Parish Council minutes 18 October 2005

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 18th October 2005 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

Public Participation

None

1. APOLOGIES

Cllrs Neal, Lovell and Oliver.

2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of 19th July 2005 were approved: Proposed Cllr Hebden, seconded Cllr Gibson and agreed unanimously.

Minutes for 20th September were approved following addition to Item 5 (Cllr Lovell) that Paul Gibson had offered his resignation from the Village Halll Management Committee, but had subsequently agreed to stay on for the present time. Proposed Cllr Gibson, seconded Cllr Dewey and agreed unanimously.

3. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

4. FINANCE

(a) The monthly financial report and statement of Income and Expenditure to date were presented and approved. Bank interest of 25.76 had been added, together with £7,500 representing the 2nd half of annual precept and £83 against an insurance claim.. Cheques had been written for crocus in aid of Break Through Cancer (£43.48,), for G P Jenkins for painting the village hall (£380.00), and Peter Giddings (£200.00) for manufacture of two notice boards and were required for Test Valley Gardencare (£463.20 ) and Virtual Service charge at HCC (£105.75), leaving a balance of £14,976.85. In addition, with apologies the Clerk pointed out there would be some bank charges to follow as there had been insufficient money transferred to the account to meet all cheques and as she had been away, both had each been represented three times, with attendance costs.

(b) As automatic top up was not available on this account, it was suggested that in future a surplus balance of £500 was carried in the current account to avoid this happening in the future.

(c) Following consideration of Statement of Income and Expenditure, it was noted that the monies donated from the Garden Walk should be offset against the cost of the new Notice Boards, as a village facility.

(d) A request for a donation from Cruse Bereavement was considered and it was proposed by Cllr Glenister and seconded by Cllr Sherwood that a cheque for £25.00 should be sent.

(e) There had been no response as yet from the external auditor.

5. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Goodall: Noted that the beech hedge adjacent to the Church Farm Buildings at Bransbury was overgrown and encroaching onto the road., whereas all other hedges in the vicinity had been well trimmed. Clerk to write to Middleton Estate.

He suggested that strimming of grass around the Dragon’s Teeth on The Green at Roberts Road should be done no more than 3 times a year, and that the quote due should reflect this. This was agreed.

He also drew to the attention of the Council that a TPO had been made on trees at Riverside Cottage, Bransbury and asked if there had been any clarification from Cllr Neal regarding the ownership of the land around there which was now fenced. Clerk to enquire.

Cllr Gibson: reported that the AGM of the Village Hall Management Committee had been held the night before.

Cllr Dewey: highlighted the delay in circulation of correspondence around councillors, who were requested to pass on correspondence if they could not read and deal with it within three days to avoid deadlines being missed

6. PAVILION

A 50% grant had been agreed with regard to the roof of the pavilion and the Clerk would make contact with the chosen contractor to arrange commencement of work.

Due to his absence, it was expected that Cllr Lovell would present his strategic report on the pavilion at the next meeting.

7. SEALED BID

Following further discussion it was agreed that the Sealed Bid for £5050.00 proposed at the last meeting should be forwarded for the land adjacent to the Sports Field subject to proof of freehold title.

8. PLAYGROUND

(a) A response had been received from Digley Associates outlining the precise service offered and noting names to references who could be approached. Clerk to make written contact, asking specific questions.

(b) The Chairman had been monitoring the playground, clearing rubbish, emptying bins etc, but she would be away for a month in November. Cllr Goodall volunteered to fill in during her absence.

9. PARISH PLAN

Cllr Goodall noted that it was necessary to establish some communication between the Parish Council and the Parish Plan Committee as the latter would be unable to do much without the support of the Parish Council. The Chairman noted that the Parish Plan Committee were a capable body, with willing volunteers and a valuable resource for the village whose enthusiasm should be harnessed. In general discussion it was noted that the Parish Plan had applied for a new loan, and it was agreed unanimously that the parish Council wished the Parish Plan Committee to continue. There should be closer understanding and links over what they should try to achieve. Cllr Goodall to set up a meeting between the two bodies.

10. PLANNING

The proposed plans for 2 Church Farm Cottages were considered and no objections were raised.

11. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES AND CORRESPONDENCE

a. The lines over the road to monitor traffic had been removed, but the box and chains etc relating to them had been found at the roadside, collected by the Chairman who had arranged collection by HCC. A report had been received and was passed to Cllr Glenister.

b. Dates regarding the AGM of Test Valley Community Services, the Local Strategic Partnership, a Carer’s event, the launch of the Test Valley Compact and Councillor training were passed on to the meeting.

c. The Chairman offered her apologies as she would be away for the next meeting.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.40 p.m.

The next Parish Council meeting would be held on Tuesday 15th November 2005 commencing at 7.30 p.m.