STONE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held
on Tuesday 27th May 2014
at the Parish Room, Stone
Present: / Cllrs. J Arbuthnott, Mrs D Bird, R F Hobson, G Higgs, R WignallJ A Jordan, and Mrs J Siviter.
In attendance: / Ms S P Bamford (Clerk)
Mr W Waldron
Mr D Sireshuk – Lengthsman
Dist. Cllr. S Williams
Dist. Cllr. S Clee
1 member of the public
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN:
On the proposal of Cllr.R Hobson, seconded Cllr.R Wignall
RESOLVED that Cllr J Arbuthnott be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.
Cllr. Arbuthnott signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the Chair.
2. DECLARATION SIGNING
All elected councillors signed Declarations.
3. APOLOGIES : Apologies were received from Cllr. Mrs E Hyde. The reason for absence was approved.
4. APPOINTMENTS:
a) Appointment of Vice Chairman. .
RESOLVED that Cllr. J A Jordan be appointed Vice Chairman for the ensuing year.
b) Representatives to CALC: Cllrs. J Jordan and R Hobson
c) Representatives to Planning Committee: All Council Members.
For minor applications a planning committee of 3 members including the Chairman, would make a decision.
d) Community Housing Representative: Cllrs J Arbuthnott and G Higgs.
e) Finance Committee: Cllrs. J Jordan, R Wignall and Mrs D. Bird.
f) Staffing Committee: Cllrs Higgs, J A Jordan and Mrs D Bird
g) Stone Parochial Charity Representative: Cllr. R Hobson.
h) Police Liaison Officer – Cllr. Mrs J Siviter.
i) Community Liaison Officers: Cllrs Mrs J Siviter and R Wignall.
5. MINUTES:
The Minutes of the Meeting held on the 4th March 2014 were approved and signed as a correct record.
6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
7. PROGRESS REPORTS:
(a) Lengthsman’s Report
Curslow Lane – Clear soil and vegetation from carriageway A442 end of lane,against kerbline.
Stanklyn Lane – Clear outfall, clear two signs, straighten sign, clear channel to inlet.
A448 Stone – Straighten “Stone” sign moved by high wind, take out redundant post for VAS.
Curslow Lane – clear soil and vegetation from carriageway to kerb lines. Clear four outfalls, four inlets in two ditches, clean sign.
A450 Shenstone by Barrs Lane – side out footway, clear outfall.
Stanklyn Lane –side out footway, clear gullies
Heath Lane – Cut back overgrowth on corners to Stanklyn Lane to clear view for motorists. Clear 1 outfall and rod pipe inlet on Heath Lane/ Stanklyn Lane corner.
Mustow Green – sideout footway
A450 Stone Church – side out footway on corner, clear sign.
The funding for the year 2014/2015 will be £2,234.78.
The Council welcomed Mr David Sireshuk the new Lengthsman who has taken a 12 month contract with effect form the 1st April 2014.
(b ) Police Report
Reports have been circulated.
(c ) Parish Paths Scheme
No report
8. Items requiring decisions
a. Insurance Renewal
The Council reviewed the renewal summary and schedule of items covered. Previous year: £310.28
RESOLVED to accept quotation from Aon in the sum of £207.05.
b. Annual Parish Meeting
The Council noted the draft minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting.
RESOLVED no action to be taken.
c. Speeding Stanklyn Lane
The complaint received from Mr N Bruton was discussed. Advised that vehicle activated sign is to be rotated in the area.
.
d. Speeding Dunclent Lane
The Council noted the complaint received from Mr K Collins.
Agreed letter to be forwarded to Mr Gough asking that he request his customers to exercise due caution when driving along the lane.
e. Financial Regulations
These were discussed.
RESOLVED Regulations to be approved.
f. Youth Restorative Justice
Cllr. J Siviter to make enquiries about services offered. Discuss at next meeting.
g. Churchyard Grant
A discussion was held. Complaints about length of grass in graveyard were noted.
RESOLVED £450 be donated to the church for this purpose and it was requested that the overgrown grass be cut as quickly as possible.
9. Items for information
a. Bend Activated Sign
This is working well on the solar panels
b. Vehicle Activated Sign
This is now on a 4 week rotation programme around the parish.
c. Sewage on Barrs Lane
A report was given.
d. Land at end of Heath Lane/Stanklyn Lane
This matter is being investigated by Wyre Forest District Council.
e. Litter on Stanklyn Lane
Litter has been collected by Wyre Forest District Council. They are to be notified should the problem reoccur.
10. Financial Report and Payment of Accounts.
(a) Bank Balance £6,344.21
(b) Accounts for payment:
RESOLVED the following accounts be paid::
W Waldron 306.25
Westcotec – Battery £96.00
S P Bamford – March £310.30
W Waldron – Shelter Repairs £60.10
W Waldron – March £150.00
HMRC £3.00
S P Bamford – Expenses £215.20
Worcestershire CALC £239.54
S P Bamford – April £307.90
D Sireshuk £78.00
P M Phillips £60.00
St. Mary’s Church £370.00
Total payments: £2,196.29
(c ) Audit of Accounts 2013 - 2014
The Council noted that the Internal Auditor has not raised any matters relating to the accounts for the year 2013-2014 and it could, therefore proceed with the requisite Statement of Assurance concerning the accounts and to countersign the documents.
RESOLVED that
(i) The accounts shown in the Council’s book of accounts are approved.
(ii) The Statement of Assurance is completed to show an affirmative answer to all eight statements included therein, and the completed Annual Report is signed and forwarded to the External Auditor.
11. Planning and Development Control:
a. To note any decisions on applications previously considered:
14/0122/FULL – First floor side extension for
additional bedrooms and en-suite at High Trees, Stone – Approved
b. To consider any new applications received by the date of the meeting: - None
c. Applications previously considered:
14/0122/FULL – First floor side extension for additional bedrooms and en suite at High Trees, Stone – No objections.
d. Any compliance or enforcement issues - None
12. District and County Council Matters and CALC
Dist. Cllr. S Williams gave a report on the outcome of the recent European Elections. The next Planning Meeting will be held on the 19th June when the Heath Lane site will be discussed.
13. Road Accident Report – Three accidents were report.
14. Clerk’s Report
A letter was read out from Mr Gough requesting that the noticeboard be reinstated on the wall of the Parish Room.
AGREED Clerk to investigate funding.
15. Councillor’s Reports and items for future agendas - None
16. Next Meeting – 7.30pm on Tuesday 8th July 2014 at the Parish Rooms, Stone.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10 pm.
Signed…………………………………..
Chairman
8th July 2014
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