Newland Parish Council meeting – 23 February 2021 Minutes 5406– 5428
NEWLAND PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD VIRTUALLY ON 23rd FEBRUARY 2021 AT 1900
[These minutes remain in draft form until approved at a subsequent meeting of the Council]
PRESENT
Cllrs McMahon (Chairman), Evans, Henson, Kemp, Thomas (from 19:44), Wheeler & Wright. County Cllr Molyneux, 1 member of the public. Mr Crighton (Clerk),
5406 APOLOGIES
Cllrs Collins, Purvis
5407 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None
5408 DISPENSATION REQUESTS None
5409 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING HELD 26 JANUARY 2021
It was resolved to accept the minutes as a true record and arrangements would be made for them to be signed by the Chairman.
5410 CLERK’S REPORTS
5410.1 Following the Government’s announcement of the planned relaxation of COVID restrictions the Clerk suggested that the earliest possible date for the resumption of physical meetings was 17 May, but this would depend on advice from NALC and any change by the Government to the proposed timetable. 5410.2 It was reported that, contrary to advice from GCC, the Council’s complaint against them could not be escalated to the Local Government Ombudsman; the matter was therefore considered closed. 5410.3 It was confirmed that regular 6 monthly meetings of the Clearwell Quarry Liaison Group would recommence of 24 February at 15:00. Cllr Kemp was appointed to the group. 5410.4 It was reported that here was an issue with dog fouling in Clearwell. The FODDC Street Wardens had painted ‘pick it up’ stencils on the footways and it appeared, at this early stage, that was having an effect. The Clerk was asked to cost the replacement of all the dog signs in the village (approx.16)
5411 MATTERS ARISING
5411.1 re minute 5397 - it was reported that the historic information regarding Newland flooding had been sent to County Cllr Molyneux. 5411.2 re minute 5398 – it was reported that the Environment Agency were investigated the suspected pollution of the Valley Brook 5411.3 re minute 5402 – It was agreed to invite Ben Hillary to council meetings quarterly once physical meetings resumed.
5412 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR PATRICK MOLYNEUX
Cllr Molyneux reported: • Schools returning on 8 March • GCC budget set for 2021/22 to include £1M for schools to become carbon-neutral and £2M for broadband in the Sedbury area. • Help for schools as they emerged from the COVID lockdown • A £6000 fund available for community projects
5413 REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DAVID WHEELER
Cllr Wheeler reported: • FODDC budget set for 2021/22 resulting in a small increase in Council Tax of 2.72%, made possible
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Signed, Chairman...... 30/3/2021 Newland Parish Council meeting – 23 February 2021 Minutes 5406– 5428
by generous central government COVID related funding • The creation of a reserve fund to assist those struggling with Council Tax
5414 REPORTS FROM PARISH COUNCILLORS AND COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES None
5415 PUBLIC QUESTIONS None
5416 PLANNING
5416.1 FOREST OF DEAN DISTRICT COUNCIL – APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
LPA Ref / Location Proposal Response applicant 5416.1.1 P0100/21/TCA Newland: Remove 1 Blackthorn No objection Mr P McMahon Medina 5416.1.2 P0123/21/FUL Newland: The Proposed two storey side No objection Mrs J Pritchard Rookery extension to an existing two storey semi-detached dwelling, with associated hard and soft landscaping 5416.1.3 P0300/21/TCA Clearwell: 1 Remove 1 x Ash, 2 x Thorn. No objection but subject Church Road Reduce 1 x Beech by 25% to the opinion of the Tree Officer 5416.1.4 P0331/21/TCA Clearwell: Fell 1 x Blue Cedar No objection Mrs N Page Porch House, Lower Cross
5416.2 FOREST OF DEAN DISTRICT COUNCIL – DECISIONS NOTIFIED:
LPA Ref Location Proposal Decision 5416.2.1 P1990/20/FUL Clearwell: 4 Replacement of metal gate Permitted 27/1/21 – 2 Lower Cross with a wooden gate and new conditions fence panel (Retrospective) 5416.2.2 P2113/20TPO Redbook: Removal of 13 x Birch trees, Permitted 8/2/21 - 2 Brocote coppice 2 x Willow trees, conditions House, removal of 7 x Sycamore trees, Tinmans pollard crown of 2 x Sycamore Green trees, coppice 8 x Hazel trees
5416.3 PLANNING INSPECTORATE – APPEAL DECISION
Appeal Ref Location Appeal grounds Decision 5416.3.1 3230582 & Clearwell: Appeal against Enforcement Appeal upheld and 3230583 Platwell Notice issued by FODDC permission granted for the House alleging breach of planning two vehicular accesses; control over the construction of appeal dismissed and two vehicular accesses and the permission refused for the creation of a driveway on the driveway land.
5416.4 FOREST OF DEAN DISTRICT COUNCIL – LICENCE APPLICATION RECEIVED
LPA Ref / applicant Location Proposal Response 5416.4.1 F/21/00053/PRMV Clearwell: Application to vary a Strong support for Mrs H Fell Tudor premises licence (by adding proposal. Farmhouse off-premises sales) Hotel
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Signed, Chairman...... 30/3/2021 Newland Parish Council meeting – 23 February 2021 Minutes 5406– 5428
5417 FINANCE
5417.1 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: it was resolved to pay the following accounts,to be authorised by Cllrs McMahon & Henson:
BACS Payee Purpose Amount VAT Payment ref (authority: Localism Act 2011 s.1) value 20/073 Forest Equipment Services Ltd Dog waste collection 6/11/20-29/1/21 198.24 39.62 237.86 20/074 B Hillary Handyman 17/1/21-3/2/21 70.80 70.80 TOTALS 269.04 39.62 308.66
5417.2 INCOME RECEIVED TO DATE: £32842.57 (increase – VAT refund £1223.11)
[Cllr Thomas joined the meeting at 19:44]
5417.3 GRANTS
The application by Friends of Newland Church for £1000 towards the cost of Audio Visual equipment was re-assessed following the supply of further information. It was resolved to award £1000, to be paid on receipt of confirmation that all other funding was secured.
5417.4 INTERNAL AUDIT 2020/21
It was reported that the audit was under way.
5418 HIGHWAYS
5418.1 SALT AND GRIT SUPPLIES
It was reported that Gloucester Highways contact the council in the autumn to ascertain the salt requirements and where they were to be delivered and stored. A Newland location would need to be identified.
5418.2 GRIT BINS
It was reported that the current bins were generally in a poor condition and not weather-proof. Consideration would be given to replacing them
5418.3 VILLAGE GATEWAYS – no progress
5418.4 BURIAL PATH – no progress
5418.5 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC LIGHTS – A466 WYESHAM
It was reported that these had been re-installed; the Clerk was asked to contact Monmouthshire Highways to see how long they would be there.
5418.6 VEHICLE ACTIVATED SIGNS
It was reported that the issue of the missing VAS poles in Clearwell and Redbrook was with Gloucestershire Highways for resolution.
5419 QUARRYING
It was reported that excessive quantities of water were running from Stowfield Quarry towards Cherry Orchard. The meeting was advised that the quarry owner has now obtained the necessary licences to fell trees to undertake works to the holding ponds; this should alleviate the problem.
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Signed, Chairman...... 30/3/2021 Newland Parish Council meeting – 23 February 2021 Minutes 5406– 5428
5420 CLIMATE ACTION WORKING GROUP
Cllr Collins had sent a summary of the conclusions of the last meeting of the Working Group which identified the following projects:
1. Information bank, 2. tree planting, 3. repair / reuse / recycle hub, 4. community shop / exchange and 5. local growing opportunities eg allotment, orchard. Individual members of the group had been tasked to research each idea.
5421 HOLIDAY / SECOND HOMES
It was established that there were 10 such properties in Clearwell and 11 in Newland; probably very few in Redbrook (no count done). Whilst it was agreed that an increase in these properties could be detrimental to community life, the viability of schools etc and inflate property prices, holiday homes did encourage tourism. It was felt there was little that could be done except to make FODDC planning officers aware of the Parish Council’s concerns
5422 POLLING STATION
It was reported that there was a desire to have Newland Village Room redesignated as a polling station. FODDC had advised that a review of these would be undertaken in 2022 with the public to be invited to comment.
5423 PROJECTS
It was agreed that these would remain deferred during the COVID restrictions:
5424 CORRESPONDENCE
5424.1 Wye Valley AONB re undergrounding of power lines. [Members and public to identify lines suitable] 5424.2 Forest Voluntary Action Forum: Digibus [possible liaison with other councils] 5424.3 Forestry England: seeking interest in Wildlife group to work on Clearwell Meend [Members and public interested to contact Tamsin Sagar – Email: [email protected]] 5424.4 Clearwell resident: Clearwell litter pick group. [Agreed there is no need for Parish Council involvement other than to supply equipment: pickers, bags, hi-viz vests etc][ 5424.5 Puzzlewood: sheep decimating the area. [Advised to impound animals and contact Commoners Association]
5425 MINOR MATTERS
5425.1 Two trees reported fallen along Bream Avenue – Clerk to advise Gloucestershire Highways 5425.2 It was reported that the land on the north side of the stream at Clearwell Recreation ground has been sold and the purchasers planting 1000 trees and with plans to develop a community there.
5426 PUBLIC COMMENT None
5427 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Feb – start preparations for Annual Parish Meeting (18 May - provisionally) Feb – grit bins and supplies Feb – Rights of Way review 2026 May? – when COVID restrictions lifted - Projects
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Signed, Chairman...... 30/3/2021 Newland Parish Council meeting – 23 February 2021 Minutes 5406– 5428
5428 DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
Date* Time Meeting 30 Mar 1900 Monthly Council Meeting 6 Apr 1900 Continuation of previous meeting (if required) 27 Apr 1900 Monthly Council Meeting Venues. 4 May 1900 Continuation of previous meeting (if required) 18 May 1900 Annual Parish Meeting Until COVID restrictions 25 May 1900 Annual Council Meeting are lifted all meetings 13 Apr 1900 Annual Parish Meeting will be virtual. 1 Jun 1900 Continuation of previous meeting (if required) 29 Jun 1900 Monthly Council Meeting The earliest possible date 6 Jul 1900 Continuation of previous meeting (if required) for a return to physical meetings is May 17, thus 27 Jul 1900 Monthly Council Meeting it may be possible for the 3 Aug 1900 Continuation of previous meeting (if required) Annual Parish Meeting on 28 Sep 1900 Monthly Council Meeting May 18 to be the first 5 Oct 1900 Continuation of previous meeting (if required) return to physical 26 Oct 1900 Monthly Council Meeting meetings. 2 Nov 1900 Continuation of previous meeting (if required) 30 Nov 1900 Monthly Council Meeting 7 Dec 1900 Continuation of previous meeting (if required)
* Last date for submission of: • agenda items – 8 days before meeting (Monday of previous week) • written reports – 5 days before meeting (Thursday of previous week) • written dispensation requests – 3 days before meeting (Friday of previous week)
Rota for undertaking in-house checks prior to these meetings, please arrive by 1830. If meetings remain virtual these checks will be undertaken in the week prior to the meeting, virtually.
2021 27 Apr: Cllrs Wheeler & Collins 27 Jul: Cllrs Evans & Kemp 30 Nov: Cllrs Henson & McMahon
The meeting closed at 20:35. .
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Signed, Chairman...... 30/3/2021