ORSTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 6th NOVEMBER 2008 (adopted )

PRESENT                  Cllr E Harrison (Chair )

                                     Cllrs T Benton, S Davidson, P Henson, S Oates,  D Wheeler

IN ATTENDANCE   K Daw (Clerk )

                                    Cllr M Suthers

APOLOGIES             Cllr W Gunn

Cllr J Cranswick

1. Minutes of Meeting Held on 2nd October 2008 – accepted as a correct record and signed by  the  Chairman

2. Matters Arising.

 

2.1 Finger Posts – The dimensions are now to hand, & the wording was agreed, so this can now be resubmitted.

2.2 Parish Plan – The date was agreed as 12th February 2008, for a preliminary meeting with representatives of all village organisations & sectors of the community. Carola Jones, Rushcliffe B C Rural Officer, will attend, & will be helping us with this project.

2.3   Allotments – Cllr Davidson has sought interest via the Newsletter.

2.4  Building Better Communities  - Cllr Davidson advised that any bid for funding under this initiative would need to be a significant project with a very strong case.

2.5  Dog Bins – 3 additional sites agreed, Lombard St, Chapel St & High St – Cllr Harrison to advise on precise locations, & liaise with relevant householders.

2.6  Tree planting – Most trees now purchased, to be planted by Cllr Gunn in the next week. Balance of trees to be purchased at end November.

2.7  Event on Transport for Communities in Notts – no one had been available to attend.

2.8 Best Kept Village event – it was agreed that this had been a very pleasant & successful occasion, & the Chairman was congratulated on her excellent speech.

 

3. Correspondence Received.

 

3.1 Speedwatch  - Further details now received from Shelton. It was agreed to reply that we are still interested in principle, & to seek potential helpers via the Newsletter.

3.2 Thanks from Orston Hedgehog Rescue  - noted.

3.3  Local Housing Needs Assessment  - Rushcliffe B C are working with Midlands Rural Housing to assess the potential need for “ affordable housing “ in rural areas – it was agreed to invite the project officer to a future meeting.

3.4 Conference for Parish Chairmen & Clerks, 27th February 2009 – noted that Cllr Harrison & Kath Daw plan to attend.

3.5 Conservation Areas Generic Management Plan – reply received noting our comments.

3.6  Consultation on new Rushcliffe Community Strategy – Cllr Oates to consider & reply on behalf of Council ( closing date 1st Dec )

3.7  Freedom of Information Act – It was proposed by Cllr Henson, seconded by Cllr Davidson, & agreed, that Orston Parish Council adopt the Model Publication Scheme as prepared & approved by the Information Commissioner ( V1.0 April 2008 )

     It was agreed that a notice be put on the noticeboard that anyone can access information in accordance with the Act, via the parish Clerk, & on payment of costs as appropriate.

     It was further agreed that drafts of policies be produced as appropriate by the Chairman & the Clerk, over a reasonable time period, & submitted to future meetings. A summary of proposed action & timescales to be produced for the January 2009 meeting.

3.8  Consultation on codes of conduct for Local Authority members & employees  - Cllr Benton to consider &  bring draft response to next meeting.

3.9  Budget & Finance training 26th Nov - Clerk to attend, also Cllr Wheeler if available.

3.10  Consultation on Project Plan for Partial Review of East Midlands Regional Plan  Cllr Davidson to draft strategic comments for the next meeting.

3.11  Anti Litter campaign – referred to next meeting.

 

4.  PUBLIC MEETING  -  No members of the public were present.

 

     Cllr Suthers left the meeting at this point.

 

5. Planning Matters.

 

5.1 The Council noted the refusal of appeal re the planning application for development at Manor Farm by Pickering Properties.

 

5.2 The Council considered the  planning application for a dwelling for agricultural     occupancy at Longhedge Lane – no objection.

 

6. Finance.

 

6.1 Mowing costs – none for last month.

6.2 Costs for hedgehog boxes – next meeting

6.3  Tree planting costs  - The initial payment of £298.63 was proposed by Cllr Oates, seconded by Cllr Henson & agreed.

6.3  Invoice from the Limehaus re the Best Kept Village celebration, £60, was proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Henson & agreed.

6.4  Clerk salary £220 plus expenses £ 13.89 for Aug, Sept, Oct 2008 were proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Oates, & agreed.

6.5  Invoice from Bentons Brasserie for wine for Best Kept Village event £172.02 was proposed by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr Benton & agreed, but the net cost to the council would be £64.32, as cheques were received from Cllr Harrison, £43.08 & Cllr Benton, £64.62, re their purchases of the balance of the wine not used at the event.

6.6  Noted that the Section 137 limit for 2008/9 is £5.86 per elector.

7. Councillors’  Reports

Cllr Davidson

·        Was thanked by Cllrs for production of the latest Newsletter.

·        Noted  the new police role dealing with nuisance, as mentioned in the Newsletter.

Cllrs Davidson & Wheeler

·        Reported on latest liaison meeting with Village Hall Committee – it was noted that the original plans for extension to the Hall are not now to proceed, & expenditure will instead be incurred on other improvements eg to the heating, also a lit path from the car park to which the Council might be able to contribute.

Cllr Henson

·        Reported beehives having been thrown into the Smite –noted with concern.

·        Reported speaking to the Police about continued use of Bottesford Lane by heavy lorries – it turns out that the weight restriction is in Leics not Notts, but apparently the issue is going to be the subject of a future joint Leics/Notts/Lincs campaign.

Cllr Oates

·        Pleased to report the work on the kerbstones near the School.

·        Reported the recent Govt announcement of 12 Eco towns nationally – the proposed local site is identified as “ possible “.

   Cllr Benton

·        Reported breakup of road  between Loughbon & Chapel St – Clerk to write.

·        Noted several obtrusive new “ School “ signs – all Cllrs expressed concern, Cllr Harrison to contact Highways Dept to request changes.

   Cllr Harrison

·     Reported request from Mr Childs to cut overhanging branches of Ash tree in dyke, & to keep the wood – Cllr Harrison to ask Cllr Gunn to liaise with Notts Tree Officer.

·     Thanked Cllr Oates for lovely flower arrangement at recent Church Festival of Bells & Flowers. Invoice for £30 for cost of flowers to be brought to next meeting.

·     Noted no further action re dead trees at top of Hill.

·     Reported Cllr Gunn has kindly agreed to arrange Christmas tree & new lights.

 

8.  Items for information - Items listed per the Agenda were noted.

 

9.  Date of next meeting -   7.45 pm Thursday 4th December in the Village Hall.

 

Kath Daw, Parish Clerk

27.11.2008