SOUTHILL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 9TH MAY 2011 @ 7.00PM AT SOUTHILL LOWER SCHOOL
Present: Cllrs. Egar(Chairman), Andrews, Green, Hankins, Hunt, Rook, Central Beds. Cllr. Turner the Parish Clerk, and six members of the public.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Councillors Blackburn, Hall, Hickman and Rodenberg
2. Election of Chairman
Cllr. Egar was proposed as Chairman by Cllr. Rook and seconded by Cllr. Hankins. There being no other nominations Cllr. Egar was unanimously elected as Chairman.
3. Election of Vice Chairman
Cllr. Egar proposed and Cllr. Andrews seconded Cllr. Rook. There being no other nominations Cllr. Rook was unanimously elected as Vice Chairman.
4. Welcome to Councillors
The Chairman welcomed all Councillors to the meeting, reminding them that a new four year period was about to commence and that elections had not been necessary. There was still a vacancy in Stanford and a vacancy had now arisen in Broom. The former Councillor for Broom, Mrs S. Jones was present at the meeting and unfortunately had not submitted her election papers by the required deadline. Accordingly the Councillors unanimously invited her to be co-opted onto the Council which she readily accepted.
5. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 7th March 2011 were confirmed as a true record and duly signed with one small amendment. The payment to Amey LG Works at Item 12 (b) should read £277.30 and not £231.08.
6. Declarations of Interest from Members
Declarations were as follows : Cllr. Egar 11 (b)
7. Police Report
In the absence of any police presence there was no report.
8. Matters arising from the Minutes
a) Royal Wedding Celebrations
The Chairman read out a letter of thanks from Broom WI for the Council’s support for the event. The Council’s appreciation of the organisation of the successful event at Broom was asked to be forwarded to the WI. Cllr. Andrews reported that there had been a number of surplus mugs remaining after the event, some of which had been sold realising the sum of £80. It was agreed that if any Parish Councillor wished to purchase a mug they should be allowed to do so at a cost of £5. If there were any mugs still remaining they should be returned to Cllrs. Andrews and Hankins for possible further sales.
9. Special Interest Groups’ Reports
a) School
Cllr. Andrews reported that 58 children were currently attending the school and a creative curriculum had commenced this term. A new Headteacher was to be recruited shortly. Building works were currently being undertaken to repair damaged roof tiles.
b) Broom Quarry Liaison
There had not been a meeting of the Group since the last meeting of the Council.
c) Grass cutting
Cllr. Green reported there had been three cuts to date. There was some concern over the standard of the cuts, particularly in Stanford. Cllr. Green will liaise with the contractor.
d) Halls and Playing Fields
i) Southill - Cllr. Egar reported that the Parish Hall was raising funds to re-decorate the entire interior of the hall. It was agreed in principal to financially support the project, but the actual donation to be determined when more precise results of the fund raising are known.
ii) Broom – There was nothing to report
iii) Stanford – There was nothing specific to report.
e) Membership Review
If any Councillor wished to change the interest group they were currently assigned to, they should contact the Clerk with their preferred options.
10. Highway Maintenance
Loose road chippings in Southill Road, Broom and School Lane, Stanford. Large pothole in Kings Road, Broom. The edging of the grass banks in Bancroft Ave., Broom need attention. The hedge in School Lane, Stanford needs cutting. A hedge is intruding onto the footpath outside 39 High Street, Broom.
11. Planning Matters
a) Applications considered
Southill Lower School, School Lane, Southill
Extension and change of use of single storey building to form new reception classroom with covered play area and walkway. New ramp to main entrance. No objection
b) Central Beds. Council Decisions – Approvals
28/29 School Lane, Southill
Repair to house and replacement of outbuilding – Listed Building Consent also granted.
c) Central Beds. Council Decisions - Refusals
None to report
d) Local Development Framework
It was noted that Central Beds. Council had adopted the site allocations plan document
12. Financial Matters
a) Bank Balances
The Clerk reported bank balances as follows : £
Community Account 20,312.56
Business Premium Account 14,813.36
b) Payments
It was noted and approved that the Clerks petrol claims now be amended to 45p per mile in accordance with Inland Revenue guidelines.
The following accounts have been received and were approved for payment : £
Southill Lower School Hire of room 25.00
Allianz Insurance Plc Insurance renewal 1,437.53
M J Granger Grounds Mtce. Grass cutting 498.00
M J Granger Grounds Mtce. Grass cutting 498.00
M J Granger Grounds Mtce. Grass cutting 765.60
P.D. Knightley Clerk’s duties & expenses April 2010 473.27
Impact China Royal Wedding Mugs 734.34
Mole Begone Web hosting fees 72.47
c) Annual Report & Statement of Assurance for the year ended 31st March 2011
Following receipt of a ‘clean report’ from the internal auditor, the Council approved the accounts and their release for external audit. The Statement of Assurance for the year ended 31st March 2011 was duly approved and signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
13. Correspondence
The Clerk reported on the correspondence. :
a) Central Bedfordshire Council - Prioritised highway works programme 2011/12
Local Development Framework – site allocations development
Plan document now adopted
b) General Correspondence
Bedford Area Bus Users Provision of rural bus users
Beds. ATPC May edition of Beds. Bugle
14. Next Meeting – Tuesday 12th July 2011, 7.00pm at Broom Village Hall
There being no further business the meeting ended at 7.25 pm
At a general meeting before the Parish Council Meeting there were no points raised by the public.