ST. NICHOLAS HURST PARISH COUNCIL

Transcription

1 ST. NICHOLAS HURST PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, SCHOOL ROAD, HURST ON MONDAY 4th April 2016 AT 7.30 p.m. PRESENT: APOLOGIES: OFFICERS: OTHERS: Councillors W. Smith (in the Chair), Bicknell, Bowman, Curry, Holdstock, Larkin, I Smith and Stephenson. Councillors Lyon and Mansfield. Mrs. M. Bradshaw (Clerk). PCSO Mark Sneideris (in part); and Two members of the public (in part) Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lyon and Mansfield Declaration of Prejudicial Interests There were no prejudicial interests to declare Minutes The Minutes of the Meeting held on the 7 th March 2016 were approved as a correct record Matters Arising Parish Noticeboard There was no further update regarding when the noticeboard would be available. Councillor Larkin agreed to chase Chissock Woodcraft. Council Housing in Tape Lane The Chairman noted that a formal application is awaited.

2 Entrance Gates The Chairman confirmed that all work was now completed from HVS s side and they are waiting on approval from Twyford PC regarding the positioning of the Twyford boundary gate. Swings in School Road Playpark After some discussion it was agreed that the swings which are both situated inside and outside the fenced play area within School Road playpark, provide an adequate spread of seated and cradle seats for younger and older users. It was not considered cost effective, with tight budgets, to change swing seats unnecessarily and therefore, they will remain as is. The Old Rose Garden, Orchard Road The Chairman confirmed that this application is currently in the hands of the Planning Officer and Consultant. A decision is awaited Public Forum The Chairman welcomed two Parishioners to the public forum who were both in attendance in an observatory capacity. He also welcomed PCSO Mark Sneideris. Mark updated Members on the recent spate of break ins within Hurst, Twyford, Woodley and Hare Hatch areas. These have largely been of an agricultural nature and have involved the theft of garden equipment and heavy duty furniture. The Police have some leads but are appealing to the public to report anything of a suspicious nature car number registrations are the best form of evidence. As an ideal, CCTV is recommended to protect property. However, sturdy locks are advised on all out buildings. The Police are currently encouraging outpost work were a member of the public is crewed with a PC or PCSO and undertakes a three or four hour shift. Councillor Stephenson raised concerns regarding inconsiderate parking in Davis Street. Councillor Bowman raised concerns regarding the current two way nature of Hogmore and Poplar Lanes which ideally should be one way as they are single track. RESOLVED: Members agreed that the Parish Council should formally write to the Highways department at WBC once a shopping list of highways improvements, desired by the Parish, is agreed.

3 8451 Planning Applications Members discussed the applications attached to these Minutes. Members had no adverse comments with regards to applications , ,160479, , , and They had no comment with regards to applications , and They felt that, with the information available, they were unable to make an objective observation with regards to application Councillor Stephenson queried how many applications, which are objected to by the Parish Council, are ultimately refused planning permission by WBC. The Clerk confirmed that analysis of this nature is not currently undertaken but could be compiled from the information provided by WBC. RESOLVED: The Clerk to communicate the Parish Council s comments to WBC with regards to this month s planning applications; and The Clerk to undertake an analysis of objected to applications with those which are refused/approved Finance Apr-16 Previous Balance The following accounts are presented for approval this month: Ref Expenditure - Payee 1.1 HVS (4 x copies of newsletter) Ty Bolton (Feb 16) Cannon (Dog waste disposal) The Tower Mint (90th birthday commemorative medals) Corido (8ft Bench for pond area) M Bradshaw Salary (April 16) Office Postage 6.36 Phone Mileage Total Expenditure Income Bank interest (April 15- March 16) Total Income Revised balance c/f

4 Audit process for 2015/16 year end The Clerk informed Members that, following very tight budget monitoring, the year end closed as projected. She confirmed that the draft year end accounts for 2015/16 were nearly completed and that the VAT return for the last year had been submitted for reimbursement. The annual Internal Audit is booked for the 26 th May Clerk s Salary review for 2016 The Clerk left the room to enable Members to discuss her salary review for RESOLVED: the Clerk s salary to be uplifted from Spinal point 30 to 32 with effect from 1 st April The Clerk returned to the meeting Correspondence New bench for pond area The Chairman confirmed that the new pond bench would be installed this coming weekend. Thanks was given to Councillor Holdstock for his help with varnishing the bench. Planters around pond area The Chairman confirmed that the children of St Nicholas Hurst School would be helping with planting summer flowers in the planters around the village pond area on the 18 th April Howard s Way The Chairman confirmed that there would be an official opening ceremony for the new footpath from Sawpit Road to Lea Farm to be named Howard s Way. Marvellous Festival Licence Members agreed that they had all experienced difficulty opening the licensing application which had been received from WBC for comment. A number of questions were raised regarding how the event was to be managed, who gets the profits from the event and how the site will be cleared and restored. The Chairman confirmed that a list of precise questions needs to be asked to ensure precise answers.

5 RESOLVED: the Clerk to contact WBC and obtain the licence in a different format which can be more easily viewed. Runner Duck in Pond The Clerk informed Members that she had been contacted by a concerned Parishioner regarding a flightless runner duck in the Village pond. The Parishioner requested whether netting would be possible to prevent the duck escaping to the road. Councillor Larkin confirmed that, although previously spotted, he had not seen the duck for a number of days and therefore assumed it had moved on. RESOLVED: Members agreed that netting/fencing would not be practical and would impact adversely upon the aesthetics of the area Information Reports Community Asset Transfer Land at top of Church Hill The Chairman updated Members with regards to the land at the top of Church Hill earmarked for a potential community orchard. He reported that discussions with Legal Officers at WBC had commenced and that there was a process to go through to enable the land to be legally transferred from the Borough Council s ownership to the Parish Councils. RESOLVED: the Clerk to liaise with Legal at WBC regarding the next steps and how to move this project forward. Dogs off the lead in School Road Playpark Councillor Curry reported an increased number of dogs off the lead in School Road playground and the resulting increase in dog fouling. RESOLVED: a reminder of dog owners responsibilities to be highlighted in the next edition of the HVS newsletter. Footpath over A329m footbridge The Chairman confirmed that this project remains on the list of WBC s projects and he will seek an update from them. It was noted that with the pending Marvellous Festival footfall over the bridge from the Winnersh side would be increased significantly.

6 Commemorative Medals for Queen s 90 th Birthday The Clerk confirmed that commemorative medals ordered from The Tower Mint had now arrived and were ready to be presented to the children of St Nicholas School. Presentations will be made in a school assembly by the Chairman and another Councillor (to be agreed). The meeting ended at 9.20 p.m. Signed... Date Members of the public were excluded as the Chairman informed them that a Part II item was about to be discussed.