MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY MEETING OF

DRYBROOK PARISH COUNCIL

HELD ON TUESDAY 18^th APRIL 2023

AT THE SCHOOL ROOM, FOREST CHURCH at 7.00pm

PRESENT: Cllr R Bardo  (in the Chair),  M Garland,  M Jones, P Weaver,  J Print, C Blake, P Caton, D Middlemiss and J Johnston.   Also County Councillor T Hale and District Councillor J Fraser and 4 members of the public. The minutes were taken by the Clerk Mrs D Smith.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING 21 MARCH 2023

The date of the next meeting was amended.  With this amendment it was proposed by Cllr Jones, seconded by Cllr Caton and agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record and they were duly signed by the Chair.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES, NOT ON THE AGENDA

None.

5. REPORTS, including CHAIR

Cllr Bardo is sorting the broken speed sign later this week and is also carrying out some minor repairs on the bus shelter at Mannings Road.

Following on from the meeting last week about the possible closure of Drybrook Surgery and the committee decision meeting which was held yesterday, Cllr Print provided an update.  Becky Parish from NHS Gloucestershire met with councillors earlier today to advise that there was a reprieve until 28^th April as it was hoped that a caretaker partnership could be put in place for 6 months to give time to find a permanent partnership to run the surgery and for due diligence to be carried out.  The responses from the public and the feedback received had been very helpful in the decision making process and everything was being done to keep the surgery open.  It was noted that the surgery building is owned privately and that the NHS pay the rent as is common practice.

Cllr Middlemiss advised that the Coronation event plans were well in hand, including the road closure, and that there would be another meeting tomorrow to finalise things.

Cllr Garland advised that there is plenty of grit in the container in the car park.  He also agreed to stay on the Memorial Hall Committee along with Cllr Caton.

Cllr Johnstone has been in contact with Forestry England regarding path issues in Brierley and will meet with Cllr Hale to look the fence options for the field.

Cllr Blake mentioned the trialling of s post office service at the Co-op but it was noted that this was limited to parcel collection and drop off.   The mobile post office will still be visiting the village weekly and the details will be publicised on the website.  She also asked for an updated councillor contact list which the Clerk will sort.

Cllr Hale reported that Cats Hill is due to be resurfaced and the Stowfield Bridge pathway is being taken over by Highways.  He still has Build Back Better funding available for any suitable projects and youth grants.  The Drybrook signs are still on order and he will meet with Cllr Bardo to look at outstanding issues in the village.  Cllr Blake informed him that the grit bin issue at Hillside Road was still not sorted so he will chase this up.  He is also meeting again with the Co-op manager to look at the parking problems.

Cllr Fraser advised that FODDC had agreed for bags to be available for waste from the Coronation event which she will deliver.  The full bags will be collected from the car park.  She also has been trying to get Foresrty England to resurface a track in Morse Road which is a safety issue.

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6. PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Representatives from Drybrook Memorial Hall advised that Cllr Moore had moved their grit bin from by the bus shelter to further down in the car park.. There was concern that this wouldn’t be filled if it was not in the correct location and also a new lidded bin would be better.  Councillors agreed for the purchase a replacement bin and will look at relocating it back.  Cllr Hale will also check the bin location list with Highways.  Memorial Hall members were asked if the y would be happy to store some grit and they agreed.  The parish council will also look at a spreader for the pavements/paths.

7. PLANNING MATTERS
8. i) Allowed – Ponderosa and Springfield Kennels change of use
9. ii) Disallowed – None

iii) New   – no new applications this month.

8. FINANCIAL MATTERS
9. i) Payment of accounts:D Smith (April salary) –  £308.67,   Expenses  (April), £16.50,  J George ( toilet opening April) – £50,  Complete Landscape Gardeners (litter pick) – £230, Complete Landscape Gardeners (grass) – £936, Netwise  website –      , N Baker (toilet cleaning) – £240,

   iii)  Discuss storage container – Cllr Middlemiss will cost a container for the car park and investigate unit price.  The Clerk will check the asset register and send details to Cllr Middlemiss.

Cllr Print and the Clerk will look at providing financial report for next meeting.

9. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

Grant Request from Drybrook Toddlers – it was agreed to make an donation of £450 for new chairs

Yarnbombing request for mail boxes – this was agreed.  The Clerk will also look into whether the Royal Mail still do gold mail boxes for Gold Medallists.

10. ACTION POINTS

Cllr Hale –to sort the flattening of the path at Ruardean Hill

11. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

Drybrook Surgery – discuss the current situation at next meeting.

The Hollow – still a problem with field full of rubbish.  It was agreed to pursue this through Environmental Health – Cllr Middlemiss will do this.  As the DC made the initial error in the enforcement notice, this will be referred to them also.

Christmas lights – due to the expense involved, Cllr Print is looking at other options and obtaining quotes

The costs of running the toilets was also discussed and Cllr Middlemiss will try and find a way to monitor the usage.  Councillors will also investigate options such as a unisex toilet.  It was noted that the decorative floral balls had been stolen.  One of the planters has not yet been planted and Cllr Blake offered to do this.

Cllr Hale was asked if the 30mph signs in Hawthorns could be larger. He also advised that the District Council need to give permission for the additional car par lighting – The Clerk will contact them.

12. CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Due to the issue with insufficient nomination papers being submitted in time for the election, the District Council will need to re-run the election after 5^th May.  The Clerk will send out the details and new forms once received.  A date for the meeting will then be arranged.  She apologised for not checking with everyone at the previous meeting when she was unwell.

 Meeting closed at 8.05pm.

Signed___________________________________ Chair     Date_______________________________