ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
Thursday 19th May 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19th May 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
PRESENT: Cllrs. D Beechey (Chairman), M Pate (Vice Chair), G Beechey, R Blincoe, S Brown,
N Hester, P Illes, D Johnson, P Lusk, J MacLachlan, J Nelson, S Pate, S Pledger.
Clerk: Mr M Ward
PUBLIC SESSION: No members of the public were in attendance.
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN:
Cllr. M Pate proposed that Cllr. D Beechey should be elected Chairman which was seconded by Cllr Johnson. There were no other nominations and Cllr. D Beechey was duly elected.
Cllr. Lusk thanked the Chairman for all of his hard work on behalf of the Council during the preceding year.
2. DECLARATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE:
Cllr. D Beechey signed the declaration of office which was witnessed by the Clerk, Mr.
M Ward.
3. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN:
Cllr. D Beechey proposed that Cllr. M Pate should be elected Vice Chairman which was seconded by Cllr. Nelson. There were no other nominations and Cllr M Pate was duly elected.
Cllr. Nelson thanked the Vice Chairman for all of his hard work on behalf of the Council during the preceding year.
4. APOLOGIES:
Cllrs. M Holden, D Murray.
Each apology was accepted by the Council.
5. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Personal:
Cllr. D Beechey declared a personal interest in agenda item 17.
Cllr. M Pate declared a personal interest in agenda item 10.
Prejudicial:
Cllr. D Beechey declared a prejudicial interest with regard to the letter from the Civic Society in agenda item 21.
6. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES:
Councillors went through the list of committee appointments for 2010/11 and made a number of amendments to bring the list of appointments up to date. The amended list would be brought to a future meeting for ratification.
Action: The Clerk to amend the list of appointments and table the revised list on a future agenda.
7. ACCOUNTS:
The final accounts for the 2010/11 financial year which were to be presented to the internal auditor on 24th May 2011 had been distributed to members. Cllr. M Pate proposed that they should be noted and agreed. Cllr. Lusk seconded the proposal which was approved by Council.
8. DEEDS AND VALUABLE DOCUMENTS:
Cllr. M Pate proposed that the deeds and valuable documents held by Council should be duly noted which was seconded by Cllr. Lusk and agreed by Council.
9. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEEETINGS:
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting 21st April 2011:
The description of planning application 11/00792/TPO which read “To thin and top one Yew Tree protected by Shropshire Council (Land at and to the west of Church Lane, Albrighton) TPO 2010 Grange Park, Albrighton” was amended to read “To thin and top one Yew Tree protected by Shropshire Council (Land at and to the west of Church Road, Albrighton) TPO 2010 Grange Park, Albrighton.
With this alteration Cllr. Illes proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Johnson and approved by the Council.
Minutes of the Parish Council planning meeting 5th May 2011:
Cllr. M Pate proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Lusk and approved by the Council.
10. MATTERS ARISING:
Cheque to Albrighton Fayre Committee for payment:
The cheque had been prepared and was ready for signing if approved under agenda item 15.
Cheque to the Skateboard Park Committee for payment and letter to Shropshire Council over an Albrighton litter bin and the issue of a restricted hour for younger users.
The cheque had been prepared and was ready for signing if approved under agenda item 15.
The litter bin provided by Albrighton Parish Council had been replaced by one from Shropshire Council that conformed to others used in the village. An advertisement had been placed in the Parish Magazine asking for volunteers to supervise younger users of the skateboard park for one hour a week but to date no volunteers had come forward.
Cllr. Blincoe reminded Council that a further cheque for £100 which had been approved by Council as initial grant funding was still outstanding.
The registration of Patshull Green as a village green, Cllr. Illes to update:
Cllr. Illes reported that he was waiting for correspondence to be forwarded to him and once it had been received and studied he would report to Council.
Action: the Clerk to forward two items on the designation of village greens at the eartliest opportunity.
New allotments at the top of Worthington Drive and a letter to the occupants of 60 Loak Road:
The Clerk reported that he and Cllr. Nelson had consulted over a suitable letter to the occupant of 60 Loak Road which had been written and posted on 19th May 2011. A copy of the letter had been forwarded to the occupant’s son who lived at 58 Loak Road for information.
The re-arranging of a visit by Ms Amy Davies from Shropshire Council to the Council planning meeting on 2nd June 2011:
The Clerk informed members that Ms Davies was on leave on 2nd June but she had agreed to attend the next full Council meeting on 16th June 2011.
11. PLANNING:
Planning applications:
11/01808/FUL Internal and external renovations to an existing dwelling The Windmill, Windmill Lane, Albrighton.
No objections were made to this application.
Grant permission:
11/00063/FUL Formation of a rainwater sump; formation of extension to existing reservoir David Austin Roses, Bowling Green Lane, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
11/0836/FUL Erection of a part two storey part first floor extension 15 Whiteladies Court, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
12. POLICE REPORT:
No police officer was available to make a report.
13. DCAE COSFORD REPORT:
Mrs. J Evans, Community Development Officer, reported on the sad loss of Air Commodore Green.
Preparations for the air show in June were going well and according to plan. Cllr. Pledger reminded Mrs. Evans that the approbation ceremony was planned for 10th September and a meeting was needed to develop plans for the day. Cllr. Lusk said that interest in the event was disappointing on the last occasion and more publicity was needed. He volunteered to coordinate publicity initiatives and work with local schools to inform pupils and raise the profile of the ceremony. Cllr. M Pate promised to include information on the Council website.
Action: the Clerk to write to Air Commodore Green’s partner expressing the Council condolences.
14. UNITARY AUTHORITY REPORT:
Cllr. M Pate reported that a summary of the new slimmer Shropshire Council structure had been circulated which showed a reduction of 25 senior management posts. The budget had been agreed and there was no Council tax increase, The Council planned to save £22m in the current year from a total saving target of £76m. Despite the cuts it was hoped that the public would not notice a reduction in front line services. Cllr. Illes reported that his discussions with Mr M Johnson regarding a replacement mini-bus had proved very helpful and Cllr. MacLachlan enquired whether the recent court case concerning the withdrawal of support for vulnerable residents involving Birmingham City Council had repercussions for Shropshire Council. Cllr. Pate said he had no comment to make on the judgement. The kerb side plastics collection was due to begin in January 2012. Cllr. MacLachlan expressed concern over local residents on low incomes and asked if additional support such as food banks should be considered. Cllr. D Beechey replied that a number of charitable organisations existed locally to support people with particular needs as had happened in the past.
15. FINANCE:
Report by the Clerk on the submission of the Audit Commission report on to the internal auditor:
The Clerk reported that the accounts were now finalised and ready for the internal auditor.
The files were due to be delivered to the auditor on 24th May.
Parish Flyer income and expenditure:
The report on the income and expenditure of the Parish Flyer for the month of April 2011
was received and noted.
Cheques for May 2011 for approval:
A list of 15 cheques for payment was presented for approval. Cllr. M Pate proposed that the cheques should be approved which was seconded by Cllr. Lusk and agreed by Council.
|
Date |
Cheque No. |
Payee |
Amount |
|
02.05.11 |
2933 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
279.00 |
|
09.05.11 |
2940 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
357.00 |
|
16.05.11 |
2941 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
382.00 |
|
05.05.11 |
2942 |
Choice Communications Ltd., printing annual report |
60.00 |
|
05.05.11 |
2943 |
Viking Direct, office supplies |
51.47 |
|
09.05.11 |
2944 |
Alb. Fayre Committee, grant for Summer Fayre |
250.00 |
|
09.05.11 |
2945 |
Alb. Patients’ Group, grant for expenses |
275.00 |
|
19.05.11 |
2946 |
Crucial Crew, grant for summer scheme |
360.00 |
|
19.05.11 |
2947 |
Clerk, May salary |
1036.99 |
|
19.05.11 |
2948 |
Village Warden, May salary |
229.38 |
|
19.05.11 |
2949 |
Passenger Lift Services, repairs to Flyer lift |
281.75 |
|
23.05.11 |
2950 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
281.00 |
|
30.06.11 |
2951 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
|
|
19.05.11 |
2952 |
Keith Gibson Cars, Flyer repairs, service, fuel |
1074.28 |
|
19.05.11 |
2953 |
Alb. Skateboard Park Committee, grant payment |
1000.00 |
16. GRANT REQUEST FROM ALBRIGHTON SWIMMING CLUB:
Cllr. S Pate explained that she had discussed this grant request with other committee members and they recommended a grant of £1,900 allocated by Albrighton and Donington with Boscobel Parish Councils on the usual percentage split. Cllr. Blincoe proposed that this should be adopted by the Council which was seconded by Cllr. Johnson and agreed by members. Cllr. Lusk pointed out that the Swimming Club could always ask for more if there were particular problems with finance.
Action: the Clerk to write to Donington with Boscobel Parish Council suggesting the figure of £1,900 to be split between the two councils on the usual ratio.
17. MARKET TOWNS REVITALISATION PROGRAMME FOR RURAL AREAS AND THE 11 DESIGNATED MARKET TOWNS AND KEY SETTLEMENTS:
The Chairman explained that this grant amounted to app. £40,000 for Albrighton and the Albrighton Traders had already prepared a bid to improve signage in the area and provide interpretation panels. Cllr. M Pate informed members that the Village Hall Committee was also putting in two bids. He told members that the maximum bid was up to £50,000 although two successful bids could increase the total to £75,000. The bids were not in competition and would be strengthened if they had support from neighbouring councils. Cllr. Pate said that LJC support meant that other local councils were involved in the discussions.
18. ISSUES ARISING FROM A MEETING BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL, ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL AND ALBRIGHTON CIVIC SOCIETY AS RECORDED BY STEVE BROWN, HEAD OF ENVIRONMENTAL MAINTENANCE, SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL:
Mr G McGrandle had contacted the Council to pursue the action points detailed in the notes of meeting compiled by Mr Steve Brown of Shropshire Council. A date had been arranged to follow up these points and provide clarification. One issue that had not emerged from these discussions was the responsibility for the maintenance of the village green roads and Cllr. D Beechey was anxious to add this item to the discussion points already agreed.
19. POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT OF FLOOD MONITORS BY SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL:
An email from Mr. Ron Kidson had been circulated to members before the meeting in which he declared a cautious interest in becoming involved in the flood monitor scheme. Cllr. Lusk proposed that the Council should give its support to Mr. Kidson’s interest which was seconded by Cllr. Hester and agreed by Council. Cllr. G Beechey also pointed that Mr. Kidson deserved the Council’s thanks for all of his previous work in flood prevention and relief.
Action: the Clerk to write to Mr R Kidson giving Council support to his possible involvement in the flood monitoring scheme.
20. Decision on insurance company cover for 2011/12:
Three bids for Council insurance cover for 2011/12 had been circulated to Councillors which were discussed in some detail. It was agreed that the insurance of the War Memorial should be added to the Council’s insurance once the present policy completed its term and insurance of the mace and salver also needed updating. Cllr. Nelson asked that the mace be re-valued so that adequate cover could be provided. At the end of the discussion Cllr. D Beechey proposed that Zurich Insurance should be asked to provide the insurance cover over a five year period to take advantage of the lower premiums which was seconded by Cllr. M Pate and agreed by Council.
Action: the Clerk to have the mace and salver re-valued and inform Zurich of the Council’s decision to seek insurance with them for a five year period.
21. CORRESPONDENCE:
Clerk and Councils Direct – May Issue:
Received and noted.
Shropshire Local Transport Plan:
Cllr. Illes agreed to take the report home and report back at a future meeting.
Albrighton and District Civic Society – grant request:
Referred to the Grants Committee for consideration.
22. DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
· Albrighton Parish Council planning meeting Thursday 2nd June 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House
· Albrighton Parish Council meeting Thursday 16th June 2011 at 7. 15 pm in the Red House.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20 pm.
Signed........................................................................Date........................................................
Chairman