LONG ITCHINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11 th JANUARY 2012 AT 7.30 pm IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, STOCKTON ROAD, LONG ITCHINGTON Present: David Cobley (Chairman) Ian Briggs (Vice-Chairman) Barbara Atkins Linda Clark Frances Heales Richard Jackson Adrian McNally Russ Wheatley County Cllr: Robert Stevens Parish Clerk: Sue Jack Members of the public: 1 1. Apologies accepted: Councillor Spencer (meeting) and Councillor Charles (ill) 2. Questions from members of the public: Mr. Berry was concerned about 1) overgrown or fallen trees in the river between Long Itchington and Marton. He was willing to meet the Environment Agency and it was agreed to arrange a meeting to discuss his concerns. 2) cars being advertised for sale on the old village hall car park, apparently as part of a business. The Clerk had contacted the police and the highways authority and it was agreed to try and erect a sign saying No trading. 3. Declaration of interests: none. 4. Minutes of the meeting held on 7 th December 2012 Councillor Atkins asked that an addition was made to paragraph 7.6.1 saying that It was agreed not to inform local residents individually but to put an item in the Diary and on the website. This was agreed and Councillor McNally proposed that the minutes, having been circulated to all councillors prior to this meeting, were signed as a correct record. Councillor Wheatley seconded this proposal and it was agreed. 5. Neighbourhood Watch: no report. 6.1 Report from County Councillor Stevens: 6.1.1 The County Council would be making a zero increase in Council Tax as more money had been obtained for Adult Services. 6.1.2 HS2 the Government had decided to proceed with the project. The latest plans showed an extension to the tunnel at Bascote Heath. There was to be a meeting at Codemasters on 17 th January to present their ideas for altering the layout of the site in response to the proximity of HS2 it. A meeting of the 51M group and local action groups was to be held to consider a legal challenge. 6.1.3 The County Council Area Committees were to be disbanded in May as it was felt that Community Forums were more meaningful. 6.1.4 Cemex some structures would need to be blown up as dismantling by any other method was too dangerous. 6.2 Report sent from District Councillor Spencer: 6.2.1 The District Council were delighted to be able to report that their element of the Council Tax charge for next year would reduce by 1%. 6.2.2 The District Council would be implementing charges (20p) for the three most highly used public conveniences in Stratford (used mainly by tourists). All other toilets in the District, including Southam, would remain free of charge. 6.2.3 The decision by the Government to give the go ahead to HS2 was obviously a great disappointment and would probably be subject to legal challenge. Page 1.
6.2.4 There was little further to report regarding Lilac Cottage. The time for the applicant to appeal had not yet expired. Building control had confirmed that a ramp to the front door was not required and this may help to address some of the access concerns. 6.2.5 Area Committees were to be disbanded and meetings were being arranged with Parish Councils to agree how Community Forums can continue to be most effective. 6.2.6 At the last Community Forum on 14 December there were useful presentations by both the police and a police authority representative as well as representatives from the NHS. The police mentioned an increase in burglaries, probably associated with the downturn in the economy, and the value of marking property with "Smartwater". It might be a good idea to publicise this and to have some stocks available. I would also recommend that the PC try to arrange for someone to attend future Forum meetings. 6.2.7 Based on comments from some residents there still seems to be some confusion and uncertainty about the future of the Stockton re-cycling site. It will still be open Sat, Sun, Mon but at slightly different times. Perhaps these could be put in the diary. 6.2.8 Work is continuing on finalising the Local Development Framework which will inform how and where building of new homes might take place going forward. 6.2.9 On a personal note and just to make councillors aware, I have recently been appointed a non-executive director of The George Eliot NHS Trust. (The George Eliot is located in one of the most deprived parts of the County, which presents it with a number of challenges that I feel confident they will meet.) 7 Reports from committees: 7.1 Community Centre: Councillor Heales reported: 7.1.1 The budget for 2012/13 was agreed and charges for halls in adjoining villages was looked at. 7.1.2 It had been decided not to agree to a request to open the hall before 7am. 7.1.3 It was confirmed that no provision had been made for a Clerk s assistant in the Council s budget. 7.1.4 Spring Show schedules would be distributed with the January edition of the Diary. Help would be needed to clear up on the day of the Show. Table top display boards were needed for the show. 7.2 Communications: Councillor Atkins reported: The Information Sheet had been revamped and updated. The next meeting was on 19 th January. 7.3 Emergency Planning Councillor Briggs and Councillor McNally agreed to arrange for the flood pump to be checked. 7.4 Finance 7.4.1 Payments for approval: Councillor Briggs proposed that the accounts were approved and Councillor Clark seconded the proposal. All agreed. 7.4.2 Budget for 2012/12: last year s precept had been set at 51,200 and after two Finance meetings to discuss proposed expenditure it was now proposed to set this year s precept at 57,150. The increase was to cover the additional costs of a bye-election (previously paid for by the District Council), the cost of creating an access to the Marton Road field and other items set out in the attached budget. Councillor Briggs proposed that a precept of 57150 was set, Councillor Wheatley seconded the proposal and it was agreed. 7.5 Street Lighting/Highways 7.5.1 Faulty Lights: the light at the junction of Stockton Road and Southam Road and the floodlight over the pedestrian crossing on the west side of Marton Road were out. 7.5.2 Working Party meeting: the next meeting was arranged for Wednesday 18 th January. 7.5.3 Damaged bollard opposite the Co-op: to be reported to Highways. 7.5.4 PL00 Replacement: The Clerk will report at the next meeting. 7.5.5 Pot-holes: Leamington Road and Stonebridge Lane to be reported. Page 2.
7.6 Playing Fields/Open Spaces 7.6.1 LILAC: Councillor Wheatley reported that work had started on the nature trail and jogging track and there was enough money to complete a distance of 260m from the new gate. The track would go north around the new field. A grant of 2000 had been made by Cemex. Warwickshire College were to be contacted for help with planting the area. 7.6.2 Working Party meeting: the next meeting was arranged for 18 th January. 7.6.3 Village maintenance: an offer of volunteer labour had been received from Orbit Housing. It was agreed to find out what sort of projects they would be willing to work on. Also, some of the posts around the triangle needed reinstalling. Mr. Barker to be asked. 7.6.4 Name Signs: Cllr Spencer requested another name sign on that part of The Green adjacent to Beechcroft. 7.7 Planning 7.1.1 Monthly report: see attached planning report. 7.1.2 Cemex: the main road was very dirty again. The next Liaison Meeting would be held on 6 th or 27 th March. 7.1.3 Housing Project, Stockton Road: An update was requested. 7.1.4 Stratford Planning Committee Meeting 11 th January 2012: the outline application for the Masterplan for the Polo Grounds was agreed. 7.1.5 Planning Rota: January Cllrs. Charles and Clark February Cllrs. Heales and Jackson 8. Meetings attended/forthcoming meetings 8.1 Community Forum next meeting 21 st March. 8.2 Community Centre Management Committee 23 rd January. 8.3 Planning Training Course 11 th February. 8.4 Financial Clinic 19 th February Clerk and Cllr. Wheatley to attend. 8.5 Proposed Parish Councils meeting Clerk to contact the County Council. 8.6 Stratford Liaison meeting 7 th February at 5.30pm 8.7 Codemasters meeting 17 th January at 6pm Clerk and Cllr. Briggs to attend. 8.8 SNT Surgery dates at 1pm at the Co-op 19 th January, 2 nd February, 16 th February, 1 st March and 15 th March. 8.9 WALC Annual Briefing Day: Saturday 3 rd March at Myton School 9.45 3pm. 9. Correspondence for circulation distributed in envelope. 10. Other Items 10.1 Parish Survey: action plan to be drawn up preparatory to a Neighbourhood Plan. 10.2 Jubilee Celebrations: Councillor Heales to be the contact on the Council. 10.3 Royal Garden Party nominees: it was agreed to ask Mr. and Mrs. Tooby if they would like to be nominated. 10.4 Annual Parish Dinner: agreed 2 nd March. A Chairman s allowance of 250 was agreed and a list of guests to be invited. 10.5 Annual Parish meeting: the date was agreed as 28 th April. Possibly have a speaker on the history of the parish. 10.6 Code of Conduct: the current code of conduct was re-adopted in accordance with the Localism Act 2011. 10.7 Can Parish Councils stand up to developers? : Clerk to ask WALC what sort of response was required (by 1 st February). 10.8 Christmas Tree on the green: the Council thanked Mrs. Reeve for the tree and Councillor McNally for erecting it. 10.9 Beer Festival 4 th 7 th May: Councillor Briggs agreed to act as the Council s representative at any meetings and to raise the problems of litter, noise, glasses on the playing field etc. 11. Any other business for information only: None Page 3.
12. Date of meetings all at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Stockton Road. 1 st February 2012 7 th March 2012 4 th April 2012 2 nd May 2012 6 th June 2012 4 th July 2012 5 th September 2012 3 rd October 2012 7 th November 2012 5 th December 2012. The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.05 p.m. Signed Date.. Page 4.
10 January 2012 (2011-12) Cheque PARISH COUNCIL PAYMENTS LIST : Cheques 3188 to 3202 182 3188 35 Severn Trent Water Ltd Water Rates 37.12 183 3189 41 E.ON UK Street Lighting maintenance 644.89 184 3190 50 Warks, Solihull & Birmingham Training Training 70.00 185 3191 21 Mrs J Brown Toilet cleaning N/A 186 3192 22 Mrs F Sheasby Keyholder CC N/A 187 3193 34 Mr M Pails Repairs & Maintenance 100.00 188 3193 34 Mr M Pails Football Pitch maintenance 27.15 Subtotal Cheque No. 3193 127.15 189 3194 53 Mrs. L. Clark Stationery 15.00 190 3195 20 Sue Jack Clerk's Salary N/A 191 3195 30 Sue Jack Broadband subs 14.99 192 3196 23 Inland Revenue Tax & NI 154.12 193 3197 24 WCC Super. Fund Clerk's Pension 489.12 194 3198 40 GBS re Public Works Loans Playing Field Loan - capital 2,825.12 195 3198 39 GBS re Public Works Loans Playing Field Loan - interest 359.56 Subtotal Cheque No. 3198 3,184.68 196 3199 34 Mr. R. Barker Repairs & Maintenance 112.93 197 3200 43 E.ON UK Street Lighting Electricity 1,112.32 198 3201 50 Petty Cash Cash 100.00 199 3202 51 Southam Gates Ltd Entrance gate 2,081.40 TOTAL 9,520.98 (Includes total salaries of 1377.26) Page 5.
PLANNING REPORT January 2012 11/02586/FUL Mr. A. Whittaker, The Beeches, Bascote Heath Proposed 2-storey rear extension No objection 11/02602/FUL Mr. D. Perryman, Toll House, Bascote Locks, Bascote 2-storey rear and side extensions No objection 12/00041/LBC Dr. P. Bellamy, Yew Tree Farm, The Green, Long Itchington Carefully stripping back and re-roofing the main farm house building including inserting 5 no. conservation rooflights No objection 11/02607/FUL Mr. M. Lovett, Brookfield House, Church Road, Long Itchington Construction of wooden storage shed including storage for lawn tractor and gardening tools on land outside recognised domestic curtilage. By 31/01/12 Page 6.