Parish Council meeting: Tuesday, 3 March 2015

PDF of the Agenda for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 3 March 2015

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Approved Minutes for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 3 March 2015

These minutes were approved on 7 April 2015

Please noteEvery care has been taken to present this accessible copy of the minutes with accuracy, but the formal record of the meeting remains the signed paper copy of the minutes.

OPEN FORUM

The Chairman welcomed Cllr P Smerdon of Eastmoor Ward, SHDC to the meeting. Cllr Smerdon wished to introduce himself to the Council as he would be standing for election with Cllr Steer and others for the new South Brent Ward at the elections in May. He told Councillors of some of his work within his existing Ward. The Chairman thanked him for coming to the meeting and wished him well.

Four members of the public were present. A parishioner told the Council of both theft and anti-social behaviour taking place within the parish. It was suggested that the Police should be informed about this. The Council was given an update as to the progress of the village hall survey within the parish. The Chairman asked if all parishioners should have received the survey as he knew of some who had not been approached by the organisers. He was told that everyone should have received the forms. It is be possible for parishioners to complete the survey at any time up to the middle of April. Parishioners are asked to contact the Village Hall committee (Not the Parish Council) if they have not received a form but wish to take part. The Council was told that one of the reflectors on the road outside the Higher Moor development in Avonwick had been flattened – drivers are warned against the danger of hitting the kerb at this point. Ms Granados raised further complaints concerning the minutes of previous meetings. After a discussion with Councillors she was informed that the Council felt that it had answered all of her queries at previous meetings and that the Council considered that her complaints were unfounded.

The Chairman read a letter from Cllr R Cooper in which he submitted his resignation from the Council. He stated in his letter that his - “Resignation had nothing to do with his fellow Councillors, all of whom he had great respect for. His wish to leave the Council was because of the totally unacceptable treatment of Parish Councillors by one particular parishioner who, in recent times, had taken to making constant and personal attacks on Councillors, making it very difficult for them to serve the community properly”.

The Chairman expressed the sorrow of the Council at losing Cllr Cooper who was highly valued by everyone and who had given so much for the benefit of the Parish. It was such a shame that one parishioner should have had such a detrimental effect on the work of the Council by behaving in this manner.

Cllr Cooper agreed to continue his work as Emergency Officer for the Council after his resignation. This work is of prime importance for the good of the Parish.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Steer. The bench in North Huish

PRESENT

Councillors Hunt, Luscombe, Pearse, Seager-Berry and District and Parish Councillor Steer and County Councillor Vint

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Childs

MINUTES

Councillors were asked to be sure that they were happy with the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd February 2015 which were then confirmed and signed.

MATTERS ARISING

Cllr Vint reported that progress with the play park traffic signs was slow. The Clerk informed the Council that funding had been obtained from Cllr Steer’s Locality Budget to help with the purchase of the play park covered seating. Permission was given by the Council for a replacement “Jubilee Seat” for North Huish. The Council had received a letter of complaint from a parishioner concerning the positioning of the proposed new seat in North Huish. Councillors agreed to make a site visit before the next meeting.

REPORTS

County Councillor Vint reported on the various cut backs being proposed by the County in order to cope with the reduced funding being made available by the government. Despite alternative proposals being suggested, the county is to reduce expenditure on highways by £1.5million and on public transport by £1.7million. These changes include a drastic reduction to the bus service through Avonwick which will be reduced to one day a week from the present three days. Please see the notice board for details. Parishioners have until 20^th April to comment on this proposal.

District Councillor Steer reported that the District Council would not be increasing its part of the Council Tax this year. He also told the Council of two new appointments at Follaton House. In his work in planning he had become aware of the pressure that some developers are placing on planning officers which he considered to be both unfair and unhelpful. He was asked if he could get Council officers to attend to the rubbish collecting along the sides of the Avonwick-South Brent road.

PLANNING

The Council agreed to support a planning application for a ground and first floor extension at Quarry House, North Huish. The Council also looked at pre-planning documentation for an extension at Rectory Cottage, North Huish. It felt that as it stands the request would not cause any concern to the Council.

CORRESPONDENCE

Specific items of CORRESPONDENCE were noted as follows:

FINANCE:

 

Balance c/f	12,920.86
Income (website)	5.05
Income (interest)	0.42
Exp. (Playpk)	1,600.00
Exp. (Playpk)	1,170.00
Balance c/f	10,156.33

 

This balance is made up as follows:

 

P3 money	149.40
Council funds	10,006.93
Total	10,156.33

 

HIGHWAYS

Damage was reported to the surface of Cobbly Walk. Potholes were reported at Haswell Cross. Fly tipping was reported on the Charford – Elwell road.

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 7^th April 2015 at 7.30pm at St James Church, Avonwick.