MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WIXFORD
13th November 2007 AT 7.30 P.M.
Present: Councillor Colin Hales (in the Chair)
Councillors Jack Fryer, Chris Pierson, Matthew Smith
Clerk: Karen Parnell
In attendance:
District Councillors Kim James, Brian Slaughter and Daren Pemberton
County Councillor Peter Barnes
Plus six members of the public
Apologies: Cllr Jon Haworth
The Council observed two minutes silence for the firemen who died at Atherstone.
1) Comments from the Public
Many concerns were raised on culverts and flooding issues, notably concerning specific addresses including Corner Cottage, Willow Farm, Church Lane, Haybrook House and nearby properties.
Also, drains, grids in Enniston Lane and manholes all need attention and overhanging hedges in Grafton Road need addressing.
The Clerk advised that Culverts would be looked at in the near future with a strategic approach, and the drains and manholes were also being addressed.
2) Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Jon Haworth in good time and for a valid reason.
3) Disclosure of Interest
There were no disclosures of interest.
4) Minutes
Minutes having been circulated were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting in September 2007 and were duly signed by the Chairman, but with the amendment that a vote of thanks was conveyed to the Clerk for obtaining Quality Parish Status which was not minuted.
5) District and County Councillor's reports
Cllrs Kim, Daren and Brian outlined the new contract and arrangements for waste collection, which was approved by the SDC Executive yesterday. It will involve a three wheelie bin system: Household waste (Grey), Bottles and Card (Recyclables (Blue) and Garden and food (Green). These will be collected on a rotating fortnightly system starting from April 2008.
Kim expressed concern at the extra room needed for the wheelie bins, as well as problems with transportation thereof for the elderly and disabled (but a 'pull out service' will still be available upon request). He warned that chipping bins was also a consideration!
Daren pointed out only one green bin per household would be free and all others would be charged for.
Cllr Peter Barnes felt it inopportune to comment on the fire service and instead talked of greater recycling the above system will enable, WCC Foster Parent Week and offered to co-ordinate between Wixford and WCC until we know if Richard Elbourne will be replaced, and if so by whom. The Clerk will send an e mail outlining concerns.
Matters arising therefrom
Letters between Clerk and WCC re Ground moving and connotations.
Further to a letter from the Clerk to the Chief Executive of WCC, and after three subsequent letters from WCC, the latest on 29/10/07 - They have admitted the area adjacent to the bridge is deformed because of movement. Tony Iwanikiw from County Highways will now inspect, liaise with the Clerk and come up with a solution.
The repair of previous recent fencing was carried out, but this has since collapsed and nothing more can be done until the above issues are addressed.
In light of safety and insurance concerns regarding the above issue, Karen will write to John Deegan of WCC seeking clarification of our position.
6) Planning
Application No: 07/02092/FUL
Mr and Mrs White, Fish Inn: Open sided canopy
Granted with conditions
Application No: 07/02250/FUL
Mr and Mrs Brookhouse, Moor Hall Farm: Single storey and two storey extensions to west and conservatory to south elevation and first floor extensions to west and east
Support - Granted with Conditions
7) Environment and Safety
A) Meetings 2008 - Were agreed unanimously.
B) Newsletter - Progress report - Matt now has the Indesign software and will install it onto the Council's laptop and set up a template. He also commented this will help the newsletter to be produced more easily when he stands down.
Matt is looking at producing a pre-Christmas newsletter. He noted that the information from other Councils is good and makes for an informative newsletter.
C) Website - Progress report - Karen explained that whilst we have a fully functioning website, we are still awaiting the domain name to go from SDC to J NET to enable the public to see it - She is regularly chasing progress.
To enable newsletters to be incorporated into the Website we need Webbenefit to enable PDF downloads at a cost of £ 100 + VAT - the Council agreed this action. Proposed: Cllr Fryer - Seconded: Cllr Smith.
D) Best Kept Village Competition 2007 Award - Is framed and displayed in the noticeboard.
E) A46 Re-surfacing - Karen wrote to Dave Smith, new route performance manager at the Highways Agency welcoming him to the job and outlining our concerns - He responded on 06/11/07 thanking her, but stating there is no action forthcoming and not likely to be in the next five years.
F) Culverts
Karen will meet Nigel Chetwynd WCC and Dave Tiley SDC on 15/11/07 to walk the village and establish what progress can be made. Andy Bean WCC is due to inspect the ditch and manhole soon.
8) Finance
Budget - Precept 2008/09
The budget was expounded upon by the Clerk and the precept for 2008 - 2009 was agreed by the Council to remain at £ 5000.
Proposed: Cllr Fryer - Seconded: Cllr Smith
Bank Reconciliation - Was produced by the Clerk.
Awards for all - End of year report - This was acknowledged on 19/09/07 and will remain on file for seven years.
Printer / Broadband for Colin - Colin now has both installed at his home.
Payments between meetings
Cheque No 276 UKTECHSTORE (Publishing Software) £ 499.95
9) Accounts for payment
Cheque No 275 Clerks Salary/Expenses £ 392.42
Cheque No 277 Viking Direct £ 62.57
Cheque No 278 Viking Direct £ 41.11
Cheque No 279 Webbenefit £ 117.50
Accounts authorised for payment:
Proposed: Cllr Smith - Seconded Cllr Pierson
Cheques Signed: Cllr Pierson - Countersigned Cllr Smith
10)
A) Correspondence
20/09/07 - WCC - Forwarding of letter re land adjacent to Main Road
19/09/07 - Awards for All - Letter re Closure of Grant / Receipt of report
20/09/07 - SDC - Congratulations on our Quality Parish Status
10/10/07 - WCC - R Elbourne - Letter re Fencing at Wixford Bridge
18/10/07 - WALC - Letter Re Quality Status Grant / Application Form
02/11/07 - WCC - Warwickshire Gritting Routes (copy to all Cllrs)
02/11/07 - Salford Priors PC - Re: 'Lengthsman' scheme (copy to all Cllrs)**
03/11/07 - WCC - Wixford River Bridge - Fencing
03/11/07 - NALC - Notice of payscales/backpay for Clerk
03/11/07 - Alcester Town Council - Re Alcester Hospital
06/11/07 - Highways Agency - Dave Smith - Re A46 Resurfacing
** This will be an agenda item in January along with other delegated powers.
B) Correspondence to table: None
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40 pm
Colin Hales Chairman 8th January 2008
8th January, 2008