ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
Thursday 20th October 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 20th October 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
PRESENT: Cllrs. D Beechey (Chairman), M Pate (Vice Chair), G Beechey, R Blincoe, P Illes,
D Johnson, S Pledger.
CLERK: M Ward
PUBLIC SESSION:
No members of the public were in attendance.
1. APOLOGIES:
Cllrs. S Brown (family reasons), N Hester (holiday), M Holden (holiday), P Lusk (business reasons), J MacLachlan (holiday), D Murray (attending meeting of Shifnal Town Council),
J Nelson (business reasons), S Pate (health reasons).
All of the apologies were accepted by the Council with the exception of those for Cllr. Murray.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Personal:
Cllr. Pledger declared a personal interest in agenda item 11.
Prejudicial:
None.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Parish Council meeting Thursday 15th September 2011.
Cllr. Johnson proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Pate and agreed by Council.
Parish Council planning meeting Thursday 6th October 2011.
Cllr. Pate proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which seconded by Cllr. Johnson and agreed by Council.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
There were no matters arising.
5. PLANNING:
Planning applications:
11/04314/FUL Erection of an extension to existing garage to include a new pitched roof and conversion of garage to family room (Amendment to previously approved planning permission reference 10/04340/FUL) St. Cuthbert’s Crescent, Albrighton.
No objections were made to this application.
11/04325/FUL Construction of a new horticultural crop store for flower and plant products David Austin Roses, Bowling Green Lane, Albrighton.
No objections were made to this application.
Grant permission:
11/03819/FUL Erection of storage building with security fencing, Cosford Water Treatment Works, Cosford, Shifnal.
Received and noted.
6. POLICE REPORT:
PC Morris informed Council that between 15th September and 20th October there were 26 crimes reported to the police including driving from Budgen’s filling station without paying, burglary, theft and criminal damage. PC Morris had attended a meeting of a Residents’ Association and a PACT meeting and she had approached Shropshire Council requesting the painting of yellow lines on the corner of Shaw Lane and Station Road. She also raised the issue of the CCTV cameras housed at the Red House and the use of a monitor at Newhouse Lane School which she felt should be discontinued. The school had no interest in any involvement with the skate park or the camera system and Cllr. Pledger said that policy matters were a question for the governors who needed to be involved in the decision making. Cllr. Blincoe said that an attempt to recruit new members with an interest in crime prevention was under way and some interest had been shown. PC Morris said that CSO
J Fletcher was off work through sickness and she had been replaced temporarily for the coming weeks. PC Morris had been assigned to Albrighton on a permanent basis.
7. DCAE COSFORD REPORT:
No-one was available from Cosford to make a report but the Chairman informed members that there was a move to fill empty shops with exhibitions and the School of Photography at Cosford had expressed an interest in displaying photographs in an empty shop window.
8. UNITARY AUTHORITY REPORT:
Cllr. Pate stated that he had been in touch with Shropshire Council, David Austin and Albrighton Traders regarding access to David Austin Roses in Bowling Green Lane about improving the signage, making more passing places and getting suppliers off the M54 at Shifnal to prevent heavy lorries passing through the village down Bowling Green Lane from Albrighton. David Austin had made it clear that he would not be able to contribute to related expenditure. Cllr. Pate welcomed the influx of funding into the village with £45,000 going to the Red House, £30,000 to Albrighton Traders and £50,000 to the nature reserve. A further grant of £50,000 had been applied for to fund improvements at the Abney Avenue play area.
Shropshire Council had decided to impose a further Council tax freeze in 2012/13.
9. FINANCE:
Bank reconciliation for the end of the 2nd quarter:
The reconciliation had been previously circulated to all members that showed a closing balance of £109,730.34. There were no questions relating to the statement and the reconciliation was received and noted by the Council.
Parish Flyer income and expenditure for September 2011:
The report on the income and expenditure for the Parish Flyer for the month of September was received and noted.
Cheques for October 2011 for approval:
A list of 20 cheques for payment was presented for approval. Cllr. Pate proposed that the cheques should be approved for payment which was seconded by Cllr. G Beechey and agreed by the Council.
|
Date |
Cheque No. |
Payee |
Amount |
|
03.10.11 |
3040 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
369.00 |
|
10.10.11 |
3065 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
413.00 |
|
17.10.11 |
3066 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
395.00 |
|
24.10.11 |
3067 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
250.00 |
|
31.10.11 |
3068 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
281.00 |
|
03.10.11 |
3071 |
Post Office Ltd., 2nd quarter tax and NI |
1195.77 |
|
03.10.11 |
3072 |
D Beechey, travel expenses |
11.25 |
|
06.10.11 |
3073 |
T.F.M. cement, weed killer, wood stain |
66.34 |
|
06.10.11 |
3074 |
Severn Trent Water, office water bill |
49.47 |
|
10.10.11 |
3075 |
N Cartwright, office cleaning to 10th October |
40.00 |
|
10.10.11 |
3076 |
E.ON, 2nd six month maintenance charge |
480.90 |
|
10.10.11 |
3077 |
Keith Gibson Cars, fuel for parish flyer |
468.63 |
|
10.10.11 |
3078 |
Alb. Traders’ Ass. Advertising for Christmas Extravaganza |
699.28 |
|
12.10.11 |
3079 |
Alb. Traders Ass. Grant for Rural Challenge Fund |
4000.00 |
|
20.10.11 |
3080 |
Say Yes, 1st quarterly payment for grant |
2000.00 |
|
20.10.11 |
3081 |
Npower Ltd., lighting for Ashgrove |
568.14 |
|
20.10.11 |
3082 |
Clerk, October salary |
1036.99 |
|
20.10.11 |
3083 |
Village Warden, October salary |
166.97 |
|
20.10.11 |
3084 |
Litter Warden, October salary |
80.00 |
|
20.10.11 |
3085 |
Clerk, travel expenses, April – September |
58.35 |
10. UPDATE ON THE RETURN OF LAND TO THE ALBRIGHTON ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION AND THE SALE OF LAND AT THE ALLOTMENTS OWNED BY THE SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB:
Because of the absence of Cllr. Nelson this item was deferred to a later meeting.
11. DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE LOCATION OF THE PARISH OFFICE (MATTER DEFERRED FROM THE MEEETING OF 6TH OCTOBER 2011):
An email on this matter from Cllr. Lusk was read to the Council by the Chairman. Cllr. Pledger made it clear that she thought the Parish Office should be located at the Red House and she had some concerns about the current location where the landlord was a Parish Councillor. She also felt that there was some prejudice over the use of the Red House within the Parish Council. The Chairman was adamant that there was nothing improper in the present arrangement as long as the Councillor in question declared a prejudicial interest every time any business relating to the tenancy came up for discussion. Cllr. Illes also expressed his preference for the Red House but he was concerned that Shropshire Council might withdraw its support making the office very expensive. Cllr. Pate said that Shropshire Council have not given any assurances that they would continue their office at 82b High Street or move it to the Red House if a transfer was suggested. The current manager’s office could be made available to the Parish Council but given the uncertainties he proposed that the matter be deferred in order to try and ascertain the long term intentions of Shropshire Council and go back to the minutes and establish the exact commitment made by the Parish Council regarding the future location of its office. Cllr. Illes seconded this proposal which was agreed by Council.
Cllr. G Beechey reminded members that whatever their individual views were they were there to work on behalf of the whole community.
Action: the Clerk to write to Shropshire Council seeking clarification regarding its long term commitment to an office in Albrighton.
12. REPORT BY Cllr. LUSK ON DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION BY MR J BERRIMAN OF SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL ON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING:
The Chairman informed Councillors that Donington with Boscobel Parish Council had agreed to share a joint bid with Albrighton regarding neighbourhood planning with Shropshire Council providing support but with Cllr. Lusk being absent it was decided to defer this item to a future meeting.
13. DISCUSSION ON THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION 2013 REVIEW OF PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES IN ENGLAND:
Members felt that the proposals as they related to the Albrighton area were unfortunate because they linked the village to the urban areas of south Telford. Councillors felt that it was important to retain a rural feel and Cllr. G Beechey was afraid that a MP with mainly urban responsibilities could neglect or fail to understand the issues relating to a rural community and Albrighton would be left on the periphery of events if the current proposals were ratified. Cllr. Pate proposed that these views should be forwarded to the Boundary Commission which was seconded by Cllr. D Beechey and agreed by Council.
Action: the Clerk to write to the Boundary Commission informing it of the views of Albrighton Parish Council.
14. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EXTRA PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON 10TH NOVEMBER 2011 TO DISCUSS FINANCIAL ISSUES AND SECTION 137:
Members agreed that Cllrs. D Beechey, Pate and Lusk should meet at a date to be decided in order to review budget information and bring forward a draft budget for 2012/13 to the full Council meeting on 10th November 2011.
15. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CIVIC SERVICE AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH IN DECEMBER 2011:
Councillors agreed that Sunday 22th December would be a suitable date for the Civic Service and Cllr. D Beechey agreed to contact the vicar and make the necessary arrangements.
Action: the Chairman, Cllr. D Beechey, to contact the vicar of St. Mary’s Church Albrighton to confirm the date of 11th December for the Civic Service and agree the arrangements.
16. TO CONSIDER THE OUTLINE PROPOSALS FOR A WEB SITE PRODUCED BY SHROPSHIRE TOURISM AND THE FORMATION OF A WORKING PARTY TO LIAISE WITH THEM REGARDING THE PRODUCTION OF A NEW SITE:
Councillors considered the proposals made by Mr Stuart Messenger from Shropshire Tourism regarding the new web site which he hoped would become active at the end of November 2011. Members agreed that Cllrs. Blincoe, M Pate and D Beechey plus a representative from the Albrighton Traders and the Civic Society would form a working group to liaise with Mr Messenger on behalf of the Council.
Action: the Clerk to inform Mr Messenger of these arrangements and invite him to proceed in conjunction with the new working party.
17. CORRESPONDENCE:
· Mrs Jill Nicholls – death of the internal auditor. Mrs Nicholls letter was read to the Council and members agreed to take up her suggestion of a new internal auditor and for the Clerk to contact her and begin discussions.
· Albrighton Traders – request for the Council to act as the applicant body for the Traders and maintain the new signs. Cllr. Pate proposed that the Clerk should write to the legal department at Shropshire Council and seek its advice on the request in order to avoid possible accusations of tax evasion. Cllr. Illes seconded the proposal which was agreed by Council.
18. DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
· Parish Council planning meeting Thursday 3rd November 2011 at 7.15 in the Red House.
· Parish Council meeting on finance Thursday 10th November 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
· Christmas Extravaganza Thursday 17th November 2011 at 6.30 – 9.00 pm in the High Street.
· Parish Council meeting Thursday 24th November 2011 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
The Clerk was asked to liaise with the Litter Warden with regard to the cleaning of road signs and the use of Clockmills football pitch for senior football was requested for the next agenda. The annual Christmas dinner would be in January at the Horns of Boningale.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50 pm.
Signed...........................................................................Date.......................................................Chairman