Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly of Wixford Parish Council
Held on the 13th of April 2010 at 7.30 pm in Wixford Village Hall
Present:
Cllrs Colin Hales, Jon Haworth and Mark Sullens
Cllr Jack Fryer (Chair)
Clerk: Karen Parnell
In attendance:
District Cllrs Kim James and Daren Pemberton
Plus three members of the public
Apologies: Cllr Angela Ballard and County Cllr Peter Barnes
1) Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly on 5th May 2009
Were duly signed off by the Chairman as a true record in July 2009.
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 and traffic calming. 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 than usual in the present economic climate.
The balance sits at £ 776.10, gaining 48p interest in 12 months.
As this cash is sitting dormant, the trustees will look at a change in banking arrangements to provide a higher interest rate.
5) Statement of Accounts of the Village Hall Committee
The information was unavailable at this time.
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. It was noted the £ 3000 difference in grants this year warranted the £1000 rise in the precept.
7) District Councillor's Report
Kim James: SDC maintained a low council tax for 2009/10, only increased by 1.5%. This has resulted in the loss of 150 staff and pay freezes for staff and councillors this year. The district councillors had attended most Wixford PC meetings and work well together. The new fortnightly arrangements for collecting waste are working well even in the adverse weather.
Work has been undertaken regarding the local development framework core strategy, which is a plan for the next 15 years: 80 villages will change. Wixford remains unchaged as there is no shop, but will no longer be 'a special landscape'. SDC had gone from having 2 planning committees to 1; this was reviewed and will new revert back to 2 committees. SDC has a new (interim) Head of planning: Tony Perks and a new Streetscene manager: Olly Scholefield.
SDC still has no clear policy on gypsy sites, and a working group has been set up to address this issue. A site will go ahead in Bidford, and contaminated soil has been moved at the site. Permanent sites must be identified. SDC acted promptly when informed of many travellers heading for Warwickshire. SDC is working with the owner of what was United Carriers to improve the derelict building. A new evening bus service was outlined and will be promoted in the newsletter.
WCC/SDC community forums are working well, notably regarding the fire service issues, these replaced the area committees. Kim was praised for his leadership at the forums. The provision of free buses to forums is being looked into.
Grants from SDC and WCC will not be available in the foreseeable future.
Electoral arrangements are being looked into. The cabinet system will remain. A decision will be made by 31/12/10 as to frequency of elections. This could affect all parishes in May 2011.
8) County Councillor's Report
Peter Barnes: Cllr Barnes had conveyed apologies but has recently distributed his April newsletter outlining activities. Cllr Pemberton had nothing to add to this.
9) Any Other Business: Relocation of the post box and provision of a temporary collection service whilst works are ongoing at Stone House will both be looked into with Royal Mail.
10) Questions from the Public
It was noted parish councillors are not paid for their work. Traffic calming was raised and the agreed provision of posters will be chased. Looking at what other villages do was suggested. The Chairman had looked at what Barton had done. A police awareness campaign looking into traffic counts and speed checks will be undertaken prior to the next community forum regarding Wixford. WCC will look into a new signage scheme and report back in June 2010. The criterion regarding prosecution for traffic offences was explained.
Meeting closed: 8.15pm
Signed Jack Fryer Chairman 11th May 2010
14th April, 2010