LONGNEY AND COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 6th January 2020

A meeting of LONGNEY AND EPNEY PARISH COUNCIL was held on Monday 6th January 2020 at Longney Church

PRESENT: Cllr. Godwin (RG) Cllr. Wingrove (GW) Cllr. Everett (LE) Cllr. Newman (BN) Cllr. Harding (RH) Clerk Nikki Leach (NL) PCSP Mike Trebble 4 residents

1. APOLOGIES:

Cllr. Dave Mossman Cllr. Gill Oxley Rachel Addinall Hena Rahman Sarah Hughes Tom Whittaker Cllr Stephen Davies

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST IN ANY MATTER ON THE AGENDA: None

3. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER MEETING: The minutes were agreed and signed as a true record of the meeting.

4. MATTERS ARISING: The money for the verge mowing has not yet been paid. Clerk to follow up with Dan Tiffney and copy Cllr. Davies and Cllr. Godwin.

Footpaths – Cllr. Newman has arranged to meet Sarah Macauley Lowe on Thursday. Thanks were passed to Johnathan Harvie who has helped Cllr. Newman with the history of this footpath. Cllr. Newman has been walking the footpaths and is compling an audit report. Cllr. Newman will arrange to get additional signs if required. Cllr. Davies has followed up regarding the footpath EMV1 which runs from Oakey Farm to Lapperditch, he has spoken to Alan Bentley the senior footpaths officer for . A meeting has been arranged with Alan, Sarah, Mr and Mrs Woodman, Mr and Mrs Lewis, Cllr Davies, Cllr Newman and Cllr Godwin on Thursday this week.

A date will be suggested in the next newsletter for a walk which residents will be invited to attend, this will be when the weather is better.

Fibreoptic broadband – no new updates, currently it seems like residents that are using Gigaclear are happy with the service.

Planning was discussed – this is recorded under item 6.

Action: Clerk to email Dan Tiffney and cc Cllr Davies and Cllr Godwin re payment for verge mowing.

Draft minutes to be finalized at the meeting on 9th March 2020

5. POLICE REPORT: PCSO Mike Trebble attended the meeting. Crime is low for the area, from the 4th June last year until 4th Jan this year there were only 2 crimes in Longney. One was a residential burglary. There are no trends to be aware of. Epney is combined with Saul, comparative figures were 11 with the majority in Saul. The following report was received from PC Addinall:

Unfortunately we do not have a representative from South Police who covers Longney for Mondays evenings meeting but I have had a look at Police incidents since your last meeting and I am pleased to reported there have be no incidents or crimes reported to us since you last met until todays date.

Questions were asked of Mike: The parish are using social media more now and sharing news regarding suspicious vehicles etc. It was asked if this was helpful to the police and if it should be encouraged. Parish reminded to use the 101 service to report incidents that are non-emergencies. In the south of the county there have been issues with eastern Europeans and scrap metal but the value has now reduced dramatically so the number of vans has reduced. In the newsletters we should encourage people to report crimes no matter how minor. The police need to be aware of all incidents, it is easy to report via the website using the 101 service. People should be encouraged that this does not waste police time.

Action: A reminder will be added to the newsletter to remind people to report crimes no matter how minor

6. PLANNING:

No new applications have been received since the last parish council meeting:

Updates since last meeting: Land in Longney application for a dwelling house – rejected. It is unclear where the planning system has left this case. In the application it was stated that the residents were living there, and if they are and should not be then enforcement should review. More clarification around the next steps from SDC should be obtained as it is not clear how this is being followed up. Cllr. Wingrove will follow up with SDC.

Hill Farm, Longney – Retrospective change of use of 2 agricultural buildings to stables and associated equipment stores and use of existing riding area for commercial use, associated access alterations – awaiting decision. This application has been pending consideration for many months now. The PC discussed whether they are required to follow up on this, it was agreed that the PC comments have been submitted and no further action should be taken. It was agreed that it is up to the applicant to chase this.

Potential planning breaches in the village have been raised by a parishioner regarding Briery Hall. This could be flagged to the planning officer as it is not clear if the developments are within current planning rules There is also another infringement within the village, there is a stable yard with a sign saying to let in Epney. When the planning permission was applied for there were concerns regarding the entrance to the field, a condition was placed on the approval to say that the land can only be used by the owner and not to be used as a business or be rented. Both of these cases will be submitted to the portal.

Enforcement cases reported: No updates received on the enforcement cases previously reported. The polytunnel used for agricultural use within Longney is still in use and no feedback has been given from SDC. Clerk to chase.

Action: Clerk to follow up regarding the new potential enforcement cases to be reported and to gain feedback on the ones already reported. Cllr. Godwin to provide the wording for the new cases.

Draft minutes to be finalized at the meeting on 9th March 2020

7. CORRESPONDENCE: A letter has been received from one of the parents regarding damage sustained to her car whilst using the school car park. The car park is used by the school parents at their own risk. The level of damage sustained to the car was discussed and it was difficult to establish the speed of the vehicle, and other external factors. The responsibility for maintaining the car park is not detailed in the agreement with Smiths Charities. The Parish Council are not obliged to maintain the car park, Cllr. Godwin has kindly done this in the past. It was suggested that the pot holes are a deterrent to people driving too fast. It was also suggested that a disclaimer notice be placed in the car park. The school and the church are given permission to use the car park. It is not a public car park. The insurance is set out in line with this. Cllr. Godwin has kindly maintained the car park for many years. Some time ago someone else intervened and did not complete the work in the same way.

Thanks were given to Jason Leach for clearing the car park recently.

Thanks were also given to Cllr. Godwin for all of his work looking after the car park to date including at the weekend. It was suggested that some of the PC funds should be used to tarmac a track through the center on the most used areas to reduce the continual maintenance required. To continue to maintain the car park properly the right kind of material needs to be used and the timing with regard to water in the holes needs to be considered. If a load of the correct planings could be purchased and placed in the corner of the car park it would make the job easier to be completed on a more regular basis. This could cost in the region of £150. The councillors agreed that this would be a good way forward. The council also discussed that the costs should be reimbursed to Cllr Godwin for his time and use of machinery. The question was raised as to whether the school should be charged for the use of the car park.

It was also suggested that the no entry signs are not being regarded and perhaps larger signs could be fitted.

It was also noted that the security fencing around the school has been extended up to the edge of the car park. Longer term the school will be under more pressure to complete the security fencing along the wall up to the car park. Before this second phase happens the school will contact the parish council to discuss this.

Action: Clerk to respond to the school parent with Cllr. Godwins input. Geoff Smith agreed to talk to the Head to provide a communication regarding the car park and its use

8. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT: None received for this meeting

Action: None

9. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT: None received for this meeting

Action: None

10. VILLAGE PLAN:

• Garden Group/Equipment: There was a request from Elmore to use the shredder. This was declined as the equipment is for use within the parish only. It was discussed again that the equipment should be used more if possible.

• Website: No new updates.

• Newsletter: No new updates. The next newsletter will be in February. Thanks again were given to Cllr. Everett.

Draft minutes to be finalized at the meeting on 9th March 2020

Action: None

11. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE: A survey regarding parish council experiences of GCC Highways has been received – Cllr. Wingrove will co-ordinate responses to this.

Flooding on the Hardwicke Road was discussed again, it has continued to flood however the ditches have been dug out and an amount of hedgerow work has been completed. Potentially some of the damage may have been due to the Gigaclear work.

There was a pothole in Epney outside of the Parish on Castle Lane, this was repaired quickly. The barriers and ditches along Castle Lane were discussed, this has been reported to Highways twice through the portal and also by email. Dan Tiffney has replied and will be looking at this as it is a significant road safety hazard. Cllr. Wingrove has advised Moreton Valence Parish Council that he has reported this.

Action: Clerk to submit the GCC Highways survey responses once they are available from Cllr. Wingrove.

12: TRAFFIC MONITORING Through the Road Safety Group there was an offer to join them and share the equipment however this is no longer available.

Severn Voice have funding from Cllr. Davies to fund 2 mobile units to share between 9 . There is a meeting later on this month to discuss this and Cllr. Godwin will be attending. There is also funding within the PC and a generous offer from a parishioner

A decision needs to be made as to whether the council want speed indicating devices, eg smiley faces or speed recording and number plate recording devices.

Cllr. Wingrove advised that auto speed watch is being trialled, this only works in daylight hours, it records speeds and number plates. They cost £300 per item and you need 2 per each road, and there would be approximately £80 running cost per year. A cost of £3000 could allow us to monitor 5 roads and cover all roads within the parish. Stroud District Road safety website show details of trials that they have performed using VAS. Cllr. Harding also researched several devices that could be used. There are various areas within the parish that appear to have challenges with speeding. Cllr. Wingrove advised people to look at the website to review the information available.

A decision needs to be made to get the right equipment as soon as possible. If we liaise with the Stroud Road Safety Group they can advise the Parish Council on the types of device that would be most effective and also the legislation around installing them. It was suggested that a list be drawn up outlining the requirements for the Parish Council, and investigate the legislation around placing devices in the parish. Cllr. Wingrove suggested there may be value to wait until after the Severn Voice meeting to understand what they are planning.

Action: Council to agree a list of questions to be discussed at the SV meeting

13. FOOTPATHS: Previously discussed.

Action: None

14. FIBRE OPTIC BROADBAND Already discussed.

Action: None

15: SEVERN VOICE

Draft minutes to be finalized at the meeting on 9th March 2020

The next meeting is in Q1 next year. Action: None

16. FINANCIAL UPDATE

Account balances: Current Account: £2868.78 Deposit Account: £1.01 32 Day Notice Account: £10,024.81 Total: £12,894.60

Invoice for review and approval – Clerks fees: £483.54, approved for payment It was suggested that the accounts be circulated twice a year and send it out with the agenda rather than completing it at every meeting. This will be completed in advance of the audit.

Action: Clerk to circulate the accounts in advance of the May meeting.

17. PARISH PRECEPT REQUEST 2020/2021 The precept figures from 2019/2020 were reviewed and discussed. The parish council agreed that the figures should remain the same for 2020/2021. Clerk to complete and submit the precept request.

Action: Clerk to submit precept request

18. CIL ANNUAL REPORT: Clerk advised the parish council that the Community Infrastructure Levy report was completed prior to December 2019 as per the guidelines. A nil report was submitted for our parish.

Action: None

19. VERGE MOWING The 2018 and 2019 payments from GCC are still outstanding as previously noted. Clerk to chase these payments and cc the Chairman and District Councillor.

Action: Clerk to chase payment from GCC

20. SOLAR FARM DEVELOPMENT: It was noted that the Parish Council had asked to be updated on the traffic management plan but no communications have been received on this to date.

Action: None

21. RISK REGISTER: Hard copies of the risk register were provided to all Parish Councillors. This is linked to the Parish Council insurance, Councillors were asked to review this and come prepared with their comments to the next meeting.

Action: Councillors to review the risk register in advance of the next meeting.

22. ELECTORS FORUM:

Action: None

23. ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION:

Action: None

Draft minutes to be finalized at the meeting on 9th March 2020

THE CHAIRMAN thanked all Councillors and residents for attending the meeting. The meeting was closed at 20.58

24. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday 9th March at 7.30pm in the Church.

Draft minutes to be finalized at the meeting on 9th March 2020