HORTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE 
MEETING OF HORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Which was held on Tuesday 9th July 2024
At Horton Village Hall at 7.30 pm 

AGENDA

PRESENT: Cllrs Fallon, Craig, Harrison, and Hatherell, Reginald Bleadon Cotswold Warden, 2x MOPS
APOLOGIES: Cllr Williams, Ward Cllrs Romain and Rush

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – there were none
MINUTES:  Minutes of the meeting held on 7th May 2024 were confirmed and signed as correct.

MATTERS ARISING:
Councillors – Anything to report?  Nothing to report
Ward Councillors – Anything to report?  Cllr Romaine emailed to confirm that she would be conducting a door to door petition signing in the next few weeks with regards to the reduction of the speed limit.  HPC councillors to be advised when this would be so that they could also participate in this.

AGENDA ITEM:

Public Participation – any member of the public wishing to speak will be given 3 minutes to speak on items on the agenda.  If they wish to raise any other matters, they should write to the clerk for inclusion in the next meeting or may do so at the Chair’s discretion.  NB no decisions can be made for matters raised which are not on the agenda – they may be added to the agenda for the next meeting if necessary.  There was no pubic participation.

Village Safety – Any safety issues to report?  Cllr Harrison reported that there were several road junctions with  poor visibility due to the long grass, made worse by recent rain.  In particular, both entrances to the A46, the bend on the junctions with New Tynings and Hall Lane, the junction with New Tynings Lane and LS Hill and Totteroak Lane back to the Common where the hedges have become very overgrown.  Clerk to request SGC attend to this as part of the clear up/cut back offered by Streetcare, see below agenda item.
Update on Cotswold Way and the upkeep of footpaths – Reginald Bleaden, Cotswold Warden.  Mr Bleaden introduced himself as a regular walker of the Cotswold Way and other surrounding foot/bridle paths. He advised that on the whole the route is in good condition.  He is able to carry out some upkeep and repairs as Cotswold Way Warden but is just a volunteer on other non-Cotswold Way routes who likes to keep things cleared and tidy for walkers.  There are some particularly poor areas on Bridle Paths near Vinney Lane which are not covered by his Wardenship and he is in need of assistance/tools to help clear these as they no longer have small working parties.  He will put a call for help for a volunteer working party in the village newsletter.  Clerk will also suggest these areas for clearing from Streetcare in the agenda item below.   PROW are aware of these areas, but to date have taken no action.
Update on Speed Limit – Cllr Romaine See note above.  
Update on Banking.   Cllrs Craig and Harrison and the clerk reported that after more than a year, and multiple visits by all of them, plus Cllr Williams, that Nat West have been completely incompetent at adding Cllr Williams to the mandate, despite confirming twice that he had been added.  There have been several other issues.  The bank had been told that the clerk should not be a signatory on the account, but should be named on an info only basis.  Clerk is not a signatory, but the bank have linked all PC accounts to her personal banking app giving her full access to spend with no checks in place – completely unacceptable.  They have been advised of this and still the accounts are linked.   Cllrs therefore agreed unanimously that the PC accounts should be moved to Unity Banking who specialise in PC banking with a two signatory online banking set up which is required for all PCs.  This account is at a cost of £6 per month.  Clerk to set up once the cheques below have cleared through Nat West.
To consider items for clearing/tidying/cutting back etc for SGC to implement.  Cllrs suggested that most street signs needed a clean especially the school signs from Horton Hall upwards and also the A46 Horton sign just before Trinity Cottages.  The grass around the junctions mentioned above for safety reasons.  The culvert on the LHS going down to Bennetts is clogged and needs clearing.  Clerk to advise SGC.
Update on Bench – purchase of the bench has not yet taken place due to the above issues with the bank.

PLANNING:

P24/01538/PNFU - Winchcombe Farm Little Sodbury End Lane Little Sodbury, S Glos BS37 6QD DESCRIPTION: Prior notification under Part 3 Class R of a change of use from, Agricultural buildings to a flexible use falling within Class C1 (Hotel).  Cllrs were concerned about the lack of information presented with this application. Given the scant other information which is available they objected on the basis of the large amount of traffic detailed in the documents. This amount of traffic is completely unsuitable for the very rural site which is reached by very narrow lanes which are in extremely poor condition.  Clerk to advise SGC.
P24/01367/PNA – Bushes Farm, Bushes Lane, Horton, Bristol, S Glos.  An application was received and circulated to councillors for comment in respect of prior notification of the intention to erect an agricultural building for the storage of fodder and machinery and created of access track and hardstanding.   Councillors had no objections.  A decision notice has been received advising ‘Refusal Prior Approval’. Noted.
P23/02772/HH - The Stables, Tungrove Farm, Horton Road, South Glos.  An appeal notice was received and circulated to councillors for comment in respect of the removal of 2no. existing barn doors.  Installation 2no. windows to facilitate the conversion of existing store rooms to studio and workshop.  Councillors had no objections to the original application and no further comment. Noted.
Details of all planning applications may be found at www.southglos.gov.uk/planning

FINANCE:

Cheque No: 495 was signed in the sum of £75.00 to Paul King in respect of the internal audit.
Cheque No: 496 was signed in the sum of £86.15 in respect of printer ink, stationery and internet access for April, May, June and July.
Cheque No: 497 was signed in the sum of £190.80 to South Glos Council in respect of waste collection April, May and June 2024.  
Date of Next Meeting:  10th Sept subject to hall availabiity