6.11. Minutes of Crowle Parish Council Meeting
held on Thursday 1 September 2011 at 7.30pm in Crowle Parish Hall.
Present: Councillors: Mesdames Coleman. Eastwood (Chairman). Turner.
Messrs. Boden. Bourn. Brett. Gow (Vice-Chair). Maginnis.
In attendance: Mr R Adams, County Councillor.
Mrs M Rowley, District Councillor
Mr R Fullee, Highways Liaison Engineer.
Mrs J Crawford, Clerk.
6.11.1 Apologies: Mrs S Hawkins.
6.11.2 Declarations of Interest.
a) Registers of Interest – councillors are reminded to ensure their Registers remain updated.
b) Personal Interests – none declared.
c) Prejudicial Interests – none declared.
The meeting adjourned for Public Comments/Questions Time.
a) Possibility of Parish Council facing considerable costs for restoring allotments to original condition if some of the current holders leave. Therefore, slight increase in rents should be considered.
b) Mr Brereton has a large amount of information relating to construction of Lang homes which may be relevant to future structure plan sites.
c) The raised kerb at 72 Froxmere Road has not been removed – highways to investigate.
RF
6.11.3 Police Report.
Not available.
6.11.4 Highways Update.
Mr Fullee reported on the following:-
a) Mobile VAS is to be sited on Old Turnpike Road from 26 September for 4weeks. Speed monitoring will be in place 1week before, during and possibly 1week after. After 2weeks facing one way to be turned to cover both directions.
b) If trial is successful may consider purchase of a sign in partnership with another parish.
c) Posts on visibility splay outside the parish hall cannot be provided by WCC. During events cones can be used.
d) A new machine is being used, on a trial basis, for the repair of potholes, appears to be far more effective.
e) Lower Crowle sign is damaged – to be repaired. RF
6.11.5 Minutes of meeting held 7 July 2011, following amendment to 5.11.2b, Mr Bourn replaced by Mr Maginnis, were approved and accepted.
Proposed: Mr Gow. Seconded: Mrs Coleman. Carried Nem Com.
6.11.6 Progress Reports from last meeting.
a) The owners of The Old Vicarage are aware their wall is leaning slightly and will to continue to monitor the situation.
b) A meeting has taken place with Ian Rodgers re Crowle website. Agreed in need of updating and possibility of greater use by the community. Mr Rodgers to explore ideas and costs. Working party to be formed to take forward – Mr Brett. Mr Rodgers. Mrs Eastwood. Mrs Turner. Mrs Crawford. First meeting to be arranged. NB
c) No further developments with The Old Chequers shop – reported to be waiting for the results of meeting to be held at WDC in September.
6.11.7 LMC Report.
Mr Maginnis reported:
a) Further flooding prevention work has been undertaken on Church Road with the installation of drain to take run-off water from Sadler’s field. Gulley yet to be moved to lowest point on road. Highways.
b) It was proposed by the LMC that a picnic bench be placed in the Parish Garden and a seat bench at Green Pool. Views of the council were mixed.
Mrs Turner proposed that a seat be placed at Green Pool and not in the Parish Garden. Seconded by Mrs Coleman. Carried..
Neighbours near the pool are to be informed. Clerk.
Possibility of seat being commemorative ?individual ?for Diamond Jubilee.
Concern expressed that users may cause nuisance to surrounding neighbours, to be trialed if problematic can be removed.
c) Allotments – originally LMC had considered allotment rents to remain unchanged however following discussion re potential costs involved in restoring some allotments it was proposed rents be raised £1.00 admin fee.
Proposed: Mrs Turner. Seconded: Mr Gow. Carried Nem Com.
Allotment Guide to be reviewed and LMC to decide what is acceptable practice regarding installation of fencing, raised beds, play areas and storage of materials etc. Mr Bourn and Mr Maginnis to undertake content review. WB/AM
Mr Brereton is retiring as Allotment Liaison Officer therefore ballot of all holders to take place to appoint new Officer. Ballot papers to be sent out with rent request. Clerk. Thanks expressed to Mr Brereton for his hard work and commitment.
d) Small gate by allotments being locked is causing problems to some holders and members of community. Agreed that an alternative gate by main gate is not feasible therefore allotment holders to be informed that gate should, in future, be left open. Clerk.
e) New laminated posters encouraging cleaning up after any dog fouling to be obtained and sited on field. To take firmer stance, further article in Cryer, reports to dog warden, identify offenders. All/Clerk
6.11.8 FMC Report.
Mr Brereton reported:
a) Football club to ensure they book field for all events. Booking Secretary unaware of event last Sunday, potentially this could have caused problems if hall had been booked and no arrangements had been made for parking.
Mr Hall to be reminded of importance to book field in future. Clerk.
b) Hedge cutting has now been completed.
c) There has been minor vandalism to new cricket nets.
d) Searchers storage shed – base size required has increased to 2.6 x 6.1 metres, shed contractors require 2’ clearance around base – cannot be guaranteed, availability of water and electricity supply.
Lengthy discussion re increase in base size resulting in extra costs for parish council.
Mrs Turner proposed the football club should not be asked to pay differential from original quotation. Not seconded.
Mr Gow proposed the football club should pay any differential. Seconded. Mr Bourn.
Following vote:- 1 against. 2 for. 4 abstained. Carried.
6.11.9 Finance and Risk Committee Report.
Mrs Eastwood reported:
a) Bank reconciliation to 1 August previously circulated – noted.
b) Internal audit report requires action on:-
· Need to ensure three quotes are received for any contracts likely to exceed £500.00.
· Records of all runners registering on the day of 10K to be made.
· Reconciliation sheet of Crowle Cryer Adverts to be made available.
· Rob Skinner’s payment to be registered for PAYE, possibly be organised through PHT and Three Counties Payroll.
All above to be noted and approved by council. Agreed.
c) External audit – have received confirmation of satisfactory audit following explanation as to increase in income and correction of amount owing to PWLB.
d) Approval of council sort to investigate setting up online registration and payment scheme for 10K participants. Agreed. IB.
e) Purchase of filing cabinet for clerk. Mr Brett is to pursue possibility of obtaining second hand cabinet. NB
f) No potential risks identified to date.
6.11.1010K Run 2012.
Mr Boden and Mrs Turner reported:
a) Online payment would incur charge which could be absorbed in race fees. CALC to be asked if permissible for parish councils. Clerk.
b) Internal audit has been concluded and auditor praised organisers. Auditor asked for spreadsheets of entrants be sent to her for next year.
c) 13 May 2012 next 10K – 10th year.
6.11.11New Homes Bonus Event.
Mrs Coleman reported:-
WDC is only council considering passing money on to parish councils, could be in region of 30% for use in local community. ?any restrictions.
Appears to be an incentive for communities to have new build to obtain available funds.
6.11.12Finances.
To accept and agree following payments:
Community Account;
· Jen Crawford – salary and admin. Aug/Sept. £651.15
· David Miles – lengthsman and grass cutting July. £257.00
· Pete Holland – new strimmer and expenses £246.96
· Wychavon Sports – entry fee for 2011 games £59.00
· Clement Keys – external audit fee. £342.00
· David Miles – lengthsman, grass cutting and
· work at Green Pool. August. £457.00
Accounts paid between 7 July and 1 September.
· David Miles – lengthsman and grass cutting June. £257.00
· WDC – printing Cryer May/June/July £288.00
· WDC – election costs. £25.00
Direct Debit payments.
Three Counties Payroll – services Apr/May/June £12.60
Playing Field Account.
· Rob Skinner – payment August/Sept. £309.00
· Guy Maintenance Services – May/June. £611.40
Accounts paid between 7 July and 1 September.
· Sovereign Play Services – new equipment. £2,822.20
Proposed: Mrs Coleman. Seconded: Mr Boden. Carried Nem Com.
6.11.13WCC Report.
Mr Adams reported on new developments during Highways item.
6.11.14WDC Report.
Mrs Rowley is now part of the Car Parking Technology Scrutiny Team who is undertaking survey of means of payment for car parking.
Localism bill likely to impact on Codes of Conduct and Standards for parish councils, more information to follow.
6.11.15Planning.
a) Applications and progress – no questions.
b) Mrs Eastwood expressed to Mr Adams and Mrs Rowley her concern on the running of the recent Planning Committee meeting.
6.11.16Correspondence.
Noted.
Councillors asked to be aware of Draft National Planning Policy Framework documentation and Inspiring Communities, Changing Behaviour both available on www.communities.gov.uk
6.11.17Diamond Jubilee Celebration.
a) To liaise with The Old Chequers re celebrations. Clerk.
b) Beacon on Crowle ridge – agreed by council. Mr Maginnis to build fire at The Old Chequers. AM
6.11.18Training – deferred.
6.11.19 Reports and Items for future agenda.
a) The gate in the rear wall of The Old Vicarage has been removed and bricked up, is this allowed in a conservation area. Mrs Rowley to check. MR
b) Hedge just before Sommerfield House , Church Road is very overgrown, ownership unknown. To be reported to highways. Clerk.
c) Dog fouling on field is awful, reinforce need to be more direct and try to name offenders.
d) Debris at base of hedge on Old Turnpike Road needs clearing, report to highways. Clerk.
Next meeting of Parish Council to be held Thursday 3 November 2011 at 7.30pm in Crowle Parish Hall.