Minutes of a meeting of Great and Little Chishill Parish Council held in the village hall on Monday, 15th December 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

 

      Present: - Cllrs. Gardiner (in the Chair) Brearley, Dibblee, Erskine, Murgatroyd    and Scott, together with the Financial Officer and Clerk and two members of the public.

 

  1. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Cartwright who, unfortunately, was not well enough to attend.

 

  1. Confirmation of Minutes.  The Minutes of the meeting held on 24th November last were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

 

  1. Clerk’s Employment.

 

The Clerk requested confirmation of her salary increase and leaving arrangements on relinquishing her position as Clerk/R.F.O at the end of September.

 

After discussion, it was unanimously agreed that her salary would be increased to CPALC Clerk Grade 20.   As from lst April (the beginning of the new Financial Year) she would work with an assistant so that there would be a smooth changeover.

 

Cllr. Erskine would advertise the vacancy in the village newsletter, the CPALC Bulletin, and the Royston Crow.  The Clerk would provide information about the Clerk’s job to Cllr. Erskine.

 

  1. To finalise the Precept for 2009/10

 

The Parish Council then discussed the budget for 2009/10 as presented by the Financial Officer.   He advised the Parish Council that he could not recommend a precept over £21,600 and this would inevitably limit the amount of the grants to the various committees.  After certain recommendations from Councillors, it was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr. Murgatroyd, and unanimously agreed that the precept for next year should be set at £21,600.

Cllr. Brearley pointed out that Chishill’s population had increased in the  Affordable Housing which should be reflected in precept provision.

 

Regarding the Village Hall Committee, Mr. Stuart Farrow said his Committee would be satisfied if the Parish Council would maintain the present  grant.  The Chairman thanked Mr. Farrow for coming and Mr. Farrow then left the meeting.

 

Cllr. Dibblee drew attention to the financial implications of running the very successful Youth Club and the Committees grant would be increased to help them

W ith their good work.  She again stressed the need for more volunteers to run the club if it was to continue to be such an asset to the young people of the village.

and the Youth Club Committee considered there was a case for employing a paid youth worker, if affordable.  After discussion it was agreed to plan for £1000 of parish funds as a pump priming contribution.

 

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Cllr. Dibblee gave details of what was involved in making a defibrillator available in the village for emergency use.   The cost would be in the region of £4000.

 

  1. Freedom of Information Scheme.

      The Chairman reported the receipt of a very detailed publication scheme which  would take a considerable amount of  Clerk’s time to complete regarding the Freedom of Information required and which had to be completed by the end of December                                                                            Action Clerk.

 

6.  Any Other Business

 

       Mrs. Jan Bates of Little Chishill was present at the meeting and drew attention to the constant refusal of the County Council to provide gritting for Lt. Chishill hill.  She had spoken several times to the Highways Department who insisted that they could not extend the service of gritting to Little Chishill and May Street. The Parish Council expressed their concern and the Chairman would write to Mr. Oakman about the valid reasons put forward by Mrs. Bates for this very necessary service. to be resumed.

      A copy of the Chairman’s letter would be sent to Andrew Lansley M.P.

 

     

  1. To confirm date of next meeting.

 

      It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Monday January 26th 2009.

 

      There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.