Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 17th May 2010
at 7.30 pm at Kings Worthy Community Centre, Fraser Road, Kings Worthy
Present:
Councillors: Peter Warrener [Chairman], Dawn-Marie Cox [Vice-Chairman], Ian Gordon, Rosemary Sign, Derek Smithers, Sarah White, Denis Welstead, David Young
Also present:
Cllr Robert Johnston
PC Robin Tebb
Clerk:
Colin Arnett
No Press; Public: 2
PC/10/48 Apologies
Apologies for absence had been received from Cllrs Marshall and Jacobs, CCllr Jackie Porter and DCllr Jane Rutter.
PC/10/49 Public Question Time
The following issues were raised by members of the public;
- Parish Councillor Elections – Details of the persons nominated had not been published. Cllr Warrener indicated each candidate has been invited to place a statement of no more than 100 words on the parish website.
PC/10/50 Reports from Police/County Councillor/City Councillor/School Governor/Parish Councillors
- Police Report – PC Tebb presented his incident report for the past month. The number of reported incidents had increased from the previous month; however there were no incidents of criminal damage. The monthly surgery had been attended by two parishioners.
- City Councillor – Robert Johnston paid tribute to Stan Howell who had lost his seat in the recent election. He shared with members that his name was being put forward to chair the Development Control Committee. The application to develop Barton Farm was being considered by committee on the 14 June 2010. He thanked members of the outgoing parish council for their co-operation and assistance.
- School Governor’s Report – Cllr White updated members on the activities at the school. The Headteacher is retiring at the end of the summer term. A locum is to fill the role pending a permanent appointment
- Parish Councillors – Cllr Gordon shared with members his meeting with Simon Finch the WCC Head of Planning Management. There was a positive response to the concerns of the PC. Particularly regarding the extension of the consultation period on planning applications to allow discussion in committee and generally comments appearing not to be taken into account.
The excavation in Ramsay Road is to be investigated and a joint initiative with the Environmental Health Department is hoped will resolve the problems with the garages at Tesco.
Cllr Sign had attended a meeting of the Winchester Villages Trust and was pleased to report that a grant had been made to a parishioner in Kings Worthy.
PC/10/51 Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 April 2010
The minutes were agreed as a true record and were signed by Cllr Warrener.
PC/10/52 Matters arising from the Minutes of 19 April 2010
- PC/10/38 Fraser Road Exercise Equipment – Cllr Sign reported that a response was awaited from the contractor.
- PC/10/38 Dog Fouling – Cllr Gordon is arranging to visit the areas highlighted with the WCC Dog Warden.
- PC/10/41 30mph Limit – Cllr White understood that the petition is to be presented to a meeting of HCC. Members were concerned that their facilitation of the petition had been high jacked by the press and political parties. Cllr Cox again highlighted the omission of the B3047 at Abbots Worthy. Members agreed to wait until the results of the HCC survey were available before taking any further action.
- PC/10/41 Grit Bins – the clerk confirmed that a list of locations for new bins had been submitted to HCC
- PC/10/41 Village Fete – Cllr Cox had sourced a map and board for the display. Cllr Young is taking the photographs.
- PC/10/43 2 Park Lane Abbots Worthy – Cllr Gordon reported that a letter had been received from the developer suggesting inaccuracies in our response.
- PC/10/43 Grass Verges Weed Spraying – there had been no further developments.
- PC/10/43 Staff Salary Payments – the clerk distributed a letter from Active Accounting highlighting the inaccuracies found in the calculation of staff salaries and the need for them to re-calculate the entire payroll for the year 2009/10 for the P35 and P60 returns. Members agreed that the clerks should not be made to calculate their own salaries without the correct professional, independent support.
PC/10/53 Parish Plan
Cllr Smithers updated members on the progress of the Parish Plan.
A bid is to be made for additional funding from WCC for the costs of the survey to be held in the summer. It is hoped to facilitate responses on-line.
PC/10/54 To receive the Minutes of the Sub-Committees:
The Minutes of the following Committees were received and discussed.
Planning and Highways Committee – 28 April 2010
The minutes of the meeting were presented by Cllr Gordon.
- Applications were considered for 126 Springvale Road and 2 Park Lane. Members had concerns with the applications and decided to object to both
- Network Rail Bridge Closures - Liaison had continued with Network Rail on the proposed bridge closures.
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Recreations & Amenities Committee – 6 May 2010
The minutes of the meeting were presented by Cllr Sign;
- Eversley Park Path Cycling – Members confirmed their agreement whereby cycling would be permitted for a trial period during the summer term.
- Barbecues – Members agreed that the draft bye-laws should be amended to reflect the use of barbecues for organised events on an individual case basis providing evidence of public liability insurance was forthcoming.
- Burial Ground Landscaping – Members ratified the recommendation that the contract be awarded to Heritage landscapes Ltd.
- Handyman – With the agreement of Stan Howell, alternative options are to be investigated to clear the backlog of work.
- June Meeting – Members agreed that this should be cancelled due to the elections.
Finance Committee – 12 May 2010
The minutes of the meeting were presented by Cllr Cox;
- Sage Accounting System – this was now operational. However there was still further work to be undertaken on the management reports. Cllr Cox shared with members the advantages of the new invoiced based system rather than the outdated cash book system.
- Insurance Policy – a revised quotation is being sought to increase the fidelity cover and changes on the asset register.
- Kim Bishop Walk - Members had agreed the”easement agreement” from Scottish and Southern Energy.
- Website – Members deferred discussion on the funding of the website to the new council.
- Election Costs – WCC had indicated that the PC would be responsible for a proportion of the costs, but were unable to quantify the sums involved at this stage. As there is no budgetary provision they would have to be met from reserves.
PC/10/55 Appointment of Deputy Clerk
Cllr Cox informed members that the interview process was preceding and it was hoped to make a decision on Wednesday next.
PC/10/56 Clerk’s Notices
None
PC/10/57 Chairman’s Notices
Cllr Warrener made the following statement;
As I announced at the Annual Parish Meeting it has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Chairman of this Council, a council acknowledged as being the best among the many.
It is with great sincerity that much thanks goes to my councillor colleagues for their support. The job has, at times, been difficult but with their help the problems have been overcome.
As I stand down now and wait the election on the 27th I wish to once again record that this council has worked as a non-political organisation.
It has worked as a democratic body in the interests of the majority and I emphasis the majority of Kings Worthy residents which is the way of genuine democracy.
It is my hope and the hope of the present council, that common sense will prevail and that its reputation of excellence will be maintained in the future, the hope that it will continue on a democratic path without the introduction on politics.
Whatever the outcome of the election I wish Kings Worthy Parish Council every success.
Members offered their appreciation with a round of applause.
PC/10/58 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting for the new council is the Annual General Meeting at 7.30pm on the 9 June 2010 and the next Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm on the 21 June 2010.
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm
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