MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WIXFORD
8th JANUARY AT 7.30 P.M.
Present: Councillor Colin Hales (in the Chair)
Councillors Jack Fryer, Chris Pierson, Matthew Smith and Jon Haworth
Clerk: Karen Parnell
In attendance:
District Councillors Kim James, Brian Slaughter and Daren Pemberton (late)
County Councillor Peter Barnes
No members of the public were in attendance
Apologies: None
1) Comments from the Public
None
2) Apologies
None
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 November 2007 and were duly signed by the Chairman.
5) District and County Councillor's reports
Cllr Brian Slaughter commented on the forthcoming consultations due to take place in Alcester and Stratford as it is budget setting time.
He also pointed out that planning permission for the Fish Inn has been refused.
Cllr Peter Barnes also spoke of budget setting and consultation within the county council. Due to the fire at Atherstone the county have put quarter of a £million in reserve. He said the fire service were unlikely to make any changes until 2009. Funding for schools is currently under review, but the system currently being metered would mean some schools gain while others lose out. He also spoke of drainage and flooding and offered to liaise between the clerk and WCC on these issues. As Richard Elbourne is now working on speed limits in villages, our new contact in his place is Kevin.
6) Matters arising from previous minutes
Village maintenance
Culverts, drains (jetted wc 10/12/07, grids and Manholes (site visits of 15/11/07 Nigel Chetwynd WCC and 07/12/07 Andy Bean WCC both with Dave Tiley SDC and Karen).
The culvert belonging to the Three Horseshoes is the main problem. Karen will ask Dave Tiley at SDC to commence enforcement to get this addressed.
Hedges overhanging Grafton Road (Forestry officer to attend to).
Still waiting!..Karen will progress chase this.
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 - Karen wrote again on 14/11/07 and received letter from WCC regarding the insurance position on 23/11/07. The highways authority and WCC are responsible for insurances.
Karen will meet with Tony Iwanikiw of WCC on 28th January to see what improvements can be made to the area adjacent to Wixford bridge.
7) Planning
Planning
Application No: 07/03056/FUL
Mr and Mrs White, Fish Inn: Outside catering and seating area
Request referral to committee
Refused Due to being on the flood plain and the listed bridge which may be affected. They will have a short time to remove the works completed or risk legal proceedings.
8) Environment and Safety
A) Newsletter - Progress report
Mathew has installed the Indesign software on the council laptop, and received training in how to use it. He will now work on a set of possible templates for future newsletters.
B) Website
Is now up and running and we can save PDFs onto it.
C) Delegated Powers (re s 101 LGA 1972) - 'Lengthsman' Scheme, Grass Cutting and Planning.
Kim outlined that Salford Priors and Bidford are now working with WCC to introduce a 'Lengthman' scheme. It was resolved that Wixford work with them on this project subject to the correct insurances being in place.
Proposed: Cllr Jack Fryer Seconded: Cllr Jon Haworth
Karen is looking into the possibility of quality councils taking on delegated powers from SDC regarding planning issues.
9) Finance
A) Precept
We have requested this from SDC
B) Internal controls
Were reviewed and agreed to be sound
C) Financial regulations of 2004 / Risk assessment of 2006
Were both reviewed recently and are still accurate
D) Standing orders
Were reviewed recently and are still sound, however if we take on delegated powers this should be written into them
E) Interests / Assets register
Now sits at £ 2920
Payments between meetings
None
10) Accounts for payment
Cheque No 280 Clerks Salary/Expenses £ 412.59
Cheque No 281 Society of Local Council Clerks £ 70.00
Cheque No 282 Viking Direct £ 45.84
Cheque No 283 Stratford District Council £ 15.00
Accounts authorised for payment:
Proposed: Cllr Haworth - Seconded Cllr Pierson
Cheques Signed: Cllr Pierson - Countersigned Cllr Haworth
11) Correspondence
23/11/07 Alcester Town Council- Re Parish Liaison on 12/12/07 (Cancelled)
23/11/07 WCC-Re Wixford River Bridge-Ground Movement (Insurance)
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.10 pm
Colin Hales Chairman 11th March 2008
11th March, 2008