CRANWELL AND BYARD’s LEAP PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY APRIL 26th, 2010, AT 7.30PM
IN CRANWELL VILLAGE HALL.
PRESENT: Coun R Smith, Chairman who took the Chair, the Clerk and Visiting Representatives: W/Commander M Manwaring, District Councillor G Whittle, DFM, District Councillor I Cartwright, MBE, PC M Green, Emmett Byrne and Mrs A Freeston from Cranwell and Leasingham LIVES First Responders, Kathy Lote fron First Contact, Teresa Jackson from Energy Saving Trust, Heidi Ryder and Michelle Hoyles from NKDC Community Safety, 5 parish councillors and 14 members of the public including representatives from the Village Hall committee.
The Chairman opened the meeting, welcomed visiting personnel, councillors and members of the public.
- MINUTES OF MEETING, April 29th, 2009. Proposed by Mrs P Silvester and seconded by Cllr Mrs Fisher that the Clerk’s Notes of this meeting be accepted as minutes. All agreed, resolution passed. The Chairman signed the minutes.
- CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2009/10- Cllr Smith presented the Chairman’s report:
Cranwell and Byard’s leap Parish Council saw some changes last year. Trevor Batten and John Pye left the Council and Dean Harlow and Adrian Whittaker were co-opted. Dean later resigned and was replaced last month by Kayleigh Moor.
The Community Development Officer at RAF Cranwell left for sunnier climes and Adrian Whittaker replaced her. Community beat manager, PC Andy Ross retired and was replaced by PC Martin Green.
On going issues include the Persimmon development next to the Mace shop – the front boundary especially seems to be getting closer to the road!
The proposed development at Home Farm has asked for extended planning permission – as yet the full plans of the proposed scheme have not been published.
The Parish Council continues with quarterly surgeries on Saturday mornings at the Old School. Although not well attended, the Council feels this is a service which should be continued.
With regret the Parish Council decided to proceed no further with finding land for a new burial ground. A suitable site was found, but the purchase of this, planning and creating an access would have placed too much of a financial burden on the parishioners.
The County Council’s Free Tree offer was again taken up by residents of Byard’s Leap, alongside the line of the old A17.
All the old Minute Books were found and these are on display tonight before most of them will be sent to the County Archives for safekeeping. These show a unique and continuous history of the council since it started in 1894.
The Council will again be re-applying for Quality Status this year and the Clerk and all the councillors qualified to exercise the Power of Wellbeing should it be needed.
The Parish Council has been asked to take over the management of the Old School building and negotiations will be starting soon.
Mrs Shelagh McIntyre is currently the part time Town Clerk at Sleaford so has resigned as our Parish Clerk after two periods totalling approximately 10 years.
I would like to thank Shelagh for her work – few people realise the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep councils running smoothly and legally. We wish her well at Sleaford.
I would like to thank all the Councillors for their support during the year – everyone is involved with parish issues and training and this is a council we can all be proud of.
- FINANCIAL REPORT. The Treasurer, Cllr Mrs Hudson presented her report:
The receipts total for last financial year was £65,196.
This included a precept of £30,000 plus a carry forward figure of £26,193. We have continued with a fair charging scale for the use of the playing field facilities, the parish council is working towards generating additional rental income from this asset, especially due to the Junior Football Club no longer using this facility. This financial year shows the income of £330 generated from the Senior Football Club, the amount of £165 was from last financial year. A County Council grass cutting grant of £2,413 was received enabling the Parish Council to organise the County’s grass cutting around the village. We also received grants of £652 for the Parish Dog Warden services, £688 towards litter picking services around the village. The Village Hall committee and Social Club contributed £500 each towards Phase 1 of upgrading of the electrics throughout their respective buildings. A VAT refund of £3,210 was received this year, this fluctuates year on year as it is dependant on how much we can recover from our expenditure.
Expenditure for the year was £34,411.
This includes Insurance policy costs of £5,054, this amount covers 2 financial years policies, including this coming FY 2010/2011, this was reflected in last year’s financial report, the majority costs within the policy are to cover the Village Hall and the Old School buildings. Capital expenditure of £5,076 has been spent on Phase 1 of the electrical work to upgrade the Village Hall & the Social Club, Phase 2 will be completed in next financial year. A replacement lawnmower costing £2,403 was bought for the Bowling Club. Other expenses include grass cutting, maintenance of the remembrance garden, hedging, water and electricity, miscellaneous repairs and purchases plus the Clerk and Groundsman’s salaries.
There is a carry forward figure of £18,317, this will be used to fund projects planned for this financial year. After long and careful consideration it has been decided not to proceed with looking for a new burial ground, this is due to the rising costs of purchasing land either in or within close proximity to Cranwell. An idea was raised within our parish cluster, to purchase land and have a communal burial ground, however this proposal was not taken forward.
Some 50% of Parish Monies are used to fund the running of the Council, a proportion of that money is still being used to fund repeated repairs to mindless vandalism and graffiti, misuse of the tennis / volley ball courts, bus shelters and play equipment.
The Parish Council would like to think that they listen to the people of the village, striving to use funds carefully and with the best will for the benefit of the parish.
- BRIEF REPORTS FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVES:
· RAF Representative: W/Commander M Manwaring, RAF Cranwell. He stated Cranwell was more than just the College. It is the home of the No 3 Flying Training School and No 1 Elementary Flying Training school plus others including the Inspectorate of Recruiting, aeronautical engineering, the Bands. It is the HQ of the Air Cadets – these number 45,000 members – around the size of the RAF these days. RAF Cranwell has responsibility for the airfields at Syerston, Scampton and Barkston Heath. There are around 2500 personnel including permanent RAF staff, civilian staff, contractors and transient trainee pilots and navigators. Around £80,000 was collected and donated to charities - £30,000 to local charities. Last year the College hosted a visit from HM the Queen as well as from heads of overseas air forces and states. RAF Cranwell again came second in the Stainforth Trophy. There were 2 civic days and they took part in various Remembrance Day parades. In the coming year numbers coming in to train will reduce slightly. They will continue with local engagements and the Armed Forces Day.
· Police: PC Martin Green, PCSO Colin Ironmonger, Neighbourhood Policing Team. At the moment the Neighbourhood policing team is based in the guardroom, but this may come to an end. The operating area is changing. PC Green and PCSO Ironmonger and Welby-Everard cover an area from Swaton through East Heckington, Leasingham, Cranwell and Walcott. The message is for people to report incidents – he said that if it’s not reported then it hasn’t happened. All his parishes have concerns about speeding and as a resident in the area; his concern is the lack of visible policing. He has done some work in Cranwell with the SID and the hand held camera. If the office at the Guardroom does come to an end this would be a great loss as strategically it is well placed.
· County Councillor E Bauer. Was unable to attend due to other commitments. He submitted a report which the Clerk read out – this is attached to the Minutes.
· District Cllr I Cartwright. A joint NKDC report is attached to these Minutes. He explained that boundary changes meant the area which includes Cranwell is larger and has 2 District Councillors. He thanked Mrs McIntyre for her work as Parish Clerk and for her help and liaison with himself as County and District councillor. He spoke about the Tenant Liaison committee – no one in Cranwell is a member. It is a useful committee and people should consider becoming members. Planning applications are now on line and it is easy to follow their progress. Anyone with District matters could contact him.
· District Cllr G Whittle. He said he has attended the majority of meetings at Cranwell through the year. He said he enjoys these and he enjoys the surgeries, especially getting to know the councillors who are on duty. He is on the planning committee, Chairman of the licensing panel, also on the Standards committee and the Kesteven museum panel. He also reminded people to contact their District Councillors with any problems they can help with.
· LIVES First Responders. Emmett Byrne and Mrs Ann Freeston. This is the 6th year of the Cranwell and Leasingham First responders and the support of the Parish Council is very much appreciated. Mrs Freeston said they have to raise £1400 annually to keep going and the £500 from the Parish Council is very welcome. Last year they dealt with a whole range of ages and incidents. She is no longer an active responder but is continuing as co-ordinator. They are hoping to recruit more responders and training is available for all levels from basic through to near-paramedic skills.
· Energy Saving Trust – Teresa Jackson. They offer free and impartial advice to all householders. They aim to help reduce CO2 emissions and also help to reduce energy bills. They hope to get people to change the way they use energy and encourage renewable energy systems. Grants and other assistance may be available and they can advise on this. They encourage people to look at energy for transport – look at their journeys and their vehicles. They work with councils and other organisations and offer help to individuals and organisations such as village hall committees.
· Community Safety/Anti Social Behaviour – Ms Heidi Ryder and Michelle Hoyles. NKDC has one of the lowest crime rates in Lincolnshire although it has an increasing population. The Community Safety Partnership works closely with other organisations such as the Police, the County and District councils and the Fire and rescue service. Other agencies are also involved to try and make NK feel a safer place. They try and set annual targets such as: Anti Social Behaviour; Alcohol misuse; Burglary from dwellings/non dwellings; thefts from shops and motor vehicles. They organise holiday projects and assist financially – eg the Cranwell youth shelter. Michelle Hoyles outlined the Anti Social Behaviour system. Prevention is the first option to try and catch problems early or to design out problems in new developments. They support the victims and the offenders and finally there is enforcement. This starts with warnings, then ‘acceptable behaviour contracts’ then finally an ASBO. Michelle stressed the need to be told of problems – they need to know what is happening at ground level.
· Age Concern – Ms Kathy Lote. They help people over 60 and living in their own homes. They can help find other agencies – workmen etc for house repairs, by completing a simple check list. They can help with benefits advice and can organise a PCSO to visit. They are recruiting volunteers to help work in communities. They can advise on social activities and clubs and run befriending and sitting services.
The Chairman thanked all the representatives for attending.
- FUTURE PROJECTS. There were none.
- PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONING.
· Joel Square. There was a complaint about the land at the bottom of Joel Square – the trees are overgrowing and it is all looking neglected. The bushes are a rat run.
The Chairman said enquiries would be made and brought to a future meeting.
· Traffic Calming. PC Green asked if there had been any consideration to centre bollard calming areas as there are in Heckington. The problem is that Cranwell is a diversion route for the A17 and A15. It was suggested this should be taken to the next Neighbourhood Panel meeting.
· Village Sign. The village sign coming in to the village from the Camp is sideways on to the road.
The Chairman said this would be reported.
- MINUTE BOOKS – The Minute Books from December 1894 – December 2004 were on display.
8. CLOSE OF MEETING. The Chairman closed the formal part of the evening at 8.50pm. Tea and coffee was then served by volunteers from the Village Hall committee and everyone had a chance to talk to councillors and visiting representatives.
Monday, April 26th, 2010 APM 2010 - 2 Signed: