Minutes for Cropthorne Parish Council meeting held on Monday 4th March 2024
Present: Chairman B Annis, Cllr J King, Cllr W Clive, Cllr K Styan, Cllr Hall, Cllr S. Smythe.
District Cllr A. Crump, CC Cllr L. Eyre Clerk : Richard Timney
- APOLOGIES: None, DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Hall, Cllr King – VH
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES from meetingMonday 8th Jan 2024
Proposed Cllr King, Seconded Cllr Clive. Approved
- COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
Cllr Eyre reported on transport schemes for the County. The PC thanked her for improvements and extensions to the footpath along the B4084.
Cllr Crump suggested that the PC invites the local police to a meeting to discuss speeding. The PC thanked Cllr Crump for her support and quick action in the hedge destruction on Middle Lane.
- Planning
a) W/22/02540/FUL Noted approval of amended design of dwelling and garage
b) W/23/02613/RM. No comment on landscaping matters at Land North Of Blacksmiths Lane following previous approval of 4 bungalow development. Councillors want to raise a general point about the true nature of “self build” that is often used in securing planning permissions but actually turn out to be minimal input in design from a customer to a developer.
b) Ref W/ENF/24/0059) (W/23/01538/FUL). Middle Lane. Cllrs have requested a site meeting with the planning officer to illustrate the issues related to this site, particularly access, parking and hedge damage.
c) W/23/02489/LB. No comment for The Pound, Main Street, Cropthorne.
Retrospective permission for re roofing to one wing and additional structural repairs.
d) W/23/02500/CU. Support for conversion of former public house into living accommodation – 5 units. New Inn, Main Road, Cropthorne on grounds of sustainability, affordability, location.
5. HIGHWAY MATTERS (TO INCLUDE FLOODING)
a) Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and speeding signs in village. The PC await the installation of 3 posts by the County Council to take VAS at agreed spots along Main Street. When in place they will order two units from Elan City Ltd.
b) Field Barn Lane. BB at the County Council visited FBL and said that he would upgrade 2 of the passing places.
Cllrs want to investigate installing “No Footpath” signs along the lane.
c) Basil Brook Bridge. The bridge will be replaced when drier weather permits. LM will look into clearing back undergrowth in the area.
d) Brook Lane. Cllr Styan has liaised with Severn Trent and will return to the issue in the summer as the situation is still unclear. There is currently some surface water draining but also, we think, an element of water supply leakage.
e) Main Street. Report of trees leaning over road. Cllr Smythe to look at the matter.
2023/26
6. BALDWIN’S BANK – Brambles and snowberry bushes could do with early removal with a bush cutter and a further assessment made ready for the next winter for the rest of the under canopy. We will see if we can get the initial cut done before nesting season.
7. WYCHAVON RURAL and LEGACY FUND – Footpath upgrades / vh car park extension. No further action until plans are at a more advanced stage.
8. PORTRAIT OF THE KING. Not required at this time.
9. PROGRESS REPORTS / UPDATES
a) Clerk’s report: Clerk to ask County Archivist about storage of Parish records.
b) Lengthsman: Back in action since illness. Catching up on a lot of tasks.
10. FINANCE / GOVERNANCE
a)previouslycirculated to Cllrs Payments made since January 8th 2024
| PATA UK | Payroll services | 11/1/2024 | 25.80 |
| PKF LITTLEJOHN LLP | Audit fees | 11/1/2024 | 252.00 |
| HMRC | PAYE | 11/1/2024 | 113.40 |
| CLERK | salary | 29/1/2024 | 325.36 |
| TC CONTRACTING LTD | Baldwins Bank tree works | 6/2/2024 | 1128.00 |
| STEVE BAKER SERVICES | Lengthsman | 20/2/2024 | 176.40 |
| CLERK | salary | 28/2/2024 | 387.56 |
| GROVE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS | Webhosting and service | 1/3/2024 | 180.00 |
Current balances.
£ 20,441.95in Treasurers Account. 2nd March 2024
£ 5080.31 in Business savings account. 2nd March 2024
Proposed Cllr Hall, Sec Cllr Clive Approved
b) Duffy Regan as independent examiner of PC accounts 2023 – 24. Approved
c) Clerk expenses @ £12 per month for 2023 – 24 and beyond. Approved
11. VILLAGE HALL – Report from Cllr King and Cllr Hall. Village hall bookings are robust. The vh partnership with the local football team will allow for applications to be made by them for improvement funding.
12. ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION / AGENDAS
Meeting with the local police to discuss speeding.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Annual Parish Meeting followed by Regular PC meetingMonday 13th May 2024.