Minutes September 2020

db-clerk

2020/13

MINUTES

DEFFORD & BESFORD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Defford & Besford Parish Council held on Tuesday 15th September 2020 at 7.15pm held via Zoom

PRESENT: Chairman J Clarke Cllr R Davis (also in capacity as District Cllr)

Cllr C Wicksteed Cllr L Revell Cllr S Rees

Cllr S Harris Cllr I Spiers County Cllr A Hardman Clerk L Yapp

  1. APOLOGIES – Cllr J Harrington
  2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None declared
  3. Cllrs are reminded of the need to update their register of interests
  4. To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in items on the agenda and their nature
  5. To declare Other Disclosable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature
  6. Written requests for the council to grant a dispensation (S33 of the Localism Act 2011) are to be with the clerk at least 4 clear days prior to a meeting.

Cllrs who have declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, or Other Disclosable Interest which falls within the terms of paragraph 12(4) of the code of conduct, must leave the room for the relevant items

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME – There was no one in attendance

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR – Following the decision by Cllr Davis at the last meeting to step down as Vice Chair because of his many District Council commitments, Cllr Rees had confirmed that she would be happy to fill the position of Vice Chairman – proposed Cllr Harris, seconded Cllr Clarke – all in favour

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from meeting dated 22nd July 2020 – Acceptance proposed Cllr Revell, seconded Cllr Wicksteed – all in favour
  2. REPORTS:
  3. County Cllr Report – Cllr A Hardman reported:
  • Covid cases are on the increase
  • Care homes within the county have been closed because of the increase with increased testing of residents
  • Superfast Broadband is being offered to rural areas with grant funding available
  • Flooding – work is need in Birlingham
  1. District Cllr Report – District Cllr Davis reported:
  • Confirming with Cllr Hardman, that there has been an increase in reported Covid cases
  • A campaign to reinforce guidance is being stepped up: ‘handwashing, facemasks and distancing’
  • WDC are starting to look at 2021/22 budget
  • Zoom meetings are continuing

Cllr Clarke gave thanks to Cllr Davis for his help and support during his time a Vice Cllr. He also wanted to record thanks to WDC for the additional vehicle charging points in car parks.

  1. West Mercia Policing Team – nothing to report

2020/14

  1. FINANCE
  2. Payments for approval / made since the last meeting – a copy of the full accounts had been forwarded to Cllrs

Proposed approval of payments and accounts circulated Cllr Rees, seconded Cllr Revell

Payments were accepted and approved, proposed Cllr Wicksteed, seconded Cllr Harrington. Account balances (less unpresented cheques):

Current Account: £26,499.85

Deposit Account: £4055.64

  1. HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS
  2. Footpaths / Rights of Way – Cllr Wicksteed had nothing to report. Cllr Rees reported that the ‘dog poo’ signs had been placed at various locations but it was felt that a ‘group’ of signs would have more impact. With regard footpaths directly across fields, two landowners were not happy with losing crop space and felt that there was a need to educate walkers. One landowner was keen with this approach with the creation of new paths. It was agreed that villagers should let Cllr Rees know their views and would welcome suggestions. Paths would need to be clearly marked to keep walkers off the field and crops. It was suggested that additional signage ‘dogs welcome on leads’ would be a good idea.
  3. Street Lighting – A suggestion had been put forward by the clerk that the Community Infrastructure Levy grant we have received (£9,658.80) could be spent on spent on improving the existing street lighting in Defford. A quote had been sourced 12 months ago for £7,501. It was agreed that we look for further quotes, but in the principal the parish council supported this suggestion for use of the funds, proposed Cllr Rees, seconded Cllr Revell, all in favour.
  4. Flooding – As previously reported by Cllr Hardman in his report, flooding in Birlingham is high on WCC agenda. It was suggested that the clerk liaise with the Clerk from Birlingham Parish Council on this. Cllr Rees advised she would create a map of problem areas. Cllrs were also asked to report any areas which needed attention
  5. Lengthsman – Now back to full duties
  6. Speeding – Cllr Harris reported that is waiting to hear back from WCC with regard a site meeting to look at traffic calming options
  7. Harpley Road – Cllr Rees had received a report from a parishioner regarding overgrowth. The clerk had already asked the LM to clear this back. An issue with car parking was raised. The clerk would contact Rooftop Housing
  8. Grit Bins – located at Water Tower, Upper Street, Bluebell Lane and the Railway Bridge – Cllrs were asked to check if they needed filling and to let the clerk know

2020/15

  1. PLANNING:

a) Home Farm Housing Survey – nothing further to report due to Covid restrictions

b) Wychavon District Council – Housing Needs Survey – results have now been published on the Wychavon District Council website. There was just a 7% response received by WDC from parisioners

  1. 20/00722 – Solar Farm Development, Bourne Road – approved by WDC
  2. 20/01364 – Land adjacent to Keppel Gate – erection of 5 new dwellings – approved by WDC
  3. 20/01234 – Oak Tree Barn, Woodmancote – approved by WDC
  4. 20/00634 – St Brelades, Besford Road, Wadborough – approved by WDC
  5. 20/01131 – Oak Cottage, Woodmancote – change of roof covering – withdrawn by applicant
  6. 20/00894 – High View, Upper Street – single storey extensions – approved by WDC
  7. 20/01268 – 15 Besford Court Estate – creation of door opening – refused by WDC
  8. 20/01539 – Crabbe Tree Farm, Wadborough – approved by WDC
  9. 20/00992 – 1 Lower Drive, Besford – ground floor extension – approved by WDC
  10. OPEN SPACES
  11. Millennium Green – Cllrs Rees and Revell would source a playground catalogue with seating being a priority. Cllr Revell had reported previously that the benches were in a poor condition – this was something that was picked up on the recent playground inspection.
  12. PROJECTS
  13. Village Hall Car Park – Cllr Spiers had cut back hedge cutting and removal of weeds – thanks to him were recorded. Regarding an final works to be done at the village hall cark re drainage, it was agreed that it performs in the coming months and impending rainfall
  14. Electric Car Charging Points – Cllr Clarke asked for contact details of suppliers
  15. Repair to Church Wall – A third quote of between £25 – £26k (based on a worse case scenario) with an estimated timescale of 3 weeks. On top of this, the parish council would be responsible for the traffic management / signage. Whilst earlier in the meeting it was agreed that the use of CIL be sued for street lighting, Cllr Davis pointed out that the church wall was an urgent priority. The clerk would make enquiries of CIL money could be used for the church wall in the first instance.
  16. Phone Boxes – Despite a request being put out in the village magazine for suggestion on how to use the phone box, no-one had got back to the clerk. Cllr Rees would ask a village resident for their thoughts and also to contact the school
  17. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – There was nothing further to report other than what was previously reported by Cllrs Hardman and Davis under their ‘reports’
  18. WEBSITE – this has now been finished and well received by Cllrs. A suggestion was made that a photo of the church/es be used to fill one space on the website. Cllrs Clarke and Rees would arrange for these to be sent to the clerk
  19. CORRESPONDENCE / EMAILS had been circulated to Cllrs
  20. OTHER MATTERS FOR INFORMATION / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
  • Cllr Wicksteed reported that he would be stepping down as Cllr due to moving house out of the area

2020/16

  1. DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS – Dates for the next meeting – Wednesday 18th November at 7.15pm, to be held via Zoom (unless the current situation changes enabling meetings in person)