MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WIXFORD
12th JANUARY 2010 AT 7.30 P.M.
Present: Councillor Jack Fryer (in the Chair)
Councillors Colin Hales, Angela Ballard and Jon Haworth
Clerk: Karen Parnell
In attendance:
County Councillor Peter Barnes
Five members of the public were in attendance
Apologies: None
The Chairman opened the meeting by wishing all present a happy new year.
Comments from the Public
Ownership and future usage of the phone box was asked to be clarified. This is now a fixed asset of the parish council and ideas for usage will be asked from residents through the newsletter.
Representations on the Stone House planning application were questioned. These comments are available to all on the SDC website www.stratford-dc.gov.uk .
Volunteers will be sought regarding maintaining footpaths and village maintenance in light of lack of finance and grants regarding the PP3 and Lengthsman schemes.
This will be publicised through the Wixford news.
Speeding and signage remain an issue, which was discussed. It was noted changes and movement of signs would be contested by WCC and the police and would need finance. Countdown signs were discussed but the Speedaware programme remains our best option.
Off of the back of the village hall questionnaire: Residents are happy with the exterior and would like the outside of the hall to be clad with timber. Volunteers have come forward to do the work. An approach will be made to SDC to identify whether this is a building control or planning matter.
1) Apologies
None
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 November 2009 and were duly signed by the Chairman.
4) Matters arising from those minutes
Fire service consultation
A decision on Bidford fire station will not be taken until after the election, as more representations were received than expected. Wixford Parish Council met and compiled a letter outlining the case against closure. Fenny Compton station is now safe due to legislation specific to it. Bidford have put forward alternative proposals and further meetings will now take place.
Speeding and traffic calming
Covered elsewhere on the agenda. This continues to be a campaigning issue for the council and will continue to be raised at the community forum for this area.
5) District and County Councillor's reports
Cllr Peter Barnes covered the position regarding the fire review. Broom and Dunnington are concerned about a quarrying application. This council has already made representations to WCC and has been invited to attend a SWEA meeting in Dunnington on 19/01/10 (Information on the Wixford website).
A decision on the Eco Town is still awaited although the St Modwen application (detailed in the previous minutes) has now been approved. An island on the Shipston road would be created and installation of cameras would be facilitated by this.
The expected turning off of electricity in Welford for works by EON did not happen as it was too cold. Better communication will be sought in future. Works by EON are taking much time and Cllr Haworth will ask through the newsletter what properties are affected in Wixford.
Both SDC and WCC will be making budget cuts. Refuse collections have been affected by vast snowfall. SDC will decide on whether to have one or two planning committees shortly and a decision on whether to lift the housing moratorium has been the subject of many cabinet and overview and scrutiny meetings, although ultimately this must be lifted.
6) Village maintenance
Phone box adoption
Now the property of the parish council, insured and listed as a fixed asset. A use for the box will now be sought.
7) Planning
Application No: 08/02446/FUL
Mr B White, Fish Inn: Change of use for stationing of an outside kitchen.
Breach of planning condition
Enforcement
Now rectified
Application No: 05/03842/FUL
Corner Cottage (Willow Farm) Wixford Alcester Warwickshire B49 6DA.
Breach of planning condition
Enforcement
No breach of conditions was established regarding the car port.
Application reference: 09/02353/FUL
Stone House, Wixford, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6DA for Mr Stanley Russell.
Proposed two and single storey rear extensions and creation of open porch to
side. REPRESENTATIONS MADE
Amendment to 09/02180/AMD Icknield House, Wixford:
Wider garage doors, new window to north and fully glazed door to south
elevation. Notification only.
The dates have been set as March 3rd and 4th at SDC 10.00am for the inquiry regarding Moor Hall Farm.
8) Environment and Safety
Newsletter - Progress report:
Cllr Haworth will put a newsletter out at the end of February, again publicising the vacancy for a councillor.
Councillors Wellbeing training of 21/12/09
Three councillors and the clerk attending this training session, which allows greater flexibility with regard to financing projects or individuals. Cllr Hales will need to attend the training before the council can put forward a resolution to adopt the Power of Wellbeing in place of s137 LGA 72.
9) Finance
A) Precept
We have applied for this from SDC
B) Internal controls
Were reviewed and agreed to be sound
C) Financial regulations of 2006 / Risk assessment of 2006
Were both reviewed recently and are still accurate as per the Account and Audit Regulations of 2003 and subsequent amendment of 2006
D) Standing orders
Were reviewed and are still sound as per June 2008 advice from NALC, however we still await new model standing orders from NALC
E) Fixed assets register
Now sits at £ 2921 (an extra £ 1.00 due to the phone box adoption)
10) Accounts for payment
Cheque No 330 Clerks Salary/Expenses £ 449.09
Cheque No 331 Society of Local Council Clerks £ 72.00
Cheque No 332 WALC Wellbeing training £ 50.00
Accounts authorised for payment:
Proposed: Cllr Haworth - Seconded Cllr Ballard
Cheques Signed: Cllr Ballard - Countersigned Cllr Haworth
11) Correspondence
26/11/09 Warwickshire Fire and Rescue - Acknowledgement of response
10/12/09 Letter between Mrs. Goodman and WCC regarding speeding
17/12/09 Invite to SWEA meeting in Dunnington (quarries) 19/01/10 (will be attended)
23/12/09 Decorum magazine from SDC x 2
07/01/10 Letter from CPRE re planning concerns at Admington
07/01/10 Notification of planning inquiry at SDC on 3rd and 4th March 2009 regarding Moor Hall Farm
08/01/10 Warwickshire Best Village 2010 Competition (we will enter)
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40 pm
Jack Fryer - Chairman 9th March 2010
10th March, 2010