Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn
MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING, HELD AT MEMORIAL HALL, CLUN ON 12th JANUARY 2017 AT 19.30hrs
PRESENT: Vice-Chairman (chaired the meeting) – Cllr. J. McVicar (JM), M Donaldson (MD), R. Rourke (RR)
IN ATTENDANCE: Gurnek Singh & Tim Sneddon (SC Highways), Harry Horlock PCSO, 4 members of the public
CLERK: Mrs R. Turner
136/1617 PUBLIC SESSION AND ITEMS FROM SHROPSHIRE COUNCILLOR
A member of the public gave an update in regard to SpArC. Due to SC budget cuts, funding is being sought to contribute to the funds already raised by a charity set up for SpArC. Clun parishioners make up 10% of leisure centre users and 9.6% of theatre-goers, according to a survey of users. The charity set up for SpArC is seeking a trustee from Clun. It was reported that schools are starting to pay to use the facilities. It was suggested that the charity look into the possibility of Sport England funding.
Two residents spoke in relation to a private company, SWS, who have expressed an interest in providing wireless broadband in the Redlake Valley, an area currently outside of Connecting Shropshire’s intervention plans. SWS currently supply 1,500 households in Shropshire and have held an open meeting for Chapel Lawn/Redlake Valley residents to give information on their service. The 40 attendees at the briefing were happy with the potential offering and 50 households have expressed an interest, of whom 27 have registered their interest with SWS. A survey of the area will be done early this year to establish feasibility and cost of SWS providing a service. There may be a request for funds from the Town Council towards the mast infrastructure and engineering works needed as without extra charges upfront, SWS may not be able to provide a service. This would supplement the funds available from BDUK broadband vouchers. The cost is unknown until the survey is complete. In Clee St Margaret, the parish council contributed towards £10,000 towards the cost but the cost is individual to the location. Cllr. McVicar asked if SWS recover the upfront infrastructure costs through monthly service fees. This was not known.
In response to a question, the PCSO advised that vehicles have not been parked illegally in the car park recently.
137/1617 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Received and accepted from Cllr. Davies (weather) and Cllr. Hurcombe (family commitment).
138/1617 DECLARATION OF ANY DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST IN A MATTER TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING
No interests declared.
139/1617 DISPENSATION REQUESTS
No dispensation requests had been received.
Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn Council Minutes 12th January 2017 Page 1 of 6
Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn
140/1617 ITEMS OF INFORMATION FROM THE CHAIRMAN
None as the Chairman was not present.
141/1617 CLUN BRIDGE AND CCTV
Cllr. McVicar explained that the council wanted CCTV to identify patterns of what types of vehicle were hitting the bridge and to create a deterrent, due to risk of prosecution and insurance claims. Gurnek Singh advised that from SC’s perspective, the CCTV has been successful and has resulted in cost savings for highways on repairs. The annual running costs are a £3000 standing charge to the CCTV team and charges for data downloads. Not all hits are passed to the police as SC pursue insurance claims wherever possible. The TC stressed that it would wish the police to investigate, where an offence may have been committed as this acts as a deterrent. The Council asked if police incident reports can be provided for hits to the bridge and the PCSO undertook to do this. The Council thanked Mr Singh, Mr Sneddon and the PCSO for attending.
142/1617 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 8TH NOVEMBER 2016
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes as being an accurate record and they were duly signed by the Chairman.
143/1617 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
None.
144/1617 CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk summarised her report, CTC83/17 which was noted.
145/1617 LETTER FROM BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN CASTLE RE SPARC
Whilst sympathetic to the situation, the Council did not feel it could commit funds at present. It was RESOLVED to write and advise Bishop’s Castle TC of this and suggest a meeting with surrounding parishes.
146/1617 ASSET MANAGEMENT
(i) The clerk’s check of the assets was noted and it was RESOLVED to arrange repair of the picnic bench (ii) Maintenance of Town Hall – it was RESOLVED to action the items identified in the electrician’s report and to seek quotes for wood treatment & repairs to rainwater goods. (iii) Correspondence from Shropshire Council re SC street lights at Clun Bridge car park – it was noted that the street lights at the car park are connected to the electricity supply at the toilets, this being a historical issue dating from when SC owned the toilets. It was RESOLVED that SC would pay by reducing the bill they charge for electricity for the TC’s 36 street lights by the equivalent of 2 lights. This would therefore offset the cost of the Council paying for the electricity to which the 2 car park lights are connected. (iv) Cemetery - update on headstone checks – to be progressed in spring. (v) Ongoing maintenance schedule and responsibility for asset checks – to be checked annually. (vi) Error on toilets billing – it was noted that the bill had been based on an estimated reading. Reserves had been set aside annually due to underspend on the toilets budget and it was agreed to use this underspend Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn Council Minutes 12th January 2017 Page 2 of 6
Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn to fund any amount of the bill which exceeded the 2016/17 total budget for the toilets. It was further RESOLVED to enter into a one year fixed price agreement with British Gas as this would reduce future bills. (vii) Options for new oak noticeboards at the Town Hall – the clerk highlighted some options from companies specialising in such products. These required further investigation.
It had been planned to take the items on toilets maintenance and grass cutting contracts next but it was RESOLVED to move these items to the end of the agenda.
147/1617 FINANCIAL ITEMS a) Qtr. 3 bank reconciliation Item deferred as statements not available. b) Budget and precept for 2017/18 Item deferred as the Chairman was not present. c) Risk Assessment for Clerk’s office It was RESOLVED to approve this and to agree a contribution of up to £65 towards a desk. d) Unity bank account set-up Those present filled out the required form re internet banking set-up. e) Payments It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments:
Payee Item Ref no Chq. no Net VAT Gross S Richards Wall repair & P83-1617 2512 £1097.00 £219.40 £1316.40 drain repair British Gas VOID VOID 2513 VOID VOID VOID R Turner Expenses P84-1617 2514 £514.49 £81.08 £595.57 Highline Electrical P85-1617 2515 £135.00 £27.00 £162.00 works Town Hall SALC Training P86-1617 2516 £22.00 £0.00 £22.00 R Hester Noticeboard P87-1617 2517 £74.00 £0.00 £74.00 repair HMRC PAYE P88-1617 2518 £13.00 £0.00 £13.00 Clun Memorial Room hire P89-1617 2519 £20.00 £0.00 £20.00 Hall G Dudley Labour for P90-1617 2520 £54.00 £0.00 £54.00 pipe repair
Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn Council Minutes 12th January 2017 Page 3 of 6
Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn f) Payments already made
It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments already made:
Payee Item Ref no DD/SO no Net VAT Gross Shropshire Electricity P78-1617 DD8 £188.88 £37.78 £226.66 Council street lights R Turner Salary P79-1617 SO8 £534.67 £0.00 £534.67 British Gas Electricity P80-1617 DD9 £104.29 £5.21 £109.50 toilets G Dudley Toilets contract P81-1617 2511 £637.00 £0.00 £637.00 R Turner Salary P82-1617 SO9 £534.67 £0.00 £534.67 g) Income received
NOTED as follows:
Date Payee Item Ref no Amount 08.11.16 Unity Bank Opening credit (inter- R09-1617 £500.00 account transfer) 19.12.16 HSBC Interest R10-1617 £0.68 h) CIL Annual Return Form This was signed.
148/1617 ELECTIONS
It was agreed to write articles in the local press promoting the opportunities to stand as a councillor. Action: Cllr. Davies.
149/1617 BROADBAND
The update in the public session was noted. It was agreed that the clerk investigate how parish council funding had worked in other areas and what spending power had been used.
150/1617 PLANNING ITEMS a) Planning notifications (for information only) – NOTED as follows:
(i) 16/04224/FUL & 16/04224/LBC - The Rhoneth, Whitcott Keysett, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 8QE - Erection of extension and renovation to include installation of treatment plant - Grant Permission (ii) 16/02708/FUL - 6 Guilden Down, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 8NZ - Conversion of redundant agricultural building into dwelling, to include auxiliary works - Grant Permission (iii) 13/01710/LBC - The Hurst, Aston On Clun, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 0JA - Insertion of replacement windows/secondary glazing – Withdrawn
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Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn
(iv) 16/04989/FUL - Fire Station , High Street, Clun, SY7 8JE - Erection of extension and refurbishment of the existing Fire Station – Grant Permission
a) Planning applications for consideration (i) 16/04813/DEM - 13 Hospital Lane, Clun, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 8LE - Application for relevant demolition of 1m section of stone wall to widen gateway – no comments (ii) 16/05106/FUL - Argoed Barn, Argoed, Clun, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 8NW - Change of use of land for the siting of two holiday units and installation of a septic tank and associated drainage field (resubmission) - no comments (iii) 16/05164/FUL - Pentre Hodre Cottage, Pentre Hodre, Bucknell, Shropshire, SY7 0DA - Erection of two storey side extension and internal alterations - no comments (iv) 16/05116/PRCPA - Edrics Barn, Llanhedric Farm, Llanhedric, Clun, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 8NG - Prior Notification under Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 Part 3, Class R for the conversion of agricultural building to business and recreational meeting space - no comments (v) 16/04914/LBC - 1 Church Street, Clun, SY7 8JW - Erection of rear extension, new patio area, renovation works including replacement windows and new porch affecting a Grade II Listed Building - no comments b) To consider applications/notifications received after the agenda was sent out None. c) Local Plan Review – it was noted that there would shortly be a consultation on this matter.
151/1617 CORRESPONDENCE
NOTED as follows:
a) SALC/NALC Info Bulletins – for info b) Update on audit arrangements c) Update on Local Government Finance Settlement d) NHS Future Fit e) Update on consultation on BT Phone boxes – Whitcott Keysett - it was affirmed that the TC wished that both the box and a working phone be retained f) SC Public Open Spaces Review g) Freight Strategy consultation h) Shropshire’s Great Outdoors Membership Scheme i) Clun P3 Co-Ordinator’s report j) Town & Parish Council Forum k) Next LJC meeting date
152/1617 NEXT MEETINGS – AGREED AS FOLLOWS Wednesday 1st February 2017 Wednesday 1st March 2017 Wednesday 5th April 2017
Items for the next agenda: (i) Correspondence from Shropshire Housing Group requesting attendance at a Council meeting re site at Castle Street (ii) Parish Plan Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn Council Minutes 12th January 2017 Page 5 of 6
Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn
(iii) Arrangements for pension staging date
Pursuant to Schedule 12A, Local Government Act 1972 and pursuant to the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, it was RESOLVED that the public and press should be excluded during discussions of the following items, as they concern contractual matters
153/1617 CLUN TOILETS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
It was RESOLVED to appoint Jonathan Churchett as cleaner. Consideration of waste disposal arrangements was deferred to the next meeting.
154/1617 CLUN CEMETERY GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT
It was RESOLVED to appoint Jonathan Churchett.
SIGNED (CHAIRMAN) DATED
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