LONG ITCHINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Transcription

1 LONG ITCHINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 1 st SEPTEMBER 2010 AT 7.30 pm IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, STOCKTON ROAD, LONG ITCHINGTON Councillors present: David Cobley (Chairman), Christopher Spencer (Vice-Chairman) Barbara Atkins, Ian Briggs, Wendy Charles, Frances Heales and Adrian McNally District & County Cllr: Robert Stevens Parish Clerk: Sue Jack Members of the public: 1 1. Apologies accepted: Councillors Jackson and Wheatley (holidays) and Mrs. Hughes. 2. Questions from members of the public: 2.1 Footpaths: Russell Fowler reported that there were only three people on the Footpaths Group now and this made it difficult to operate the P3 Agreement with the County Council. More manpower was needed to put in posts etc. It was agreed to put an item in the Parish Diary asking for more helpers and the suggestion was made that organised walks might attract more interest from the public. 2.2 HS2 Action Alliance: it was agreed to join the grouping of councils along the proposed route and to provide details of the parish to Chetwode Parish Meeting. 3. Declaration of interests: none. 4. Minutes of the meeting held on 7 th July 2010 Councillor McNally proposed that the minutes, having been circulated to all councillors prior to this meeting, were signed as a correct record. Councillor Briggs seconded this proposal and it was agreed. 5. Neighbourhood Watch: Councillor Charles reported that 1. Two cars had been visiting Green End and the occupants had been suspected of supplying drugs to local young people. This has now ceased. Police had also raided a flat in Sitwell Avenue and, although no-one was arrested, the suspected drug-related activities appeared to have stopped. 2. Scams by companies purporting to sell burglar alarms connected to the police had gone quiet. 3. Play areas there had been some damage to equipment at Leigh Crescent and the sink in the ladies toilet at Green End had been smashed with a piece of concrete. 4. Yellow paint had been thrown at the notice board in Stockton Road, the seat nearby, the footpath leading to Leigh Crescent, the window of a bungalow and some signs. The Clerk was asked to contact Orbit Housing as it was suspected that the paint may have been taken from one of the garages as the doors were not very secure. 5. Speeding by cars in many areas of the village was an ongoing problem. Councillor Charles was looking into the possibility of obtaining a speed gun to try and slow vehicles down. 6. Report from District/County Councillor Stevens: 6.1 The County Council needed to make a 20% reduction in expenditure ( 80m) over the next four years. It was expected that the grant from the Government would be cut but details would not be available until 21 st October (transport and road repairs were likely to be affected). 6.2 Adult services it was not proposed to close Care Homes but independent units were to be built in the future as these were a cheaper option. 6.3 Education the building of Academies would take money away from the County Council. 6.4 NHS the Primary Care Trust was to be abolished. Page 1.

2 6.5 Police it was proposed to elect the Chief Constable in future. 6.6 Planning it was proposed to abolish the Regional Spatial Strategy and Local Plans. 6.7 Electoral boundary changes were expected. 6.8 Regional Development Agencies - were to be abolished and replaced by Local Economic Partnerships, possibly combining Warwickshire with Coventry. 6.9 Local Forums - to be given more importance The Standards Board and the Audit Commission - to be abolished. 7 Reports from committees: 7.1 Community Centre: Mrs. Linda Clark had been appointed as lettings secretary More councillors were needed on the Management Committee and particularly to help with setting up and clearing away after shows The insulation project had been completed and the costs should be entirely covered by grants. 7.2 Communications A meeting had been held on 31 st August to discuss the proposed survey to update information used in the Parish Plan. It was agreed to apply for a grant to cover costs and delay the carrying out of the survey until this was obtained. 7.3 Emergency Planning Flood pump: Councillor McNally was arranging to buy a toolbox for the pump trolley Church Road drain replacement: work had now started Parish Emergency Plan: this had been completed and sent to the County Council for printing Watermark project: Councillor Heales agreed to attend the meeting and report back. 7.4 Finance Monthly report: see attached Payments for approval: see attached. The payments list for August had been authorised by Councillors Atkins, Charles and Heales. Councillor Briggs proposed that the payments for September were approved and Councillor McNally seconded the proposal. All agreed Bank mandates: Councillors Briggs and McNally still needed to obtain a mandate from the bank Accounts systems: Councillor Spencer said he was looking into alternative systems as the current one relied on maintenance from Chris Hancock, who had designed it but might not always be available in the future Assistant for Parish Clerk/Community Centre: Councillor Spencer said a job description was being finalised at present Pavilion refurbishment: a users group meeting had been held on 23 rd August to finalise the work that was required to bring the pavilion up to the standard required for the football teams, including alterations to the dressing rooms and new showers. The cost would be approximately 3000 with 1000 and free labour being provided by Leamington Hibernian, a 1000 grant and the balance being met by the Parish Council. The pitch was currently being maintained by Mr. Pails at his own expense and it was agreed to reimburse his costs out of petty cash and possibly pay him a fee for carrying out the work in future. 7.5 Street Lighting/Highways Faulty Lights: the light outside the Old Vicarage, Leamington Road, was out Highways Working Party meeting 26 th July: see notes attached. The next meeting was arranged for Wednesday 15 th September at 7.30pm at The Green Man Gulleys: gulleys in Leamington Road, Bascote Road and opposite the Buck and Bell needed jetting clear. Page 2.

3 7.5.4 Street lighting: Councillor Spencer said that the County Council had looked at the parish lights and said that some were in a condition suitable to transfer to the County for future maintenance but many were not due to their age and condition or the spacing along the road. As the lights in a road were transferred the costs to the Parish Council for electricity and maintenance would be reduced and the money saved could be used to update further lights, which could then be transferred also. It was planned to meet with the County Council to get more information on the options available to the Parish Council. 7.6 Playing Fields/Open Spaces LILAC: a drainage grant had been applied for and a draft masterplan forwarded to Stratford District Council for comment. It was planned to hold the next meeting once a response was received Working Party meeting 26 th July: see notes attached. The next meeting was arranged for Wednesday 15 th September at 8pm at The Green Man Smell at Leigh Crescent: the Clerk had received no complaints since the new pumping station had been installed at Dowdeswells but Councillor Stevens had received an with details of a report of a smell. The Clerk agreed to investigate Moles at playing field: the Clerk had left a message for Mr. Jukes, the mole catcher Fish trap in pond: Councillor McNally agreed to speak to Mr. Davies about the trap he had found with a duck drowned in it Tree for Sitwell Avenue: the plum tree had been felled but it was agreed to ask Orbit Housing Association to plant a non-fruiting tree in a nearby location Replacement dog bin for Chater s Orchard: the Clerk agreed to find out why the new bin had not been installed. 7.7 Planning Monthly report: see attached planning report and a schedule of current applications and recent decisions Cemex: Liaison Group meeting 7 th September the Chairman and Councillor Charles agreed to attend Housing: the Clerk reported that a planning application was expected soon for the Stockton Road development Enforcement matters: no information had been received from the District Council. Clerk to chase Stratford East Area Planning Committee Meeting 25 th August: no items Planning Rota: September Cllrs. Atkins and Jackson, October Cllrs. Charles and Wheatley 8. Meetings attended/forthcoming meetings 8.1 Community Forum 6 th October at 7pm at Southam Primary School Cllrs. Atkins and Charles to attend. 8.2 Warks. County Council Pension Fund meeting 24 th November at 9.15am. 8.3 Responding to planning applications training course on Saturday 2 nd October 10-1pm at Dunchurch Village Hall Cllrs. Charles, Heales and Wheatley to attend. 8.4 WALC agm on Wednesday 27 th October at 7.30pm at Shire Hall, Warwick. 9. Correspondence for circulation 9.1 Charity Commission News 9.2 BCTV Warks. information 9.3 Fieldwork CPRE magazine 9.4 Countryside Voice magazine 10. Other Items 10.1 Parish Plan Action Plan: the proposed survey was to be dealt with by the Communications Working Party Parish Council election costs: no information was available yet. Page 3.

4 10.3 WALC Standing Orders & Financial Regulations update: Councillor Spencer had sent an updated draft to all councillors and awaited comments Parish Diary items: Councillor Atkins and the Clerk agreed to pass on items to the editor. The Clerk was asked to remind the Diary Editor and the Courier Correspondent that the Parish Council does not hold a formal meeting in August Parish Council grants: a meeting to discuss the applications received was to be arranged Clerk s Review: the Chairman and Councillors Atkins and Spencer agreed to meet on Thursday 30 th September at 5pm at the Parish Council office. 11. Date of meetings all at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Stockton Road. 6 th October rd November st December 2010 The Chairman declared the meeting closed at p.m. Signed Date.. Page 4.

5 Highways Working Party meeting 26 th July notes 1. Annual Parish Meeting items Speeding at Stockton Road reduce to 20mph part of housing scheme? Model Village repairs why not on list for this year? On 5 year plan. Anti-skid surface at crossing on A423 why not replaced? Leigh Crescent parking problems at junction with Stockton Road police informed. 2. Pot hole survey to be updated Cllrs. Briggs and Cobley. 3. Fencing at Bascote Road is barbed wire legal? Clerk to find out. 4. Speed reduction at Bascote Heath check latest position with WCC. 5. The verge and road opposite the pub - low priority according to Mr. Byrne. PC to put posts in? Possibly get a grant (Conservation Area improvement?) or donation. Councillor Briggs to devise some options for consideration. 6. New Highways signs: Height restriction signs needed for bridge at Snowford Hill near pond and weight limit on river bridge, Leamington Road and at the Fosse end of the road requested from WCC. Informed that there is a backlog of requests and will be looked at as soon as possible. 7. New name signs: The Green - the Clerk had requested a sign for the green by the notice board in Church Road. 8. Bus shelter at Short Lane WCC has reimbursed Parish Council. 9. Smell at Leigh Crescent - Mr. Stringer of Dowdeswells has informed the Clerk that the new pump is up and running. Residents were informed through the Diary and asked to report any further smells. 10. Bollard opposite Co-op is leaning WCC to be asked to repair. 11. Beechcroft Cllr. Spencer had met Ms. Holdsworth of Orbit, Heart of England about a) the ownership of the road Orbit do not own it. Clerk had got confirmation that WCC own it. b) Garden/verge along the front of the wall Orbit do not own it but are willing to plant it up and hand over to LIPC for future maintenance. Cllr. Spencer to ask Mr. Purser for suggestions for low maintenance planting. c) Tenancy criteria there are no restrictions at present but Orbit and Stratford DC can create rules if there is a local need. Annual Parish Meeting produced no response but an item was put in the Parish Diary to ask if there was a demand for local people to be allocated bungalows in Beechcroft. No response had been received. Streetlights 1. Meeting with WCC - Clerk has forwarded a log to WCC to enable an inspection. 2. Extra lights for Green End and Leigh Crescent play areas - to prevent vandalism, had been suggested. It was agreed to get a price for installation and discuss the idea with residents/police etc. 3. Light at Thorn Way was made safe by E.ON and a new light has been ordered. Clerk has made a claim for reimbursement. 4. PL5 Galanos resident had requested a shield to prevent light shining in his house now adopted. Clerk to check options. Page 5.

6 Open Spaces Working Party meeting 26 th July notes 1. Discussion re use of football pitch for next season a meeting was held on Friday 16 th July at the Pavilion. It was agreed to offer both teams access to the facilities with no charge being made for the U8 s, 190 per season charged for the U12 18 s and 375 charged for the senior teams, with no charge for training. Leamington Hibs agreed at the meeting but Wulfstan Dynamos left saying they would have to hold another meeting. Today their Chairman contacted the Clerk to say WD s wanted to proceed but were concerned about a clash on Saturday mornings as both teams needed to use the Pavilion at the same time. A users group meeting needed to be arranged asap. Keys for the pavilion have been issued to one contact from each club and possible problems with car parking needed to be dealt with. Keys for the new field gate were needed for all teams, who would have responsibility for locking the gate after matches. Improvements to the pavilion, including an extension for storage, might need planning permission and the Clerk was asked to check this. 2. Request for dog bin at churchyard a letter had been received from Mrs. Skilbeck, Church Warden, explaining the problems of dog fouling. It was decided not to provide a bin as there were three nearby which could be used. Signs were to be obtained from the Dog Warden. Clerk has informed Mrs. Skilbeck. 3. Noticeboard for Leigh Crescent request from residents. Clerk to investigate the possibility of a grant to pay for the board. 4. Bus shelter guttering needs repair - it was agreed that the guttering was not necessary and the remaining sections could be removed. Mrs. Fincham has been asked. 5. Memorial seats it was agreed to place the seat in front of the Marsh House. Clerk has contacted Wendy Hawke about the location. Site meeting required to finalise position. Mrs. Milly Duckett had died recently and her family wanted to buy a seat it was agreed to site it on the green between the noticeboard and the Tom Wright seats. Mr. Ward has been asked to install it Leigh Crescent roses etc. hanging over path and around street light to be cut back. 7. LILAC Cllr. Wheatley reported that a grant for the drainage of the new field had been applied for. Jenny Bevan, WCC, was surveying the need for youth provision in rural areas and wanted to attend the next meeting on 4 th August. This was agreed. Anthony Pugh had offered to draw up a plan of the proposal for Parish Council approval and to use for discussion with the Planning Dept. 8. Pond overflow PC is responsible for repairs. Mr. Byrne had confirmed that a Section 50 Street Works Licence would be required if a connection was to be made to the main. He is happy to meet on site with plans to discuss the exact location of the mains. Clerk to arrange meeting. New flotation cubes(11) needed. 9. Tollgate Cottage Ian Field trees are hanging over garden/fence being damaged. MAC to remove. 10. Practice goal - for playing field needs to be installed. Mr. Ward has been asked to install. 11. SM3 area around kissing gate - gets very muddy when wet - needs hardcore/chippings laying. Agreed to leave until March. WCC will inspect. Page 6.

7 Information/updates on existing jobs 1. Marton Road - Sign Gate this way. T & J to put up. 2. Footpaths SM2 spur to Leamington Road roots breaking up surface - WCC has said that some filling has been done but resurfacing is not a priority at present. Clerk has e d him again about the main footpath where tree roots have become dangerous. He has inspected and agreed to level. 3. Play area repairs. Site meetings would be useful for new councillors. Leigh Crescent Safety surface under swings needs repair SDC asked to replace fence. EA informed of smell Springer to be replaced - T & J to be asked (DW has springer) Allan key needed star shaped with a centre hole Mick Pails has it. Short Lane Play area Replacement of springers - Grant approved. Clerk to order. Fence around green needs inspecting - T & J Problem with footballs. Re-design green area? Clerk to contact garden designer. Green End Slide to be checked/wood needed SJ to contact supplier. Toilet Block ceiling T & J are to repair. Paint once finished. Toilet Block new cisterns and sink needed(vandalism) quote requested from Mr. Case. Pillar needs capping Mr. Ward asked to do it. 4. Bins 4.1 New bin for Galanos SDC will empty it if a need can be proved Mr. Ward to install. 4.2 Leigh Crescent play area Mr. Ward to install. 4.3 Green End rubbish was being dumped from cars and a bin had been requested by Mr. Faulkner (811109). Mrs. Fincham has been monitoring amount of litter, mostly take-away food wrappers, but feels culprits are unlikely to use a bin. 5. Trees 5.1 LIFE project Mr. Purser has agreed to update the tree schedule. 5.2 Tree Survey the completed survey sets out a three year plan of work. A decision to proceed needs to be made. 5.3 Trees at New field need clearing between them. Mrs. Fincham to strim. 5.4 Plum tree at Leigh Crescent has been felled. 5.5 Trees on Dr. Bellamy s land (adjoining Jessica Hayes,11 Leather St ) need cutting back - Mac to report. 5.6 Wulfstan Drive part of a tree was dead. Mr. Purser and Mac to inspect. 5.7 TPO plans Mr. Purser had obtained plans from SDC. Page 7.

8 PLANNING REPORT August /01346/FUL 3 Village Hall Road, Long Itchington Mr. Wood Erection of single storey and 2-storey extensions. No objection. 10/01039/FUL Lilac Cottage, Bascote Ms. Paige By 23/8/10 Retrospective LPG tank and proposed air source heat pump Concern about proximity of air pump to neighbour s property. SDC/10CM015 Cemex UK, Southam Works, Long Itchington By 27/8/10 Clay handling facility building and associated plant and machinery SDC/10CM016 Cemex UK, Land at Spiers Farm, Southam Works, Long Itchington By 9/9/10 Extraction of limestone and clay as extension to Southam Quarry, screening and storage of material for offsite transportation to Rugby Cement Works. Creation of new haulage route from extension area to processing area and associated landscaping, screening and restoration works. Page 8.