Pershore Town Council s6

25.02.10

PERSHORE TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

25th February 2010

Minutes of the meeting of Pershore Town Council, held at the Town Hall, 34 High Street, Pershore, Commencing at 7.30pm.

Present:- Cllr C D Parsons MBE (Mayor)

Cllr G Amphlett

Cllr J T Grantham MBE

Cllr G B M Hughes MBE

Cllr P Merry

Cllr J Palfrey

Cllr T D G Rose

Cllr K E P Rowe

Cllr M Rowe

Cllr D M Shaw

Cllr C W Smith

Cllr C G J Tucker

Cllr V Wood

a. There were no items brought by members of the public

b. Cllr G B M Hughes declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 13, flood defences

884. Apologies

Apologies were accepted from Cllr D Hughes as he was away.

Apologies for late attendance were accepted from Cllr K Rowe

885. Declarations of Interest

Cllrs Parsons and Rose declared a personal interest in agenda item 13, Allotments

Cllrs Amphlett, Parsons, Grantham and Smith declared personal interests in agenda item 8

Pershore Riverside Youth Centre

Cllr Shaw declared a personal interest in agenda item 13 flood defences

Cllr Smith declared a personal interest in agenda item 19 Talking Newspaper

886. Mayor’s Announcements

a. Cllr Parsons advised members that he had received a letter from Mr Amies following his representing the Town Council at Mr Amies daughter’s funeral.

b. Cllr Parsons advised members that he and the Mayoress would be holding a coffee morning the following Saturday in aid of the Rotary Club’s End Polio Now campaign.

c. Cllr Parsons presented Mr Taylor, who had recently retired as caretaker for the Town

Hall, with a certificate of recognition and a small gift.

887. Items brought to members attention by the Town Clerk

The Clerk advised members of an invitation from the Pershore Volunteer Centre to attend a conference on 24th March at 5.30pm

888. Minutes

It was proposed by Cllr Wood, seconded by Cllr M Rowe and RESOLVED that the minutes of 19th January and 21st January be accepted subject to the amendment to minute 877a. that Cllr Wood did not say “but the loss of car parking spaces had been too high a price to pay” but actually said “but chevron parking was considered too difficult and dangerous”.

889. Matters of report from the minutes

a. Members were advised that a response was still awaited from Wychavon D.C. regarding car parking charges for residents using the Leisure Centre.

b. The Clerk advised that Sir Michael Spicer had signed the early day motion in support of the Rt Hon Alistair Burt M.P.’s Sustainable Communities Amendment Bill.

890. Finance

a. Members approved the budget comparison to end of January as presented.

b. It was proposed by Cllr Daniels, seconded by Cllr Rose and RESOLVED that the cheque payment list for the month of February 2010 be accepted.

Vchr. / Cheq. / Cde. / Name / Description / Amount
994 / 211 / 60 / Paperstation Ltd / Stationery / 48.55
995 / 212 / 94 / Lamps and Tubes / Christmas Lights / 2,377.77
996 / 213 / 83 / Hunter Roofing / Cemetery Chapel roof repairs / 175.75
997 / 214 / 69 / Catalyst Property Services Ltd / Drainage report / 713.85
998 / 215 / 89 / Severn Trent / Water at Allotments / 155.71
999 / 216 / 80 / Severn Trent / Town Hall Water / 560.19
1000 / 217 / 85 / Protec Direct Ltd / Safety Boots and gloves / 65.72
1001 / 218 / 69 / Castons King / Quantity Surveyor / 5,770.94
1002 / 219 / 88 / Cox's Cars Ltd / Fuel / 41.96
1003 / 219 / 83 / Cox's Cars Ltd / Fuel for cemetery / 26.99
Subtotal Cheque No. 219 / 68.95
1004 / 220 / 84 / County Security Ltd / Town Hall locking up / 143.94
1005 / 221 / 84 / Executive Cleaning (Worcs) Ltd / Town Hall cleaning / 256.74
1006 / 222 / 83 / Ron Smith & Co Ltd / Motor Mower / 269.00
1007 / 223 / 83 / Vale Heating & Plumbing Ltd / Gas service at Cemetery Lodge / 211.50
1008 / 224 / 86 / W L Brown / Tools / 4.25
1009 / 225 / 62 / Petty Cash / Petty Cash / 40.00
1010 / 226 / 60 / Post Office Ltd / Postage stamps / 60.00
1011 / 227 / 85 / Orion Plumbing / Repairs to toilet / 97.00
1012 / 228 / 96 / CPRE / Subscription / 29.00
1013 / 229 / 84 / Lift Engineering Services Ltd / Lift service contract / 267.02
1014 / 230 / 83 / Mrs Ann Dobbins / Maps for Cemetery / 43.48
1015 / 231 / 60 / West Mercia Supplies / Stationery / 43.43
1016 / 232 / 83 / OHMS Ltd / Strimmer repair / 23.50
1017 / 233 / 61 / Opal / Telephone / 56.87
1018 / 233 / 90 / Opal / Telephone / 18.60
Subtotal Cheque No. 233 / 75.47
1019 / 234 / 83 / BT / Cemetery telephone / 165.58
1020 / 235 / 83 / Budget Skips / Cemetery Skip Hire / 170.01
1021 / 236 / 85 / CPC / Security alarm for workshop / 176.41
1022 / 237 / 64 / Konica Minolta / Copier lease / 350.62
1030 / 238 / 82 / Salary 7 / Salary / 913.87
1031 / 239 / 82 / Salary 9 / Salary / 38.48
1032 / 240 / 1 / Inland Revenue / Tax and NIC / 776.90
1033 / 240 / 5 / Inland Revenue / Tax and NIC / 206.52
1034 / 240 / 4 / Inland Revenue / Tax and NIC / 2.42
1035 / 240 / 3 / Inland Revenue / Tax and NIC / 144.00
1036 / 240 / 82 / Inland Revenue / Tax and NIC / 81.20
1037 / 240 / 82 / Inland Revenue / Tax and NIC / 170.14
1038 / 240 / 82 / Inland Revenue / Tax and NIC / 58.96
1039 / 240 / 9 / Inland Revenue / Tax and NIC / 431.54
Subtotal Cheque No. 240 / 1,871.68
1040 / 241 / 5 / Worcestershire CC / Superannuation / 83.58
1041 / 241 / 82 / Worcestershire CC / Superannualtion / 67.97
1042 / 241 / 9 / Worcestershire CC / Employers Pension Conts / 213.44
1043 / 241 / 82 / Worcestershire CC / Employee Pension Conts / 191.23
Subtotal Cheque No. 241 / 556.22
1023 / DD / 68 / Barclays Bank / Investment fees / 1,156.00
1024 / DD / 1 / Salary 1 / Salary / 2,249.18
1025 / DD / 5 / Salary 2 / Salary / 995.70
1026 / DD / 6 / Salary 3 / Salary / 575.99
1027 / DD / 3 / Salary 5 / Salary / 346.56
1028 / DD / 4 / Salary 6 / Salary / 496.96
1029 / DD / 82 / Salary 8 / Salary / 325.05
21,890.07

c. Members accepted the latest valuation of investments to end of January 2010 and were pleased to see a further small improvement.

891. Election of Mayor Elect

It was proposed by Cllr Grantham, seconded by Cllr Amphlett that Cllr Parsons serve a further one year term as Mayor for the year 2010/2011.

There being no further nominations, it was RESOLVED that Cllr Parsons be duly elected as the Mayor Elect for the coming year.

892. Election of Deputy Mayor Elect

It was proposed by Cllr Betty Hughes, seconded by Cllr Merry that Cllr Grantham serve a further year as Deputy Mayor for the year 2010/2011.

There being no further nominations, it was RESOLVED that Cllr Grantham be duly elected

as Deputy Mayor for the coming year.

893. Items from the Finance and Property Committee

a. Members considered the estimate obtained by the Clerk to convert the top floor of the Town Hall into flat at a cost of approximately £18,000 to £20,000. Members generally felt that residential accommodation would be a better investment than offices in the current climate as it may be difficult to find business tenants.

Cllr Tucker advised members that no decision was required at this meeting and full details would be brought to the next meeting of the Finance and Property committee for a recommendation to the Council at their April or May meeting.

Cllr Betty Hughes suggested that the accommodation could prove useful as part of a package for a caretaker at the Town Hall who could also undertake various minor repair works and possibly, in due course, some grounds maintenance. Members agreed this may be an option to consider in the future. Members agreed that the Clerk continue to investigate all options for the top floor and bring a report to the next meeting of the Finance and Property Committee for consideration.

b. It was proposed by Cllr Amphlett, seconded by Cllr Wood and RESOLVED that the revised Council Risk Assessment be accepted.

c. Cllrs Wood and Tucker from the Internal Monitoring Panel confirmed that all internal arrangements for audit were satisfactory with some minor amendments to be made for clarification purposes.

894. Items from the Cemetery Committee

a. It was agreed the Clerk contact Wychavon D.C. to ascertain whether double glazed windows could be installed at Cemetery Lodge prior to applying for planning permission for replacement sash windows.

b. The Clerk reported that she would be bringing detailed plans for a proposed new Garden of Remembrance to the next meeting of the Committee.

c. It was proposed by Cllr Shaw, seconded by Cllr Rose and RESOLVED that from 1st April 2010 grants of grave space would be for 70 years instead of the present 100 years.

895. Items from the Pershore Community Youth Council

a. Councillors considered the design and location of the proposed youth shelter/bandstand and members were generally supportive. The Clerk outlined various grant applications that had been submitted and explained the public consultation that had been undertaken. To date one person had responded negatively but the remainder had been most positive. Members agreed unanimously to give their support for the project and the Clerk reminded the meeting that the location of the structure would be determined by Wychavon D.C. as landowners.

b. The issue of a pedestrian crossing in Station Road was raised by the Youth Council who felt that at times it was difficult crossing the road to get to the High School and to Cherry Orchard First School. Members agreed that a crossing was needed and the issue had been raised by the PACT meeting on more than one occasion. It was agreed that members supported the need for such a

crossing and it was suggested that the Clerk write to the County Council on behalf of the

Youth Council to request its consideration.

c. The Youth Council requested the Town Council’s support for additional Community Support Officers in the Town and it was agreed the Clerk write on behalf of the Youth Council to Inspector Sean Kent to ask for his consideration of this request.

d. Cllr Parsons advised members that the arrangements for the Music Festival were progressing well and a report would be brought to the next meeting of the Youth Council.

896. Allotments

a. The Clerk updated members with plans for the flood defences and advised of tree work currently being undertaken on the allotments. Cllr Tucker asked for clarification of the plans for an ancient tree in the pond area of the defences and the Clerk agreed to check what was stated on the plans.

Cllr Merry asked permission from members to attend the Development Control Committee meeting the following week to speak on the Flood Defence application and the Abbey Park bund. He advised members of the Planning Committee’s comments requesting a condition on any approval to ensure that emergency plans for pumps be completed before the defences are completed.

Councillors agreed to authorize Cllr Merry to speak on behalf of the Town Council and the Clerk will advise Wychavon D C accordingly.

b. Cllr Parsons advised members of current problems on the allotment site due to Muntjak deer which were very difficult to control. Cllr Wood suggested obtaining some ion manure from the local safari park which she assured members could be most effective. The Clerk will seek further advice and report to the Amenities and Environment Committee.

897. Public Transport

a. It was agreed that comments on the Worcester Transport Strategy be submitted by members individually or be handed to the Town Clerk for collation and forwarding to the County Council.

b. Cllr Palfrey advised that a letter had now been drafted to Network Rail concerning the car parking at the Railway Station and it was hoped responses would be received in time for the next Council meeting.

898. Hill Close

Cllr Parsons advised members that the Hill Close play area had been closed some time ago due to undesirable behaviour in the area. Residents had been consulted on its future use and the majority had asked for the area to be shared by neighbouring householders. Members agreed that if this was the view of the residents then members would have no objection to this use and the Clerk will advise Wychavon D C accordingly.

899. 10/10 Campaign

Members agreed there were a number of measures that could be taken to try to reduce the Council’s carbon footprint over the coming year. It was agreed that the loft needed additional lagging, temperatures should be monitored and hirers reminded to keep doors closed when radiators were on and switch radiators off when they leave the room. It was also noted that these measures

should be continually monitored and other suggestions on the Clerk’s report should also be

implemented as far as possible. It was agreed the item be a regular agenda item for the

Amenities and Environment Committee.

Members also considered an article for the Council newsletter concerning the hydropower project and it was agreed that, with a minor amendment, the article could be published.

900. Rooftop Housing

Cllr Palfrey advised members of the damage being caused by parked cars to the grass verges in various areas of the town including Avon Road, Mill Lane and Railground. It was agreed this was an ongoing problem and as a meeting was planned shortly with Rooftop Housing it was felt this should be an item on the agenda. The Clerk will ascertain some convenient dates and arrange the meeting.