MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WIXFORD
13th March 2007 AT 7.30 P.M.
Present: Councillor Colin Hales (in the Chair)
Councillors Jack Fryer, Chris Pierson, Matthew Smith, Jon Haworth
Clerk: Karen Parnell
In attendance: District Councillors Kim James, Brian Slaughter, Daren Pemberton
County Councillor Peter Barnes
Plus two members of the public
Apologies: None
Comments from the Public
Concerns were again expressed regarding traffic calming and village maintenance.
1) Co-option of a Parish Councillor
Having been proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Fryer, Jon Haworth was co-opted to the Council at this meeting. Jon Has signed the declaration of acceptance of
office and notification of interests.
2) District and County Councillor?s reports
Peter Barnes said the community charge was up 4.59%. The minerals display in Bidford attracted over 160 people, the next stage being dependant on the Studley bypass, with a toll road being a consideration. Cllr Barnes expressed concerns over the future of Bidford fire station, with the prospect of a review to be carried out in October, concerning the next financial year and regarding all stations and cross border support.
Cllr Barnes was concerned that William Brown (Chief fire officer) had turned up at a meeting on this subject with no paperwork, whilst the portfolio holder didn't turn up at all.
Cllr Barnes also expressed concern about new legislation concerning gravel.
Brian Slaughter said SDC had set the rates at 3.5%, the lowest in Warwickshire. He explained CCTV in the district had won an award for being one of the best in the country. Also, the latest issue of 'Your Review' is now being distributed and is very good. Brian also said the digital challenge was being judged today, and SDC had made it to the final three.
Kim James outlined an instance where a fire station had problems responding to a call out in Pebworth, as the doors wouldn?t open due to power failure. He outlined the need to keep Bidford open, and praised their rapid response times, as well as the work they do backing up other fire stations. Kim also explained a review whereby over the next two years parish councils will be urged to cluster, so that they are representing a thousand or more residents in each cluster arrangement.
Daren Pemberton said the criteria with regard to possible changes in fire stations needs to be established, but the chief fire officer has the overall say.
3) Apologies
There were no apologies.
4) Presentation from web benefit on websites
Andrew Allen showcased what his company could provide if successful in creating the Wixford community website. He left detailed information with the Councillors and Clerk and answered questions on this subject, notably with regard to a Councillors forum, ease of updating and admin interface.
5) Disclosure of Interest
There were no disclosures of interest.
6) Minutes
Minutes having been circulated were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting in January 2007 and were duly signed by the Chairman.
7) Matters arising therefrom
Village maintenance - Richard Elbourne has surveyed the village, and the notes previously circulated to Councillors as to ongoing works still hold true, but due to the snow and gales have been delayed. Cllr Slaughter also mentioned how busy this team are filling in pot holes at present.
The Clerk has written to Margaret Kember thanking her for her time with the Council and wishing her well. The Council agreed a similar letter should be sent to Tony Taylor, previous Chairman of the Council.
8) Planning
Mr Brookhouse, Moor Hall Farm: Four new fishing lakes with associated access track and car parking areas, all landscaped on completion.
Cllr Kim James to give Cllr Matthew Smith the result of his research with regard to the planning departments handling of his objection.
Cllr Kim James apologised on behalf of SDC for their admin error and explained the planning department are looking at the way they notify residents of events. He also pointed out that the senior planning officer can pull items from the agenda. Cllr Smith explained he was still awaiting a written response and was considering going to the ombudsman. THIS IS CLLR SMITH AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND NOT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL. Kim explained if he did so the ward members could not become involved, and also pointed out that a planning decision could not be reversed.
Much debate ensued and it was metered again that the Council should turn up and speak at the planning meetings. It was decided to appoint a Councillor to speak at any such meeting on a rotating basis.
Kim explained various points in connection with this issue including that a final updated sheet was provided only at the meeting, as an appendix to the agenda, so people attending meetings would have privy to more information.
Cllr Fryer and Cllr Smith both stated they thought the current system unfair.
Application No: 07/00164/FUL
Mr & Mrs Buxton, Lodge View: Two storey extension to rear of house to provide an additional garage and a front porch. No Objections
07/00175/FUL Mr & Mrs Coote, Midway: Demolition of flat roofed garage and utility area ? Erection of two storey extensions to front, side and rear. Support
9) Environment and Safety
A) Fire Service - Bidford: The Clerk has written to Cllrs Hobbs and Chattaway, MP John Maples and William Brown (Chief Fire Officer), also having a couple of telephone conversations with Cllr Chattaway (Chairman of the meeting on this issue):
Karen concurred that although there has been media coverage of this issue, and it does need to be monitored, no changes will be made within the next financial year, and possibly none beyond that.
Cllr James agreed with the Clerks comments and added that no group had asked for huge savings, no proposal had been put forward and the only consideration currently was closing Bedworth (home of the fire officers union!).
B) Speedaware: Was installed and will rotate in three weekly intervals with other parishes. We will also have a man with a tripod five times a year. Karen explained WCC are currently having problems with the sockets to the visors, but this is currently being rectified. It was noted as proven that a temporary system works better than a permanent one.
C) Best Kept Village: The Council unanimously agreed to enter this competition for the coming year.
D) Resurfacing of A46: Both the Clerk and Cllr Fryer have looked into this, including noise surveys, baffles and different types of road surfacing.
The Clerk is to involve Salford Priors and John Maples MP, as well as Wixford in further discussions.
10) Finance
1) Awards for all: The Clerk pointed out the deadline for involvement with SDC was the 12th of March, after which they will be able to give a clear idea of costings of services and equipment hopefully be 23rd March. Karen said a new project manager would be overseeing this (Mike Hodgkiss) and he would also be looking at the possibility of providing scanners and OHPs to Councils, as there seems to be a demand.
The Clerk has also sourced a very reasonable and very portable OHP from Viking.
We will wait and compare costs.
We have ordered two laptops from SDC.
2) Standard Usage Policy: In light of the Council obtaining and using computers in the near future, a Standard Usage Policy was adopted at this meeting.
Proposed: Cllr Fryer Seconded: Cllr Smith.
3) Quality Parish Status:
We are on our way, but must ensure the parish assembly and meeting of the Council are minuted properly and the Chairman?s report is delivered to all households (with contact details of the Council), via the newsletter.
Cllr Slaughter advised that SDC could offer help with printing costs for the newsletter.
Cllr Smith advised he will not seek re-election come the time, and someone else would need to do the newsletter.
4) Digital Challenge: SDC are awaiting a result today, if successful the parishes, including Wixford, will become involved.
5) Insurances: Karen pointed out that we had reviewed our cover in July last year, when we added Personal Accident and Libel and Slander cover, it was decided that our existing cover was adequate for a further year, subject to review when we buy our laptops and other related equipment from the Awards for All funding.
Payments between meetings
None.
11) Accounts for payment
Cheque No 256 Clerks Salary/Expenses £ 383.08
Cheque No 257 WRCC £ 15.00
Accounts authorised for payment:
Proposed: Cllr Fryer - Seconded Cllr Smith
Cheques Signed: Cllr Smith - Countersigned Cllr Pierson
12)
A) Correspondence
29/01/07 - WCC - Minerals Core Strategy - Preferred Options (Cllr Hales to read)
29/01/07 - SDC - Notice of no Election ? Go ahead to Co-opt a Councillor
08/02/07 - John Maples MP - Re: Bidford fire station
08/02/07 - Cllr Richard Chattaway - Re: Bidford fire station
09/02/07 - William Brown - Re: Bidford fire station
09/02/07- Cllr Richard Hobbs - Re: Bidford fire station
12/02/07 - Consultation on amendments to 'Code of Conduct'
17/02/07 - Correspondence between Mr Maples & Mr Brown Re: Bidford fire station (Copied to Councillors)
12/03/07 - Notice of election of a District Councillor - Bidford and Salford
B) Correspondence to table:
28/02/07 - WCC - Essentials
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25 pm
Colin Hales Chairman
8th May 2007
13th September, 2007