MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WIXFORD
9th September 2007 AT 7.30 P.M.
Present: Councillor Jack Fryer (in the Chair)
Councillors Colin Hales and Angela Ballard
Clerk: Karen Parnell
In attendance: District Councillors Kim James, Daren Pemberton and
Brian Slaughter
County Councillor Peter Barnes
Plus three members of the public
Comments from the Public
Concerns were expressed regarding: Cracks in the road on Wixford bridge (Karen will look into), Water problems on the bridge (Colin will work with Severn Trent on), Flood defence (an ongoing issue which SDC will now progress after a pause because of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - Grant information is still awaited) and the proposed Lengthsman Scheme (Not ruled out, but has hit insurance buffers).
Grass cutting and standards thereof was raised and Karen has spoken to SDC on this. Their schedule has been revised due to copious amounts of rain and they have been advised the standard could be better. The foundations (pea gravel) to the fence on Wixford bridge were suggested to be sub standard (Karen will raise this with WCC).
1) Apologies
None received.
2) Disclosure of Interest
There were no disclosures of interest.
3) Minutes
Minutes having been circulated were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting in July 2008 and were duly signed by the Chairman.
4) Matters arising therefrom
Noticeboard - The lock has been fixed at a cost of £ 40 by Simon Woodhouse. It was deemed necessary to agree this work outside of this meeting as notices (notably the closure of audit) must be displayed. The Council unanimously agreed to this retrospective work and also agreed that Mr Woodhouse should replace the lettering on the board at a further cost of up to £ 20.00, for which he will invoice the Council.
Police Newsletter - Alcester police station now e mail this to Karen, who then adds it to the website under 'News'.
5) District and County Councillor's reports
Cllr Peter Barnes - Spoke of the new joint arrangements for parishes/SDC/WCC.
Cllr Barnes has liaised with the police regarding speeding and exceeding of the weight limit on Wixford Bridge and the situation is being monitored. A meeting will take place on 29/09/08 at WCC concerning the future of the fire brigade. It is likely that Warwickshire and Worcestershire will be working together in the future. Bidford bridge will be closed for repairs to culverts for three weeks from 06/10/08. Weight limits and the volume of Lorries going over Bidford Bridge are being monitored.
Cllr Kim James -
Said that we are six weeks into the new waste collections, the largest transfer of service in the country, and it was fairly successful. Recycling is up, but some places have still not got the new bins. Concerns had been expressed regarding the suspension of the green bin service between November and April, and Salford Priors were looking into the feasibility of providing two collections themselves during this period. SDC have renamed the Executive the Cabinet on advice from the Audit Commission. The Cabinet have agreed to free swimming in the district for under 16s and over 60s. SDC have approved the removal of a minority of phone boxes. Kim also spoke of the new community forums which incorporate the police and health authority, one had taken place recently in Bidford. The next meeting will be in November at the Greig Hall, Alcester. Kim commented on enforcement at the Fish Inn: The building will be removed after the 5th of November. Kim also spoke of the changes to planning at SDC.
6) Village maintenance
Repairs to fence adjacent to Wixford bridge:
This work was has been completed to a high standard by Simon Woodhouse at a cost of £ 330.00, Karen is in regular correspondence with WCC regarding increasing the ?fill? at the base of the fence and sealing the cracks in the pavement and road.
Policing and traffic calming on Wixford Bridge:
Has improved due to liaisons between Cllr Barnes, Sgt Wild and Karen.
Crash barrier over A46:
This is on order and Kevin Blount WCC will oversee its installation.
7) Planning
Application No: 08/01155/FUL
Mrs F Buxton, Lodge View:
Change of use of agricultural land to residential curtilage in order to create new vehicular access / drive to existing dwelling - OBJECT - Granted with conditions
8) Environment and Safety
Flood defence - Grants regarding flooding
Still awaiting any information.
Newsletter - Progress report
Agenda item next time as Cllr Haworth was not present.
Best Kept Village Competition 2008
Karen has asked for any award to be posted to her, due to lack of enthusiasm to attend the ceremony.
Meeting dates for 2009
Will be discussed among Councillors and produced at the next meeting. (A copy will be sent to the village hall committee when agreed).
9) Finance
External Audit
The external audit has been completed.
We received an unqualified audit opinion - The closure of audit will now
be publicised.
Bank Reconciliation
Was produced, and expounded upon by the Clerk.
Payments between meetings
None
10) Accounts for payment
Cheque No 299 Clerks Salary/Expenses £ 409.15
Cheque No 300 Webbenefit (Hosting of website) £ 141.00
Cheque No 301 Clement Keys £ 141.00
Cheque No 302 Simon Woodhouse £ 330.00
Accounts authorised for payment:
Proposed: Cllr Ballard - Seconded Cllr Hales
Cheques Signed: Cllr Hales - Countersigned Cllr Ballard
A) Correspondence
15/07/08 - WCC - Acknowledgement of request for public realm grant (Fencing).
16/07/08 - Nigel Turner re flooding
13/08/08 - WCC - Emergency plan update
15/08/08 - Alcester TC - Re Parish Liaison / Joint Committees
19/08/08 - WCC SDC - Re Community Forums
B) Correspondence to table:
N/A
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.15 pm
Cllr Jack Fryer Chairman
11th November 2008
14th November, 2008