ORSTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 8th JANUARY 2009

Not Yet Adopted

PRESENT                  Cllr E Harrison (Chair )

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

IN ATTENDANCE   K Daw (Clerk )

                                    Cllr Cranswick for part of meeting

                                    Mr R Collier, member of public

APOLOGIES             Cllr S Davidson

Cllr M Suthers

 

1. Minutes of Meeting Held on 4th December 2008  – accepted as a correct record and signed by  the  Chairman.

2. Matters Arising.

 

2.1  Parish Plan meeting – the list of invitees was agreed. Cllr Harrison undertook to invite some young people on an individual basis. It was agreed to provide coffee  & biscuits.

2.2  Local Affordable Housing – Mr Miles King of Midlands Rural Housing, & Ms  Angela Doherty of Rushcliffe B C attended to advise the Council of the issues involved. Following discussion, it was agreed as a first step to undertake a confidential survey to assess potential demand in Orston  – this will  be carried out by Midlands Rural Housing, in the name of the Parish Council, the questionnaires to be sent out in February, to be returned by the end of April.

2.3  Allotments – 5 letters have now been received. Cllr Harrison will raise at the next Garden Club meeting.

2.4  Freedom of information Act – KED has published the required notice in the noticeboard. It was noted that the Chairman & Clerk would submit draft proposals for the Finance policy by the end of March, & for the Standing Orders by the end of May.

2.5  Vale First Responders - to attend February meeting.

2.6  Notts Fire & Rescue Service Budget – Cllr Henson has replied.

2.7  Sign for “the Row”- Mr Harrison has agreed to make a more substantial sign.

  

3. Correspondence Received.

 

3.1 Fingerposts – A further letter has been received, reiterating that these cannot be erected on Borough Council land. It was agreed to put up the one by the Church as previously discussed, & Cllr Harrison will pursue again  the siting of the other proposed post.

  3.2  Maintenance in Loughbon – the Council noted the letter from the Highways Dept indicating that the dip in the road will be assessed in relation to other priorities.

  3.3  Request for an additional parish member of Rushcliffe B C Standards Committee – Cllr Benton to consider.

  3.4  Consultation on Code of recommended practice on Local Authority publicity – Cllr Oates to look at.

  3.5  NALC  training questionnaire – to be considered further at the next meeting.

  3.6  P3 request for report on progress – Cllr Benton has replied.

 

4.  PUBLIC MEETING.

 

4.1 Cllr Cranswick reported that Rushcliffe B C is seeking to make the savings necessary in the current financial climate, & some projects may need to be delayed, but it is hoped to avoid any major effect on key services.

4.2  In relation to other local matters, Cllr Cranswick reiterated his opinion that the proposed Eco town based on RAF Newton was unlikely to materialise; had no further information on the future site of Bingham Health Centre, & reported that there was no clear view on future arrangements for parking in Bingham.

4.3  Mr Collier raised the issue of local young people sometimes apparently having little to occupy them, & it was agreed to try to address this via the Parish Plan process. Also, Cllr Cranswick  undertook to check whether specialist help was still available from Rushcliffe B C officers.

 

5. Planning Matters.

 

5.1 The Council noted the granting of approval to the following :-

Sunrise Cottage, Lombard St – revised proposal

                   Felling of sycamore, Sasare, Loughbon.

 

     & also noted the withdrawal of the planning application for a dwelling for agricultural occupancy on Longhedge Lane.

 

6. Finance.

 

6.1 Hedgehog Box  – it was proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Harrison & agreed, to reimburse the cost of wood to Cllr Henson, £20.

6.2  Council Tax base – noted.

6.3  Precept 2009/10 – Following discussion it was proposed by Cllr Henson, seconded by Cllr Oates & agreed to maintain the previous year’s figure of £7,300.

6.4  2008/9 National Salary Award for Local Council Clerks – it was proposed by Cllr Henson, seconded by Cllr Benton & agreed that the award should be implemented wef 1st April 2008, & that payment should be made as follows :-

                                                                                      £

                   Arrears Apl to Oct                               178.50

                   Nov/Dec at new rate                            197.67

                   Expenses Nov/Dec                                  26.94

                                                                               ------------

                               Total                                         403.11

                                                                               ------------                                                                                                                                

6.5  Receipt of £27.95 re Smartwater scheme – noted.

 

7. Councillors’  Reports.

Cll Henson

·        Reported concern re dog mess outside Village Hall, in spite of availability of several bins. He undertook to put up suitable notices, & this would be mentioned in the next Newsletter.

·        Expressed thanks to all who helped with steward duties for the Pageant.

 

Cllr Benton

·        Suggested a letter of congratulation be sent to the Pageant organisers – Clerk will do. Also suggested that the Parish Council could perhaps help with the sound system – Cllr Davidson to be asked to advise.

·        Reported the start of the work to Bridleway No 7, which will hopefully be completed soon.

·        Reported a dip in the road surface just before Smite Bridge – Clerk to write.

·        Suggested a reminder to our request for an additional light outside the Gables. - Clerk will do.

·        He will be attending the AGM of the Playground Association on Thursday 15th January.

·        He might be able to attend the Millennium Green AGM

 

Cllr Oates

·        Reported that the anti-litter information previously received appeared to add little to our usual efforts, except involvement of the local school, which might be useful.

·        Reported attending the recent wind farm meeting at Bottesford, & expressed the view that it was unlikely to go ahead.

 

Cllr Wheeler

·       Reported on the organisation of the Fun Run, including training opportunities & publicity. It was hoped that other Village organisations might wish to run events on the same weekend

 

 

Cllr Harrison

·       Reported a lot of litter on Bottesford Lane, & will contact Streetwise to request its removal.

·       Expressed thanks to Cllr Gunn for organising the Christmas tree. It was agreed to send a letter of thanks & a bottle of wine to David & Donna Hale at the Vicarage for use of their power.

 

8. Any Other Business

 

KED mentioned the financial shortfall at the Methodist Chapel & the possibility of closure, & the Council indicated their wish to be kept informed & their hope that closure could be avoided. It may be possible to consider joint use as a small meeting facility for the village in the future.

9.  Items for information.

Items listed per the Agenda were noted.

10.  Date of next meeting.

7.45 pm Thursday 5th February in the Village Hall.

 

Kath Daw

Parish Clerk

29.01.2009