BARTON-ON-THE-HEATH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF AN ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL on 18th February 2011 at 7pm
Present:
Councillors: Brigadier J F Rickett (Chairman), Lt Col J B Henderson (Vice- Chairman), Mrs G Cathie, Mrs L Hayman-Joyce, Mrs D Pelczynski
Clerk: Mrs H Seymour-Smith
Hon. Treasurer: Capt J Castle RN
Internal auditor: Mr J Shipton
Public: Mr J Matthias, Mr J Hayman-Joyce, Mr D Poulsom District Councillor S Gray, County Councillor C Saint
- No Apologies
- The Minutes of the Ordinary General Meeting on the 15th October 2010 were approved, with one change, the addition of the word “not” in the middle of the penultimate paragraph on the first page:“…the nominal balance in the account on 1 April 2010 (the end of the financial year)had NOT been transferred to a separate deposit account…” and the Chairman signed them.Matters arising:
- a) The Vice-Chairman gave Councillor Saint a map with the positions of 6 dirty road signs marked on it.
- b) Display of photos in the Village Hall: The Vice-Chairman reported that the Village Hall Management Committee had agreed that these should be left with Maggie Pettifer. Mr Poulsom said he wanted the certificates displayed in the Village Hall. Mrs Cathie suggested they could be put on moveable display boards. It was agreed that this would be discussed at the next Village Hall Management Committee meeting.
- c) The Vice Chairman reported that the works to the new disabled loo in the Village Hall were now complete. The total cost was £5,190. Thanks were due to Mr Matthias for his work in securing the grant.
- d) The Vice-Chairman asked about the First Response, and the Hon. Treasurer reported there had been 5 calls already this month.
- e) Councillor Gray reported that there would be no rise in Council Tax this year, and that a 2.5% rise had been pencilled in for next year.
- f) The Vice-Chairman raised the question of police cover in Shipston. Councillor Saint reported on the changes that are currently under review.
- The Honorary Treasurer presented the second interim statement of the Parish Council accounts, which he added would probably be the Final Account since he did not expect to make or receive any further payments before the end of the financial year.He pointed out some small variations between the budget set for 2010 -11 and the payments made.
The 3rd Party Insurance from Zurich had cost £21 more than expected.
Some tree pruning work adjacent to Dover House had cost £24
Pest control of moles, which had been needed to protect some verges, had cost £50.
All these additional costs were well within the operating contingency.
On the day of the meeting, a sum of £607 was available to the council, if required.
The Hon. Treasurer finished his report by reminding the council that he would open a deposit account on or about 1 April 2011 with £150 to establish the Maintenance Reserve. This had been approved at the Council Meeting held to set the precept for 2011-12, on 15 October 2010.
- Planning Applications:Mrs Seymour-Smith presented drawings of proposed alterations to Campden Farmhouse that were being submitted to Stratford District Council for Planning and Listed Building Consent. The Parish Council were generally supportive, except Mrs Hayman-Joyce, who felt that it was a shame to be adding to the original right hand elevation, (and Mr Hayman-Joyce hoped that the new stone tiles wouldn’t be reconstituted).Mr Shipton and Mr Poulsom expressed concern about access during building work, and possible access from the South West was suggested, by temporarily making an opening in the stone wall. This suggestion was supported by all present, and Mrs Seymour- Smith said she would raise it with her clients and the planning department.Afternote – this was approved by the Parish Council.
- Any Other Business:
- a) Best Kept Village Competition – it was agreed we should no longer enter this, but that there should still be a Village Clean-up day. It was agreed that this would be on the 18th June, and Mrs Cathie said she would provide food for this.
- b) It was agreed that the Vice-Chairman would attend the Stour / Shipston Community Forum on the 1st March.
- c) The Chairman raised the issue of vouchers for trucks at the council tip, and Councillor Saint said he would try to help.
- d) The Vice-Chairman raised the issue of the Localism Act, and suggested that we write a Neighbourhood Plan. Councillor Saint said this was not an Act yet, and that although it was a good idea to write a Neighbourhood Plan, we should await statutory guidance.
- e) Mr Hayman-Joyce mentioned that the Barton website didn’t seem to have been updated much recently, all agreed, and the Chairman said he would talk to Mrs Graham.
- f) Councillor Saint recommended looking at the “Facing the Challenge” publications on the County Council website. These include consultation on Shipston Library, which is unlikely to be under threat, but he urged people to engage with the consultation process.
- g) Councillor Gray said the final draft of the budget on the 28th February should go through. There would be no Council Tax rise and no bin charges. Staff were down to 295, and would be down to 280 by the end of the financial year, and likely to fall further.
- h) the Vice Chaitman noted that Jeff Morris had filled in the worst of the pot holes, and asked Councillor Saint to pass on the Parish Council’s thanks.
- Dates of next meetings
Annual General Meeting: 27th May 2011
Ordinary General Meeting: 28th October 2011
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