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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.

  1. 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