DONNINGTON AND MUXTON PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Council Meeting held at Turreff Hall on 12 th October 2015 Present: Councillors: Mrs L Dugmore (Chairman), Mrs E A Clare, N Dugmore, Mrs R Gregory, J Haigh, A Lawrence, C Mason, V Rainsford, J Thompson. Also Present: R Morgan (Parish Clerk). 15/10/107 Apologies: Councillors Mrs L A Edwards, M B Edwards, D Hayward and J Lavery. Resolved that the apologies are accepted. 15/10/108 Declaration of Interest: As per Register. 15/10/109 Public Session: There were no members of the public present. Councillor J Haigh asked if the item regarding Cordingley Hall could be discussed next as he had other commitments this evening. Resolved that Cordingley Hall is discussed next and that by the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 S1(2) and under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded for the remainder of the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the Acts. 15/10/126 Cordingley Hall Councillors discussed the future potential of Cordingley Hall. 15/10/110 Bus Routes Telford Councillors were informed that the representative from Arriva was unable to attend tonight s meeting but had provided the Council with a network review update which stated that: Donnington and Muxton did experience some of the larger changes to our network with the de-registration of service 33 and 55. Service 33 was unfortunately weak in certain areas such as the Humbers resulting in the decision to cover as much of the service as possible with service 5, 5a and 6. Service 55 which overlapped other existing services was also deregistered with service 6, 7 and 7a picking up the stronger sections. Service 6 and 7 also gave new cross town links to areas such as the Forge Retail Park and Overdale on service 7 and the new Morrisons and housing developments in Lawley. Service 6 has also given Muxton a fast and direct link into Telford and also picks up more of the new developments along Marshbrook Way. During the first months of the changes a punctuality issue with service 6 and 7 has been identified and an updated timetable introduced from the 14th November. Aside from improved punctuality this change will introduce service 6 and 7 back past the Aldi and Bingo Hall and also put two extra buses per hour along Wellington Road towards Trench. In short service 6 will no longer serve Turreff Avenue and operate straight along Wellington Road via Aldi. Service 7 will now serve Turreff Avenue clockwise in the direction of Telford and anti-clockwise in the direction of Wellington. Service 7a will now serve Turreff Avenue the same as the revised daytime 7. Councillors were disgusted that Arriva had not attended this meeting and concerns were raised regarding the proposed amendments in that: 504
Residents living in Celadine Way would not cross over a busy by-pass (Donnington Wood Way) to catch a bus on Marshbrook Way. Also, Telford & Wrekin Council would not allow buses to stop on Donnington Wood Way due to road safety issues The service along Oakengates Road, Donnington has not been reinstated. Arriva were still investigating providing a bus service along St Matthew s Road, Donnington despite a request for this being made a considerable number of years ago. The service provided to Trench, Wrockwardine Wood and Donnington was extremely poor compared with the rest of Telford. Once again, no consultation had taken place regarding the changes to the bus service as from 14 th November 2015. Resolved that the Clerk writes to Arriva expressing the Councils disappointment in their nonattendance and to invite them to meet with this Council at their convenience. 15/10/111 Minutes Councillors were asked to confirm the following Minutes of the Council s meeting held on 7 th September 2015. Resolved - that they are confirmed and signed as a true record. 15/10/112 Matters Arising from Minutes War Memorial Donnington The Clerk explained that he had tried to arrange meetings with the Officer from Telford & Wrekin Council regarding cutting and collecting the grass and would continue to chase up this matter. Quiet Lane, Muxton Lane The Chairman informed Councillors that a resident had received an email from Mr N Kitchen (Senior Traffic and Streetworks Engineer Telford and Wrekin Council) regarding requests from this Council and residents that Muxton Lane should be designated a Quiet Lane. It stated: As a result of your email I have placed Muxton Lane on our list of highway schemes which will be investigated further. In the short term this will mean that your request will be investigated to ascertain if it justifies further intervention. Should initial investigations suggest that there is, your request will go forward for consideration for funding from a future Highways Capital Programme. The Chairman stated that she would pass this email on to the Clerk and requested that the Clerk asks Mr Kitchen for updates on the implementation of Weight Restrictions along St George s Road and Wrekin Drive, Donnington and speed restriction methods along Wellington Road, Muxton. Notice Board, The Parade, Donnington The Clerk was asked to contact P Lorenzo (Telford & Wrekin Council Senior Road Safety Officer) to inform him that Councillors have noticed that work on The Parade has not yet been completed as the notice board which was part of the scheme has not yet been installed and to enquire when this would be done. Working Lunch Group The Chairman informed Councillors that a date had yet to be set inviting local partners/organisations to a working lunch to share information about what was happening in and around the parish but this would happen in the near future. Church Walk, Donnington Councillor Mrs E A Clare informed Councillors that there was supposed to be a buyer for the development at Church Walk, Donnington who appeared extremely keen on the project. As a result Councillors Mrs E A Clare and C Mason had delayed their planned meeting with residents protesting about the lack of work by the developer. 505
However, the agent of the developer had arranged to meet with Telford & Wrekin Council today (12 th October) but had not turned up. As a result both Councillors would now continue with their planned meeting and invite the local media to it. Security Alarm Improvements, Turreff Hall The Clerk informed Councillors that this was scheduled to be carried out on 28 th October 2015. 15/10/113 Expenditure Transactions Each Councillor received a copy of the Expenditure Transactions for August 2015. Resolved that the expenditure transactions for August 2015 are accepted as a true record. 15/10/114 Bank Reconciliation Each Councillor received a copy of the Bank Reconciliation as at 31 st August 2015. Resolved that the bank reconciliation as at 31 st August 2015 is accepted as a true record. 15/10/115 Financial Budget Comparisons Each Councillor received a copy of the financial budget comparisons as at 31 st August 2015. Resolved that they be confirmed and signed as a true record. 15/10/116 Parish Council Insurance Due to the cancellation of the Council meeting on 14 th September 2015 and the Council s insurance renewal date being 1 st October 2015, Councillors were requested to ratify the decision to have Ecclesiastical as its insurance provider up to 30 th September 2016 as it adequately covers the risks identified by this Council. Resolved to ratify the decision to use Ecclesiastical as its insurance provider up to 30 th September 2016 as it adequately covers the risks identified by this Council. 15/10/117 Play area Saltwell s Drive, Muxton Due to the recent decision to move the proposed Saltwell s Drive Multi-Use Game Area (MUGA) to Brands Meadow and the raised expectations for play area improvement at Saltwell s Drive, Councillors were asked to consider contributing 4,000 toward the project to improve play facilities (supernova) at this location. Councillors asked if it would be possible to get a grant from SITA toward the cost but were informed that the next time applications could be submitted to SITA was January 2016. Councillors Mrs E A Clare and C Mason stated that they were investigating provision of more play equipment by the Lifelong Learning Centre. Resolved that this Council contributes 4,000 toward the piece of play equipment for the play area at Saltwell s Drive, Muxton and the Clerk is to inform Mr D Owen (Telford & Wrekin Council Parks and Recreation Officer) of this decision. Councillor J Haigh then gave his apologies and left the meeting. 15/10/118 Local Council Award Scheme Councillors were informed that to achieve the foundation level of the Local Council Award Scheme a Council must demonstrate that it has the minimum documentation and information in place for operating lawfully and according to standard practice. The Council also has policies for training councillors and officers and is building a foundation for improvement and development. As a result: 506
1. Councillors were asked to approve the Action Plan for 2015/2016 and 2. The Council must confirm by resolution at a full council meeting that it publishes online those items listed in the document attached with this agenda. Resolved to approve the action plan for 2015/2016 and confirms that it publishes online, and has, the required information, policies and documents required to achieve the Foundation Level of the Local Council Award Scheme. 15/10/119 Christmas Lights Lilleshall Parish Council has decided to no longer fund the Christmas lights on the Red House roundabout and, as such, has asked if this Council wishes to purchase the five streetlight festoons for a nominal price. Councillors discussed this offer and considered what price this Council is willing to pay. Resolved that the Clerk is authorised to negotiate a price with Lilleshall Parish Council to purchase the Christmas lights up to a maximum of 250. 15/10/120 Muxton Notice Boards Councillors discussed the purchase of notice board(s) for Muxton and to agree location(s). Resolved to purchase two notice boards at a cost of 250 each and to locate one at the play area on Saltwell s Drive and the other at the play area on Marshbrook Way, Muxton. 15/10/121 Shropshire County Pension Fund Councillors were requested to agree authorised signatories to sign pension documents on behalf of Donnington and Muxton Parish Council. Resolved that Councillor Mrs E A Clare and the Clerk are the authorised signatories to sign documents from the Shropshire County Pension Fund on behalf of this Parish Council. 15/10/122 Council priorities for forthcoming year The Chairman requested that Councillors consider setting up a meeting of Councillors to discuss in a relaxed social manner this Council s long term plans, priorities and aspirations for the forthcoming years and consider any actions required that this Council may need to put in place to achieve them (e.g. budgets). The meetings would be informal and closed to members of the public with the aim of providing an action/business plan for an extended period of time. Resolved that the Clerk arranges a meeting of Councillors in an evening to discuss this councils priorities for the future. 15/10/123 Bank Signatories Councillors were requested to agree the signatories for the Co-operative Bank and the Bank of Scotland together with those allowed access to the accounts but who are not signatories (Clerk and Assistant Clerk) and agree to the resolutions as required by both banks as per the Change of bank signatories forms. Resolved that the signatories of the Council s Bank Accounts are Councillors N Dugmore, Mrs R Gregory, J Lavery and A Lawrence and those allowed access but who are not signatories are the Clerk and Assistant Clerk. Also, this Councils agrees to the resolutions required by both banks. 15/10/124 Christmas Festival The Chairman provided the Councillors with an update on the progress of the Christmas Festival for this year. 507
15/10/125 Pride in Your High Street Councillor Mrs R Gregory informed Councillors that applications for improvements to Albert Place, an Easter Egg hunt, a Halloween event with lanterns and other Lifelong Learning Centre activities have been submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council for Donnington as part of the Pride in Your High Street Scheme. The Clerk informed Councillors that this Council had also submitted an application for funding toward a Community Christmas Market for 2016. 15/10/127 Agenda Items for the Next Council Meeting The following items were requested by Councillors to be placed on the agenda for the next Council meeting: Play area Lifelong Learning Centre Councillor Mrs E A Clare Invite a representative from Arriva and the Cabinet Member from Telford & Wrekin Council, Councillor Mrs Angela McClements to discuss the changes to the bus routes Councillor J Thompson. Donnington War Memorial Councillor C Mason Invite N Kitchen (Senior Traffic and Streetworks Engineer Telford and Wrekin Council) to provide updates regarding weight restrictions St George s Road/Wrekin Drive, Donnington and speed reduction measures Wellington Road, Muxton. 15/10/128 Date of next meeting The Chairman informed Councillors that the next Council meeting is to be held on Monday 9 th November 2015 at Turreff Hall, Donnington commencing at 7pm. The meeting closed at 2040hrs. Signed: Date: 508