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Parish Council: Meeting minutes 23 November 2010Last updated: Tuesday, 23 November 2010, 10:32 PM Hardwick Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 23 November 2010 in the School at 7.45 pm Present: Cllrs I Storr (Chairman), P Joslin, A Gill, J Bowen, N Atkinson, J Stewart and A Freeman. In attendance: Cllr Hawkins (District Cllr for Caldecote Ward) and Mrs A Griffiths (Minutes Secretary, LGS Services). Open public session including reports from the County and District Councillors The written report of County Councillor Fiona Whelan was read in her absence. This covered:
Cllr Tumi Hawkins, District Councillor for Caldecote, outlined the campaign to bring a fast broadband service to the area and asked for the support of the Parish Council in encouraging residents to vote in the BT Race to Infinity competition. It was confirmed that the initiative had the full support of the Parish Council and information had already been placed on the website. Cllr Storr undertook to contact the editor of Hardwick Happenings to ask for this matter to be highlighted in the next issue and to include a statement that the Parish Council urges residents to vote for the service. Cllr Hawkins was thanked for her hard work and efforts and left the meeting. 1. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest Apologies were received from Cllr Chamberlain (work commitments), Cllr Bhachu, and County Councillor Fiona Whelan (family commitment). There were no declarations of interest at this stage. 2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2010 The minutes of the meeting on 26 October 2010 were unanimously approved(Prop JS, 2nd AG) after an amendment to item 7.3 which should read "Cllr Bowen" rather than "Cllr Storr", and were signed by the Chairman. 3. Matters arising and carried forward from the last or previous meeting The Clerk's report was noted. 3.0.1 (3.1) Shrub area near playing field and club car park weed killer 3.0.2 (3.2) Egremont Rd play area fencing repairs Mr Ian Lawson is to be asked to carry out the works as soon as possible. It was noted that the tree works at Blenheim Way and Egremont Road including the work required by the insurance company had been completed. 3.0.3 The Chairman reported that he had been informed of the resignation of the Hardwick Sports and Social Club President, Finance Secretary and Secretary, following a disagreement, and the Parish Council expressed concerns as landlords of the premises. It was noted that an extraordinary general meeting would be held. 3.0.4 (6.1) A148 Barrier Safety The response from the Highways Agency was considered. It was agreed to send a copy to Cllr Fiona Whelan and ask her to pass it to Mark Kemp, Director of Highways, observing that whilst the barrier might meet all the technical designs, there has nevertheless been a fatality. The Parish Council therefore asks when the design of the barrier will be reviewed and requests the support of CCC in pressing for this to be carried out. 3.1 Hardwick Pavilion changing rooms - to consider letter from S Harrington regarding revised fees The letter from Shaun Harrington was considered and it was noted that the costs for Stage 1 had risen to £1,750.00. Following a discussion, it was agreed (Prop PJ, 2nd AF), to write asking Mr Harrington to submit his bill for £1,750.00 representing Stage 1 of the project (planning drawings). The Parish Council has agreed to pay 50% of this and reimbursement of the other 50% will then be sought from the Adults' Football Club, the Colts Football Club, the Cricket Club and Hardwick Sports and Social Club, in the proportions to be confirmed by Mr Gary Arber. On a proposition by the Chairman, it was agreed to vary the order of business to take item 6.2 at this point. 6.2 Funding Opportunities Cllr Bowen reported on his research into three funding schemes, namely the Groundwork Community Spaces small grants scheme, the Big Lottery Fund and the Sport England Sustainable Facilities Fund. The eligibility criteria for these were not felt to be appropriate for the Parish Council. Cllr Bowen offered to continue to explore other sources of funding and report back. This was gratefully accepted. 3.2 (6.2) Salt bin - to consider if an additional bin is required for the path from the school to Egremont Road It was agreed (Prop JS, 2nd AG) to order a salt bin for this location and to inform the school and the County Council asking the latter to fill it as soon as possible. In response to a comment about disabled access, the Parish Council, whilst writing, will draw the School's attention to the fact that the ramp at the entrance to the School has no rail and ask them to look into the matter and take steps to enhance safety. 4. Correspondence/communications received 4.1 British Heart Foundation - request to site clothing bank in Hardwick It was unanimously agreed (Prop JS, 2nd AG) to site a bin in the village, and to write to Hardwick Sports and Social Club explaining that the Parish Council has agreed to locate a clothing bank at the Egremont Road end of the car park and expressing the hope that HSSC will regard this as a good idea. 5. Planning applications and decision notices 5.1 Planning applications received 5.1.1 S/1681/10 - Variation of condition 14 of application S/1204/O to replace play equipment with financial contribution to Hardwick Parish Council - former Enterprise Café Site - to note the response submitted between meetings. The applications sought simply to regularise the application to note that a deed of variation has been completed which gave the Parish Council the money in lieu of the play equipment that was originally requested by the planning condition. The Parish Council had recommended approval 5.2 SCDC Decision and appeal notices S/1395/10/F - 4 Ashmead Drive - demolition of existing conservatory and construction of enlarged rear extension - approved by SCDC. Noted. 5.3 Tree works applications 5.3.1 16 Main Street Cllr Freeman declared a personal and prejudicial interest as the owner of the property and left the meeting. It was agreed (Prop PJ, 2nd AG) that the Parish Council has no objection to the tree works. Cllr Freeman re-joined the meeting. 6. Members reports and items for decision 6.1 CCC P3 meeting on 2 December and letter from Kate Day Cllr Joslin undertook to attend the P3 meeting and will report back to the Parish Council. The questionnaire was considered and the questions answered as follows: Q2 - none completed Q3 - The Parish Council does wish to continue with membership of the scheme. Q4 - Landowners, not the Parish Council, have been cutting the paths. Cllr Joslin will raise this at the meeting and find out whether CCC is paying the landowners to do so. 6.2 Funding opportunities Dealt with earlier. 7. Finance, risk assessment and procedural matters On a proposition by the Chairman, it was agreed to vary the order of business to take items 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 next. 7.2 Grass cutting contract - Play area by the Church and the Limes Estate The Parish Council was very pleased with the work carried out by Jim Rogers and in the light of this, agreed to write asking for his prices to continue the work on the same basis as at present, in time for the next meeting, and asking whether he would be prepared to hold his prices for three years, in which it would be willing to consider awarding a three-year contract. Carried forward to the next meeting. 7.3 Play area inspection reports and skate park inspection report Cllrs Stewart and Bowen submitted their reports. Cllr Freeman undertook to submit his report as soon as possible and Cllr Bhachu is to be asked to send his reports. Cllr Stewart reported that the area where the mound had been removed at the Church Play area was looking rather bare and enquired whether it had yet been seeded. This is to be clarified with the contractor. It was noted that a light at the skatepark SC11B has been out of order for some time and this is to be reported. 7.4 December meeting It was agreed that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 December. 7.1 To receive the financial report and approve the payment of bills The financial report was received and considered and invoices and bank statements were checked. The payments as listed in the report, plus Warton and Clark £525.00 (skip hire), were approved for payment(Prop PJ, 2nd NA) An invoice from Briar Security £211.50, is to be clarified before payment and this was carried forward to the next meeting. As only one signatory was present, arrangements are to be made for the second signature on the cheques. Credits received since the last meeting were noted.
The quotation of £50 plus VAT from Signwork Ltd to amend the "you are here" location on the map by the Church was unanimously accepted. (Prop JS, 2nd PJ) 8. Members items for the next agenda and for the Clerk's information and Closure of meeting 8.0.1 Cllr Joslin reported that potholes in Egremont Road adjacent to No 7 - 9, approximately 100 yards down Egremont Road, have still not been fixed and there is a crack across the road. This is to be chased again. 8.0.2 Cllr Whelan is to be asked to report a pothole at Green End, Comberton, at the Long Road end. 8.0.3 Cllr Joslin reported that a "for sale" sign has been left at the edge of the playing fields for some time. Cllr Storr undertook to telephone the agents and ask them to remove it. 8.0.4 Cllrs Storr and Gill will attend a Speedwatch meeting with the Police on 8 December. There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.20pm.
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