MINUTES OF MEETING

Great and Little Chishill Parish Council Meeting

 

Venue: Village Hall

Date: Monday 14th September 2009

Time: 7:30pm

 

In Attendance

Chairman:                                   Andrew Gardiner

Parish Councillors:                         Brearley, Cartwright, Erskine, Scott

Clerk / Proper Officer:                    Sarah Scott   

County Councillor:                         Susan Van de Ven

Members of the Public:                  Mr Duke, Mrs Lynch, Mr R Parry, Bianca Stamford, Curtis Redrupp,

Jeff Gill, Emma Heath, Mr and Mrs R Coxall, Lucy Heath, Beth Hinton,

Tom Collinge, Jamie West, Mr and Mrs Buckland                                

 

 

 

 

Actual Start Time: 7:40

ACTION

 

 

 

1.

Apologies for Absence and Reasons

 

 

Cllr Murgatroyd – Annual leave

Cllr Dibblee – Annual leave

District Cllrs Guest and Barrett – Meetings in Melbourn

 

 

 

 

2.

To Accept Parish Councillors Declaration of Interests (prejudicial or personal)

 

 

Cllr Cartwright – Personal friend of Mr Wiseman.

Cllr Scott – Personal friend of Michael Wiseman and Jemma Jeffery.

Cllr Erskine – Prejudicial (Mr Webb’s planning application).

 

 

3.

Public Participation

 

 

 

3.1

3.2

The Chairman explained how this part of the Parish Council meeting worked and asked members of the public for their comments.

Mrs Buckland read out a prepared statement (Addendum 1).

It was asked that it be minuted that Mr and Mrs Buckland had been asked

to sit in the public gallery and had refused to do so.

 

There were no other comments and so normal council business resumed.

 

 

4.

To Approve Previous Minutes

 

4.1

22nd July 2009 – Point 1.0 - It was noted that this did not convey accurately the sentiments of the Parish Council who were supportive of the efforts of Mr Taylor.

 

4.2

22nd July 2009 – Point 2.0 – Mrs Scott was proposed and seconded as Clerk and RFO (Proper Officer ) as from 1st August 2009.

 

4.3

Meeting – 10th August 2009 – were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

 

 

 

 

ACTION

5.

Planning Applications

 

5.1

 

5.2

 

 

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Clerk reported that S/0681/09/7 Mrs Sallie Deary, Colts Croft, Great Chishill had been approved.

S/1160/09/F – Mr P Duke, 24 Barley Road.  The Clerk said that she had received two written objections from members of the public regarding this application.  A discussion then took place and it was decided that the Parish Council would oppose this application because of concerns over overdevelopment of the plot, increased vehicular access, increased traffic to the plot and the impact on privacy to the neighbours. 

S/1002/09/F – Mr Wiseman, 108 Hall Lane.  The Clerk reported that permission had now been granted on this application with small amendments to the original plans.

S/1216/09F – Mr James Webb, 23 Barley Road. The application was discussed and the Parish Council were opposed to this application as it was felt that this was a backfill development and if allowed could set a precedence for other similar developments in a conservation area.  There were also concerns regarding traffic and vehicular access.

All maps / plans and supporting documentation were either displayed or available for inspection at the meeting for the above mentioned planning applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

6.

Finance

 

 

Mr Buckland read out a statement (Addendum 2).

 

6.1

The Proper Officer reported that the paperwork had come back from the Auditors and the notices would be displayed on the notice boards imminently.

 

Clerk

6.2 / 6.3

6.4

The Proper Officer draw the Parish Councillors attention to the updated financial statements attached to the agenda. 

She also asked for permission to open a deposit account with Barclays and then transfer some funds from the current account to this new account and explained that even if we only achieve 0.5% interest, we as a council had a duty to make our precept funds work for our parishioners.  Mr Buckland added a comment as to why he had shut the Alliance & Leicester Account (which had been minuted at previous meetings).

 

 

 

Clerk

6.5

Two cheques were signed £362.30 (Clerks Salary), £45.65 Berforts Newsletter.  It was asked if Bayer might be approached to Sponsor the newsletter.  The Proper Officer explained that it was best practice wherever possible to sign cheques at Parish Council meetings rather than ‘out of hours.’

Clerk

6.6

The Proper Office made reference to the fact that it was time to think about the budget for the coming financial year.

 

 

 

 

ACTION

7.

Parking Wallers Close

 

 

Cllr Scott reported that a survey of the residents of Waller’s Close had been undertaken and read out an executive summary of results (see below):

After a discussion it was decided that this and a PowerPoint presentation (that had also been prepared) would be shared with a representative of the County Council.  The Clerk to arrange a meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

8.

Skate Park

 

 

Cllr Scott gave an overview of the current skate park area and in consultation with members of the Youth Group had ascertained what equipment needs updating/replaced/refurbished.  He had suggested a ballpark figure of £1500 (excluding labour) to address these issues.  Bianca Stamford reported that the Youth Group had obtained the services of the some local builders (for free) to carry out work and will be looking at ways to fundraise to try and meet some of the material costs involved.  It was also suggested that the Youth Group take ownership of this area – to which they were in agreement.  Cllr Scott said he would attend a Youth Group session to discuss this topic further.  Cllr Brearley asked that this topic was added to the next agenda under finance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Scott

Clerk

 

 

 

9.

Footpaths

 

 

The Chairman gave an update on Chalky Walk and said he was meeting with Peter and Lorraine Brand to discuss this on the 15th September.  Cllr Erskine enquired if the farmer could be encouraged to help with improving the footpath.

 

9.1

The Clerk reported that following an email from the Ramblers Association the footpath behind Maltings Lane had now been cleared from overhanging branches, and the Footpath Sign on Bull Meadow is now visible.  This issue of clippings and bins in the footpath in The Butts had yet to be addressed.  The Ramblers Association have been informed.

 

 

 

 

10.

Highways

 

10.1

The Clerk gave an update on:

Horse warning signs – awaiting information from Lovely View on horse traffic.  It was also suggested that some hedges could be trimmed at the permissive bridleways in Barley and the end of the Pudgell.

Village Signs – a further delay of a few weeks is anticipated.  Cllr Erskine enquired about the signs for Little Chishill – the Clerk to chase.

 

 

 

Clerk

10.2

Verge Cutting – a definitive map has been received by the Parish Council and the verges have now been cut.  The Clerk reported that she would now put this out to tender in the coming weeks.

Clerk

 

 

ACTION

10.

Highways / Continued

 

10.3

Pot holes /white lines – it was reported that the Chairman and Clerk had a very positive meeting with Mr Cooper and pot holes and lines were being made good.

 

10.4

Windmill – the fence will be repaired very soon (at the time of typing these minutes, workmen were on site and working on the fence).  The hole in the roof of the windmill had been reported and logged with the County Council Property Services Division

 

10.5

Gritting – Highways had informed the Chairman that if the Parish Council purchase grit bins for May Street / Little Chishill they would replenish them throughout the winter.  Cllr Cartwright asked about siting the bins and the Clerk reported that the Council had the final say as to where they are put.  The Clerk had obtained costings for the bins and would pursue this further with Mr Cooper.

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

11.

Internet Access

 

 

The Clerk had spoken to two engineers regarding internet access and gave an overview of what they had informed her – a summary of which will appear in the next newsletter.

 

Clerk / Cllr Erskine

11.1

Website

 

 

The Clerk reported that the current Webmaster (Mrs Dawn Crow) would like to relinquish responsibility of the website.  The site needs stripping down and reworking. The Clerk had obtained a cost from a professional website company for doing this which was £600 plus £200 per annum.  Mrs Crow has also offered to rework the website for £250 and then hand it over to the Clerk.  Cllr Cartwright suggested putting a piece in the newsletter asking for volunteers.  Cllr Scott asked for ‘specs’ from the Website Company and Mrs Crow as to what the work entails.  This will be an agenda item next month under finance.

 

 

 

 

Cllr Erskine

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

12.

Speedwatch

 

 

Cllr Scott updated the Parish Council on the latest Speedwatch facts and figures.  The next step is to present the data collected to Mr Fuller at the neighbourhood Panel Meetings and then work on a solution to speeding vehicles in the village.  Bianca Stamford asked about the positioning of Speedwatch operations in the village and wondered if there were other areas (such as near the entrance to the playing field) which would be more appropriate as there are children coming and going out of this entrance.  Cllr Scott concluded that it was a valid point.

 

 

 

 

13.

Planning Seminar

 

 

The Chairman reported on a planning seminar that he had attended and explained the Chairman’s Delegation Process to the Council.  He added that a final decision on this would be made on 7th October.

 

20:45

Mr Collinge Departs

 

 

 

 

14.

Quality Parish Council Status

 

 

Mr Buckland read a statement (Addendum 3) regarding this.  County Cllr Van de Ven suggested that the Parish Council speak with other Parish Councils who have achieved this and fact find before deciding if this is appropriate for our Parish Council.

 

 

 

Clerk

20:51

Mr West Departs

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACTION

15.

Correspondence

 

 

The Clerk read through a list of correspondence received since the last meeting.  The letter from Andrew Lansley MP / Microsoft was of particular interest and Mr Gill requested a copy and Cllr Erskine will add a synopsis into the newsletter.

 

Clerk

Cllr Erskine

 

 

 

16.

Matters For Future Consideration

 

16.1

Mrs Heath mentioned plumb trees in her garden and it was suggested that she contact Raglan direct about removing them.

 

16.2

Diseased trees within the Village – to discuss at the next meeting.

 

16.3

Mr Acktar – Planning issue (Clerk has forwarded a link to Cllr Cartwright).

 

16.4

A505 – County Cllr Van de Ven said that notices relating to a speed reduction at Flint Cross had been posted.  Mr Buckland said that people could object if they wish to.

 

16.5

RB read a statement about a party for the retired Clerk.  Possible funding / logistics to be discussed at the next meeting.

 

 

 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.05pm.

 

Next meeting dates: Tuesday 27th October 7:30pm, Great and Little Chishill Village Hall.

Wednesday 25th November 7:30pm, Great and Little Chishill Village Hall.

Thursday 17th December 7:30pm, Great and Little Chishill Village Hall.

 

Addendums 1,2, & 3 can be accessed here