Minutes March 2021

cpc-clerk

2021/06

Minutes from a meeting of Cropthorne Parish Council held on Monday 1st March 2021 at 7pm Conducted via Zoom

  1. PRESENT:

Chairman B Annis Cllr M Rowell Cllr J King Cllr R Segar County Cllr E Eyre District Cllr T Rowley Clerk L Yapp Mr C Hall – applicant for Co-Option

  1. APOLOGIES – Cllrs Smythe and Clive
  2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
  • Cllr King – Village Hall

3. CO-OPTION – Mr Hall introduced himself to the parish council and spent a few minutes detailing what he felt he could offer the parish council and past experience as a Cllr. Mr Hall was ‘moved’ to the ‘waiting room’ while the parish council discussed his application. There were no objections and a proposal was made by Cllr King, seconded Cllr Segar to appoint him as Cllr – all in favour. Mr Hall re-joined the meeting and took his seat as Cllr.

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Minutes from previous meeting were approved and signed – proposed Cllr Rowell, seconded Cllr Segar – all in favour.
  2. PARISHIONERS QUESTION TIME – There were no parishioners in attendance, but the clerk reported on a phone call she had received from a parishioner regarding the problem with a seemingly natural spring at the top of Church Leys. This is also a problem for Charlton with surface water at the bottom of Church Leys. The LM had carried out some remedial work as a temporary measure. Cllr Eyre reported that there were too many springs in the road and there was little that could be done but would look at the possibility of a permanent warning sign.
  3. PLANNING/ENFORCEMENTS:
  • Kimberleys Field / Sites B4084 – Cllr Rowley clarified that there was permission for five caravans.
  • 20/02133 – Severn Acres, Main Road – 2 x new gypsy plots – approved by WDC

Cllr Rowley reported that he had obtained the plans for the Severn Acres site and advised that there was a condition in place which stipulates the names of the families that can use the site. Complications for the site date back to 2006 when the temporary site was granted approval to become permanent. Cllr Annis raised concerns over previously large, grassed areas which have now been replaced with hardstanding and that this should have required planning approval. With regard Evergreen, Cllr Annis reported on an additional access and a large tarmac area. Cllr Rowley would investigate this and any other reported activity at both sites.

With regard the five-year supply for the provision of traveller site, Cllr Rowley reported that Wychavon have now accomplished this which would relieve any pressure put upon Cropthorne to provide more plots. In response to the Traveller / Travelling Show People consultation, expected 10th May, Cllr Rowley suggested that the parish council refers to the two sites that have been consented and that there should be no further pitches granted in the Cropthorne area because it would unnecessarily impact on the settled community.

  • 20/02694 – Land at (OS 9944 4479), Brook Lane – application for Permission in Principal for a self-build dwelling – awaiting decision by WDC
  • Sidings Lane, Charlton – Cllr Rowley referred to the forthcoming bridge re-furbishment by Network Rail – building a new haul road, linking up with Sidings Lane and the new compound near the railway bridge (just in Cropthorne parish). Charlton, Cropthorne and Fladbury will all be affected. There was a recent Zoom meeting with representatives of the three parish councils, Network Rail and two residents of Sidings Lane – there will now be some liaison measures put in place for the duration of the refurbishment works due to the impact on the villages with getting materials into the site. This could result in several hundred vehicle movements, and in the main would affect Charlton, but would also impact on either Cropthorne or Fladbury – exact routes to Charlton are still trying to be established and will be reported back to the parish council as soon as known. It was agreed that WCC should be involved, and Cllr Eyre requested the notes from the Zoom meeting.

2021/07

  1. VILLAGE HALL – Cllr King reported that she would be staying on the VH Committee as a Trustee, but had stepped down as Chairman.
  2. HIGHWAY / FLOODING MATTERS:
  • Field Barn Lane Junction with B4084 – The hedge had now been cut back by the adjacent property owner, but the parish council were receiving reports that visibility was still restricted. Cllr Eyre would assess the situation and report back.
  • Flooding Brook Lane – Cllr Annis had been to see residents at the bottom of Brook Lane, and a discussion had taken place as to whether a ‘bund’ in the orchard opposite would help. It was felt that this would more than likely create more problems and that the main issue was down to the sheer volume of water channelled through the now much large culvert on the B4084. The communication from the residents following the site meeting would be forwarded to Cllr Eyre.
  • Baldwins Bank – a request had been made for some clearance of the overgrowth at Baldwins Bank. It was considered that it would be good days work, and a proposal put by Cllr King, seconded by Cllr Segar that we allocated £120 to pay someone 10 hours @ £12 per hour. This was approved

10. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT – Cllr Eyre reported:

  • Station Road, Fladbury would be closed for 2-3 days for footway works.
  • Neigh Lane Footway – there are no funds available for footways in the next financial year but she would be looking into other options for funding.
  • Church Leys – a permanent sign has been requested for the top of Church Leys warning of ice on the highway (due to the natural spring)
  • Footpath CQ525 – a proposal to close the footpath to allow for works to be carried out on the railway bridge – the order to remain in force until such works have been completed, possibly 6 months from 5th April. Cllr Hall reported that this referred to the footpath that goes under the railway, and the underpass has partly collapsed. There is no alternative route whilst the closure is in place. This is associated with the Sidings Lane activity already covered above.
  1. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR – Cllr Rowley had contributed on discussions throughout the meeting
  2. PROGRESS REPORTS:
  3. Lengthsman – Nothing to report
  4. New Home Bonus – The application will be considered on March 8th . Both the Clerk and Cllr Rowley would attend.
  5. Community Infrastructure Levy Fund – The parish council has £6,546 of CIL funds available to spend on traffic calming options. It was agreed that a site meeting with WCC officer and Cllr Eyre when Covid restrictions are lifted to look at options
  6. Speeding – on hold during current Covid restrictions
  7. FINANCE
  8. Payments made since the last meeting/for authorisation:

SO Clerks Salary 344.00

SO Clerks Expenses 16.22

1046 VAS Sign batteries 201.00

1047 Office Expenses 33.00

1048 Lengthsman January 204.00

Cllr Rowell proposed acceptance of the accounts presented, seconded Cllr King – all in favour

The clerk reported that a VAT refund of £2,307.47 had been received

Current account balances:

(incl. unpresented cheques) £ 29,791.44 (Incl. s106 Monies / CIL)

Deposit account: £5,022.29

2021/08

  1. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – Cllrs Eyre and Rowley reported:
  • Three Counties Showground is now up and running for vaccinations
  • Second vaccinations for the over 80’s are now being rolled out
  • Business Grants are now being paid out to businesses forced to close due to restrictions
  • Wychavon is starting to see a decline in the number of cases, particularly for the over 60’s which is down to 82 per 100,000.
  • Visitors to local beauty spots, i.e. Elmley Castle (Bredon Hill) are causing problems with traffic but this is being addressed by the local authorities and the police
  1. COMMUNITY FIBRE PARTNERSHIP – Cllr Segar reported that Cropthorne’s bid has been submitted. There is a new ‘roll-out’ expected in the new financial year. Thanks were paid to Cllr Segar for his hard work on this.
  2. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS / FUTURE DISCUSSION: There were no other items for discussion
  3. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Annual Parish Meeting – 12th April at 7pm

Annual Parish Council Meeting – 10th May at 7pm