MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WIXFORD
11th September 2007 AT 7.30 P.M.
Present: Councillor Colin Hales (in the Chair)
Councillors Jack Fryer, Matthew Smith, Jon Haworth and Chris Pierson
Clerk: Karen Parnell
In attendance: District Councillor Brian Slaughter
County Councillor Peter Barnes
Plus one member of the public
Comments from the Public
George confirmed Severn Trent had completed works regarding the flooding of his cellar.
1) District and County Councillors reports
Cllr Peter Barnes - Highlighted concerns regarding the floods, notably drains and jetting thereof being an issue. Cllr Barnes metered some success on this issue locally, but pointed out blockages down to the Arrow and overhanging trees contributed to problems. Cllr Barnes has procured £18,000 towards enabling drop kerbs at Home Farm, and works commenced on 11 of these last week.
The Government have asked the County Council to submit their views on many issues ranging from climate control to pregnant women. Cllr Barnes also said windmills could greatly decrease costs to the County Council and commented on the increased traffic due to the works on the A46.
Cllr Brian Slaughter - Commented on the Highways Authority meeting regarding the A46 (covered later) and that current improvement works were going well.
He said John Maples MP is a huge help.
Brian said the district councillors would be putting together a report on the flooding, and also promoted the Government funding of £250 to each affected property.
He also said this is the time when SDC concentrates on budgets.
2) Apologies
Cllr Kim James
3) Disclosures of Interest
There were no disclosures of interest.
4) Minutes
Minutes having been circulated were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting in July 2007 and were duly signed by the Chairman.
5) Matters arising therefrom
All covered elseware in the agenda.
6) Village maintenance
Repairs to fence adjacent to Wixford bridge:
This work was has been completed by Acorn Landscapes at a cost of £ 89.00,
But not to a great standard as nails have now come out. Karen will ask for the job to be made right when forwarding payment.
Quote for extension of fence to 131 ft for enhancement of village
It was decided this could not be done as the ground is moving. Karen will write to the Chief Executive of the County Council with a view to rectifying this.
Stone House, Wixford - Flooding problems:
After even more e mails and telephone conversations, and further to the meeting on Thursday 5th July with Richard Elbourne (WCC) and Nick Gostick (Severn Trent) Karen finally got Severn Trent to enlist a team to excavate with a view to locating and solving the problem on Thursday 16th August, sewer repairs were completed on the 3rd of September and jetting was completed on the 6th of September.
Footpaths
This item was removed from the agenda as the member of public asking for this was not present.
7) Planning
Application No: 07/02092/FUL
Mr and Mrs White, Fish Inn: Open sided canopy
Support
The Council discussed planning issues concerning the Fish Inn and expressed some sympathy regarding the flood damage and structures put in place to enable them to keep trading.
8) Environment and Safety
Floods
Culvert - Karen has spoken to Dave Tiley SDC and Richard Elbourne WCC who
sent engineers to look at the culvert on Exhall Road - It transpires the cleaning
out of sand and gravel is the landowners responsibility.
Flood 'Drop In' at Bidford Parish Council on 18/08/07 - Jon and Colin attended
as did two residents affected by the floods in Wixford.
Meeting in Alcester with Environment Agency 12/09/07 - Matt and Colin to
attend.
Newsletter - Progress report - the September issue will contain the adoption of the new Code of Conduct as required under s 51 (b) LGA 2000 as well as community links information for villagers. Our new Quality Parish Status and Website will also be promoted.
Best Kept Village Competition 2007 - We are a DISTRCT WINNER.
Presentation 29th September in Sambourne: As nobody can attend Karen will ask for this award to be posted to us.
Re-surfacing of A46 - Karen met with John Maples MP, Amjid Raza of the Highways Agency and Cllr Brian Slaughter on 13th July to hopefully make some progress on this issue. Mr Maples has written to Ruth Kelly MP asking for a change in policy (copies of letter circulated to Councillors). Our only options are a change in policy or budget and or enlisting the HSE.
John Maples wrote again in September saying there was no more he could do on this issue at this stage. Both Karen and Cllr Slaughter will do all they can to keep this issue on the boil, but no quick solution can be found.
Bidford Fire Station
After much media coverage and a local campaign, further to the independent review Bidford looks to be safe and may even be expanded.
9) Finance
External Audit
The external audit has been completed, at a much higher cost than previous
years - We received an unqualified audit opinion - The closure of audit will now
be publicised.
Bank Reconciliation
Was produced, and expounded upon by the Clerk.
Awards for all
One of the laptops was forwarded to reside with the Chairman.
Colin has attended a further training course in computing with SDC.
Broadband for the Chairman:
It was agreed to use some of the Awards for All money to provide Broadband for Colin. Karen provided him with various quotes and contact numbers. This will have to be done in his own name and invoiced to the Council on quarterly basis.
Proposed: Cllr Matt Smith - Seconded Cllr Jon Haworth.
It was also agreed to purchase a printer for the Chairman.
Proposed: Cllr Jack Fryer - Seconded Cllr Jon Haworth.
Website:
The Wixford Website has now been built by webbenefit. We are awaiting the domain name to be swapped over.
Cllr Matt Smith has researched publishing computer packages useful to developing the newsletter and produced costs. It was agreed to buy one at a cost of around £450.
Proposed: Cllr Jack Fryer - Seconded Cllr Chris Pierson.
Quality parish status
This was assessed on 31/08/07:
We have achieved quality parish status. The decision of the panel was unanimous - The Clerk has issued a press release and written to Paul Lankester and Jim Graham.
Insurances - We have now received documentation for Laptop insurance
Funding for the Clerk taking the Degree in Local Policy
Karen asked if off the back of the Quality Parish Status she could apply for the £500 potential funding to use towards obtaining the Degree in Local Policy. After much consideration this was agreed by the full Council.
The Council can apply for up to £500 funding each financial year.
Payments between meetings
Cheque No 270 Allianz Cornhill (Laptop insurance) £ 78.99
10) Accounts for payment
Cheque No 269 Clerks Salary/Expenses £ 392.42
Cheque No 271 Acorn Landscapes (E Hayward) £ 89.00
Cheque No 272 Webbenefit Ltd £ 846.00
Cheque No 273 Karen Parnell (Bursary from NALC towards Degree) £ 200.00
Cheque No 274 Clement Keys (External Audit) £ 170.38
Accounts authorised for payment:
Proposed: Cllr Pierson - Seconded Cllr Haworth
Cheques Signed: Cllr Haworth - Countersigned Cllr Pierson
11)
A) Correspondence
11/07/07 - SDC - Extending your home - Draft planning advice note.
(Circulated to Councillors)
18/07/07 - Allianz Cornhill - Revised insurance to include laptops.
20/07/07 - Copy of letter from John Maples MP to Ruth Kelly MP
Re: A46 (Circulated to Councillors)
10/08/07 - Information regarding Best Kept Village competition
15/08/07 - Highways Agency - Info regarding A46 resurfacing at Temple Grafton (Copied to Councillors).
18/08/07 - Correspondence from John Maples MP Re: A46
(Copied to Councillors)
20/08/07 - District Councillors Report August 2007 (Copied to Councillors)
01/09/07 - WCC - Local Transport Plan 2006/2007
01/09/07 - SDC ' Claim it! ' Info on benefits (Circulated / Promoted)
01/09/07 - SDC Press Release regarding flooding info (Circulated / Promoted)
05/09/07 - WALC - Letter confirming our Quality Parish Status
05/09/07 - NALC - Bursary for Clerk (£200)
11/09/07 - Clement Keys - External Audit
11/09/07 - John Maples MP - Letter re A46 Resurfacing.
B) Correspondence to table:
N/A
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15 pm
Colin Hales Chairman
13th November 2007
14th November, 2007