March 2021 minutes

Minutes of the meeting of Somerford Keynes Parish Council (SKPC) 1st March 2021

Present: Cllr J. Whitwell (JW, Chair), Cllr R. Elsey (RE, Vice Chair), Cllr M. Rigby (MR), Cllr M. Keegan (MK), Cllr R. Sleeman (RS), Cllr G. Valentine (GV), Cllr A. Stradling (AS) Cllr T. Berry (TB CDC), Cllr S Parsons (SP Gloucester County Council GCC), W. Cartwright (WC, Clerk) plus 5 parishioners.

Held by Zoom conference due to ongoing Coronavirus crisis.

1. Apologies:  None
2. Declaration of interest: GV and LME
3. Minutes of meeting held 1st February were approved subject to amendment that 12/02/21 was the extended date of consultation for Ashland House. Proposed RS, seconded JW.
4. LME presentation on footpaths access (Oberon Rogers, OR): OR gave a presentation regarding villager access to footpaths around LME private estate. He indicated that following the Homeowners Association meeting and discussion with the Landlord that there would be no future access given to villagers to any private footpaths. OR gave a number of reasons why this was the case in terms of the inability of parishioners to sign code of conduct and invalidating insurance policies, security and drowning issues, practical issues with electronic gates, as well as abusive people.  OR pointed out that there was free access to the public footpaths around the estate. It was questioned whether there could be seasonal access in the autumn, winter and spring months, but not the summer. OR also indicated that LME were adhering to recommendations made by the police following Covid-19, and that the LME decision of no access was final. SKPC voiced its strong disappointment given the past historic relationship with free access to walking around Mill Lake.   
5. Lane End Gardens (Daniel Janocka, DJ); DJ gave a presentation on a future plan to replace sheds with a low-level building to tidy up the current site as well as to prevent thefts of equipment. It would be discrete, and DJ had sent plans to the Parish Council before submitting to gratefully receive any comments, as he wishes to ensure that any improvement is welcomed. SKPC agreed it was a good idea to tidy the site and had identified no adverse issues with current proposals.
6. Clerk’s report
   1. Village Website: Mike McKeown (MM) and Jon Lunn (JL) had made the corrections that were given by MR and the website was now live. A training session was scheduled for 4/3/21 for permitted individuals to post information on the website, which included WC, MK, GV.
   2. Keynes Country Park: (KCP); Nothing further to report
   3. Village Lake: Mike Wilding (MW, Village Lake Management Committee, VLMC) gave an update of Village lake projects and indicated that LME did not need to continue to offer to mow the grass (last offered 2019) as the VLMC had a lawn mower. The anti-slip strips had been installed on the boardwalk by village volunteers and the owl box camera installed which is hoped in the future if an owl nests, videos can be downloaded on the village website. A water level gauge is still to be placed at the pond dipping pond. The LME 106 grant to be sought for planting of wildflower meadow had been submitted and correspondences were being exchanged between MW and Esther Frizell-Armitage (CDC). MW was answering questions and there were some barriers to progress, including a request for matched funding. The Natural England designation of the SSSI would now mean that consent would need to be given for regular maintenance work (e.g. pruning trees, planting), but MW had spoken to Peter Holmes (PH, advisor) who indicated that this could be listed on the form, and that such work would not have objections and consent would only be needed once. Action: MW to update TB who would follow up with CDC to help move the LME 106 grant forward. Action: MW to correspond with Natural England on consent of maintenance work.
   4. LME cycleway: No update.
   5. GCC Highways/ footpaths:
      • Village gateway signs: Awaiting installation.
      • Elm View overflowing drain/Water Lane potholes, Water Lane gritting:  WC had contacted Gill Portlock (GCC Highways) on all issues.
      • Footpath post: Footpath post and sign at end of Church Lane adjacent to Old School House needs had been replaced. Action: WC to request a meeting with Frank Dorrington-Ward (FDW) when Covid restrictions are lifted to discuss style replacement with kissing gates.
      • Cycleway red barriers: WC had contacted GCC Highways to request their removal. GP had replied to the request to remove them indicating they were still important and that she would get them reinstated.
   6. Parish Field: A parishioner had indicated that poor state of repair of the fence at the southern end of the field and MR/RE have contacted Jo Pendleberry (JP, Waterland) and she has repaired the fencing and discussed whether any more permanent solution could be sought. One suggestion had been planting thorny hedging which was agreed was a good idea. However, now classified as a SSSI, the Parish Council would need to apply for consent from Natural England. MR had spoken to PH, and requested another pack be sent to WC to give to JP. An acknowledgment form had been sent updating contact details. Action:  WC to chase delivery of additional pack if necessary.
   7. Neighbridge: Ben Wellbourn had provided clarification about the level of income from the Neighbridge car park, which was higher than SKPC had anticipated.
   8. Flooding: Concerns were raised about the high water table and flooding in the vicinity of Water Lane and Laurence King (CDC, Flood manager) and Gill Portlock (GP, GCC Highways) had been contacted. GP had reported that the culvert was clear, and LK had responded indicating that he had been unaware of any specific current problems in the village. SP indicated that clearing the County ditch and jetting culverts in the summer would be a preventative measure to the problem. Action:  WC maintain contact with GP/LK.
   9. Newsletter: AS offered to write a redesigned newsletter and requested for topics to be covered by Councillors. It was agreed a quarterly newsletter was required, and that AS would write the spring issue, RE the summer issue (June), and GV/JW the autumn issue (September). The AGM date of 26/4/21 to be publicised in the newsletter. Action: AS to draft newsletter.

6.10 Other matters

6.10.1 Litter picking: It was agreed that Des Sheen be commended on his huge litter picking efforts around the village with a letter as well as a mention in the spring newsletter, especially given that the annual village litter pick was cancelled the last two years due to Covid-19. Action: WC/AS to acknowledge DS appreciated efforts.

6.10.2 Aggressive dog: WC had contacted the owners of the dog requesting that it be kept on a lead, or if loose muzzled. The owner’s response was considered inadequate by the Parish Council and it was agreed that the FDW (GCC footpaths) and the police be recontacted as previously. Action: WC to contact external bodies.

6.10.3 Electric car charging:  Mike McKeown (MM) had requested this be investigated at the village hall and it was agreed this was a good idea. TB indicated there was money available at CDC for this type of initiative. Action: WC to inform Village Hall Management Committee.

6.10.4 PROW: A parishioner had queried whether the public footpath AKEY4 at Ashton Down, within the Cotswold Community was being inadvertently blocked had contacted Wiltshire County Council (WCC). There was still some access via a farm track but was concerned the original footpath may become lost. Action: WC to keep awareness of response from WCC.

6.10.5 Watercourse/Drainage Ditches: A question had been received from a parishioner regarding whether the County ditch could be regarded as a watercourse as there had been some indication on an old OS map that this could be the case. RS indicated that the River Thames was the nearest watercourse which was the responsibility of the Environment Agency, rather than the County ditch.

Planning applications

• 21//00339/FUL; 21/00192/FUL (LME change permitted unit type); No objections.
• 20/04079/FUL – Development of Land to South East of Ashland House – Developers resubmitting amended plans.
• White barns update: TB had asked for a follow up with planning enforcement, but it would not be a fast response. Action: TB to keep aware of any update.

Financial Matters

Clerks salary £691.80; Zoom subscription expenses £14.39; McAfree subscription £59.99, Village Lake expenses £5.27; £467.23; Historic Town and Village Forum Subscription £15; GAPTC subscription £142.37 Proposed RS seconded MR. Agreed en bloc.

The meeting was closed at 9.20pm.    

Date of next meeting:  Monday 12th April 2021, 7.30 pm

Date of Annual Parish Meeting: Monday 26th April 2021, 7.30 pm