PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held virtually on 7th December 2020 at 7:30pm

Present: D Merrett (Chairman), J Shaw, N Rowntree, K Withers, S Whittle, D Turner, J Burcher, County Cllr Davies, District Cllr Jones and S Burton (Clerk).

01-099/20 Parishioner’s Forum – None.

02-100/20 Apologies – County Cllr Davies will be along later after Hardwicke’s Parish meeting.

In line with Councillor responsibilities and protocol all councillors are reminded that in order for apologies to be accepted by council they need to advise the clerk giving a valid reason for non- attendance prior to the meeting.

03-101/20 Declaration of Member’s Interest Cllr Burcher declared an interest in the planning application for The Paddock, High Street and Cllr Turner declared an interest in the planning applications for Slowwe House, Silver Street.

04-102/20 Minutes of Meeting The minutes of the meetings held on 2nd and 13th November 2020 were agreed and will be signed outside of the meeting.

05-103/20 Planning Matters 5.1 New Planning Applications Cllr Shaw proposed that Cllr Turner leave the meeting and be invited back when the application for Slowwe House was complete. Cllr Merrett seconded this and the vote was unanimous. Cllr Turner left the meeting.

S.20/2384/HHOLD – Slowwe House, Silver Street – Change position of garage, rotate 90 degrees and flip stairs. Cllr Rowntree shared the plans on his screen and the Cllrs noted a previous application from September 2019 was refused because of a material change, new gates/entranceway was mentioned and commented on the new application moving the garage further away from the trees. Cllr Rowntree proposed support on the basis of re- orientation of the garage and if there is no adverse impact on the surrounding trees. Cllr Shaw seconded this and all Cllrs were in favour.

S.20/2382/FUL – Slowwe House, Silver Street – Erection of safari style tent to house the client and his family due to a house fire. Cllr Rowntree shared the plans on his screen and the Cllrs discussed the location of the building, scale and the environment agency/flood risk assessment. Cllr Merrett proposed to not support as the building is outside of the development boundary and wished to make a comment that the building should remain temporary with a 12-month time limit for refurbishments to the main house. Cllr Burcher seconded this and all Cllrs were in favour.

Cllr Turner was invited back into the meeting.

31

ARLINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

5.2 Any other Planning and Applications S.20/2584/TCA – St Augustine’s – Fell and remove pear tree. S.20/2548/TCA – The Paddock, High Street – Fell Cypress tree. Cllrs have no objections to either of these applications. 5.3 SDC Planning Decisions – None.

06-104/20 Additional Housing Options Consultation for SDC Cllrs noted that reserve housing at could be a significant issue in terms of input of local infrastructure including roads/traffic management, drainage, schooling etc. The proposal was also considered to be far too premature given the recent nearby significant new housing development at Eastington and the Forest Green Rovers stadium scheme. This all needs to be completed and impacts addressed prior to further rapid expansion in adjacent areas. The focus of new development in the M5 to Stroud corridor/valley was considered to be disproportionate and unduly affecting the character of the area and a dispersed approach was preferred. Cllr Shaw proposed objection, Cllr Withers seconded this with 4 other Cllrs in agreement with one abstention.

07-105/20 Arlingham Roads Cllr Turner gave the Cllrs information he has gathered regarding possible gates on the entrance to the village. He explained the material he has a quote for is Everwood (solid plastic that looks like painted wood) and the same company that supply the fences can also make a sign for them if required. The cost for these is between £1,130 and £1,190 + VAT for a pair (depending on the height) and the price does not include installation. Although Cllr Merrett mentioned that when he had a meeting with County Highways regarding this, they would install the gates if they met their requirements and a villager has offered to make and donate a suitable sign.

Cllr Merrett contacted a company to obtain a quote for a solar panel/battery powered smiley face speed device and this was just under £2,000. Cllrs were reminded that something like this cannot be mounted on a County Highway verge unless it meets their criteria for a Speed Indicator Device and that they can lose their effectiveness over time if they are permanent. It is better to have three separate positions for something like this and continually move it. It was noted that they are a good visual, but is it characteristic for Arlingham Village?

The Cllrs will gather more information and consult the village in the new year.

08-106/20 Frampton Cricket Club Changing Room Donation Request Cllr Merrett confirmed that after speaking with the Cricket Club they are most of the way forward with their fundraising and the work itself is well underway. On asked if the Parish Council were willing to donate funds, they Cllrs discussed this and Cllr Merrett proposed to say as we are looking into more pressing things like speed controlling for the Parish of Arlingham, we have no available funds, but would encourage our parishioners to play cricket and support this local club. All Cllrs were in favour.

09-107/20 CCTV Consultation Review Cllr Merrett shared his screen to show the Cllrs the responses received from the consultation in the Parish Newsletter. Cllrs discussed these; noting that the majority of responses are for the idea. Cllr Withers proposed that the next step be to look into funding options and a possible avenue for this is

32

ARLINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL the Police and Crime Commissioners funds for road safety. Cllr Shaw seconded this and 4 other Cllrs were in favour.

10-108/20 Financial Matters 10.1 Payments to make Clerks wages (Oct-Dec) £362.50 Grass/footpath maintenance £420.00 Cllr Burcher proposed both be paid, Cllr Withers seconded this and the Cllrs were all in favour. 10.2 Financial Update Cllr Rowntree confirmed that each 365 licence is £3.80 + VAT a month per mailbox. 10.3 Financial Other The 2021/22 Budget was tabled and subject to the inflationary figures for the verge cutting being checked for accuracy Cllr Merrett proposed this budget be adopted. All Cllrs were in favour.

11-109/20 Correspondence Cllrs Merrett and Rowntree attended a meeting recently regarding the Nurseries site and the potential for developing the site. They explained that the planners have no big ideas as yet and are keen to discuss potential options with the local parishes. Fretherne with Saul have been consulted and Arlingham would be happy to comment when the time is right and when any plans are received.

Clerk bought to the attention of the Cllrs an email from Council asking for a voluntary contribution for emptying the dog waste bin. The Parish Council would like to decline.

12-110/20 Action Log 12.1 TPO for Lyme Trees - County Cllr Davies offered an update on the TPO for the Lyme Trees. Stroud District Council confirmed that they only place TPOs on trees when they are under threat and Highways have confirmed they have no plans to do anything in the near future, but he will pursue SDC on our behalf. Cllr Turner noted that one of the trees has a blue dot on it, but no one was clear what this signifies. 12.2 Footpaths – gates being tied up – Cllr Rowntree will look into this. The question was asked as to whether we know when the path to Hock Cliff is going to be gravelled? 12.3 Old School House – greenery encroaching on the road – Clerk and Cllr Merrett will progress.

13-111/20 County Councillor’s Report County Cllr Davies communicated the following: • The Ofsted visit has been put off until Spring/Summer of 2021, but an interim assessment gave compliments for Children’s Services and noted improvements have been made. • No schools update as waiting on the Local Plan. • The admissions criteria is still in progress and a new contact is being sought at County. Questions welcomed…. Cllrs made comment about the new entrance by Frombridge Garage and were told this is being monitored.

33

ARLINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

14-112/20 District Councillor’s Report District Cllr Jones communicated the following: Most SDC staff are still working from home. It’s mainly the senior Customer Services staff that are going in to work at the Mill.

Because of increasing numbers of telecommunications masts coming forward, guidance has been issued as to how the applications can be determined, and T & PTCs have been circulated with this. Provided they are not over 20 metres high in protected areas such as AONB or Conservation Areas, 20 metres on a roadside, but 25 metres elsewhere, they are not classed as full planning applications, only prior notifications of planned permitted development. The timescale is 56 days to consider siting and appearance, if the 56-day timescale is not met, then approval is automatically given. Observations about siting and appearance when made by representations will be taken into account by planning officers but health concerns over such things as 3, 4 and 5G are not planning matters.

There are likely to be more notifications coming forward as the technology is rolled out. The outbreak of bird ‘flu recently identified at the WWT at Slimbridge is not thought to pose a very high risk to human health, or to have much impact on food sources. However, it is necessary to be aware of possible signs of the disease in domestic poultry to ensure proper measures can be taken, in the unlikely event of a local occurrence. Owners are urged to keep any hens or ducks and geese they may keep, housed at least while the outbreak of avian flu is still present locally.

Town & Parish Councils are being circulated the weekly briefings and updates on the COVID-19 situations now.

Questions welcomed…. Cllrs noted that 10-15 years ago the Frombridge Mill site as a tip was refused and pollution into the River Frome needs to be considered with regards to the new entrance by Frombridge Garage mentioned in the County Councillors’ Report.

15-113/20 Councillor’s Submissions Add review of the Severn Voice Meeting from November to the next agenda for discussion including the Health Service section of that meeting. Cllr Whittle has been looking into other Parish Council’s use of Social Media and will report back findings at the February Parish Council Meeting. Cllrs also mentioned drug passing at The Passage. It was noted that a parishioner may have been evidencing dates and times for this and that this information could be passed to the local PCSO for which Cllr Turner offered his assistance.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9:48pm.

34