BISHAMPTON AND THROCKMORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 4th June, 2007, at the Parish Room, Throckmorton
Members and Officers present: Mr D Cheetham (chairman), Mrs B Lammas, Mr M Argyle, Mr J Morrison, Mr C Tucker, Mr E Beever (from 8.30pm) Mr J Mills, Mr D Baldwin, Mr D Burtoft and Mrs C Morris (Clerk).
Also present from 8.45pm was County and District Councillor Liz Tucker.
The meeting opened at 7.31pm.
07.06.01 To receive apologies and approve the reason for absence:
There were no apologies
07.06.02 To record: a) Declarations
of Interest (Personal & Prejudicial)
and b) Any changes to be notified to the Register of Interest and Gifts & Hospitability:
Cllr Argyle and Cllr Lammas declared a prejudicial interest in Item
7.
07.06.03 To approve the minutes of the Annual Parish Council
Meeting held on May 14th 2007:
The minutes were approved and signed by the
chairman as a true record.
07.06.04 To consider applications for co-option to
the parish council to fill the two vacant seats:
Mr David Baldwin of The Thatch, Main
St, and Mr Duncan Burtoft of Nightingale Lodge, Main St, applied for co-option
to the vacant seats in the Bishampton Ward.
Mr Baldwin stated on his application: “After
living in the village for 15 years and appreciating all village life has to
offer, now having reached semi retirement I feel that I have the necessary
abilities and time to contribute to the continued development and progress
within the village.”
Mr Burtoft stated: “Bishampton has been my
family home for 11 years, giving me a good perspective on issues in the parish.
My wife has been an active member of Barnstormers and the Village Hall Committee
in the past and I have enjoyed supporting these ‘in the background’.
My work has recently changed, giving me time to get more involved in village
activities. I have supported the Bishampton Against the Mast activities and
have found this fulfilling. I wish to extend my support to wider village issues,
which I feel this role will allow. I am an experienced business manager and
have worked extensively as a management consultant with large corporate business.”
The
council unanimously agreed to elect Mr Balwin and unanimously agreed to elect
Mr Burtoft. Both signed their Acceptance of Office forms and received a Register
of Interests form to complete. Clerk to notify Wychavon of their co-option.
Action Cllrs Baldwin/Burtoft and Clerk
07.06.05 Finance:
07.06.05.01 To note any receipts:
The council noted that in May it had received a cheque for £585.76 for VAT reclaimed and had received £77.72 interest in its 30-day savings account.07.06.05.02 To approve the statement of cash reconciliation for May:
The cash reconciliation for May showed that following spending of £1,605.65 and income of £585.76 (plus £9,000 from April 30, which wasn’t on the last bank statement) the council had a total of £10,701.52 in its current account. It gained £77.72 interest, which brought its savings account to £33,260.26. Its total funds in the bank at May 24th stood at £43,961.78 and allowing for an unpresented cheque of £116.55, its total cash assets stood at £43,845.23.07.06.05.03 To approve outstanding invoices for payment:
The council approved the following invoices for payment:
- GBD (Evesham) Ltd Mowing £275.84
- CALC Standing Orders £14.98
- Orchid Business Servs. Internal Audit £110.00
- Limebridge Footpath Maintenance £101.05
- County Air Ambulance Grant £200.00
TOTAL £701.87
The council asked if the mowing of the parish verges could go around the village signs so the planters would be more visible. Action Clerk
07.06.05.04 To approve claims for expenses/overtime:
The clerk’s expenses of £110.92 were reported and approved (regular ink claim £44.50/ extra ink for newsletter £15.97/ stamps £4.08/ general paper £5/ paper for newsletter £4.50/ stationery items £4.78/ mileage £14.80/ monthly allowance for computer and phone £14.50).07.06.05.05 To consider any action necessary regarding the forthcoming Internal and External audits:
The internal auditor had reported no problems with the accounts and the chairman and clerk signed the annual return.
07.06.06 Planning:
07.06.06.01 Council’s response to planning applications received between meetings:
None07.06.06.02 Current planning applications:
- W/07/0633/PN - Willow Bank, Tilesford. Erection of 16 one-bed sheltered units.
After discussions the previous month, the clerk reported that the following response had been sent to Wychavon District Council:The parish council objects on the following grounds:
- The plans propose an unjustifiable development in the open countryside.
- The buildings proposed would lead to an overdevelopment of the site.
- The development would be unsuitable for its rural position.
- The development would be unsustainable in the open countryside. It would create a 'ghetto' of development for a single purpose without any supporting facilities or effective public transport system and would not provide any benefits to the existing community - leading to an unbalanced community in Tilesford.
There are concerns about the Tilesford sewage plant which remains in the centre of the plan - with very few details about overcoming its looks or smells - and there are concerns about the development's position in relation to the flood plain of the nearby brook.
07.06.06.03 Reports on planning decisions:
- AB/07/00753/AB Steel framed agricultural building, Hayes Farm, Hill Furze Rd.
APPROVED- W/07/00489/CU Old School House, Main St, Bishampton. Conversion and extension of outbuilding to form a bungalow and garage.
REFUSED
Reasons: Development behind the building line (unacceptable tandem development)/ Access would result in increased noise generation next to Wenville/ it would set a precedent for such development/ the access would not be suitable to serve both this development and the development of The Old Chapel which was approved in 2004.
07.06.07.01 To hear any update from the BATVH play area committee:
Cllr Baldwin declared an interest as chairman of the Play Area Committee and the BATVH Committee.
Play Area Committee minutes had been circulated and they were noted. Cllr Baldwin informed the council of the committee’s latest position. The council noted that the committee plans to review the financial situation in the autumn so would approach the PC then to increase its donation if it was thought that funds were not available, with a view to installing new equipment in early spring 2008.
Cllr Baldwin asked if the council could find out the exact ownership situation of the play area/village hall land. Action Clerk07.06.07.02 To consider any action necessary to continue work on the Junior Play Area project:
None at present.07.06.07.03 To consider any other matters relating to the village play areas:
Cllr Cheetham and Cllr Argyle are to report next meeting on progress regarding points raised for improvement in the RoSPA playground inspection document. Action Cllrs Cheetham/Argyle
07.06.08 Footpaths – To consider any footpath issues:
07.06.08.01 To consider any action to be taken regarding bulls in fields along footpath routes:
Following a letter received in May, the clerk researched the rules regarding bulls on footpaths. The council agreed to send Mr Robertson (the owner of the bulls concerned) a letter to inform him of the villager’s concern and a copy of the Ramblers’ Association rules. Action Clerk07.06.08.02 To consider the clearance of the Badger’s Walk Path:
Badgers Walk is virtually impassable because of a lot of overgrowth from trees. Cllr Morrison and Argyle agreed to investigate the situation and liaise with clerk on the best way to deal with it. Clerk is to try to gather quotes for next meeting. The work could be funded by the parish footpaths grant budget with the county council but the clerk was asked to write to the county to ask if it would consider funding the cost of the work as it is a green lane and owned by the county. Action Cllrs Argyle/Morrison/Clerk
07.06.09 To consider making a grant of £2,000 towards a Community First Response scheme (locally manned defibrillator):
Cllr Baldwin declared his interest as the co-ordinator of the scheme.
The meeting was suspended for approx 15 minutes at 8.25pm when Mr Mike Belcher attended and spoke to the council about the scheme which provides a network of volunteers with the aim of reaching a patient and administering emergency first aid before an ambulance can arrive. The councillors noted it was a one-off payment as there was no need to provide storage of the equipment and it would be maintained by the ambulance service. Members unanimously agreed to foot the cost of the £2,000 defibrillator equipment and expressed a willingness to help publicise the scheme if necessary.
07.06.10 To consider the latest situation regarding the proposed mobile phone mast and hear progress regarding a visit from the MP:
Cllr Burtoft declared a non-prejudicial interest in the item as a leading member of BAM and as a direct neighbour to the mast site.
The council heard that MP Peter Luff could not meet with the
parish council until August. Members decided, however, to take him up on his
offer of passing the council’s questions to the relevant Government office
for answers. The council agreed that the clerk would draw up a list of questions
and circulate them before sending them off to Mr Luff. Members also agreed
to ask BAM if they had any further ideas on the questions to ask. Action Clerk
It
was noted that signs had been defaced in the village – both
BAM signs and road signs. The clerk has reported road signs to WCC and Cllr
Lammas has reported the matter to the local beat officer. Clerk to chase. Action Clerk
Clerk
has forwarded Mr Dyke’s letter about the ‘centre
of the village’ issue to T-Mobile and replied to Mr McGinity’s
letter. Clerk to reply to Mr Dyke to inform him of progress on his letter and
the matter he raised about bulls in fields (above). Action Clerk
07.06.11 To consider any issues arising from the PC
newsletter:
A copy of a PC newsletter was written and printed by the clerk and distributed
to homes in the parish. All those who helped in its production and delivery
were thanked and councillors said they were pleased with the publication. They
agreed it would be good for the council to produce a quarterly newsletter for
distribution with the NewsSheet if possible (as well as still including their
monthly news items in NewsSheet). Members agreed it would be fair to consider
an increase in their donation to the production of NewsSheet if its deliverers
would be willing to distribute the PC’s newsletter.
The council also
noted that after receiving the newsletter, Smart Cut had offered practical
help for the playground project. Clerk to write and thank Smart Cut. Action Clerk
07.06.12 To hear any issues regarding the sewer/roadworks
in Bishampton:
Cllr Liz Tucker had met with Mr Roger Ockenden and county council
officers to inspect the state of the roads after the sewer works. She reported
that the officers agreed with Mr Ockenden’s points about areas
which were not up to standard and would be pursuing them with the contractors.
07.06.13 To hear a report from the PACT (Partners and Community
Together) meeting:
Cllr Morrison reported on the recent PACT meeting:
“As we have a new
PC, Julie De-Paris, the meeting was really about how we go forward with PACT
as Julie has been dropped in at the deep end with a very large patch to cover.
The plan is:-
In the meantime I have a few surveys to give out to try to gain some information.” He added that the next meeting was to be held in October.
07.06.14 To hear about CALC training opportunities:
Cllr Mills
is due to attend training sessions. Cllr Cheetham and Lammas have expressed
an interest in Chairman and Vice Chairman training. Clerk to apply for training
bursary to cut costs and to give training details to new councillors. Action Clerk
07.06.15 To consider any action necessary to continue with
the parish Lengthsman scheme:
Dean Gibson is booked in for his training session
and the clerk is to attend a lengthsman course. The council agreed to offer
Mr Gibson an hourly rate for his regular work as lengthsman. Clerk to continue
to liaise with Mr Gibson. Action Clerk
07.06.16 To consider plans to close rural Post Office branches:
The council noted that the Government has announced it plans to go ahead with
closures - but there is no news yet as to which branches are earmarked.
07.06.17 To hear progress on the review and adoption
of: risk management schedule/scheme of delegation/standing orders/financial
regulations/complaints procedure:
Standing orders/financial regulations were circulated for members
to look at.
The council decided to defer the reviews until next month to give
councillors and the clerk more time to consider revisions. (Councillors are
also due to attend a Code of Conduct training session before the next meeting).
The chairman, Cllr Tucker and the clerk agreed to meet to look at the risk
assessment, the standing orders and financial regulations and report at the
next meeting. Action Clerk/Cllr Cheetham/Cllr Tucker
07.06.18 To hear a report regarding progress on the Parish
Plan:
Deferred.
07.06.19 To consider a small gift of appreciation for outgoing
councillors:
The council decided against adopting any policy to spend money
on a gift for outgoing councillors, despite their gratitude for the work done
by past members. Clerk to write letter of appreciation on behalf of the parish.
Action Clerk
07.06.20 To receive reports from councillors and items for future agendas:
07.06.21 To consider any further items of correspondence:
Circulation pack:
Training Opportunities for volunteers/ Parish
Plan Newsletter /CPRE Annual Report /West Mids Regional Assembly ‘Speaking
Out’ / CPRE Magazine
07.06.22 To affirm the date of the next meeting of the Parish
Council:
Monday July 2nd Bishampton.
The meting closed at 10.40pm
………………………………………………… …………………………..
Chairman Date
Clerk to the Council Mrs C. Morris