Minutes of the Meeting of Curdworth Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting of Curdworth Parish Council

held on 12th July 2010 at St Nicholas Church Hall at 7.30pm

Cllrs present : Mark Weatherley

Alan Vaughton

Brian Adams

George Bullivant

Anne Rimmer

Paulette Ross

Bill Thomas

In attendance PCSO Nina Bowden(Warwickshire Police)

Louise Baudet (Clerk)

96/10Apologies

There were no apologies for absence

97/10Declarations of Interest

There were no interests declared

98/10Public participation

There were no items discussed.

99/10Minutes of previous meeting

RESOLVED : that the minutes of the meeting held on 14th June, having been read and circulated, be signed as a correct record.

100/10Warwickshire Police

With Members agreement, the Chair dealt with Agenda item 7 and welcomed PCSO Nina Bowden to the meeting to discuss the possibility of having an increased visible police presence in the village. PCSO Bowden explained that the role of the Safer Neighbourhood Team was to deal with and prioritise crimes being committed, often meaning that resources were fully utilised with no spare capacity. As well as Curdworth the team also covers Water Orton, Middleton, Wishaw, Bassett’s Police, Nether Whitacre, Over Whitacre and Whitacre Heath. Members referred to the recent armed robbery at the Post Office and felt there could have been some more support for the victims. PCSO Bowden stated that CID had dealt with the incident and that a Crime Prevention Officer had been in contact, although they should also have been offered support from Victim Support. She agreed to chase this up. Referring to the current problems being experienced with bikes in the village PCSO Bowden informed Members that it was important to obtain the registration plates of the nuisance bikes and if possible a description so that s59 notices could be issued to the riders. She was already aware of the identity of some bikers in the village who have already received warnings, and it was also noted that youths from neighbouring areas were visiting the village eg Castle Vale. She clarified the legislation and process for dealing with nuisance vehicles and Members agreed to include this information in The Crier.

PCSO Bowden took the opportunity to raise a couple of issues with Members. The first related to a suggestion to have a gated entrance in Church Lane, in light of the recent burglaries at the hairdressers. Unfortunately, as the road is adopted Members could not facilitate this request. The second issue related to the improved security measures at the playing fields and it was suggested that the trench could be deeper. Cllr Vaughton agreed that this could be looked at again, along with the feasibility of ‘blocking off’ the area and making the entrance via Church Lane. Cllr Bullivant raised the issue of Travellers being unable to access the facilities at the Travellers site in Castle Bromwich due to ‘unofficial blocking by mafia type individuals’ which then force Travellers to use local fields. Concluding, PCSO Bowden promoted the forthcoming Crime Prevention Roadshows, which would also be coming to Curdworth.

101/10Progress reports for information/action

101.10King George V Playing Fields

Cllr Vaughton reported that the galvanised gate for the playing fields had arrived and would be installed shortly. The steps to the playing fields had now been completed.

102.10Dunton Landfill

Cllr Weatherley reported that he can contact Dan Byles MP regarding the problems at Dunton Landfill, who had agreed to meet with the Parish Council. The next meeting of the Liaison Committee would be held on 2nd August.

102/10Village matters (roads and trees)

The Clerk reported :

• 17 Glebe Fields - Clint Parker at Warwickshire County Council would be arranging for the trees to be cut back.
• Church Lane – Clint Parker at Warwickshire County Council had informed the Clerk that the local electricity supplier would be responsible for clearing the overgrowth away from the telephone wires.
• The drainage system and manhole located in the carriageway surface junction of Glebe Fields and Coleshill Road is maintained by Severn Trent who are responsible for any maintenance issues.
• Coleshill Road – Jane Pritchard at Warwickshire County Council had reported that the drains on Coleshill Road opposite The Barn had been jetted on 13th May. A blockage was found adjacent 21-23 and a Drainage Investigation had been logged, although there was currently a backlog of work.

103/10Land Registry

It was agreed to carry this item forward to a future Agenda.

104/10Planning

MIA/2010/0014 Dunton Stables ; Members considered the proposed minor amendment as presented and had no objection.

PAP/2010/0014/Wharf Cottage – The Chair and Vice-Chair reported that they had received a communication from a resident regarding an appeal lodged by the applicant. The Clerk confirmed that she had not received any correspondence from the Appeal Inspectorate. Members referred to Minute No 21.1/10 and Members unanimously agreed that the Parish Council had no further comment to add and in line with normal protocol would not send any further communication to the Appeal Inspectorate regarding this application.

105/10Football

105.1For information the Clerk reported on the fees being charged locally for football pitch hire ; North Warwickshire £636, Solihull £593, Tamworth £400 (high volume of pitches available) and Coventry £43.50. Members decided not to increase the pitch fees for the forthcoming season to keep the rate competitive and and to retain income from use of the pitch. It was

RESOLVED : that Concorde FC be charged £682 less £77 for pitchmarking services, giving a balance of £605 to be paid in 8 instalments.

that Coleshill United FC be charged £500 in 2 instalments.

105.2Cllr Vaughton reported that he had been approached by Concorde FC enquiring about the possibility of having reduced fees if the pitch was used by two teams. Members agreed that two teams would be charged £1000 (inclusive of pitchmarking).

105.3Members noted that the goalmouths needed to be reinstated which would cost approx £200. It was agreed to include this in next years budget/precept request.

106/10Warwickshire Police

This item had been dealt with earlier in the Agenda.

107/10Handyman

Jobs for the Handyman to include litterpicking, hedgecutting and weeding.

108/10Finance

108.1Accounts for payment

Members approved the following accounts for payment :

Chq 100564 B Hewson – refund of Flickers key deposit £20.00

Chq 100565St Nicholas PC – room hire £18.00

Chq 100566Cllr Weatherley – Chair’s allowance £66.59

Chq 100567Mrs North – plants and compost£120.00

Chq 100568P Cook Landscapes – ground maintenance£870.67

Chq 100569Mrs Baudet – reimbursements/expenses£171.24

Chq 100570Mrs Ross – reimbursements £14.99

Chq 100571Warwickshire Council – pension payments £74.64

Chq 100572Mr Simmons – Handyman£176.05

Chq 100573Mr Cannon – folding/delivering Crier £35.00

Chq 100574Mrs Baudet – Crier production £40.00

Chq 100575Cllr Vaughton – expenses£22.33

Chq 100576Jake Baudet – website maintenance £20.00

Chq 100577Luke Baudet – Football Secretary £25.00

BACS Saxoprint/L Baudet – Letterhead printing £45.97

BACS Mrs Baudet – Clerks salary £320.70

108.2Income and Expenditure Analysis

Members received the Income and Expenditure Analysis for the period April to June 2010 and were pleased to note that most of the expenditure was within budget, and also noted that income from football club fees would be under-budget by £682 as Flickers FC were no longer using the pitch. The Clerk commented that the insurance premiums had been slightly higher due to the policy being transferred to a new provider and expenditure on the Village Sign unveiling ceremony had been £20 over budget. Capital expenditure included the purchase of a new office filing cabinet. £924.19 of the donation from the former Village Fete Committee had been spent on improving the security at King George V Playing fields, with £172.19 remaining. Members approved the analysis (Appendix A).

108.3Bank reconciliation

Members received the bank reconciliation for the period April to June 2010 which showed balances of £3630.92 in the current account and £19769.52 in the deposit account. Members approved the reconciliation (Appendix A).

109/10Information items

109.1Communications

Members received details of communications received (Appendix B) and discussed the following :

-Item 5 ; Parish Plan – Members agreed to ask Rachel Stephens at North Warwickshire Borough Council to undertake a survey of the lamp-posts in Curdworth. There are currently four different types of lamp-posts and residents would like one type, that being the ‘more traditional old-fashioned style’.

Action : Clerk

-Item 8 ; HS2 – the Clerk reported that the Clerk at Chetwode was co-ordinating contact with Parish Councils to form a HS2 Group, the purpose of which would be to ensure information is communicated and that there is access to the consultation process. Members agreed to join the HS2 Group.

Action : Clerk

-Item 10 ; Exercise Watermark – a meeting would be held on 8th September 2010 at 7.30pm in Leamington Spa, to provide more information for Parish Councils’ who had indicated an interest in participating in the nationwide exercise.

-Item 11 ; Quality Status Focus Groups – the Clerk reported that Alison Hodge (WALC) had responded to the Councils’ concerns and informed them that the Focus Groups are WALC led (not WCC). Only QPS Councils were invited to the Focus Groups as it is thought they are more likely to take an active interest and greater role in partnership working. It also gave recognition to those Councils who have achieved QPS. The focus of the meetings are ‘theme led on general issues’ rather than specific parish problems.

-Item 12 ; Scooters – clarification received from PCSO Timothy Staten regarding legislation relating to use of scooters and also the procedure for reporting nuisance scooters.

-Item 16 ; Woodland creation – Severn Trent had reported that there had been damage to the fencing and gate locks to the Woodland planting, which would now be repaired.

-Item 17 ; Draft North Warwickshire Playing Pitch Strategy – Members expressed concerns regarding the probable cost to North Warwickshire Borough Council who have employed consultants to produce the document presented.

-Item 18 ; North Warwickshire Area Committee – next meeting to beheld on 21st July. The Clerk had requested ‘speed limits’ to be placed as an Agenda item.

109.2Planning

There were no decisions to report.

109.3West Midlands Traffic Applications

Publication 2543 – Deben Transport Ltd, Hams Hall Distribution – 10 vehicles and 10 trailers.

110/10Crier and Website

Member discussed issues regarding the delivery of The Crier, following complaints received, and agreed to monitor the situation.

Cllr Bullivant raised concerns regarding the A3 insert included in the recent edition of The Crier. The Clerk reported that the Editorial Committee had considered it appropriate to include as it related to a submission by the Curdworth History Group to the Best Kept Village 2010 Competition (History & Heritage Section). It was noted that a further article was planned along with a DVD to raise funds for St Nicholas Church. Members discussed the additional production costs and agreed to fund one additional article and one full page advert for the DVD free of charge. The Clerk would write accordingly to the author.

Action : Clerk

111/10Councillors reports

Members asked for the following items of village maintenance to be actioned :

• Farthing Lane (near Sandpits/next to bungalow) – weeping willow tree overhanging onto pavement obstructing pedestrian passageway. Clerk to report to Warwickshire County Council.

Action : Clerk

• Coleshill Road – hedge on the bend by The Spinney (opposite Knights Cottage) overhanging onto pavement. Clerk to report to Warwickshire County Council

Action : Clerk

• Coleshill Road – hedge opposite Butlers Croft to be trimmed (Handyman)
• The Green – holly hedge by pavement, and also Village Hall hedge (Robin Pearson to be approached)

A number of residents had commented how nice the new planter looked.

112/10Date of next meeting

The next meeting, to consider any planning applications and approve accounts for payment, would be held on Monday 9th August 2010 at 7.30pm at St Nicholas Church Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm

Signed ………………………………………….(Chair)

Date …………………………………………….