ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
Thursday 15th April 2010 at 7.15 pm in the Red House
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15th April 2010 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
PRESENT: Cllrs. D Beechey (Vice Chair), G Beechey, N Hester, M Holden, P Illes, D Johnson,
R Kidson, J MacLachlan, J Nelson, M Pate, S Pate, S Pledger.
PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. L Warrilow, Chair of Governors of Albrighton Primary School, informed councillors that the new changing rooms at the school, the skateboard park and the new football pitches were now all in operation. He thanked the parish council for its support during the previous two years. The swimming pool was now being relined and new procedures are promised in terms of the operation of the facility. The pool was likely to be ready for the beginning of May. Mr Warrilow was thanked for all of his work over the last few years.
The purchase of a new set of steps for the pool was discussed and who was providing them. Mr Warrilow assured the council that it was appropriate for APC to place the order. Cllr. Pledger also raised the issue of lights which were being left on around the pool all night that was costly to the school and environmentally wasteful. Mr Warrilow promised to look into the matter.
1. APOLOGIES:
Cllrs. R Balkwill, P Lusk, D Murray.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Personal:
Cllr. Pledger declared a personal interest in item 11.
Prejudicial:
Cllr. M Pate declared a prejudicial interest in item 15.
Cllr. S Pate declared a prejudicial interest in item 15.
Cllr. Nelson declared a prejudicial interest in item 17.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting 18th March 2010:
Cllr. Illes proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Holden and unanimously approved.
Minutes of the Parish Council planning meeting 1st April 2010:
Cllr. M Pate proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Kidson and unanimously approved.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
Cllr. Hester said that he had raised the issue of the parlous state of the Old Smithy at the meeting on 1st April and he had been told that nothing could be done to clear the rubble because of an environmental survey that was taking place. He wanted to know who was doing the survey and he pointed out that the boundary fence was now leaning and restricting the width of the pavement which was an infringement of Shropshire County regulation. Cllr M Pate agreed and said new boarding was needed to protect pedestrians.
Resolved: The clerk to write to the owner of the Smithy asking him to replace the boarding around it in order to allow free use of the pavement.
Cllr. M Pate also asked about the new large garage and the new fence at houses in Patshull Road. The clerk told members that the enforcement officer had been informed and he had been to the village to view the properties concerned and talk to the owners.
Cllr. G Beechey asked about the land outside the station which could be used for parking and was told that the Civic Society was looking into this matter and parking facilities in the village. A meeting was being arranged in early May with the rail authorities to discuss parking and other issues related to the station.
5. PLANNING:
Planning applications:
· 10/01236/TPO Felling of a lime tree (Shropshire Council Land to the south of Station Road) TPO 2010, replant with a recommended species 13 Redford Drive, Albrighton.
The clerk explained that the tree covered four properties with small gardens. All of the owners wanted the tree removed because it was ruining their gardens making them virtually unusable and incapable of growing any plants. The tree was a large lime which was in a healthy condition and did not represent a danger to the public. Cllr. Nelson said that he tended to support the wishes of the house owners and proposed that the tree should be removed and replaced with a more appropriate species which should then be given protected status. Cllr. Illes seconded the motion which was carried by a majority of 7-1.
6. DCAE COSFORD REPORT:
Wing Commander Stanford informed members that DCAE Cosford was now in an election close down and so speculation about the location of the college was not allowed although a decision about its future was likely after the election and before the summer recess. The college was still trying to identify a community development officer to liaise with parish councils. Wing Commander Stanford informed the meeting that the Red Arrows would not be taking part in the next air show following an accident in Crete.
7. POLICE REPORT:
PC Salt handed out the latest police crime statistics for the area which showed little variation over the previous month. Speed enforcement measures were still being undertaken and speeding tickets had been handed out for offences in Newport Road.
There had been instances of underage drinking at Abney Avenue and a meeting had been arranged for 27th April to discuss ways of dealing with this anti-social behaviour. The young peoples’ drop in centre was facing difficulties because of a lack of volunteers and Cllr. M Pate suggested that the youth service should be involved with this new service. He promised to look into the matter and report back to the council. Cllr. Pledger asked about vehicle crime for which there had been no detection and violence against the person.
8. FINANCE:
Bank reconciliation March 2010:
The clerk reported that a bank reconciliation was not yet available because the end of year accounts were being prepared for the internal auditor but it was clear that the balance for the year end would be in the region of £90,000. A full report would be available at the next parish council meeting.
List of cheques for approval:
A list of 19 cheques for payment was presented for approval. Cllr. M Pate proposed that the cheques should be approved which was seconded by Cllr Johnson and agreed by members.
|
Date |
Cheque No. |
Payee |
Amount |
|
31.03.10 |
2656 |
Alb. Village Halls Trust room hire |
20.00 |
|
31.03.10 |
2657 |
Shropshire Council, de-silting of Donington Pool |
15,000.00 |
|
31.03.10 |
2658 |
JC and SC Nelson office rent for April |
291.67 |
|
31.03.10 |
2659 |
Alb. Primary School heating grant for changing rooms |
120.00 |
|
31.03.10 |
2660 |
Bea landscape design war memorial plans |
920.00 |
|
06.04.10 |
2661 |
Flyer contractor bus pass refund |
284.00 |
|
06.04.10 |
2662 |
Flyer contractor bus pass refund |
249.00 |
|
06.04.10 |
2663 |
J P Lennard swimming pool steps |
780.09 |
|
15.04.09 |
2664 |
Clerk April salary |
£1036.99 |
|
15.04.10 |
2665 |
Village Warden April salary |
197.97 |
|
15.04.10 |
2666 |
Litter Warden April salary |
79.00 |
|
15.04.10 |
2667 |
Flyer contractor bus pass refund |
174.00 |
|
15.04.10 |
2668 |
Flyer contractor bus pass refund |
323.00 |
|
15.04.10 |
2669 |
SALC/NALC annual subscription |
1165.98 |
|
15.04.10 |
2670 |
NALC LCR magazine annual subscription |
168.00 |
|
15.04.10 |
2671 |
AON Ltd annual insurance premium |
2373.93 |
|
15.04.10 |
2672 |
Keith Gibson Cars Flyer servicing and fuel |
713.84 |
|
15.04.10 |
2673 |
Severn Trent Water office water bill |
49.54 |
|
15.04.10 |
2674 |
Viking Direct paper, pens |
48.02 |
|
|
|
Total expenditure for the month |
23995.03 |
9. TO CONFIRM A GRANT OF £1,000 TO THE SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB:
The clerk informed members that no grant had been paid to the Sports and Social Club in Loak Road other than the ongoing agreement to fund the improvements to the football pitch which would continue until the early summer of 2010. Mr Paul Cottle, representing the Sports and Social Club, had formed the impression that a grant of £1,000 had been allocated and had enquired when the funding would be made available. Cllr. M Pate proposed that Mr Cottle should submit his grant application with accompanying accounts in the normal way and it would be considered by the grants committee at the earliest opportunity. The motion was seconded by Cllr. Kidson and agreed by the council.
10. SHROPSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK SITE ALLOCATIONS AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT: CONSULTATION ON “ISSUES AND OPTIONS”:
Members had been circulated with a copy of Cllr. D Beechey’s response to the document from Shropshire Council. Councillors agreed to seek other responses from members and debate the issue at its meeting on 20th May 2010. Cllr. Beechey was thanked for his contribution to this important consultation.
11. CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE WAITING RESTRICTIONS IN GARRIDGE CLOSE AND NEWHOUSE LANE, ALBRIGHTON:
Cllr. Pledger informed the council that local residents in the roads concerned had been circulated with the proposals and were generally in favour of the recommendations. Councillors agreed that the proposals were helpful and should command the support of the parish council. Cllr. Nelson pointed out that one of the recommendations was to paint yellow parking restriction lines on the brick surface in Garridge Close and this was unsightly. Members agreed with this observation and asked the clerk to contact the officer concerned to discuss ways to minimise the impact of this measure.
12. CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE SPEED LIMIT ON CROSS ROAD, ALBRIGHTON:
Councillors supported the proposal to change the 30 mph sign to 40mph at the entrance to the village in Cross Road which would reduce to 30 mph before the new roundabout at the junction of Elm Road and Cross Road. Members noted that the schedule of works would not be completed in time for the start of the school summer term.
13. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PARISH MEETING 22ND APRIL 2010 AT 7.00 PM:
Members noted that Mr Brian Bennett from Shropshire Council would be speaking at the meeting on highways matters and the Albrighton Traders would be making a presentation on future plans and ways in which the parish council could lend support. Cllr. Pledger suggested a third presentation by the PCT on the future management of medical records. The clerk agreed to contact the PCT to enquire whether a suitable representative was available to attend the meeting.
14. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 20TH MAY 2010 AT 7.OO PM:
Cllr. Beechey informed members that the AGM would precede the monthly parish council meeting on 20th May with a 7.00 pm start. The agenda would include the election of the chair and vice chair of the council and representatives to serve on the various committees which the council supported.
15. REMOVAL OF COUNCIL MATERIALS FROM THE OLD SCHOOL:
Councillors agreed to ask the driver of the compaction skip which was scheduled to collect waste in the village on 17th April to drive to the Old School to load surplus materials on to the skip. This would mean that no council property would be left in the building which was currently for sale. Cllr. Johnson agreed to contact Mr. Bill Middle of the Red House to inform him of these arrangements and to supervise the collection of the waste materials.
16. TO FURTHER CONSIDER THE PRESENTATION FROM MR. S McCLOY FROM SHROPSHIRE TOURISM AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR ALBRIGHTON:
Cllr. Nelson proposed that the council needed to establish a new web site aimed at exploiting the tourist potential of the village and invest in new brown signs at key entrances to the village. He also proposed that a new group should be established to include the parish council and other key local organisations to develop policy in this area. It would need an appropriate budget to support its proposals. Cllr. Nelsons proposals were seconded by Cllr. Kidson and were unanimously agreed by the council. Cllrs. Hester, Kidson, MacLachlan, Nelson and M Pate volunteered to serve on the proposed new tourism action group.
The clerk agreed to ask the litter warden to begin a cleaning campaign of street signs.
17. UPDATE ON THE PARISH OFFICE/COUNTY ACCESS POINT:
Cllr. Nelson informed the council that the access officer had produced her report which was
supportive of the project and he had emailed a draft lease to Nigel Ford at Shropshire Council. He had suggested that Shropshire Council and the parish council should be joint tenants and he was meeting his builder on 16th April to discuss the agreed alterations to the office.
The council noted the arrangements and asked for an update at the next meeting.
18. UNITARY AUTHORITY REPORT:
Cllr. M Pate reported that major cuts to the county budget of up to 25% were being suggested which could result in wide spread closures over the coming months despite the fact that the county did have some reserves following reorganisation. The effects of closures and cutbacks are likely to last for several years whichever party is elected on 6th May. Cllr. Nelson stated that his experience of working with Shropshire Council suggested that a considerable sum of money is wasted and that staffing at the county could be reduced without it leading to a noticeable reduction in service. Cllr. MacLachlan asked whether the cuts being discussed would affect the parish council but members agreed that without firm proposals being made public it was difficult to calculate the effects in particular circumstances.
19. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS:
Cllr Illes reported that the road safety group had failed to meet and the clerk was asked to contact the chair and ascertain the date of the next meeting.
Cllr. Johnson reported that a grant application had been made to the War Memorials Trust for the refurbishment of the war memorial in Newport Road. A decision was expected in early May, 2010.
20. CORRESPONDENCE:
Correspondence for information was received and noted.
The correspondence relating to the Shrewsbury North West Relief Road asking for views on the proposals was noted.
21. DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
· Annual Parish Meeting Thursday 22nd April 2010 at 7.00 pm in the Red House.
· Local Joint Committee Wednesday 19th May 2010 at 7.00 pm in the Red House.
· Finance committee Thursday 20th May 2010 at 3.00 pm in the Parish Office.
· AGM and parish council meeting Thursday 20th May 2010 at 7.00 pm in the Red House.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50 pm.
Signed................................................................Date........................................................
Chairman