Draft minutes subject to confirmation
MARY TAVY
PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The
Reading Rooms
Tuesday 8th
November 2005
Present:
Cllr J Pendall - Cllr T Pearce (Chairman) - Cllr P Jarvis (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr A Prosser - Cllr W Squire - Cllr M Anning - Cllr P Hilborn
Cllr G Hill DG Evans (Clerk)
Others present:
Two members of the public Cllr P Scannell WDBC
Apologies for
absence:
Cllr J Higman - PC K Reed
Absent with no apologies received:
None
109-2005 Parishioners time:
Neither of the parishioners present wished to speak. Accordingly the meeting was opened at 7.30pm by Cllr Pearce.
110-2005 Minutes of the previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held
on Tuesday 11th October 2005 were signed, by the Chair, as a true and
accurate record. (Save for an alteration
to item 103.1 requested by Cllr Prosser and noted by hand on the signed copy.)
111-2005 Receive report from PC Reed:
Not present
112-2005 Matters arising:
112.1 Stones on verges It was confirmed by the clerk that this item is in hand with Highways.
112.2 The site of the Old Garage Cllr Hilborn produced a printed copy taken from the web site of Kings Court Homes Ltd which showed the proposals for this site with forty one new homes being shown and offering it for sale for £1.4 million. All present expressed concern that this was available, despite assurances from them and DNPA that no decisions had been taken on the amount of housing for this site. It was felt that this could cause concern to the local community and made the members look as though they were not sharing all the information available with parishioners. It was agreed that the clerk should contact Phillip Markham of DNPA to establish what in fact was happening as the site plan also includes Downs Coaches site.
112.3 Sponsorship of the Mary Tavy Gazette Cllr Jarvis reported that he is currently drawing up a scale of charges and that it was continuing to progress.
112.4 Hedges It was confirmed that all hedges alongside the A386 have been trimmed and the one along the Horndon road was cut today. The continuing problem of water courses along Brentor Road and the condition of the grass verges was also noted with the clerk being requested to write to Bob Temlett seeking assurances that the work previously agreed by Colin Hicks is still in hand for completion before March 2006.
112.5 Mining report The Chairman detailed the meeting he has been invited to attend with SWW and their geology advisers and sought approval for him to represent this council at it. It was unanimously agreed that Cllr Pearce should attend and report back to the members with the results from it.
112.60Primary School The Chairman detailed his recent meeting with the Headmistress and how impressed he was with the recent work carried out. He invited Cllr Scannel to explain about the building work carried out and she invited the members to a special evening to inspect this work, date to be confirmed. The Chairman expressed his disappointment that the school does not ask for assistance and Cllr Scannel explained about the changes coming soon to the Constitutional setup.
113.2005 Correspondence:
113.1 A letter offering sandbags was discussed with agreement reached that this council should apply for some and Cllr Squires stating that they could be stored in his garage.
113.2 The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 was discussed with the clerk explaining the consultation paper and the proposed new legislation.
114.2005 Financial report:
114.1The financial report detailing the bank balances was circulated along with a costs to budget report to enable members to consider the Precept requirement for 2006/07. At the same time the clerk proposed that the members adopt, on the grounds of Good Practice, an amendment to Standing Orders detailing how Dual-Hatted members should respond by declaring an interest in proceedings. (This is attached to these minutes) Acceptance of this was proposed by Cllr Anning and seconded by Cllr Jarvis with a unanimous vote for adoption being received. It was further Proposed by Cllr Jarvis and seconded by Cllr Anning that those members who are Trustees/ committee members on the following bodies give a report at each council meeting in future: Coronation Hall Memorial Playing Fields Reading Rooms Parochial Church Council Reading Rooms Police Authority -CAB and DNPA Community Forum. The ensuing vote for adoption was seven in favour with one against. The proposal was carried by majority.
114.2 Setting of Precept for 2006/07 Grant requests were received from the following: Memorial Playing Fields Cllrs Jarvis, Hilborn, Hill and Anning declared an interest. The Chairman invited them to stay to contribute to the discussion. Cllr Jarvis explained the reasons for seeking a grant of £1,000 as opposed to £850 this year. Income and expenditure, as detailed on the accounts circulated, were roughly equal with the main costs being the cutting of grass and amenity areas coupled with the necessary insurance cover. He also detailed the costs incurred with the childrens play area which he described as being like a sponge when it came to costs. The Chairman sought the views of the members regarding the apparent lack of fund raising from the committee and the lack of activity in seeking funding from outside funders like Awards for All. He felt that many of the recent improvements had been achieved through prior fund raising effort. He questioned why fund raising did not happen these days? Cllr Jarvis disagreed with this comment and felt that the Parish Council had to accept a responsibility towards ensuring the facility was maintained at its present high standard.
114.1 (contd) Cllr Anning stated that the Trustees are the managing authority and are not fund raisers. He considered, which was agreed by the other Trustees, that they give of their time enough without fund raising. The Chairman quoted his apparent success with an adjoining parish where he is actively involved in the running of a similar facility. It was suggested by Cllr Jarvis that Cllr Pearce should be considered as a candidate for the position of Trustee at the Memorial Playing Fields. A heated discussion between the two was curtailed by Cllr Pendall proposing that this council grants £850 to be reviewed during the next financial year. This was seconded by Cllr Prosser and those present entitled to vote (4) voting three in favour with one abstention. The proposal was carried by majority.
114.2 Grant request was received from the Reading Rooms Cllrs Anning and Squires declaring an interest. The Chairman invited them to stay. The clerk detailed the reasons for the request of £500 with the accounts being circulated. Again, although they do operate fund raising practices they are barely breaking even on a yearly basis. Thus, the recent cost of re-covering the table coupled with the increases in heating costs has significantly depleted their limited reserves. Cllr Hill proposed that a grant of £500 should be awarded which was seconded by Cllr Hilborn. The ensuing vote from those entitled to vote was unanimous. The proposal was carried unanimously. Further discussion was held regarding the future payment for the use of the meeting room by the Parish Council. Cllr Jarvis asked Mr Tucker (Secretary Reading Rooms) if any other organisations rented the room. Mr Tucker stated that they didnt. It was agreed that the Committee of The Reading Rooms should consider the rent and set a figure for the Parish Council to consider for the next year based on the current figure of £6 per meeting.
114.3 Ring and Ride Funding for this worthwhile project was discussed with Cllr Hill proposing that the level of grant be raised to £100, this was seconded by Cllr Jarvis and unanimously carried.
114.4 Citizens Advice Bureau Cllr Prosser declared an interest and was invited to stay by the Chairman. Funding for this worthwhile project was discussed with Cllr Jarvis proposing that the level of grant be raised to £100, this was seconded by Cllr Hill and unanimously carried.
114.5 The clerk applied the above grants awarded into the figures circulated and suggested a Precept requirement of £8,000 for the next financial year. This figure is a £1,100 decrease on the current year and reflects the exceptional one off costs that were incurred through the recently held bye-election.
114.6The following payments were authorised:
Clerk Honorarium plus stamps £198.80 (Nov) Mainly Stationery £125.15 RDCS (Training) - £44.06 RBL (Poppy Wreath) £20.
115.2005To receive report from Chair of
Cemetery Committee:
115.1 Cllr Jarvis reported that fees
have been received for the purchase of a plot, an internment and alteration to
the inscription on a headstone. He is currently dealing with an enquiry for a
tablet to be placed on interred ashes for which no paperwork or receipts are
available. He considers that the fault lies with the Funeral Directors whom he
is currently pursuing.
116.2005 Planning:
116.1 Plans were discussed for the development of existing garages into a three bed roomed house at Glendale. Cllr Jarvis declared an interest as he had recently employed the services of the owner in his trade as a plumber, as did Cllr Prosser as friends of the applicant. The Chairman stated that the planning committee will agree a date to view this proposal in the next few days.
116.2 The previous proposal for a development on land adjacent to Half Acre has been refused by DNPA.
116.3 Miners Dry The Chairman detailed the recent visit to view the proposal of an extension to the existing agricultural building. The clerk was requested to seek a response to the letter sent to Nick Sabin requesting progress on the enforcement order on this property. It was further noted that the owners had stated that Cllrs Jarvis and Prosser would not be allowed access to the property as members of the planning committee.
117.2005 Items raised for inclusion on this
agenda:
117.1 None raised
118-2005 Items raised for inclusion on the
December agenda:
118.1 None raised
119.2005 To agree the date of the next
meeting:
119.1 The date of Tuesday 13th December was agreed for the next meeting of the Parish Council to commence at 7.30pm to be held in the Reading Rooms.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the
Chair at 9.45pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council 10th November 2005
Signed as a true and accurate record .Date .
(Cllr T Pearce Chairman)