CROWLE PARISH COUNCIL
1.12: Minutes of Crowle Parish Council Meeting
Held Thursday 5 January 2012 at 7.30pm in Crowle Parish Hall.
Present: councillors: Mesdames Coleman. Eastwood(Chairman). Hawkins. Turner.
Messrs Boden. Bourn. Brett. Gow (Vice-Chairman). Maginnis.
1.12.1 Apologies County Councillor Rob Adams.
1.12.2 Declaration of Interests.
No interests declared.
The meeting adjourned for Public Comment/Question Time.
a) A stranded, burnt out vehicle has been left on the Lower Crowle Road for the past three weeks. To be removed (see Police Report).
b) One of the allotments has timber framed raised beds and tyres – concerned that this goes against the appropriate use of the allotments. Cllr Maginnis is drafting a letter to all allotment holders outlining expectations of Parish Council in line with guidelines. Cllr Maginnis.
1.12.3 Police Report.
a) PC Caerter reported the abandoned vehicle had been stolen from Malvern and subsequently crashed and fired in Crowle. Police have been in contact with owner and insurance company whose responsibility it is to remove. He will contact again and if no movement will get car removed and pass on costs to insurance company. Will ensure it is removed before the weekend. PC Carter
b) An attempted theft took place at Crowle Parish Hall – unable to obtain access to oil tank and tools broke when attempted to break lock on gate. Forensics now involved. Culprits captured on CCTV.
c) Vehicle broken into in Tibberton last night. Spate of burglaries in neighbouring villages over past months, thieves thought to be coming from Birmingham area.
d) PC Carter taking on further areas including Hartlebury and Fernhill Heath.
e) Speed monitoring along Old Turnpike Road three warnings given. Requested to undertake monitoring along Church Road where speed of traffic seems to be increasing. Police do visit school weekly to review parking etc.
f) When unable to attend council meeting will send report of any concerns.
1.12.4 Minutes of meeting held 3 November 2011 were approved and accepted.
Proposed: Cllr Coleman. Seconded: Cllr Hawkins. Carried Nem Com.
1.12.5 Progress Reports.
a) Last meeting re website cancelled – to be rearranged. Thanks expressed to Ian Rodgers who has worked very hard in revising the website, which is now greatly improved. Need to ensure he is fully reimbursed for out of pocket expenses and to consider providing help if needed. Financial implications to be discussed at next meeting.
Message board now being used.
Newsletter to be considered.
Role of advertisers and charge to be explored.
Website to be officially launched in near future.
Role and profile of councillors to be added to Parish Council site. Clerk/Ian Rodgers
b) Diamond Jubilee celebrations to be held at The Chequers including lighting of a beacon on the ridge. To be registered. Cllr Maginnis.
Parish Council will support organisers as requested. Council did not support lighting of fireworks.
c) Cllr Gow has met with John Broughton of Broughton Oils to discuss feasibility of organising a Bulk Buying Syndicate. Company have been involved in several over the years, most of which have stopped. Not too keen as erode margins however, are prepared to work with us if possible.
Need to further assess local interest and get names and amounts used – ?use website as well as Cryer.
Possible co-ordinator has volunteered to Margaret Rowley
Cllrs Gow and Brett to work together and agree way forward. Cllrs Gow & Brett
d) New lights to be brought this year if necessary. Agreed to give Pam and Tony Field a donation of £25.00 for the use of their tree.
Proposed: Cllr Turner. Seconded: Cllr Maginnis. Carried Nem Com.
1.12.6 Land Management Committee Report.
Cllr Maginnis reported:-
a) Bench at Green Pool to be more rustic than park bench – agreed. Cost of no more than £100.00 and to be installed by Probation Team – agreed by council.
b) Confirmed that Ed Garner is now Allotment Liaison Officer – have met and walked allotments. Appears a lot of things are being inappropriately stored on allotments – letter to be sent to all holders. Cllr Maginnis/Clerk
Proposed to have a skip over Easter to remove rubbish, including from behind hedge – cost to be met by PC. Alternatives to be explored as felt skip maybe abused ie Lengthsman who is designated carrier. Best solution to be agreed. Cllr Maginnis/Ed Garner/ Council
c) Problem of locked small gate continues, alternatives
• Gate to be unlocked.
• Gate to be locked.
• Another pedestrian gate be installed which remains unlocked.
d) Current gate is not a Public Right of Way therefore proposed that Parish Council support the majority of allotment holders and the gate remains locked.
Proposed: Cllr Gow. Seconded: Cllr Coleman. Agreed.
Article to be published in next Cryer. Cllr Maginnis.
1.12.7 Field Management Committee.
Mr Brereton reported:-
a) FMC opposed the Droitwich Football event being run on field in such close proximity to other large events as would have detrimental effect on field. Confirmed that will not be accepting this booking but will judge each application on their merits.
b) Searchers shed now fully in use.
c) Still awaiting report on state of ash trees at edge of playground. Cllr Gow/Clerk.
d) Height of fir trees in neighbouring property causing concern, to contact landowner to ask permission to have lopped. Clerk.
e) State of field causing concern, professional company to provide a survey and report with view to remedial work being undertaken in spring.
f) Meeting to be held with current contractor to discuss widening of role to incorporate more of a Groundsman role.
g) Rob Skinner concerned re dogs not being on lead on field.
Signage to be reviewed. Current signs to remain. FMC/LMC
If field in use dog walkers to be asked to put dogs on lead – any conflict situations to be avoided.
1.12.8 2012 10K Run
Cllrs Turner and Boden reported:-
a) The organisation is on target.
b) Several online registrations and payments have been received.
1.12.9 Finance & Risk Committee
Cllr Eastwood reported:-
a) Proposed extra spending during 2012-13 –
• payment to Tibberton Parish Council towards cost of Consultant re Bosch Development max £300.00
• Localism Act etc – £500.00
• Possible purchase of VAS sign – approx £2-3K. Could be purchased from 10K monies. Feasibility to be explored further.
b) Budget for 2012-13 to include all of the above. If expenditure exceeds income by the end of year may need to take out of reserve if necessary. To be presented at next meeting for council approval.
c) Precept for 2012-13 proposed remains unchanged at £20,600 per annum – to be approved.
d) Bank Account – currently holding money in accounts which are earning minimal interest. Proposed a sum to be agreed be moved to Enhanced Fixed Rate Deposit account at 3% for 12months.
e) Management of payment to Rob Skinner is now to be managed by Crowle Parish Hall Trust who will arrange PAYE. Any extra expenses to be paid by PC.
1.12.10 Finances.
a) To accept and approve the following payments:-
Community Account
• Jen Crawford – salary Dec/Jan. £606.00
Admin. 55.09
£661.09 £661.09
• David Miles – lengthsman Nov/Dec. £364.00
• Ian Rodgers – website expenses £29.44
• Tibberton Parish Council – consultant fee £250.00
• Parish Hall Trust – hall hire. £16.02
Accounts paid between 3 November2011 and 5 January 2012.
• David Miles – lengthsman Oct. £182.00
Grass cutting 75.00
£257.00 £257.00
• WDC – printing Cryer Aug/Sep/Oct £288.00
Direct Debit Payments.
• Three Counties Payroll – services £12.60
• PWLB £5,170.84
Playing Field Account.
• GMS – maintenance Sept/Oct £611.40
• PHT – Rob Skinner’s payment Dec/Jan £309.00
Accounts paid between 3 November 2011 and 5 January 2012
• Vince Brereton – FMC expenses £46.89
• GMS – maintenance July/Aug £611.40
• Lee Turner – 10K expenses £218.64
• Vince Brereton – FMC expenses £5.99
Proposed: Cllr Coleman. Seconded: Cllr Boden. Carried Nem Com.
b) Budget for 2012-13 approved by council.
c) Precept for 2012-13 to remain unchanged at £20,600.00pa. Approved by council.
Proposed:Cllr Gow. Seconded; Cllr Coleman. Carried Nem Com.
1.12.11 Higheways Issues.
a) Purchase of VAS sign – this would cost in region of £2-3K. some money may be available through Rob Adams, clerk to contact. Clerk.
Councillor Adams suggests we explore purchase of sign with another parish, this would not only be cheaper but would enable sign to be moved on regular basis.
Results of speed monitoring to be obtained from Roy Fullee especially for when wires were removed. Data appears to show a 20% reduction in speed when sign in place.
b) Froxmere Road yet to be repaired – to be chased. Clerk.
1.12.12 Date for first meeting of Localism Act Working Party to be arranged. Richard Temple-Cox and Margaret Rowley have volunteered to join. Cllr Eastwood/ Clerk.
1.12.13 Worcester Agreement.
Agreed to accept and sign by full council. Document duly signed by Chairman.
1.12.14 WCC Report.
None available.
1.12.15 WDC Report.
Cllr Rowley reported that WCC is promoting increase in broadband speeds in rural areas. Cllrs Bourn and Brett to meet with Cllr Rowley to explore bids for available monies. This may be something which fit criteria for Homes Bonus – to explore. Cllrs Bourn/Brett.
1.12.16 Planning.
a) Applications and progress – no questions.
b) Referred Options Public Consultation event held in Tibberton Village Hall – site in Crowle has been identified as land off Church Road opposite Summerfield House. Unable to obtain explanation as to how this site has been chosed and how number of 20 houses has been reached. Further letter to be sent to try and ascertain rational. Clerk.
c) Letter has been received from Peter Luff in reply to letter sent by local resident. He is offering to become involved in planning issues only if requested by parish council.
d) New Homes Bonus – appear to have £787.00 to spend on suitable project – see above.
1.12.17 Correspondence.
Noted.
1.12.18 Councillors reports and items for future agenda.
a) Cllr Rowley to explore flooding concerns along Bow Brook. Cllr Rowley.
Meeting closed 10.15pm
Next Parish Council Meeting to be held Thursday 1 March 2012 at 7.30pm in Crowle Parish Hall.