MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 12th APRIL 2018 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, VICARAGE LANE, MEARS ASHBY.

Present: Cllrs: N Wookey (Chairman), C Stockdale, S Burton, M O’Halloran, T Graham and Ms A Palmberg (Clerk)

019/18 Opening Procedures

a) Apologies for absence – Apologies were received from Cllr V Smith, Cllr D Payne and Borough Councillor J Bone. Apologies were approved.

b) Declarations of interest from members – None

c) Approval of the minutes from the meeting held on Thursday 8th March 2018

Members approved the minutes from the ordinary meeting held on Thursday 8th March 2018.

020/18 Public Time

To receive comments from members of the public

One resident mentioned the disappointing year end accounts for the village hall. He suggested that perhaps reduced hire rates should be considered to encourage more local groups to use it.

021/18 Reports

a) Clerk

Mobile Speed Sign - The Clerk reported that the solar panel which had been delivered was too large to be capable of moving. It was agreed that the solar panel would be returned to the suppliers and exchange it for a standard battery pack.

Glebe Road Streetlight – The Clerk has received confirmation from E.ON that the new streetlight should be in situ in April.

The Chairman mentioned that Highways have painted white lines on Highfield Road. He also reported that one of the churchlights appears to still be on permanently and requested that the Clerk contacts E.ON. He also mentioned the email from the police and requested that the Clerk seeks clarification on the points mentioned as follows:

“The first thing of note is the 30mph repeater signs on North Street and Wellingborough Road. There is no Traffic regulation order for the village, with the exception of the short stretch on Glebe Road. As such the restriction relies on the system of streetlights to impose restricted road status. In this scenario these signs are not allowed and will need to be removed.

The second are of concern is the road which runs from Lady’s Lane down to the Sywell Road crossroads. There is a gap of just under 300m with no street lights to impose a restriction or traffic order to enable the legal placement of adequate repeater signs”.

b) County Councillor

No report available

c) Borough Councillor

Cllr Hallam updated the parish council on the financial situation at NCC and that Angel Square offices are up for sale. He also reported that although the proposed Isham by-pass planning application has been submitted, the focus is now on the proposed construction of the A14 to A509 roundabout.

022/18 To receive an update on possible/funding grant schemes

The Chairman said that in the wake of the 50% decrease in income of the village hall, quotes for a substantial refurbishment including the installation of broadband should be considered. There are existing funding sources available and three separate quotes should be sought in order grants to be considered.

Members RESOLVED: It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Cllr Hallam to formally request funding.

023/18 To discuss and agree how to better integrate joint actions of voluntary groups within the parish

The Chairman feels that closer relationships between the parish council and other parish organisations should be encouraged in order to establish constructive and regular communication. He feels that there should be an overlap of committee members to further strengthen relationships and said that representatives of groups using the village hall should consider joining the committee

024/18 To receive a report from the Chairman regarding the most recent village hall meeting.

Please see item 23/18

025/18 To receive, discuss and decide on new planning applications:

There are no new planning applications

026/18 Financial Matters:

a) To receive the receipts and payments account to 31st March 2018

b) Balance at bank before payments have been deducted: £5,922

c) Payments to be authorised

Payments April 2018 / £ / VAT
S&L Garrett-Harvey / 000727 / Grounds Maintenance (March, no. 0498) / £240.00 / £40.00
Barbara Osborne / 000728 / Payroll Services / £60.00
Ms Anna Palmberg / 000729 / Clerk's salary (March) / £278.85
HMRC / 000730 / TAX and NI (March) / £0.60
SSE Southern Electric / 000731 / Church Floodlights / £78.68 / £3.74
E.ON / 000732 / Electricity / £462.86 / £22.04
E.on / 000733 / Street Light Maintenance / £123.19 / £20.53
Mrs Vicky Smith / 000734 / Postage Expenses / £26.60
£1,270.78 / £86.31

The above payments were approved. All were in favour.

Mears Ashby Parish Council

Monthly Bank Reconciliation

Month Ended 31st March 2018

Bank Account:

Yorkshire Bank Current account:

Balance as at 31st March 2018:£5,922.05

Total Balance:£5,922.05

Parish Council account:

Balance as at 31st March 2018:£5,922.05

Total Balance:£5,922.05

The meeting closed at 20:15pm

Date of next Parish meeting – Thursday 10th May 2018 in the Village Hall, Mears Ashby

Annual Parish Council meeting – 7pm which will be followed by the parish council ordinary meeting

…………………………..Signature

Chairman

……………………………Date

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972

Please note, this is a public meeting and you may be filmed, recorded and published

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