DRYBROOK PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 17^th December 2024 at 7.00pm at The School Room, Holy Trinity Church, Drybrook

Present:

Parish Councillors:     John Print (Chairman), Cathy Blake, Richard Moore, Pam Caton, Dave Middlemiss, Tracy Grainger and Pat Weaver

Also present:               County Councillor Terry Hale

District Councillor Jackie Fraser

April Seabrook (Clerk)

2 members of the public

 

 

1. Apologies for absence

Cllr Malcolm Jones and District Councillors Shaun Stammers and Trevor Roach

 

 

2. Members of the public issues (15 minutes Standing Orders suspended)

A resident asked why the Parish Council didn’t carry out a consultation on the budget for 2025/26.  Cllr Print say that the Council would consider his suggestion when setting future budgets.

 

3. County & District Councillor Reports

Report received from District Councillor Jackie Fraser

 

Flooding

The last inspection of the culvert at the quarry was in October and at that time it was clear of debris, but obviously blockage has occurred since then. It is important that any flooding of property is reported to the District Council so there is a record of flood areas, and this helps the District Council with priorities for any action. I have reported the recent water problems at the quarry area, and it has been added to the list of inspection visits, however due to the widespread flooding that occurred in the district it may be a while before this can take place, I will check progress over the coming weeks.

The District Council do not currently provide any sandbags, they direct people to builder merchants, Cinderford Town Cllr’s tell me that the Hydro sacks they provided for residents worked well if used correctly, but they do need to be disposed of after use.

 

Council Tax Support.

Following consultation with residents DC has agreed to retain the current council tax support scheme but raise the band width so that it is in line with inflation and introduce a second adult rebate discount under the pension age council tax support scheme.

Anyone struggling to pay council tax should contact the D council as there is help available. Council tax support provides low-income households, both in and out of work, with help to pay their council tax.

 

Cllr Fraser also stated that the roof was leaking on the public toilets which would cost £700 to repair, however this work would not be carried out if the Parish Council were not going to reopen the toilets.  Cllr Print informed her that the Council would need to receive a new Lease for consideration before a decision would be made on this matter.

 

County Councillor Terry Hale informed Council that a meeting was going to be organised with Nick Bainton from the County Council, the Highways Department and the Parish Council to discuss the quarry.

 

 

4. Declarations of Interests

None

 

5. Requests for Dispensations

None

 

6. Minutes of the Meeting held on 19^th November 2024

It was resolved to accept the minutes of the meeting, which was held on 19^th November, as an accurate record of the meetings, and were signed by the Chairman.

 

7. Planning matters
8. a) P1378/24/FUL – 4 Council Houses, High Street, Brierley – Erection of detached wooded garage.

Decision: No objections

1. b) P1389/24/FUL – Land West of White House, Deans Walk, Harrow Hill – Erection of a detached dwelling with associated parking and amenity space.

Decision: No objections

1. c) P1417/24/FUL – the Old Shop, Newham Bottom, Ruardean Woodside – Change of use of land to residential, garden landscaping and erection of seating area structure, summerhouse and tool shed (retrospective)

Decision: No objections

1. d) P1447/24/FUL – 1 Marfells Way, Ruardean Woodside – Erection of first floor side extension

Decision: No objections

1. e) P1442/24/FUL – The Orchard, Mannings Road, Drybrook – Erection of detached one bedroom annexe

Decision: No objections

           

8. Budget for 2025/26

Council agreed the budget for 2025/26.  Appendix A

 

9. Precept for 2025/26

Council agreed that the Precept for 2025/26 will be £69,926, which is an increase of 30%, which will cost the residents an extra £14.06 for the year.  Action: Clerk

 

 

10. Internal Audit for 2024/25

Council having assured itself that the auditor is independent and competent, appointed GAPTC to carry out the internal audit for 2024/25 at a cost of £285.  Action: Clerk

 

 

11. Memorial Bench for Graham Meek & Mike Garland

Council agreed to erect two memorial benches for Graham Meek and Mike Garland during the next financial year.  Action: Clerk

 

12. Internal Financial Controls Policy

Council agreed to adopt the Internal Financial Controls Policy.  Action: Clerk

 

13. Standing Orders

Council reviewed and re-adopted the Standing Orders.  Action: Clerk

 

14. Quote for Refurbishment of Roebuck Meadows Play Area

Council agreed to the quote of £19,197.68 for the refurbishment of Roebuck Meadows Play Area.  Action: Cllr Print

 

15. Donation for the Heritage Open Day Programme

Council agreed to donate £200 to the Heritage Open Day Programme.            Action: Clerk

 

16. Councillor Reports

Cllr Pat Weaver informed Council that the residents of Ruardean Woodside were very pleased with the Christmas tree supplied by the Parish Council.  She also informed Council that the coffee mornings had raised £1,000 over the year for Ruardean Woodside Memorial Hall.

Cllr Pam Caton stated that she had received a lot of complaints about speeding and inconsiderate parking in the High Street.  Cllr Middlemiss informed her that the PCSO will be in the village on Saturday 21^st December and these matters can then be discussed.

 

Cllr John Print informed Council that the wall and gate at Roebuck Meadow Play Area had come down and this will be repaired at a cost of £340, which had been agreed by the Clerk and himself as Chairman of the Council, as this was considered a matter that couldn’t be left until the next meeting.

 

He also stated that the ivy at two of the bus stops in the village had been removed.

 

Cllr Dave Middlemiss informed Council that the speed camera training was now delayed until January.

 

Cllr Tracy Grainger informed Council that a Table Top Sale had taken place and £150 had been made and would go towards the Brierley Playing Field fund, and also that the boar were still accessing the field and causing a lot of damage.

 

Cllr Richard Moore stated that the flooding on Hawthorn Road was caused by hedge trimming because the trimmings drop down into the brook and then wash down and the branches block the grid.

 

 

 

 

17. Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported that she had:

Reported the blocked culvert on the High Street just past the bus shelter to the County Council Highways Department.

 

Reported the blocked drains along Brierley Road to the County Council Highways Department.

 

Reported the missing warning sign for the children’s play area on Bracken Road to the County Council Area Highways Manager, which he informed me would be replaced.

 

 

 

18. Accounts/Finance

 

1. Council agreed the following payments and receipts:

 

Payments made since last meeting.

 

Payee	Details	Method	Amount	Power	Budget
Harry Edwards	2 x Christmas Tree	BACS (25/11/24)	£200.00	LGA 1972 s137	Christmas
Water Plus	Water @ public toilets	DD (27/11/24)	£149.06	LGA 1972 s111	Public Toilets
April Seabrook	Salary	BACS (29/11/24)	£798.58	LGA 1972 s112(2)	Staff Costs
Big Box Little Box	Monthly storage rental	SO (30/11/24)	£130.00	LGA 1972 s111	Projects
EE	Mobile phone	DD (04/12/24	£28.48	LG(FP)A 1963 s5	General Admin
Litemania T/A Lumalite	Christmas lights	BACS (11/12/24)	£1,980.00	LGA 1972 s137	Christmas
N Sargent	2 months litter picking	BACS (11/12/24)	£460.00	LGA 1972 s111	Recreational Areas
		TOTAL	£3,746.12