ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on
Thursday 16th April 2009 at the Red House
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at the Red House on Thursday 16th April 2009.
PRESENT: Cllrs P Lusk (Chair), D Beechey (Vice Chair), G Beechey, R Blincoe,
M Holden, D Johnson, D Murray, J Nelson, M Pate, S Pate, S Pledger.
CLERK: M Ward
PUBLIC SESSION: Two members of the public attended. There were no questions or comments on any item on the agenda.
APOLOGIES: Cllrs. R Balkwill, N Hester, P Illes, R Kidson.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Personal:
Cllr. R Blincoe declared a personal interest in item 17
Prejudicial:
Cllr. G Beechey declared a prejudicial interest in item 10
Cllr. M Pate declared a prejudicial interest in item 10
Cllr. S Pate declared a prejudicial interest in item 10
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETEINGS:
Parish Council Meeting of 19th March 2009
Two small alterations to the agenda items on the war memorial and the draft deed of surrender for the Old School were agreed. With these two amendments Cllr M Pate proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record, seconded by Cllr. D Beechey. The motion was unanimously approved.
Parish Council (planning) Meeting of 2nd April 2009
One alteration with regard to the surrender of the Old School lease was agreed. With this amendment Cllr. Nelson proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record, seconded by Cllr. Murray. The motion was unanimously approved.
MATTERS ARISING:
Cllr. Holden asked about the venue for the Barhale supper but it was agreed to defer this discussion to item 18. Cllr. M Pate reported that the County Youth Officer would be attending the Annual Parish Meeting 23rd April. He also informed members that the county had decided not to invest funds in building societies.
PLANNING:
No planning applications or notices had been received because of a backlog associated with the transfer of planning business to the new Shropshire Authority.
DCAE COSFORD REPORT:
Mo Ashan presented his apologies. It was reported that the planning for the Approbation ceremony was proceeding without difficulty. The High Street would need to be closed and police involvement on the day would need to be clarified. There was no news regarding road closures for the air show.
POLICE REPORT:
Pc Salt was not present.
New police telephone contact numbers were made available as follows:
0300 3333 000 is the contact number for Shrewsbury;
01902 373232 is the local police contact number;
102 is the emergency mobile telephone number.
FINANCE:
Bank reconciliation April 2009:
The finance committee had examined the bank reconciliation for April 2009 and recommended it to the Council. The reconciliation was agreed.
End of year statement and audit:
The finance committee had examined the end of year statement and recommended it to the Council. They also supported the appointment of Mr John A Nicholls as internal auditor to the Council for 2009. Both recommendations were agreed by the Council
Receipt of Precept:
The Council noted the receipt of the precept in full (£84,550) which had been paid into the Bank of Ireland account on 21st April 2009.
New Direct Debit:
The Council noted that a new direct debit had been issued for the rental of the garage in Ashgrove to be paid to the new Shropshire Council. The old direct debit to Bridgnorth District Council had been closed.
Closure of the Old School bank account and petty cash:
The Council noted that £23.44 petty cash from the Old School account had been paid into the Council petty cash account. A closing balance of £4486.19 was present in the main bank account which needed transferring to the Council.
Resolved: The Clerk would identify the signatories on the Old School bank account and ensure that a letter was written to Lloyds closing the account and transferring the balance to the Council.
List of cheques for approval:
A list of 14 cheques attached as Appendix A had been reviewed by the finance committee which recommended approval. The recommendation was agreed by the Council.
INTERIM PLANNING GUIDANCE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
Cllr D Beechey reported that an earlier draft he had viewed had been revised and initial problems had been corrected. He recommended that the Council accept the report. Cllr. M Pate added that because of the financial problems affecting the country it was unlikely that the original target for new affordable housing in the county would be reached.
SURRENDER OF THE OLD SCHOOL LEASE:
Cllr. Nelson reported that he had met with Mr Joseland who had agreed that changes were needed and the draft deed was now withdrawn and a new deed would have to be drawn up. A paper was distributed relating to costs associated with the refurbishment of the Red House. A new lift supplier had been appointed but despite savings made as a consequence the project was still short of funds with one grant application still pending. The committee needed the full £10,000 from the Parish Council plus £25,000 for the lift. Members agreed that Donington Parish Council should be asked for £5,000 as a contribution to the lift funding. Members were clear that discussions regarding dilapidation relating to the Old School should not be allowed to cloud the issue and it had already been agreed that no payment for dilapidation would be required.
Cllr. Nelson urged that this matter together with the refurbishment of the scout den should be placed on the agenda of the Joint Liaison meeting and then on the next planning meeting.
LOCAL JOINT COMMITTEES:
Cllr. M Pate suggested that the Chair of the Parish Council should represent the Council on the new Local Joint Committee. This was seconded by Cllr. G Beechey and unanimously agreed.
MIDLANDS GAS ALLIANCE:
A meeting had been called to consider the work proposed by Midlands Gas Alliance on 1st May at 11.30 at Westgate in Bridgnorth. Cllr. D Beechey said that the meeting should be held locally which was supported by Cllr. M Pate who said he would investigate whether a change of venue was possible. It was agreed that the Clerk and Cllr. D Beechey would attend the meeting.
ALBRIGHTON AND DISTRICT CIVIC SOCIETY:
Cllr. M Pate suggested that the two Clerks from Albrighton and Donington Parish Council should serve ex officio on the small management committee of the newly formed Civic Society. Cllr. G Beechey stressed that the Parish Council would need to work on a cooperative basis with this society and Cllr. D Beechey was concerned that the formation of the executive had been on a self appointed basis. Cllr. Pledger felt it was presumptive of this society that the Clerk should could be expected to give up his time. The Clerk said he was willing to take part in the formation of the new society if it was the will of the Council and Cllr M Pate moved that the Clerk attend the meetings on an ex officio basis. Cllr. Nelson seconded the proposal which was carried unopposed.
THE PARISH FLYER:
The Chair informed the meeting that the Transport Group would be meeting on 17th April and he would need authorisation to enter into a new agreement regarding the future operation of the Flyer. The Council had been offered a £5,000 p.a. grant for running the Flyer plus a grant for free travel of £2,000 for holders of bus passes and the disabled which would be the great majority of the Flyer’s customers. Current passenger use of the Flyer amounts to app. £10,000 p.a. most of which would qualify for free travel but the Parish Council would be able to claim more funding where appropriate. The Chair felt that there would still be a need to hold discussions with the drivers over the new proposed conditions but there was really no alternative to the new agreement. Cllr G Beechey was still concerned about the vehicle and felt that it would need to be replaced in the near future but money could be made available if a suitable alternative was identified. Cllr. M Pate proposed that the Transport Group be authorised to enter into this new agreement which was seconded by Cllr, Nelson. The proposal received unanimous support.
REFURBISHMENT OF THE DEN:
Cllr. Nelson reported that he had met with Ms S Kirkland who represented the scouts and guides regarding the refurbishment of the Den which was nearly completed. He assured the Council that the scouts and guides do hold the deeds to the building and there is a restrictive covenant in operation as there is with the surgery next door. He explained that there were three distinct parts to the building and the weakest section, which housed the toilets and kitchen, had now been refurbished to a good standard which represented good value for money. He suggested that the two Councils should pay the repair bill in full and suggested that the joint committee should consider this at the earliest opportunity as the scouts were now left with no reserves. In the long term the organisation may have to consider a change of venue. Cllr. M Pate supported Cllr. Nelson’s suggestion for joint funding and his proposal was seconded by Cllr. D Beechey and unanimously supported by the Council.
SHROPSHIRE PARTNERSHIP SOUTHERN AREA FORUM:
Cllr. D Beechey’s report was distributed and he outlined the arrangements for the three areas and quarterly meetings. He felt that the forums were likely to be influential and Albrighton needed to be well represented although the large geographical area of the southern group made it difficult. The Crime and Disorder Task Group will still meet at Bridgnorth and will operate as it has in the past. It was agreed that a member to the Forum will be appointed at the AGM.
ALBRIGHTON TRADERS ASSOCIATION PROMOTIONAL MAP/LEAFLET:
Members considered the request for a grant made by Albrighton Traders Association for a map/leaflet to be distributed following the completion of the flood prevention work in the summer. Cllr. Murray proposed that the organisation be given £1,000 which was seconded by Cllr. G Beechey. The motion received unanimous support from the Council. Cllr. M Pate also pointed out that the association would have access to funding from the Joint Committee.
RECEPTION FOR BARHALE AND SEVERN TRENT WATER:
Cllr. Nelson informed members that the Red House was not able to host the event because of it licensing arrangements and so the supper would take place in the church. Food and drink was being supplied at cost price and no licence was needed as the drinks were being offered free of charge. Cllrs. M Pate and G Beechey expressed some concerns over the numbers who might be attracted by the promise of free beer and the possibility of damage to the church. Cllr. Pledger pointed out that stewards at the door had no powers of arrest and there could be difficulties for anyone involved in a dispute. Cllr Nelson promised to take account of the views and concerns of members and make appropriate plans.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:
The Chair asked for any amendments to his draft report which had been distributed to members and he undertook to arrange the agenda in partnership with the Clerk. Cllr. Blincoe offered to put out the chairs in the Red House and ensure that the paperwork was placed on them. Cllr. M Pate informed members that the Area Youth Manager would accompany the County Youth Officer to the meeting.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
It was agreed that the Annual General Meeting would be held on 21st May 2009 in the Red House starting at 6.45 pm with a fifteen minute public session with the AGM beginning at 7.00 pm.
CORRESPONDENCE:
A letter was read from the Treasurer of the Red House regarding its licensing rulings and the Chair agreed to put an article in the Parish Magazine about how to become a Red Cross Ambassador.
Letters of thanks from Severn Hospice and Albrighton Junior School for grants had been received and a leaflet from the Albrighton Trust regarding the Moat Project was explained.
Resolved: The Clerk to write to the Trust suggesting a visit from members of the Parish Council.
TIMES AND DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
Cllr. M Pate was thanked for of his work in ensuring the skateboard park was now open and Cllr. Blincoe informed the meeting that the CCTV camera there was in operation. No correspondence had been received regarding the Village Fayre. It was requested that the railway station be placed on the planning meeting agenda.
There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.26 pm.
Signed…………………………………………….Date………………………………
Chairman