Parish Council minutes 16 November 2004

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

Present:

Minutes of a meeting of Barton Stacey Parish Council held on Tuesday 16th November 2004 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

Perpetual Housing Presentation

At 7.00 p.m. prior to the meeting, the Parish Councillors welcomed Mr Michael Shearing of Perpetual Affordable Homes who outlined the aims and objectives of his organisation with regard to affordable housing, which is built either for rental or to buy under a shared ownership scheme.

He also stated that the organisation had been in touch with Test Valley Borough Council, who had said there was a need for such housing in the village, and had identified a plot of land which Defence Estates would be willing to sell.

Following questions the Chairman thanked him for his presentation, noting that with many new councillors on the Parish Council who had had no previous knowledge, they would need time to absorb the implications of the scheme, and that the Parish Council would revert to him in due course. It was also agreed that a copy of the initial letter to Mrs Sally Merison should be circulated to all Barton Stacey Parish Councillors. The presentation ended at 7.30.

Public Participation - None

1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19th October were approved. Proposed by Cllr Slaughter , seconded by Cllr Gibson and agreed unanimously.

2. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items on the Rolling Action Plan were discussed as detailed.

3. FINANCE

(a) Prior to presenting the Monthly Report, the Clerk circulated an amended monthly Financial Report for October, with apologies, as the incorrect opening balance figure had been carried forward . This left a balance as at 19th October of £13,573.59

(b) The Monthly Financial Report as at 16th November was accepted and approved by those present. Starting from a balance of £13,573.59 there had been no receipts A cheque for £100 had been written for village fireworks, £38 to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, £22.78 for Southern Electric for the Pavilion and £15 for a Publication Scheme training course for the Clerk to attend. Also approved was £573 for quarterly remuneration for the Clerk, £117.50 in settlement for quarterly maintenance inspection of the Playground and £440.63 for Biles for work carried out on the playground, which left a balance of £12,265.81

(c) The relevant paperwork had been forwarded to Alliance Leicester with regard to transferring Parish Council funds to new bank accounts, and approval was awaited.

(d) A draft budget for 2005 – 2006 was considered. Capital expenditure of £1,000 to cover external painting of the village hall was added, leaving a deficit of £1330.00 on the period if a precept of £15,000 was maintained. As there would be an estimated surplus of £7,500 at the end of 2004/2005, this was acceptable and it was proposed by Cllr Gibson and seconded by Cllr Lovell that the precept should be set for another year at £15,000. This was carried unanimously

4. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Cllr Glenister had prepared a draft document for the Parish Council, and he gave a brief explanation of what was contained in it. The Council then

(a) noted their obligations under the Act

(b) approved inclusion of certain optional material within the publication scheme

(c) approved the process for responding to requests for information

(d) approved charges for responses including Clerk’s time, postage, stationary, copying and other expenses as necessary at cost.

It was proposed by Cllr Lovell and seconded by Cllr Hebden that the draft proposals and the costs involved should be accepted and this was agreed unanimously.

Cllr Glenister was thanked for all the work which he had put into this issue.

5. COUNCILLOR’S ISSUES

Cllr Dewey reported that the handrail on the Postman’s Walk bridge was broken – Clerk to notify ROW. He also noted that the fencing from the ditch to the Pavilion and beyond had been vandalised, and the posts were rotted. He was asked to obtain a quotation for a new post and wire fence for the Recreation ground.

Cllr Lovell reported that there were still problems with cars driving over the green at the school, parking up and blocking the road whilst dropping off children. He and Cllr Slaughter as school governors were asked to approach the Headteacher to sent out a more forceful letter to parents.

Cllr Goodall reported on the street lights in Gravel Lane.

Cllr Mrs Sherwood noted that the Roberts Road sign at the Difford end had fallen over and was now propped up.

Cllr Oliver expressed concern over the state of the verges, in particular outside the Post Office, where the grass bank was wearing away. There was little that could be done as these were part of the highway, but thought would be given to the problem.

Cllr Slaughter reported that in fact School signs are in place on Roberts Road but felt that the one on the north side was not easily visible and so ineffective and should be moved to the opposite side of the road.

Cllr Gibson noted that notification had been received that the rateable value of the village hall had been set at £1975 p.a. However, it was still exempt from payment of rates.

Cllr Glenister reported that footpath ROW 16 had a missing sign at the north end, that No 2 had had a new stile erected near Cocum but that the other end was a solid hedge.

He asked that there should be some follow up on affordable housing – the Rural Housing Trust have been building in neighbouring parishes and clerk to make enquiries about this and also about the aims and objectives of Testway Housing.

He also noted fluctuating power supply at home and drew councillors attention to the parish councillor arrested in Dorset for cutting back someone else’s hedge.

6. PLAYGROUND

(a) Cllr Oliver had been given a copy of the most recent Maintenance report to study and noted that it was much the same as the one before and questioned the value. The Clerk had asked for quotations from RSS for replacement of the bearings on the Yukon log and for resetting the Springers which had been received, but not details of cover by guarantee – this to be chased up. Yukon Log Roll repair was £355 plus VAT and to reset the springers £630 plus VAT. It was agreed that Cllr Oliver should obtain quotation from Mr Biles for the latter work as a comparison.

(b) Following a visit from a TVBC playground specialist, it was reported that there was nothing which needed to be carried out in the way of work to meet DDA requirements.

(c) A quotation from Eastman and Rowe for repair/replacement of railing at the car park was discussed and in light of the work and cost involved the clerk was asked to obtain a further quotation. Cllr Gibson highlighted the urgency and volunteered to look into this matter.

7. PAVILION

(a) The upgraded electrical supply had been installed.

(b) Cllrs Gibson, Goodall and Rogers would look at the Pavilion and produce a schedule of necessary repairs for the pavilion so that quotations could be obtained to enable a grant application to be made early in 2005 in readiness for 2005/2006 funding. The Clerk to obtain necessary grant paperwork.

8. VILLAGE HALL

(a) Two quotations were considered for ground maintenance at the Village Hall and it was proposed by Cllr Gibson and seconded by Cllr Dewey that the quote for £260.00 submitted by Mr Brewer of Woodlands be accepted. The clerk to write and confirm a starting date of 3rd December 2004.

(b) The external painting of the Village Hall to be considered as an Agenda item in January 2005.

(c) A response from Simbor Carpentry regarding the wooden slope to the front door was considered and it was decided that the option to spend an additional £100 on anti slip pads should be discounted. A concrete ramp to be considered in due course.

9. SPEEDING IN THE VILLAGE

The speeding question was discussed. The Clerk was still awaiting a response from Stagecoach. The Chairman to write also as a private individual.

The clerk had spoken to WPC Fiona Taylor who had just taken over this area, and she would endeavour to arrange for traffic police to attend one morning as a deterrent, and would liaise over future concerns.

Another suggestion put forward was the erection of painted fence posts at the entrances to the village, to heighten awareness. This matter to be monitored.

10. PLANNING

Planning consideration was given to the erection of single storey extension at 33 Kings Elm (TVN.09267); the demolition and rebuild of a chimney at Ash Farm House (TVB.LLB.00586/2) and necessary action in light of the Planning Appeal with regard to Hill Farm Buildings. Approval was given for the first two and Cllr Lovell would contact the clerk shortly with regard to content of a letter further objecting to relaxation of conditions of use of Hill Farm Buildings.

11.CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES/CORRESPONDENCE

(a) A progress report had been received from Star Energy with reference to work at Humbly Grove.

(b) A booklet had been received highlighting the benefits and requirements of a Quality Council

(c) Details of a Doorstep Crime Initiative were passed to Cllr Dewey to pass on to members of the Tuesday Club at their next meeting.

(d) An analysis of the Parish Plan presentation was being considered by Cllr Hebden, Glenister and Slaughter and would be passed on to other members in due course.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.

The next Parish Council Meeting would be held Tuesday 18th January, 2005.