BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER 2016 AT BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD VILLAGE HALL Present: - Cllr S van Daesdonk (Chairman) Cllr G Hughes Cllr E Sharkey Cllr D Sherratt (Vice Chair) Cllr A Kennedy Cllr M Naylor Cllr J Taylor Cllrs A Jones Cllr L Brant Cllr S Theaker Cllr L Bennett Parish Clerk S Rumsby 2 Members of the public Press Action Points Responsibility Deadline 1 Chairman s welcome and opening remarks. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, thanking them for attending. 2 Apologies for Absence No apologies received. 3 Parishioners Forum No comments received. 4 Police Report /ESBC / Semi-Rural Neighbourhood Co-ordinator No reports received. 5 Minutes of the last Parish Council Meeting It was proposed by Cllr Hughes and seconded by Cllr Sherratt that the minutes be accepted. All agreed. 6 Committee Reports : 1. Finance The Committee had met and a report circulated prior to the meeting. The external audit had been completed. Our levels of reserves were mentioned and Cllr Sherratt pressed Cllrs to put forward proposals for a worthwhile project to spend some of this. Monies had been set aside in the past for projects not now coming to fruition such as the green machine replacement and land for burial which seems unlikely and is not actively pursued unless something comes up. The report was accepted. Receipts & Payments Councillors referred to the monthly summary at Addendum 1 and contents were accepted. Phil Gould s invoice was queried and the Clerk confirmed that this was for the whole of the season. Accepted. All 2. Village Enhancement Scheme Minutes from the meeting had been circulated to all Cllrs ahead of the Parish Council meeting and these were accepted. Cllr Naylor advised that Ben Adams had refused to meet in the village. Mark Deaville have given two dates in November to visit but this would be a little late for the decision on the drop off zone. She will attempt to meet him before the end of October. 1
20 volunteers were needed for 19 th October, 11.30-3.30pm to put together the village information packs. Volunteers were also needed to deliver them. It was agreed we should write to East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council indicating our intention to tender for the Better Barton detailed design. Assuming 30k will be paid from Cameron Homes plus 10k from the Parish Council, the brief could determine what we could get for that and what aspects to take out. It would also tell us if Amey were overpriced. Peter Hardy would help. Cllr Naylor Cllr Naylor 3. Transport & Environment The Neighbourhood Plan had not progressed. Cllr Sharkey had spoken to Roger Bell who is available to help. Newbold Quarry Cllr Sharkey advised the liaison group had met. The marina lakes were discussed. Water had been pumped back into the nearest lake. Water levels had recovered somewhat but it is the end of summer. Cllr Sharkey confirmed they had done the maths on rates. The Swiss parent company had carried out an environmental audit and found this site is the best, operationally in all aspects in Europe. Phase 1 would take one year, 2 years on phase 2. The area nearer the roundabout is to be stripped this year with hedges taken out over the winter. Press releases will be published over the coming months. Cllr Sharkey had seen aerial photos which show that if quarry was not there, the land would be developed. Neighbouring parishes need to brainstorm their preferred use of it after excavation. The working life is 10 years. Aggregate Industries would then be involved for further 10 years on restoration and after care. Cllr Sharkey Cllr Sharkey 4. Planning (Cllrs to refer to Addendum 2) Cllr Brant reported on the Keeling Drive application number 01078 - despite Borough Cllrs putting forward their views on the original planning conditions for the estate, it was accepted. Conditions on whole estate were that garages were not to be used for living accommodation. There was a lack of parking and the width of the roads was not suitable for extra on-street parking. Infants and Junior Schools expansion the Chairman updated on the stakeholder sessions. Both schools said the additional intake is in theory for years that already exist if the year is already at full capacity. The Education Authority research estimated this as 8 per year. No one knew how many of the new houses were occupied. Cllr A Jones confirmed that this is a standard number for that many houses. Cllr Brant felt as Barton was more popular, the national figure seemed wrong. The Infants school said the PAN number was 60, and they could only go beyond this number if higher authorities make them. Mike Donoghue had clarified that as they are an academy they can choose; however, as they will only get paid for 60 they will not go beyond that number. People out of catchment will be pushed out and catchment criteria comes before letting siblings in. The Infants school is not changing their teaching profile at present. Traffic both schools tried hard to convince that as there would be less children from outside the catchment area, this should improve. Location of units at the infants school - this had been looked at 2
carefully, it was important the building is an integral part of the school. The sports field cannot be built upon due to restrictions. No trees will be affected. The hedge at the front will stay or be replaced. Cllrs asked to be kept in the loop as to when and how the works will start, as there are still serious concerns on disruption. Cllr Sharkey queried construction access but this was not yet known. Cllr Sharkey said they would need an arboriculture method statement. This will be done at the detailed design stage as well as a traffic impact study. Cllr Brant said she was on the board of governors at the concept stage and said they have come up with best location they can. Cllr Sharkey suggested the Parish Council are party to the construction management plan. This should include the traffic impact, and tree statement. Cllr Brant was asked to coordinate an official response. Cllr Sherratt felt the objection should stand due to not enough information rather than the principle of the proposal. Cllr Brant 5. Village Hall Nothing to report. 6. Holland Sports Club The Constitution had been accepted with two minor adjustments and the Committee re-elected. A Treasurer s report was available but it was not very thorough, more details had been sent and these were to be reviewed and consulted with the Secretary. There is a 1600 deficit and to date, nothing had been done about obtaining the rates relief. The new Treasurer is taking this on board. Consequences of the club folding were discussed, but it was agreed to now just keep a watching brief on the situation. Full end of year accounts would be requested. All agreed. It was also agreed that the Parish Council would not be paying for any new lease associated with incorporation. The Trustees resignation was noted. 7. Burial Ground Works had been delayed. 2 lorry loads of tarmac had now been removed and Stone will be back at the beginning of next week to progress. Cllr Hughes asked why the skip locations had been changed. The Chairman advised that a neighbour had not been properly consulted. Howard Price was happy with the relocation as it had better access for the skip removal and a turning area. The Chairman said the position was much clearer once the trees were down. The relocation does not impact on the number of plots created. 8. Parks and Open Spaces Maintenance contract the committee did a walk round and looked at all snagging items. Phil Gould has one more year on the current contract. Maintenance of shrub areas: Ash Tree and Gilmour Lane are not being done. The mowing is fine but there has been no weed maintenance. The Committee felt there is no reason why it cannot be covered under one contract. It was agreed to complete documentation with a schedule of works and put it to him as a package to price up. If the price is higher for additional items the Committee would go back to two other firms. It was agreed, if there is only marginal increase this would be acceptable but if he does not want to do the extras he may 3 P&OS
well withdraw. In parallel, the Committee will have asked two other companies to quote. All agreed. The risk assessment advised by ESBC will form part of the tender documents. Potters Way Cllr Brant queried what had happened with the speed limit signs. has this in hand. It was reported that Mrs Garratt, the lollipop lady, had noticed an improvement since the road markings had appeared. Fishpond disabled fishing spot. had not seen the particular fisherman. The path from the disabled parking bay to the peg needs to be improved. Cllr Sherratt had received a complaint from someone about how the bailiff had spoken to them in a verbally abusive manner. will speak to the bailiff. There was some discussion about Vernon Wright supplying a ton of gravel for the pegs. He had quoted 370 for laying the gravel, repair of pegs and weedkill. He had not quoted for gravel for the footpath. It was agreed the Fishpond Committee should meet and look at funds. There was a need to recruit another member to replace Adrian Wedgewood who had resigned. He had been thanked for his contribution. The Committee also needed to second another bailiff. Mill Lane plot of land. Cllr Sharkey had not managed to progress this. He will draft a letter to Bellways coping in our Borough Councillors. Gilmour Lane lights meeting to be arranged with John Tradewell DS to be present. Fishpond Committee Cllr Sharkey Clerk 9. Human Resources Nothing to report. There was a Government requirement to begin our Declaration of Compliance, but this could not be fully completed until after our staging date of January 2017. 10. Allotments There had been two viewings. One is to be taken on, but with no charge as it is overgrown. There are currently 5 vacancies. Cllr Hughes said there may be more vacancies coming up due to people becoming less able to manage them as they got older. 7 Community Speedwatch Cllr A Jones circulated figures from the EDWARD campaign for Staffordshire and also the Speedwatch team report. 8 Administration Councillors referred to items on Addendum 2 for consideration, all accepted. 1. Winter planting request for funds, ( 130 spent last year) agreed. 2. Stone Construction tarmac disposal 2.5-3.5K estimate, Cllrs agreed by email 3. Midland Tree Surgeons, tree works at Fishpond 594 4. Beacon Construction works to brook at Potters Way 500 5. Grant Thornton external audit 480 6. Gilvar Lining Potters Way & Crowberry Lane car park 1,062 7. Tolputt Keeton printing and wallets information packs 1590.43 8. Vistaprint printing of A5 flyers for information packs 52.78 9. Phil Gould grounds maintenance 2016-3950 4
10. Office Direct stationery, printing ink 110.78 11. Eon Fishpond pump 91.88 12. Eon Street lighting maintenance 585.32 13. Else Solicitors LLP advice re Holland Sports Club Lease and Constitution 120 All accepted. 9 Correspondence The Schedule was referred to. 1. The response from Midland Classic was discussed. 2. Re-opening of Barton Station this was not viable. East Staffordshire Borough Council had not incorporated this into their strategy although Derbyshire had. 3. Playdale to copy in Cllr Sharkey on the full annual inspection report. 4. Facebook activity - compliments from Dunstall and Tatenhill and residents it was noted that from 6m funds received in S106 money in East Staffordshire for Highways, there was 150K for projects pursuant to this area. 10 Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies 1. Cllr Naylor reported that when she attended the John Taylor Awards Evening, there had been no prize awarded from the Parish Council Cllrs wondered if perhaps the student was not present on the evening and advised her to look in the booklet to see if there was a mention as our usual donation had been made. 2. It was noted that an Asset of Community Value Order was now in place for the Royal Oak. 3. Cllr Sherratt invited all Councillors to attend Remembrance Sunday commemorations and parade on 13 November. The Chairman agreed to take part. Cllr Brant proposed and Cllr Bennett seconded that a Wreath be purchased and the usual donation made to the Royal British Legion All agreed. 11 Councillors Reports Nothing to report. 12 Clerks Report A complaint had been received about dog fouling on the green open space at Oak Road. The Clerk had notified the Borough Council and had been informed that dogs were allowed on a lead on the green until the Public Space Protection Order was in place. New signage would then go up and dogs would then only be allowed in the fenced off area. Clerk has relayed this to the resident. Craig Bird Needwood Firefighters request nomination for Certificate of Recognition this was proposed and accepted, to be awarded and the next available meeting. The Clerk requested time off from Wednesday 26 October to Friday 28 October inclusive and additionally 17 November for a hospital appointment. 13 Dates of Future Meetings: Thursday - Future meetings would be 3 November, 1 December 2016, 5 January, 2 February, 2 March 2017. 5
The Chairman thanked those present and closed the meeting at 9.05pm 6