Council Meeting Minutes
Hewelsfield and Brockweir Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th December 2010 in the ‘The Loft’, The Village Shop, Brockweir
Present: Cllr. Mr. Wilson (Chairman), Cllr. Mr. Summers, Cllr. Mr. Stott, Cllr. Mr. Fox, Cllr. Mr. Skinner, Cllr. Mrs. Mayo and the Parish Clerk.
1645. Apologies for Absence
Cllr. Mrs. Mackey sent her apologies.
1646. Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations made.
1647. Confirm the minutes of the Hewelsfield & Brockweir Parish Council Meeting held on 2nd November 2010
The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd November 2010 were confirmed; this was proposed by Cllr. Skinner and seconded by Cllr. Stott.
1648.1 Dog Mess1649.Finance
Cllr. Summers confirmed he would put up a sign outside Timberland.
Action Cllr. Summers / Parish Clerk1648.2 Winter Maintenance and Adverse Weather
Due to the fact that additional grit bins have been erected in the Parish it was agreed that the councillors would again check the grit bins in their designated area with an aim of emptying bins which contain old grit so they can be refilled and to note where there is an obvious need for a grit bin.
The Parish Clerk confirmed she had contacted Gloucestershire Highways to get information regarding the ‘Snow Plough’ course and to arrange for Mr. Davies to attend but she had not yet received the details. It was agreed that due to the current weather conditions the Parish Clerk should again contact Gloucestershire Highways to ask if Doug Smith could visit Mr. Davies to check his machinery and provide some instruction so they can utilise his services at this time of need.
Action All Councillors / Parish Clerk1648.3 The Parish Clerk confirmed that she responded to planning application P1626/10/FUL – Former railway between Tintern & Tidenham – creation of a shared surface path for walkers & cyclists and that she sent a copy of the response to Monmouthshire County Council.
1648.4 The Parish Clerk confirmed that she responded to planning application P1858/10/FUL – The Rock, Mill Hill, Brockweir – Erection of a porch (revised scheme).
1648.5 The Parish Clerk confirmed that she responded to planning application P1959/10/FUL – Ferry Farm (formerly Abbey Passage Farm) – Installation of a steel loading ramp & repair of slipway (part retrospective).
1648.6 The Parish Clerk confirmed that she responded to planning application P2004/10/FUL – Underhill House, Underhill, Brockweir – Erection of a 2 bay open garage & an attached secure storage building with study above.
1648.7 Condition of Bus Shelters
Cllr. Fox confirmed that he had put an article in The Village News highlighting the problem and asking for volunteers to help refurbish the shelter but there had been no response from the public. It was agreed that Cllr. Summers should look at the shelter at the end of Belmont Lane to estimate the cost of repairing the building to enable to Parish Council to decide if it could afford to get a contractor to restore the building or if it would be cheaper to simply demolish the building.
Action Cllr. Summers / Parish Clerk1648.8 Proposed alteration to Weight Restriction – Brockweir Bridge
Cllr. Fox confirmed that he put an article in The Village News to inform the parishioners of the proposal and ascertain their reaction. A couple of parishioners had contacted Gloucestershire Highways with concerns but had received reassurances that the Traffic Regulation Order will contain exemptions to allow loading and unloading for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes to gain access to properties in the Parish i.e. domestic oil deliveries, removal vans.
1649.1 Financial statement – October 20101650. Planning Applications
The councillors confirmed they had all received a copy of the Financial Statement for October 2010 and the accrual figure is £9,833.77.1649.2 Cheques were signed for A.E.B. Price £80.00 (673), Michele Compton £193.71 (674), A.E.B. Price £80.00 (675).
1650.1 P2184/10/FUL - Penterry, Hewelsfield Common, Lydney - Erection of single storey extension (revised scheme)
There were no objections to this application. The Parish Clerk to respond to this application.
Action Parish Clerk1650.2 P2196/10/FUL – Belmont House, Belmont Road, Hewelsfield – Erection of an outbuilding / shed
There were no objections to this application. The Parish Clerk to respond to this application.
Action Parish Clerk1650.3 It was agreed that a representative of the Parish Council should attend the Monmouthshire Planning Committee meeting (January 2011) to express the Parish Council's views with regard to Planning Application Ref. P1626/10/FUL – Former railway between Tintern & Tidenham – creation of a shared surface path for walkers & cyclists. Cllrs. Summers and Skinner offered to attend the meeting. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk should contact both Monmouthshire County Council and Forest of Dean District Council to ascertain if our representative would be allowed to address the meeting.
Action Cllr. Summers / Cllr. Skinner / Parish ClerkHaving attended the Planning Meeting at the Forest of Dean District Council on November 9th in order to inform the Planning Committee of the concerns of the Parish Council and the Parishioners, Cllrs. Summers, Skinner and Fox expressed their dissatisfaction at the experience they received. They felt the meeting had lacked professionalism and control and found the planning committee to be ill informed. They had felt frustrated that inaccurate information was discussed but they were unable to provide any corrections. Their conclusion was that one of the reasons the District Council had passed the application was it feared the expense of an appeal if it did not.
It was agreed that considering this planning application may be given approval the Parish Council must consider how to lessen the impact the proposal will have on the Parish as much as possible. It was agreed that all methods of communication with Sustrans must be kept open so the Parish can have as much input as possible. The biggest problem remains the lack of parking and it was agreed that whilst evaluating sites for Affordable Housing that consideration for additional parking areas should also be made.
1651. Planning Decisions
The following planning decisions were noted:1651.1 P1585/10/COU – Beaumont, Coldharbour Road – Granted Permission
1651.2 P1682/10/COU – The Rock, Mill Hill – Granted Permission
1651.3 P0132/10/DISCON - Beaumont, Coldharbour Road – Granted Permission
1651.4 P1970/10/NATMAT – Poolfield Court House, Hewelsfield – Granted Permission
1652. GCC – Meeting the Challenge
It was agreed that Cllr. Fox would fill in the questionnaire.
Action Cllr. Fox / Parish Clerk
1653. GCC – Electoral Review
It was agreed that Cllr. Summers would look at the proposals.
Action Cllr. Summers / Parish Clerk
1654.Waste & Recycling
It is noted that changes to this service will be made in 2012.
1655.Digital Exclusion
It is noted that it is possible that some parishioners may not have a digital service as yet as those supplied by the Midlands transmitter have yet to be changed over.
Date of Next Meeting is Tuesday 4th January 2011.