MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DYMOCK PARISH COUNCILHeld on Monday 09th December 2019 at 7:30pm in Dymock Parish Hall

Present: Cllr Terry Boon (Chairman), Cllr Trevor Blandford (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Andrew Perry, Cllr John George, Cllr Richard Dunnett, Cllr Tony Eagle

In attendance: Mrs Arin Spencer (Clerk), eleven (11) members of the public

96. Apologies for absence. None received.

97. Declarations of interest and requests for dispensation. None received.

98. Public ParticipationMembers of the public present at the meeting raised the following matters:

98.1. Potholes 98.1.1. There are two potholes on the driving line at long bridge on the Ledbury road.

///evolution.ankle.indicated98.1.2. There are potholes at the corner of Batsfield and Crowfield Lane.

98.2. Blocked Drains in Broomsgreen Highways put in a new drain near Whites Farm in 2018 resulting in the water travelling a few yards underground before popping up at a blocked drain outlet outside Whites Farm, GL18 2DP where it proceeds to flow along the narrow road for half a mile. Similarly, an outlet pipe is blocked outside Donnington Hall, Ledbury. Highways did work in the past to build up the verge but this has now disappeared completely and the drain is again blocked and unable to clear the water away.

98.3. Green Hill Farm Abattoir Appeal 98.3.1. Mr J Hodgson observed that the distances from the proposed abattoir to the nearest

property referred to in the applicant’s correspondence are over estimated at 130m. The distance to the nearest property boundary is 85m. This difference significantly alters the applicants calculations in respect of the impact of noise and odour.

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98.3.2. Mr Hodgson also noted that the the size of the blood tank and water tank are much larger than are required for the scale of business proposed. The applicant suggests that nearby properties will not be adversely affected by odour, noise and increased HGV traffic as the abattoir will remain a small scale operation. However, the larger than necessary blood and water tanks suggest the applicant is nevertheless planning for potential future expansion which would have a significantly higher impact on neighbouring properties.

98.3.3. Mr R Mair observed that the proposed abattoir would not be considered suitable to be installed within the settlement boundary for Dymock. Green Hill Farm falls outside the settlement boundary but Mr Mair argued that Dymock is a ribboned development which extends south to Stonefield (///depths.narrow.dark) and should therefore also take in development to the south-east as far as Batchfield House (///placidly.switch.snails) and Green Hill Farm (///gashes.technical.mutual).

98.3.4. A councillor observed that the proposed abattoir would also render nearby open land, with the potential for residential development, useless.

99. Ward Member ReportDistrict Councillor Roger Yeates was not present at the meeting.

100. MinutesA typo in the meeting date was noted, corrected by hand and initialled (11 October 2019 should read 11 November 2019).

100.1. Resolved: Approved and signed as a correct record the minutes, previously circulated, of the meeting held on 11 November 2019.

101. Neighbourhood Developent Plan101.1. Noted and signed the minutes (taken as read) of the Neighbourhood Development

Plan Steering Group meeting held on 25/11/2019.101.2. Resolved: to subscribe to Parish Online, digital mapping for local councils, at an

annual cost of £100 plus VAT (as recommended by the NDP Working Group in the reports dated 18/03/2019 and 15/04/2019).Proposed by Cllr Eagle, seconded by Cllr Blandford. Nem con.

102. Clerk’s Report (For information only)102.1. Highways

Pavement, hedge and blocked drains from Beauchamp Arms to Pound Corner.Email sent to Highways 09/12/2019.

102.2. Telephone Box outside Public ConveniencesEmail sent to Planning Officer 09/12/2019 to see if this can be done without submitting a planning application and, if not, what is required.

102.3. NDP Grant – £2,607 received 22/11/2019.102.4. Ketford Wood

Contacted enforcement officer 19/11/2019 but ‘there are currently no updates on this enforcement case at the current time.’

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102.5. Beauchamp Arms Damp control follow up survey has been scheduled for the last week in January 2020.

102.6. Play Area Clerk’s contact number on the sign outside the play area needs to be updated. Action: Cllr Boon to arrange for the sign to be updated.

102.7. Traffic Calming Forest of Dean are using speed guns in the Community Speedwatch scheme that cost only £250 to purchase outright. Gorsley & Kilcot Parish Council would be interested in sharing the cost and use of a kit with Dymock Parish Council. They are also interested in possible joint ownership of a data collecting Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS). Action: Clerk to put shared ownership of a speed gun with Gorsley & Kilcot Parish Council on January agenda.

102.8. War Memorial Maintenance Updated quotes have been requested from the two companies who quoted on repairs to the war memorial previously. Once received a grant application can be submitted.

103. Beauchamp Arms103.1. Cllr Eagle reported on maintenance required / completed at the pub as follows:

• Chimney needs repainting• Damp to right of entrance:

֊ Follow up inspection to take place end January 2020֊ Thereafter it is proposed that a board be used to cover up the section

damaged by damp to allow the wall to dry out further before redecorating• A lock has been fitted to the external toilet door.• All three doors have been planed down to reduce sticking.

103.2. Resolved: to replace the existing cellar pump with a new submergible self contained cellar pump with new pipework to existing drain at a cost of £750. Work to be carried out by N.K. Thick. Proposed by Cllr Eagle, seconded by Cllr Blandford. Nem. con.

104. Public Conveniences104.1. Cllr George did not have anything new to report on the public toilets but suggested

that the proposal to switch water suppliers be included on the January agenda.

105. Play Area105.1. Received inspection report from Cllr Boon for November 2019105.2. Received an update from Cllr Boon on maintenance action required in the play area:105.2.1. The 2019 annual playground inspection report recommended the installation of safer

surfacing in some areas i.e. under the swings. One option is rubber mats at a cost of £23 + VAT per mat measuring 6’ x 3’. TigerMulch is a more durable option but will cost a minimum of £60/m2 plus VAT.

105.2.2. Cllr Boon has received a quote of £350 from Greenfields to cut the banks of the playground. Clerk to include on the January agenda for approval.

105.2.3. Cllr Boon proposed that some of the remaining funds from the play area improvement public works loan be used to purchase a combined goal mouth and basket hoop as well as a table tennis table.

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Action: Clerk to prepare a report on how the remaining funds from the play area public works loan can be spent improving safety in the playground while also providing play equipment for older children.

106. Highways/FootpathsNoted the following ongoing highways/PROW issues:

106.1. Footpath from garage down to Pound Corner is narrow and unsafe for pedestrians. When it floods it is impossible for residents to walk to the village.

106.2. Drain about 40 yards past the 30mph sign towards pound corner is blocked. 106.3. Water is flowing out of the drain at Still House Cottage.106.4. Member of the public, R Mair, asked Council whether footpath GRA31/1 has been

officially diverted. For further information see comments of PROW Officer Suzanne Hopes on application P01 81/18/FUL .

107. Planning107.1. Noted the following planning decisions:107.1.1. P1658/19/LBC The Veldt House, Preston Cross, Ledbury (///scrapping.clues.forever)

Listed Building Consent for internal modernisation, alternations and associated works. Application withdrawn.

107.1.2. P1290/19/FUL Youncas, Tillers Green, Dymock, GL18 2AP (///arranger.tomb.marked)Erection of a two storey rear extension.Decision: Granted permission.

107.2. Considered the following planning appeal:107.2.1. P1291/18/FUL (APP/P1615/W/19/3238865)

Green Hill Farm, Dymock (///gashes.technical.mutual)Demolition of existing poultry shed and replacement with new abattoir.Deadline for comments: 31 December 2019Planning Consultant Peter Tufnell has been appointed to draft a response to the appeal for Dymock Parish Council. This should be available for consideration by 20 December. It was agreed that a meeting just before Christmas would be impractical.Action: Council instructed the Clerk to request an extension of the deadline to end January 2020.

107.3. Considered the following new planning applications:107.3.1. P1802/19/TCA Weyside Cottage, Dymock (///coaster.universes.sometime)

Reduce x 1 Yew Tree to a height of 6m above ground level at Weyside Cottage.Deadline for comments: 29 November

107.3.2. P1646/19/FUL Timberhill Farm, Dymock (///pillows.speared.surfacing)Erection of an agricultural building (1) for the housing of livestock.Deadline for comments: 16 DecemberResolved: No objections.

107.3.3. P1630/19/FUL Timberhill Farm, Dymock (///areas.nests.cavalier)Erection of an agricultural building (2) for the housing of livestock. Deadline for comments: 16 DecemberResolved: No objections.

108. Grants and Donations PolicyResolved: Adopted the draft Grant and Donations Policy.

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Proposed by Cllr Eagle, seconded by Cllr Blandford. Nem. con.

109. Budget 2020/21109.1. Resolved: Adopted the draft budget for 2020/2021109.2. Resolved: Agreed to set the precept for 2020/2021 at £19,403.

110. Internal Audit 2019/2020110.1. Resolved: To appoint GAPTC to conduct an Internal Audit within the Terms of

Reference 2019, for the year 2019 – 2020 at a cost of £390.Proposed by Cllr Dunnett, seconded by Cllr George. Nem. con.

111. Financial Matters111.1. Resolved: Approved the following list of payments:

Description Chq Budget Power AmountSnow Warden Donation 1363 Snow Warden Donation LGA 1972 s137 £ 250.00Perpetua Press 1364 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 341.00Greenfields Garden Services 1365 Grounds Maintenance HA 1980 s.96 £ 461.54Windcross Dairies 1366 Public Conveniences PHA 1936 s.87 £ 336.00J Tweedale 1367 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 87.72A Perry 1368 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 59.23R Simkin 1369 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 75.00M Townsend 1370 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 5.49C May 1371 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 42.42A Vizor 1372 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 45.00Ann Cam 1373 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 40.00J Hodgson 1374 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 53.41GRCC 1375 NDP LGA 1972 s.111 £ 150.00

Proposed by Cllr Eagle, seconded by Cllr Blandford. Nem. con.

112. Staff Matters112.1. Resolved: Approved and signed the clerk’s Contract of Employment112.2. Resolved: Approved the clerk’s leave request as follows:

23 December 2019 to 5 January 2019 16 – 20 March 2020

113. Matters to be raised for next meetingClerk to update Councillors’ details on the website.

114. Meetings114.1. To confirm that the next ordinary meeting of Dymock Parish Council will be held on

13 January 2020 at 7:30pm in Dymock Village Hall.

With no further business the meeting was closed at 20:41pm.

Signed (Chairman) Date

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Where appropriate the what3words address for certain items has been used. ///what3words is a simple way to talk about location. They have assigned each 3m2 in the world a unique 3 word address that will never change. For example ///importing.distract.lemons marks the exact entrance to the Beauchamp Arms. 3 word addresses are easy to say and share, and are as accurate as GPS coordinates. Discover the what3words app and use it to report the precise location of any problems in the parish you would like Council to investigate.

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