GREAT BOWDEN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Full Council held at the Community Pavilion on

Thursday 23rd November 2017 at 7.30pm

Present: Adam Shepherd (Chairman), Paul Claxton, Peter Mitchell, Jon Almond, Richard Henwood

In attendance: 9 members of the public

Action
11/17
/01 / Public questions and comment on items on the agenda
A Member of the Public raised an observation around trenches being dug on the South Side of Leicester Lane and wondered if this was planning related. Another member of the Public raised that this could be Archaeological.
Noted these comments
11/17
/02 / Declarations of interests/ pecuniary interests regarding matters on the agenda
None
11/17
/03 / To receive apologies for absence
Cllr Anne French
Cllr Barry Champion
Agreed:To accept these apologies
11/17
/04 / Minutes of the meeting held on 21st Sept 17 & 2nd Nov 17
Declared approved
Agreed:To accept the Minutes
11/17
/05 / District Councillors report
Nil report
11/17
/06 / Actions from previous meeting
Recreation Ground Purchase
Contracts have been received and reviewed, slight concerns that need discussions with the Tennis Club. Cllr Claxton proposed that representatives of GBPC discuss these with the Tennis Club. Cllr Shepherd seconded and all agreed
Recreation Ground Sign
Highways have dismissed the idea of replacing the Tennis Club sign with a generic Recreation Ground sign, due to time, effort and money. Cllr Henwood proposed that if the Tennis Club are in agreement, a new sign should be purchased by GBPC detailing the Recreation Ground and all facilities within. Cllr Claxton seconded and all agreed
CCTV
To defer to next meeting
Blocked Drains
Highways have completed their works. Remove from Agenda until issue re-surfaces
Section 106 Applications
Cllr Claxton informed the meeting that the window was now open for applications. Cllr Claxton proposed that GBPC should apply for money towards the Toilets and Play Area. Cllr Henwood seconded and all agreed
It was also noted that HDC had written to GBPC regarding a plaque referencing the S106 contribution they had made to the Community Pavilion. Cllr Shepherd would respond to this
Recreation Ground & Church Green Posts
Cllr Claxton informed GBPC that we have two quotes for the posts on Church Green and these could be fitted before Christmas. All agreed to have the larger posts costing £2545
Cllr Almond will resolve the Recreation Ground Car Park post. Cllr Shepherd proposed a spend limit of £200. Cllr Henwood seconded and all agreed
Residents Database
Cllr Mitchell presented a draft policy regarding the residents database. Cllr Shepherd and Cllr Mitchell will tweak the policy and look into using an online provider to keep Personal Data secure
Parking on Corners
Cllr Shepherd informed the meeting he had met with Highways who have recognised there is a parking issue around the village centre. Highways will be coming back to GBPC with a proposal. Cllr Shepherd will chase the outcome
Speeding Operation
No further action has come of Cllr Shepherds request, he will chase. Remove until outcome is known
Red Lion ACV
Cllr Shepherd informed the meeting that although an appeal had been set for Dec 4th, the owners had withdrawn from this. Cllr Claxton proposed we re-submit the ACV for the surrounding land. Cllr Shepherd seconded and all agreed
GBPC would also like to send their thanks to Lisa Hilton for her hard work on this matter
New Parish Clerk
A Job Description is being ratified by LRALC and has been sent to prospective candidates. It was agreed that the initial hours would be 6 per week and a closing date for applications would be 11th Dec 17. Interviews to be carried out W/C 18th Dec 17
Bowden Events letter
The Clerk had failed to compile a letter. Cllr Henwood agreed to draft
Oak Tree on Church Green
Cllr Claxton will chase this matter
Berry Close grass verge
Cllr Henwood informed the meeting this was now resolved. To be removed from the next Agenda
Mapping Software
After further discussion, Cllr Mitchell proposed that we start with the basic version of the software to ascertain its value to GBPC at circa £70p/a. Cllr Henwood seconded and all agreed
Agreed:To accept and action these items / PC
RH
PC
AS
PC
AS
PM
AS
AS
AS
PC
RH
PC
RH
11/17
/07 / Chairman’s Announcements
Online Banking
It was agreed that Cllr’s Shepherd, Claxton and Henwood would be given online access. Cllr Henwood to instigate forms and signatures for the application on all three GBPC accounts.
Play Area
It was noted that this area is in a poor state and slippery. Cllr’s Henwood & Shepherd will jet wash. Cllr Almond proposed that we accept a quote of £1150+vat for repairs. Cllr Shepherd seconded and all agreed
Leaves
After discussions around the leaves on the Recreation Ground, Cllr Claxton proposed that we accept a quote of £1200 to remove the leaves. Cllr Almond seconded and all agreed
Bowden Cricket Club
It was noted that BCC had received District Club of The Year
All councillors congratulated BCC on this fantastic achievement / RH
RH
AS
PC
11/17
/08 / Public Correspondence
Hedge on Main St
A correspondence was received regarding the planting of hedging on a verge. Cllr Shepherd will write to Highways to inform them
Recreation Ground Cricket Square
A correspondence was received regarding the cordon on the Recreation Ground. Cllr Shepheard had replied with a response
Defibrillator
A member of the public noted that a few days ago a situation occurred when it was thought that the Pavilion defibrillator would be needed and in the meantime an ambulance was called. In the event, the ambulance went to the wrong cricket ground and as a consequence was delayed. Cllr Claxton said that he would ensure that the post code and grid references were put on both village defibrillators to minimise this occurring in the future / AS
PC
11/07
/09 / New Notice Boards
To defer to next meeting
11/07
/10 / Tree Issues
Cllr Claxton informed the meeting that he is still waiting for the quotes regarding the 5 Willow Trees and the new tree report, but will chase. With regards to the tree near the 4th Court @ the Tennis Club, this may need to be removed but is being progressed. / PC
11/07
/11 / Pavilion Management Committee update
Cllr Shepherd informed the meeting that the PMC had secured the services of a local college to undertake the decoration of the Pavilion, this would commence in March. During this time the Pavilion will be out of action.
The meeting was also informed that Bowden Cricket Club will be installing a security shutter on the Bar, and re-seeding the Recreation Ground where needed once the leaves have been removed.
11/07
/12 / Councillor Updates
Cllr Shepherd informed the meeting that he has reported potholes on the road surfaces, and the graffiti on the Toilets. He will chase regarding the graffiti again as it has not been cleaned satisfactorily.
Cllr Claxton has reported street lighting issues / AS
11/17
/13 / Transport Stakeholders Update
To carry forward to the next meeting
11/17
/14
&15 / Planning
All councillors had no issues with planning applications that were listed and accepted decisions that had been received since the last Full Council meeting
A member of the public brought up the unsatisfactory situation with the way that HDC dealt with the variations of conditions of the Berry Close planning application. It was agreed that Cllr Shepherd, Cllr Claxton and a member of the public would arrange a meeting with the District Councillors and our MP to discuss this issue
Agreed:To accept these decisions / AS
PC
11/17
/16 / Finance
All agreed to the payment of Cllr Mitchell's and the Clerk's expense. There were no other finance matters
Cllr Shepherd thanked the Clerk, who was attending his last council meeting, for his services over the years.
Agreed:To accept these decisions and actions / AS
Next meeting – 18thJanuary 2018 – 7.30pm

The meeting closed at 21:33

Councillors: Adam Shepherd (Chairman), Jon Almond, Paul Claxton, Anne French, Peter Mitchell, Richard Henwood

Clerk to the Council:

District Councillors: Phil Knowles, Sarah Hill, Barry Champion