Minutes, 3 January 2019
MARSTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 3rd January 2019 at 7.30 pm in Marston and Hougham Village Hall.
Present: Cllr P Cartwright (in the Chair), Cllrs. S Brown, R. Morley, V. Morrell, K. O’Sullivan and A Watson, and Cty Cllr A Maughan and Dist Cllr P Wood .
18/19-102: Chairman’s remarks: Chair welcomed all present and introduced Kevin O’Sullivan.
18/19-103: Apologies –Cllr T Jones.
18/19-104: Kevin O’Sullivan was co-opted and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
18/19-105: Declarations of Pecuniary Interest – all present in item 10 and 11 of the Agenda relating to the Thorold Arms.
18/19-106: Minutes of the last meeting – the Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd November were read and approved, and it was resolved that the Chairman sign them.
18/19-107: Action items from the previous meeting:
[a] Emergency Plan –Plan is out for comments which need to be received by 11th January. The Plan will go on the website with a request for stewards. The Emergency box is being prepared and it was agreed that the wording on the Hi-vis jackets should be” Emergency Team”.
[b] Village sign –ongoing. Clerk to make contact for an update.
[c] 3 months reports from the Community Cleaner were to hand. The dog fouling situation is not too bad but needs continual monitoring.
[d] A tree survey along Toll Bar Road still ongoing – Cllr Maughan chasing again as it is now a year since it was first requested.
[e] Reed beds and bird hide – no more information.
18/19-108: County/District/Police matters:
Cty Cllr Maughan advised that the Chief Executive had gone but no reasons had been given. The Head of Paid Services will take his place for 18 months and then LCC may or may not get a new CE. Two new Directors have been appointed. Budget setting is about to start. Government has given flexibility regarding Council Tax rises increase by 1% up to 4.95%. That percentage would yield about £2.8 million. LCC seeking an additional £13.7 million for highways.
Dist Cllr Wood advised that SK are also about to set their budgets. Council Tax is likely to go up by £5 but this has yet to be finalised and agreed. £15 million is spent on services.
18/19-109 : Defibrillator –Heat pads will be ordered by Cllr Brown – invoice to Clerk.
18/19-110: School Safety Zone and Highways: there is a draft scheme in place for lineage in School Lane and Stonepit Lane to stop parking. Consultation will take place and copy plans will be sent to us. The mirror in Bridge Street will be removed when Highways next in the area.
18/19-111: Planning:
S17/2155 – Downtown Outlet – pending consideration.
S18/0221 – Trent Autograss – pending consideration.
S18/1745 – Toft House Farm – approved.
S18/1951 – 3 Bridge Street – Certificate of Lawfulness issued.
S18/2027 – Thorold Arms extension – pending consideration.
S18/2114 – Wagtail Country Park – pending consideration.
S17/2252 – Land at A1/Toll Bar Road – enforcement officer says no issues at present – signage has been removed.
S18/2309 – no objections but concern over closeness of new access to junction.
PL0120/18 – LCC – due to go to committee on 14.1.19.
18/19-112: Thorold Arms – there is a shortfall of £90,000 and further grants are being sought. There is a wish that the PC considers a PWL of £30,000. Information to be sought as to impact on the precept for a loan of this sum over 10 years. This must then be put to the village before any application is made. Agreed that Clerk will do the Power of Competence course to update her CiLCA.
18/19-113: Amenity Area – Cllr Watson had met with Mr North who quoted £11.50 per metre to lay the hedge. Total length is 230 metres. Resolved to instruct Mr North to do the length from the play area to the bridge (approx. 113 metres) – cost to come from PC funds. Cllr Watson to instruct Mr North.
18/19-114: Soldier Silhouettes and Poppies. British Legion will supply soldier silhouettes for a donation and poppies cost £3 per lamp post. Suggested that we make an annual donation and Cllr Morley will get an idea of expected amount, from the British Legion. Resolved to buy poppies for every lamp post in the village (approximately 30) with cost to come from PC funds.
18/19-115: Finance:
It was resolved to sign the bank reconciliation/income/expenditure accounts as at 31.12.18.
It was resolved to pay £60 to sponsor the Together magazine – this covers 6 issues.
Clerk had circulated an actual/projected/budget statement to assist with the precept calculation – discussion took place and it was resolved to request £4,900.
18/19-116: Correspondence – none.
18/19-117: Urgent matters for discussion – litter pick is set for 24.3.19. Neighbourhood Watch advised that there have been two robberies recently. Need 5 electoral rolls for Councillors. Clerk to chase up the report of flooding on Main Street/Pinfold Lane junction. No applicants have come forward for the Bede Charity.
18/19-118: Date of next meeting:7th February 2019.
Meeting closed at 8.55 pm