Croft Parish Council Page 1160

Transcription

1 Croft Parish Council Page 1160 Minutes of the Council Meeting held in the Pavilion on 12 May 2015 at 7.00 pm Present: Councillors C Mawby (Chair), R Howard (late), C King, M Ratcliffe (late), P Smith and A Spence. In attendance: Mr S C Blackburn (Clerk) and five members of the public Election of a Chairman for 2015/16 Cllr Mawby was proposed and seconded and duly elected To receive a Declaration of Acceptance of Office from the Chairman Cllr Mawby signed the declaration of acceptance of office Election of a Vice Chairman for 2015/16 Cllr Smith was proposed and seconded and duly elected To receive a Declaration of Acceptance of Office from the Vice Chairman Cllr Smith signed the declaration of acceptance of office Chairman s Remarks: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Cllr Howard arrived at the meeting Councillors Howard, King and Spence signed their declarations of acceptance of office Apologies for absence: The Chairman reported that Cllr Davies had tendered his apologies due to the ill health of his son and it was agreed that the Council would pass on their best wishes to the family and that his declaration could be signed before the next meeting Declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations: None To consider the co-option of an additional councillor under the provisions of s.16a of the Local Government Act,1972 The decision of Mr Freer not to seek re-election was noted. Although a potential new councillor had been identified there were currently no candidates To appoint members to serve on the Standing Advisory Committees: Cemetery, War Memorials, Allotment, Open Spaces & Telephone Kiosk: Cllrs Smith, Davies and King were appointed. Fun Park Sports Ground & Pavilion: Cllrs Howard, Ratcliffe and Spence were appointed. Vehicle Activated Sign: Cllrs Smith and Davies were appointed. Village Hall: Cllr Ratcliffe, Mrs Wilkins and The Clerk were appointed To Appoint Members to represent the Council on Outside Bodies: Croft Quarry Liaison Committee (3): Cllrs Mawby, Smith and Spence were appointed. Croft Quarry Environmental Sub Committee (2): Cllrs Davies and Smith were appointed. Page 1160

2 Croft Parish Council Page 1161 Fosse Villages Neighbourhood Plan Group (1): Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils (1): Cllr Howard was appointed. Police Liaison/Joint Action Group: Parish Tree Warden: Mr Thurlow was appointed. Parish Archaeology/Heritage Warden: Cllr Davies was appointed. Parish Council/Blaby D.C. Joint meetings: To sign as an accurate record the minutes of the previous meeting RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2015 be signed as a correct record Public Participation A member of the Allotment Association complained about the neglect of certain plots and it was agreed this could be taken in the later agenda item. Mr Denton complained about the park lighting which was on all night and which, he felt, encouraged youths to play in the MUGA causing noise late into the night. He felt that it would not be unreasonable to switch the lights off at pm. In contact with the Police he had been told that having the lights on was implied permission which, as a retired police officer, he felt was not acceptable. In anticipation of this request the Clerk had received a quote of 70 per each of the five lamps to change the lights to part night lighting, leaving them off between a set time and 5.00 am. Having them fully off would increase costs significantly. Enquiries of the police about the deterrent effect of lighting had been ambivalent. It was commented that if the lights were wired in series there may be further savings. It was agreed that the matter would be discussed further at the next meeting The Chairman varied the order of business to allow invited contributors to speak Cllr Ratcliffe arrived at the meeting Councillor Ratcliffe signed his declaration of acceptance of office Trees Mr Thurlow presented a report on the tree works considered to be necessary including the treatment of hemlock and Himalayan balsam. It was agreed that the this aspect would be investigated further by Cllrs Howard, Ratcliffe and Spence, with the Clerk and Mr Thurlow. In response to a question it was agreed that, whilst a further quote for the work would normally be desirable, Mr Thurlow was the Council s retained expert. RESOLVED: that the works be put in hand at a cost of 1, Village Hall The Chairman welcomed Mr Richard Morrell who outlined plans for the village hall. He explained that an initial proposal to build in two stages would cost more than a single build and than planning consent would allow three years for the completion once any part had been started. He also outlined concerns re the security of the builders equipment during construction. Concerns were expressed about access and a suggested hatch to serve to people outside the hall. Page 1161

3 Croft Parish Council Page 1162 Concerns were also expressed about the lack of separation of the two parts and the absence of toilets in the changing rooms, all of which had been in the original brief. It was agreed that Cllr Ratcliffe would make further contact with the sports clubs, that the Clerk would circulate plans to Councillors for further comments and that the subject would be placed on the next agenda for further discussion Affordable Housing It was noted that a public meeting had been planned but that no outcome had been advised to the Clerk. It was agreed that the matter would be deferred to a future meeting To receive a report from the Clerk The Clerk had circulated a summary of current work. In addition he reported that the Croft Silver Band were to hold a duck race on 7 June and that Blaby District Council were to hold a services open day on 24 June. This was intended to introduce the Council departments to new Councillors. The Church had invited members of the Council to the licensing of a new Curate on 10 June and Cllrs Smith and Davies were to attend. Previous comments about the mobile skate park had been investigated. It appear that the cancelled session took place in 2013 and had been funded by Blaby DC s Positive Actions for Young People (PAYP) programme so no service or refund was owed to the Parish Council. The service was almost fully booked for Saturdays this year but Sundays and weekdays during the school holidays were widely available. It was agreed that the service should be booked for a full day, midweek in July, noting that tat Blaby DC would have to arrange the closure of the car park to traffic. A suggestion was made that a litter bin be placed at the bus stop in Arbor Road near Spinney Court due to the amount of litter dropped by children waiting for school buses. This would be investigated by the Clerk. RESOLVED: that the report be noted To consider the report of the Council s Internal Auditor The auditor s report and his completion of the relevant part of the annual return had been circulated to all councillors and contained no adverse comments. The cost of 310 was discussed and enquiries of an alternative would be made. RESOLVED: that the report of the internal auditor be accepted To approved the accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2015 RESOLVED: that the accounts as attached to these minutes be approved Cllr Howard left the meeting To consider and if thought fit to sign the Annual Return and Governance Statement for 2014/15 The Clerk explained the clauses of the Governance Statement. RESOLVED: that the statements required in the Annual Return should be completed and the Annual Return and Governance Statement be signed Cllr Howard returned to the meeting Reports (a) County Councillor: No report. (b) District Councillor: No report. (c) Police: No report. The Chairman reported that a stop and tell session had taken place recently with drivers stopped for speeding (over 34 mph), not wearing a seat belt or using a phone. Further use of the speedwatch gun was thought to be a good idea. Page 1162

4 Croft Parish Council Page Planning Applications and Decisions for Consideration: Quarry Fun Day There are currently no applications to consider. The Council has been advised that Mr C Margetts of Mowbray, Arbor Road (opposite the LCC depot) has appealed to the Secretary of State against the decision of Blaby DC not to allow the erection of a further storage building. The Chairman reported on a recent meeting with the Quarry Management: Environment matters will be dealt with at the main liaison meetings. The Chairman reported that the last stage of the footpath should be completed by the end of July and an opening ceremony is planned. Stones will be placed and a seat is being considered. In response to a request for more steps, the quarry management did not acknowledge that a problem existed. An offer has been made to councillors of a tour of the operation. It had been noticed that recent blasting had felt different and this is due to a change in technique to provide greater precision. Cllr Ratcliffe outlined the progress to date. It was agreed that nominations for the village cup would be considered at the next meeting Allotments (a) To consider what action to take with regard to outstanding rents The Clerk reported on three outstanding rent payments, one of which had been complained about due to lack of work. It was agreed that a notice to quit should be issued in all three cases. (b) To approve the disposal of surplus marker posts The discount available for bulk purchase of marker posts had resulted in about 150 being available for sale. RESOLVED: to confirm that these be sold to tenants for 2,50 each. (c) To note the conclusion of new rodent control arrangements The Clerk confirmed that, following the decision at the April meeting, Pestforce had been appointed. Their quote had been reduced by 40 due to there being no need to replace the existing boxes. (d) Child Safety Although the Council wished to encourage gardening by children, concerns were raised about the School s use of raised beds in a plot tenanted by Mr Bromley. Issues for the council were felt to be the lack of a child safeguarding policy, the presence of barbed wire nearby, the lack of a toilet and the leaving open of the gate, all of which were felt to represent potential risks to children. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Head Teacher formally outlining the above issues but stating that the Council were keen to support the initiative. It was felt that the gate needed to have some mechanism for automatically closing; quotes would be obtained for further discussion at the next meeting Litter and Dog Mess: Not discussed further Early hours working in Winston Avenue: Not discussed further Finance and accounts (a) To note the financial situation as at 30 April 2015 RESOLVED: that the report be noted. Page 1163

5 (b) To approve accounts for payment Croft Parish Council Page 1164 RESOLVED: that the schedule of accounts appended to these minutes be approved. (c) To authorise changes to the Council s mandate with its bankers RESOLVED: that a bank account be continued with Lloyds Bank plc and that the Bank s standard form of mandate be completed with all Councillors as signatories and with any two to sign cheques etc (d) To consider re-investment of maturing fixed term deposits The deposit of 20, matures on 29 May. The rate offered for renewal will be fixed at that time but currently Co-Operative rates are competitive in a poor market. Some changes to the mandate for this account would also be necessary following changes to the make up of the Council. RESOLVED: to renew for 12 months at the prevailing rate. (e) To consider the cost of unmetered electricity supplies The Clerk reported that, following the proposed increase in the cost of unmetered supply, his enquiries of others suppliers had found nothing at lower cost and that the E-On rates would therefore apply Items for discussion at the next meeting and other reports Progress of the Good Neighbour Scheme Arrangements for the review of risk assessments Co-option of a new Councillor Fun Day, including the award of the Village Cup Village Hall Park lighting at night Date of next meeting: Thursday 11 th June 2015 at 7.00 pm. The meeting closed at 9.45 pm. Appendix Payments Authorised 14/05/ Wicksteed Leisure Ltd Maintenance Inspection /05/ LRALC Councillors' binder dividers /05/ NALC Registration for Foundation Award /05/ Pestforce Rodent Control 2015/ /05/15 dd Severn Trent Water: Pavilion /05/15 dd Severn Trent Water: Allotments /05/15 dd E-on Electricity Pavilion (M) /05/ S C Blackburn Salary - April Salary - May Expenses - April Total 1, , /05/ G Thurlow Hedge Repair (insurance work) /05/ Design 2 Print Ltd Fun Day Flyer /05/ R Snowdin Internal Audit Chairman Date Page 1164