ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
Thursday 15th September 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15th September 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
PRESENT: Cllrs D Beechey (Chairman), M Pate (Vice Chairman), G Beechey, R Blincoe,
M Holden, D Johnson, P Lusk, J Nelson, S Pate, S Pledger.
PUBLIC SESSION:
No members of the public were in attendance.
1. APOLOGIES:
Cllrs. N Hester (business reasons), P Illes (Family celebration), J MacLachlan (holiday)
D Murray (attending Shifnal Town Council meeting).
Cllr. Brown’s apologies (childcare reasons) were accepted retrospectively.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Personal:
Cllr. Holden declared a personal interest in agenda item 11.
Cllr. M Pate declared a personal interest in agenda item 11.
Cllr. S Pate declared a personal interest in agenda item 11.
Cllr. S Pledger declared a personal interest in agenda items 11 and 17.
Prejudicial:
Cllr. Blincoe declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 14.
Cllr. Holden declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 17.
Cllr. Lusk declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 10.
Cllr. M Pate declared a prejudicial interest in agenda items 17 and 9 (cheques for approval).
Cllr. S Pate declared a prejudicial interest in agenda items 17 and 9 (cheques for approval).
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Minutes of Parish Council meeting 21st July 2011:
Cllr. M Pate proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. S Pate and agreed by Council
Minutes of Parish Council planning meeting 4th August 2011:
Cllr. Blincoe proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Holden and agreed by Council.
Minutes of the Parish Council planning meeting 1st September 2011:
Cllr. Johnson proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Blincoe and agreed by Council.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
There were no matters arising.
5. PLANNING
Planning applications:
11/03798/LBC Listed building consent for repairs and refurbishment at Albrighton Station, Albrighton Railway Station, Station Road, Albrighton.
No objections were made to this application.
11/03819/FUL Erection of storage building with security fencing, Cosford Water Treatment Works, Cosford, Shifnal.
No objections were made to this application.
Grant permission:
11/02367/FUL Erection of a two storey extension to side and attached single garage; insertion of dormer windows to front elevation, 8 Barrington Close, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
11/03156/FUL Erection of two storey extension to side elevation and detached garage, 10 Meeson Close, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
6. POLICE REPORT:
No police officer was available to attend the meeting.
7. DCAE COSFORD REPORT:
No DCAE Cosford representative was available to attend the meeting.
8. UNITARY AUTHROITY REPORT:
Cllr. M Pate reported that he had been in touch with David Austen Roses and officers of Shropshire Council and a meeting had been arranged in October 2011 to discuss access to David Austen Roses in support of earlier discussions with Albrighton Parish Council.
Cllr. Pate also informed members that the GMB and Unison had called for a one day strike at Shropshire Council on 22nd September although discussions were still ongoing.
9. FINANCE:
Final accounts for the replacement of the Parish Flyer by the Albrighton Flyer:
Final accounts for the purchase of a replacement vehicle to be known as the Albrighton Flyer had been previously circulated which were noted by members. The official press launch of the new vehicle was scheduled for Monday 12th September at 2.00 pm in the Crown car park.
Parish Flyer income and expenditure for July and August 2011:
The reports on the Parish Flyer income and expenditure for the months of July and August were received and noted.
Cheques for September for approval:
A list of 24 cheques for payment was presented for approval. Cllr. M Pate proposed that the cheques should be approved for payment which was seconded by Cllr. Holden and agreed by Council.
|
Date |
Cheques No. |
Payee |
Amount |
|
01.09.11 |
3029 |
A Price, clearing trees/scrub Garridge Close |
385.00 |
|
01.09.11 |
3030 |
Severn Trent Water, allotments water bill |
147.69 |
|
01.09.11 |
3031 |
Mazars, external audit fee |
660.00 |
|
01.09.11 |
3032 |
Halls, insurance assessment, mace and salver |
180.00 |
|
05.09.11 |
3033 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
285.00 |
|
12.09.11 |
3034 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
337.00 |
|
15.09.11 |
3035 |
Office cleaner, 4 weeks cleaning |
40.00 |
|
01.09.11 |
3036 |
Enterprise AOL, sign for Patshull pool |
59.80 |
|
15.09.11 |
3037 |
D Beechey, travel expenses |
28.80 |
|
19.09.11 |
3038 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
342.00 |
|
26.09.11 |
3039 |
Destroyed |
|
|
15.09.11 |
3041 |
Clerk, September salary |
1036.99 |
|
15.09.11 |
3042 |
Village Warden, September salary |
166.97 |
|
15.09.11 |
3043 |
Litter Warden, September salary |
80.00 |
|
15.09.11 |
3044 |
Shropshire Council, grass cutting Clockmills etc. |
192.00 |
|
15.09.11 |
3045 |
Halls, supplement for revised insurance assessment |
90.00 |
|
15.09.11 |
3046 |
M J Pritchard, pedestal flowers, approbation |
100.00 |
|
15.09.11 |
3047 |
Wellings Ltd, Compaction skip, September |
673.44 |
|
15.09.11 |
3048 |
Alb. Village Halls Trust, approbation catering |
1621.50 |
|
15.09.11 |
3049 |
G Beechey, travel expenses |
28.80 |
|
15.09.11 |
3050 |
Npower, office electricity bill |
123.36 |
|
15.09.11 |
3051 |
BT, office Internet services |
125.92 |
|
15.09.11 |
3052 |
RBS Software, software maintenance |
118.80 |
|
15.09.11 |
3053 |
Cartwright’s Florists, approbation table decorations |
240.00 |
|
19.09.11 |
3054 |
Shropshire Council, grass cutting Clockmills etc. |
192.00 |
10. UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED GRANT TO “SAY YES” FROM ALBRIGHTON. BONINGALE, DONNINGTON AND TONG PARISH COUNCILS:
Cllr. Lusk left the meeting for this item.
Cllr. Nelson reported that Donington with Boscobel Parish Council had agreed to contribute £2,000 to the “Say Yes” organisation although they had some reservations about the donation made to the central body. Boningale Parish Council did not wish to be involved in the project and “Say Yes” had already applied for a grant to the organisers of the V Festival. A youth worker had been recruited in addition to Mr G Philips and Cllr. Nelson had attended two trustees meetings and was hoping to join the Council of Reference in the near future. Financial support was needed beyond the present financial year but Cllr. Nelson proposed that the Council should contribute £8,000 for the current year only to be paid in quarterly instalments in advance. Cllr. Pledger seconded the proposal which was agreed by Council. Cllr. D Beechey commented on the small contribution being made by Shifnal Town Council when much of the work was based in the town.
Action: the Clerk to write to Shifnal Town Council asking them to reconsider their support for “Say Yes”.
Cllr. Lusk returned for the rest of the meeting.
11. COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PARISH COUNCIL AND THE RED HOUSE AND WAYS IN WHICH THEY MIGHT BE IMPROVED:
Cllr. Nelson stated that communication between the Parish Council and the Red House and Village Halls Trust has been poor for a considerable period and it would benefit both organisations if it could be improved. Cllr. M Pate said that the Council had appointed a representative to the Red House Management Committee and one way matters could be improved would be for the representative to make regular reports to the Council. Cllr. S Pate stated that the trustees met quarterly so feedback would be infrequent and any confidential matters would not be reported. Cllr. Pledger supported the call for greater cooperation and Cllr. S Pate also welcomed the interest of the Parish Council in Red House affairs. Members agreed that Cllr. Pledger, the Council’s representative on the Red House Management Committee, would make quarterly reports to Council with immediate effect.
12. COUNCILLOR FEEDBACK ON RECENT TRAINING ON LEGAL MATTERS AND COMMUNITY ACTION:
A report on recent training by Cllr Lusk on behalf of himself and Cllrs. Blincoe and Pledger had been circulated. All those attending the course on legal matters on 11th August had found the course useful and Cllr. Pledger also felt that the training on community action had been very helpful. Members were encouraged to attend appropriate training whenever possible.
13. TRAINING IN THE POWER OF WELL BEING:
The Chairman informed members that in order to be granted the power of wellbeing the Council needed a qualified Clerk and 80% of Councillors needed appropriate training. The Clerk had submitted a portfolio in line with CiLCA regulations but a small number of items needed to be resubmitted in order to achieve the 100% pass rate. These were currently being redrafted and it was anticipated that they would be completed this autumn.
Training for Councillors could be managed locally so that a training event could be arranged for the whole Council in one sitting. Cllr. Lusk gave his support to this initiative which would have considerable benefits and free the Council from the limitations of section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.
14. MEASURES TO SUPPORT ALBRIGHTON TRADERS GENERALLY AND PARTICULARLY THEIR PROPOSEED NOVEMBER LATE NIGHT SHOPPING EVENT:
Cllr. Blincoe left the meeting for this item.
The late night shopping event was scheduled for 17th November 2011 from 6.30 – 9.30 pm. Preparations had been going well although traders were disappointed that their application for a grant had been refused although plans were advanced to resubmit revised proposals. Members were pleased to note that the Red House had been successful in its grant application and it was due to receive £45,000 in support of its phase two refurbishment. Cllr. Nelson said that because the traders late night shopping clashed with a regular Council meeting the date of the meeting should be postponed for a week or even cancelled so that Councillors could show their support of local traders at this very difficult time for business. He also suggested that items of expenditure could be channelled through the Parish Council in order that the traders could avoid VAT and that the Council should offer £750 to support advertising and promotional activities associated with the initiative. Donington with Boscobel Parish Council could be encouraged to contribute £250 to round up the figure to £1,000. Cllr Lusk said that the Council should not proffer money to any organisation that had not formally made a request for grant funding and members agreed to defer this matter to the meeting on 6th October when the traders would have had time to prepare an official request.
Cllr. Blincoe returned for the rest of the meeting.
15. UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF THE SMITHY, ALBRIGHTON:
Cllr. Nelson reported that he had tried to contact Mr David Thompson but there had been no reply. Members agreed to defer this item to the planning meeting on 6th October.
16. REPORT ON THE MEETING AT SHELDON COURT ON 14TH SEPTEMBER 2011 AND FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED:
The Chairman reported that the meeting on 14th September had been successful and the situation regarding the future of Sheldon Court had been clarified. Cllr. M Pate reported that he had first heard of the proposal to close Sheldon Court and demolish the building on 25th August, 2011 and the first meeting had taken place on 30th August, which had been well supported by members of the Parish Council. The decision to reverse the closure had been taken the following day although rumours about the future of the facility had continued to circulate. The impetus to close Sheldon Court had arisen from Government policy to reduce building debt and proposals elsewhere were still proceeding in other parts of the county. Cllr. D Beechey said that this matter emphasised the need for better consultation locally before major proposals of this kind were formulated. Cllr. Lusk felt that the purpose of the meeting on 14th September was unclear but he welcomed the reversal of the original decision. A letter about this matter had been sent to Mr Chris Edwards, the Area Director – South of Shropshire Council.
17. REMINDER OF THE AGREEMENT FOR THE VILLAGE HALLS TRUST TO REPAY TO ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL THE £9,878.77 OF REPAIR/IMPROVEMENT COSTS (THE TOTAL OF THE AMOUNT PAID IN 2006 NET OF VAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO UNDERWRITE £54,000 OF EXPENDITURE OVER 6 YEARS) FOLLOWING THE SALE OF THE OLD SCHOOL AT MARKET VALUE.
This item was deferred to the end of the agenda so that those with a prejudicial interest could leave the meeting and return home.
Cllr. M Pate made an opening statement that the Council were correct in wanting to discuss this matter and he suggested that a letter should be written to the Red House Management Committee. Cllr. S Pate supported this suggestion.
Cllrs. M Pate, S Pate and Holden then left the meeting.
Cllr. Nelson stated that he was not looking for a resolution to this issue immediately but suggested that discussions should be ongoing as part of the consultation starting on 1st October 2011 when plans for phase two of the Red House refurbishment were made public. Members agreed with this course of action and an item would be placed on the planning agenda of 6th October 2011.
18. UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN RETURNING THE COUNCIL LAND AT LOAK ROAD FOLLOWING THE APPOINTMENT OF A SOLICITOR TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL:
Cllr. Nelson reported that he had contacted Manby Bowdler, Solicitors, regarding the disputed land in Loak Road and they had replied raising a number of issues that need further investigation. Councillors agreed to postpone this item to the meeting on 20th October.
19. FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE NOTICE BOARD IN STATION ROAD.
Cllr. Blincoe reported that his contact did not wish to be involved in the replacement of the notice board so the Clerk had written to Timber Products in Shifnal asking them for a quotation. No reply had yet been received.
20. UPDATE ON MEETINGS REGARDING THE USE OF CLOCKMILLS FOR SENIOR FOOTBALL AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB:
Cllr. Blincoe reported that he had attended meetings about the use of Clockmills at the Sports and Social Club and had had further discussions with individuals interested in senior football. He has been told that the changing rooms and the referees facilities could be used at the Sports and Social Club and permission would be needed from the referees’ association and Shropshire Football Association regarding the suitability of the pitch. ALS had supplied several quotations for the improvement of the playing surface and Cllr. Blincoe reported that the pitch could be made in playable condition for £1,000 and Shropshire Football Association would match fund any investment in the pitch made by the Parish Council. At present he was waiting for letters from the above organisations prior to further work on the proposals.
Members recorded their thanks to Cllr. Blincoe for all of his work in relation to the use of Clockmills. Cllr. Lusk raised the matter of a fence down Worthington Drive to prevent interference with residents who would need to be consulted about a satisfactory barrier if senior football was to proceed at Clockmills.
21. REPORT ON GRANT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY THE GRANTS COMMITTEE:
Cllr. S Pate, having consulted members of the Grants Committee, recommended that No Panic should be given a grant of £50 which was proposed, seconded and agreed by Council. A grant to the Shropshire Playing Fields Association was also discussed and it was proposed that an annual subscription of £25 should be taken out which was seconded and agreed by members.
22. CORRESPONDENCE:
· ALS – renovation of the football pitch at Worthington Drive for Albrighton Parish Council:
Members declined to discuss this matter further as the letter had not technically been written to Albrighton Parish Council and the contents had been covered in agenda item 20.
· Halls Fine Art – insurance assessment of the mace and silver salver in St Mary’s Church:
Cllr. Nelson outlined the discussions with the representatives of Halls and the resulting paperwork. The contents of the assessment were received and noted.
· Joint letter from Mr/Mrs Maylor, Clayton and Collins re the fence at Bushfield Road/Windsor Road:
The Chairman read out the letter in full and informed Council that an application was pending once the correct application fee had been paid. The contents of the letter were received and noted.
· ALC – notice of AGM:
The contents of the letter were received and noted. Cllr. D Beechey had agreed to attend the AGM.
· Ms Joyce Brand – letter for circulation re spending cuts:
The letter was received and noted.
23. DATES AND TIME OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
· Parish Council planning meeting Thursday 6th October 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
· Parish Council meeting Thursday 20th October 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20 pm.
Signed....................................................................Date..........................................................
Chairman