DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held at The Institute on Thursday, 29 April 2004 at 7.30pm. Councillor Anderson, Chairman, presided over Councillors Abel, Blades, Blessett, Chambers, Clare, Fisk, Helyar, Redgrave, Shinkins, Stevens, Thomas, Warrick and the clerk. Two members of the press were present. There were no members of the public.

074/04 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received and the reasons accepted from Cllr Dilkes due to a work commitment (arrived at 9.00 pm) and Cllr Auger (arrived 8.05pm) due attending a meeting of SKDC.

075/04 MOTION TO CHANGE THE ORDER OF BUSINESS

Cllr Anderson, seconded by Cllr Fisk, proposed that in accordance with Standing Orders 23 (d) to change the order of business to permit agenda items 1 & 2 would now be discussed after item 11. This was unanimously agreed.

076/04 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST-

Members notified interests in the following items, completed the Register accordingly and in the case of prejudicial interests, left the meeting whilst the item was debated thereby taking no part and having no influence in the outcome:

Cllr Abel	Personal interest in Minute 080/04.	Lives opposite SO4/0393
Cllr Dilks	Personal interest in Minute 085/04	Owner of adjoining property
Cllr Warrick	Personal interest in Minute 081/04	Chair of the Parochial Church Council which receives part of income from Hall meadow Estate.

077/04 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 March having previously been circulated, were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

078/04 REPORT OF MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

061/04.18	Robinson Construction	Cllr Anderson reported that he was still awaiting contact regarding the potential trip hazard at the Jubilee Playing Field. The Clerk is to contact Robinson Construction.
061/04.1	Summer Playscheme	The Clerk reported that she had not yet advertised the play scheme as there was a problem with premises. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that a working party consisting of Cllr Anderson, Blades and Shinkins, should now be set up to further consider the play scheme and that Cllr Anderson would contact the head teacher at Linchfield School to investigate if his school would be available.

079/04 CORRESPONDENCE BEFORE THE COUNCIL

The Council considered its response to the following correspondence, a summary detailing the content having been previously circulated.

	LCC	Walk in the Woods	letter requesting display of notice and flyers re guided walks in local woods – Agreed
			continued
	LCC- Civil Protection	Parish directory	In Jan 02 it was suggested Parishes may wish to complete a Directory in case of major incident but not all received the letter. Therefore there was another opportunity to complete one but Parish Council agreed not to complete one at this time.
	SKDC Chief Executive	Consultation Strategy	Copy of draft consultation and questionnaire- Cllrs were invited to volunteer to read and complete but it was noted there was little time available as response was required by 4 May 04.
	Lincolnshire Development	Lincolnshire County Council Deposit Draft Structure Plan Consultation	Notice that Lincolnshire Structure Plan (1998 Deposit Draft) will be withdrawn- see item below
	Lincolnshire Development	Lincolnshire County Council Deposit Draft Structure Plan Consultation	Copies of Draft Structure Plan and response forms, Executive Summary, Sustainability Appraisal and Statement of Pre-Deposit Consultation. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that Cllr Warrick should consider a response on behalf of the Parish Council which was required by 17 May 04.
	Environment Agency	Community Safety Trade Show	Request to display poster for trade show on Sunday 16 May – Agreed
	Campaign to Protect Rural England- Lincolnshire Branch	Affiliation	Request to become locally affiliated at a cost of £12 and includes one free entry into Best Kept Village Competition. Also details of competition Note- a supporting letter was also sent to the Chairman. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to become affiliated.
	Resident of Burghley Close	Church Walks	Letter of appreciation regarding new lighting and request for improvement to surface of footpath- It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that the Parish Council would contact Highways at LCC to request if any action can be taken and also to ask the new Maintenance Worker to sweep and tidy the path.
	NALC	Annual Conference	Info on Annual Conference to be held 1-3 October 04- Cllrs were invited to consider sending a representative
	Market Deeping Healthcheck	Notice of meeting	Request to display poster and invitation to meeting on 22 April- This could only be noted due as now out of date.
	Allianze Cornhill	Invitation to renew Insurance	It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to renew the Parish Council Insurance with Allianze Cornhill.
	Peterborough & Stamford NHS Foundation Trust	Notice of new Trust	Short questionnaire for completion by Clerk.
	Resident from Manor Way	Changes to bus services	This was referred to the Transport Committee.
	NALC	New Development Funding	Information regarding training funding/partnerships-emphasis on Quality Parish Scheme. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed the Clerk should investigate possibility of bursary for training costs.
	The following items were noted.
	Moore Stephens	Notice of Audit
	Home Office	Notice of changes regarding illegal working
	SKDC –Business Management Services	Publicity material for Funding Fair to be held on 19 May 04
	Deepings Tennis Club	Email –thanks for grant aid
	Glebe Singers	Letter of thanks for grant aid
	Priory Church Social Ctte	Letter of thanks for grant aid
	Victim Support Lincs	Letter of thanks for grant aid
	East Midlands Development Agency	Newsletter
	County News Monthly	March 04
	aba info	Journal – Issue 26
	Record Playground Equipment Seminar	Invitation to seminar	Due to be held 28 April and therefore not able to be considered.
	Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils	Notice that Vital Villages Grant Scheme has closed	Scheme closed due to changes in the Countryside Agency’s budget.
	LCC Area Highways	Allotments	Letter giving approval to proposed access
	LCC	Footpath extension	Reply about proposed footpath extension from newly appointed Access Promotion Officer – PC already carrying out suggested action.
	LCC	Parish Paths Partnership	Approval of final grant for 2003/2004 and approval for proposed work 2004/2005
	LCC Crime & Disorder	Integrated Risk Management Plan	Summary of response to Consultation
	LCC Highways	Copy of plan for surface dressing sites
	SKDC	Skate park	Letter from Planning Services confirming planning conditions have been satisfied
	SKDC	Agenda for 29 April 2004
	Environment Agency	Flood Action newsletter Issue 4

080/04 PLANNING RELATED ISSUES

Having regard to probity in matters relating to planning Cllr Helyar, as a member of S.K.D.C., took no part on matters relating to planning and did not register a vote.

081/04 MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 22 April 2004

The minutes of the meeting were presented by Cllr Blessett. It was noted that the planning application S04/0420 which had been minuted under delegated powers, should have been referred to the Parish Council for recommendation. The minutes were amended accordingly and the item was duly considered with the other recommendations.

The Planning Committee had referred planning application S04/0393- 2 Eastgate, Deeping St James to the full council for consideration. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed the Parish Council would object, commenting that although a more imposing building would be welcomed, as it was within a sensitive area, something less intrusive and in stone would be more in keeping with local area.

With reference to planning application S04/0438, it was agreed the wording for the objection should be altered to ‘visual impact’ instead of ‘’not being in keeping with the area’.

It was proposed by Cllr Blessett, seconded by Cllr Warrick and unanimously agreed to accept the other recommendations contained therein.

It was also proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to have extra meetings if necessary to prevent some applications not being considered by the Parish Council due to time limitations.

082/04 FINANCIAL MATTERS

1. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

It was proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Stevens and unanimously agreed to pay the following accounts:

2. Cllr Anderson presented the accounts for the Parish Council for the financial year ending 31 March 2004. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the accounts.

3. The Clerk reported that the accounts of the Hall Meadow Estate Charity for the financial year ending 31 March 2004 would be presented at the next meeting on 20 May 2004.

3. The Clerk reported that following the commencement of the new maintenance worker, it had become clear that a system of petty cash was now necessary. The Clerk requested that the Parish Council consider an amendment to the Financial Regulations to enable a petty cash system to be established. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to amend the financial Regulations Para 6.5.

3. The Clerk requested another signatory be added to the bank mandate to ensure cheques could be signed during office hours if necessary as currently only one signatory was available during the day. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that Cllr Warrick be added to the mandate.

3. The Clerk requested that credit accounts be opened with two local suppliers for hardware and agricultural items to enable the new maintenance worker to obtain materials. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed.

3. The Clerk requested that payments be authorised for the following and presented at the next meeting for formal approval. It was noted that agreement for the work had been resolved at previous meetings of the Council.

• Roy Roberts £120.00

• Russell Leisure £26,403.13

REPORTS

083/04 CEMETERY COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Cemetery Committee held on 20 April were presented by Cllr Fisk,

although it was noted there were no proposals contained therein. It was proposed, seconded and

unanimously agreed to approve the minutes.

084/04 TRANSPORT COMMITTEE

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 April March 2004 were presented by Cllr Chambers, Chair of

the Committee. It was noted that the bus stop in minute number 014 was at Thackers Way not

Crowson Way. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to accept the recommendations

contained therein.

085/04 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2004 were presented by Cllr Anderson, Chair of the Committee. It was proposed by Cllr Anderson, seconded by Cllr Stevens and unanimously agreed to approve the minutes and the recommendations contained therein.

086/04 EXTRAORDINARY MEETING

The minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 13 April 2004 having previously been circulated, were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

087/04 NOTICE OF RESOLUTION OR RECOMMENDATION

1. Newsletter- the Clerk confirmed she had now met with Cllr Dilks to prepare the newsletter and that a proof copy of Issue 6 was now available prior to printing. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that Cllrs Stevens and Clare should undertake editing and production of future newsletters.

2. Changes to local bus services- It was noted that since the new fare increases had been introduced and after the agenda was issued, Stagecoach were now promoting a trial ‘town rider’ fare for £1 return.

3. Notice Board outside The Institute- It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed the Clerk should obtain quotes for the replacement of the notice board and report back to the Council for consideration.

4. Parking problems outside nursery on Church St- Following a complaint from a local resident, it was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed the Clerk should contact the Planning Office at SKDC with regard to the Nursery complying with any enforcements which were issued when the planning permission was granted.

5. Illumination of Stone Bridge- It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that Cllrs Blessett and Abel meet to consider this project and report back to the Council.

6. Police Community Support Officer- The Clerk reported that she had received an email from Inspector Collins of Lincolnshire Police confirming that a bid for 50% funding had been submitted to the Home Office and that the outcome should be known in May.

088/04 MOTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC AND PRESS

In accordance with Standing Order 63, it was proposed by Cllr Anderson, seconded by Cllr Chambers and unanimously agreed that, in accordance with Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings Act) 1960 the public and press be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business due to its confidential nature.

089/04 REPORT FROM SELECTION PANEL AND CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF COMMUNITY MAINTENANCE WORKER

Cllr Fisk reported that following the interviews which took place on 1 April 2004, the selection panel had appointed Mr Maurice Thorpe as Community Maintenance Worker and that he commenced employment on 19 April 2004. He is contracted to work 1130 hrs per year with an average of 24 hrs per week, although there will be a large part of the balance of hours worked over the summer months.

His salary is £7500 per year including a leave allowance of 5 weeks. He is also subject to the standard 6 month probationary period. It was proposed by Cllr Fisk, seconded by Cllr Anderson and unanimously agreed to confirm Mr Thorpe’s appointment as Community Maintenance Worker.

There were no members of the public and press wishing to return to the meeting after this item was finished.

090/04 PARISH PUMP

The meeting closed at 9.50 pm.

Signed: ……………………………………… Chairman

Date: 20 May 2004