STONE RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 9 November 2023
held at Moddershall Village Hall
Present:
Councillors
Cllr A McCulloch (Chairman)
Cllr T D Scrivens
Cllr S Haine
Cllr M Tyler
Cllr T Banks
Cllr B Woolliscoft
Cllr P Dimberline
Cllr T Mardling
Borough Councillors Cllr R James
County Councillor none
Parish Clerk L Davies
- PUBLIC PARTICPIATION
No members of the public were present.
- APOLOGIES RECEIVED – ACCEPTANCE AND RECORDING OF APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr M James.
- RECORD DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ANY ITEM TO BE DISCUSSED
No declarations of interest were made.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2023
The minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 14 September 2023 were considered, approved and duly signed as a correct record of the meeting.
- DISCUSS MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT ON AGENDA
None
- REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
- County Councillors: no matters reported.
- Borough Councillors: Cllr James reported that the Borough Council is undertaking its budgeting process. Fees and costs are likely to increase by 5-9%.
- REVIEW OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS
The details of the planning applications discussed in September, October and the start of November were duly considered and noted.
- RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman provided an update on the community garden in Aston-By-Stone. The final drawdown of the grant has been received. The bench and the information panel are waiting to be installed. It is hoped the garden will be completed by the end of the year.
- MATTERS RELATING TO MODDERSHALL VILLAGE HALL
- TO RECEIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE VILAGE HALL SUB-COMMITTEE
- It was AGREED to instruct a legionella contractor for the village hall and undertake the remedial actions suggested in the report.
- It was noted that two Moddershall residents were actively looking for volunteers to help run the village hall.
- TO DISCUSS ACTION POINTS FOR THE VILLAGE HALL
- It was AGREED to start the process of getting quotes for repairing the threshold of the village hall.
- TO RECEIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE VILAGE HALL SUB-COMMITTEE
- TO RECEIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF MOBILE PHONE FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL
The Clerk proposed entering a 24 month contract for the provision of a mobile phone for the Parish Council. It was AGREED to enter into a 24 month contract with Tesco Mobile at £8 per month (subject to inflationary increases) and that a direct debit should be set up accordingly.
- AGREE DATES AND VENUES FOR PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR 2024
- The Clerk provided a schedule of proposed dates for meetings and venues for 2024. It was noted that Aston and Oulton Village Hall had been approached to determine their availability for hosting one or two meetings during the year.
- It was agreed that the January and July Meetings should be held at Oulton. Due to limited availability, it was agreed to move the September meeting forward by a week to be able to hold one meeting at Aston Village Hall. The meetings in March, May and November will remain at Moddershall Village Hall.
- AGREE FREQUENCY AND PREFERRED DATES FOR CIVIC AMENTY VISITS
- During 2023, two civic amenity visits have been held at Oulton Village Hall and had been well attended.
- It was AGREED to request 2 visits in 2024 at Oulton – if possible, within March and October.
- RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND PROGRESS REPORT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
- The Clerk’s report was received and matters noted.
- The County Council’s insurance department has responding to say that the claim for the bus shelter will be considered within the next 3 months.
- FINANCIAL MATTERS
- DISCUSS DRAFT BUDGET AND AGREE SIGNIFICANT ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED
The draft budget was considered by the meeting. It was agreed that £5,000 should be included within the ‘projects’ line to be predominately, but not exclusively, used for maintenance work on the village hall.
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE PAYMENTS AUTHORISATIONS REPORT
The Payments Authorisations Report, together with the income received in the last period (September and October 2023) were reviewed, approved and signed by the Chairman.
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND BANK RECONCILIATION FOR THE LAST PERIOD
- The financial statements for the period were received, reviewed and approved.
- The bank reconciliation for the year to date (30 October 2023) was received, approved and signed.
- AGREE THE DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 11 January, 7.30pm at Outlon Village Hall.
Signed …………………………………………… Dated………………………..
Chairman
Lucy Davies
Parish Clerk
November 2023