Notes from the Parish Council December and January Meetings
Chairman Mr John Covill chaired the December meeting with 7 Parish Councillors & 1 member of the Public in attendance and the January 2008 meeting with 8 Parish Councillors (following co-option) and 2 members of the Public in attendance.
Minutes of Meetings: These were agreed.
Reports:
- CCC - Cllr Hazel Williams
- ECDC - Cllr Allen Alderson
Correspondence Received: This was reported.
Matters Arising (for information only)
(December meeting) - John Covill confirmed that overgrown hedgerows on Station Road were to be cut back.
Members Allowances - Report of Parish Remuneration Panel: (December meeting)
ECDC Democratic Services confirmed that the Independent Parish Remuneration Panel had concluded its work and issued a report recommending levels for the payment of Parish Basic Allowance and Travel & subsistence allowances for Parish Councillors. The Parish Council was required to consider whether such allowances should be paid to its members and at what level, although payment of such allowances was not compulsory.
It was agreed that no payment would be made to Councillors for their time but that, as currently, out-of-pocket expenses for travel, subsistence, training, etc., would be paid
Neighbourhood Panels: (December meeting)
Andrew Camps attended as PC representative the Neighbourhood Panels Induction Evening at ECDC's offices. Andrew gave a summary noting that 5 Neighbourhood Panels were to be established covering the District. These panels were to be made up of Parish, Town & City Councils together with District and County Councillors with Parish Councils having majority representation on all panels. Other local organisations were also to have representatives on the Panels. Notices were displayed on noticeboards detailing date, time and venues for the meetings. (January meeting) - Andrew Camps reported on the first official Neighbourhood Panel meeting. Items discussed at the meeting included flytipping and travellers.
Review of Grasscutting Services following end of 3-year Contract Period: (December/January meetings) Three contractors were asked to provide tenders for the above. Following lack of tenders returned, it was agreed to defer this item to the February meeting.
Road Safety Measures/Traffic Calming, Mill Hill: (January meeting)
Confirmation of successful bid for the above was received from CCC Highways.
High Street - Signs & Naming: (December meeting)
A letter was received from ECDC attaching a location map of current road signs and the properties that would be affected by the proposed changes/renaming. Geoffrey Woollard agreed to contact the owners of properties affected to ask their views and report to the next meeting.
(January meeting) - Geoffrey reported on his discussions with property owners. This was to be further discussed with ECDC.
Work needed to Horse Chestnut Tree in Play Area: (December meeting)
A letter received from the Parochial Charities brought to the PC's attention the need for some cutting back and pruning of the above tree. They requested that the PC obtained estimates and paid for the work to be done. Following discussion it was agreed that as the owners of the Play Area the cost of the works should be the responsibility of the Trustees.
Refurbishment of Play Area: (January meeting)
The above work by Anglian Playground Services was almost complete. The meeting congratulated Steve Kent-Phillips for his hard work in putting the scheme together. Steve confirmed that the final piece of play area furniture would be purchased at the start of the new financial year as part of the agreement with ECDC for grant funding.
The Lodes & The Fens: No further report.
Final Confirmation of Precept for 2008/09: (January meeting)
This was confirmed at £14,500.
Accounts for payment: These were agreed.
Planning Approvals:
- Approval of Reserved Matters - Land Adjacent to Water Tower, Mill Hill.
Reminder: It is that time of year again when the Parish Council would ask that you check on your boundary hedges, etc., to ensure that they are cut back to your boundary line and not encroaching over the public footpaths, so as not to cause any difficulties for the users of the footpaths. Thank you for your help.
Items for the Next Agenda will include:
- Grasscutting Contract
- The Lodes & The Fens
- Mill Hill - Road Safety/Traffic Calming
- High Street Signs & Naming
- Neighbourhood Panels Parish Plan.
Open Question Time:
General discussion.
Should anyone require any further information on any of the reported items above, please contact me.
The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday, 7th February 2008 (note the change of date from the 14th so as not to interfere with Valentines Night!) at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. All are welcome to attend.