Dunton Bassett Parish Council
Councillors are summoned to attend a meeting of DUNTON BASSETT PARISH COUNCIL to be held in the Village Hall, Dunton Bassett on MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2015 at 7.15 pm.
Members of the public and press are cordially invited to attend.
Steve Blackburn
Clerk to the Council
2nd November 2015
AGENDA
1 / Apologies for absence2 / Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations
3 / To sign as an accurate record the minutes of the previous meeting.
4 / Meeting open to the public
5 / To receive a report from the Clerk
6 / Reports:
(a) County Councillor for the Broughton Division
(b) District Councillor for the Dunton Ward
(c) Police
7 / Planning Applications and Decisions for Consideration
8 / Playground Working Party: Consideration of proposals for new equipment and an update on installation of replaced and repaired equipment
9 / To consider grant applications recommended by the Windfarm Committee
10 / To consider a request from Funding Fitness Ltd to sponsor repeats of courses for residents
11 / To note receipt of a letter from the Village Hall Trustees regarding parking outside the Village Hall
12 / To consider purchase of an infant/child defibrillator.
13 / To consider the condition of the War Memorial and possible improvements thereto
14 / To consider the proposed development and extension of Magna Park
15 / To consider the siting of litter bins in the village
16 / Initial consideration of the Council’s budget and precept for 2016/2017
17 / Finance & Accounts:
(a) To note the financial situation as at 31 October 2015 (to be tabled at the meeting)
(b) To approve accounts for payment
18 / Items for discussion at the next meeting
19 / Date of Next Meeting: Monday 11th January 2016 at 7.15 pm
Dunton Bassett Parish Council
9 November 2015
Agenda Item 7
Planning Applications and Decisions
Since the last meeting, the following applications have been circulated:
No / Address / Proposals / DBPC date / Opinion / Outcome15/01138/LBC / Byre House, Well Lane / Replacement windows / 07/09/15 / No objection / Granted
15/01388/FUL / 10 Station Road / New conservatory / 06/10/15 / No objection
15/01428/FUL / 5 The Mount / Extensions and internal works
9 November 2015
Agenda Item 8
Playground Working Party
Current Repairs
Red Monkey have installed a new commando net and monkey run but the balance beams were too short and were installed by 28 October.
Wicksteed have given a delivery date of end of November for replacement of the main unit and will be told of our dissatisfaction with the delay, once the equipment is on site. A| discount may be asked for. The fact that we have not yet paid is reflected in the balance of playground funds.
Future repairs and installations
One of the stepping stones has been removed for safety reasons and a new set should be considered. At least one swing unit should be replaced in the coming year as part of a programme of renewal. Indicative costs have been included in the budget and assume a 50% grant, although more grant funding may be available.
9 November 2015
Agenda Item 9
To consider grant applications recommended by the Windfarm Committee
For the sake of completeness, the Council needs to ratify decisions of the Windfarm Committee not to recommend grants (a) to Claybrooke School for swimming pool improvements and (b) the Dunton Bassett School PTA for additional accommodation. The meeting of the Windfarm Committee fell between the setting of the agenda and the subsequent Council meeting and the recommendation to decline could not be formally ratified.
There are no current applications although consideration is being given to an application by the Parish Council to fund the repairs to the War Memorial.
9 November 2015
Agenda Item 10
To consider a request from Funding Fitness Ltd to sponsor repeats of courses for residents
Funding Fitness Ltd has recently undertaken training (a) with the school for children and (b) for a small adult class on Wednesdays. This was made possible by a Lottery grant applied for by the School. As the School is not permitted to apply in consecutive years, the Councilhas been approached to ask if it will sponsor a further round of funding to enable a new round of classes to be organised. The estimated amount is £9,000 and we will not be asked for funding or involvement other than to sponsor the application. I have indicated that this will be looked at favourably but, at the time of writing, no details have been received.
The Council is asked to approve, in principle, our support for such a proposal.
9 November 2015
Agenda Item 11
To note receipt of a letter from the Village Hall Trustees regarding parking outside the Village Hall
The attached letter has been received from the trustees. This issue was raised at the last meeting but the PCSO present was not asked to take any action. On receipt of the letter I contacted PCSO Adams and the non-committal response, sadly typical of the Police generally at present, is also attached.
The issue of where the ambulance had to park is not the same as whether the ambulance staff could get out of the hall with a stretcher and it looks as if the matter may only be resolved when the path is obstructed to the extend that a pram or mobility scooter could not pass. I understand that the owners of the cottage have spoken to the tenant but there has been no change in behaviour.
Submitted for the position to be noted.
9 November 2015
Agenda Item 12
To consider purchase of an infant/child defibrillator.
The supplier of our equipment has written to ask if we wish to purchase a second defibrillator (to go in the same cabinet) for use on infants, at a cost of £115.
As the adult model is felt to be safe for children, I recommend that this is not necessary.
9 November 2015
Agenda Item 13
To consider the condition of the War Memorial and possible improvements thereto
In the process of obtaining quotes, conflicting advice has been received as to what should be done. Harborough DC have a specialist officer and her advice has been sought. The options are as follows:
(a) Re-cut and re-gild the front panel only 578.55
(b) Clean all (warm water) 375.00
(c) Re-gild the remainder, inc WW II plaque (123.00) 227.60
(d) Re-pointing around base 45.00
(e) Remove and re-set the WWII plaque 145.00
Sub total 1,371.15
(f) Improve the slab on which the memorial stands 365.00
(n.b. second quote required)
Total 1,736.15
Although the memorial is a grade II listed monument, it is not necessary to have planning permission for re-gilding or re-cutting.
Recommendation:
1 Work
Urgent now:(e) Remove and re-set he WWII plaque 145.00
Spring 2016: (a) and (d) only 623.55
Total 768.55
2 Contractor
To be discussed at the meeting
3: Funding
An application to the Windfarm fund for the full amount
9 November 2015
Agenda Item 14
To consider the proposed development and extension of Magna Park
At the request of the action group, a leaflet designed by them was distributed on 21 October. The Council voted £100 (£95 spent) towards this exercise as a way of informing the village of the proposed development and its likely impact on the village.
9 November 2015
Agenda Item 16
Initial consideration of the Council’s budget and precept for 2016/2017
A fist view of thebudget for 2016/2017 is attached. As there is no Council meeting in December and as the January meeting should be within the deadline for submission, this is a n initial view for consideration. Ay proposals for amendments or additions would be welcome. An explanation of each item is shown but it should be noted that amounts of items such as Council Tax Support Grant, New Homes Bonus, or the Band D calculations will not be available for some time yet.
Two options are shown on the attached sheet; one (‘Minimum’) shows the absolute minimum required to run the Council without using reserves. This seems to require an increase on last year’s Precept of almost 3%. Reserves are higher than the recommended amount shown in the government’s guidance but the Council should be aware that it should aim to balance the books.
The second option includes additional precept money of £1,100 for replacement play equipment but a decrease in reserves of £2,113 which will reduce the reserves to £3,760.
All parish councils are facing increased staff costs as all staff will be required to be offered a pension and, if accepted, will have to find an employer contribution to it. Although it is not my intention to take advantage of this, it might need to be borne in mind for the future when setting the level of precept.
In the end, the decision on the precept may come down to what level of increase would be palatable, and how it would be justified.