Author: SKPC Clerk
June 2021 Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Somerford Keynes Parish Council (SKPC) 7th June 2021
Present: Cllr J. Whitwell (JW, Chair), Cllr R. Elsey (RE, Vice Chair), Cllr R. Sleeman (RS), Cllr G. Valentine (GV), Cllr A. Stradling (AS) Cllr T. Berry (TB, Cotswold District Council, CDC), W. Cartwright (WC, Clerk) K. Josey (WC, Clerk) plus 1 parishioner.
Held in the Village Hall in person.
- Apologies: Cllr M. Keegan, Cllr L. Spivey (Gloucestershire County Council, GCC).
2. Declaration of interest: GV and Lower Mill Estate (LME)
3.Minutes of meeting held 10th May were approved. Proposed RE, seconded AS.
4. Parish clerk appointment: KJ has now accepted the role and is currently in the handover month with WC. WC was thanked for her all her work while in the role.
5. NDP and GCC election results: WC had organised copies of the NDP newsletter for distribution and Councillors have distributed throughout the village. JW thanked everyone for their efforts. It was noted that Ron Munroe (RM) and Sarah Powell (SP) may like to receive a bound copy of the NDP as a thankyou and appreciation for their hard work. JW also stated that copy for the PC would be useful. Action WC to investigate costs. Lisa Spivey (LS) had been elected as the GCC Councillor and was meeting JW on 9th June to discuss local issues, and any other Councillors were welcome to attend.
6. Clerk’s report
6.1 LME: CDC Planning Officer role – TB will update once position is filled, and to check on the rules on limits of number of jetties/water vehicle use.
6.2 Village Website: Nothing further to report.
6.3 Keynes Country Park: (KCP): Tom Kiddey (TK, Manager, Cotswold Country Park and Beach) had responded to MK’s email regarding very loud music and assured her that this was a one-off event planned prior to his tenure.
6.4 Village Lake: No further update.
6.5 LME cycleway: Action: TB to follow up on position on section 106 funds on LME cycleway. Hannah Fountain is the Sustainable Transport Lead with whom TB will liaise.
6.6 GCC Highways/ footpaths:
6..6.1 Village gateway signs: No further contact from GCC regarding installation date. Action: KJ/JW to follow up on lack of progress.
6..6.2 Water Lane potholes: Awaiting repair and WC had contacted GP (GCC Highways) on current timescale.
6.6.3 Footpaths: JW and RS had a productive meeting with Frank Dorrington-Ward (FW, GCC) and footpath updates have already been carried out at various locations around the village. A further meeting is arranged for 8th June 2021 with a representative for Mrs Timbrell to look at gates and funding, possibly using CIL money. Action: RS/JW to update with outcome.
6.7 Parish Field: Action: WC to arrange review meeting with Jo Pendleberry (JP), RE and MR.
6.8 Neighbridge: JW has had contact with Paul Hazel (Chair of Cotswold Lakes Trust). The pop-up cafe is unlikely to happen this summer. The ice cream van will continue. The weekend warden is dependent on raising the funds to pay for it. The 30 minute free parking is still on the cards. The new play area will also happen at some point. Action: JW to keep updated on any developments.
JW has exchanged email with Richard Gray (GCC) reference the state of verges due to parking in the hope of some support due to links with Thames Path this is unlikely. JW to raise with LS (GCC).
6.9 Flooding: Nothing further to report
6.10 Newsletter: Nothing further to report.
6.11 Other matters
6.11.1 Face to face Parish Council meetings: Commenced 7th June 2021 with thanks to Des Sheen for enabling this to happen safely. JW has also completed relevant risk assessments.
6.11.2 Bonfires at Lane End Gardens: A further complaint was made by the same parishioner and KJ has written to the landowners and there has been no further complaint. MR commented that she could also smell burning rubber on 5th June 2021 while in her garden.
6.11.3 Replacement of worn Flood Bund: JW had seen Environment Agency personnel inspecting the bund, they have informed him during a conversation that this is worn in places due to foot traffic and are looking to repair as necessary.
7. Correspondence
7.1 South Cerney have now completed their NDP it was suggested that Sarah Powell and Ron Munroe are informedAction: KJ to email.
7.2 Des Sheen raised concerns regarding parking and muddy condition of the yellow lines on Spratsgate LaneAction: JW to raise with Lisa Spivey.
7.3 The grass is continuing to cover the newly laid Kennel Bungalow footpath and a request is being made for a kindly parishioner to strim the grass twice a year to help maintain the footpath condition. Action: KJ to request this through email to parishioners.
7.4 A parishioner had enquired about setting up a playgroup in the village hall and toy request.
7.5 A parishioner had sent photographs of significant litter following a BBQ, and lack of respect for the countryside.
7.6 TB offered to re-investigate The Street renaming.
8. Planning applications
- 21/01856/FUL – Timber canopy at Waterland – no objection
- 21/01884/FUL- Two-storey extension, Ivydene, Shorncote – no objection
- 21/01679/FUL – Permitted unit type and occupancy restriction, LME – no objection
- 21/01517/FUL – Seasonal yurt, food and beverage take-away outlet, LME – no objection but request for conditions regarding opening hours and noise limits Action: KJ to contact Planning Department (CDC) regarding conditions
- 21/01900/FUL – Jetty to lakeside plus addition of electric vehicle charging point, LME – no objection
- 21/01979/FUL – 0utside decking area, LME – no objection
- 21/02175/FUL – Change of use of agricultural building to agricultural machinery storage and repair (Retrospective) at South Leaze Farm Shorncote Somerford Keynes Cirencester Gloucestershire – no objection
Ashland House update. TB indicated that he understood that the current plans had been withdrawn and new plans were being rethought by the applicant.
9.Financial Matters:
9.1 Expenditure: Printing £21, Gift Flowers £10, Clerk’s salary £691.80, Zoom subscription £14.39 proposed AS, seconded RE.
The meeting was closed at 8.40 pm.
Date of next meeting: Monday 5th July 2021, 7.30 pm
Somerford Keynes Parish Council – Accounts year 2020/21 – Notice of period for the exercise of public rights
WHAT EXEMPT AUTHORITIES NEED TO DO TO ADVERTISE THE PERIOD DURING WHICH ELECTORS AND INTERESTED PERSONS MAY EXERCISE RIGHTS RELATING TO THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 require that:
1. The statement of accounts prepared by the authority (i.e. the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) Part 2), the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested, during a period of 30 working days set by the smaller authority and including the first 10 working days of July.
2. The period referred to in paragraph (1) starts with the day on which the period for the exercise of public rights is treated as having been commenced i.e. the day following the day on which all of the obligations in paragraph (3) below have been fulfilled.
3. The responsible financial officer for an exempt authority must, on behalf of that authority, publish (which must include publication on the authority’s website):
(a) the Accounting Statements (i.e. Section 2 of the AGAR Part 2), accompanied by:
(i) a declaration, signed by that officer to the effect that the statement of accounts will not be audited on account of that authority’s self-certified status as exempt, unless either a request for an opportunity to question the auditor about the authority’s accounting records under section 26(2) or an objection under section 27(1) of the Act, results in the involvement of the local auditor;
(ii) the Annual Governance Statement (i.e. Section 1 of the AGAR Part 2); and
(iii) the Certificate of Exemption (i.e. Page 3 of the AGAR Part 2); and
(b) a statement that sets out—
(i) the period for the exercise of public rights;
(ii) details of the manner in which notice should be given of an intention to inspect the accounting records and other documents;
(iii) the name and address of the local auditor;
(iv) the provisions contained in section 25 (inspection of statements of accounts etc), section 26 (inspection of documents etc) and section 27 (right to make objections at audit) of the Act, as they have effect in relation to the authority in question;
HOW DO YOU DO IT?
You will meet statutory requirements if you fully and accurately complete the notice of public rights pro forma in this document; and publish (including publication on the smaller authority’s website) the following documents, the day before the public rights period commences:
- the approved Sections 1 and 2 of Part 2 of the AGAR; and
- the completed Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Annual Governance & Accountability Return (Exempt Authority). Please note that we have pre-completed it with the following suggested dates: Monday 14 June – Friday 23 July 2021. (The latest possible dates that comply with the statutory requirements are Thursday 1 July – Wednesday 11 August 2021); and
- the notes which accompany the Notice (Local authority accounts: a summary of your rights).
Smaller authority name: Somerford Keynes Parish Council
NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN (EXEMPT AUTHORITY)
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 25, 26 and 27
The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)
| NOTICE | NOTES |
| 1. Date of announcement_ Monday 7th June___________________________(a) 2. Each year the smaller authority prepares an Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). The AGAR has been published with this notice. It will not be reviewed by the appointed auditor, since the smaller authority has certified itself as exempt from the appointed auditor’s review. Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the AGAR, the accounting records for the financial year to which it relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested. For the year ended 31 March 2021, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to: (b) __Wendy Cartwright, Parish Clerk, Loughrigg, Somerford Keynes, [email protected], 01285 86157 commencing on (c) __Monday 14 June 2021 _______________________ and ending on (d) ___Friday 23 July 2021 ________________________ 3. Local government electors and their representatives also have: The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting records; andThe right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the smaller authority. The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only. 4. The smaller authority’s AGAR is only subject to review by the appointed auditor if questions or objections raised under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 lead to the involvement of the auditor. The appointed auditor is: PKF Littlejohn LLP (Ref: SBA Team) 15 Westferry Circus Canary Wharf London E14 4HD ([email protected]) 5. This announcement is made by (e) _Wendy Cartwright, Clerk | (a) Insert date of placing of the notice which must be not less than 1 day before the date in (c) below (b) Insert name, position and address/telephone number/ email address, as appropriate, of the Clerk or other person to which any person may apply to inspect the accounts (c) Insert date, which must be at least 1 day after the date of announcement in (a) above and at least 30 working days before the date appointed in (d) below (d) The inspection period between (c) and (d) must be 30 working days inclusive and must include the first 10 working days of July. (e) Insert name and position of person placing the notice – this person must be the responsible financial officer for the smaller authority |
LOCAL AUTHORITY ACCOUNTS: A SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS
Please note that this summary applies to all relevant smaller authorities, including local councils, internal drainage boards and ‘other’ smaller authorities.
The basic position
The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (the Act) governs the work of auditors appointed to smaller authorities. This summary explains the provisions contained in Sections 26 and 27 of the Act. The Act and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 also cover the duties, responsibilities and rights of smaller authorities, other organisations and the public concerning the accounts being audited.
As a local elector, or an interested person, you have certain legal rights in respect of the accounting records of smaller authorities. As an interested person you can inspect accounting records and related documents. If you are a local government elector for the area to which the accounts relate you can also ask questions about the accounts and object to them. You do not have to pay directly for exercising your rights. However, any resulting costs incurred by the smaller authority form part of its running costs. Therefore, indirectly, local residents pay for the cost of you exercising your rights through their council tax.
The right to inspect the accounting records
Any interested person can inspect the accounting records, which includes but is not limited to local electors. You can inspect the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records. You can copy all, or part, of these records or documents. Your inspection must be about the accounts, or relate to an item in the accounts. You cannot, for example, inspect or copy documents unrelated to the accounts, or that include personal information (Section 26 (6) – (10) of the Act explains what is meant by personal information). You cannot inspect information which is protected by commercial confidentiality. This is information which would prejudice commercial confidentiality if it was released to the public and there is not, set against this, a very strong reason in the public interest why it should nevertheless be disclosed.
When smaller authorities have finished preparing accounts for the financial year and approved them, they must publish them (including on a website). There must be a 30 working day period, called the ‘period for the exercise of public rights’, during which you can exercise your statutory right to inspect the accounting records. Smaller authorities must tell the public, including advertising this on their website, that the accounting records and related documents are available to inspect. By arrangement you will then have 30 working days to inspect and make copies of the accounting records. You may have to pay a copying charge. The 30 working day period must include a common period of inspection during which all smaller authorities’ accounting records are available to inspect. This will be 1-14 July 2021 for 2020/21 accounts. The advertisement must set out the dates of the period for the exercise of public rights, how you can communicate to the smaller authority that you wish to inspect the accounting records and related documents, the name and address of the auditor, and the relevant legislation that governs the inspection of accounts and objections.
The right to ask the auditor questions about the accounting records
You should first ask your smaller authority about the accounting records, since they hold all the details. If you are a local elector, your right to ask questions of the external auditor is enshrined in law. However, while the auditor will answer your questions where possible, they are not always obliged to do so. For example, the question might be better answered by another organisation, require investigation beyond the auditor’s remit, or involve disproportionate cost (which is borne by the local taxpayer). Give your smaller authority the opportunity first to explain anything in the accounting records that you are unsure about. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, you can question the external auditor about the accounting records.
The law limits the time available for you formally to ask questions. This must be done in the period for the exercise of public rights, so let the external auditor know your concern as soon as possible. The advertisement or notice that tells you the accounting records are available to inspect will also give the period for the exercise of public rights during which you may ask the auditor questions, which here means formally asking questions under the Act. You can ask someone to represent you when asking the external auditor questions.
Before you ask the external auditor any questions, inspect the accounting records fully, so you know what they contain. Please remember that you cannot formally ask questions, under the Act, after the end of the period for the exercise of public rights. You may ask your smaller authority other questions about their accounts for any year, at any time. But these are not questions under the Act.
You can ask the external auditor questions about an item in the accounting records for the financial year being audited. However, your right to ask the external auditor questions is limited. The external auditor can only answer ‘what’ questions, not ‘why’ questions. The external auditor cannot answer questions about policies, finances, procedures or anything else unless it is directly relevant to an item in the accounting records. Remember that your questions must always be about facts, not opinions. To avoid misunderstanding, we recommend that you always put your questions in writing.
The right to make objections at audit
You have inspected the accounting records and asked your questions of the smaller authority. Now you may wish to object to the accounts on the basis that an item in them is in your view unlawful or there are matters of wider concern arising from the smaller authority’s finances. A local government elector can ask the external auditor to apply to the High Court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, or to issue a report on matters which are in the public interest. You must tell the external auditor which specific item in the accounts you object to and why you think the item is unlawful, or why you think that a public interest report should be made about it. You must provide the external auditor with the evidence you have to support your objection. Disagreeing with income or spending does not make it unlawful. To object to the accounts you must write to the external auditor stating you want to make an objection, including the information and evidence below and you must send a copy to the smaller authority. The notice must include:
- confirmation that you are an elector in the smaller authority’s area;
- why you are objecting to the accounts and the facts on which you rely;
- details of any item in the accounts that you think is unlawful; and
- details of any matter about which you think the external auditor should make a public interest report.
Other than it must be in writing, there is no set format for objecting. You can only ask the external auditor to act within the powers available under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
A final word
You may not use this ‘right to object’ to make a personal complaint or claim against your smaller authority. You should take such complaints to your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau, local Law Centre or to your solicitor. Smaller authorities, and so local taxpayers, meet the costs of dealing with questions and objections. In deciding whether to take your objection forward, one of a series of factors the auditor must take into account is the cost that will be involved, they will only continue with the objection if it is in the public interest to do so. They may also decide not to consider an objection if they think that it is frivolous or vexatious, or if it repeats an objection already considered. If you appeal to the courts against an auditor’s decision not to apply to the courts for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, you will have to pay for the action yourself.
| For more detailed guidance on public rights and the special powers of auditors, copies of the publication Local authority accounts: A guide to your rights are available from the NAO website. | If you wish to contact your authority’s appointed external auditor please write to the address in paragraph 4 of the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return. |
Somerford Keynes Parish Council – Explanation of Variances 2020/21
Other Receipts £
-37.62% -2894
A reduction in grant and donations received in 2021/21 3180
compared to the previous year
Other Payments
+ 29.91% 1988
Contribution to Village gateway signs 1750
Reserves
As at 31 March 2020 £8342
As at 31 March 2021 £4377
Decrease in reserves: -47.53% £3965
Explanation of decrease
Expenditure in the year against the
Grant received from Calor Gas included
in the accounts to 31 March 2020 2390
Contribution to Village Gateway Signs 1750
£4140
N.B. The unspent amount of Calor Gas Grant at 31 March 2021 was £800
Somerford Keynes Parish Council – Bank Reconciliation – Financial Year 2020/21
NatWest Current Account
£
Balance per bank statement at 31 March 2021 1545.13
Less cheque not presented (185.00)
Balance per cash book at 31 March 2021 1360.13
N S and I Investment Account
Statement Balance at 31 March 2021 3016.65
Total of cash and short-term investments as 31 March 2021 £4376.78
June 2021 agenda
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 7th June at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.
Please contact John Whitwell on [email protected] should you wish to attend (a maximum of 15 people is allowed due to Covid restrictions).
AGENDA
- Apologies for absence
- Declarations of interest
- Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th May
- Matters arising from previous minutes
- Financial Matters
- Planning applications
- Correspondence
- Questions/comments
Wendy Cartwright, Parish Clerk
28th May 2021
Correspondence
NDP South Cerney, Neighbridge verge, Footpath maintenance, Perch pod (Cotswold Water Park), Filming permission, Highways updates for Water Lane patching and village signs.
Planning Applications
- 21/01856/FUL- Timber canopy at Waterland.
- 21/01884/FUL- Two-storey extension, Ivydene, Shorncote
- 21/01679/FUL – Permitted unit type and occupancy restriction, LME
- 21/01517/FUL – Seasonal yurt, food and beverage take-away outlet, LME
- 21/01900/FUL – Jetty to lakeside plus addition of electric vehicle charging point, LME
- 21/01979/FUL – Outside decking area, LME
- 21/00961/FUL – Change of use from a cycle hire facility (E (a) Use Class) to a single residential dwelling (C3 Use Class) at Tall Trees Water Lane Somerford Keynes – update
Financial Matters
Printing £21, Gift flowers £10, Clerk’s salary £691.80; Zoom subscription expenses £14.39
Annual Parish Meeting April 2021 minutes
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Monday 26th April 7.30 pm, 2021
Present: Cllr J. Whitwell (Chair),R. Elsey (Vice chair),Cllr M. Keegan, Cllr M. Rigby, Cllr R. Sleeman, Cllr A Stradling, Cllr G. Valentine, Cllr. T Berry (CDC), Mrs. W Cartwright (Clerk) plus seven members of the public.
Due to the national lockdown restrictions by the Government, a face to face public meeting was unable to take place and instead a virtual meeting was held by Councillors at which all the reports which had been written and previously distributed to parishioners by e-mail distribution list and available on the Somerford Keynes parish website were presented.
Apologies: Cllr S. Parsons (Gloucestershire County Council), Chris and Lynda Isherwood
Minutes: Previous minutes were approved: Proposed Tessa DeBertodano, Seconded Graham Valentine.
Chair’s Report: Report given by Cllr Whitwell (see website for report).
Village Lake report: Report given by Mike Wilding (see website for report).
Clerk’s Financial report: A brief overview of the 2020/21 internally audited accounts was given in terms of receipts/payments (see website for report).
Cotswold District Council (CDC): Report given byCllr Berry (see website for report).
Gloucestershire County Council: JW read the report given byCllr Parsons (see website for report).
Ron Munroe |(RM) requested that thanks should be formally recorded to the CDC officers who significantly helped the Parish Council through the process of the NDP. RM also made comment on the increased cost of green bin collection.
Peter Watkins asked Tony Berry (TB) for background as to why some experienced planning officers had left CDC. He also asked TB why there were inconsistencies in road naming on google maps in terms of Arlington Drive vs. The Street being incorrect, and whether TB could investigate.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.30 pm.
May 2021 minutes
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Somerford Keynes Parish Council (SKPC) 10th May 2021
Present: Cllr J. Whitwell (JW, Chair), Cllr R. Elsey (RE, Vice Chair), Cllr M. Keegan (MK), Cllr R. Sleeman (RS), Cllr G. Valentine (GV), Cllr A. Stradling (AS) Cllr T. Berry (TB CDC), W. Cartwright (WC, Clerk) plus 3 parishioners.
Held by Zoom conference due to ongoing Coronavirus crisis.
- Apologies: Michele Rigby (MR),Mike Wilding, Shaun Parsons
2. Declaration of interest: GV and LME
3. Election of Officers
- Chair John Whitwell, proposed MK, seconded RS and elected unanimously
- Vice-chair: Richard Elsey, proposed JW, seconded GV
- Newsletter: John Whitwell
- Footpaths: John Whitwell and Roger Sleeman
- Flooding, ditches, verges: Michele Rigby (Elected en bloc Proposed RS, seconded RE)
- Emergency Plan: Graham Valentine
- Village lake representatives: Mandy Keegan and Graham Valentine
- Village hall representative: Angela Stradling
- Telephone box defibrillator representative: John Whitwell
- Parish Field: Michele Rigby and Richard Elsey
- Clerk payroll: Mandy Keegan
- Neighbourhood Development Plan: Sarah Powell and Ron Munroe
- Website: Jon Lunn and Mike McKeown
- Tree Warden: Lisa Willis
- Snow Warden: Andrew Timbrell
4. Minutes of meeting held 12th April were approved. Proposed MK, seconded RS.
5. Internal audit: JW indicated that Roger Duckett had recently completed the internal audit report but had great sadness in informing the Parish Council of his sudden and unexpected death. The Parish Council wished to express their sincerest sympathy to Val Duckett and their family, and to acknowledge all the voluntary work Roger had done over many years as an internal auditor and previously as a Parish Councillor. It was agreed that flowers and a card be sent to Val and to offer any support.
6. Standing orders/financial regulations: The current documents which had no changes from the previous year were approved. Proposed RS, Seconded RE. All in favour.
7. Parish clerk appointment: JW and AS had interviewed Kristy Josey (KJ), had been highly impressed and received positive follow up references. It was agreed unanimously to formally offer KJ the role from June to allow a 1-month overlap and handover period with WC. Action: JW/WC to progress.
8. NDP and GCC election results: The NDP referendum had been supported by the community and considered a resounding success (217 for/20 against, also being the highest percentage support of over 90% of three NDP referendums undertaken in the country). The Parish Council wished to thank Ron Munroe (RM) and Sarah Powell for all their hard work over many years. RM indicated that the CDC will now need to formally register and the NDP will be in existence until 2031, which will also mean the Parish Council will get an increase from 10% to 25% for the community infrastructure levy (CIL) for any new successful applications. RM expressed disappointment that the result, 3 days before had not, as yet, been circulated to the village, and requested that the result of the referendum and what it means be widely publicised to the village as soon as possible. RM kindly agreed to write the final NDP news which will be delivered on paper and electronically. Action: RM to write NDP news, WC to organise distribution. Shaun Parsons (SP) had not been re-elected and WC had contacted SP to thank him for his service to the community over 20 years. It is hoped that Lisa Spivey once sworn in will contact the Parish Council and attend the next PC meeting. Action: WC to ensure contact.
9. Clerk’s report
9.1 LME: JW met with Andy Mortimor, the Chairman of the Homeowners Resident Association which had been a good meeting to improve closer links between the group and the Parish Council, and generally discuss planning applications. Currently, the CDC planning officer role specifically for LME was vacant and associated work being shared within CDC. The increasing number of jetties being approved was discussed as there is a limit on boat use and impact on wildlife. Action: TB to update once position is filled, and to check on the rules on limits of number of jetties/water vehicle use.
9.2 Village Website: Nothing further to report.
9.3 Keynes Country Park: (KCP); A helpful meeting with MR, RE and Tom Kiddey (TK, Manager, Cotswold Country Park and Beach) had taken place and all issues on access discussed openly. TK indicated that controlled gateways were to be put in place over the high season for health and safety reasons, but that these would only be closed during busy times. It was considered in these circumstances, whether gateways could be open during early morning and evenings for villagers’ access before the park was open. MK indicated that there had been very loud music on over the weekend which could be heard in Shorncote, and it was agreed MK write to TK directly. Action: WC to provide e-mail for TK.
9.4 Village Lake: Mike Wilding (MW, Village Lake Management Committee, VLMC) had given an update of the successful volunteer day, current village lake projects and indicated that the LME 106 grant for planting of wildflower meadow had been successful. However, whilst the CDC e-mail had provided support, MW wished a more formal letter be obtained given the amount of funds required (£4,000). Action: TB to follow up with CDC to provide a formal letter. The Natural England designation of the SSSI of the Village Lake and required paperwork were still in progress. Action: MW to continue to provide updates.
9.5 LME cycleway: Action: TB to follow up on position on section 106 funds on cycleway.
9.6 GCC Highways/ footpaths:
- Village gateway signs: Awaiting installation and WC had contacted Gill Portlock (GP, GCC Highways) on current timescale.
- Water Lane potholes: Awaiting repair and WC had contacted GP (GCC Highways) on current timescale.
- Footpaths: A face to face meeting with Frank Dorrington-Ward (FDW, Gloucestershire County Council) with RS and JW had been arranged for 11/5/21. Action: RS/JW to update with outcome.
- Cycleway red barriers: These had been reinstated.
9.7 Parish Field: Action: WC to arrange review meeting with Jo Pendleberry (JP), RE and MR.
9.8 Neighbridge: Matthew Millet (Cotswold Lakes Trust) had contacted JW and informed that the terms for Relish pop café had been agreed and an ice cream van was now visiting. A dog bin had been removed, but a replacement would be installed and JW suggested that at the end of the boardwalk by the Thames path be a good site. Action: JW to keep updated on any developments.
9.9 Flooding: Nothing further to report.
9.10 Newsletter: Nothing further to report.
9.11 Other matters
9.11.1 Face to face Parish Council meetings: After the 7th May, the current legislation to continue virtual Parish Council meetings had been removed. The Gloucestershire Association of Town and Parish Councils (GAPTC) indicated that some Parish Councils are not keen to return to face to face meetings and will be continuing virtual meetings. It was agreed that SKPC will meet face to face from June. JW had contacted the Baker Arms for use of its open air marquee for the June meeting which had been agreed. Action: JW to recontact the Village Hall to explore whether it can be used as a venue but keep Bakers Arms as a back-up plan.
9.11.2 Bonfires at Lane End Gardens: WC had written to the owners regarding a parishioner complaint and the landowners had responded with apologies and future steps to prevent further complaints.
10. Planning applications
- 21/01345/FUL (Replacement first floor balcony at The Willows Water Lane): No objection.
- 21/01477/FUL; 21/01266/FUL; 21/01001/FUL; 21/00683/FUL: No objections.
- 21/01713/FUL (Construction of Agricultural Store amendment to Planning Permission 20/03355/FUL at Old Manor Farm Shorncote): No objection.
- 21/00961/FUL – Change of use from a cycle hire facility (E (a) Use Class) to a single residential dwelling (C3 Use Class) at Tall Trees Water Lane Somerford Keynes. SKPC had sent a letter of objection to CDC. Action: TB to provide update.
- 21/02520/REM – Cotswold Community development application: JW had spoken to Ashton Keynes Parish Council regarding the future 75 house development which had been previously approved. AS commented that there was a lack of affordable housing in the development and many larger properties. No objections. Action: Councillors can view the Wiltshire County Council website for further detail on the style of housing.
- 20/04499/FUL (Solar Farm, Siddington): No objection.
- Ashland House update. David Swaffer (DS) asked for an update from TB on the current situation as there had been no changes to the CDC site since February. TB indicated that he understood that the current plans had been withdrawn and new plans were being rethought by the applicant.
11. Financial Matters
11.1 Approval of External Audit Exemption Certificate: Proposed RS, seconded MK, agreed unanimously
11.2 Approval of Annual Governance Statement: Proposed RS, seconded MK, agreed unanimously.
11.3 Approval of Annual Accounting Statements: Proposed RS, seconded MK, agreed unanimously.
11.4 Expenditure: Zoom subscription expenses £14.39; Zurich insurance £257.60, Village lake (Brunel Surveys) £120 Proposed RS, Seconded RE, agreed en bloc.
The meeting was closed at 8.52 pm.
Date of next meeting: Monday 7th June 2021, 7.30 pm