Parish Council Minutes
November 2008
Thursday 6th November 2008
Present: - Cllr. Quimby – Chairman, Cllr. Colver -Vice Chairman, Cllr. P. Hemmerdinger, Cllr. M. Hemmerdinger, Cllr. Jeffrey & Cllr. Morris
2841 Minutes
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 2nd October 2008 were read and endorsed.
2842 Public Question Time – None.
2843 Declarations of Amendment to the Register of Interests - None.
2844 Declaration of Interest to Items on Agenda – None.
2845 Decisions Taken Under Delegated Powers
Planning consultation – 08/01409/FUL – 6 Mawbys Lane – erection of extensions & dormer window units to form a two storey dwelling – no objections.
2846 Visitor Presentation – None.
2847 Police / Neighbourhood Watch Matters - No police present.
2848 Planning Consultations
08/01460/FUL – Unit 1, Redhill Farm, Top Street – alterations to existing building comprising insertion of two window units into existing gable
08/01546/FUL – The Old Rectory, 55 Rectory Lane – erection of new timber entrance gates with associated brick piers & flank walls following demolition of existing structures
08/01325/TCA – 37A Church Street – works to two trees (unprotected trees in conservation area)
08/01552/TCA – 20 Black Horse Hill – reduction works to one lime tree (unprotected in conservation area)
No objections to the above.
2849 Planning Decision Notices
08/01396/TCA – 19 Black Horse Hill – felling of one ash & pruning to three other trees – granted
08/01240/TPO – 3 Duck Lake – works to one willow tree in front garden – granted Noted.
2850 Approval Of Budget And Financial Statements
1st April to 18th October 08 budget and financial statements approved by the Parish Council.
The Parish Council agreed to contribute £100 to the over 60s luncheon club to be launched in February 2009 at the Sir John Moore Foundation.
The clerk was asked to obtain brochures from sculptors for further discussion about the proposed village sculpture.
It was agreed to donate £100 to the local scout group and earmark the remainder of the funds, received from recent land dispute settlement, for further village developments.
2851 Accounts For Payment
The Parish Council agreed to the clerk’s payment increase.
Karen Stirk – Clerk's Payment – 1st to 31st October 08 - £348.92 (including back pay)
Karen Stirk – Expenses for Sept 08 - £10.50
J. A. Robinson – Ground Maintenance Cuts 10 11 & 12 - £180
F. Quinzi – Bus Shelter Repairs - £695
All cheques agreed and signed.
2852 Allotment Matters
It was agreed to write to Mr Fowkes about a new field rental agreement. The clerk was asked to source information for the December meeting. The Chairman informed the meeting Richard Denson was scheduled to start work on 11th November to improve the bottom access road on the allotments and would also extend the water pipe.
The clerk reported Severn Trent Water had tested the water meter on the allotments and was awaiting results.
It was agreed to increase the annual allotment rent to £12, collection for 2009 rents to be Saturday 3rd January, and letters to be sent to allotment holders with details. Also, to include a reminder about the rule of uncultivated allotments having their agreement terminated after two years, offering the possibility of sharing an allotment.
2853 Footpaths & Hedgerows & Street Matters
A resident reported a tree had been felled on a public area in Didcott Way, this had been carried out without the consent of the Parish Council. It was agreed to send letters to the residents asking for information about the felling and to inform that the Parish Council intended to replace the lost tree. The clerk was requested to contact a Measham Road resident about their overgrown hedge and to request L.C.C. cut back the overgrown hedgerow on the Bowleys Lane/Church Street junction. The Parish Council agreed to clean and preserve the Didcott Way bench following a resident’s complaint. Following news articles about the preservation of red telephone boxes, the clerk was asked to investigate further.
2854 Recreation Ground Matters
The clerk was requested to report a damaged manhole cover to Severn Trent Water. Following a suggestion to make part of the Recreation Ground a ‘no drinking zone’, it was agreed the Parish Council could put up signs but these were non enforceable, after taking advice from N.W.L.D.C. The clerk was requested to source security wire screens for the pavilion windows.
2855 Stream Pollution
The Chairman read a response from the Environment Agency following a reported incident of stream pollution. They believed the problem maybe a misconnected appliance with waste water disposed of via surface water rather than the foul water system. The Environment Agency was due to carry out dye tests at properties close to the source of the pollution and would keep the Parish Council informed of its findings.
2856 Problem Traffic/Parking on Top Street/Church Street
Due to the ongoing problem of dangerous parking at certain times of the day, it was agreed to again approach various authorities for their assistance. The clerk was asked to bring to the December meeting all the previous correspondence.
2857 Closed Church Yard
Following advice received from the Parish Council’s insurance company, it was agreed Councillor Colver carry out a risk assessment of the closed church yard.
2858 Grounds Maintenance Contract
The Parish Council had received quotations for the grounds’ maintenance contract for the years 2009 and 2010. It was agreed to award the contract to Chilcote Gardening Services.
2859 Affordable Rural Housing
The Chairman informed the meeting the planning application for the proposed affordable rural housing scheme was expected in the next few months.
2860 Minute Books
The Parish Council agreed to Councillor Jeffrey’s proposal, to have all minutes bound into a book and deposited with the Records Office (where previous minutes were stored).
2861 Measham Medical Unit’s Dispensary
Following information received from Measham Medical Unit about the possible threat to close pharmacies in surgeries, the Parish Council agreed to write to the Department of Health objecting to any closures.
2862 Heritage Warden Volunteer
The Chairman read a letter from L.C.C. giving details of the new Heritage Warden, it was agreed to invite him to a Parish Council meeting.
2863 Parish News Line
It was agreed to include the following in the December/January Parish News Line:-
Running cost of vandalism, illegally felled tree and Parish Council’s sponsorship of theatre tickets for the over 60s.
Ms K. Stirk (Clerk to the Parish Council)
11th November 2008