PRESENT: Councillors: C Smalley (Chairman), a White, J Scarsbrook, S Clarke, B Eddolls

MINUTES OF STOW ON THE WOLD COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY26TH JANUARY 2017, AT THE YOUTH CLUB CENTRE, FOSSEWAY, STOW ON THE WOLD,

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL54 1DW AT 7.15 PM

PRESENT: Councillors: C Smalley (Chairman), A White, J Scarsbrook, S Clarke, B Eddolls, S Green,

V Davies, M Moseley, P Day, J Davies Mrs H Sipthorp, Clerk/RFO and 2 members of the public

Also in attendance: Ward County Cllr N Moor, PC R Webb & PC J Page

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Members of the Public present were given an opportunity to speak during the course of the Meeting at the Chairman’s discretion.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllrs M Curtis &Ward District Cllr J Harris (substitute for Cllr Neill).

1. CODE OF CONDUCT & DECLARATION OF INTERESTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Members were reminded to declare any interests that may arise during the course of the meeting.

1. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 15TH DECEMBER 2016

RESOLVED –Proposed Cllr White, seconded Cllr Moseley that after “deferred” be changed to “referred” on Page39 under Clerk’s Report that the Chairman should sign the minutes as a true and accurate record.RECORD OF VOTING– All in favour. Motion carried.

1. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

None.

1. CLERK’S REPORT & MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 15TH DECEMBER 2016

Clerk confirmed that there was nothing in the current rules & regulations for the Spring Gardens allotments to say that tenants could not have bonfires on the site.

Council has received a letter from the Land Registry which confirms that CDC has registered Spring Gardens allotments site as a community asset.

1. POLICE REPORT

PC Webb began his report by saying there had been an increase in burglaries in the area in the run up to Christmas – mainly Chipping Campden, Mickleton & Moreton in Marsh and latterly a few in Stow. As a result extra patrols had been out. Tending to be day time burglaries and they are entering properties or sheds that are not secured. He asked the public to be vigilant in looking after their property. There had also been some low value shop lifting. Some anti social behaviour at “throwing out time” in The Square which resulted in a vehicle being damaged. The Ashton House construction site had also had some items stolen. Drug offences are down. PC Webb said he hoped to get back out with the speed gun soon. He has asked for the ANPR car to come to the Stow area. He said Cirencester are meant to be getting a permanent one for the area. A discussion ensued as to whether the Council and the Police could do a joint campaign to encourage residents to be vigilant and look after their property. He then took questions from the members of council and public. There being no further questions PC Webb & PC Page left the meeting to return to their duties.

1. REPORT FROM COTSWOLD DISTRICT CLLR DILYS NEILL

No report as Cllr Harris, who is kindly substituting for Cllr Neill,had given his apologies for absence. However, he had given an update on Cllr Neill and asked the Clerk to convey this. He said that Cllr Neill was having her stem cell operation next week. She would then remain in hospital for a further 3-4 weeks. Clerk requested to send the council’s best wishes to her.

1. REPORT FROM GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY CLLR NIGEL MOOR

Cllr Moor reported that GCC’s share of council tax is likely to go up by 1.99% plus a further 2% which will be ring fenced for social care. He said that the budget is £11M down on current financial year. He also mentioned that by disposing of GCC assets this had brought in £40M. He added that he was confident that one way or another Stow Children’s Centre would continue. Cllr Moor also talked about the Monarch’s Way footpath which is to be started before the end of the financial year because there has been confusion on exactly where the footpath started and finished. He clarified the situation.

1. MOTOR SHOW ON QEII FIELD IN JULY 2018

Cllr Eddolls said he, along with volunteer residents, would like to organise this event which would not just be cars but anything “motor” related. It is planned for the third Thursday in July and if successful would alternate bi annually with the Cotswold Festival. They have to decide whether to come under auspices of the council and if so Clerk suggested that this could be a sub committee of the parks & square committee. He said he would have liked to run the event on King George’s playing field but parking would be an issue. He therefore asked permission for the event to take place on the QEII playing field. RESOLVED – Proposed Cllr White, seconded Cllr Smalley that permission be granted. Record of voting – All in favour. Motion carried.

1. NOMINATONS FOR PAST SERVING COUNCILLORS TO BE PUT IN A BALLOT (RUN BY GAPTC) FOR AN INVITATION TO ATTEND A BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDEN PARTY ON THURSDAY 1ST JUNE 2017

RESOLVED – Proposed by Cllr Smalley, seconded by Cllr J Davies that Mrs Vera Norwood be nominated. Record of voting – All in favour. Motion carried.

1. GAPTC TRAINING DATES TILL APRIL 2017

Unanimously agreed that Cllr J Davies can attend the “Being a Good Councillor” training session organised by GAPTC on 1st March 2017 at a cost of £90.

1. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES

a)Burial Board

Cllr Smalley said that no meeting had taken place since the last council meeting. Next meeting is scheduled for 2nd March 2017. He said the Community Payback Team continue to do a good job tidying up the cemeteries.

b)Finance & General Purposes Committee

(i)To confirm Cllr J Davies as a new member of the committee

RESOLVED – Proposed Cllr Moseley, seconded Cllr White –approved. Record of Voting – All in favour. Motion carried.

(ii)To Confirm and Approve Expenditure and Bank Reconciliation to end of December 2016

RESOLVED – Proposed Cllr Moseley, seconded Cllr White both are approved. RECORD OF VOTING – All in favour. Motion carried. See Appendix 1 – page 46 for details.

(iii)Expenditure approval for Clerk to attend a training course on “Preparing for Audit – looking at statutory requirements” at a cost of £50.

RESOLVED – Proposed Cllr Moseley, seconded Cllr Smalley that expenditure approved. Record of Voting – All in favour. Motion carried.

(iv)To discuss and approve the draft budget for 2017/18

RESOLVED – Proposed Cllr Moseley, seconded by Cllr Green that taking anticipated income of ££49,510 and expenditure of £196,580 the budget is set at £147,070. Record of voting – All in favour. Motion carried.

(v)To set the precept for 2017/18

RESOLVED – Cllr Moseley proposed, seconded by Cllr Eddolls that precept is set at £129,399 (the shortfall on budget is because the council will receive £4171 as Local Council Support Grant from CDC and the balance of £13,000 will be taken out of general reserves. Record of Voting – All in favour. Motion carried.

This is an increase, at Band D, of £3.05 per annum (6 pence per week) when compared to current financial year.

c)Parks & Square Committee

Cllr Green said there had been no meeting since the last council meeting. The next one is scheduled for 16th February 2017. She said the aim over the coming months and into the new financial year is to tidy up the green spaces in council’s ownership like King George’s playing field, QEII playing field and Spring Gardens allotments. She also spoke about Christmas lights and that the council need the support of the local businesses not only in spirit but also financially too. The council will continue to support the Visitor Information Centre and would be organising the annual Bonfire Event on QEII playing field.

d)Neighbourhood Development Plan Group

Cllr Eddolls said the Group had met earlier in the week. They are currently working on the redraft supplied by Mr Martin Davidson. There are a number of inaccuracies and the Group are looking at these and are meeting again on 2nd February 2017. The changes would then go back to Martin Davidson to incorporate and an updated version would be produced.

e)Planning, Traffic & Parking Committee

Minutes of the meeting held on10th January 2017 had been circulated to all members. Cllr White said he had nothing to add.

1. TO DISCUSS ANY CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY COUNCIL

None.

1. REPORT BY ANY MEMBERS WHO HAVE HAD A MEETINGN OR ATTENDED ANY EVENT ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL

Cllr Smalley said he attended an Alms Houses meeting on behalf of council. He said they are currently installing gas central heating into the properties which should be more cost effective.

1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS - ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT MEETING

Cllr White gave his apologies for the February council meeting. He suggested that the unilateral undertaking document to accompany the Youth Club’s outline planning application should be an Agenda item.

A member expressed her concern about a tree in the grounds of Ashton House saying it was leaning. Clerk to report to CDC Tree Officer.

A member of public present spoke about her objection to the selling of the Youth Club for development saying that she was the last remaining trustee for the Youth Club building many years ago when the trusteeship was handed over to the Council. She was questioning when and why the council had then handed over to the current Youth Club trustees.

A member of public asked if anything could be done with regard to the mud being brought onto the surrounding highway by the construction vehicles coming and going from the St John’s Care Home building site. Clerk to report to GCC Highways and copy in the CDC Planning too.

1. MEETING CLOSED:8.38pm.

1. NEXT MEETING: Thursday 23rd February 2017 at 7.15 pm.

APPENDIX 1

Signed: ______Chairman

Dated: ______

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