CHARFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
th
Draft Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 14 April 2015 commencing 7:30pm in the Main Hall of
Charfield Memorial Hall, Charfield.
PRESENT
Parish Councillors: Mr M Rosher (Chairman), Mrs N Newns, Mrs J Law, Mr P Patterson, Mr I Kershaw, Mr
R Rawlings, Mr I Williams and Mr M Cheskin
Clerk: Ms H Saunders
Public: None
10419/15 To note Apologies for Absence & Acceptance of Reasons
These were received from Ward Councillor John O’Neill
10420/15 Declaration of Interest in items on Agenda
Clerk declared an interest in Item 14 (min ref 10432/15) and will either leave room / refrain from comment.
10421/15 To approve Minutes
The minutes of council meeting held on 10th March 2015 were proposed by Mr Kershaw and seconded by
Mr M Cheskin and APPROVED before being signed by Chairman.
10422/15 Public Participation
None
10423/15 To note Clerks Report on Matters Arising
Clerk wanted to let council know that there were issues getting statements / copy statements from
NATWEST – so may have to defer a couple of the later items regarding the accounts.
Clerk wanted to thank all of those that had volunteered / helped out with Litter Pick. Sadly the attendance
wasn’t that great – but it was felt that there actually wasn’t as much litter as there has been in the past.
Planning Enforcement issues regarding Devils lane are really no further forward – they acknowledge that
there is an issue – and that development hasn’t been carried out in accordance with planning.
Retrospective planning was meant to be being submitted to SGC – but as of evening of 13th April it hadn’t
been.
Clerk has logged potholes as an issue – but they (like the drain clearing) don’t seem to be getting done.
10424/15 To comment on Planning Applications
Clerk apologised to those present that there were issues with SGC planning website at moment – so
possibly not able to project plans….
]
PT15/0772/F | Erection of single storey side and rear extension to include conversion of existing garage to
form additional living accommodation. | 54 Farm Lees Charfield Wotton Under Edge South Gloucestershire
GL12 8JA. After due consideration it was agreed that councillors had no issues with proposals.
PT15/1037/F | Erection of front porch | 88 Manor Lane Charfield Wotton Under Edge South Gloucestershire
GL12 8TY. After due consideration it was agreed that councillors had no issues with proposals.
PT15/1080/F | Erection of extension to existing agricultural building and erection of glasshouse. | Gray
Cottage The Drive Charfield Wotton Under Edge South Gloucestershire GL12 8HX. After due consideration
it was agreed that councillors had no issues with proposals.
PT15/1088/F | Erection of timber decking and steps to east elevation. | Gray Cottage The Drive Charfield
Wotton Under Edge South Gloucestershire GL12 8HX. After due consideration it was agreed that
councillors had no issues with proposals.
10425/15 To note Planning Decisions
14th April 2015
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PT15/0019/F | Installation of dormer windows to provide additional living accommodation and erection of
detached double garage. | Green Pastures Churchend Lane Charfield South Gloucestershire GL12 8LJ.
APPROVE WITH CONDITIONS
10426/15 Other Planning Matters
No further forward / further information regarding the inquiries / appeals.
Clerk has received information from Kingswood Parish Council regarding Environmental Impact
Assessment that is open for comment in relation to outline planning permission for more homes in the
village, one of the developers being Gladman. Clerk confirmed that S Glos Council had commented. It
was agreed that Parish Council would support Kingswood PC as they supported Charfield.
ACTION CLERK
10427/15 To receive Burial Ground Report
Nothing to report at this time.
10428/15 To receive Clean up Green up Charfield Report
No official report received – however Clerk has been informed that they are working on an ‘Open Garden’
afternoon one Sunday in June……they will be at Annual Meeting to present further.
10429/15 To receive Youth Group Report
The Youth Group Committee met on 19th March when extra staff numbers (in particular a male member of
staff) was discussed as group is going from strength to strength and it is felt that a male role model would
be beneficial and mean that more young people could also attend. It was put to the Memorial Hall
committee that on second Tuesday of month – if group wanted to use hall then this could be facilitated and
PC would use Sportsman’s Lounge. Simon will liaise with Clerk. They have got enough storage space
now and are going to help with the refreshments at Annual Meeting. The next meeting of the committee is
scheduled for 24th June 2015 at 7pm.
ACTION MC, NN, MR & CLERK
10430/15 To receive final report following meeting where village plan steering group dispanded
Minutes of this meeting had been emailed out to all members – of note was fact that remaining monies had
been allocated to various groups within the village – meaning that there were no funds left. Groups that
benefitted included CuGuC, Junior Football Team, Memorial Hall and Village Fete as well as money
towards kissing gate at Hawthorn Close. The Chairman of the group will be presenting at Annual Meeting.
It should be noted that some of the actions that group haven’t managed to achieve – are now in hands of
Parish Council – this will be looked into further in May.
ACTION CLERK
10431/15 To finalise details for Annual Parish Meeting
Clerk will bring along all refreshments – and YG will help to serve. All local groups have been invited /
informed. Clerk will bring projector, etc…can get into hall early to set up.
ACTION ALL
10432/15 To receive report / recommendation from Working Party re Clerks Pension
Clerk refrained from any comment during this item – following discussion between councillors – Clerk was
asked to minute:Clerk had passed all details regarding LGPS which is run via Avon Pension fund to Mr M Cheskin – who
had looked into it – and on reflection – it is prohibitively expensive for a small Parish Council such as
Charfield. Mr Cheskin and Mr Rosher had then looked at other schemes and shared information with
council. One of the schemes was the National Employee Savings Trust (NEST) set up by the government
when Pension Reforms were brought in. This appears to be one of the most cost effective schemes in the
long run and as such it was proposed by Mr M Cheskin and seconded by Mrs N Newns and agreed that
this would be the Pension Scheme that the Parish Council would select / join and offer to Clerk.
ACTION MC + CLERK
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1296
10433/15 To discuss and note SGC change to contract for Buy Back of Services
Clerk has read through all of the information that was sent out in 2014 and the contract that was
signed…currently in process of seeking advice from ALCA as to whether PC should pay the extra or what
was originally quoted. It is only £300 a year – but it is more principle of matter and fact that work hasn’t
been good from SGC and has led to a lot of comments from parishioners.
ACTION CLERK
10434/15 To approve changes to NATWEST Bank Account
This was to add Clerk as a signatory (although she won’t sign cheques – just so bank will deal with her), to
take signatories no longer required off, to change address for Parish Council. It was proposed by Mr M
Cheskin and seconded by Mrs J Law and agreed that resolution be passed to ……and forms were duly
signed by Chairman M Rosher and Councillor M Cheskin.
ACTION CLERK
10435/15 To receive draft figures for End of Year Accounts in preparation for Internal Audit
As Clerk explained at start of meeting – has had issues getting copy statements from NATWEST – it was
therefore agreed to DEFER this item to future meeting when all the information was to hand.
10436/15 To approve Risk Assessment – in preparation for Internal Audit
It was proposed by Mr M Cheskin and seconded by Mrs J Law and agreed to approve the Risk
Assessment. It was duly signed by Chairman M Rosher and Clerk.
10437/15 To approve Annual Governance Statement – in preparation for Internal Audit
As for the draft accounts – it was agreed to DEFER this item – until Clerk was happy that all statements
had been received and accounts had been reconciled correctly for year end.
10438/15 To note following S Glos Consultations and agree comment (if necessary)
 Staying Put Policy
 Single Equality Plan
After due consideration it was agreed that no comment directly from Parish Council was necessary –
however – should councillors wish to comment in a personal capacity they may do so.
10439/15 To note the following Correspondence – including:Most correspondence has already been covered off – a lot regarding Elections, etc. Other items include
complaint that was received regarding CEMEX that Clerk forwarded on to Ian Southcott their Community
Liaison Officer. This was from a couple of residents along Church End Lane – that live opposite St James
Church. Representatives from CEMEX have arranged to go out and visit residents and speak to them face
to face.
10440/15 To note the following Circulation Items:Noted / mailed out…..
10441/15 To receive Reports of Meetings
a) To receive report from Ward Councillor John O’Neill – none.
b) Charfield Playing Field – Play Ground Inspection Report from Clerk – KLH has repaired bridge and
roof of train. Sand was delayed coming into suppliers but will be sorted out by end of week. Posket
Bench could do with staining at some stage and there is a build-up of moss by the skate park that
Clerk will ask Kevin to sort out.
c) Charfield Village Hall Management Committee –there AGM is scheduled for 14th May 2015. They
are looking for a new Vice Chairman and Treasurer and volunteers. Meetings have been held in
last few weeks with Window suppliers – as with Ibstock grant as well as gate they are going to be
replacing some of the double glazed windows and doors. For those of you that haven’t seen
Sportsmans lounge since it has been decorated – it is worth a look….
d) Any other meeting reports – Clerk attended Town and Parish Council Forum, in next couple of
weeks there is the Quarry Liaison Meeting and Safer Stronger Meeting.
14th April 2015
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10442/15 To receive March’s accounts and approve March’s cheques for payment
Chairman checked accounts against print out from bank and it was proposed by Mr M Cheskin and
seconded by Mr P Patterson and following payments were approved prior to Chairman signing accounts.
Approval March Cheques - at April PC Meeting
Chq No
Amount £
to be paid
2593
1000.17
Clerks Salary & Travel (net)
Travel (Miles = 109 )
Broadband Connection (3 MiFi)
HMRC Q4 Payment
Memorial Hall Litter Pick and Room Hire
BT Direct Debit (4 March)
TOTAL
2593
2595
2594
dd
30.00
313.56
124.00
148.89
1616.62
10443/15 Minor Items raised by Members or for Future Agenda’s
Litter Pick seems so ill supported these days – is it worth still doing it?
Query about when new play area at Longs View is going to open – as it appears finished and yet gates are
still padlocked.
Smell from local farms….quite overpowering and repulsive.
Chairman wanted to say a massive Thank you to Mr Paul Patterson and Mr Ian Kershaw who are standing
down from Parish Council this election. Their support over years has been invaluable – they will be
missed.
Reminder about Annual Parish Meeting – May 5th at 7pm
This concluded the business of the meeting which closed at approximately 2110hrs
Chairman
12th May 2015
14th April 2015
1298