Parish Council minutes 21 September 2004

These minutes are published for information purposes only, and are not an official record of the meeting.

Present:

Apologies:
None

The Vice Chairman took the Chair at the commencement of the meeting and welcomed all the new council members.

Minutes of a meeting of the Barton Stacey Parish Council held on Tuesday 21st September 2004

1. DECLARATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE

These were completed by the newly elected Councillors and duly signed.

2. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Cllr Mrs Hebden was proposed by Cllr Dewey and seconded by Cllr Gibson. There were no other nomination and voting was 5 for, 1 against and 2 abstentions.

3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None.

4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the Parish Meeting of 15th June 2004 were approved by all three Councillors who had been present, following the attachment of Cllr Wood’s letter of resignation. Proposed Cllr Lovell, seconded Cllr Glenister.

5. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Each item was considered and action is to be taken as recorded.

6. FINANCE

(a) The Monthly Financial Report was accepted. Proposed Cllr Lovell and seconded Cllr Mrs Hebden. Starting from a balance of £12,198.26, there had been receipts of £1,846.00 (DDA grant) and bank interest of £53.77. A total of £5,096.40 cheques had been written since the last meeting, and cheques covering Election expenses (972.540, Test Valley Gardencare (443.200, RSS (Playground inspection 117.50), Strimmer Man (467.120), Barton Stacey Village Hall (Rent 78.00), and Clerks remuneration (444.64) were approved. This left a balance of £6,478.63, with an outstanding VAT refund of £495.69 and 2nd half of precept £7,500.00 due in shortly.

(b) The Internal Audit by Mr M Bearpark had been completed and the 2003/4 Annual Return was presented. It was noted that Item 4 Section 1 read staff costs and this was amended to read Professional Fees as the Clerk is not an employee. Acceptance proposed by Cllr Lovell and seconded Cllr Glenister. Agreed unanimously.

(c ) Consideration was given to the current Bank Accounts and it was agreed unanimously that for the benefit of greater interest and convenience, they should be transferred to Alliance and Leicester Community Current Account and Instant Reserve Account. All councillors and clerk to be signatories and cheques to require any two signatures. Clerk to make necessary arrangements.

7. PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hebden and seconded by Cllr Oliver that Mr Roy Slaughter should be co-opted to the Parish Council and agreed unanimously. He completed his declaration of acceptance which was then signed, and Cllr Slaughter joined the meeting.

8. COUNCILLOR’S RESPONSIBILITES

After some discussion the following responsibilities were designated:

Information and Communication

Cllr Glenister

Village Liaison

( Over 60’s Club) Cllr Dewey

(Village Hall Committee) Cllr Gibson

(PCC Liaison and Transport). Mr Terry Dewey to be asked to fill these roles

Planning

Cllr Mrs Hebden, to liaise as necessary with Cllr Lovell. She noted that she would also ask an opinion from any Councillor in an area affected by planning applications.

Strategy Panel

Left in abeyance – Agenda item for next meeting.

Village Ground

All Councillors to take note

Playground

Cllr Oliver

Financial Advisor

Cllr Gibson

Young People

Cllr Mrs Sherwood (Contact with Cllrs Lovell and Oliver)

Footpaths and Highways

Cllr Slaughter

9. COUNCILLOR’S ISSUES

Cllr Sherwood.

Reported that potholes in front of garages had been repaired

Cllr Glenister

Highlighted the flooding problems in the south of the village. Mr Freemantle had been lobbying TVBC who were investigating the matter.

Cllr Mrs Hebden

Noted the state of pavement repair at Kings Elm (No 56 to end of road in particular) and damage being caused to tarmac by weeks growing through and breaking up tarmac. She also commented on the problem of dog mess, particularly on footpaths, and asked that people be asked to clean up or ensure dogs use the hedge and not the pathway. Possible notice in Village Shop and noticeboards. Last resort would be to name and shame, but PC would prefer not to take this step.

Cllr Dewey

Noted that the minutes prior to 1989, held in the archives in Winchester, were in poor condition and unreadable to a large extent. Hedge cutting at Old Forge had been badly done and there was a mess on the road. He also expressed concern over the vegetation outside the village hall, overgrown hedges and ivy under the eaves. A quote for this to be rectified would be obtained. He reiterated that there should be no grass cutting on Sunday an as the football teams were about to play.

Cllr Gibson

Had already dealt with this matter. He noted the DDA compliance work completed at the Village Hall. He had received a letter of thanks from the Playgroup and other appreciative comments on the improvements made. As yet however, in the absence of a deaf person, it had not been possible to test the hearing loop. He raised the question of responsibility for the exterior of the village hall upkeep, and this was to be an Agenda item at the next meeting.

Cllr Goodall

Reported deep pot holes between Bransbury Mill and the bridge – Clerk to ring Highway Authority.

10.PLAYGROUND

(a) Inspection Report

This was considered and it was agreed that it should be passed to Cllr Oliver for his consideration.

(b) Swings.

The Clerk reported on the quotation from D G Biles to secure the swing and on the quotation received from RSS for similar work, and for replacement costs. It was agreed that the Clerk should confirm in writing to D G Biles accepting his quotation of £375 plus VAT, noting that the work should meet the current regulations and the specification he outlined.

11. PAVILION

(a) Electrical Supply - Cllr Gibson outlined his request (received 9/07) that the PC pay for the upgrading of the power supply to the pavilion as per the quotation from Southern Electric for £436.00 plus VAT, and explained the benefits. He also made it clear that this work was necessary to obtain a Safety Certificate for the electrical installation for the pavilion. At the same time the Football Club would arrange re-wiring of the Pavilion to allow installation of heating and pay for the necessary duct to be installed. Cllr Gibson declared an interest as Chairman of the Football Club so would not be voting. It was then proposed by Chairman and seconded by Cllr Lovell that the electricity be upgraded and that the PC would pay the sum of £436 plus VAT for their share. Agreed unanimously with the exception of Cllr Gibson.

(b) Further work necessary to the Pavilion was discussed such as necessary storage facilities, either free standing or extension to the Pavilion, to free up space, and an insulated new roof, an additional shower, improvements to toilets. This together with planned heating would make the pavilion more useable and could be of interest for meetings for the Dog Club, band practice, youth council and even the Parish Council on occasion, but work for DDA compliance would have to be considered. A package to be put together by Cllrs Gibson, Oliver and Goodall with a view to the Parish Council making a grant application for financial assistance.

12. PLANNING MATTERS

Planning applications TVN.07111/2 for single storey front extension at 1 Kings Elms and TVN.009177 for first floor extension to provide bedroom at 67 Roberts Road were considered and approved.

13. DATA PROTECTION NOTIFICATION

A memorandum from HAPTC had been received noting that all Parish Councils should notify the Information Commission for entry onto the Data Protection Register at a cost of £35 in line with Data Protection Act 1998. It was agreed that Cllr Glenister should review this matter before further action was taken.

14. PERPETUAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING

To be considered at a future date. Cllr Lovell to arrange that Michael Shearing of Perpetual Affordable Homes Ltd should come to talk to the Parish Council at the meeting scheduled for November 16th.

15. LONGPARISH OPEN FORUM

This was attended by Cllrs Lovell and Glenister and the Parish Clerk. The skid testing and donuting taking place had been moved to another district and Karting continued, but noise levels were being monitored.

16. CPRE SURVEY - Review of HCC Local Transport Plan

The views of all councillors contributed to the completion of this survey.

17.CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES

Due to lateness of the hour, none were considered.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.35 p.m.

The next Parish Council Meeting would be held Tuesday 19th October, 2004