Parish Council minutes 17 January 2006

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 17th January 2006 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

Public Participation

None

1. APOLOGIES

Cllrs Dewey, Glenister, Goodall and Sherwood

Apologies were also accepted from Mr John Lancaster who, due to transport difficulties, was unable to be present to speak on Affordable Housing, but could possibly meet with representatives of the Parish Council shortly to give them an update on progress being made.

2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of 15th November 2005 were approved: Proposed Cllr Lovell, seconded Cllr Oliver and agreed unanimously.

3. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

4. FINANCE

The monthly financial report and statement of Income and Expenditure were presented to the Council and approved. Receipts of £665.83 (VAT refund), £1353.00 (Grant Payment) and bank interest of £40.25, £33.37 and £41.30 had been received, and in addition to the starting balance totalled £13625.64. Cheques had been written for Firework donation (£100) and Dever Contract for work on dragon’s teeth (£828.38) and were required for TVBC - £177.24 (Dog bin emptying), A Wilson £290.96 (Remuneration) and account taken of earlier bank charges of £96.00. Outgoing totalled £1492.58 and left a balance of £12133.06.

5. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Goodall: Expressed in his absence by the Chairman. (a) Washing machine and other rubbish dumped in Bransbury. Reported to TVBC.

(b) He had seen the Sharratts from Ingleside picking up rubbish on the slip road to the A 303. Clerk to write to say thank you.

Cllr Dewey: Expressed by Chairman in his absence. Building rubbish which was being left on pavement outside 4 Kings Elms was both dangerous and slippery and had been reported to HCC.

Cllr Lovell: Noted that Longparish Parish Plan had been completed and published and Councillor Neal noted it had been instigated by the parish Council and taken over by a general committee. Cllr Lovell questioned progress of the Barton Stacey Plan, requesting a further copy of the summary which had been circulated previously. He asked if this was the plan in its final form, and if so suggested that it should be presented for adoption. Cllr Neal highlighted the useful nature of a Parish Plan to the Borough and County Council in future plans and suggested that the Barton Stacey Committee should meet with Steve Leas of TVBC Planning to ensure the local plan was incorporating all that was necessary. The original DEFRA pack – from which booklets had been distributed – had detailed what the government had required from Parish plans.

Cllr Oliver: Raised the question of placing stones to protect the verges in the village, with particular reference to The Granary House. He noted that the general erosion throughout the village was a cause for concern.

6. PAVILION/RECREATION GROUND

(a) The report circulated regarding future plans for the Pavilion was considered. The Chairman stated that a possible new pavilion and the existing pavilion were two separate issues. A lengthy discussion took place regarding a new pavilion. Following a vote it was agreed that the Parish Plan Committee be asked to research this matter further, using the paper presented as a guide and working to a brief to be drawn up by the Chairman and agreed by a quorum of councillors. If possible, findings to be presented in March and PC contact to be Cllr Lovell.

(b) The Clerk reported that work on the pavilion roof was now scheduled to commence on Tuesday 24th January. The contractors to be asked to ensure site left safe on Tuesday evening and at weekend when youth football teams would be about.

(c) Quotations for grass cutting for the next two years on the Recreation Ground and the children’s play ground were considered and it was unanimously agreed that due to the difference in the sum quoted, the contract should be given to Commercial Services.

(d) Electricity Meter readings at the pavilion had been overestimated and should be amended.

(e) The football club were proposing to lay mesh through which grass could grow, by the gateway into the Recreation Ground to prevent further damage to the ground, and were responsible for repairs to the water heater.

7. PLANNING

(a) No objection had been raised regarding the extension at Ridge Cottage.

(b) An objection had been lodged over the new planning proposal for flats at 1 Roman Way.

(c) A TPO had been issued at Riverside Cottage

(d) No objections to the proposed signs at the Travelodge on the A303.

(e) Cllr Neal proposed that Mr Higgins of Environment and Health should be asked to give a talk to the Parish Council on the subject of Alternative Bin Collection.

8. PARISH MATTERS

(a) Neighbourhood Watch. A meeting of co-ordinators had been held recently.

(b) Setting up of Community Fund. It was agreed that a Community Fund be set up, to be kept at £500 per annum, for which applications for community use from within the Parish boundary can be made. Applications to a maximum of £100 should be made in writing to the Parish Clerk. Details to be published on the website and to be announced at the Annual Parish Meeting.

(c) Street Lighting. Cllr Lovell had spoken to HCC on the subject and the recent information on changes to management of street lighting was considered. It was agreed that the present the Parish Council would commit to nothing, but would build up a ring fenced fund for future repair/replacement. To be started with surplus remaining from budgeted figures for 2005/2006.

(d) Youth Council. Nothing to report in the absence of Cllr Sherwood

9. PLAYGROUND

(a) Inspection. An annual inspection report had been received from Digley Associates and copied to Cllrs Oliver and Hebden. It was very clear and concise and Cllr Oliver would study it in detail, carrying out any possible action and report back at the next meeting.

(b) The mole damage was getting worse, and it was agreed that Cllr Hebden should carry out the necessary trapping in the babies play area. The site to be padlocked and signed to prevent any accidents whilst trapping was in progress. Once successfully carried out it would be necessary to re-seed the area. An advance warning notice be placed in the shop and that the playgroup be informed of the action to be taken.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 22.10 p.m.

The next Parish Council meeting would be held on Tuesday 21st February 2006 commencing at 7.30 p.m.