Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7thDecember2017
Present: Cllr A Granger, Cllr B Granger,Cllr Finney,Cllr Sparrow, Cllr CawteCllr Cockett, Cllr Whitby
Chairman:Cllr S Farmer
Apologies:Cllr Bennett, Cllr Tabberner, Cllr Barrett, Cllr Platts Cllr Parker
Clerk: Nicola Land
Public: 5
ADDRESS BY PAUL FROM DAVIDSONS RE BALANCING PONDS
Paul from Davidsons attended the meeting and gave a brief presentation about balancing ponds.
He advised that the only maintence required would be cutting of the grass banks annually, The pipework etc would all be severn trent water as per the sec 104 agreement.
The council could not see a problem, as long as the contractor happy to cut the gradients with his equipment,
POLICE REPORT
No police in attendance, no report submitted
PUBLIC SESSION:-
A member of the parish ashed what back up plans are in place, ie by pass etc. With all the housing Ibstock cannot cope. The matter was raised direct with County and district councillors present, as the parish council keep raising objections based on these issues, but county and district pass the applications, and do not support the concerns raised by the parish residents and council.
A resident from Victoria Road asked about the ‘happenings’ in the fields next to his property. The council explained they had received a presentation at the last meeting relating to this land, and though there was no application at the moment, preliminary checks and surveys were being carried out with a view to a future application.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
No applications received for consultation
COMMENTS FROM DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCILLORS
County Councillor Harrison asked why the meetings were always being held in Battram. The Chairman advised that previously it was held in Ibstock every month, but since the welfare was vandalised, there were no free places to hold it.
He would like to see parking issues resolved, and better signage to the High Street, however these are County responsibility not Parish,
Councillor Ricichi raised concerns that the road signage is being obscured by branches. He feels that the County Council are neglecting their duties.
Councillor Clarke sent a letter to the Chairman which has been raised later on the agenda for discussion, He is concerned about the Welfare site, and the escalating costs to bring it back into working condition.
UPDATE FROM ANY OTHER VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS
No updates
Public Session Closed.
Ibstock Parish Council Meeting
078/2017APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Bennett, Cllr Tabberner, Cllr Barrett, Cllr Platts Cllr Parker
079/2017DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Councillors were reminded of their duty to complete declaration of Interest forms, and to update them with any changes.
080/2017CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING
The minutes from the November meeting were agreed as a true and correct record. They were signed off by the Chair,
081/2017MEMBERS UPDATES FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
None
082/2017ACCOUNTS
Bacs payment schedule agreed
Accounts summaries and bank reconciliations agreed
Accounts year to date against precept agreed.
083/2017COUNCIL MATTERS FOR DECISION
LAND TRANSFER FROM DAVIDSONS
Upon confirmation from the contractor that he is happy with the gradients, the parish council will accept the land transfer from Davidsons including the balancing pond.
OUTSTANDING WATER BILL
The bowls club refused to pay 50% of the water bill for the welfare site, based on the fact that some of the bill is surface water drainage, Discussion took place about the current site situation and the ongoing debts of the building and the bills that have not been apportioned to users for many years. Water meters have been considered when the building is refurbished, but that will not take into account any water drainage only used water.
The Council agreed to charge £150 for this period and will discuss further.
MINERS WELFARE SITE REFURBISHMENT
. Merisons provided an update to say that the Electrical survey had been carried out and provided a copy of the report. The Electrics have got to be renewed and many issues identified. Again they estimate this to be in the region of 20k. They also had a look at the roof leaking, and suggested a ‘patch up’ could be carried out for approx. 5k, however there is no guarantee how long this would last, as the leak may have effected the wooded timbers underneath, so the council should be ‘saving’ for the roof to be replaced in the near future.
The Chairman felt that this is a major issue for Councillors to be discussing, There were 5 Councillors not present, but the decision reached either way will impact both councillors, and parishioners dramatically. The original quotation of £31.5k, has increased to £76.5k prior to any further issues being brought to light. After consideration of this and Councillor Clarkes letter, the council have decided to halt works, and call an emergency meeting to purely discuss the welfare and its future role within the parish, Would that money be better spent going towards providing a new build, purpose build for the village needs, should the £76.5K be spent patching the old building for use as a sports and social club. Should other options be considered?
Meeting arranged for Wednesday 17th January 2018, Ibstock Scout Hut
PRECEPT 2018
The precept for 2018 was agreed at £175k the same as previous year.
PARISH LIASION MEETING NOTES
Distributed to members, thanks to Cllr Granger for attending and providing summaries for the council
084/2017PARISH COUNCILLORS COMMENTS ON ITEMS SPECIFIC TO
ENVIRONMENT
None
ALLOTMENTS AND CEMETERY
Ongoing cemetery issues regarding rules and graves not keeping to the rules.
RECREATION AREA
None
LIGHTING AND FOOTPATHS
None
WELFARE
Discussed in Agenda
OTHER
Post Office - Cllr Cockett raised his concern about the post office not having a hand rail. The Council have written to Ibstock Community Enterprises regarding his concern, The Chairman again advised that it is a private business and there is nothing that the Council can do to make the Post Office owners provide a hand rail, nor can the Parish Council fund it on land that they do no own. Cllr Cawte as director of ICE will raise it at his next meeting with them.
085/2017CORRESPONDANCE
Two requests received from Girl Guides who were looking for financial assistance to go on international camp. The Clerk responded to say that the council are unfortunately unable to fund personal requests.
NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
January 9th 2018 7pm
Battram Access Centre.
Meeting Closed.