Council Meeting – 21st January 2009
GREAT LONGSTONE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21st JANUARY 2009
Present
Councillors S. Barton (Chairman), Mrs S. Barton, Mrs W. Long, H. Wright, S. Mason, R. Topham, S. Headington and P. Thompson. D. Burns (Clerk) and Mark Taylor (UTE Co-editor).
Presentation by P.C. Kevin Lowe
Kevin circulated details of Derbyshire Constabulary’s Official Web Site entitled Policing Pledge. This consists of 10 issues of which Kevin gave a general overview. He then reported that since April 2008 and the present time there had been 10 crimes committed in Great Longstone of which 5 remain undetected. There then followed a short question and answer session before Kevin closed his presentation by stressing the importance of the forthcoming Governance Meeting in Bakewell on 28th January.
Public Questions and Comments
Godfrey Frankland said that, following the recent break-in of the cricket pavilion, he wished to scotch rumours that used syringes were found at the scene. This was simply not true and no needles of any sort had been found. He also said that the club had received a letter from the Land Registry asking if they would like to register the pitch. The Chairman replied that the council is pursuing the registration of all parish owned land which includes the recreation ground and, as such, the club need take no action on the matter. Councillor Thompson said that, in matters of local criminal activity, he felt that councillors should not send e-mails commenting on them.
001/09 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from District Councillor J. Bentley.
002/09 Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th December 2008
Councillor Mrs Long proposed the minutes a true record. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Barton with all in favour.
003/09 Declaration of Interest
Councillor Wright declared a personal interest in items 8(1) in that he is employed by DCC. Councillor Thompson declared a personal interest in item 12 in that his wife is Treasurer to the Village Hall Management Committee. Councillors Topham and Mrs Long declared personal interest in item 12 in that they are trustees of the Village Hall Charity.
004/09 Police Matters / Neighbourhood Watch
Councillor Wright highlighted the risk of car theft if engines are left running and unattended to clear windscreens during cold weather.
005/09 School Matters
There was nothing to report.
006/09 Planning Matters
There were no planning applications.
Planning Decision Notices G = Granted R = Refused W = Withdrawn
NP/DDD/10/08/0936, Building to house livestock, Standhill Farm. G
NP/DDD/10/08/0937, Extension to bungalow, Cascades, The Close. G
NP/DDD/11/08/0977, Change to pitched roofs, Whiterakes, The Close. G
007/09 Financial Matters
a) To note bank balances.
The balance on the current account was noted as £1000.00
The balance for the deposit account was noted as £7348.85
b) To approve payments £ Cheque No.
D. J. Burns (Salary December 08) 353.88 1061
Approval of the above payment was proposed by Councillor Mrs Barton seconded by Councillor Mrs Long with all in favour.
c) To discuss the monthly financial statement
Councillor Wright reported that everything was in order.
d) To discuss adoption of proposed new mileage rates
After some discussion Councillor Thompson proposed that the council adopt the minimum payment of 42.9p per mile regardless of engine size. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Long with all in favour.
010/09 Maintenance
ROADS AND PATHS
- Pavement Repairs – The Clerk reported that he had received an acknowledgement to his letter re Glebe Avenue. It was agreed he waits for an actual reply before proceeding further.
011/09 Maintenance
RECREATION GROUND
- Play Equipment – Inspection Log update – Councillor Thompson reported that he had inspected the equipment and that Ethel’s House was in need of repair to one panel. After some debate it was agreed the necessary work be carried out and that the Village Volunteer Force should be asked if they would take this on. This was proposed by Councillor Mrs Barton and seconded by Councillor Thompson with all in favour.
012/09 Freedom of Information Act
The Chairman went through the action plan to ascertain where the council stood in respect to tranche 1, i.e. the position we need to be by the end of January. Councillor Topham reported on his progress with the web site and information he required from the Clerk – namely copies of the Annual Return, Auditors Report, finalised budget, the precept, financial standing orders, list of grants given and received and members allowances and expenses. The Clerk reported that the Annual Return form, which includes the Auditors Report, is supplied in hard copy by the Audit Commission and, due to its size, it would be difficult to scan. It was agreed that the Return be retained by the Clerk where it can be viewed and, if required, hard copies supplied. He would supply Councillor Topham with details of the budget, precept and financial standing orders. During the life of this council there have been no grants given or received and the Clerk would enquire of DALC as to members allowances and expenses.
013/09 Pillar Box
The Clerk reported that, as yet, he has not had a reply from Royal Mail re the request to move the pillar box.
014/09 Village Hall
Councillor Topham went through his previously circulated report on the Village Hall and his and Councillor Mrs Long’s proposals following their meeting with the Village Hall Management Committee. Acceptance of the report and recommendations was proposed by Councillor Thompson. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Barton and carried by 7-1 with Councillor Headington strongly objecting. There then followed a lengthy debate as to the reasons for this objection. Councillor Wright then proposed an amendment to the motion in that items 2 and 3 of the recommendations be deleted. This was carried by 7 votes with 1 abstention by Councillor Headington. After further discussion the Chairman proposed that the amendment be applied to the original motion. This was seconded by Councillor Mason and again carried by 7 votes with Councillor Headington abstaining. Councillor Topham then reported that he had received two quotations for a new heater in the snooker room of £1500 and £2400. After much further debate Councillor Thompson proposed that the Clerk write to the Secretary of the Village Hall Committee to ask if they are able to fund this themselves and, if not, to explain that it would be included as a proposed item for inclusion in the precept at the budget meeting in October. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Barton and carried 7-1. The Clerk was instructed to attempt to trace the minutes of the 1994 meeting which authorised the signing of the original agreement when it was made. Councillor Headington proposed that all correspondence and communication on this matter be between the Clerk and the Secretary of the VHMC. This was proposed by Councillor Thompson and carried 7-1.
015/09 The Rural Services Network
The previously circulated introduction to this organisation was briefly discussed and it was agreed that, as there is no cost involved, the council should take part.
016/09 Retirement of Clerk
The points raised by the Chairman in his previously circulated notice of the Clerk’s intention to retire on 31st March 2009 were discussed. In particular there was much debate on the existing job description before Councillor Topham proposed that it remain the same. This was seconded by Councillor Thompson with all in favour. Councillor Wright proposed that the Clerk’s hours and salary be reviewed. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Barton with all in favour. After further discussion regarding the retirement date the Chairman proposed that it be accepted. This was seconded by Councillor Mason with all in favour. The Chairman then suggested the formation of a working party to prepare the application form, requirements needed from candidates and the placements of advertisements in the Peak Advertiser, UTE and via a DALC circular. The Clerk was asked to enquire of DALC’s required time scale with regard to placing an advert. Councillor Thompson proposed that the sub-committee be empowered to proceed without the need to report back to the full council subject to circulation of proposals by e-mail.. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Long with all in favour.
017/09 Correspondence
- DDDC – Notice of missing information from the Register of Interests – The Clerk to reply accordingly.
- Peak Park – Improvements to Planning Consultation web site – Noted.
- DDC – Update on Waste Development Framework – Noted and circulated.
- DALC – Circular No: 60/2008 – Derbyshire Transport Group – Noted and circulated.
- Derbyshire Dales CVS – Introductory letter – Noted and circulated.
- Clerks & Councils Direct – Noted and Circulated.
018/09 Late Items of Correspondence (Received since circulation of agenda)
- Mike Watson – E-mail suggesting the Volunteer Force be asked to clear leaves and rubbish from under a bench on the village green – Noted but felt to be inappropriate for the Volunteer Force.
019/09 Village Open Day / Fun Week
There was nothing further to report on this topic.
020/09 Village Developments
Councillor Thompson spoke of his previously circulated report on his meeting with PC Kevin Lowe, Dave Drury the Derbyshire Constabulary Architectural Security Officer and Gary Bacon from Peak Park. It would now seem that the Willows is deemed an unsuitable area for recreational use by children but we should still look for other possible uses. It was agreed that the public be asked for suggestions at the Village Open Day.
021/09 Date of Next Meeting
The Council resolved to meet on Wednesday 18th February 2009 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.53 pm.
