apm

"They are an opportunity to meet your elected Parish Councillors and for them to receive your views on issues that affect you. Your Parish Council wants to build up an accurate picture of the Parish at present, the people who live here, and their needs, wishes and ideas for the future of their community." Kings Stanley Parish Council

The Annual Parish Meeting takes place on Wednesday 22nd April 2009 7.30pm at Kings Stanley Village Hall.

KING'S STANLEY PARISH ELECTORS!

2009 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

at KING’S STANLEY VILLAGE HALL

· YOUR DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS: Nigel Studdert-Kennedy & Raymond Apperley

Parish Meetings may by law discuss parish matters and pass resolutions about them.

Where there is a Parish Council it falls to the Parish Council to convene and arrange a Parish Meeting because by law there has to be at least one every year. At other times any 6 electors may convene a Parish (or Public) Meeting. Charles Arnold Baker Local Council Administration 6^th Edn Ch10 P91.

MINUTES/NOTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD FROM 7.30PM ON WEDNESDAY 22^nd APRIL 2009 IN KING'S STANLEY VILLAGE HALL

APOLOGIES District Cllr Ray Apperly (another engagement) provided a written report, County Cllr Stephen Glanfield (personal family reasons) unable to provide a report.

PRESENT D Hauser, Parish Council Chairman presiding, P Cllrs G Owen, A Cann Mrs L Williams, Mrs S Johns, J Graham, Mrs A Raybone, Mrs W McNamee District Cllr N Studdert-Kennedy, Burlow, P Cllrs Mrs A Raybone, Parishioners Mrs L Chubb, John Meadley, Mrs P Cann, PCSO D Flay and colleague Beat Manager, new Neighbourhood Warden Kaz Elliot and numerous other parishioners including 4 KS schoolchildren and Richard from Stroud Valleys Project & Vicky Redding to help them make their presentation + Mrs J Roberts Parish Clerk. Around 30 in all present.

MINUTES OF 2008 APM Were approved at the ordinary Parish Council meeting following the APM – this is done traditionally in order to pick up on and act upon any decisions made at the meeting. Copies were available for the public at this meeting.

Chairman, David Hauser, welcomed everyone to the 2009 APM, stressing that it was their meeting, he urged people to raise matters for discussion and not to hesitate to join in.

He first wished to outline the Council’s year just gone briefly: Only 4 Parish Cllrs were elected in May 2008 but KSPC was very lucky to have been able to co-opt 5 to bring the team up to the full strength of 9. He thanked all his fellow Cllrs for their help during the year and the Clerk who is into her 21^st year in that capacity. He also thanked our District Cllrs, remarking that it was very rare that Nigel Studdert-Kennedy did not attend a PCM. The Parish Council was really pleased to have the interest of the next tier of local government - and it was very much appreciated.

KSPC has dealt with numerous issues during the year & maintains a very careful control on financial management. The precept for 2009/10 remains unchanged at £21,500.00 and the year’s finished and independently audited accounts are on the table for parishioners to inspect.

KSPC continues to comment on a wide range of planning applications but have been particularly concerned about one or two where it feels the system is not working properly: Beechwood Cottage in the AONB, where development has made a mess and Marville. KSPC had made sure Cllrs visit before making comments.

KSPC took much interest in transport and lighting, and with the cold winter, the road repair situation. After a long wait some traffic calming measures were achieved & are just beginning along Ryeford Rd over the bridge, not as much as local people wanted but KSPC will try for more.

The opening of the MUGA last September by Peter Reed marked a great achievement, which would not have been gained without the sustained efforts of John Kendall who worked on behalf of KSPC and Marling Trust and to whom the Parish owes a great deal.

One remaining problem on Marling Close is drainage in one corner and the Trust (for whom, as its Chairman, David Hauser was speaking) was going to look at that again.

No surprisingly, LSPC & KSPC were most disappointed that the recycling trial in its present form is to be stopped, and the way the decision was conveyed. Both are doing what they can to urge a re-start but it is not very likely.

KSPC identified 3 Watercourse Wardens who volunteered to Stroud District Council to keep a close eye on them during their local excursions; their interest could be very important to the area.

The Parish Plan has been adopted for a year and is being used to guide what KSPC is trying to do which is to keep achieving a few practical achievable objectives, such as the booklet of local walks. Now published, these have been selling like hot cakes. The booklet was devised, drafted, developed and printing arranged by one of our new co-opted Cllrs, John Graham – thank you very much John. Thank you also to Yew Tree Stores which has been selling them and a CD version for no commission.

It seems likely that a new school building could be built quite soon and KSPC is taking an active interest in the future of the old Jnr Sch building, which has potential for community uses. The Chairman felt that a real community facility is missing from the parish so land ownership and related issues are being explored.

In looking ahead, KSPC is developing a new website building on the current one which is provided and maintained by the Clerk. KSPC wants to give it a wider framework. Chairman thanked new Cllr Symon Parsley for his commitment in taking this matter forward (with College Student Sam).

The Council is thinking about better facilities for cyclists & is promoting the idea of the Car Club and other initiatives to build on which are discussed (eg improved access to public rights of way).

KSPC was very disappointed that the Stanleys Youth Group initiative, which succeeded for about 18 months at LS Scout HQ, the only available facility, and with which David Hauser was closely involved, had to come to an end. It is therefore mindful of the continued need to do something more for young people.

Chairman welcomed the new Neighbourhood Warden, Kaz Elliot, who replaces Simon Moulding. Kaz will divide her time between the Stanleys, Eastington, Frocester & Frampton on Severn. She has already familiarized herself with our area & its issues.

Chairman thanked the PCSOs for their interest in the Parish and their willingness to address a range of issues as/when they arise.

The proposals for Marling Close Gully which will benefit everyone was also something KSPC was interested to promote as it had been identified in the Parish Plan as worth conserving & improving. As a Nature Reserve it would be invaluable to the children as they will lose their own NR when the new school is built on the Infants School site. Chairman introduced the children, Joel & colleagues:

PRESENTATION ON GULLY at Marling Close as a Nature Reserve by KS School children

Joel began the audio-visual presentation which included before & after shots and on-screen statements about which the children spoke, their concern and commitment clear. Phase one began with rubbish clearance. Some litter is back but they will continue to keep it cleared up on regular missions. Now it looks clean and really nice.

There are 2 different habitats, an older one with Alder, Ash & Holly, and a newer one with Hazel, Oak, Larch & Wild Cherry and there are 2 badger setts, one newish, showing very recent activity.

They want to clear brambles & nettles from the footpath sides and they want benches (the slide showed natural looking tree trunks on wooden supports). They would also like litter bins for the rubbish & stepping stones over one part of the stream, a boardwalk & some bird & bat boxes for the birds that are already there. They would also like to plant some native wild flowers to attract more insects.

The children said that they needed YOUR help and they hope to set up an Action Group of villagers, school members & PC members.

They concluded with a rendition of the School Eco Code based on some of the Rs: in current parlance: Reduce, Re-use, Recycle and Respect. They have eco monitors around the school who check that all unnecessary electrical items are off when not being used. They use good electricity and re-use & recycle all their paper as well as encouraging everyone to walk, cycle or car-share to school etc.

They did not find any newts during the survey but Richard suspected they had them in the school pond. Richard from Stroud Valleys Project was present to report on his part in the what’s there Survey, though he stressed that the children were very much in control of and knowledgeable about what they very much regard as their project. He himself had very little input into the presentation. Richard was very proud of and impressed with the children’s attitude towards the gully, adding that it is an important wildlife corridor, and they are not seeking to over-change it, just look after it a bit. The older hazel trees showed evidence of coppicing and the newer section by the gully edge could be improved; there was plenty that could be done and he saw it as a community-driven initiative. Mrs Chubb remarked that some of the hazel might again be coppiced & used in the school garden.

A parishioner asked about a section of the stream near the farm which looked as if it had been diverted, as it was orange. Mrs Chubb responded that orange-looking mud is probably naturally occurring iron which is not harmful. The meeting was advised that it is the Environment Agency (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/) to which one should report concerns about rivers but it is a stream in the gully and as such it falls to the local authority. (In this case probably GCC as it owns some of the land including the stream. In other cases it might be to report to Stroud District Council who would normally investigate land drainage issues).

J Graham mentioned the decline of bees & hedgehogs whose habitats the gully could be; Richard confirmed they would not be micro-managing it, just get involved to encourage bats, birds, etc. The area was not necessarily an overly exciting one but it was important enough in itself to deserve a little management. JM mentioned 2 persons in Nailsworth who had a NFU funded project encouraging solitary bees which are effective pollinators & he would invite them to meet the children to see what they suggested.

Vicky Redding asked if anyone present would be willing to help the children with their project. PCSO Debbie, who has witnessed both the mess & the improvement, said that the Police will carry on keeping an eye on things down there and will support them in any way they can, they are a contact to be used.

Kaz Elliot said that part of the Neighbourhood Wardens’ work is picking up litter & getting involved in environmental issues so she was more than happy to help too.

As talk turned, J Meadley mentioned that the Wormeries leaflet, circulated recently locally, had come about because the school Eco Council had negotiated a deal with Wiggly Wigglers (http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/) & took it to SDC.

Chairman thanked the children for giving their presentation and their obvious great interest in their subject. He would talk to the Marling Trust about it again and he hoped people would pass the word around about project helpers. He asked them to visit or contact the Parish Council to let it know of any of their ideas & to let it know what they would like in case anyone on the PC knew of others who could help them. He hoped they and all the other young children at KS School would take their enthusiasm and ideas with them went they went on to Secondary School, remarking to them that it often seems that once children reach that state they abandon the great things they have done.

NSK reported in 2008 about the local efforts to redouble the rail line from Kemble – Swindon, thanks possibly to these there is to be a feasibility study to implement it – and hopefully a positive result.

In December 08 SDC decided to proceed with Phase 1a of the Canal from Stonehouse-Brimscombe. Things have moved on & a Project Manager has been in post since March & soon things will happen on the ground. There will be pluses but also the inevitable inconveniences.

The effort to attract more tourists continues & a new 2009 Cotswolds Visitors Guide includes mentions of the Stanleys as desirable places to visit, so they are on the map. LS has produced its own village map encouraging visitors to take a short walk around, this and the Walks for Everyone booklet of longer walks in the Stanleys should help to bring people in.

He had just come from the opening of the new Dursley Fire Station, built due to the construction of Sainsbury’s store. That project is being delayed somewhat as they are improving the design eco-structure. He was very keen to mention the various positive things around the District because he is fed up with hearing about the negatives that tend to make people think there is nothing positive happening atall.

He too was as disappointed as anyone that the waste recycling trial was ending, not least because he was a direct beneficiary. However successful it had been, which it had, it had always been made clear that it was a trial and much useful information has been gained. He was sorry that people felt that it was a backward step but it should not be viewed that way. The Stanleys had been receiving a benefit that the rest of the District was not. He accepted that its ending was possibly not done in the best way He was away at the time but he believed the circumstances had not left much time for reflection.

Mrs Chubb asked whether there is any chance of a green refuse scheme where it could be turned into compost rather than being taken to landfill which seems perverse. J Meadley invited SDC to meet the kids of this parish to see what they were doing with theirs.

NSK explained that the green bag collection of compostable materials is only intended for those, a minority, who cannot dispose of their own green waste & that it is not economical to separate it out & deal with it. It is an extra service that must be paid for; it is not included in the rates like black bags.

Local compost schemes have not been ruled out & SDC hopes that schemes like the Bisley one might be spread around the parishes. However, there are difficulties: it would have to be collected/delivered to a suitable site, away from housing because of the risk of spores. It would need to be managed properly, possibly by volunteers, and the land is difficult to come by in many parishes.

J Meadley mentioned the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust which is cutting back on knowledgeable staff because of local govt funding cuts. These valuable people assets, whom he & the school had worked with, were a great loss & he asked whether SDC could employ any of them in community composting. He also asked, through Mrs Williams, if she would mention this to GCC’s waste department. Agreed. Mrs Williams commented that Stonehouse is very keen to have a community composting scheme there but it is very difficult to find out how they can be made to work. Bisley’s was done in conjunction with their allotments. It is a real challenge that needs to be explored & it cannot deal with (some) food waste.

The Wormeries offered are but a partial substitute for the food waste collection scheme. It was suggested that District Council need to be working more closely together on all this but it needed to be borne in mind that car journeys to sites all add to the equation.

D Cllr R Apperley (whose report is attached to the Minute Book). This was not read out. He has had a busy year, including trying to represent the Parish Council’s views on planning matters, particularly on the proposal to build a number of flats off The Beeches. He attended the Sites Inspection Panel meeting & vigorously opposed the Planning Officers recommendation. He enquired approx 18 months ago about the planning consent needed for the swimming pool at Beechwood Cottage – the answer at the time being that no planning permission was required which was incorrect. He fully supports the Parish Council’s position on the matter & awaits the result of the Enforcement Order which will, he feels, be subject to an appeal. He supported people in Middleyard & in their attempts to get the ham radio aerial removed. It went to Appeal which is due to be heard in July.

He took up a complaint by LS parishioner regarding the savage dog attack on a child & was advised that both dogs were allowed to remain on site provided the owner took additional security measures.

He has visited the SDC elderly people’s housing schemes several times & has met both temporary wardens.

His main job with SDC is as before, being the District’s rep on the Gloucestershire Health & Overview & Scrutiny Committee & he was elected Chairman in May 2008. The Committee held a major review of the performance of the GW Ambulance Trust in conjunction with other HOSCs served by the GWAT. He also chaired the sub-group which reviewed its performance in Stroud District & in order to help GWAT they decided in Stroud to try to find some Community First Responders. They were pleased to have identified around 25 community members who expressed an interest in volunteering, well over double the numbers identified in all other areas of the County added together.

He was part of the Committee which visited Gloucester Prison to review their medical facilities.

He is currently working as part of another sub-group looking at provision of NHS Dentistry in Gloucestershire, with the next meeting with NHS Glos planned for 20 May 2009.

As part of the follow-up after the closure of Weavers Croft he attended several meetings with architects who have finalized dsign for new facilities to be built at Charlton Lane Cheltenham. He was pleased that many of his & his Committee’s suggestions have been incorporated.

For SDC, he also represents the League of Friends of the Stroud Hospitals & Health Centre & actively supports their work.

He was very disappointed that the Stanleys waste trial was discontinued & did not think it was handled well by SDC so has strongly protested about this.

He thanks everyone in the Stanleys who voted for his re-election in May 2008 and will try to represent all who live in the Ward to the best of his abilities.

KING'S STANLEY & SELSLEY UNITED CHARITIES REPORT Mrs Lucy Chubb was present to give this report, a copy of which is appended to the Minute Book.

Mrs Chubb described the origins of this Charity which in the 1950s had amalgamated several very small charities with the common aim of alleviating poverty by means of small gifts. Until recent years trustees used to give gift vouchers to the elderly but this was always very difficult as people were so proud & it was hard to find deserving people, and gifts were sometimes refused. Trustees then gave donations to help with college transport & the like which worked well. They also gave to the After School Club to set it up.

Trustees currently have a difficult problem because there are trees in the field, Deacons Close between Bathleaze & Gardeners Way. People who give planning permission for houses near important trees have a lot to answer for. However, houses were very unwisely built very close to one, a TPO listed mature oak which is now very unhappy & has needed work done. They have had to pay £201 for an inspection & they will be lucky to get away with £700-£800 for the work & they obviously wish to avoid a disaster. On 31^st January they had £2929.56 and COIF fund income of £294.01. We had to pay £291.01 public liability, rental income was down as there was an archaeological dig & it was very wet £60, & brambles had to be cleared £25. So, a big chunk has been taken out and no grants have been paid out since the ASC which is a great shame. They need public liability insurance as children do get in the field to play, and are attracted to trees.

Responding to a question about publicity for grants – word of mouth, as it is easier than advertising, especially when there is so little there at present to give. The Charity does have to act in accordance with its covenants and they should be getting more like £330 in rental this year.

KS VILLAGE ACTION GROUP FUND UPDATE - Copies, including copies of bank statements, were made available at the meeting but no verbal report was given. The APM Minute Book explains the purpose of the fund (to fight unwelcome large-scale housing proposals in KS village). Funds stand at £2632.39.

The Chairman invited those present to feel free to ask questions/ make any statements they might wish. One parishioner mentioned that there had been some local talk about changing the Parish boundaries. No-one could shed any light on this being true, as no-one had received any information on the subject. It was possible that it might have something more to do with school catchment areas – or possibly refer to the divisions used for electing County Councillors whose divisions had been altered several years ago.

Several people attending were disappointed as they had hoped that their County Councillor, Stephen Glanfield, would attend as they were interested to hear what he had to say regarding their concerns about the possibility of having an incinerator at Javelin Park, Haresfield and noted that this was the second year that he had not attended. He had not sent a written report either and noted that it would be good if one were received.

Mrs Williams asked if she could mention an upcoming meeting which was relevant to what was just mentioned: There is an open meeting on Saturday at 2pm in Stonehouse Community Centre to talk about ways of dealing with residual rubbish and the possibility that there might be an incinerator at Javelin Park. She and others were concerned that the public was not getting the information it needed from GCC so they were unaware of the alternatives to incineration. Their concern was that an incincerator would need to use a huge volume of rubbish to keep it going until 2040, rubbish that would, they felt, almost certainly be brought in from elsewhere. They were concerned about hazardous fly-ash. The meeting has secured knowledgeable visitors to speak to local people to inform them.

The Clerk asked whether, as County Councillor for Stonehouse, Mrs Williams had asked the GCC officers who were presumably charged with researching all the available alternatives for information. She had but it remained the case that local people were not happy with the information coming out of GCC to them and so this meeting had been convened for their benefit. Local people already felt that they would prefer to see smaller sets ups around the County for dealing with residual waste so they needed to inform themselves.

There were no further public questions or comments and the meeting drew to a close in favour of allowing the Stanleys Players access to the main hall.

There were several items and information displays around the room such as the children’s logo designs for the soon to be improved KSPC website, a footpath map of the parish produced by GCC which anyone might ask to look at, the local plan map of the parish produced by SDC which can also be viewed – and various other items of interest, including on the following:

Parish Meetings may by law discuss parish matters and pass resolutions about them.

Where there is a Parish Council it falls to the Parish Council to convene and arrange an Annual Parish Meeting because by law there has to be at least one every year. At other times any 6 electors may convene a Parish (Public) Meeting. Charles Arnold Baker Local Council Administration 6^th Edn Ch10 P91.

Parish Meetings may by law discuss parish matters and pass resolutions about them.

The Annual Parish Meeting for 2008 took place on 30th April 2008 at 8pm in Kings Stanley Village Hall. The Parish Council publicly launched the Parish Plan which it adopted on the 16th January 2008. The Minutes will be available on this page as soon as possible. Parish Clerk.

Minutes of the 2008 Meeting presented to/accepted by the Parish Council Meeting held on the 21st May 2008

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD FROM 8.00PM ON WEDNESDAY 30^TH APRIL 2008 IN KING'S STANLEY VILLAGE HALL

APOLOGIES Mr J & Mrs E Gardiner of Selsley who were both very pleased with the Parish Plan that had been delivered recently. County Cllr Stephen Glanfield

PRESENT G Owen Parish Council Chairman presiding, District Cllrs R Apperley & N Studdert-Kennedy, GRCC Fieldworker Mrs Angela Burlow, P Cllrs Mrs A Raybone, Mrs L Chubb, Mrs W McNamee, Mrs T Leeper, Mrs E Griffin, Mrs L Williams, A Cann, D Hauser, Parishioners John Meadley, John Kendall, PCSO Mrs D Flay, about 25 Parishioners & Mrs J Roberts Parish Clerk.

PRESENTATION Chairman noted that Mrs Lucy Chubb was one of several Councillors to stand down this time. Mrs Chubb had served the Parish Council for 25 years. He was delighted to hand over a small gift from the Councillors & Clerk and a £25 Garden Centre Voucher which they all hoped she would enjoy spending. Mrs Chubb was very pleased to have been thought of in this way.

PARISH PLAN LAUNCH The Chairman confirmed that copies of the Parish Council’s version of the Parish Plan, produced by members of the community, had been hand-delivered to all households possible & he hoped that everyone had one. Further mention of this was left until later in the meeting as the Chairman invited the visiting Councillors to give their reports.

District Cllr Nigel Studdert-Kennedy began by referring to the Parish Plan which included energy and transport resource issues. SDC & others have continued to work on the Night Bus to keep it going. He was also interested that the Parish had picked up on train transport and that too was being worked on particularly by Gloucestershire 1^st, a body on which he sits. Things are more difficult regarding the Midland line as the line is more crowded & stopping times & capacity does not make it look workable – but they would like to see it opened. Referring to tourism, a management association has been formed to promote the Cotswolds & the Stanleys features in a prominent publication. His report is appended to the Minute Book.

District Cllr Ray Apperley began by mentioning that in a past employment he had driven engines on a section of that old piece of line Nigel had mentioned. He referred to happenings on land which was being used against planning consent near Stanley Park which both he and Nigel had been involved in. Last year they had thought that the matter was resolved but following the removal of the tractors a number of criminal acts followed & a good deal of suffering caused and support required. His full report is appended to the Minute Book.

He was asked what had SDC done about Dog Fouling – SDC has dog wardens with specific areas of responsibility & they will try to track down owners whose dogs have fouled areas. They also provide bins. They do take the issue seriously and if people let SDC & the Dog Wardens know about specific problems they will respond. One speaker was particularly concerned about the problem on Marling Close as there are issues around public and in particular children’s health. (This would probably be an issue for Marling’s Close Trust to pursue as it is private land & SDC may not be able to act)

Parish Council Chairman’s Report G Owen confirmed that there were only four candidates for the nine places on the Parish Council this time and KSPC would have to seek to co-opt Cllrs. He stressed that the Parish Plan which has been adopted by the Parish Council was produced as far as possible independently of it. He mentioned that the Parish Council is able to comment on planning applications affecting the Parish. Also that guidance that must be obeyed comes from Central Government in the form of PPGs and from that the Local Planning Authority (Stroud District Council) develops policies which are in their current Local Plan. The Planning Service interprets applications against these policies & when Parish Councils comment there is also the expectation that they too will base their comments on Policies (though this is not always possible).

The Planning System is being changed and the Local Plan will eventually be replaced by the Local Development Framework guided by a Regional Spatial Strategy – but this is not fully developed yet. His full report is appended to the Minute Book.

KING'S STANLEY & SELSLEY UNITED CHARITIES As spokesman, Mrs Chubb reported that, although tenanted & receiving regular income, a rising spring had recently made the field known as Deacon’s Close behind the Old Rectory a quagmire. Trustees had given £400 during the year to the After School Club to help them get off the ground. The Trust is always pleased to consider applications for help from the villages. Her report is appended to the Minute Book.

KING'S STANLEY VILLAGE ACTION GROUP FUNDS The Clerk reported that at the end of March 2008 the fund stood at £2586.76. KSPC holds these funds which were raised by KS villagers in the 1990s to fight against a particular unwelcome large-scale development proposal. This threat receded and subsequently the Stroud District Local Plan was adopted which set clearly defined boundaries as to what development proposals might or might not be allowed. Reassured by this the fund-raisers’ representatives, Mrs M Willey & Mrs E Cheyne, decided that they could allow some of the funds (£2,400) raised to be used to help create the safer route to school, although they wished to keep some back in case a similar development threat should arise.

SAFER ROUTE TO SCHOOL John Meadley reported that in November 2004 things started moving slowly towards the 2 schools amalgamating. This & the increasing use of KSVH for activities & the wish to create a route to the schools avoiding the road lead to the various phases of the new path: The recycled cycle shed in Jnr School, The gap in the wall near the King's Head, The Animal Footprints path across KSVH Car Park, The paving stones around the cricket field, The Bridge over the gully, The gradually emerging path alongside Marling Close There have been many problems to overcome, stops & starts, negotiations & issues such as badger setts forcing a relocation of the bridge to manage along the way but the path is slowly but surely taking shape. He expressed his grateful thanks to John Grimshaw who visited & opened the cycle shed & was proud that the Jnr (Eco) School is now the greenest school in the valley. The bridge cost £37,000 & was project managed by GCC at cost, the majority of funding coming from GCC. A fallen tree had also been lifted & replanted & when the MUGA is installed the path will be completed by the contractors. He is hoping for more bike parking facilities for the village too as part of changing the way we move around; there are 900 commuters out of the village.

MUGA John Kendall, project managing on behalf of Marling’s Close Trust & KSPC, asked whether a 40 min or 4 min version was wanted as it has been a long saga with plenty of problems. On 29^th March a special young people’s meeting was arranged & talking to 60 of them to involve them in some of the MUGA details was fantastic & he was encouraged that their enthusiasm would last. JK explained that the MUGA would be close by the old cricket nets which were in much disrepair. The area will be 31 x 19m, plenty of space to play various team games (basketball, football, etc) Long sides N-S & 2m H, Short sides (goal ends) 3.5m H. Fencing to be green smart mesh, like others in the area to blend into scenery. Surfacing to be resin-coasted polymeric rubber crumb (softer than hard play @ £89,000 not affordable!) rather than tarmac which though acceptable is not nice for young skins. Around perimeter a one-metre wide tarmac strip to facilitate mowing.

Mr Paddy Ireland (who coaches for Cricket Club & also interested in Youth Soccer Club’s use of the adjacent pitch) took issue with Mr Kendall’s remarks about cricket nets. JK responded that he’d used them to identify the MUGA location to those present & that if the CC were aware of letters sent they would know that it is intened to improve those as well.

One of the problems encountered was the exact location/dimensions of the Youth Soccer Pitch which had apparently grown & migrated over the years. There had also been meetings with nearby residents attempting to attend to their needs in locating the MUGA in the best possible place. No one was happy with the site beside Jnr School; the Trust then managed to create space from un-used land near the cricket nets.

Planning permission was received but work has now been delayed and a new planning application made necessary because the Youth Soccer Pitch size/location is disputed & the MUGA will need to be moved possibly 5/6m further north. JK regretted that it will now probably not be ready for use until the end of the Summer Holidays.

He reported that Grimshaws is the preferred contractor; their design was much cheaper than the rest. Grimshaw Group is a highly respected company & he has seen their work. MUGA budget £54,000, with £25,000 from SDC via Big Lottery & £25,000 from Marling’s Close Trust & £4,000 from KSPC. 2 Seats will be included with the project. SDC will project manage the build.

There are plans for a further phase, for which he feels funds from various grant giving bodies are readily available, of outdoor fitness equipment on Marling Close. 10 different items of gym type equipment to be installed on the east side of the path could be used by all age-groups freely, schools included, although the 6-14 age group is certainly intended.

He assured Mr Ireland that they would be where the brambles had been removed, not taking any of the soccer area. A further phase of gym type equipment is also in mind for younger children on a dis-used section of the play area (site of old infant swings).

Mr Ireland asked whether there would be a system of booking the MUGA & what the payment would be. JK replied that there would be no charge & that it had yet to be decided whether there needed to be any booking system as it was hoped that a simple system of sharing would be sufficient. He felt that it was premature to make any decisions yet. (Under the terms of the Big Lottery Grant the MUGA must be available to all on a non-preferential basis & must not be commandeered for organised soccer club practices) Mr Ireland asked who would own it. The Parish Council would own, insure & be responsible for the maintenance and inspection of the MUGA. David Hauser agreed that there would be a management issue & it might even become necessary to employ someone. He recognised that it is something that KSPC/MCT will need to think about. However the more people who use it and the more they could get involved with its operations the better, as the community’s help & co-operation is always needed.

Mr Ireland asked what consultations had taken place amongst young people about the MUGA. John Meadley responded that they have consulted widely and have records to show that 273 persons aged between 8-17, 35% of whom were female, had filled in and signed forms when the MUGA was being planned. One of the motivating forces behind the MUGA had been the need demonstrated for something for girls to do locally. Mr Ireland asked whether forms had advised those being asked that they would lose some of their football field. John Kendall assured him that they will not lose it. Mr Kendall reported that Mr S Kibble had turned up at the young people’s meeting on 29^th March to discuss the MUGA location.

PARISH PLAN MRS ANGELA BURLOW, Gloucestershire Rural Community Council’s local Fieldworker spoke very eloquently about the amount of hard work that had been put in by local people over the last 2 years to bring this project to fruition. She said that it is a living document that is not cast in stone but one which would evolve over the years as things change. It is really a business plan to take into the future. There have been a series of consultation events & the questionnaire & it reflects people’s views & what is happening in the Parish. She thought it is a very good document (the full version produced by the community is available on the KSPC website: www.kspc.org.uk) that KSPC will be able to work with as its findings are traceable back to those who have informed it (audit trail) & what is important is its robustness. There is an Action Plan and GRCC has a database on which are all the County’s Parish Actions and any/every action that is performed & notified will go on it. Their database is linked to a County Db & regional & national ones are in the making. (Trends/common issues can be identified & resources targeted)She hoped that KSPC would be able to work with them to achieve some/most of the actions.

Mrs Raybone in turn thanked Mrs Burlow for the continued dedication and help she had given over a sustained period, especially during the difficult times. She has been a tremendous support.

WATERCOURSE WARDENS With the flooding in July in mind, SDC recently asked all Parishes to seek volunteers from their Parish to undertake this role to provide local knowledge of conditions direct to SDC. One person from Selsley has volunteered & his name passed to SDC. Mrs Chubb added that it was probably too much to expect just one person to be a WW for this parish; if there were more they might on their travels pass a stream or boggy areas that they could report on to SDC.

(Since this meeting another two very useful persons have come forward and their names passed on – KSPC is very pleased because this means that we will have local people making sure that local problems if there are any are reported to SDC – along with the expectation that something will be done about them)

SDC is currently receiving the offers and will presumably contact all the volunteers from around the District to have a meeting with them to explain how they can help. Mrs Chubb added that some householders may well also be Riparian Owners with (perhaps if their property adjoins a stream/watercourse) and they will have a duty to ensure that it does not become blocked and to report blockages further upstream. (see kspc website for information on Riparian ownership) www.kspc.org.uk on index page.

D Cllr Nigel Studdert-Kennedy said that the drainage problems at Ryeford are known to SDC & are not necessarily a SDC responsibility. The field landowner would probably have a riparian owner’s responsibility. SDC is trying to get a replacement Land Drainage Officer but has not succeeded yet. SDC does not have powers to enter onto the land and carry out remedial work without exhausting the usual normal enquiries first. The issue of the drains at the road would be a matter for Gloucestershire County Council (AKA Gloucestershire Highways) who would be aware of them but it would also be a matter the County Cllr could raise with them to obtain an update.

AN EMERGENCY PLAN Chairman explained briefly that Parish Councils are now encouraged to work in conjunction with the District and County Councils - and Parish Councils want at least to be considered as part of the equation because of their local knowledge of local conditions and local needs – to produce their own emergency plans if possible, and if possible using a template to be supplied by GCC. KSPC hoped to be able to make some progress on this. Tony Partridge (Parish Plan Steering Committee) commented that Parish Plan Version 1 contains lots of emergency information – the information is all there.

PENN LANE BRIDLEWAYS APPEAL HEARING Mrs P Harris had prepared a statement drawing attention to the fact that there is to be a hearing {caused by an appeal lodged against the confirmation of a Modification Order made in 2004 by the County Council to upgrade several lengths of paths in Penn Woods to bridleway status. Whilst many people have given written evidence of their use of the paths over the years in favour of this, some people have disagreed, hence the hearing (local inquiry) – The Order will be determined following a local inquiry which is due to be held at 10am on Tuesday 19^th August 2008 at Leonard Stanley Village Hall, Marsh Road, Leonard Stanley, Stonehouse, GL10 3NL and anyone with an interest may attend the inquiry}

BENEFITS OF A HORSE-RIDING COMMUNITY Mrs Harris explained that re the Penn Lane application the local horse riding community was not seeking to add a new route but to retain & ratify a track that KSPC has defended as a bridleway in the past. She commented that the many horse riders of the village feel that whilst walking & cycling are frequently quoted & supported by KSPC, horse riding is greatly overlooked or even frowned upon. She went on to explain the many benefits that the horse riding society bring to communities including this one including riding for the disabled at Bownhill and income into the local community. She referred to the growing trend for open & shared access & the growing interest in horse tourism & suggested that taking advantage of environments grants & working with the County Council to improve the tracks in our area is the positive way to go forward.

The Parish Councillors present were pleased to hear what Mrs Harris had to say and agreed that the various benefits may well be unknown or unappreciated by many people.

There had not been anything in the Parish Plan about horse riding as such, perhaps because the question had not been asked or perhaps because no-one had thought to raise it in their questionnaire response. They felt that the Parish Council would like to consider what Mrs Harris had said and the matter was referred to a future meeting of the new Council.

BUS SHELTER A parishioner felt that the VG Bus Shelter was in the wrong place as the actual stop has been relocated some yards away (mini roundabout traffic calming measure meant the stop had to be moved back). KSPC had seen no reason to demolish a functional shelter only to replace it with an inferior one a few steps away that would not give as much shelter & comfort to those needing it. They also feared it would be targeted by vandals & quickly become an eyesore. The one now is solidly built by local people & had been there since the 1950s. Some thought it provided too much privacy to casual users who often behaved anti-socially & it was most unpleasant to pass by. People sitting waiting for a bus could not see when the bus was coming & had several times been left behind – it should be removed & replaced with a functional one at the stop. Responding to a query, KSPC has a regular cleaner who is supported by a several unknown volunteers who tidy up as & then. KSPC agreed to discuss the matter at a future PC Mtg.

PCSO Debbie Flay explained that the Shelter had been one of Stonehouse INAs priorities. She agreed some of the gatherings could sometimes be unpleasant but they were not always that bad. They do tend to get to know who goes there and can appeal to them to keep the place tidier. If the bus shelter is moved young people will move elsewhere, perhaps onto Marling Close. Police had visited on numerous occasions and found nothing unlawful. If alcohol was being consumed it was by people over 18. They had received 3 phone calls & made one arrest in their 3-month period of special attention. They would continue to monitor the situation & repeated their usual call for people to contact them immediately about any suspicious activities as they will attend if they have resources available. The more calls there are the more attention will be directed. However, the problems here are, happily, minor compared with other places.

D Cllr R Apperley had written to the Co-op to make sure that the issue of supply of alcohol to minors was thoroughly addressed & he was assured that they do take that matter extremely seriously. Mrs Williams confirmed that Trading Stds had made a number of test visits & had not caught them out. Staff are well aware of their own responsibilities. However, it is still possible that older people are buying it and passing it on to younger people. (PCSO D Flay & KSPC Clerk have also visited the Co-op recently to reinforce the message & the Co-op Manager said that they actively discourage people from repeat purchases where they suspect public drinking to excess or it being passed to younger people)

YOUNG PEOPLE MATTER There was some discussion around the issue of anti-social behaviour and young people out in the community and a belief that parental influence was not as strong as it might be. If there was a problem to be solved with young people it was probably rather better that they are on view as if they are banished to the margins it could result in worse problems of under age drinking and drug taking. David Hauser commented that the issue of young people is raised in the Parish Plan & there is little community provision for them. Until the community thinks that its young people are important then any problems will continue, the community itself needs to think about this. The Youth Club was started by KSPC initiative to give young people aged 11-16 something to do and somewhere to go. The Club is/still is looking for volunteers (it has not been for the want of asking) to help keep it running properly. If it were not for Leonard Stanley people it would not still be running now as there is only one helper from King's Stanley.

He added that maybe a new bus shelter might be better fit for the purpose but it would be great to hear from the community suggestions about what it could do for young people. All they have now is the pub and the wall. John Kendall’s MUGA & the other facilities will be very useful but he had an eye as to what might happen with the Junior School Building when it was no longer needed by the children if/as/when amalgamation becomes relocation. The Parish Plan covered all these issues & he hoped that the new Parish Council would be able to start to think about some of them.

ROAD MAINTENANCE One parishioner felt the Parish Plan had been too gentle on the roads; the condition of the main road through the village was in parts very bad indeed & it was a pity the County Cllr was not present tonight to hear his views. He felt that the utility companies do not reinstate their repairs properly (actually GCC say that the road surface itself is in need of repair & that in many cases the reinstatements are better than the surface).

Mr/Mrs Nelmes also reported very poor cracked drains at Ryeford, damaged by recent overflowing. These matters would be stressed to Gloucestershire Highways (who are already aware). (Referred to above at Watercourse Wardens)

FOOTPATH MAINTENANCE as mentioned in the Parish Plan was raised by a parishioner who called into question the ease of crossing stiles, obstacles & using steps. GCC is the authority responsible for footpath maintenance & where possible it is their policy to install kissing gates when stiles need to be replaced.

NOISY MOTORBIKES Several people raised this issue: motor bikes were being used on a field near the by-pass for scrambling-type activities and the noise carries far and wide. This began some weeks ago in a small way but it is on the increase and the noise is most unpleasant. The land was partly in KSPC territory, partly in Stonehouse PC. Police & PCSO have intercepted numerous under age riders (some as young as 9+) with bikes on their way to/from the site along pavements and cycle track & can take action & seize the bikes as the riders are uninsured and pose a risk to themselves and other road users. If the landowner has given permission for his land to be used they do not have power to enter without permission. The Clerk was asked to write to the Environmental Health Department at SDC to complain about the noise as it may be possible for SDC to limit the amount of times it is used per year (copy to Stonehouse TC)

DOG FOULING Mr Ireland asked if the Parish Council could look at ways of reducing dog fouling on Marling Close as he felt there was no reason for dogs to be there. As the Chairman of the Trust was present he (David Hauser) would be able to take up this matter at their next meeting.

POLICE ANNOUNCEMENT Clerk read out a message from Police about the pending temporary closure of Stonehouse Police Station reception for building work. Normal Police working would still be underway in the building but the Public would not be able to call in. There will be a Police Information Point at Stonehouse Town Council office during the period & Nailsworth Police Stn will also be open to visitors.

The Agenda and Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held in 2007 are appended below.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD FROM 8.30PM ON WEDNESDAY 30^TH MAY 2007 IN KING'S STANLEY VILLAGE HALL

APOLOGIES: J Meadley, D Cllr R Apperley (present at the preceding Annual Parish Council Mtg)

PRESENT: G Owen Chairman elect of the Parish Council presiding at this meeting, Mrs L Chubb, D Hauser, Mrs T Leeper, Mrs A Raybone, Mrs E Griffin, Mrs W McNamee, Mrs L Williams, A Cann + D Cllr N Studdert-Kennedy, Parish Plan Steering Committee Members: R West, T Partridge, Mrs M Owen + Parishioners J Kendall, Mrs M Field, Mrs J Billings, various un-named Parishioners & Clerk to the Parish Council Mrs J Roberts.

PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (full copy appended to the Minute Book) Briefly: A busy year, perhaps the most important venture being the Parish Plan produced by a Steering Group headed until recently by Bernard Stephens. He & his team should be very proud of a document that needs to be archived for future generations; very much an “e” document, around 107 pages with links to 190+ references on websites, very much the work of Parishioner Richard West who spent many hours on his computer. The Parish Plan will give KSPC much needed guidance for the future – preliminary findings point to an ageing population & consequences this has for the village. Average salaries in the district are unlikely to produce sufficient for young people to buy a terraced house without parental or other help & insufficient affordable homes are being built each year. Because we want to do the best for the village, KSPC is about to conduct a Housing Needs Survey with assistance from Gloucestershire Rural Community Council so please return the forms freepost to GRCC for analysis.

The GCC LEA wants to cut the form of entry to the schools from 30 to 15 & there is nationally a fall in pupil numbers but figures from Infants School show that it is very popular with parents from outside the parish & it is currently government policy to support good schools. GCC LEA has decided to postpone the change but will keep it under review. The new combined Primary School that I understand is going to be built (?) will depend for its size on future pupil numbers.

KS Post Office is under threat & sub-postmaster & I went to a county wide event where the overwhelming opinion of the well attended meeting was that government should be doing much more for a national organisation – a similar scenario to the railways, cut down the service, then say its no longer viable.

David Hauser (one of our P Cllrs) & others have started with LSPC a joint Youth Club in LS Scout HQ. This is a success & he is to be congratulated for a much needed facility.

John Kendall has quietly been working to get finance & planning permission for the multi use games area (MUGA) on the Marling Close. It will provide a hard surface for games & is aimed at young people & will be an asset to the village – again we thank him for all his hard work.

KSPC decided to join the County Council’s Charter with Parish Councils and are seeking to find out what is required to become a Quality Parish Council – we are probably doing most of what is required & if that is so we might as well do the little bit extra to get the status.

There seems to be a threat from government for Parish Councils. No-one is quite sure but some authorities talk of the need to amalgamate if you do not have quality status & this is most worrying because the localness of parish councils dealing with local issues will be lost – so we wait and see.

I must thank all the P Cllrs for all the hard work they have put in during the yeat & an especial thanks to Jane, our Clerk, for keeping us all in order.

COUNTY CLLR’S REPORT Stephen Glanfield (full copy appended to the Minute Book Briefly:

C Cllr Stephen Glanfield made his report to the Annual Parish Council Meeting earlier this evening which most attendees had heard, so it was not repeated. County Cllrs are these days linked up to GCCs Virtual Private Network on broadband – or would be if service providers could keep up with works to update infrastructure.

Stephen regretted that the huge number of requests for 20 mph speed limits meant that GCC has had to prioritise them so Selsley Hill will have to wait some (?) while longer.

The design of the Ryeford Bridge Traffic Calming Measures project is complete & work is budgeted for this financial year.

The Waiting Restriction Notice (which still has not appeared outside the two parking spaces in Castle St) is still going through the legal process; once that is complete the actual notices and work should be 2 weeks.

Lighting on Selsley Hill falls within the community safety programme so is a given & in hand SG later reported that it should be dealt with within the next 4 weeks from 31.5.07. There is apparently also a light in the vicinity on a wooden pole that ought to be put underground – now whether they will be able to do that at the same time is questionable, he says, but they are apparently looking to do that as well!

He also later confirmed that there were some engineering problems re the light at Broad St (new pole erected as part of TCMs) & 60m of cabling is required. They should be completing that within 6 weeks from 31^st May.

SG concluded by saying that he is happy to take questions through the Clerk who can contact him.

SDC Cabinet, Council, Development Control Committee & Scrutiny Committee Meetings are to be broadcast on the web. Juding by the 1000+ hits it is quite popular but if more information is required contact David Marshall at SDC on 754646.

Consultation on the Canal Area Action Plan will now focus on Brimscombe Port initially, on Government Office South West advice; other areas along the canal may require their own guidelines in the future. Asked about when the Ryeford section of the canal would be focussed on, NSK responded that works are likely to begin in August at the Oil Mills end as wildlife considerations must be taken into account.

Car Parking in Stroud District is being reviewed in an effort to match space to demand.

Much discussion on re-cycling & frequency of collections. The trial in The Stanleys (KS & LS only), heralded last year, should take place this September. Kitchen waste will initially be taken to a special composting service in Chepstow, more locally later. Weekly collections for recyclable items & general items fortnightly are planned.

Planning: a number of site visits were made to planning applications in the parish, to help resolve issues raised, including The Beeches in KS & Braemar in S West. SDC has supported plans for Post Office expansion & the Multi Use Games Area Project led by John Kendall – both of which will bring extra benefit to the village.

Tourism is seen as very important & Stroud District have made advances with the project to link up the districts & county to form the Destination Management Organisation to raise the profile of the area & increase chances of attracting visitors to come & spend time/money. See work done via www.visitthecotswolds.org.uk He was pleased that Mrs Reeves of The Grey Cottage in LS had won a national award.

Transport: the late night bus has been restored for a further period & numbers using it are increasing which is encouraging. Relevant service is 299 calling at the Kings Head at 9.21, LS Church at 9.33 & Merrywalks Bay L at 10.01pm, returning from Bay L at 2am along the same route.

DH asked what is happening with SDCs Environment Document: Next steps will be collating all the information received & producing a further report. LW asked whether environmental issues are being reflected in Planning Department re planning applications to educate/advise on insulation/recycling materials/grey water systems/improving energy efficiency. He agreed there is currently a great deal of pressure & opinions on what to do about environmental issues circulating around and many aspects of it are complex & arguable & SDC is currently grappling with the issues to find the right way forward.

As a Development Control Committee Member (DCC) involved in a good number of applications during the year, wherever possible reflecting the views of the Parish Council when voting.

After a long struggle problems at Stanley Park seem to be resolved & an Enforcement Notice issued compelling the owner of adjoining property & 20+ tractors & other vehicles/associated activities to reduce the number to 2 to comply with the Certificate of Lawful Use previously issued. This required perseverance of residents, a top Planning Solicitor’s advice & considerable time of various persons. I also helped reverse the Officer’s recommendation enabling Beth Cheyne to get listed building consent for a major rebuild of her stable block.

I am a Member of Gloucestershire Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (GHOSC) & involved in meetings aimed at saving the Stroud Maternity Midwife Unit and Weavers Croft (Elderly Mental Health Treatment unit). The public campaign helped enormously to save the MH but there were private meetings between the GHOSC, the new Chief Executive of the reformed SW Strategic Health Authority, Sir Ian Caruthers & other Snr Managers, following which an agreement was reached allowing the PCT to withdraw its closure proposals for not only Weavers Croft but also Holly House and Colliers Court.

The League of Friends had offered a considerable sum of money to enable Weavers Croft facilities to be updated to secure its long term future for a very vulnerable group of Stroud residents. The GHOSC decided as part of its legal duty to refer closure proposals to the Secretary of State for Health Patricia Hewitt for final decision but although some new concessions have been offered by Gloucestershire Partnership Trust (GPT) GHOSC is unable to support closure plans for these Units.

The Secretary of State advised GHOSC that she was appointing an independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) to look in detail at GPTs closure proposals (a rare event! Indicating strength of GHOSCs arguments). The IRP visited the units then met the GHOSC Chair & one member from each of the districts concerned on 15^th May 07 to advise how they would conduct their investigation etc. It is expected to take several months during which time GPT cannot continue with closures.

RAs work on health projects includes sitting on the Save Stroud Hospitals Task Force & the League of Friends of Stroud Hospitals. He also made sure he was elected to the review body as a GHOSC Rep that is conducting a complete Maternity Services review for the whole county which will run alongside a national study of maternity services. By doing so he hopes to ensure greater protection for Stroud Maternity.

GHOSC Members visited the new Great Western Ambulance HQ IN Chippenham. A presentation of the planned IT and Communication Equipment modernisation is claimed will improve time delays in getting emergency care to patients. Currently Nation time targets (respond to 75% of Cat A calls with in 8 minutes) are not met. Training is also planned to turn some paramedics into Emergency Care Practitioners to enable them to treat more serious cases on their arrival, saving the need to take them to A&E & freeing up facilities there for more complicated cases.

As a member of a sub group of the GHOSC (on behalf of the Centre for Public Scrutiny) he has worked for a year into the later stages of Substance Abuse Treatment; some conclusions were drawn & recommendations made to Government Ministers in London to try to cut the numbers of people failing after rehabilitation. RA is also a member of the Stroud Substance Action Group & can provide a good deal of technical input.

Gloucestershire Healthy Living is another appointment – the group has looked at suicide prevention & ways to help people stop smoking & other health-related matters.

GHOSC Membership takes up considerable amounts of time & he regrets this has meant he has not been able to walk around the Parish to hear about their concerns but hopes they will understand the importance of this work for the benefit of the people throughout the District, including the Stanleys.

KING'S STANLEY & SELSLEY UNITED CHARITIES REPORT (Full report appended to Minutes) Briefly: Mrs Chubb & Mrs T Leeper are KSPC reps of this Charity which has met regularly . A tenant still uses Deacons Close & provides £30pm very welcome income but they do have to maintain the hedge boundaries which M Fletcher carries out. Investments mean that it has approx £1800 pa to dispose of. This year the Charity is taking steps to updates its schedule in order to meet modern-day needs & has approached the Charity Commissioners to discuss how best to do so; their advice is awaited. One of the Charities (the Relief in Need Charity, Selsley) is for persons over 60 resident in the ecclesiastical parish of All Saints Selsley who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped or infirm. In theory this does not enable the Charity to give to needy young people or families & in the past a point has been stretched but it would be more convenient if the situation was made more regular. For the small sums usually disbursed it might be thought unnecessary to take this trouble but if at any time in the future circumstances should change then a more modern approach would be appropriate. This year KS&SUC granted aid to the After Schools Club (£400) to help them through their first full year & more users are anticipated with the September intake. We (still) rely on people letting us know of cases of need as we feel this approach is more appropriate; eg Day Centre has been a useful source of information in the past.

KS VILLAGE ACTION GROUP FUND REPORT (Full report in Minutes) At close of business 31 March 2007 the fund administered by KSPC held in an interest bearing account stood at £4889.83. Funds raised in the 1990s specifically to fight the then threat of an unwelcome large-scale housing development on the fringe of KS village did not materialise & have lain un-used & were transferred to KSPC for safe-keeping by a continuing body. In recent years KSPC has sought to have conditions on how it might be spent varied & a Minute dated 17^th January 2007 P405 records the agreement of Mrs Willey & Mrs Cheyne for KSPC to use £2400 towards the Safer Route to School Project. The remaining funds are to be retained in case some other cause needs to be fought against.

FEEDBACK FROM PARISH PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE Richard West, author of the Plan up to its current Version 14, spoke on the work of the PPSC to date: Individuals have now written up particular subject chapters based on the questionnaire responses and the PPSC itself is looking at the whole document, to check on its accuracy and in order to produce a considered Summary which is hoped will be available in about 6 weeks time. JM had just prepared an interim Summary very quickly for P Cllrs’ use. RW himself has gone to great lengths to accumulate web-based knowledge which is linked to the plan. For this reason it is at present very much an e document as mentioned by KSPC Chairman above & is not readily available in print form for P Cllrs’ studies although they have access to it. RW feels that it gives a picture of what the Parish offers now and what it is like to live in and offers a view as to what is wanted for the future. He anticipated & invited further revisions to the Plan from KSPC which meets soon to discuss V14. He is happy to send an e copy to anyone wishing to have one & is continues to build up associated linked information which can be made available on CD or DVD. He hoped that in time it could be made widely available as a resource. RW brought his computer along & offered to show Version 14 of the Plan to anyone who wished after the meeting closes.

UPDATE ON THE MUGA & TRIM TRAIL PROJECT (MULTI USE GAMES AREA) and the Bridge/Path linking the 2 schools (Full report appended to the Minutes) John Kendall, Project Leader on behalf of KSPC & Marling Trust, spoke on behalf of himself & John Meadley for the pathway (absent):

Briefly - Trim Trail: Installation of fitness training equipment beside the all-weather pathway on the playing fields beside the stream bank will be phased in when possible.

MUGA: Met SDC Solicitor (JR) & GCC PROW (BH) on site (at north end of playing fields) to discuss diversion of the non existent notional line of the PROW applied for in March to enable MUGA to be as far away from houses in The Nursery as practicable. It went well & the RA did not think it worth attending. This exercise will be costly & may seem a nonsense but is essential to avoid future problems. A plan to identify the proposed re-route will be provided. At the same time SDC & GCC will tidy up an existing PROW route where it has been covered by tarmac car park by moving that notional like 2-3m onto the grass as part of the same diversion order.

£85,000 is available. SDC has allocated a provisional grant of £25,000 to MUGA & related phases, details to be validated next month & included in SDCs bid to Big Lottery Fund for play regeneration in the District. Applications to other bodies are mostly all prepared and awaiting progress to the PROW diversion.

Earlier in the year GCC offered to take over management of the construction of the bridge/path which was originally a local self-help project, but there have been delays, firstly because no parish organisation was willing to take responsibility for maintenance of the wooden bridge & it must be more robust than originally planned locally. Detailed contractors’ surveys show the span needs to be longer so GCC propose a single steel 9m span bridge costing c. £27,000, considerably more that the original proposed bridge but investment is justified on life expectancy & it being less likely to be vandalised. GCC also requires an environmental assessment which it will pay for. £27,000 excludes £9,500 for the linking path so the overall budget will now be c. £37,000 compared with £23,500 for which funds are available. GCC is investigating whether additional funds can be found from within their capital budget.

Other related Issues: MCTs current insurance contract covers damage to proposed GOLPLA path & any issues of public liability arising from the path. No progress made finding suitable material acceptable to cricket club for path from hole in the wall to animal footprint path but last MCT mtg agreed that paving stones could be laid from the hole along the back of the concrete seat to the car park hoping to provide a weatherproof path for at least the first part of the walk across the playing field.

NB also: no bike stands at village hall for increasing number of persons getting around by bike & there is to be a proposal to establish bike sheds at the next MCT mtg. JK remains optimistic that the related projects, will in due course, be completed.

OPEN TIME for discussion There were no requests for discussion and the meeting broke up for informal discussions at around 9.30pm

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD IN KING'S STANLEY VILLAGE HALL WEDNESDAY 17^TH MAY 2006 from 7.30pm -

CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 2005 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING (held 18 May 2005) These were taken as read, having been circulated at the Parish Council Meeting held 25 May 2005 – to pick up any matters arising that might need attending to. There were none, other than those dealt with below & referring to the inaugural Parish Planning Meeting which was being arranged for 11 July 2005. The Minutes of the APM 2005 were accepted as a true record of the meeting at the June 2005 Parish Council Meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: C Cllr Stephen Glanfield, D Cllr Nigel Studdert-Kennedy (reports furnished), P Cllrs Mrs E Griffin, Mrs W McNamee, Mrs A Raybone, MUGA Focus Group: J Kendall, Mrs B Cheyne, J Meadley, Mrs V Redding. Mrs Raybone had recently fallen & was unable to attend.

PRESENT: D Cllr Ray Apperley, P Cllrs Gavin Owen Chairman King's Stanley Parish Council presiding, Mrs L Chubb, Mrs L Williams, Mrs T Leeper, D Hauser, A Cann, SDC officers Carlos Novoth, Sue Hurt, Parishioners Parish Plan Steering Committee Members Richard West, Mary Owen, Bernard Stephens, Parishioners A W James, Mr & Mrs Heskins, Steven Goodman, PCSO Debbie Campbell.

Chairman Gavin Owen welcomed all present & remarked that the Parish Plan is well underway; Bernard Stephens has taken on the mantle of Chairman & the Steering Group is working very well with Angela Burlow of Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. He hoped everyone would take a little time to fill in the questionnaire that would soon be delivered to every household. From the analysis the Steering Group will get some idea of the needs of the parish and the Parish Council would do its best to implement them. He commended the Steering Group on the hard work it is putting into the project.

Over the past year Parishioner John Kendall has taken it upon himself to develop a proposal for a multi use games area (MUGA) for the village – a much needed facility for young people. The project is progressing well but there is a problem as the line of a public right of way crosses the intended site, but John is more than equal to solving this problem & he too is to be commended for the work he is doing.

Chairman referred to the Charter agreed with Parish Councils produced by GCC which he hoped would lead to a better understanding between those bodies. The Parish Council also has a working relationship with the District Council; he believes that they must each recognise the limitations of PCs, eg most have only a part-time Clerk, not a host of officers.

KSPC is still guardian of the King's Stanley Village Action Group’s funds (£4788.57) Chairman’s personal view is that with the Local Plan now in place it is virtually impossible for a large development to occur in KS & that the money would be better spent on a village project. He is keen to solicit views on the matter.

He concluded by thanking the Clerk and all the Parish Councillors for all the hard work they have put in during the year.

Mrs Williams asked whether for clarification as to whether KSPC had signed up to the Charter; it had not; whilst it had helped to amend the original proposed Charter and welcomed it, it had not felt bound to sign up to it.

Cllr Stephen Glanfield is happy to take any questions from the public by phone on 07810 092444 (M). A new Administration was elected to run GCC in May 2005 with a clear manifesto to:

lower taxes (CT increases were pledged to be less through better management: well on course through Revenue Account; the Capital Account (Debt) is also being addressed;

support schools: special needs schools & grammars are safe but many community schools are deprived of funding via central government because of falling rolls. He hoped there would be an acceptable single school solution;

support elderly: a policy to ensure home support is provided has been implemented;

This is the first one party administration in the county for 20 years so it has not needed to fudge & compromise as in the past. Departmental responsibilities have been clarified & adjustments made to make the organisation better fit for purpose; there is an air of optimism now coupled with the professionalism of our staff.

SG felt that work was needed to the roads in KS & is discussing this with Highways & will report back via the Clerk to the next PCM.

NIGEL STUDDERT KENNEDY A full copy is appended to the Minute Book. Ray read Nigel’s report; NSK was unable to attend as he was Chairing a Canals Regeneration Meeting. His report covered the following topics:

Council Meetings on the internet: Cams to be broadcast “live” to those interested at home, scheduled to start this summer.

Canal: Restoration works start probably October. Now funding is in place progress should soon be evident. Consultation on the Canal Area Action Plan, framework for controlling development in canal corridor, scheduled to begin in the Autumn.

Parking: New rates apply for Brunel Mall MS Car Park & in an effort to make it more user friendly some walls were painted white, NSK suggested ceilings should be included to make it even lighter – this now done on all floors & favourable comments received.

Recycling Trial: SDC recently demonstrated the system to be used in the Village Hall. The trial, which will allow for the recycling of kitchen waste, will start in September using KS & LS.

Tourism: Seen as very important, progress made with project to link up districts & county to form the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) as forecast last year. This will raise the profile of the area to increase the chances of attracting visitors to come & spend their time and money in our part of the world.

Transport: The late night bus service has been restored for a further period. There are leaflets in the Post office asking for people’s views & requirements as part of an effort to get greater use of the service. NSK WAS THANKED FOR HIS REPORT.

2005 was a difficult year health-wise & I only resumed many duties in September/October following heart bypass surgery & only in Spring 2006 have I begun to feel somewhat normal again.

Licensing: Vice Chair on SDC Licensing & Regulation Committee for 2005/6. Committee heard alcohol sale variation where there were objections from the public or objections from statutory bodies to existing sale licenses & new applications. In order to do this the whole committee had to receive training which was at times quite intense. Licensing Policies drawn up by SDC have on the whole been implemented successfully & we do not appear to have seen any major increase in antisocial behaviour resulting from increased opening hours. No appeals to date on decisions made by this Committee, unusual as most others Councils seem to have had a number of them.

Development Control: a very bush committee. As your rep I have tried wherever possible to act on the wishes of the PC. Both LS & KS look at all their planning applications objectively unlike some PCs who tend to favour refusal for most of the application that come to them for comment.

Regeneration of the District is a very important function of the Development Control Committee. I recently supported the Costa Coffee planning application because, at over £2.50 for a coffee it is likely to attract different customers than do existing cafes etc, eg the person who buys coffee from the Lord John for 69p will not generally wish to pay nearly £2 more.

With most fellow Conservatives I recently voted to approve redevelopment of remaining land at Merrywalks including the old indoor bowling club & I have a good idea as to who might occupy this site. Approval was not given but the motion “resolve not to refuse” was accepted. Applications for this site have twice been refused to we are closer to getting the final piece of the jig saw in for the redevelopment of Stroud Town Centre.

SDC now has a policy for housing developments of over 14 houses to carry a condition that 30% must be affordable in kind or in a cash contribution. Over time it is hoped that this will help ease the affordable housing shortage in Stroud District.

Gloucestershire Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee: I have been SDCs rep since inception in 2002. It looks at any major service changes planned by the NHS & if it does not approve or get changes agreed to, it has the power to refer to the Minister of Health for a final decision.

The current local NHS cash crisis is very worrying. The GH OSC set up a sub group to work with the local PCTs to find ways to save money; an initial set of proposals were scrutinised & classified into 4 major areas:

These proposed changes were estimated to save around £14m but the committee was then advised that more proposals would have to come forward to save another £14-£16m.

Details of these additional proposals were released recently – they include the closure of Stroud Maternity Hospital, ceasing major surgical procedures in the operating theatre & other major changes in other towns in the county. It was agreed that as the changes were of such a significant nature the full OSC NHS should scrutinise that at an Emergency Meeting at Shire Hall on 31 May 2006.

In spite of having a higher proportion of elderly people than the average, Glos only received 88% of the national average funding. This 12% shortfall represents £70m. If we could receive another 5% there would be no financial problems in Glos. (The PMs constituency receives £300 more per hear that we in Glos receive).

Glos OSC NHS hopes to send a deputation to London to meet Patricia Hewitt to plead for more money. It was hoped that the group would include all the County’s MPs but I regret to inform KSPC that David Drew does not want to join us as he does not recognise the 12% figure. His counterpart in Gloucester has also indicated that he is not willing to assist.

I cannot see how we can save Weavers Croft, Stroud Maternity and our current operating facilities without additional funding as our PCTs must balance their income and expenditure on a month by month basis from next year.

The Committee also carries out investigations into what it considered important areas of health matters. Last year we were the only OSC IN the SW to be awarded money (£20,000) by the Centre for Public Scrutiny. The study is being undertaken by a sub group of which I am a member on the “after care of substance abusers” following detoxification & rehabilitation. It takes on average a heroin addict 7 attempts to give up this awful drug, with all the social consequences. If by changing the aftercare we can bring this average down it will have a tremendously beneficial effect on the abuser and society in general. This study is being conducted in conjunction with the University of Gloucestershire & its final report is due to be published at the end of September 2006 & will ultimately be presented to the Government for consideration.

Being a member of this Committee is almost like a full time job, eg 4 meetings last week & more this and next week. However, it is interesting and I hope worthwhile.

Mrs Williams commented that the proposed changed in health delivery in Glos are made by PCTs, not the NHS, adding that the PCTS have had numerous increases to their funding over the years. R Apperley stood by his comments about the need to get in more funding. RAY WAS THANKED FOR HIS REPORT & REMAINED AT THE MEETING.

KS AND SELSLEY UNITED CHARITIES Mrs Chubb reported that the land owned by the combined charity was tenanted & currently brought in an income of £30 per month, with funds held in excess of £1500. There have been no disbursements yet this year and applications are welcome. The listed tree surgery seems to have been successful & there have been no boundary problems. Weed & dock spraying will be dealt with soon by the tenant as his expense. Other than a little more tidying up there is nothing to report.

David Hauser asked for clarification as to the purpose of the charity, surely not to have monies left in the bank, & he wondered whether the committee could be a bit more proactive in attempting to give out some of the funds. Mrs Chubb responded that its purpose was to help relieve the poor & its remit quite tight; it has become increasingly difficult to identify such people, although the 2 clergy on the committee do have particular insights. A former practice was to identify from local knowledge certain people to whom a useful Christmas grant or Voucher could be given, but this was abandoned as unrealistic & occasionally unacceptable to people who were generally not actually that poor. Several grants have in the recent past been made to people to whom rather more was given to relieve difficult circumstances – to needy rather than poor people.

David Hauser suggested that there could be more local knowledge to draw on from such local organisations as the WI (Stanleys’ Day Centre, Beeches Residents, Friends of Selsley??) Mrs Williams also suggested that an approach to the Schools might prove useful & the availability could be advertised in the Village Magazines so that more people would learn about resources that might be drawn upon. Ray Apperley commented that he too had had experience of trying to distribute useful grants and had called on the late Dr Cheyne’s knowledge, so perhaps a local doctor could be approached. Mrs Chubb agreed that there was merit in these suggestions & she would ask the committee to consider them.

FEEDBACK FROM PARISH PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE Bernard Stephens reported that the PPSC had been formed nearly 12 months ago. It had received several grants (DEFRA + Local Strategic Partnership + KSPC). He felt the March Open Morning had been very successful as the turnout was good, with some very good ideas for the questionnaires which have now been printed; distribution would be underway before the end of May. Their aim was to get parishioners to tell us about their needs. Any answers will be treated in the strictest confidence and destroyed after the statistical data analysis had been carried out. They had worked to an agreed programme and budget plan. He hoped to have completed the Parish Plan by March/April 2007. He thanked his committee for all their hard work to date. He would, in particular, like to thank Angela Burlow, the Stroud Fieldworker at Gloucestershire Rural Community Council, for her valuable and frequent assistance.

Richard West also wished to give a vote of thanks to the Bell Inn at Selsley and the Post Office at King's Stanley who had volunteered to act as collection points for the completed questionnaires.

KS VILLAGE ACTION GROUP FUND REPORT The Clerk confirmed that the funds stand at £4788.57 and have earned £99.41 bank interest during the year. Around £8 per month interest is earned. KSPC is custodian only of these funds which cannot presently be spent except to fight unwelcome large-scale planning applications affecting the village of King's Stanley. Proposals for another use(s) could be put to the other 2 custodians (Mrs B Cheyne & Mrs M Willey) who would consider the matter and would probably wish to call a public meeting to ensure there is support from the community that raised the funds originally. Refer to Chairman’s comments above.

UPDATE ON THE MUGA PROJECT (MULTI USE GAMES AREA) John Kendall had a prior engagement so the Chairman gave a statement about the proposed MUGA Project. NB also reference to it in the Chairman’s Report. He referred briefly to Reports and updates that Mr Kendall had made available to this meeting and a full copy of these is appended to the Minutes. Suffice to record here from Mr Kendall’s Report is “

1. The proposal to provide a plan for additional facilities for use by teenagers and a wide variety of other age groups from within King’s Stanley Parish was born out of discussion and proposals from the floor at last year’s APM. A project leader was appointed and a Focus group was formed to consider and to progress proposals.

2. Proposal in Outline. This involves three inter-related proposals for Marling’s Close:

· A fenced ball court (Multi Use Games Area MUGA) for basketball, soccer & cricket.

Clerk’s note: the location for the MUGA approved by the Marling Trust is behind the football goal end closest to the Sports Club where practice sessions currently take place on week-nights.

The Chairman invited questions. Mr James asked if the Council was aware of the SNJ Front Page report several weeks ago which claimed that a play area installed near people’s homes in Minchinhampton had been the cause of numerous nuisances to residents and apparently also a considerable reduction in the value of their homes. Mr James felt that those residents had been faced with in effect unbridled access to their bank accounts for an unsanctioned contribution to the project. He had visited the site and spoken to residents (the noise on Friday & Saturdays nights is apparently unbearable) and felt that he too would be in a similar position with the proposal at KS & he did not wish the same thing to happen to him. They are only a few residents in the Nursery who were likely to be affected but he did not intend to be a sacrificial lamb so the Council should look elsewhere for a site & suggested that the old piggeries next to the Infants School would be ideal & he had heard that the School itself might be used.

Yes, KSPC was aware of the article. The Infants School Head Teacher had let it be known that the extended car park might be used for local casual skateboarding, not a MUGA. The MUGA Project was really to be seen as part of the Parish Plan – to provide a facility for young people in the Parish. There would be a time for objection later as the project progresses. D Hauser commented that the MUGA would need to have benefit of planning permission before it could go ahead. He was surprised that someone would take as gospel an article in the press. Parish Councils cannot be sued as they can only do things that they have approvals for. He added that the Parish Council had carried out proper consultation, including children, and the village does not have the best of facilities except there is a recreation field at Marling Close and people must realise that all sorts of sports have been played there for a very long time.

Mr James was not satisfied with this reply but the Chairman decided that the discussion was now at an end and Mr Kendall’s Reports were on the table for anyone to peruse. (Afterwards Mr Heskins took a copy home to read)

Carlos very much appreciated the opportunity to speak because it is something that affects everyone’s lives in the UK. SDC has done a lot of research into how other Districts across the UK deal with refuse & they think they have come up with the right answers now as to how to manage it all in future for everyone’s benefit (both in terms of cost efficiency and actual benefit). SDC is already very good at recycling paper, cans & glass which is supported by a healthy purchasing sector. But there is more to be done by consumers who can separate more of their rubbish. Other trials have found that purchasers cease buying recyclables if they become contaminated so it will be necessary to separate it out.

Although Stroud District already has a very good record of recycling it is still 8% short of the government’s target and they know that they are almost certainly not going to improve much on that unless the system of collection is altered in favour of reducing the frequency of rubbish collections and increasing the frequency of collecting recyclables – so in September 2006 they are going to trial a system in KS & LS where these collections will be swapped. So, recyclables will be collected weekly (almost everyone remembers the weekly collection day!) & non recyclables fortnightly. We were chosen because we are already good recyclers, are close to the depot in case of re-runs, and close to Ebley Mill itself.

The whole point of it all is to reduce waste going to landfill as costs are soaring. In order to reduce costs and improve the environment by reducing CO2 & methane production & we must all do our bit by sorting out more of our rubbish. The new initiative will include a lockable kitchen waste bin made from recycled materials to collect putrescible waste (anything that rots like meat & bones as well as cabbage stalks & the usual materials that many of us do home composting with). It is not meant to stop people who already do this but will provide an easy/safe way for people who don’t/can’t to get rid of it usefully. It will be collected and taken to Caerwent where there is a State Veterinerary approved facility for turning it into compost in a safe, closed environment – the process involves generating a high temperature which will destroy pathogens, but it is NOT a burning process. The final product will be sold to major consumers for use in large projects rather than to individuals as markets have to be found to take what is produced!

Someone from the floor asked was it true that when people purchase green sacks for garden waste to be collected they are taken on the lorry and put in with the usual rubbish for landfill. Yes, that happens at the moment because they cannot justify a dedicated service to collect the small & widespread amount of garden waste that is generated this way. They have never wanted to encourage people to put out garden waste for collection as authorities elsewhere have got themselves into difficulties over it. SDC is entitled to make a charge for the service & if people want to have it collected they know they must pay. They acknowledge that this puts old & vulnerable people at a disadvantage but are working to sort that out.

Plastics are another tricky & confusing issue as not all plastics are the same & cannot all be found markets for. SDC has opted for the very successful idea of only taking plastic bottles which brings in a huge amount of plastic, thus removing it from landfill. They can only collect items for which they can find buyers.

Issues with Supermarkets are being dealt with at various levels and the message is getting home to them that they too must do a lot more to help deal with the waste for which they are largely responsible.

Cardboard recycling is something that will probably again be dealt with more efficiently locally in ways that encourage everyone & discourage trade waste dumping that swamps the free system. Work is ongoing to reduce the amount of disposable nappies going to landfill.

The new trial system will be about splitting the waste 3 ways: Dry recyclables, Diverting Kitchen waste, residual waste (will there be any left?) It should not be regarded as a cut in the current level of service provision but as a way to reduce costs to CT payers and improve the environment – and we can look forward to a new set of bins and caddies to look after, with bio degradable liners too to begin with, to start us all off on our new regieme.

There are only the two of them at SDC working on Refuse and Recycling (that’s 2 to convince 48,000 to do everything green), although they are also working with all the other Districts and the County Council on a core Waste Minimisation Strategy which will co-ordinate all efforts for the best outcome. They are arranging a programme of roadshows & leaflet distribution. Their aim is to make it easier to recycle and more difficult to create residual refuse.

Someone asked whether they had though of approaching Friends of the Earth to help with their aim. No, but they do have a central marketing centre at GCC which looks at all the subjects and it’s worth considering.

Before leaving they showed examples of the bins, some for the worktop, some for the back door but only time would tell as to how it will all work out. They have done research into what is happening now (who does what) and will monitor what happens through the trial period.

Mr S Goodman, a new resident, asked if there were any allotment plot vacancies. No, several new tenants had been installed as a result of sub-divisions recently on the few plots available on the small parcel of land owned by KSPC in the corner between St George’s Close and St George’s Avenue, he would be put on the waiting list. D Hauser added that if sufficient persons were on the list then the Parish Council had a duty to consider whether it could provide allotments elsewhere; that would not be an easy matter to find was the rejoinder from the Chairman.

Bernard Stephens reminded everyone that it was a devil of a job getting the questionnaires distributed but all the Parish Councillors pledged their support, even if it meant delivering a few more. A tree of distribution was being developed by RW but that promised help might need to be called upon soon.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY 18^TH MAY 2005 AT KING'S STANLEY VILLAGE HALL FROM 7.30PM

There was a large (50+) gathering. Hot & cold refreshments were provided before the start of the meeting. The WI were thanked for responding so readily to the call for teas & biscuits.

Apologies: D Cllr Raymond Apperley (recovering from heart surgery), Infants School Head Teacher (new parents evening), Police Sgt Karen Ellis. Our area’s newly elected County Cllr Stephen Glanfield hoped to attend late (& did but left early to attend another meeting) P Cllr Mrs E Griffin.

Those attending (in addition to parishioners): Parish Cllrs: Gavin Owen (Chairman), Mrs Lucy Chubb (Vice Chairman), Mrs Tamsin Leeper, Mrs Amanda Raybone, David Hauser, Andrew Cann, Mrs Wenby McNamee, Mrs Lesley Williams (also a County Cllr for Stonehouse). Police Community Support Officers Debbie Hughes & Debbie Campbell (just assigned to our area) D Cllr Nigel Studdert-Kennedy*. C Cllr Stephen Glanfield. Director of Gloucestershire Rural Community Stephen Wright & colleague Angela Burlow, GRCCs Stroud Fieldworker. + Parish Council Clerk Mrs Jane Roberts.

* D Cllr NSK was ready with a report but did not, in the event, provide it. He was invited to present it to the Parish Council Meeting held on 25 May. if anyone would like to see it please ask the Clerk.

Parish Council Chairman GAVIN OWEN welcomed everyone on behalf of the Parish Council & Cllr Glanfield, our new County Cllr because of boundary changes. He asked the Cllrs, some of whom are new to the Council from June 2004 elections, to introduce themselves.

He explained that KSPC is looking to the future & would concentrate later on a Parish Plan. He first wanted to say a few words about finance: “As you will see from your Council Tax Bill the precept for the Parish Council has risen by 48%. The reason for this is that we were finding we had to dip into our reserves which are not large. It must also be borne in mind that unlike the County & District Councillors, we receive no allowances, indeed we voted against such a measure last year. The cost for this year for a Band D household is only £21.95. Compared to other first tier councils I think this is very good value for money. Households pay more in Leonard Stanley (£30.86); a Band D Berkeley household will actually pay £74.48! We are still guardians of KS Village Action Fund which now totals £4689.99 & which cannot be spent without the agreement of the community that raised the funds. The Clerk can provide a statement of further information on demand.

So, looking to the future: that is why Stephen Wright & Angela Burlow are here to tell us what is needed. We had the Village Appraisal in 1991 but it is now out of date & we need a new one. Why? We don’t know what you, the parishioners, want and we do not know what all the problems are. One thing that can come from a Parish Plan adopted by a Parish Council is that it can have the force of Supplementary Planning Guidance which would enable us to have more say in what is happening in the Parish.

Stephen Wright MBE, recalled one of his numerous visits to KS two years ago where he had faced a hall full of local, vocal youngsters who had taken him apart & put him back together again in a very useful exercise which established what they would like from their community.

SW passionately believes that local communities need a strong local voice which is why he feels Parish Plans are very important tools for them to acquire: a way to be able to say what people would like to see happen as opposed to being too much done to, having to toe the line & accept what is decided elsewhere. During the last few years a quiet revolution has been going on & there are more opportunities for power down at the most local level.

He referred to the previous Village Appraisal which had involved the Community & had given KSPC valuable guidance but things/people change, views alter over time & KSPC needs to keep in touch with its community. The Parish Council is the first tier of local government closest to the people. Parish Plans have a wider scope than VAs & the hope is that they will become part of the statutory process as Gavin mentioned. But why now? It’s the best time in years to influence & provide a steer for the future locally:

Parish Councils have a statutory right to be consulted & with the forthcoming changeover from County Structure Plans & District Local Plans to Regional Spatial Strategies & Community Strategies, more weight should be given to local views, for instance on the appearance of developments & how they might fit into the community - which could be very important. District Councils in the County were legally charged to engage with local people in the process of developing a Community Strategy & the County Council will lose most of its strategic planning role to the regional level. Whilst it seems clear that central government will not pursue elected regional assemblies, we actually already have a Regional Assembly which is busy developing a Spatial Strategy. Dry stuff? Well, not if you want to influence the outcome or don’t like what it might be thinking of deciding! (Curious? Try www.planninghelp.org.uk/learn-about-the-planning-system/regional-spatial-strategies

An opportunity to have your say will come through a Parish Plan process. It needs to be aspirational & can start off by having a SWOT analysis (to understand an organisation’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats).

Information from a variety of community issues/interests is gathered into one place. SDC can provide statistical information to help & the GRCC will certainly help but the work must come from the community itself as it is not to be another plan thrust upon you but developed by the community for the community. He stressed that Parish Councils should facilitate it but not drive it. KSPC has already begun the process by devoting this year’s APM to the idea & it will ask if people wish to become involved. It would mean work but not a life sentence. It could/should cover every aspect of community life so there would be something of interest/relevance to everyone. Although a Local Plan would highlight what was wanted it would not mean that all wishes could be fulfilled, but people still need to say what they think is important in the Parish – and some things can be achieved & quickly too.

A Parish Plan is a master-plan developed by the community for the community covering any/every aspect of local life: church, schools, including secondary schools, transport issues – all the things that make up our daily lives. Unless the local community cares – who will care? Because if they don’t, God help us – no-one else can. He did not wish to knock the District Council(s) in the County but they are all already too busy with their own statutory responsibilities to be able to look at the needs of all the 263 parishes. (that is not to say that we do not receive help from our District & County Councils who are very responsive to KSPC & with whom we have developed good working relations)

Topics such as Housing (does the community need affordable housing for young people to stay in the parish?), Sports & Recreation issues (youngsters wanted a skateboard facility, did they get it?), Policing (you are well supported by the Police & PCSOs but how could the situation improve?), Health & Medical issues (are services adequate or do you want changes?).

He recalled his first visit to KS in 1984/5 when he met parishioners in the old green hut (former village hall) when they were trying to get a new facility incorporating a Sports Pavilion and Village Hall for the changing community. The Parish Council bravely decided to borrow money from the Public Works Loan board (a 10 year loan 1988-1998 of £30,000, now paid off). With the will of the community it was able to make a decision to change things – but it does need the volition of the local community to make it change.

Summing up Stephen said that this is already a community that gets up off its backside to help itself. He hoped that its people would now start to think they can once again become involved – there is something in it for everyone – and that they will want to get to grips with questionnaires, meetings, talks, and focus on issues of interest/concern to create something that the community will again be proud to have done.

Next steps in the process? If the community decides that it wishes to have a Parish Plan perhaps the best thing would be to have a Saturday morning public exercise in KSVH to do a SWOT Analysis, but possibly first a meeting of interested individuals to talk things over with Angela Burlow. A list was prepared for interested persons to add their names & by the end of the meeting 10 names were on it. This coincides nicely with Angela’s estimate of needing 8 - 15 persons, as along the way helpers would be necessary.

How to manage questionnaires? Various improved computer programmes are available. The community would need to use its own resources but GRCC help is available. Even though the Countryside Agency is going govt has still kept funding for Parish Plans & SW hoped the local Strategic Partnership (which is taking the Community Strategy forward) could help with funds derived from income from 2nd homes.

Is Ryeford in our Parish? Ryeford addresses of some parishioners is a mysterious creation of Royal Mail, not govt. The boundary of the Parish includes Stanley Mill, cuts through the Mill Pond, curves towards & includes the A419/cycle track to Woodchester. Enquirers were referred to the Parish Map in the hall.

Gavin invited comments on Recreation Young & Old & asked what people felt was needed. Very few really young people had attended despite widespread publicity. John Thomas said it would be nice to find someone with an interest in young people who could get them to do something constructive. A Youth Worker from GCC does visit/talks to the young people & has valuable insights as to their behaviour – they really just want to meet up/chat. Hanging around in the community is not in itself a cause for alarm.

The room felt sure there was a lot more on offer for boys than girls. Mrs Raybone commented on a previous meeting attended by many young people who gave of their views and ideas in an excellent session. The overwhelming desire was for a skateboard facility of some kind where they could practice their skills without criticism. So why no skateboard facility then? None possible on Marling close but the desire for a place to practice had resulted in a generous offer from the Infant School to use their newly enlarged tarmaced car park out of school hours. There had been little, if any, take up. It seems that they prefer skating around obstacles like cars & street furniture.

The young people had at the time been very interested in the idea of forming a young people’s committee & KSPC had offered them the use of the lounge to arrange meetings. This had not taken off, possibly due to the nature of young people that their interests divide & take them elsewhere, they grow up & move on. This would have involved the girls who were interested in this way forward as it could have meant organised excursions/activities but it was not to be.

Other ideas to appeal to young people would be welcome. KSPC was willing to do whatever it could but they have to show a willingness to play their part. Someone asked whether it was worth trying to involve parents & people whose voices had not been heard tonight because they are not forceful or forthright types. SW said that the beauty of a Parish Plan was that it could take into account the views of such people who were not willing to participate in a public meeting but may participate in some other way – such as a practical meeting or even a questionnaire.

Tony Raybone commented that whenever an interesting pastime is formalized it tends to lose its appeal Recalling the BBC between programmes Skateboarders in shipyard motif, lads were making VG use of the former Olympic Varnish site with a multitude of skateboard ramps. Others recalled the old BMX track at Ryeford now under tarmac & sadly no longer available to its numerous devotees.

John Kendall commented that he was probably the person most irritated, most angered & at times most threatened by antics on Marling Close though he did have considerable sympathy for those whose balls are continually knocked over the wall/over the road into his garden. It is one of the finest assets that any Parish could wish BUT to use it to the full you have to be an adult/young footballer/cricketer, otherwise almost zero. Football is the casual sport of choice & there is very little room allowed for it on the Close. He also raised his concerns about public safety aspects he feels the Marling Trust is not adequately addressing. He still felt more should be done – with the intention that the police (who were present) would recognise their responsibility & that the nettle to be grasped was theirs as it can only be a matter of time before a serious accident involving some vehicle being struck by a football kicked into the road occurs. He said he wanted to work with KSPC & Marling Trust & was v willing to help achieve something on the recreation side as funding is available to partnership working -his understanding being that funds can be obtained on a ratio of £5 to £1 to provide & develop recreational facilities for the youth of KS. (bold italics at JKs request)

Anita Nelmes (KS Brownies) commented that it was physically dangerous for her brownies to go anywhere near Marling Close when cricket was played of an evening. Adults were hindering children’s activities. She would like to see some of Marling Close cordoned off to create a safer area for casual activities. Mrs Williams who, with David Hauser, represents KSPC on Marling Trust advised that they had persuaded them to allow a piece of land (for hard standing) to be dedicated for youngsters needs (basketball?) & for others to enjoy - but it needed a Working Party to make it happen. It needs a person to grab it, involve young people & make it happen – a champion. There is lottery funding. She agreed about the cricket criticism, that the Sports & Social Club needs to know of these concerns. She invited anyone interested in working together to create an all purpose play area to get in touch with her.

Mary Owen commented that Stanley Players was just developing an initiative to offer monthly drama sessions to under 16s which could well develop over time into many interesting things.

Someone asked about the traffic calming scheme – the community had been consulted & it was due to get underway this financial year. The issue of the relaxation of a two car portion of the double yellow lines outside the Post Office was raised. This was part of GCCs proposed scheme, agreed by KSPC with the idea that it would highlight where it was just about acceptable to park (as disabled drivers are so permitted & delivery drivers need to load & unload) & where it was not, since the double yellow lines are routinely ignored anyway. There were many critical comments about this, highlighted by one lady in particular who felt strongly that it was sending the wrong message completely to motorists who should not in any way be encouraged to park on or near a blind bend. As it is drivers have to overtake parked vehicles on the wrong side and often encounter fast approaching traffic from Bath Road. Not only are drivers inconvenienced but pedestrians are put in danger too. Mrs Williams’ comment that parked cars were an accepted way of slowing down traffic did not find favour. Such was the strength of feeling from this well attended meeting, the Parish Council decided that it must write to the Traffic Manager, John Lindsay at GCC to tell him to exclude this relaxation from the scheme. Those in the room were adamant that the double yellow lines were there because they were necessary and a lot more effort was needed to enforce the parking restrictions. At any time of day cars can be found parked there; they could be moved on/issued with fines.

Someone then asked about speeding; did Police ever come out with speed measuring equipment. Yes they had & were informed of incidents/reports along any of the numerous stretches of parish roads. This was another message that the PCSOs could take back to Stonehouse with them

Gavin Owen commented that these types of issues were relevant matters for the Parish Plan remit.

Nigel Studdert-Kennedy produced a copy of Frampton on Severn’s Parish Plan which, by common consent, was one of the best. By the end of the mtg it had disappeared – like the one previously obtained by KSPC.

John Meadley, Community Relations Governor KS Junior School wanted to give news. The Bishop of Gloucester had officially opened the new library, a new mezzanine floor is in place & an old stained glass window has been renovated. There is an allotment and nature garden with a hedge & trees & they have a rain gauge. They tried to opt out of the Sodexo contract; it was not possible due to insufficient numbers but they are negotiating with GCC re healthy eating. The School is 1 of 25 in Glos pioneering healthiness via aerobics etc & kids are cooking in the kitchens.

By law they are required to have day round education available from 8am-6pm. They are working jointly with the Infants School & hope to use the Village hall from 8-9am & from 3.30-6pm. They have a new boiler & hope to use renewable energy. They are trying to have a joint IS/JS Travel Plan (being discussed on 15^th June @ 6.30pm) as 41 children from Stonehouse attend the schools; if transport could be provided it would reduce car travel by at least 30 & help towards road safety & improved health. Funding is the issue at present; as they can’t charge they need a subsidy.

Gavin Owen felt the meeting had reached the point where most of the points raised could be dealt with by the Local Plan route. He asked if the meeting wished to go ahead with one – and it seemed that it does.

Stephen Glanfield apologised for having come late & now needing to leave for another mtg. He assured those present that he intended to attend most, if not all meetings to which he was invited in future.

Mr Nelmes commented that some bridges on rights of way in the locality were in a state of dis-repair & needed investigation. The Clerk invited him to refer to the parish footpaths map to locate them. If he would make a note on the problem & pinpoint them she would write to the authority responsible for their maintenance – Gloucestershire County Council Rights of Way at Shire Hall, Gloucester.

Mr Nelmes also commented that he regularly saw evidence of pollution in the river near his home. Incidents like this need to be reported to the Environment Agency. She did not have a contact number to hand but probably the best thing would be to telephone Stroud District Council which now employs an Officer responsible for land drainage and an expert in water courses. Rob Nightingale. Incidents reported to him would be passed on to the Environment Agency. Again, specific information is extremely helpful in pinpointing what may be happening and where the problem might stem from.

Mrs Chubb gave a report of King's Stanley & Selsley United Charities – a collection of numerous small charities set up to relieve the poor – amalgamated in the late 50s. Until recently the charity used to give £10 donations to elderly people but that was discontinued in favour of giving larger sums to needy families or individuals that it learns of & that is working quite well. It is not easy to find out who could use a little support but it is known that sometimes even a little support is very welcome & can help those who are struggling a lot. The Charity owns Deacon’s Close behind the Old Rectory. The rental income derived from grazing & securities provides the funds to distribute grants. Please notify any of the Trustees if you know of anyone who needs some assistance: Rector Sue Phillipson-Masters, P Cllr Tamsin Leeper, Joyce Fletcher & Elizabeth Gardiner or me Lucy Chubb. Grants have been made to a young family to help them over a difficult period & to someone to help them get to college. Last October the Charity had £1667.67. It had to spend money on tree surgery on several of the mature but still thriving trees in Deacon’s Close. If anyone wishes to inspect a copy of the Charity document they need only ask Lucy Chubb.

The formal part of the meeting concluded with thanks all round for a stimulating & positive meeting from the Chairman.

It was later decided to arrange an evening meeting in the lounge for those who had expressed an interest in promoting a Parish Plan.

Mrs Digby commented that both she & her husband would be interested in participating but asked if a crèche could be set up to look after young children during any practical meetings. This could be discussed later, perhaps by arrangement with Hannah Watkins, the Play Leader.

Background note: Marling Trust originally wanted an all-weather 5-a-side playing surface (beside Sports Club bldg) to help Sports Club’s community activities (understood Jnr School want it too). KSPC would have put £2000 in so that it could also be used for basketball. But when Lionel May died the project was lost sight of. No-one from KSPC then/now or Sports Club wished to champion it. Sports Club are now more concerned about building an extension to their facilities. The Marling Trust is apparently not able to dictate restrictive terms to Sports Club which is bound by its own rules & is not obliged to provide other sports facilities.

Footnote: Of the 10 persons listed as interested in helping develop a Parish Plan no-one has signed up from either Middleyard or Selsley (despite a strong contingent from Selsley). KSPC feels it is important to stress that King’s Stanley Parish comprises these 3 villages & always takes the opportunity to include them in its thinking & plans. The geographical isolation of Selsley from King's Stanley inevitably means that it looks to itself for its solutions & the community spirit there is high. However the Local Plan process should try not to say Village as that tends to mean King's Stanley & exclude Middleyard & Selsley!

Feedback from the 2005 Annual Parish Meeting was that some of those attending felt that the purpose of the meeting was somewhat unclear & that insufficient time was given for them to have their say and they would have liked longer to express some of their views.

The Parish Council have taken this on board & had no intention of ignoring or denying anyone a say. However the purpose of the meeting was to raise interest in the future of the Parish, to show how a community might help develop itself, and to discuss the important issues via the Parish Plan concept. The issues would then be incorporated into a document which the Parish Council would adopt to use as its guidance.

The Parish Council will always respond to whatever issues are raised at whatever time with any Parishioner who raises them.

The 2004 Annual Parish Meeting took place at the appointed time. Despite the publicity given only one parishioner, apart from Councillors, was present to hear the speaker from GRCC who turned out to be its Director, Stephen Wright MBE, who covered for his colleague, Angela Burlow. Please read on if you want to have a flavour of what transpired as you may find it more interesting than you thought. These notes, taken by the Clerk at the time of the meeting, do not include the full reports of each participant.Where made available they are appended to the Minute Book. We also met one of the then new Police Community Support OfficersMINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 2004Held WEDNESDAY 21^st APRIL 2004 in Kings Stanley Village Hall Lounge at 7.30PM.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE P Cllr Mrs R Worby, Angela Burlow (speaker)

PRESENT Gavin Owen, Chairman KSPC presiding, C Cllr Mrs L Williams, D Cllrs N Studdert-Kennedy & R Apperley, P Cllrs Mrs B Hale, Mrs L Chubb, Mrs L Williams, H Tomczyk, M Lambert, Police Community Support Officer Debra Hughes, Director Gloucestershire Rural Community Council Stephen Wright MBE, 1 Parishioner (gentleman/member of the pensioners' forum) SNJ Reporter Will Saunders & the Clerk to the Council Mrs J Roberts.

The Chairman welcomed visitors and guests & noted that Angela Burlow was unable to attend but in her stead Stephen Wright would very ably take her place.

Minutes of the 2003 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING held 16^th April 2003 (circ previously to Cllrs) had already been accepted as a true record & signed by the Parish Council Chairman at a Parish Council Meeting held 28^th May 2003 – in order to pick up on anything important.

None specifically; most of the Meeting was taken up with an update from SDCs Phil Sullivan on Community Safety & the partnership approach adopted for dealing with Crime & Disorder, followed by an update from D Cllr Clive Major of SDCs activities on the setting up of the Standards Board which will deal with breaches of the Code of Conduct that is now being applied to Parish Councillors as well as their District colleagues. Parish Councils are adapting to the changes as central government wishes to apply equal standards to all elected Councillors at whatever level they serve. Parish Cllrs must now register their financial & other interests in the Parish. This & other measures to monitor spending & finances ensures we work within the law.

It is also noted that Parish Councils continue to be encouraged to carry out Parish Plans to inform & direct their own aims, the aim also being that they fit into the Regional/Structure Plan/Local Plan system that informs the other layers of local government.

In 2004 We therefore invited GRCCs Angela Burlow to tell us more as she works in partnership with SDC (Krista Harris in particular) to encourage & help Parishes prepare them.

The Council also expressed a wish to meet the new Police Community Support Officers. Debra Hughes was invited to report first:

PCSOs Report: A copy of their outline duties is appended to the Minute Book. Before the meeting it was interesting to feel how heavy are their uniform vest-jackets!

They are employed to be a visual street presence, bringing back the beat bobby, to boost confidence. In post since January, Debra & Clare Slark generally work as a pair over 6 10-hour days, ranging from 8-6pm, 10-8pm & 12-10pm. They can each be contacted by email: Debra.Hughes@Gloucestershire.Police.uk or by leaving a message at Stonehouse Police Stn. 0845 090 1234 & ask for S PS. The biggest issues in KS are anti-social behaviour & parking! They are trying to stop people from parking where they should not but the problem continually resurfaces. They do not want to but are likely in future to issue parking tickets. Since January they have spent 48 hours in our area but their territory extends from Nailsworth to Whitminster, including Slimbridge. DH thought that Selsley was covered by Stroud but would enquire and let us know. Mrs Raybone felt that this was yet another area where Selsley was apparently isolated. (Their territory does include Middleyard & Selsley)

In early April they seized & disposed of a lot of alcohol from under age drinkers. This type of activity involves careful surveillance to establish the facts. They keep a book of “offenders” & tell them that if their name appears twice they will visit their parents. The law has changed so they can now name & shame but hope warnings will be effective as it is a long drawn out process.

She answered questions about where the alcohol comes from. Sometimes from home, often shops where older persons buy & supply it to them. In Stonehouse it is a very big & distressing problem with 13 year old girls becoming extremely drunk. Some shops want to ban anyone proven to be buying to supply such persons.

Mrs Chubb added that it was very unfortunate that KSVH has had to ban birthday parties because of incidents where alcohol had found its way onto the premises or party goers had been found to be the worse for drink. As responsible licensees, this situation could not be tolerated. She also commented that casual football playing on Marling Close was often an anti-social behaviour & public safety issue when balls were kicked onto the road. The PCSO agreed that playing on the street was one of the concerns brought to their attention. They have the power to detain young people to give them advice but not apprehend them if they run off. They let them think they have all the powers of a police officer but in fact they do not (though they can, as we all can, make a citizen’s arrest) want to have those powers because they would have to spend a great deal more time in the office with paperwork and less time on the street. They keep a very watchful presence and call for back up if needed.

PC Adam Crane has moved on but a new Local beat officer will be appointed in May & he/she will liaise with the PCSOs, who in any case, need to call for back up if certain situations occur.

Amongst other responsibilities Mr Apperley sits on the Planning Committee. He stands for re-election this June. His report is appended in the Minute Book.

Mr Studdert-Kennedy’s major responsibility is as Cabinet Portfolio holder for Regeneration & Culture. In this respect he is involved in issues concerning the Leisure Centre, the former Bus Station (Cinema complex), Stratford Park (skateboard area), Canal project to name but a few.

Bus services are still running despite fears to the contrary with one bus recently seen dropping off a passenger in Middleyard at 11.45pm!

He referred to the District’s wish to develop working partnerships with parishes and the need for the entire District to receive clear information from the most local data source to direct their work accurately.

County Councillor’s Report (Mrs Lesley Williams) A copy is appended in the Minute Book. Briefly, improvements are planned for customer access to GCC. An elderly gentleman & member of the pensioners’ forum was present & asked her if she knew that GCC had withdrawn its funding for their organization (£2,000). She did not but offered to speak to him later & investigate. He felt sorely aggrieved at this loss as pensioners accounted for 20% of the population. HJT wondered whether GCC had a strategy for the “Grey £” as we are an ageing population. LW replied that GCC had various strategies which would help vulnerable, elderly people which GCC felt was one of their priorities rather than considering what their wealth might entitle them to as not all elderly people are in need of support.

In response to a question LW commented that GCC subsidises bus services to the tune of £5 - £10 per person per journey. This prompted comment that it was a very expensive service then. The services provided are under review but certainly GCC invests heavily to retain services.

The Chairman thanked them each for all their hard work and the meeting agreed that the responsibilities of these elected members do certainly keep them very busy.

Chairmans’ Report (GAVIN OWEN) A copy is appended to the Minutes. Briefly he referred to changes in the way the Council has had to be run, including the need for elected P Cllrs to sign up to a new Code of Conduct which requires them to register their interests in the Parish (ie land they own/have an interest in). He also referred to largely unsuccessful efforts to find somewhere for youngsters to skateboard. The Infants School have though offered the use of their newly enlarged tarmac car park out of hours to local children for casual skateboarding, having satisfied themselves of their legal/insurance position. News of this offer was to be by word of mouth. However, it is not known whether there has been much take up. & despite the offer there are still those who skateboard wherever they can find an available surface.

Mr Owen referred but briefly to the elections in June when 4 of 9 Cllrs will not seek re-election – which leaves something of a problem if new Cllrs do not come forward. He referred to the future as Parish Councils are being urged & encouraged to develop Parish Plans with their community, one benefit of which would be that any findings on development planning should be adopted by Stroud as “Supplementary Planning Guidance” & the local grass roots views would then have to be taken into account.

D Cllr NSK asked whether the School’s car park could accommodate mobile skateboard ramps. Permission was only given for lads to use their own portable items which they would have to store securely out of the way when not in use. As an Infants Governor Mrs Raybone commented that the school had offered their car park as a goodwill benefit to the community of which they are part.

King’s Stanley & Selsley United Charities’ Report Mrs Chubb’s report is appended in the Minute Book. The field (Deacon’s Close) is now tenanted & producing income, with proceeds of the sale of felled timber from necessary tree work. The Trust has difficulty finding candidates to whom it can offer modest help & would be grateful for any information on this matter. (For more information contact her on 822827)

King’s Stanley Village Action Group Funds Statement (Clerk) A Statement is appended to the Minute Book. At the end of the current financial year the Fund stands at £4589.70. Having been raised by the community & put into the hands of KSPC, it cannot be spent on anything other than fighting unwanted large scale development proposals in the Parish.

The Chairman introduced Stephen Wright to talk about Parish Plans and why they are said to be an important tool for local government.

SW said that the Gloucestershire Association of Parish & Town Councils introduced the concept of Parish Blueprints in 1996 & govt itself in its 2000 Rural White Paper called it Parish Plans. He was elated at this recognition, the first time ever, of the value of Parish & Town Councils in the role of planning. Later, through the Countryside Agency’s Vital Villages programme, money was made available to Parishes to produce them. Sadly this funding ceased but he said your MP will be pleased to argue the matter with govt. He felt very aggrieved & incensed that just when funding & support is really needed in local communities it is being withdrawn, the more so because vast sums of money had in his opinion been wasted by the Countryside Agency.

Whatever it is called he feels it is very important indeed that P & T Councils try to gather information about their communities to produce a forward looking document. SDC is already on side & is about to produce profiles for each parish – a new way of interpreting already available statistical data but specific to each parish rather than what is currently available – so that problems can be accurately identified & services targeted exactly where needed! This is part of their work towards the production of their Community Strategy.

PARISH PLANS: Stroud District Council appointed a Regeneration Officer for Rural Communities, Krista Harris, who is already working in partnership with GRCC & Parishes to help them forge ahead with them. As of April 2004 5 out of 46 have produced them.

GRCC & SDC are bidding to the South West Regional Development Agency, to persuade it to fund a network of Community Advisors for a 3 year pilot. These people would be drawn from the community (not a threat to the Clerk & could be the Clerk if wished); they would gather information & stimulate the Parish Plan process. This, in recognition of the known problems in getting parishes to take a proactive interest in themselves - for whatever reason(s).

Why? There is an absolute welter of change coming in to Parish Councils from govt initiatives & it was felt that this would be an additional resource. GRCC hoped to get a mix of funding sources to secure the initial £21/22,000. They would expect PCs to chip in £1,000 in year 2 & £2,000 in year 3. Thereafter they hoped PCs would fund them completely. They hoped to equip each CA with a laptop, internet access & £3,000. They estimated annual running costs at £5,000 for training & paying £60 pw for 2 days work. GRCC was fed up with 3 year initiatives getting killed off as happened with Vital Villages. CAs would draw in various community groups (church, youth, schools, shops etc) & take a holistic look at the Parish. In this way a PP would come about. Ideally it would contain a Village Design Statement about the quality of the design of local buildings. With careful working through it should become supplementary planning guidance which will give the parish more clout.

Apart from planning per se the plan could contain whatever was wanted. He does not claim it is easy to do. The Parish Council’s role should only be as a catalyst in the process – perhaps to hold a Planning for Real Day in the village, invite lots of different groups of people to come & do a SWAT (Strengths Weaknesses Threats & Opportunities) analysis, find out from them what’s good, bad, what they want etc. From that a Village Design Statement could emerge.

Another scenario would be to give out disposable cameras in the morning say & let everyone go round photographing the parish (to capture images of what they like or not, important built features etc, get them developed that day then reassemble to sort out and discuss the findings. He described these as very exciting processes that really to excite interest and enthusiasm amongst those involved. The feeling of involvement & inclusion is real.

From there it should not be too difficult to get a team of volunteers from the community to set up a group to tackle the production of a parish Plan. He stressed that the Parish Council should only be the catalyst. It might be somewhat involved in helping it along (eg funding it) but it should not really be doing the work itself. It would give the document a real position of strength coming directly from community members. The volunteers steering groups should be as broad based as possible & not just include people from special interest groups. The Parish Council would receive the draft plan and could then decide whether to adopt it in part or full as its working guide. Those present wondered/hoped retiring Cllrs might wish to take part in such an independent group.

Why bother? The benefits above are real to the community. If the Parish Council also wishes to become a Quality Council then having a Parish Plan is one of the pre-requisites. A Quality Council would be a club that people would wish to join. Quality Parishes must have 100% elected members. It must also assemble various proofs that it is working in certain ways for the benefit of the community. It must also have a trained/qualified Clerk. Benefits of this could mean more money from outside for more tasks undertaken – if that is what is wanted. The process is (so far) optional; KSPC had discussed the matter & had decided that the possible benefits were outweighed by the extra & repeated work that would be incurred.

There is also likely to be a change in the way local government is organised. If a YES vote is given for regional assemblies in the NE & NW as seems highly likely then the mish-mash of types of local government in the rest of the country will be closely examined towards the same end: a total restructuring at county & district level, in fact, towards much larger unitary authorities & remote regional assemblies – with Parishes at the grass roots end. The role of Parish Councils could therefore become extremely important – but only if they are prepared for it. They might need to change. Hence Community Advisers. He warned that Belgium’s small commune system was done away with in a stroke & whilst he did not think that we might wish to follow the French example where the Mayor wields great power; there was something to be said for continued existence of power at the most local level.

Mrs Williams commented that a lot of people grumble at central government initiatives but it is however a very exciting period at present. Changes indicated by interpretation of the last census are still not complete but are painting a changing situation in the country & changes need addressing. We have an ageing population & a declining school age population. We need to look at the local level to see what we actually have.

H Tomczyk asked whether the Parish Council was bound by the findings of a community group. It need not be but there certainly could be some less palatable findings in its report.

Mrs Raybone said that it was difficult to get people to become involved in anything local or voluntary as more people were bound up with the 24 hour society & seemed to have much less useful free time to offer their communities.

H Tomczyk asked what difference it would make if for example KSPC ceased to exist. SW felt a very great deal: The Village Hall would not have been built without the existence of it for starters. If there is no Parish Council what body would then exist whose sole interest is King's Stanley Parish? None. Who would represent the community? No-one. Parish Councils also monitor what the County and District Councils are doing.

And of the future, if the workload increases, do we end up with professional Parish Councillors almost working full time? Perhaps. District & County Cllrs already put in a great deal of work that most people simply have no knowledge of. But he did not think things would change that much for Parish Councils …….. unless …….

He said that GRCC would work with Parishes as much as possible but they can’t do it for us. If KSPC wanted to have a local public session in May before the elections he would be happy to help. Cllrs said they would discuss all this at their Parish Council Meeting next week (28 April).

The Chairman thanked Mr Wright for sparing the time to come along to the Annual Parish Meeting and for giving much interesting food for thought.

Incidentally, hints and guidance is available on the web. If you type in Parish Plans & follow enquiry lines/links you will come across lots of useful information to set you on the right course. All it needs is enthusiasm from the community. See Hurst Village Society.

Notable note: What is CUBA? The County that Used to Be Avon. (created by the 1970s local government reorganisation when “they” took part of Gloucestershire away) Its demise came after local government reorganisation in the 90s. A South Gloucestershire now exists!

Clerk’s Note: So far, Parish Councils have survived, albeit with fewer responsibilities than they were given, since their formation in 1894.

The Annual Parish Meeting (or Conference)

at KING’S STANLEY VILLAGE HALL