Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on
Wednesday 8th October 2008 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
| Present: |
Chairman |
Cllr Bryant |
| |
|
Cllr Neal
Cllr Lawson
Cllr Young
Cllr Snow
Cllr Chant
Cllr Bridger
Cllr Plummer |
| The Clerk Sally Upshall |
Public Consultation
Mr Powell spoke regarding the hedges and verges around Nash Lane. He reported
that they needed to be cut and that they were causing a road safety issue.
Again the speed at which people drive around the lanes was also noted.
The Chairman informed Mr Powell that the clerk had already been in contact
with the landowner who has said that when the harvest is completed then
he will cut the hedges.
The second point that Mr Powell made was concerning the Village Design
Statement meeting that had taken place. Mr Powell said that the comments
that had been made regarding this meeting were very disappointing and that
some people felt that the meeting had been a waste of time.
Cllr Neal replied to Mr Powell and explained that he was very disappointed
in NDDC’s presentations and their unprofessional approach. Cllr Neal
said that on the positive side the questionnaires that people had filled
in had been very informative.
2008/100 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Fraser, Cllr Scot-Nelson and Cllr Dowden – NDDC representative.
2008/101 Declaration of Interest.
There were none.
2008/102 Minutes
The minutes of the Council meeting on the 1st September 2008, and the
planning meeting on the 22nd of August were agreed and signed that
these minutes
are a correct and true record.
2008/103 Financial Matters
The total cost to the Parish Council for September was the sum of £2606.06.
This was agreed, proposed and seconded.
The water bills were discussed in detail by those present and concern was expressed
by the large amount payable by the Parish Council. Recreation Ground £457.79,
Allotments - £360.31 per ½ year.
The financial update was discussed and comments were made that this had improved
greatly but could be updated still further.
The situation with the notice boards was discussed and the clerk handed out
some information on quotes she had found for the boards. Cllr Snow and Cllr
Plummer thought that getting some quotes to have them made from local companies
may also be cost effective. Cllr Snow/Cllr Plummer to make further investigations.
The grant applications were discussed and comments were made on the issue of
the Marnhull Messenger website. It was suggested that it may be an idea for
the Parish Council to have their own website to post information on. The Chairman
noted that the Marnhull Messenger website should now be up to date and that
Mr Irving the webmaster had been very busy with house improvements. Cllr Neal
is going to look into costs involved and bring this forward at the budget meeting.
After further discussion a proposal was made by Cllr Bridger for all the grants
that had previously been agreed to be paid. This was seconded by Cllr Plummer
and all were in favour.
Cllr Neal then proposed that the grants are paid out in the first three months
of the financial year, this was seconded by Cllr Plummer and all were in favour.
The Chairman again repeated his request for Councillors to look at the budget
before November and see where any savings can be made.
Cllr Neal made some brief comments on the external audit and all councillors
were happy with the outcome.
The Annual Return was approved and accepted by all the Councillors present.
This was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr Snow.
At this point the Chairman proposed that the RFO contract be made permanent;
this was seconded by Cllr Chant and agreed with a 7-1 vote.
The Chairman then went on to explain that the RFO had tendered her resignation
and will be leaving the Council on the 28th of November 2008. Her position
will be advertised on the notice boards in the village for one calendar month.
If we do not get any suitable applicants then the clerk is willing to take
over the extra hours.
2008/104 Planning Matters
The Chairman noted that there had been some discussion among certain Councillors
regarding the planning applications and the lack of numbers at an application.
The Chairman asked Councillors if they were still happy with the situation
regarding having the A and B planning committees. Although this does
not stop any Councillors attending any applications and they will always
get a copy of every agenda regardless of which committee it is for. The
Chairman also noted that when a full council is requested Councillors
should attend, unless unable to due to prior engagementsThe Councillors
were all in agreement with these comments.
2008/105 Reports from County
and District Councillors
There were none.
Cllr Chant reported on roads and footpaths. He explained that a diversion
had been applied for on footpath number 12 which runs from opposite Popes
Farm at the top of Philips hill, to ‘Joyces’ in New Street.
They want to divert the path around the field which Cllr Chant felt was
a good idea.However he had objections to the proposed exit. This section
has no pavement and is a fast straight part of the road. Cllr Chant felt
that the exit needs to be kept as it is. He has let DCC have his recommendations.
Cllr Chant reported that the hedge at Mill Lane had been cut although
not very well and the road had been left uncleared.
The parking outside St Gregory’s School was again discussed.It was
noted that the school should impress on parents the availability of the
Crown carpark. It was noted that if the public took the number plates of
speeding or badly parked vehicles, then these can be passed onto the police
for them to investigate. Cllr Plummer will speak both to St Gregory’s
and the Jungle Hut concerning the ongoing problem.
An idea was raised that exclusion times to the parking along New Street
could be an idea, with the residents having permits to exclude them from
this.
Cllr Chant also reported that traffic calming systems cost around £100,000
to install, and HGV exclusions are very difficult to police.
Mr. Lloyd read out a report from Cllr Dowden regarding the Village Design
Statement.
Cllr Lawson reported that the next Village Hall Meeting is on the 25th
of October.
Cllr Plummer reported that the Jungle Hut AGM was on Wednesday the 22nd
October, and she was going to find out some more information on what
was happening regarding the new premises.
Cllr Snow reported that the teenage shelter all seemed to be fine now
the tiles have been fixed back on. He reported that the fir trees on
graves
in the cemetery are growing rapidly and the Parish Council will be required
to take action to have the trees removed if the Clerk does not get a
response soon. Cllr Snow also reported that he is getting in quotations
to carry
out the remedial work to the trees and he should have them for the next
meeting.
Cllr Bridger reported that the street cleaning seemed to be going well.
The clerk to send out a copy of the timetable to all councillors. Action
Item 46/08.
2008/106 Action Update
The Chairman gave an update on the Action List. Please see attached list
for information.
2008/107 Clerk’s Report
The clerk asked all councillors for their views on the complaints procedure
that she had previously circulated. Cllr Bridger proposed the motion
that the council accept the complaints procedure and this was seconded
by Cllr Neal.
The Clerk also reported on her training and that DAPTC were going to hopefully
offer some day training course to help with the CILCA course which she
has already noted an interest in.
Cllr Neal noted that he is still working on the clerk’s IT system.
2008/108 Correspondence
The Chairman read out the letters of correspondence that the Clerk had
received.
2008/109 Chairman’s Urgent Business
The Chairman asked Councillors to consider the idea that was adopted last
year of having a recess in January. This will be voted on at the next
meeting.
2008/110 Press Release
There were none.
2008/111 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council Meeting will be on Monday 3rd of November 2008
in the Village Hall at 7.00pm.
Training Session with DAPTC 22nd October at 6.30pm in the Village Hall
for all Councillors, the clerk and the RFO.
The Budget Meeting on the 12th November 2008 at 7pm.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.35pm
Chairman………………………….
Date……………………..
| ACTION LIST: |
| 43/06 |
Mrs Locke to find out from the Tennis Club some more information
regarding a practice wall in the Recreation Ground. |
Mrs Locke. On going |
| 20/07 |
Quotations to be obtained for the wall at the entrance
to the Recreation Ground to be repointed and the also the wall in Burton
Street car park. |
Clerk. |
| 25/07 |
To order the Village Hall Signs |
On hold until the playarea is completed. |
| 06/08 |
The Clerk to obtain some more quotations for the
work at the allotments. |
Clerk. |
| 29/08 |
The Clerk to gain some quotes for the new notice boards. |
Clerk. |
| 41/08 |
The clerk to contact NDDC regarding an overhanging tree
in Burton Street. |
Clerk. |
| 43/08 |
The clerk to contact DAPTC regarding information about
Public Liability insurance. |
Clerk - ongoing. |
| 46/08 |
The clerk to send out the street cleaning timetable to
councillors. |
Clerk |
