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EBRINGTON ANNUAL PARISH MEETING MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL AT 7.00P.M. ON 15TH MAY 2017 PRESENT: Hugh Elson (parish council chairman) Lynden Stowe (GCC/CDC councillor) 9 parishioners Chris Tombs (parish clerk)

17/01 WELCOME AND REPORT FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN: Hugh Elson opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming along. A review of the work of the Parish Council: Ebrington School & the Federation: the ill founded proposal to close Ebrington School and the dreadful way it was handled provoked outrage and a very determined opposition. Our MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown chaired a meeting and as a result of the evidence presented, instructed the Governors to stop the process because it was flawed. He appointed a team of experts to review the matter and report to him and the Minister. The Review team commented on the quality and extent of the 200+ submissions in favour of keeping the school open and the dignified way the supporters conducted themselves in the face of blatant injustices. There were 4 responses in favour of closing the School! The review was published 11th April 2016 and provided extensive evidence to support the conclusion that there is no reason to close Ebrington School. It shows that the parents, the communities and others were right on all counts and is utterly damning on the management of the Federation. Reports were sent to the relevant statutory authorities. Based on the review, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown specified precisely what must change. The Governors were forced to resign and a new interim governing body was appointed. The process of appointing a permanent governing body has now finally started. Communication from the Governors to Ebrington Parish Council has been non-existent and some significant issues such as marketing Ebrington School still have to be addressed. Ebrington Parents Group obtained an assurance from County Council that should Ebrington be considered for closure it would have to be treated as a 'school' not a 'site'. This undertaking was given by Jo Grills, Director of Education who was fully briefed on the legal situation by the GCC legal team and had carefully considered the 2016 review and counsel’s advice obtained by the Ebrington Parents Group. This stated the unambiguous formal undertakings given in 1981 and subsequently, together with the management of the schools since have resulted in ‘a legitimate expectation' by parents and community that though legally one school, St James and Ebrington are treated wherever practically possible as individual schools within their respective communities. We now have to look to the future and work positively with the staff and whoever is on the Governing body. It is the staff who make a school and they are to be thanked for achieving a ‘good’ Ofsted rating and for continued high standards, despite what has happened. On behalf of the Parish Council I would also like to thank our County Councillor Lynden Stowe, our District Councillor Sue Jepson, Caroline Warren, Jacqueline Stiles and the Ebrington Parents Group, Peter Ellis and the Residents’ Association, Daphne Law, Claire Alexander and the Ebrington Arms, my fellow Parish Councillors and the community. Let us use the goodwill, commitment, enthusiasm and expertise in the community to work together positively for the future of our wonderful school and the Federation. Defibrillator: The defibrillator has been operational and thanks are due to Tony Boyse, Peter Ellis and Judith Style. The defibrillator was purchased using public money and generous donations from parishioners. We have recently been informed that if a patient is more than 200m from the phone box the 999 operator will not give out the code to release the machine. A limited coverage like this was never disclosed before the purchase was agreed. Various options to ensure coverage of the whole parish are under investigation. Parish Website: www.ebringtonparish.org.uk It contains a great deal of useful information such as contact details for public services. There is a need for further development and updating, particularly regarding community EPC minutes APM 2017-05-15 2 organisations. Cllr Tony Boyse has asked to be relieved of this responsibility because of his other commitments in the parish such as responsibility for planning and the defibrillator for the Parish Council, the Gardening Club, the Boundary Stones etc. Volunteers would be very welcome. Parking: This is still a serious problem through Ebrington village. The village is picking up the consequences of too much development with too little car parking provision. The Elm Grove developer was trying to do the same again in his outline planning application. However, we had a very positive public meeting with the developer’s agent and the request for more parking was well received. The white lines have had some effect but need repainting again. Speeding: This is a continuing problem, especially in Station Road. The Parish Council has not found any practical solutions and no practical ideas have been put forward by anyone. Highways: The number of concerns has increased to 11 from a low of 6 and the following have been completed: 1. Signpost under the oaks: a Parish Councillor replaced the post. 2. Hidcote Boyce blocked culvert: unblocked 3. Kerb stones, village street: re-set. 4. Dog Lane/B4035: visibility improved. 5. White line repainting: few done, many more to do with the improved material. 6. Tankard’s Hill verges: nearly completed, a bit more to do. 7. Loose stones, school – Hidcote Road: some done, more to do plus wall needs some rebuilding. 8. Water outside Coldicott Leys: significant reduction achieved, bit more to do. 9. Pot holes: the roads are inspected by Highways and Parish Councillors and pot holes are repaired on a regular basis. Many have been repaired but still many remain. Ex- tensive resurfacing has been included in the Parish Council’s ‘Wish List’. The 3 Oaks: No further action has been taken on replacing the felled oak. The Parish Council resolved to delay a decision. This year’s inspection will take place shortly. Neighbourhood Development Plan: The Parish Council resolved to produce a Neighbourhood Development Plan which might enable parishioners to have some say on how the parish will develop up to 2031. This has to be in accord with Council’s Local Plan which is currently evolving and may give us some protection as it states that development should be in 17 sustainable settlements such as Moreton, , and Blockley etc. Ebrington is categorized as an unsustainable settlement. Joseph Walker, Community Partnerships Officer at CDC, addressed our meeting in January and answered questions from councillors and parishioners. There is a reluctance to proceed with a Neighbourhood Plan because of the requirement to identify fields in the AONB which the community would sacrifice to housing development of a type for which there is no housing need in the parish. Elm Grove, a Rural Exception site reserved to meet the affordable housing needs of the parish, was given permission in 2014 for nearly 80% of the site to be open market housing beyond the reach of most locals. As a speaker at a previous meeting told the Parish Council ‘Make no mistake a Neighbourhood Development Plan is all about development’. The local community is reluctant to facilitate the ruination of our beautiful and unique villages, with their conservation areas set in this splendid Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, for the benefit of developers. As this has not been resolved, no progress has been made this year. The Parish Council responded to the draft Cotswold District Local Plan. Our response can be seen on CDC’s website. CDC’s Local Plan has been delayed again, until later in 2017.

EPC minutes APM 2017-05-15 3 Planning: Ebrington Parish Council tries to fulfil its legal duty to conserve and enhance the conservation areas and the AONB, meet the housing needs of the community and getting the best outcome when commenting on planning applications. We try to have site visits, as we find them a great help in making decisions. Outline planning permission for Elm Grove with a new access road on to the village street was granted in December 2015. In the past year there has been no indication of when the detailed planning application will be submitted or when the development will take place. We have reminded the developers of their responsibilities to neighbours concerning the weeds and the state of the land but nothing has been done. Ambulance Response Times: The NHS and SW Ambulance Trust have failed to get anywhere near ambulance response time targets. Lynden Stowe’s long campaign, which has involved our MP Geoffrey Clifton- Brown, has had some success but the response times are nowhere near what is required. Thank you on behalf of the Parish Council to: our MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown for his speedy and authoritative response to the proposed School closure, for his action and for his tremendous support. Lynden Stowe and Sue Jepson for advice and support during the year and their efforts on our behalf. Chris Tombs our Parish Clerk on whom we depend so heavily. June Satterthwaite for all the work she does for the Village Hall. Peter Ellis Chairman of Ebrington Residents Association who has worked closely with us. Daphne Law for last minute communication with the parishioners. Peter Banton for doing the internal audit and the Hedgehog bus. The Broadband Campaign Team especially John Vallance. The Parish Council’s appointees on other organisations such as Neighbourhood Watch etc. All those who run the voluntary organisations in Ebrington that make it such a vibrant village. The chairman closed by giving his personal thanks to Margaret Fisher for her help and support as vice-chairman and the other Councillors who give up their time to do so much for the parish and for their support. 17/02 APOLOGIES OF ABSENCE: apologies of absence were received from Tony Boyse and Peter Drinkwater. 17/03 CONFIRM MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16.05.16: minutes of this meeting were before the meeting and were agreed as a true record and signed by the chairman. 17/04 REPORT FROM THE LOCAL POLICE: the clerk reported not receiving a report. Some information is available for this area of the north based on by visiting https://www.police.uk/gloucestershire/ 17/05 REPORT FROM THE COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR: Lynden Stowe reported that the GCC council tax element has risen this year by 3.99% of which 2% of this increase is ring fenced for adult social care. Lynden Stowe said that this expenditure should really come from central government. The highways budget has been set at £9m but this has been overtaken by a government grant of £150m over 5 year, the aim being to reduce the £80m backlog of highway repairs to £40m over the next 4 years. There is no move towards repairing the churchyard footpath; the question of ownership needs to be resolved apparently Lynden Stowe promised to give a report on progress to make available high speed broadband in the parish. LS An ambulance is now based in Moreton-in-Marsh. 40% of ambulance call outs result in hospitalisation of the victim. Grants are available to contribute towards the cost of additional defibrillators; young people’s project fund and money to commemorate the ending of WW1. The CDC local plan is presently with the secretary of state and might be published in 6 to 18 months time. The chairman thanked Lynden Stowe for his report.

EPC minutes APM 2017-05-15 4 17/06 REPORTS FROM THE VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS IN THE PARISH: EBRINGTON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION: In keeping with the Residents Association’s aims a channel of communication between the residents and the parish council is maintained, supporting and cooperating with it on parish matters. We also make an effort to increase our list of email contacts in order to inform as many residents as possible on matters of significance as they arise and also to seek their views. In support of these aims the ERA:  attends meetings of the parish council and values the opportunity to speak  continues to help checking the defibrillator with the support of Tony Boyse  circulates messages to residents with information about forthcoming events of note in the parish  organises the Grand Raffle at the Ebrington Village Fete  publicises the Gloucestershire County Council initiative on an energy switching scheme  is usually at the monthly coffee mornings in the Village Hall making new residents aware of the ERA and also the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme coordinated by committee member Judith Styles  provides new residents with the White Pages which is directory of local services, maps and other information about the parish  contributes to the upkeep of the parish website. A recent initiative has been for a small sub group to research possible ways of achieving faster broadband within the parish. To this end a speed checking survey has been circulated whilst exploring an alternative source to BT, possibly using Gigaclear who has gained the contract for rolling out the Fastershire scheme for Gloucestershire County Council. EBRINGTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: As a commemoration of the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, Ebrington WI took part in the ‘Clean for the Queen’ campaign, picking up rubbish from around the parish, wearing ‘hi-vis’ jackets and using equipment supplied by Cotswold District Council. The Village Hall, school and the Three Oaks were also ‘yarn bombed’ with knitted bunting and pompoms. In August the WI members provided refreshments at the Village Hall as a feed station for several hundred hungry cyclists taking part in the Great Shakespeare Ride in aid of the Shakespeare Hospice. Later in the year the special local postal collection and delivery of Christmas cards throughout the parish was carried out, in aid of Campden Home Nursing and a youth project. The above activities were in addition to the full programme of monthly meetings with many inspiring speakers as well as supporting other village events which included:  taking part in July in a Victorian Day to celebrate Ebrington School’s 175th anniversary  Ebrington Fete including in 2016 experiencing the focus of Channel 4’s filming in the village for Penelope Keith’s series Hidden Villages  Supporting Margaret Fisher and Pearl Mitchell in March with their excellent and very successful series of slide shows entitled ‘Captured on Camera’ in Ebrington and the Foxcote area  helping with the monthly community lunch at the Village Hall  the sewing group which among other projects has been embroidering flower motifs on church pew cushions in memory of Sally Sabin. As always there is plenty more for the year ahead. The chairman thanked Daphne Law for these two reports. HEDGEHOG BUS SERVICE: The three Hedgehog Buses, operated by volunteer drivers, each with an accredited MiDAS qualification, carried nearly 9,000 return passengers on our service journeys last year to Stratford, Evesham, Moreton and intermediate destinations. In addition a similar number of passengers used our very well utilised Private Hire service. We run from Ebrington to Stratford at around 0940 on Wednesday and Saturday mornings (stopping at Ebrington Road, Hidcote Boyce, the Village Hall, New Road and Church Close) and to Moreton on Friday morning (stopping at Hidcote Boyce, the village hall, New Road

EPC minutes APM 2017-05-15 5 and the Ebrington Arms). Passenger take-up from Ebrington remains quite buoyant, with as many as 8 a day travelling to Stratford, but much less support for the Moreton service. We accept national Bus Passes which allow free travel; alternatively competitive single fares are available. We would ask for the parish council’s and the village’s continued support in promoting the use of this unique community service. Peter Banton PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL: St. Eadburgha’s church has again had a busy year, and the Parochial Church Council met on a number of occasions. Our church services are regularly timed at 09:30 every Sunday, with a range of services throughout the month to appeal to different preferences – 1st Sunday is a family oriented relatively informal Morning Praise, whilst the 2nd & 4th Sundays are Communion Services, with the 3rd Sunday a much quieter Morning Prayer. Any 5th Sunday has a combined service, at either Ebrington, Mickleton or Campden, in rotation. The poor state of repair of the public right of way through the churchyard continues to cause concern; we have met recently with Cllr Lyndon Stowe and are presently compiling ‘pathway usage figures’, which he believes would be of use in developing a ‘business case’ for funding from the County Council. The church looks forward to remaining as one of the centres of the village community in the year with a range of Worship, Social and Fundraising events. The Church is open daily for Prayer and Reflection. Peter Banton BROADBAND IN EBRINGTON: John Vallance who has been researching ways to improve the service in the parish reported that Ebrington being in the 5% of hard to reach communities will have to use government funding via Gigaclear. Using Gigaclear means fibre optic will be brought to each household whereas with BT fibre will be brought to the cabinet by the Ebrington Arms, meaning a poorer service as a whole. A survey of broadband speeds presently achieved ranged from 0.1Mbs to 12Mbs with an average of 3Mbs. To connect up the village will take 18 months and perhaps £20k. Grants are available but it is expected that local money will need to be found. To reach the whole of the parish the cost might be £170k. Residents were asked to register their interest with Gigaclear in order for the company to assess the interest in the community. The chairman thanked John Vallance for his report. 16/07 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: there were none. 16/08 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: it was agreed that the suggested date of 21st May 2018 would be acceptable. 16/09 ANY OTHER BUSINESS: there was none. There being no other business the chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.05p.m.

Signed……………………………………………………Date…………………………….

EPC minutes APM 2017-05-15