HORTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE 
ANNUAL MEETING OF HORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Which was held on Tuesday 13th May 2025
At Horton Village Hall at 8pm 
Following on from the Annual Village Assembly

AGENDA

PRESENT: Cllrs Fannon, Craig, Harrison, Williams and Hatherell, 5 members of public

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:  Chair – Cllr Hatherell proposed Cllr Fannon.  There was no seconder and so Cllr Fannon used his casting vote.
			     Cllr Harrison was voted in as Vice Chair
APOLOGIES:  Ward Councillor Rush, Ward Councillor Romaine
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – there were none

MINUTES:  Minutes of the meeting held on 26th March 2025 were confirmed and signed as correct.

MATTERS ARISING:
Councillors – Anything to report?  Nothing to report
Ward Councillors – Anything to report?  Absent - Cllrs Harrison and Craig reiterated their offer of help with the signing of the petition.

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.
Ref: P25/01017/CLP – A member of the public raised objections to this application based on the height of the wall, the proposed finish not being in keeping with the area with Cotswold stone perhaps being more appropriate.  They also raised concern that there didn’t appear to be plans to reinstate the existing post box within the wall.
A second member of the public voiced the same concerns about the wall and also that trees and hedges were being removed.
Ref: P25/00182/HH A member of the public asked why the PC had not commented.  Clerk confirmed that councillors were called upon to comment and asked if the Chair wished to call a meeting to discuss.  There were only 2 responses - from Cllrs Williams and Craig, noting no objections.  No other responses were received, and the Chair did not request a meeting to discuss further. 
A second member of the public advised that he had emailed the Chair some weeks previously voicing his objections and concerns over the above application.   This email was not shared with the rest of the Parish Council for their consideration.  Cllr Williams was very concerned that this information had not been shared.  Cllr Fannon apologised for this oversight and all were reminded that any communications received must be forwarded to the Clerk to disperse as appropriate.  

Village Safety – Any safety issues to report? See speed limit.  Potholes generally – everyone to continue to report these to SGC. 
2 very nasty bike collisions on the A46 due to high speed in the good weather.  Clerk to raise concern with the police.
Appointment of committee member – Sodbury Field Allotments – current member did not respond to invitation – clerk to try to make further contact
Additional defib – Little Sodbury.  Councillors agreed to support in principle.  Confirmation of where it can be safely installed and who will be responsible for maintenance checks to be sought.   A LS resident attending the meeting will source this information and report back to the Council.  
Re child defib pads – Child pads are held at the school already, although children’s parties/weddings are held at the VH outside of school hours.  Child pads are expensive and have a short shelf life (18 months approx.). Clerk noted that her GP had advised that it is VERY rare for a child to need these.  Councillors will look at this again later in the year when setting the precept as there is the potential to then need 3 lots due to the new units at LS.  
New litter bin – all agreed to purchase with SGC to fit at £622.68 plus VAT.  Bin to be placed a bit further away from the bench so not immediately next to anyone seated at the there.  Clerk to liaise with SGC.

PLANNING:
Ref: P25/00182/HH:-  Appeal to the decision to refuse permission to raise the roofline of existing annexe to match the main house @ Bix House, Wood Lane, Horton, BS37 6PG.   See comments above from MOPs.  Cllrs were concerned that what appears to be happening at this property is not what was on the original plans.  However, as this appeal is proceeding under the Householder Appeals Service, there is no opportunity to submit further comments.  The Appeals Service will however consider all previous communications from all those who responded to the original application.  .
Ref: P25/01017/CLP:- To consider the erection of a boundary wall at Bix House, Wood Lane, Horton, BS37. 
Cllrs agreed with the members of the public that the wall should be kept in keeping with the local area, Cotswold stone being more appropriate.  It is too high and there appears to be no plan to reinstate the post box.  There are concerns over the clearance of the land/trees.  Previous plans did not mention the removal of hedges and trees.  HPC object as per these comments. Clerk to advise SGC.
Ref: P25/00910/LB:- To consider planning application for internal alterations to install new fire protection materials between the Norman Hall and the remainder of the building, with 1no. new fire door at ground floor level, boarding in an alcove at first floor level and installing some insulated batting within a floor void at Horton Court, Upper Chalkley Lane, Hawkesbury.  HPC has no objections – clerk to advise SGC.
Details of all planning applications may be found at www.southglos.gov.uk/planning

FINANCE:
Accounts for year ending March 2025 and audit paperwork – for checking and approval.  These had all been sent to councillors prior to the meeting for checking – Chair & RFO to sign papers as correct with agreement of all councillors.
Internal Auditor – Paul King has agreed to audit our books as in previous years for the same sum of £75.00.  Approved.
Certificate of Exemption – This certifies that Horton Parish Council has an annual gross income and annual gross expenditure of less than £25,000.00 and does not exceed this amount. The Chair and RFO signed the document as confirmation.  Clerk to return to BDO LLP auditors.
Approval of Governance Statement 2024/25 – Approved - Chair and RFO signed the statement as correct.    

Approval of Accounting Statement 2024/25 - Approved - Chair and RFO signed the statement as correct. 

Renewal of the Zurich Insurance Company annual policy for consideration - £418.92 – Approved – Clerk to set up payment.

Payments In/Out:  
31.3.2025 – Unity Bank monthly bank charge - £6.00
22.4.25 – Invoice No, SUBS-2025-071 in the sum of £152.43
30.4.2025 – Unity Bank monthly bank charge - £6.00
30.4.2025 – Receipt of first instalment of the precept from SGC - £3775.00
Noted

Items for discussion at the next meeting: There were none.
Date of Next Meeting: 30th July subject to hall availability.
Meeting Closed:  21.20hrs