Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held in
The Village Hall, Wixford on Tuesday the 8th of May, 2007 commencing at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Councillor Colin Hales (in the Chair)
Councillors Chris Pierson, Matthew Smith, Jon Haworth
Clerk: Karen Parnell
In attendance: District Councillors Kim James, Brian Slaughter
Plus one member of the public
Apologies: Cllr Jack Fryer
1. Apologies.
Cllr Jack Fryer notified the Clerk of his unavailability in good time, as did Cllr Slaughter, who had to attend a meeting at Stratford District Council. In fact Cllr Slaughter arrived at 8.00 pm
2. Councillors made their Declarations of Acceptance of Office.
3. To Elect a Chairman for the ensuing Municipal Year.
Cllr Colin Hales was elected as Chairman for the ensuing Municipal Year, and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Proposed: Cllr Smith Seconded: Cllr Pierson.
4. To Elect a Vice-Chairman for the ensuing Municipal Year.
In his absence Cllr Jack Fryer was elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing Municipal Year.
Proposed: Cllr Hales Seconded: Cllr Smith
5. A) Adoption of the new Code of Conduct for Wixford Parish Councillors Re The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 - (Circulated to Councillors).
The Council resolved to adopt the Standards Board Model Code for Parish and Town Councils with effect from the 8th of May 2007.
All Councillors present filled in a new Declaration of Interests Form, and the Clerk has sent one to Cllr Fryer for him to complete. Karen will then forward these to the Monitoring Officer at SDC, and advise him and the Standards Board of the adoption of the new Code of Conduct.
This adoption will now be publicised in our newsletter and the local press.
B)
Disclosure of Interests. Councillors are asked to declare personal interests in any items on the agenda. Councillors are reminded that the Code of Conduct that takes effect from 8th May 2007 provides that should they have a prejudicial interest in any matter under discussion they should withdraw from the room and not seek to influence a decision about the matter.
There were no disclosures of interests.
6. To appoint a Parish Council Representative to the Village Hall Charity for the
ensuing Municipal Year.
Cllr Matthew Smith was elected as our Representative for the ensuing Municipal Year.
Proposed: Cllr Haworth Seconded: Cllr Hales.
7. To appoint a Representative to the Wilcox and Allen Charity for the ensuing
Municipal year.
Following Mrs Kember's resignation, Cllr Jon Haworth was elected as our Representative
for the ensuing Municipal Year.
Proposed: Cllr Hales Seconded: Cllr Pierson
8. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13th March, 2007, and assembly of 3rd April.
Were agreed by the Council to be an accurate record of these two meetings, and were duly signed off by the Chairman as such.
9. Matters arising therefrom.
Removal of signs on Grafton Road.
Karen had researched that as these signs were small yellow ones, they have no legal standing, so as they become tatty or unnecessary, they are taken down and not replaced.
Resurfacing of A46
Letters send to Highways Agency from the Clerk and John Maples MP (Copies sent to Councillors) Karen had received a response from the Highways Agency (Copied to Councillors). Mr Maples has not received a response to his letter as yet.
The Highways Agency are maintaining that the resurfacing requested does not fall under the necessary ?Sift Criteria? ie The environmental impact does not outweigh the cost.
We will await a response from Mr Maples before deciding further action.
Village Maintenance
Various works have been carried out to include:
Amen corner: Signs ordered 16/04/07
Ennister lane: Overhanging trees have been cut back
Sign opposite Three Horseshoes: Ordered sign with longer pole (3M) It would be unsafe to move it).
Lay-by: Hot pot hole filled - Marker post ordered (Fish side).Still needs doing, although thought to be done!
Jet testing - Jetted and cleaned out in January (Fish / Lodge View) Not done, although they say it is! Clerk to chase David Ellisdon (Who is deputising for Richard Elbourne). Promised it will be done before the end of May. Also Karen has asked Mr Ellisdon to accompany Cllr Hales on a tour of the village to establish future areas needing attention.
10. Comments from the public relating to items on this Agenda.
George Haines of Stonehouse, Wixford., outlined his ongoing problems with regard to the flooding of his cellar, pointing out that nobody seemed to be taking responsibility.
The problems stem from the piping running down to the river Arrow being blocked.
George said that drain from the highway was piped to the river, but when the river was dredged the pipe was shortened and it is now blocked. Severn Trent are expected to look at the problem on 11/05/07. Cllr James advised George not to withhold payment to Severn Trent as did Karen, as they are two separate issues. Karen and Kim will liaise and involve Dave Tiley, Flood Defence Officer at SDC.
11. Planning:
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 - Granted with Conditions
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 ? Granted with Conditions
07/00728/FUL Mr & Mrs T Ley, The Barns, Wixford: Construction of car sheds and stables.Object - Request referral to committee.
If referred Cllr Smith will speak if available, the Clerk will advise any progress.
Likely to be 14/06/07 or 02/08/07.
Corner Cottage:
In light of issues concerning planning infringement regarding hedge removal, this has now been placed with SDC enforcement.
Cllr Matthew Smith requested that when we have the laptops, we access PDF files relating to planning issues at future meetings (TBC).
The first half of our Precept banked, £ 2500 0n 03/05.2007
12. To complete the Annual Financial Return for the year ending 31st March, 2007:-
a) Chairman to sign The Statement of Accounts;
This was done and the RFO countersigned.
b) Councillors to complete the Statement of Assurance;
This was universally agreed by the Council.
c) Chairman to sign the Bank Reconciliation as at 31st March, 2007.
Done by both Chairman and RFO with the consent of the Council.
13. Finance.
14. Accounts for payment.
Clerks Salary £ 393.18 Cheque 258
Insurance £ 306.28 Cheque 259
WALC Subscription £ 64.00 Cheque 260
Viking Direct £ 23.50 Cheque 261
Data Protection £ 35.00 Cheque 262
St Milburga?s Churchyard £ 300.00 Cheque 263 *
* This item missing the agenda, but deemed as urgent business.
Cheques Proposed: Cllr Smith Seconded: Cllr Pierson
Signed: Cllr Pierson Seconded: Cllr Haworth.
15. To deal with any correspondence.
28/03/07 - SDC 'Decorum' - Standards and Ethics Newsletter
29/03/07 - WCC notification of temporary road closures due to resurfacing:
C215 Ryknild Street, Bidford on Avon - 2 weeks between 23/04/07 and 01/06/07
C67 Evesham Road, Bidford on Avon - 3 days between 23/04/07 and 01/06/07
(Information placed on notice board)
Allianz Cornhill - Insurance renewal.
03/05/07 - Reply to Karen's letter from the Highways Agency.
05/05/07 - Invitation to training:The new model code of conduct 2007, Karen and Colin will attend on 11/06/07.
16. Councillors reports, comments and items for future Agendas.
The District Councillors report was distributed to Councillors
Kim asked for the Councils support on with regard to the Community Health Hospital in Alcester and British Forces Postage. Support was duly given on both of these issues.
Kim also pointed out the current make up of SDC after the elections:
Out of 53 seats: 37 Conservative, 14 Lib Dem and 2 Independent (21% Tory majority).
Kim also outlined the problems with the electronic counting, which went on to the early hours with no result and was resumed manually the next day. Wonderful Canadian system.
Concerns were also raised about the larger ballot papers, not least as they must be stored for seven years.
Meeting closed: 8.30 pm
Colin Hales Chairman
10th July 2007
13th September, 2007