 1894 s8(1)(i) to allow parish councils to give money to churches in their parish based on the concept that they are buildings of historical value to the community and are valued community assets. It was proposed by Cllr. David Rockey to support this proposal. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

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g) Kingswood Parish Council GAPTC to take up the issue of Gloucestershire County Highways not commenting on any planning application which has 5 or less dwellings. NOTE: In GCC’s Standing Advice – Technical Note, it qualifies ‘5 dwellings or less’ with “and a) the application site is adjacent to a class 3 highway subject to a 30 mph speed limit or lower; or b) the application site is adjacent to a class 4 highway or lower”. There are also other circumstances where GCC will comment on 5 dwellings or less, including being asked by a county council member.

No need to comment as this is a Kingswood parish proposal agreed in the June meeting.

h) Stroud Town Council Stroud Town Council calls upon GAPTC to develop support for parishes to promote active travel between towns and villages in Gloucestershire. Background: The volume of traffic on country lanes and roads between settlements makes it increasingly difficult for residents to use active travel (walking and cycling) to get in and out of the county’s towns. Active travel can provide health benefits for residents and reduce pollution and congestion. We would like GAPTC to develop a project which supports parishes to develop and deliver walking and cycling infrastructure to enable residents to use active travel. For more information please refer to: Working Together to Promote Active Travel A briefing for local authorities.

Councillors reviewed the Stroud Town Council proposal and agreed that support for parishes to promote active travel between towns and villages in Gloucestershire is important. It was proposed by Cllr. David Rockey to support this proposal. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

ii .To discuss the level of subscription for 2018/19, as required by Para 3b of the Constitution, for the Executive Committee to take into consideration when it sets the fee level in the autumn.

Councillors discussed the value of GAPTC and the cost of the current subscription. Councillors discussed the amount of increase that they thought would be acceptable. It was proposed by Cllr. David Rockey that an increase of up to 5% would be reasonable. All councillors were in favour and the matter was resolved.

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Items for Review:

15393/17 -To receive a report from the clerk in connection with the Playing field.

Councillors noted the report received from the clerk and had no comments to make.

15394/17 - To receive an update from the Clerk on Wild about Kingswood Community Areas

Councillors noted the report received from the clerk and had no comments to make.

15395/17 - To receive an update from the clerk on Highways matters.

Councillors noted the report received from the clerk and had no comments to make.

15396/17 - Councillors to review the list of decision taken in previous meetings and the progress made on achieving them.

Councillors noted the report received from the clerk and had no comments to make.

15397/17 - The Clerk to feed-back outstanding administrative issues reported to her in the last month and not covered in the meeting. Councillors to note the meeting schedule and priorities for the following month.

The clerk had nothing further to add.

Items to Note:

15398/17 - Planning Applications - Awaiting a decision by the Local Planning Authority already commented on by Kingswood Parish Council.

Land South Of The Chipping Surgery Construction of 10 no. houses with access road and a car park for 96 cars and 2 S.16/2895/FUL Symn Lane, Wotton-Under-Edge, coaches. Gloucestershire

5A Hillesley Road Kingswood, Wotton- Erection of dwelling and garage. Erection of replacementgarage for existing S.17/0077/FUL Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 house, widen driveway and entrance. Resubmission of withdrawn application 8RU S.16/2374/FUL. (Revised layout plan received 23.2.17)

Highwood Poultry Farm Wickwar Road, Retrospective application for the erection of six pairs of feed silos and for the S.17/0993/FUL Kingswood, Wotton-Under-Edge, construction of a building to house a biomass boiler and to store fuel Gloucestershire, GL12 8JU

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Discharge of conditions 3 - Play area, 4 - Management and maintenance of Road, Land At Chestnut Park, Kingswood, 7 - Speed reduction measures, 8 - Village Hall link and 9 - Levels from planning S.17/0830/DISCON Gloucestershire, permission S.16/1272/REM (Appeal: APP/C1625/W/15/3011370) for erection of up to 51 dwellings, ecological mitigation land, landscaping and associated works.

Councillors noted the above applications and had no comments to make.

Notice: The next meeting of Kingswood Parish Council will be on Monday 14th August 2017. Anybody with an item they wish to bring to the attention of the Council, should forward details, in writing, to the Clerk to the Parish Council, no later than 9am on Friday 4th August 2017.

Parish Council Members are reminded that the Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime & Disorder, Health & Safety and Human Rights

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