Minutes of the Taynton Parish Council
MINUTES OF THE TAYNTON PARISH COUNCIL
Held on November 19th 2015at 7.30p.m. in the May Hill Methodist Rooms
PRESENTJason Smerdon, K. Burry,Keith Marsh,David Sillince, ,Hilary Lyon the Village Agent),Brian Robinson (County Councillor),and 3parishioners
APOLOGIESJane Horne (District Council), M Hammond
In Mr Hammond’s absence, J Smerdon (Vice Chairman) took the chair.
Adoption of Minutes14th September 2015
The minutes were passed. Proposed KB,Seconded DS, carried unanimously
MATTERS ARISING
PLANNING
The Old Barn, May Hill(pending decision)
Yew Tree Cottage May Hill(pending decision)
Woodbine Cottage, May Hill(in circulation)
Other Matters Arising
Finance
Budget 2016/17
The clerk presented a draft budget to the council and a discussion of coststook place,
covering potential future election costs, transparency, grants and contingencies.
Web hosting costs to meet Transparency requirements were the cause of some concern with
annual charges in excess of £200 being quoted by third parties. The County Councillor
indicated that GL17 post codes(covering May Hill parishioners) can be hosted free of charge
on theMitcheldean Library site and also suggested that Taynton could achieve a web
presence though a facebook page.Action: Clerk to research the options and publish a
second draft.
Grants
It was proposed that all of the historic grants to local facilities should be maintained at their current levels and a contingency of £100 put in place as a potential grant towards installation of a defibrillator at the May Hill Village Hall. Proposed KM, Seconded KB, passed unanimously.
Grass Cutting
The invoice for the current year is £135 compared to a budget at £150, and it was agreed that
this should be paid immediately.Proposed DS, Seconded KB, passed unanimously
Precept
A long discussion took place regarding the level of the precept.
In order to ensure that potential costs of a future contested election could be covered and
address the negative income figures forecast in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 budgets, a total
precept of £3,750 was agreed. Proposed KM, Seconded DS, passed unanimously.
The Conservation Volunteers
DS agreed meet with Kelly Osborne of CV as a first action to look at potential suitable areas,
that will include Moat Lane and Glasshouse Green.
Transparency Code
The Clerk was actioned to investigate further the costs associated with meeting transparency
requirements, with a view to making a grant application this month – November.
The Village Agent informed the meeting that Churcham Parish Council have launched a web site an it might be productive to talk to Marion King (Clerk)
County Councillor
Reported that things are tight as both Adult Care and Children’s Care are running over budget
(increase in Children in Care and cost of caring for the elderly).
Devolution is on the agenda and a proposal has been put forward by Gloucestershire
Councils and agencies. The Government has asked for more detail and will talk again in the
new year. To deal with this a combined authority is the suggested way forward, but this does
not include an elected Mayor.
Cost pressures on Health are driving a consultation on the way Community Care services are
delivered in the Forest of Dean.
Fly tipping near Taynton House (Rocks Wood) and asbestos on Kents Green Lane, The
County Councillor agreed to progress action on both counts.
District Councillor
On behalf of the District Councillor, the County Councillor reported that waste services will
change next year to include more recycling (plastics and cardboard atkerb side), which
change is expected to save overall cost by reducing landfill charges.
Village Agent
The Village Agentadvised that The NHS Information Bus will be available from 10:00am
to 3:00pm on 1st December at Newent Co-op to provide information on staying “safe and
well” this winter.
Also, there is a Funded Public Transportation Consultation at Newent Memorial Hall on
Thursday 3rd December 6.30-8.30pm.
Highways
The bridge on Newent Rd from Taynton is getting narrow because of debris building up – the County Councillor to progress an action
Caerwentsmarking posts have been knocked down and the new ditch has been partially
blocked.
Folly Lane.Dip Well head capped by a cider stone has been pushed into the hedge above
The Old Barn. This is adjacent to a new manhole cover. Action: Clerk to try to identify a
responsible agency.
2 drains are blocked on Folly Lane – outside Honeypatch and Rosebank cottages. Action,
Clerk to inform Highways.
Footpaths
Boundary bridge with Tibberton – Tibberton Mill, is to be replaced (Susan Hope).
New Matters
May Hill Defibrillator
May Hill Village Hall wish to install a defibrillator, for which they have been offered a grant
towards the total cost. They are looking for further support in meeting the cost and are
engaged in fundraising/grant application. SW Ambulance Service support the installation.
ActionDS to contact Kevin Dicken of SW Ambulance Services.
AOB
Devolution
The Clerk requestedQuestions to be forwarded by councillors for a26th November Meeting
ofGRCC, GMTF and GAPTC.
Change of Use, Barns to Residential
The County Councillor gave his understanding of the District Council position, that the new
Planning proposals did not really change much on the ground.
(National Planning Framework).
DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:Feb. 4th Mayhill, AGM 12th May Taynton
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