DRYBROOK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 18^th February 2025 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, Joanne Bridges, Mark Lake and Pat Weaver

Also present:              County Councillor Terry Hale

April Seabrook (Clerk)

4 members of the public

1. Apologies for absence

District Councillors Shaun Stammers, Jackie Fraser and Trevor Roach

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

Sue Griffen gave a short presentation about why she would like to become a Parish Councillor.

A representative of the Brody’s Trust gave a short presentation about the donation request that they had made to the Council.  Council was informed that the monies was going to be put towards some sensory equipment which would be installed in their new premises at the former primary school at Joys Green.

A representative from Candi gave a short presentation about the donation request that they had made to the Council.  They would like to put the money towards the youth provision that they have in Drybrook for yr 5 & 6 children.

3. County & District Councillor Reports

District Councillor Jackie Fraser was unable to attend the meeting but sent in the following written report:

Forestry England

I contacted the beat officer regarding the work at Harrow Hill. The main route where the timber is tracked out to the stacking area does always get badly rutted, but they stick to the one route on purpose to ensure other soil is left undisturbed. There will be a power line shutdown this week for the line that leads down to the church, and then that side of the block will be finished, after which the contractor will reinstate the area.

They had not received any direct complaints from residents.

Back Lane traffic

I received reports of traffic being stuck at back lane, a delivery truck was stuck for 3 hours and other times numerous drivers, unable to get through, were trying to reverse onto the main road at the chicane. I reported to Terry & highways manager and am waiting for a date to have a site visit with them.

Overbrook Garage

I have received notification of a licensing application the sale of alcohol at Overbrook garage convenience store. Please can you let me know if there are any objections from the PC.

County Councillor Terry Hale stated that the had walked along the Back Lane where residents were complaining about large vans getting stuck in the road and stated that some signage stating the width of the road.

4. Declarations of Interests

None

5. Requests for Dispensations

None

6. Minutes of the Meeting held on 21^st January 2025

It was resolved to accept the minutes of the meeting, which was held on 21^st January, as an accurate record of the meetings, and were signed by the Chairman.

7. Planning matters

None

8. Donation Request from Candi

Council agreed to donate £250 to Candi.  Action: Clerk

9. Donation Request from Brody’s Trust

Council agreed to donate £250 to Brody’s Trust.  Action: Clerk

10. NDP Working Group

Council agreed that Cllrs Cathy Clake, Dave Middlemiss, Mark Lake and District Councillor Trevor Roach would be on the NDP Working Group.

11. Risk Review Group

Council agreed the Risk Review Group would consist of Cllrs Dave Middlemiss and Mark Lake.

12. Council Email Address

Council agreed to move to the Premium Plus Flexmail with the website company, which would mean every Councillor could have a Council email address.          Action: Cllr John Print

13. Health and Safety Policy

            Council reviewed and re-adopted the Health and Safety Policy.  Action: Clerk

14. Donation Request from Dene Magna School

Council agreed to donate £250 to Dene Magna School towards their Timetable Suspension Event.  Action: Clerk

15. Annual Parish Meeting

Council agreed to have the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 28^th May at the Memorial Hall subject to it being available.

16. Overbrook Service Station’s New Premises Licence

            Council agreed that they have no objections to the application from Overbrook Service Station for a New Premises Licence.  Action: Clerk

16. Councillor Reports

Cllr Cathy Blake informed Council that the final version of the response from the Council was now ready to send to Gloucestershire County Council regarding the reopening of the quarry (Appendix A) and that she and Cllr Mark Lake would be meeting with the site operator and architect to clarify their intensions.

Cllr John Print stated that the playground at Roebuck Meadow was almost complete, and he had requested that the Harris fencing stayed in place until the grass had grown.  He also informed Council that the gate and wall were not yet repaired and that Council still needed to erect a memorial bench in memory of Graham Meek, and he wanted to contact the family first to check that they were happy with this idea.

Cllr Print also informed Council that the Annual Parish Council Meeting in May, when there would be a vote to elect a Chairman of the Council, he would not be standing.

Cllr Dave Middlemiss stated that he would contact Forest England’s Beat Officer regarding the mess that had been left at Harrow Hill following some work that they had carried out and that The Shop on The Cross now had three trustees and will be open to giving out grants.

Cllr Mark Lake informed Council that after the recent heavy rain he had driven around the village and noticed several areas of flooding caused by blocked drains, which he reported to the County Council.  GCC informed him that the drains had been unblocked but on closer inspection this work had not been carried out and he would be contacting them again.

He also stated that a grit bin had been ordered for Ruardean Hill.

Cllr Tracy Grainger informed Council that she had finally found someone to erect the new noticeboard at Brierley.

Cllr Richard Moore complained about the litter picking and informed Council that there was litter left near The Squirrel sign which had not been picked up in weeks.

17. Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported that she had:

Informed J Matthews Landscapes that the quote for supply and lay of eco mulch wetpour at Bracken Road Playing Field had been agreed.

Submitted internal audit documents to GAPTC for review by their auditor.

Contacted Water Plus and requested that all future invoices are sent to the Forest of Dean District Council, as they own the public toilets, and the Lease that was in place for the Parish Council to run this building has expired.

18. Accounts/Finance

1. Council agreed the following payments and receipts:

Payments made since last meeting.