Mr Reg Owen expressed his concern that Grundon’s waste vehicles were using the level crossing, he wondered if they could be directed along another route.

County Councillor Suzanne Williams informed the Meeting that the County Council was carrying out a review of the roads as a result of Cheltenham Borough Council losing its agency status for highway works. Brockhampton Lane was likely to be included in this review.

Councillor Iliffe declared a prejudicial interest in that he was one of the Editors of Village News.

Councillor Miller declared a prejudicial interest in that he had recently submitted an advertisement to Village News, which had been rejected by the Editors.

Councillor Evans declared a personal interest that was not prejudicial, in that his wife was one of the Editors of Village News.

(i) Meeting of the Council held 9^th January 2007

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9^th January 2007 be amended by the deletion of Councillor David Iliffe’s name from the list of Members present.

(ii) Meeting of the Council held 13^th February 2007

1. Comments on Planning Applications circulated between members and notified to the Borough Council by the Clerk or the Chairman
07/00278/ADV - Lexus Cheltenham, 179 Tewkesbury Road - Illuminated pylon sign, illuminated fascia tablets, non-illuminated freestanding secondary signs and non-illuminated wall mounted secondary signs. NO OBJECTION, but all advertising, signage and displays of goods for sale should and must be kept within the curtilage of the site.

07/00182/FUL - Former Furnitureland Store, Tewkesbury Road (Marks & Spencer Plc) - External alterations to store, car park and landscaping and new plant. NO OBJECTION, subject to (i) the submission and approval of a plan showing the locations and sizes of extractors for the kitchen, designed to be as unobtrusive as possible; and (ii) all illumination and signage to be the subject of an application for Advertisement Consent. We also note that the site plan shows a footpath requiring pedestrians to walk in front of manoeuvring cars. Safety should be given a higher priority.

07/00183/CONDIT - Former Furnitureland Store, Tewkesbury Road (Marks & Spencer Plc) - Variation of conditions 2 and 3 of planning permission CB21666/00 to widen range of goods and allow ancillary café. NO OBJECTION, subject to conditions (i) requiring the submission and approval of a plan showing the locations and sizes of extractors for the kitchen, designed to be as unobtrusive as possible (ii) prohibiting the café being used for takeaway; (iii) requiring waste containers, skips etc be fitted with lockable lids or netting (as appropriate to the contents) to prevent litter from being blown around or set on fire; (iv) requiring the submission of a scheme for the installation of security barriers preventing access to the parking area outside normal trading hours and, where the trading hours differ from the remainder of the park, a barrier should be installed between this site and the remainder of the park.

07/00303/CACN - Longleat, Swindon Hall, Church Road - fell spruce tree and pine tree. In view of the fact that the application states that the trees are to be felled, "to enable the building of a garage/workshop (domestic use only)" the Parish Council RECOMMENDS THAT THE APPLICATION BE DEFERRED until the appropriate application for this garage/workshop has been submitted, showing the relationship between these trees and the proposed building. Notwithstanding this recommendation, the Council welcomes the offer to plant "up to" six replacement trees; any consent should be conditional on the planting of at least two replacement trees.

06/01943/FUL - Former Indalex site - Installation of a storage mezzanine within non-food retail warehouse. NO OBJECTION.

06/01621/FUL - Unit 1A, The Runnings - Construction of extension to existing light industrial unit. PERMITTED.

06/01654/CLPUD - Unit P2 Kingsditch Lane - Provision of 30% floorspace for ancillary showroom in association with B8 warehouse. CERTIFICATE OF LAWFUL PROPOSED USE ISSUED.

06/01709/FUL - 2 Patterdale Close - Erection of a single storey extension in place of existing garage. PERMITTED.

Members noted that Mr Chapman of Church Road (Public Session, February 2007 refers) had arranged a site Meeting with Officers from the County Council’s Highway and Transport Office on 14^th March 2007. The Parish Council had been invited to send representatives and the Chairman had volunteered to attend.

It was noted that any changes should be carefully considered. Members were aware that highway improvement in the Forest of Dean had actually led to an increase in accidents. Conversely, accidents had reduced in areas when road markings had been done away with.

The Council AGREED that it wanted the surface of Church Road repaired, but while changes were required to Church Road, they should be looked at in the context of the whole village. A review was required for all roads in the area, extending to include Swindon Road bridge, and means of stopping heavy goods vehicles from using Brockhampton Lane and Hyde Lane.

The Council noted overhanging trees on the Rectory side of Church Road. It was AGREED that, in combination with the tree growth, the narrow width of the road and the tight radius of the bend obliged double-decker buses to cross the central white line onto the opposite side of the road. This was very dangerous on a blind corner. The Chairman would bring this to the attention of the Highways Officers.

i. The Clerk was requested to discover the reason for yellow hatchings recently painted outside the Car Wash in Kingsditch Lane. There were no such markings for the bus stop, where they might be expected.

ii. Councillor Allen reported that a number of residents had brought to his attention the fact that the Sanderson, Renault and Mitsubishi garages were parking cars for sale on the public verges outside their premises. The verges were becoming churned up as a result.

iii. Traffic parked on the footpath along Wymans Lane caused an obstruction, sometimes making traffic along that road to come to a standstill.

iv. The Clerk was reminded to request the approved plans for the redesigned mini-roundabouts at the junction of Wymans Lane and Kingsditch Lane.

The Clerk reported that the start time for the contract continued to be delayed by bad weather. He was unable to say whether the contractor’s Method Statement had been approved by the Environment Agency, because Mr Grimshaw was on holiday.

The Council was requested to consider options for a new Village Sign. The Council recalled that previous discussions had concluded that any replacement should be professionally designed and constructed. The former sign lasted only twenty-five years or so, because inappropriate materials had been used.

1. The Clerk reported that nearly all rents due for 2006/07 had been collected. He would send a reminder letter to the few tenants who had not yet paid.

2. The Chairman reported having turned on the Allotments water supply on 2^nd March 2007.

It was agreed that this item be DEFERRED, until such time the Editors of Village News received advice from Trading Standards.

The Council AGREED to renew its membership of the GAPTC.

W L Langsbury - Village News

(December, February and March 2007) 486.00 Cotswold District Council - printing charges

(January to March 2007) 5.13

Gloucestershire Association of Parish and

Town Councils - subscription 2007/08 315.38

NALC/Headley Brothers - 3 x subscriptions to

‘Local Councils Review’ magazine 40.50

Communicorp - 8 x subscriptions to

‘Clerks and Council’s Direct’ magazine 76.00

Clerk's Salary, (February) 236.07 Expenses 29.86

265.93

The Council noted that it was required to appoint its Internal Auditor on an annual basis. Mr Iain Selkirk had been the Council’s Internal Auditor for several years and had provided an excellent service at a good price. Mr Selkirk had written asking if the Council would like to take up his service for the next Audit and advising that his fee would increase to £130 after several years at £120.

County Councillor Suzanne Williams reported that, within six to eight weeks, a light would be installed for the benefit of pedestrians passing under the Hyde Lane railway bridge. Problems with the power supply meant that the light could not be installed under the bridge. The design was one intended not to be of nuisance to neighbouring householders.