STAUNTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 14th July 2020

Venue: Zoom (Due to Covid-19 pandemic)

Time: 7:30pm

Present: Councillors; J. Millar, D. Williams, B. Allen, M. Fuller, D. Peach, B. Lewis (District Councillor), P. Burford (District Councillor and Corse Parish Council Representative), W. Windsor-Clive (County Councillor), G. Millar (Clerk) and 1 Parishioner.

1.    Chairman’s Welcome

Cllr Millar welcomed all present and explained the evening’s proceedings.

 

2.    Receive Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr Fardon.

 

3.    Declarations of Interest

Cllr Fuller declared an interest in relation to item 12, due to his involvement with the Brownies.

 

4.    To confirm the minutes of the previous bi-monthly meeting and Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 12th May 2020

The minutes of the previous bi-monthly meeting held on Tuesday 12th May 2020 were proposed by Cllr Fuller and seconded by Cllr Allen to be accepted as a true record.

The minutes of Staunton Parish Council’s Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 12th May 2020 were proposed by Cllr Allen and seconded by Cllr Fuller to be accepted as a true record.

 

6 . District Councillor Report

District Councillor, Philip Burford reported that the Forest of Dean District Council have just held their Annual Meeting of Full Council. The District Council is under considerable budgetary pressure. With over £900,000 funding received from Central Government, Forest of Dean District Council’s spending is still over budget by around £300,000.

He also highlighted the advice from Government and GAPTC advising not to hold face-to-face meetings and to expect virtual meetings for the foreseeable future.

 

5.    County Councillor Report

County Councillor Will Windsor-Clive reported that Gloucestershire County Council are working hard with around 2,000 employees working remotely due to Covid-19. Meetings are also being held virtually where possible and works are also underway to ensure that social distancing is correctly implemented in town centres.

     

7 . District Councillor Report

District Councillor, Brian Lewis was asked to follow up on Parishioner concerns regarding works at the Priday site and the work hours that should be adhered to.

 

8. Financial Regulations

Cllr Millar clarified that Staunton Parish Council’s internal finance checks shall be undertaken four times per year. The 2020/2021 Financial Regulations for Staunton Parish Council were then approved by all Councillors.

 

9. Audit 2019/2020

Council to declare an exemption from the requirement for a limited assurance review.

All Councillors approved the exemption from Staunton Parish Council’s requirement for a limited assurance review, with the Certificate of Exemption to now be sent to the External Auditors, PKF Littlejohn.

To approve Section 1: Annual Governance Statement 2019/2020.

All Councillors approved Staunton Parish Council’s Annual Governance Statement 2019/2020.

To approve Section 2: Accounting Statements 2019/2020 for Staunton Parish Council.

All Councillors approved Staunton Parish Council’s Accounting Statements for 2019/2020.

All documents were then signed by Cllr Millar and the Responsible Financial Officer.

      

10. WCAG 2.1 Compliance

The Clerk updated all Councillors regarding the upcoming deadline of 23rd September 2020 to comply with the website accessibility guidelines. In line with this an audit of Staunton Parish Council’s website shall be undertaken by the Clerk to highlight areas for improvement. The Clerk is also to also create a draft Accessibility Statement for approval during the next meeting of Staunton Parish Council.

 

11. Footpaths

Cllr Williams noted that there have been dog waste issues along Stoney Lane and Prince Crescent and suggested the purchase of a litter bin to improve the problem at a cost of £197.71 which was agreed and approved by all Councillors. Cllr Williams to send Cllr Millar further details and arrange purchase.

Grass at Staunton Court has also now been cut and signage cleaned.

Cllr Allen also highlighted that the Whitmore Way walking route could be improved to enable easier use, with an audit to be completed by volunteer Parishioners to understand what will be required.

    

12. Donations

Cllr Fuller left the meeting at 8.29pm due to his previous declaration of interest concerning this item.

Following a discussion, the Councillors agreed a £200 donation to the Brownies.

Cllr Fuller returned to the meeting at 8.40pm.

Following a further discussion, it was decided by all Councillors to wait until the next meeting of Staunton Parish Council to decide on any further donations.

       

13. Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Cllr Fuller had no matters to raise.

14. Finance

Financial Report: Payments & Receipts 18/04/20 – 17/06/20

Opening Balance Brought Forward from Last Reconciliation: £5,758.60

Payments in Period:

06.03.20      000881             Clerk’s March Salary                              £176.10

06.03.20      000882             Clerk’s March Expenses                         £31.67

06.04.20      000883             Clerk’s April Salary                                £176.10

06.04.20      000884             Clerk’s April Expenses                            £21.67

06.05.20      000885             Clerk’s May Salary                                 £187.03

06.05.20      000886             Clerk’s May Expenses                            £21.67

06.05.20      000887             Purchase of VE Day Bunting                   £41.70

06.05.20      000888             Zurich Insurance Premium                     £257.60

10.05.20      000889             2020/2021 GAPTC Subscription           £187.27

06.06.20      000890             Clerk’s June Expenses                            £105.67

06.06.20      000891             Clerk’s June Salary                                 £187.03

09.06.20      000892             Half Year Grass Cutting                          £80.00

TOTAL:                                                                                              £1,473.51

Receipts in Period:

-                  -                                   -

TOTAL:                                                                                              £0.00

Balance After All Payments & Receipts Are Accounted For:              £4,285.09

Cheques/Receipts Not Presented in Period:

-                    -                                       -                                  

TOTAL:                                                                                             £0.00                                                                                       

Balance After Accounting for Unpresented Entries:                           £4,285.09

Statement of Account

Balance in Lloyds TSB Account @ 17/06/20:                                     £4,285.09

Unpresented Cheques Drawn Post Bank Statement:

06/07/20     000893             Clerk’s July Expenses                             £25.14

06/07/20     000894             Clerk’s July Salary                                  £187.03

TOTAL:                                                                                             £212.17

Balance After ALL Payments Clear:                                                   £4,072.92

  15. Planning

P0435/20/FUL

Change of use of land to accommodate the siting of a timber framed pod holiday let. Creation of new access and parking – The Old Pyke Cottage, Old Pike, Staunton, Gloucestershire, GL19 3QJ

FoDDC Decision - PENDING CONSIDERATION

P0278/20/FUL

Erection of a single storey extension to form annexe accommodation to be used ancillary to the main dwelling. Demolition of existing single storey lean-to store – Jasmine Cottage, Orchard End, Staunton, Gloucestershire, GL19 3QX

Staunton Parish Council Comment - NO OBJECTION

FoDDC Decision - GRANTED PERMISSION

P0308/20/FUL

Erection of two dwellings with associated works. (Redevelopment of a frontage plot on previously developed land) – Garden Centre, Ledbury Road, Staunton, Gloucestershire, GL19 3QA

Staunton Parish Council Comment - NO OBJECTION

FoDDC Decision - GRANTED PERMISSION

P0458/20/FUL

Erection of a single storey extension with associated work. Demolition of existing conservatory – 1 Lovett Close, Staunton, Gloucestershire, GL19 3RZ

Staunton Parish Council Comment - NO OBJECTION

FoDDC Decision - GRANTED PERMISSION

P0844/20/AG

Prior notification to provide a multi-purpose agricultural building to facilitate machinery storage, grain handling equipment, fertiliser storage, buffer store for wet grain – Land at Staunton Court, Ledbury Road, Staunton, Gloucestershire

Staunton Parish Council Comment - NO OBJECTION

FoDDC Decision - PENDING DECISION

P0615/20/FUL

Erection of a single storey extension providing facilities for the benefit of a registered disabled person – 14 Freedom Close, Staunton, Gloucestershire, GL19 3SN

Staunton Parish Council Comment - NO OBJECTION

FoDDC Decision - PENDING CONSIDERATION

P0809/20/FUL

Construction of a two-storey extension to the side of the property and a single storey extension to the rear of the property. Demolition of conservatory and store to the rear of the property. Construction of drop kerb to form vehicular access – 1 Jubilee Place, Staunton, Gloucestershire, GL19 3RS

Staunton Parish Council Comment - NO OBJECTION

FoDDC Decision - PENDING CONSIDERATION

Planning application P0435/20/FUL was then discussed further, with Staunton Parish Council to collate comments and questions for submission to the Forest of Dean District Council.

16. Any Other Business

      No items were raised.

17. Public Participation

      No items were raised.

 

The meeting finished at 9:23pm

Signed:                                                                                  Date: