Minutes Meeting February 1st 2021

cpc-clerk

2021/04

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

  1. PRESENT:

Chairman B Annis Vice Chairman S Smythe Cllr M Rowell Cllr J King

Cllr R Segar County Cllr E Eyre Clerk L Yapp

  1. APOLOGIES – Cllr Clive and District Cllr Rowley
  2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
  • Cllr King – Village Hall
  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 – No parishioners in attendance but the clerk reported on a phone call that she had received from a parishioner with regard the ‘natural springs’ which are leaking out onto the highway on Church Leys and causing problems with ice during the sub-zero temperatures. County Cllr Eyre reported that there was little that could be done with the natural springs, but she would arrange for a temporary ‘ice on the road’ sign to be put in place. It was agreed that the grit bin, currently sited halfway down Church Leys should be moved further up. This would have to be done when the bin is empty.
  3. PLANNING/ENFORCEMENTS:
  • Kimberleys Field / Sites B4084 – further agreement by the council that a review of what is behind the gates / fences was needed but would have to be put on hold during the Covid situation.
  • 20/02439 – Maple Wood, Brook Lane – variation of Condition 2 (16/02510) – awaiting decision by WDC

20/02694 – Land at (OS 9944 4479), Brook Lane – application for Permission in Principal for a self-build dwelling – awaiting decision by WDC

  • Development at Greenancres, Brook Lane – WDC had made contact with the clerk asking for the parish council’s thoughts on the naming of the new development, with a suggestion that the word ‘Greenacres’ should feature somewhere. It was mutually agreed that this may cause confusion for post / deliveries with Evergreen and Severn Acres on the B4084 and that something more suitable would be Brook Rise / View
  1. VILLAGE HALL – Cllr King reported that the VH committee were now using Zoom for meetings. There are 3 possible new trustees and they had received further grants from WDC (Support for Business) because of the latest lockdown. A review of the lighting is being carried out and they are looking to employ a handyman /

odd job man.

  1. HIGHWAY MATTERS:
  • Smokey Lane Junction – Cllr Annis reported that the rubbish had been cleared and there is now a hardstanding in the grass verge for bus users.
  • Field Barn Lane Junction with B4084 – Following the request by the resident in Field Barn Lane, for an ‘official order’ from WCC Highways that the hedge needs cutting back, Cllr Eyre reported that from a WCC point of view, it was not the hedge that was the problem but the speed of vehicles on the B4084, despite the 40mph speed restriction. Cllrs felt that this was not the case, and that this should be looked at again by WCC. Cllr Eyre would speak to officers and report back.
  • Flooding Brook Lane – The LM had cleared the culvert going under the road which allows the water to flow better than before. However, the road was still closed at the weekend because of flooding. A suggestion was put by Cllr Eyre, to create a 3 – 4 ft bund in the orchard and she would speak to the land drainage officer at WDC. One issue raised was whether this would impact on the visibility railings. Cllr Annis would also speak the property owners opposite for their thoughts.
  • Footway, Brook Lane – the LM has made a start siding out the footway in Brook Lane.

10. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT – There was no report, but Cllr Eyre reported on items throughout the

Meeting

2021/05

  1. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR – Cllr Rowley had given apologies and was unable to attend meeting due to a prior commitment.
  2. PROGRESS REPORTS:
  3. Lengthsman – In addition to the siding out of the footway, Brook Lane, the LM had been focussing on grips and drainage issues i.e. culvert Brook Lane
  4. New Home Bonus – The clerk has now submitted the application to support Corran Dean – a decision is expected mid-March. As the funds from WDC are net of VAT, the contractor, if the scheme is approved, is happy to have staged payments whilst the parish council goes through the process of claiming back the VAT element.
  5. Community Infrastructure Levy Fund – A proposal to widen the footway near the church has been suggested with photographs sent to Cllr Eyre. Since the meeting Cllr Eyre has been in contact with WCC highway engineers who have advised that this will not be possible as the only way to extend the path would be into the highway, which would not be permitted due to the T-junction with Neigh Lane
  6. Speeding – Community Speed Watch –the clerk has been in contact with the Community Speed Watch team who have confirmed that new training programmes are still on hold due to the Covid crisis.
  7. Bollards Lower Croft – Nothing further to report
  8. War Memorial – Nothing further to report
  9. FINANCE
  10. Payments made since the last meeting/for authorisation:
Q1044 Lengthsman December 204.00
Q1045 Clerks Training (sixth share) 50.00

The clerk reported that in addition to the above, we had to purchase 2 new VAS sign batteries at a cost of £80 each – these have now been received. Proposed acceptance of payments Cllr King, seconded Cllr Segar, all in favour.

Current account balances:

(incl. unpresented cheques) £ 27,819.39 (Incl. s106 Monies / CIL)

Deposit account: £5,022.20

  1. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – Nothing to report
  2. COMMUNITY FIBRE PARTNERSHIP – Cllr Segar thanked Cllr Eyre for her help with this project. He had been in contact with the County co-ordinator, who agreed that the proposed scheme was not fair for Cropthorne. A new proposal, possible linking up neighbouring parishes is being considered. Cllr Annis thanked Cllr Segar for all his hard work and efforts.
  3. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS / FUTURE DISCUSSION:
  • Co-Option – the parish council had received an application last year to fill the vacant seat on the parish council. It had been hoped that an ‘open’ meeting could have been held, as an opportunity for the candidate to introduce himself. However, due to the ongoing Covid restrictions, this has not been possible. It was therefore agreed that the meeting would be held via Zoom in readiness for the March meeting.
  1. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday 1st March 2021 at 7pm