DRAFT
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 14 March 2024
held at Moddershall Village Hall
Present: Councillors Cllr A McCulloch (Chairman)
Cllr T D Scrivens
Cllr S Haine
Cllr T Banks
Cllr B Woolliscoft
Cllr T Mardling
Cllr M James
Cllr P Dimberline
Borough Councillors Cllr R James
County Councillor none
Parish Clerk L Davies
- PUBLIC PARTICPIATION
Managers from the Rising Festival attended the meeting to discuss concerns raised by residents. Concerns included noise (particularly at night), traffic and parking. The Managers discussed how each of the areas raised would be managed during the festival.
- APOLOGIES RECEIVED – ACCEPTANCE AND RECORDING OF APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr G Jones.
- 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 11 JANUARY 2024
The minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 11 January 2024 were considered, APPROVED and duly signed as a correct record of the meeting.
- DISCUSS MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT ON AGENDA
The Parish Council has reported all matters raised by members of the public at the January meeting to Cllr Parry and, where necessary, these have been reported on the online County Council faults system. The collapsed culvert at Kibblestone Road has been repaired but other matters remain outstanding.
- REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
- County Councillors: no matters reported.
- Borough Councillors:
- Cllr James provided an update on the Borough Council budget.
- The Borough Council have decided to redraft the Local Plan that had been drawn up by the previous administration.
- REVIEW OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS
- The details of the planning applications discussed in January, February and the start of March were duly considered and noted.
- It was noted that Aston Marina had held a public consultation regarding plans to build a hotel on site.
- RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
No further matters were reported.
- TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON MATTERS RELATING TO MODDERSHALL VILLAGE HALL
- TO DISCUSS PROGRESS ON THRESHOLD WORKS
The sub-committee recommended progressing with the quote received for replacing the threshold boarding at a cost of £285. This was APPROVED.
- TO DISCUSS OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUB COMMITTEE
There were no further recommendations from the sub-committee. However, it was AGREED that, as well as immediate repair requirements, the sub-committee should consider a long-term strategy for the hall.
- TO CONSIDER REQUEST FOR GRANT FROM STONE LIONS CLUB FOR SCREENING EVENT
- The request for a donation to the PSA screening event to be held by Stone Lions Club on 30th April 2024 was considered.
- It was APPROVED that a donation of £200 should be made towards the PSA blood testing event.
- TO CONSIDER REQUEST FOR GRANT FROM STONE COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH GROUP
- The grant application and supporting information from Stone Community Speed Watch Group for funds towards installing 12 permanent speed watch signs in and on the border of Stone Town, were considered by the meeting.
- It was AGREED that as the locations of the 12 speed signs are focused on Stone Town, the project does not provide sufficient benefit to the parish of Stone Rural for the Parish Council to be able to support this project.
- TO REVIEW FINANCIAL GRANTS PROVIDED IN 2023 AND CONSIDER GRANT PROVISION IN 2024
- The Review of Grants report was considered by the meeting. In 2023/24, £3,000.01 had been provided in grants (plus the grant of £200 agreed at the meeting).
- It was AGREED that donations to the 3 local community groups (Oulton Community Group, Stone First Responders and Age Concern Stone & District) should remain at £250 for 2024/25.
- It was further AGREED that the level of donation to the Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows should be reduced to £100 per group in 2024/25, with each group being notified that in future years groups they will need to apply for grants for specific projects.
- TO CONSIDER CONCERNS RAISED BY RESIDENTS ABOUT THE RISING FESTIVAL
- Following the advertisement of the license application for the Rising Festival, residents of Oulton have raised concerns with regards to noise (daytime and night time), traffic and parking during the event.
- The Parish Council has submitted representations to the Borough Council requesting a reduction in licensing ours to 11pm and traffic to be directed away from the village. The License hearing will take place on 26th Cllr Haine and Cllr James will attend.
- TO AGREE END OF GRANT REPORTING FOR ASTON BY STONE COMMUNITY GARDEN
- The Clerk provided details of the end of grant reporting forms that need to be submitted by 29/03/2024.
- The promotional statement from the Parish Council regarding the grant was considered and AGREED.
- It was AGREED that the Clerk should complete and submit the reporting documents.
- TO DISCUSS INTRODUCING EMAILING MEETING PACKS/DOCUMENTS TO COUNCILLORS TO REDUCE PRINTING PAPER CONSUMPTION
- Cllrs discussed their preferences regarding physical or soft copies of documents.
- It was proposed that packs would be emailed alongside hard copies for a period so that Cllrs could provide feedback. However, it was agreed that all lengthy documents should be emailed, and hard copies would be made available on request.
- TO RECEIVE ANY UPDATES ON REPAIRS TO KIBBLESTONE ROAD
There were no further updates on repairs to the potholes on Kibblestone Road. It was again noted that the culvert had been repaired and the road reopened.
- DISCUSS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on 9 May at 7pm. It was noted that throughout the year, most grant recipients had attended a meeting or provided feedback. The notices for the meeting will be circulated to encourage attendance.
- 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.
- Oulton Cllrs to make enquiries as to whether the Oulton cricket ground could be used for the beacon event in June.
- FINANCIAL MATTERS
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE PAYMENTS AUTHORISATIONS REPORT
The Payments Authorisations Report, together with the income received in the last period (January and February 2024) 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 (29 February 2024) was received, approved and signed.
- TO AGREE EARMARKED RESERVES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024
- A draft schedule of earmarked reserves was considered by the meeting.
- The proposed earmarked reserves were AGREED with earmarked reserves at the year end being £15,915, reduced from £29,350 in 2023/23. The reduction being predominately due to the HS2 grant being spent in the current year.
- CLERK AND CARETAKER ANNUAL REVIEW
The meeting considered the information on current remuneration. It was AGREED that the Clerk should be moved onto the SPC 17 pay scale.
- AGREE THE DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The Annual Parish Meeting, the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and the May Parish Council Meeting will take place on Thursday 9 May at Moddershall Village Hall.
Signed …………………………………………… Dated………………………..
Chairman
Lucy Davies
Parish Clerk
March 2024