Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly of Wixford Parish Council
Held on the 5th of May 2009 at 7.30 pm in Wixford Village Hall
Present:
Cllrs Angela Ballard, Colin Hales and Jon Haworth
Cllr Jack Fryer (Chair)
Clerk:
Karen Parnell
In attendance:
County Cllr Peter Barnes - District Cllrs Kim James and
Daren Pemberton
Plus three members of the public
Apologies: None
Cllr Fryer opened the meeting by apologising for the Council having to reschedule this meeting due to communication problems.
1) Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly on 8th April 2008
Were duly signed off by the Chairman as a true record.
2) Matters arising therefrom
There were no matters arising, as all relevant information was contained within the Chairman's report, previously circulated.
3) Chairman's report on the work of the Parish Council during the last twelve months
The Chairman outlined the report, which contained a summery of the accounts and a detailed report on many of the Council's activities, from Planning to village maintenance. It is now published on the website.
4) Statement of Accounts of the Wilcox and Allen Charity
Cllr Haworth as trustee provided a statement of accounts. There has been nil expenditure and less interest in the present economic climate.
The balance sits at £ 775.62, gaining around £ 20.00 in 18 months.
As this cash is sitting dormant, the trustees will look at a suitable way of using this money, in line with what the charity was set up to facilitate (fuel for the poor).
5) Statement of Accounts of the Village Hall Committee
The Village Hall Committee accounts were presented, which had a balance of £ 7,767 for 2007. The balance now sits at £ 9091 as £ 1572 had been received from the Throckmorton Trust to enable pathways and access.
6) Statement of Accounts of the Parish Council
Karen has produced the end of year accounts, which she summarised, a copy was sent to all Councillors with the agenda and a condensed version appears in the Chairman's report.
7) District Councillor's Report
Kim James: The district councillors had attended most Wixford PC meetings. He expounded on the new arrangements for collecting waste: The green bin collection had been suspended between November 08 to March 09, but will now be operational year round. The full recycling facility will be implemented in August 09. The fortnightly system is working well with recycling up 64%.
Work has been undertaken regarding the local development framework, which is a plan for the next 15 years, reviewed every 5 years. 5,500 houses may be required in this period.
A decision on the proposed Eco town will not be made until autumn, after a review of the regional spatial strategy has taken place. Alternative options for either 500 houses or a leisure/employment centre have been suggested by St Modwens for the site at Long Marston.
As there has been a fall in planning applications, SDC has gone from having 2 planning committees to 1, which will be reviewed in a years time.
SDC still has no clear policy on gypsy sites, and one is needed.
Quarrying plans involving 4 new and 2 existing sites are causing concern.
Joint area committees and WCC/SDC community forums are working well.
Grants from SDC and WCC will not be available in the next year at least as investments have gone down.
The parking charges in Stratford have gone up dramatically. Free swimming is going well.
8) County Councillor's Report
Peter Barnes: The community charge has increased (4%). The park and ride is a financial problem incurring running costs of £600,000. A new rail station is proposed at the site.
Peter explained rubbish is currently taken to Ettington, but from August the new site at Ufton will be operational. He also expressed concerns about the sand and gravel extractions proposed. He had resisted possible post office closures in Bidford and Salford Priors. He expressed concern at a WCC decision (to be called in) meaning possible privatisation of healthcare in Bidford. Peter said alternatives to the Eco town could include 487 houses (a third affordable), 2000 chalets and 11 miles of rail track. A s 106 agreement is in place to limit the number of lorries in the area.
9) Any Other Business Due to the resignation of Peter Terry a casual vacancy now exists on the parish council. Karen has informed SDC and the relevant notice under LGA 72 is currently displayed. If no election is called the council can co-opt after the 21st of May 2009.
10) Questions from the Public
None
Meeting closed: 8.00pm
7th July, 2009