RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
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RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a remote Parish Council Meeting held on 24th February 2021 at 19:45
Held remotely via Zoom.
Agenda Item Action
No by
Present
Cllrs. A Berry - Chair, A Graham, D Payne, A Jones, District Cllr. J Feilding, J Obbard -
Clerk. 2 members of the public attended – Steven Donovan and David Brazier
1. 2Open Forum
. 1.1 Steven Donovan – referred to previous minutes and enquired about whether there had
been any progress regarding speeding in lower part of Ratley. From his perspective, a
reduced speed limit would be useful but didn’t think that speed humps, lighting or
chicanes would be acceptable to residents.
The Chairman stated that there had been a number of claims of speeding vehicles –
mainly involving ‘white vans’. There are difficulties with implementing traffic calming
measures and there is little expectation that ‘fast’ drivers would take any notice of 20mph
signs – consideration could be given to speed bumps etc. but these would require, by
law, street lighting to be installed – there would also be other environmental side effects
caused by drivers slowing down and speeding up either side of the restrictions.
SD said that in his opinion the main problem was car drivers leaving the Rose & Crown
in late evenings. Cllr. Feilding had been hoping to speak with Izzi Seccombe (in Cllr.
Williams’ absence) but hadn’t had an opportunity. He was requested to make enquiries of
Highways regarding any recent developments that have been introduced that could
JF
alleviate our problem.
SD added that 30mph was far too fast in certain parts of the village although agreed that
the problem caused by people leaving the pub hadn’t been too bad this year due to Covid
restrictions, which makes van drivers appear to be more of an issue at the moment.
David Brazier asked why a blanket 20mph limit couldn’t be introduced throughout the
village. Fenny Compton still has one. Highways view would be that speed limits have to
be ‘believable’ and enforceable – there are straight parts of road in Ratley that don’t need
the 20mph but perhaps the bends do. SD argued that the 20mph section should start at
the junction by the vets.
SD asked about the possibility of speed-sensitive light signs. This has been the subject of
previous discussions with Cllr. Williams – the Highways view was that they can be
effective at first but only in the short term, until drivers got used to them. Cllr. Feilding
agreed to provide contact details of a lighting specialist who may be able to advise on the
problem. Cllr. Graham pointed out that these lights are quite bright and may cause some JF
concern in very dark areas.
1RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
1.2 Long vehicle prohibition – could signage be erected to prohibit lorries? – The Chairman
stated that vehicles of all sizes have to be able to access lower part of the village for
deliveries, collections etc.. Lorries were generally not regarded as a significant problem.
The Parish Council have already put an advisory warning sign at the top stating ‘not
suitable for large vehicles’. SD mentioned that he recently reported the driver of a 12
Ton lorry driving far too fast in the village.
2. 3Apologies
.Apologies were received Cllr. Williams who was unable to attend due to receiving medical
treatment and Cllr. Simpkins who was also unable to attend due to having some recent
treatment.
3. 5Declaration of Interests
.No items.
4. 6Minutes of previous meeting – 20th January 2021
.These were proposed by Cllr. Jones seconded by Cllr. Payne, agreed by all and duly recorded
for future signature by the Chairman.
5. 7Matters arising from minutes of meeting on 20th January 2021
.
5.1 Tree Maintenance Plan – reference obstructed view from bench on the Rec’ – As this is
not within the Conservation Area a farmer may be able to cut back with a flail? This
hedgerow was always intended to be maintained at a lower height – around 10ft.
Chairman agreed to have another look and make a proposal at the next meeting. Carry
AHB
forward.
5.2 Hedge along Grange Lane – Clerk wrote to Malcolm Thorne to request the hedge was
trimmed at the point opposite the bench. This work was completed the next morning.
Apparently, the plan was to let the hedge grow to a reasonable age before laying it.
5.3 Old Road Noticeboard - Cllr. Graham agreed to obtain prices from supplier(s). Carry AG
forward.
5.4 School Lane restricted access sign - Cllr. Payne had sent an example of the proposed
sign to Councillors. This proposal was agreed and Cllr. Payne asked to make the
necessary arrangements. DP
5.5 Precept – Clerk has completed the appropriate form to request the agreed precept for
2021/22.
5.6 Grass cutting – Quotes for a three-year grounds maintenance contract have started to
come in – closing date is Monday 1st March. Clerk to inform Councillors once all are
returned and request a decision. JO
2RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
5.7 Trees in Grange Close - The Clerk arranged for Lighthorne Tree Care to carry out the
work. This has been completed and invoice paid. Thanks to Kai for another job well
done – very neat and tidy as usual
5.8 Fly tipping in Camp Lane - Chairman had looked at the SDC Local Environmental
Enforcement Policy which provided clear information on responsibilities and how to get
the fly-tipped material removed. This is quite straight forward for rubbish tipped within
Highways land (i.e. within one metre of the road), but in this case it is dumped beyond
this on private land in a field. This is farmed by the White’s – who are aware of the
problem but wouldn’t mind if a community initiative removed it. Street Scene agreed to
take away if it was moved to the edge of the road. Cllr. Feilding confirmed that if the
rubbish was put into black bags Street Scene will pick up from the roadside.
Consideration to be given to bagging this and moving to the edge of the road for
collection. All
5.9 Village Hall car park – pothole – Cllr. Payne has reported this to Street Scene (Fix My
Street is no longer supported by WCC so any reports made will not reach the intended
recipients).
6. 7
Planning Applications
6.1 SDC/21/00253/FUL & LBC – Bell Cottage, High Street Ratley – Installation of Air-
source heat pump.
The Councillors agreed that the PC would actively support this application in view of
the environmental benefits.
Cllr. Graham added that it was particularly important in villages such as ours off the gas
grid where higher carbon heating such as LPG, Oil and solid fuel were much more
common.
All supportive – Clerk to place supporting comments. JO
7. District and County Councillors reports
7.1 County Councillor’s report.
Not received due to Cllr. Williams’ absence
7.2 District Council report –
This was presented by District Cllr. Feilding and is shown in Appendix 2
(All reference material is available on the SDC web site)
8. Parish Plan
8.1 Communications Sub-Committee.
Shona’s ‘Round Robin’ is doing lots of business and being appreciated.
Cllr. Payne mentioned that some new people are moving into Featherbow Lane and had
been asking about broadband speed – several people have provided information and
citing various speeds depending on service provider.
3RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Both Facebook pages are still working well.
Broadband has been set up in the village hall, but no one has had any opportunity to use it…
8.2 Environmental sub-committee
No items
9. Correspondence
9.1 319 emails and 2 posted correspondence received since last meeting.
10. Finance
10.1 Invoices for Payment – Six transactions were approved and processed since the last
meeting – these are shown in Appendix 1
10.2 2020/21 Accounts. - These were presented and are shown in Appendix 1
11. Parish Maintenance
11.1 – Verge o/s No 8 Grange Close
Clerk reported that the wide verge on Old Road (adjacent to the lower end of Grange
Close) has become very badly overgrown with Russian Vine that is becoming a hazard
regarding pedestrian visibility. Ideally it all needs to be removed. Cllr. Graham said that
Russian Vine is very difficult to remove and that glyphosate is the best treatment in the long
term – likely to take 2 years. First step will be to remove the bulk of the weeds now and
treat with weedkiller when new shoots become established. This may take several
treatments. The Chairman agreed to have a word with Fergus White to see if, in the first
instance, they could cut it back with a flail before a final solution can be agreed. AB
11.2 – Ash Tree outside No 2 Old Road
A member of the public had complained to the Clerk about the state of this tree. Small
branches fall quite regularly and the roots are apparently raising the pavement and breaking
drains etc. – this was confirmed by Cllr. Jones, but stated that the drains have since been
fixed. The Chairman suggested that we should engage a specialist to do a health assessment
of all trees that we are responsible for.
Cllr. Graham mentioned that the National Tree Safety Group have started an exercise to
provide new guidance for trees in the public environment. Guidance will be coming out
shortly but it may be worth arranging for a detailed survey now as specialists may be in short
supply once the guidance is published.
Cllr. Jones said he was more worried about the v large tree at the corner of the rec – large,
bits keep falling.
It was agreed that the Clerk would ask Lighthorne Tree Care if they are interested in
providing a Tree Health Assessment service. We will also need to produce a map for the
purpose. JO
4RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
11.3 – Grange Close Tree
A member of the public asked the Clerk whether a replacement tree could be arranged for
the one that was recently felled on the Grange Close green (there was another tree felled
here some years ago which was not replaced).
It was felt that this could form part of the scope for the Tree Health Assessment work – i.e.
what sort of tree would work best, what size etc.?
The Chairman also mentioned that the felling had left an inevitable stump that could do with
removing. Clerk to contact Grindforce. JO
11.4 – Hedge alongside the upper rec (Old Road)
The Chairman had spoken with John White who had agreed to remove with flail.
11.5 – High Street Bank – The Chairman and Shona have carried out some bush pruning at
the junction of Town Hill to aid visibility down the road for traffic emerging from Town Hill.
11.6 – Bus Stop hardstanding
The Chairman stated that he had asked two local builders for a quote for the works as it was
apparent that the availability of volunteers was not sufficient for this work.
11.7 – Village Lay lines
Cllr. Payne mentioned that he would include reference to a lay line walk through Edgehill in
next issue of welcome pack.
12. Urgent Business
12.1 No items
13. Next meeting.
The next meeting will be held using Zoom on Wednesday April 7th
The (provisional) dates for the following 2021 meetings are:, , May 19th (Annual Parish
Meeting and PC AGM), June 30th, September 8th, October 20th, December 8th
Meeting closed at 21:40
Not yet approved by the Parish Council
Signed (Chairman) ______________________________________
Date__________________________________________________
5RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Appendix 1 – 2020 / 21 Accounts
Payments
Date Who Ref VAT NET Total
20/05/2020 J Obbard - Cement for bench on Green 880 £1.97 £9.83 £11.79
20/05/2020 SDC - Web hosting charges 881 £72.96 £364.81 £437.77
20/05/2020 WALC - subscriptions 882 £21.00 £127.00 £148.00
20/05/2020 Eon - Electric charges for street lights 883 £8.84 £176.88 £185.72
20/05/2020 BHIB - Insurance 884 £318.98 £318.98
20/05/2020 J Obbard - Zoom account for May 885 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
05/06/2020 Ratley Village Hall - hire charges 608005024 £160.00 £160.00
05/07/2020 Thomas Fox - Cuts 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 619917550 £361.50 £1,807.60 £2,169.10
05/07/2020 J Obbard - Zoom account for June 620198670 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
05/07/2020 J Obbard - Postage costs for audit 623575056 £7.50 £7.50
05/07/2020 J Obbard - Clerk fees for Q1 618225532 £527.30 £527.30
05/07/2020 HMRC - PAYE costs Q1 620161147 £131.80 £131.80
02/09/2020 J Obbard - Zoom account for July 643284256 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
02/09/2020 J Obbard - Zoom account for August 644846096 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
02/09/2020 S Fermor - Internal Audit 644574837 £58.40 £58.40
02/09/2020 Thomas Fox - Cuts 6 & 7 644846372 £144.60 £723.04 £867.64
03/09/2020 Thomas Fox - Cuts 8, 9 & 10 644744726 £216.90 £1,084.56 £1,301.46
13/09/2020 HMRC - PAYE costs Q2 653631193 £131.80 £131.80
13/09/2020 J Obbard - Clerk fees for Q2 648709654 £527.30 £527.30
13/09/2020 John Hopkins - Honorarium 653631937 £100.00 £100.00
13/09/2020 Ratley Church - Grounds Maint Grant 647422353 £750.00 £750.00
13/09/2020 Ratley Village Hall - Donation 647422656 £750.00 £750.00
17/09/2020 Ratley Youth Club Fireworks Donation 649007858 £200.00 £200.00
25/09/2020 AE Evans - play equipment step 658427093 £7.80 £39.00 £46.80
25/09/2020 J Obbard - Wet pour - Online 658427913 £11.00 £55.00 £66.00
25/09/2020 J Obbard - Zoom account for Sept 653779195 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
05/10/2020 Thomas Fox - Cuts 11 & 12 658703031 £144.60 £723.04 £867.64
21/10/2020 J Obbard - Zoom account for October 668729397 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
01/11/2020 Thomas Fox - Cuts 13 & 14 658703031 £144.60 £723.04 £867.64
28/11/2020 Thomas Fox - Cuts 15 & 16 681636942 £144.60 £723.04 £867.64
01/12/2020 HMRC - PAYE costs Q3 683751847 £131.80 £131.80
01/12/2020 J Obbard - Clerk fees for Q3 683752319 £527.30 £527.30
01/12/2020 J Obbard - Zoom account for November 683752803 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
23/12/2021 J Obbard - Zoom account for December 698388919 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
23/12/2021 Shipston Home Nursing Donation 693435872 £200.00 £200.00
11/01/2021 Thomas Fox - final strimming, hedges 699172973 £117.15 £585.75 £702.90
04/02/2021 WCC - Streetlight Maintenance costs 709844802 £12.10 £60.48 £72.58
15/02/2021 Lighthorne Tree Care 714199246 £500.00 £500.00
20/02/2021 HMRC - PAYE costs Q4 718177898 £131.80 £131.80
20/02/2021 J Obbard - Clerk fees for Q4 716638769 £527.30 £527.30
20/02/2021 J Obbard - Zoom account for January 722890429 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
20/02/2021 J Obbard - Zoom account for February 721635208 £2.40 £11.99 £14.39
Year 2020/21 Total £1,433.60 £13,004.26 £14,437.86
6RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Appendix 2 – District Councillor Feilding’s Report
1/ Support for parishioners re the census
Sarah Richardson@warwick.ac.uk
2/ Roadside waste collection
Once roadside waste has been collected Contact Street Scene and they will send Biffa
out to collect it. If bags are left, they will be treated fly tipping.
3/ Foot Paths and NFU
The NFU are in discussion about allowing footpaths to be diverted around the edge of
fields.
4/ County Council elections due on the 6 May.
5/ At the Council meeting today the main item for discussion is
The merger of two district councils, Stratford on Avon District Council and Warwick
District Council. At this stage Council are being asked to consider whether it wants to
adopt the proposed vision and make preparations for a submission to central
government. There would however be a further decision required of Council
The proposal does not relate to unitary government across South Warwickshire,
although this may be a later option. It has to be borne in mind that Warwickshire
County Council have made a submission to MHCLG on a single Warwickshire Unitary
Council.
Council Tax Harmonisation
There were several questions surrounding the 3 options which were highlighted within
the Deloitte’s report. It was explained that if South Warwickshire Council was created
that any decision on Council Tax would be reserved to that authority, however, slides
were shared which provided more context and illustrations on the 3 options these are
provide as follows:
If South Warwickshire Council is formed then there would need to be a standard level
of Council Tax at district level over that, the current proposed levels of Council Tax are:
• Stratford on Avon DC - £149.12
• Warwick DC - £176.86
This means that there is currently a difference of £27.74 across the two areas which
would need to be considered. The Deloitte’s report provided 3 Options:
Option 1
2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28
£:p £:p £:p £:p £:p £:p £:p
Stratford
DC 149.12 154.12 159.12 164.12 169.12 174.12 179.12
Warwick
DC 176.86 176.86 176.86 176.86 176.86 176.86 179.12
Option 2
2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
£:p £ : p £:p £:p
7RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Stratford
DC 149.12 154.12 159.12 176.86
Warwick
DC 176.86 176.86 176.86 176.86
Option 3
2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
£:p £:p £:p £:p
Stratford
DC 149.12 154.12 159.12 177.99
Warwick
DC 176.86 181.86 186.86 177.99
The question of Council Tax harmonisation is more complicated when considered over
the whole of Warwickshire given the various levels of Council Tax. The expected
district levels of Council Tax for 2021/22 across the county are as follows:
• Stratford : £149.12
• Warwick : £176.86 – difference from SDC - £27.74
• Rugby : £ 155.66 (plus special expenses) – difference from SDC - £6.54 (plus
special expenses)
• Nuneaton & Bedworth : £244.66 – difference from SDC - £95.54
• North Warwickshire : £217.30 – difference from SDC - £68.18
Engagement with the Public.
It was clarified that there are no plans to undertake a full referendum on the proposals,
however, there was a commitment to undertake meaningful consultation with the public.
There would also be consultation with the business community and the Council’s other
stakeholders.
All of this consultation would be undertaken before the Council considered before any
submission is considered at a future meeting of Council.
In relation to the other mergers of district councils undertaken recently, ie West Suffolk,
East Suffolk and Somerset West & Taunton, there is no evidence that referendums on
these proposals were undertaken.
What would be the impact on the Council if the proposals are not accepted?
The savings arising joint working with Warwick DC have been included within the
Medium Term Financial Plan which is being considered by Council on 22 February
2021. These savings total around £3m over this period, and by year 5 of the plan they
are included at £1.25m per annum.
If the Council had to find savings from within its operations rather than working more
closely with Warwick this would undoubtedly impact upon the ability to continue to
deliver the Council’s discretionary services. Examples of the Council’s discretionary
services include:
If the formal Council Tax Resolution at Appendix 1 is approved,
8RATLEY AND UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
the total Band D Council Tax will be as follows: 2020/21 2021/22 % Increase.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council £144.12 to £149.12 3.47%
Warwickshire County Council £1,488.87 to £1,533.51 3.00%
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner £237.97 £252.96 6.30% Sub-total
£1,870.96 £1,935.59
3.45%
Town and Parish Councils (average) £62.44 £65.17 4.37%
TOTAL increase; £1,933.40 £2,000.76 3.48%
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