BISHAMPTON AND THROCKMORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Monday 3rd April 2006 at the Villages Hall, Bishampton

Members and Officers present: Ms T.Gilligan (Chairman), Mr C.Tucker, Mr D.Cheetham, , Mr M.Argyle (from 7.50pm), Mrs M.Hall, Mr E.D.Carter (Acting Clerk)

Also present was County Councillor Mrs E Tucker

The meeting was preceded by an open session which is reported following these minutes.(click here)

The meeting opened at 7.47pm

06.05.01 Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs Beever and Chadwick who were detained at work and Cllr Lammas who was unwell and unable to attend.

06.05.02 Declarations of interest
Cllrs Gilligan and Tucker declared prejudicial interests in some of the invoices due to be paid.

06.05.03 To approve the minutes of the meeting 13th March 2006
These were approved and signed by the Chairman.

Cllr Argyle joined the meeting.

A report from County Councillor E.Tucker was taken at this point so she could leave for another meeting and is recorded in minute 06.05.12.

06.05.04 To consider the renewal of the subscription to CALC
It was agreed to renew the subscription

06.05.05 To consider an application for rate relief from Bishampton Stores
This was approved

06.05.06 Finance

06.05.06.01 To approve the statement of cash reconciliation for the end of March 2006
The clerk presented a cash reconciliation form bank statements dated 24th March 2006 which indicated that there was £34,724.58 in the current account with £343.39 of cheques not yet presented. The deposit account held £19,474.23. The total book value was £53,855.42.The clerk had established that in fact all cheques had been presented by 31st March so this figure would represent the end of year balance to carry forward. He also reported that today a further £1,367.66 had been received in the current account as a reclaim of VAT from 1st June 2003 until 31st March 2005. A further £665.04 had yet to be claimed for 2005/6.

Arrangements to transfer £10,000 from the deposit account to the current account on 2nd May 2006 had been made by the clerk to enable payment for the play area equipment with the invoice expected imminently.

06.05.06.02 Invoices for Payment

Cllr Gilligan left the room and Vice-Chairman Cllr Argyle took the chair

The clerk presented an invoice fro £110.45 made out to the Parish Council from October 2003 relating to printing work carried out by Qualitype for the Parish Plan ‘Hot Topics’ questionnaire but paid at the time by Cllr Gilligan. The council agreed that she should be reimbursed this amount.

Cllr Gilligan returned to the room and resumed the chair

Cllr Tucker left the room

The clerk reported that now that the Throckmorton Village Charity were in full possession of the Throckmorton Parish Room they would like to ask for the £500 donation agreed in the 2006/7 budget as soon as possible so they could administer the building and pay essential services. The legal cost for the purchase from the Scout Association had proved significantly higher than originally budgeted. It was agreed that this should be paid.

Cllr Tucker rejoined the meeting

The clerk reporter that as far he could tell the £1 per annum payment of rent to Mrs M Rimell for the use of the Throckmorton Play Area had not been made since September 2003. He requested the council make payment of £3 to cover years 2004/5, 2005/6 and the current year of £2006/7. This was agreed.

The clerk reported repeatedly heated correspondence with npower over the electricity supply to the Throckmorton Parish Room and their estimated bill of 8th March. He had discussed the matter on 31st March with their accounts team and they agreed to send a final settlement statement as the property now belonged to the Throckmorton Village Charity. However, in view of the persistent threats from npower in respect of disconnection of supply it was agreed to pay the outstanding £22.17 and then arrange a final settlement.

Payment of invoices were also agreed to

• Worcestershire CALC subscription as minute 06.05.04 of £232.68
• Wychavon District Council for Bishampton Stores rate relief as minute 06.05.05 of £113.66

06.05.06.03 To note revised payment made to Ordnance Survey due to omission of VAT on the cheque approved.
It was noted that this payment had now been made under Standing Order 54(2) of £55.81 and not £47.50 as reported in minute 06.04.07.02

06.05.06.04 To approve the acting Clerk’s expenses for March 2006.
Clerk’s expenses of £106 were approved and signed

06.05.06.05 2005/6 Accounts.
The clerk presented the final accounts for 2005/6 which were accepted as a correct record. The clerk also presented a revised budget for the forthcoming year which took into account

• The finances which had arisen due to teen amenity area project at the Villages Hall in Bishampton
• That the Parish Plan was not complete and finances would need to be allocated in the coming year plus the fact a further grant of £2,004 was now expected.
• That the no underwriting of the Throckmorton Parish Room project had taken place in 2005/6 and this would need to be carried into 2006/7
• That the VAT returns expected for June 2003 until March 2006 were expected to be £2,035

The revised budget is attached to these minutes (click here)

06.05.06.06 To note approval of the mowing contract for the forthcoming year.
As there were no additional charges from Limebridge in respect of cutting the increased verges Cllr Gilligan and Cllr Carter had accepted the quote as agreed under minute 06.04.07.05

06.05.06.07 To note that if invoices for the Bishampton Amenity Area and footpath work have not been received by the date of this meeting that they will be paid under the arrangements of Standing Order 54(2).
This was not agreed and payment would only be authorised at a convened meeting.

06.05.07 Planning

06.05.07.01 To receive reports on planning decisions.
W/05/01717/CU Change of use of three grain stores to storage of portable toilets, Retention of Portakabin for ancillary office use. This application was withdrawn on 16th March 2006

06.05.07.02 To consider comment on any late planning applications
The clerk reported that none had been received.

06.05.08 To approve an internal auditor for the 2005/6 return.
Orchid Business Services were approved

06.05.09 To review the councils fixed assets
These were reviewed and will be listed in the annual return for 2005/6 EDC

06.05.10 To confirm arrangements for the Annual Village Meetings
The clerk had now confirmed that the Throckmorton Parish Meeting could not be held in the Chapelry as it contravened local government regulations. Since the Villages Hall in Bishampton was not available on the 16th May it was decided to move this meeting to the 8th May commencing at 7.00pm in the Villages Hall. EDC

06.05.11 To consider any initiatives for improving communication within the council
This was deferred for a later meeting

06.05.12 To receive reports from councillors and items for future agendas.

County Cllr E.Tucker reported that the Riverside Youth Centre in Pershore was now re-opening after a period of closure.
She reported that she had enquired if the filling of holes in the highway was taking place with hot or cold tar and had been assured that it was hot tar. Nevertheless, she asked if councillors would check on this if they observed any hole filling operations.
It was reported that there were delays to the George Lane access road to the landfill site and this would not be constructed as soon as was hoped.
Cllr Tucker said she would be in touch with Steve Guest regarding the proposed visit to the foot and mouth burial site.

District Cllr Argyle reported that the appeal by the travellers at Wyre Piddle had been put back until the autumn.

Cllr C.Tucker reported that the Throckmorton Village Charity were now the owners of the Parish Room. The DEFRA grant was now expected and they were about to sign with ‘Homelodge’ for the construction of the new building. Work would probably not commence until late summer or autumn as ‘Homelodge’ were fully committed to other work in the immediate future.

The clerk wished to consider the councils Risk Assessment at the next meeting and Cllr Cheetham agreed to assist in preparing this. DC, EDC

The breach of conditions in planning application W/04/00426/CU as discussed in the open session was to be placed on the next agenda. EDC

06.05.13 To consider any further items of correspondence.

The clerk read a letter from External Auditors Clement Keys requesting information regarding variations between the 2003/4 and 2004/5 Annual Returns and the response provided by the clerk was also given.

An offer of up to £500 was being made by Wychavon District Council for villages undertaking a litter clean. It was agreed that Bishampton and Throckmorton should take part with Bishampton co-ordinated by Cllr Hall and Throckmorton by Cllr Gilligan. ON MH, TG, EDC

A request for funding from Vitalise was rejected.

Information on Wychavon Sport is on the notice boards

06.05.14 To affirm the date of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.
This was agreed as Tuesday May 16th

As there was no further business, the meeting closed at 9.55pm.

………………………………. …………………………………..

Chairman Date
Acting Clerk Eric Carter

Notes on the Out of Session Open Session preceding the Council Meeting

Bishampton parishioners Mr John Howell, Mr Colin Pugh and Mr David French representing residents in Bishampton Fields reported their concern over the siting of a caravan on the lake adjoining the Vale Golf Club. This was on land which had recently received change of use planning approval under application W/04/00426/CU but with a number of specific restrictions about the application one of which prohibited the siting of portable or ancillary structures. They asked the council for support in raising objection to this infringement.