BISHAMPTON AND THROCKMORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Monday 7th January 2008 at the Parish Room, Throckmorton

Members and Officers present: Mr D Cheetham, Mr M Argyle, Mr D Baldwin, Mr E Beever (from 9pm), D Burtoft, Mr J Mills, Mr C Tucker and Mrs C Morris (Clerk).

The meeting opened at 7.30pm and adjourned to hear from local policing officers. See attached note. The meeting re-opened at 8.00pm.

ADMIN

08.01.1. To receive apologies and approve the reason for absence
Cllr Morrison was on holiday abroad. His apology was noted and approved.

08.01.2. To record: a) Declarations of Interest (Personal & Prejudicial) and b) Any changes to be notified to the Register of Interest and Gifts & Hospitability
Cllr Baldwin and Cllr argyle declared personal and prejudicial interests in item 11.

08.01.3. To consider the co-option of a new councillor
There were no applicants for the vacant position. Clerk to continue advertising. Action Clerk

08.01.4. To approve the minutes of the PC Meeting held on December 3rd 2007
The minutes were approved and signed by the chairman as a true record.

NEW ITEMS

08.01.5. To consider housing matters in the parish – an invitation to attend discussions on the Regional Spatial Strategy, the plans for an Eco-Town and Joint Core Strategy reponse
The Joint Core Strategy document has been completed by Cllrs Cheetham and Mills and delivered to Wychavon. The Clerk had produced posters for notice boards and the shop to inform villagers about the Eco Town plans and one letter of opinion had been received from a parishioner. The Clerk had written to MP Peter Luff with the Parish Council’s viewpoint and the chairman had spoken to him and Wychavon officers to discover the latest situation. There were no further developments to report. Councillors agreed to further inform parishioners by producing a PC newsletter as soon as possible and to keep watch on developments. Councillors to inform clerk if they can attend a Regional Spatial Strategy meeting, to look at the other housing plans for the region, on January 24th. Action Clerk/Cllrs

08.01.6. Newsletter – to consider items for the next PC newsletter
It was agreed that the clerk should organise a newsletter as soon as possible which would be distributed by councillors. Topics to include: Eco Town/ dog fouling/ speeding/ litter pick/ new councillor/ defibrillator scheme/ parish room/ play area update/ email round robin system. Action Clerk

08.01.7. To consider dates for the parish litter pick
The date for this year’s annual litter pick was set for February 16th and 17th, so it could be carried out before the grass started to grow. It would be advertised in the newsletter in the hope more volunteers would join in this year. Action Clerk

08.01.8. To consider the problem of dog fouling in Bishampton
There had been a notable increase in dog fouling in the village and it was suspected that there was a single culprit. Councillors and the police were keeping an eye on the situation and were ready to inform the dog warden if the owner could be traced.

REGULAR ITEMS

08.01.9. Finance

08.01.9.1. To note any receipts
A £258.20 cheque had been received from the county council in reimbursement for the PC’s lengthsman costs. Clerk had banked it.

08.01.9.2. To approve the statement of cash reconciliation for December
The cash reconciliation showed that spending in December amounted to £385.00 and £6,000.00 from the recent precept payment was transferred to the savings account, leaving a total of £3,834.95 in the current account on the statement date of December 24th. With its £6,000 gain from the current account and £94.87 interest, the savings account statement showed a total of £39,890. There were no unpresented cheques and this meant the council’s total cash assets on December 24th stood at £43,724.95. The council had received £21,266.27 in income and spent £13,639.30 so far during the year.

08.01.9.3. To approve outstanding invoices for payment
The following invoices were approved for payment:

08.01.9.4. To approve claims for expenses/overtime
Clerk’s expenses of £8.40 were approved (mileage).

08.01.10. Planning

08.01.10.1. Council’s response to applications between meetings

08.01.10.2. Current Planning Applications

08.01.10.3. Reports on planning decisions

08.01.11. Play Areas
(Cllr Baldwin and Cllr Argyle had declared their interest as members of the junior play area committee)

08.01.11.1. To hear any update from the Junior Play Area Committee
Cllr Baldwin reported that he was awaiting a new quote for the play area and once it was confirmed, it was hoped a start date could be booked, hopefully within the next fortnight.

08.01.11.2. To consider any action necessary to continue work on the Junior Play Area project
None

08.01.11.3. To consider any other matters relating to the play areas
Work to tidy trees in the Throckmorton play area was due to start next week.

08.01.12. Footpaths – To consider footpath issues and a quote for footpath work
The clerk was awaiting the quote – councillors agreed that if it was satisfactory, the contractor should go ahead as soon as possible. Action Clerk

08.01.13. To consider any Lengthsman Issues
Concern was voiced about potholes in the pavements in Bishampton and it was agreed to ask the lengthsman to make a report for the county highways team.
Cllr Tucker spoke about the parish lengthsman review meeting which he had attended. It was agreed to ask the lengthsman to carry out a monthly inspection of highways and drains in order to report any matters for attention to the county highways department as soon as they occur. Action Clerk

UPDATES

08.01.14. To consider any issues relating to earning Quality Parish Status
Councillors agreed it would be a good idea to prepare a list of members’ names and contact details to be posted on the notice board and in the newsletter.

08.01.15. To consider any issues relating to the flooding in the parish and spending of the grant
There was still no news on the outcome of the grant application from Wychavon DC. Clerk to chase. Action Clerk
It was also agreed that in the light of parishioners’ concern about a repeat of the serious flooding in the village, the clerk should write to Wychavon again to ask about the drainage work planned for Bishampton and when it was due to start. Action Clerk
Cllr Argyle reported that he had spoken to WDC engineers about the flooding situation in the village and Cllr Liz Tucker reported that the county council was soon to complete its own report into last summer’s floods.

08.01.16. To consider grants for mowing parish churchyards
No news.

08.01.17. To consider progress on the affordable housing survey
No news

08.01.18. To consider plans to close rural Post Office branches
It was agreed that there would be little benefit in conducting a survey relating to the shop and that the PC would keep watch on developments at this stage.

08.01.19. To consider matters relating to speeding in the parishes
PC de Paris had reported that she would conduct some speed checks in Bishampton in the mornings and evenings. Cllr Liz Tucker said she would investigate costs of a portable electronic speed check sign. PC de Paris also said she would request a speed monitor check to survey speed through Throckmorton.

08.01.20. PACT News
No News

REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE

08.01.21. CALC/Training Matters
Clerk to circulate training dates. Action Clerk

08.01.22. To receive reports from councillors and items for future agendas
County and District Councillor Liz Tucker had reported on items during the meeting and also mentioned her concern about the state of the road outside Tilesford cottages.
Cllr Tucker reported that Throckmorton Parish Room had won a ‘Distinction in Building’ award from Wychavon District Council. The PC congratulated all who had been involved in the scheme.

08.01.23. To consider any further items of correspondence

08.01.24. To affirm the date of the next meeting of the Parish Council
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Monday, February 4th, Bishampton.
Meetings for the year ahead were confirmed as (where hall bookings allow):

Plus the Annual Parish Council/ Parish Meetings to be arranged – to take place between March 1 and –June 1.
Clerk to book halls. Action Clerk

The meting closed at 9.37pm

………………………………………………… …………………………..
Chairman Date
Clerk to the Council
Mrs C. Morris

Notes from the public session
PC Julie de Paris and CSO David James attended the meeting to meet with councillors. They reported that in the six months from July 1 to Dec 31, there had been one burglary of a business premises, two incidents of theft at the golf club and two cars were broken into. PC de Paris spoke about speeding which she said was emerging as a main concern in every village. She also said she would soon be conducing surveys for the PACT group about people’s concerns in the villages and said she had noticed an increase in dog fouling in Bishampton. PC James said he would be making foot and vehicle patrols through the villages and the officers were asked by the chairman if they could ensure they made their presence visible in the parish as often as possible.

Cllr Mills also raised the issue of the recent closure of The Dolphin, in his capacity as parishioner. Councillors asked the clerk to write to the brewery to try to discover what was planned for the pub. Action Clerk