THE LEIGH PARISH COUNCIL
: leighpc@hotmail.co.uk : theleighpc.org.uk
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 14th February 2024 AT 7.30PM AT THE LEIGH PARISH CHURCH
Present: Cllr J. Arkell (Chair), Cllr, Bowness, Cllr L. Glazebrook, Cllr K. Morton, and Cllr R. Theyer.
In attendance: K. Tilling (Parish Clerk), Cllr H. Mclain and 2 members of the public.
1. Welcome and Apologies:
Apologies were received from Cllr. P. Mclain. Members of the parish were welcomed to the meeting.
2. Declarations of Interest:
There were no declarations of interest.
3. To formally approve the Minutes of the last meetings:
The minutes from the previous meeting in November, December 2023 and January 2024 were approved. The November minutes were proposed by Cllr Glazebrook and seconded by Cllr Morton. The December minutes were proposed by Cllr Theyer and seconded by Cllr Morton. The January minutes were proposed by Cllr Theyer and seconded by Cllr Glazebrook.
4. To discuss planning applications and consider responses for the following:
23/01149/LBC – Tudor Cottage, Blacksmith Lane, The Leigh. Removal of black paint finish to internal oak frame and beams by non-destructive techniques in existing kitchen/breakfast room, Dining room, Bedrooms 2 & 3, Landing and Bathroom. This application is for Listing Building Consent. All the proposed works are not visible. Parish Council members felt it was best left to the Conservation Officer to ensure this work was completed sympathetically and there were no adverse comments to make.
5. To approve the Financial Statement.
The RFO handed around copies of the current figures of the Council’s bank accounts. The Precept request has been submitted to TBC. The Parish Council are on target with spending. The RFO is keeping a separate tracking sheet for the CIL money as there is an end of year report to file. The high balance in the deposit account is earning good interest. The RFO requested that any outstanding invoices be forwarded to ensure they are settled before year end.
6. Update on Highways Issues.
It has become apparently that Highways are not interested in making any changes to the T-junction along Church Lane as there is no collision data to support the need for further changes. This is not the response the Parish Council were hoping for and are aware that one of the residents closest to the junction has had considerable input, trying to persuade Highways to think again. There is a Safety Officer scheme that will allow Parish Councils to borrow the temporary speed signs. This needs further investigation.
Two people from Highways, James Boon and Gemma have been out and looked at the drain outside Holborn Farm. Any work agreed will be carried out after April, in a new financial year. Further drains issues exist opposite Evington Hill Farm. Drains are so blocked that the water goes across the road. Drains at Coombe Hill are blocked outside The Rosery. The water backs up and cause at least one cellar to flood. The drains outside Evington Villa are blocked with mud.
Highways have been out to look at the tree outside Mr Poulton’s house and have agreed to remove it as soon as possible.
Discussions are ongoing about the pull in area at the top of Church Lane closest to the A38 junction. Cars park here regularly and leave litter. Recent repair work undertaken by Highways has ensured that the dangerous potholes have been filled in. It has been suggested that this area, with Highways approval could be turned into a Passing Place only. This would stop cars from parking there and would also give vehicles somewhere safe to pull in to when faced by a large farm vehicle coming the other way. The Clerk was asked to draft a letter to the local houses to gauge their thoughts.
Grit bins, purchased through CIL money have been placed in suitable locations around the Parish including Villards Close. The bins have combination padlocks and individuals closest to the bins will be given the codes. Cllr Theyer was going to deliver a bin to the Pub at cost.
Verge cutting – Cllr Theyer has managed to get some information from Highways. One full cut and then a second visibility cut only is charged at £254.64 per year.
7. To discuss CIL spending and approve known expenditure
Car Park – 3 quotes on the way circa £30/32 thousand
Bus Stops – 4 planned for Coombe Hill
The Parish Council have received some CIL requests from the Church so that it can be used more as a community building. They include installing a hearing aid loop and speaker system, plus a projector and screen. These were proposed by Cllr Morton and seconded by Cllr Glazebrook. All were unanimous. A further request for the repair and restoration on the clock on the church tower was deferred. The mechanism needs an overall and it needs a new hand. Cllr H. Mclain explained that there is a fund called Build Back Better. All the Church need to do is complete the form on the GCC Website and email it to paul.mclain@gloucestershire.gov.uk and he will forward it to the grants team. The church will be encouraged to do this.
The 3 ‘Welcome’ signs for Coombe Hill including installation will come in at about £20 thousand. Need to contact GCC Highways and discover when and where the scaled back junction upgrade is likely to happen.
Other resources suggested including a printer and two laptops and a mobile phone.
Proposed by Cllr Arkell and seconded by Cllr Glazebrook. All agreed
8. To discuss the public consultation on the Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury Strategic and Local Plan.
The deadline for this public consultation is 12th March 2024. Its task is to look at the development and infrastructure needs across Tewkesbury, Gloucester, and Cheltenham. Feedback can be submitted online or by attending one of the various workshops/consultation events. TBC are looking to pool Community Infrastructure Levi’s (CIL) with Gloucester and Cheltenham to support larger more cross boundary strategic projects. Total pot being discussed is just over 11 million, although 8 million comes from TBC. Gloucester and Cheltenham are being asked what they are contributing considering that the house numbers are being pushed into Tewkesbury borough. A statement of Common Ground has been agreed across all 6 councils. This lays out the revised general rules that all 6 councils must operate under. In preparing local plans, local authorities are required to work together on strategic cross-boundary issues. It is basically a revamp on the JCS!
The Parish Council felt that the public consultation has insufficient information available to ensure that the public can make an informed response. The Parish Council struggle to see how this revised system will work and do not wish to see the borough in the same situation as last time where Tewkesbury land was given over to Cheltenham and Gloucester so they could meet their figures. The other councils need to work harder to find land within their own boundaries and CIL money needs to be spent within the borough.
9. Financial help following the recent flooding
The last few months have seen many properties flooded within the Borough. Helpful surgeries have been set up to help people that have been affected. There is a review of all the flooded areas and there is a call to prepare for better contingency plans. The water is just not draining away like previous years. There is financial help available from the Flood Recovery Framework Funding – there are 6 key elements. Residents are encouraged to apply for the Property Floods Resilience Grants – they are up to £5000 per household and aim to help with prevention methods for future flooding
10.Any other business.
Brief discussion about the Golden Valley Project and the road infrastructure it will require. It at the back of GCHQ.
Meeting closed at 21.40