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MINUTES OF THE HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE MEETING  HELD ON TUESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 2008

Present:  Cllr Winney  Cllr Morgan  Cllr Dowler  Cllr Cusack

Apologies: Cllr M Jones

H23 Declarations of Interest: None declared

H24 To confirm the Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 22nd July 2008 
       The minutes of the meeting held on 22nd July 2008 (pp 060-061 08/09) were signed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.

H25 Review of Matters Arising from Previous minutes

o The resident has not been informed about the view that there is sufficient space for dog training on Sat mornings      ACTION: The Clerk to write to resident
o Cllr Winney has chased the contractor to cut the laurel hedge at Park close
o Cllr Winney has not yet spoken to the relative ref the large plaque
o Staggered islands were suggested to slow down traffic at the north end of Coronation Street

 ACTION: The Clerk to discuss with County Highways

As Rev Atkinson had been delayed, it was resolved to bring forward item H27

H27 To review Rules and Regulations for Burial Ground
Minor amendments were suggested to the Regulations document.
ACTION: The Clerk to carry out amendments and submit document to Full Council for approval and support.

Rev Atkinson arrived

CHURCHYARD

It appears that the available burial space in the Garden section of the Churchyard was not fully utilised before burials were started in the New Burial Ground. It is not clear as to why this happened as there appears to be no paperwork covering the history of this area.

It has been established that:
i. The Original Churchyard was officially Closed in 1885
ii. The ‘North’ section cannot be Closed due to being opened by the Secretary of State. This has implications on the maintenance responsibilities.

It is not clear whether the ‘North’ section referred to by the Secretary of State also includes the Garden section and whether the Garden section has been consecrated.

The North section has had burials all over the area but some headstones were subsequently removed or relocated.

The possibility of utilising the available space in the Garden section (approx 80 plots) needs to be discussed at the next PCC meeting.

It was suggested the boundary between the North and Garden sections could be reinforced with additional planting to screen new memorials from the older part of the Churchyard.     

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The committee advised Rev Atkinson that it thought that if there was space in the Churchyard and the Church chose not to use it, the onus should be on the Church to provide an alternative location for burials.

It was agreed by all concerned that there should not be any further burials in the North section even if space allows.

FTC is still responsible for maintenance of the Original Churchyard. It seems that the maintenance costs for the North section are the responsibility of the PCC and not FTC. The situation regarding the Garden section is not clear but Rev Atkinson advised that the PCC would be hard pushed to find sufficient finance to cover the costs. Legally if a Churchyard is not Closed, the Parish Council can still help financially.

Rev Atkinson advised of his next actions with respect to this situation:
o Check with Diocese ref the official status of the Garden section
o Find out if the Diocese has any paperwork with respect to the opening and closing of the Garden section
o Discuss with St Mary’s PCC & Diocese that it seems there are up to 80 burial spaces available in the Garden section

The next PCC meeting is on 8th October and Rev Atkinson was asked to contact the Council Office as soon as he has any answers but at the latest by the next Highways meeting on 25th November 2008. If information is forthcoming before this, an extraordinary meeting can be arranged.

Rev Atkinson left the meeting

It was agreed to recommend to Full Council to still continue with the purchase of land previously offered for burials.
ACTION: Item to go on agenda for next Full Council meeting

HIGHWAYS

H28 To receive income and expenditure for Highways committee

The figures were discussed and the committee was aware that there are some budgets not utilised.

H29 To review lighting of Horcott paths project
There were only three responses from the request for feedback in the last newsletter. All three responses were against the provision of lighting in this area. Following discussion it was agreed by the committee that lighting is still needed and efforts should be made to continue with the project.
ACTION: The Clerk to write to landowners for permission to install lighting

H30 To discuss suggestions by Planning committee (ref mins 19th August) for improvements to London Road near Victory Villas
Cllrs Winney and Dowler offered to meet the County Highways rep to discuss the way forward.
ACTION: The Clerk to arrange a meeting

H31 Correspondence received
i. Letter from resident ref kerb at entrance to The Croft: A resident has requested that the kerb at the entrance to Croft Lane is dropped to allow easier access to cars. It was thought this would cause an increased risk to pedestrians.
ACTION: The Clerk to discuss with County Highways rep
ii. Update on Bus Service 76 consultation: The 76 bus service is to be withdrawn from the end of September

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iii. GCC response ref HGV Management Zone: County Cllr Theodoulou is following this up.
iv. Copy of letter sent to residents of Victory Villas ref parking on grass verge: There has not been any reduction in vehicles parking on the verge.
ACTION: The Clerk to ask the County Highways rep what their next step is to reduce the problem.
v. Copy of letter sent ref wheelie bins in Back Lane: The large wheeled bin has been moved but it is thought there are still small bins permanently left on the Highway. This is in the hands of County Highways.
vi. Highways Maintenance Seminar on 15th October 2008: Cllr Winney is attending.
vii. Glos Road Safety Partnership Information Leaflet

FOOTPATHS

H32 To decide whether a survey of all Fairford Footpaths is required
David Lawrence has offered to walk all the paths if required and prepare a report. It was agreed this would be useful information.

ACTION: The Clerk to ask David Lawrence to proceed with the survey