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Draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting 14 November 2024

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STONE RURAL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 14 November 2024

held at Moddershall Village Hall

 

Present:        Councillors                                       

Cllr A McCulloch (Chairman)                    

Cllr T D Scrivens

Cllr S Haine

Cllr T Banks

Cllr M James

Cllr P Dimberline

Cllr M Horwell

Cllr M Tyler

Borough Councillors                        Cllr R James

 County Councillor                           none

Parish Clerk                                     L Davies

  1. PUBLIC PARTICPIATION
    • A resident of Aston By Stone addressed the meeting to speak about the concerns of residents regarding the announcement of a planning promotion agreement for a 192 acre green field site on the boundary of the Stone Business Park. A public meeting will be held on the 29th November, at Aston By Stone Village Hall.
    • The Chairman and Cllr James took time to remember Andrew Harp, former Borough Councillor, who sadly passed away in October.
  1. APOLOGIES RECEIVED – ACCEPTANCE AND RECORDING OF APOLOGIES

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr G Jones and Cllr W Woolliscroft.

 

  1. RECORD DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ANY ITEM TO BE DISCUSSED

No declarations of interest were made.

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 5 SEPTEMBER 2024

The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 5 September 2024 were considered, APPROVED and duly signed as a correct record of the meeting.

  1. DISCUSS MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT ON AGENDA
    • Streetscene have confirmed that the new bin in Moddershall can be added to the collection schedule.
    • A 3rd party contractor has cleaned the problem gullies in Oulton. The gullies on Nichols Lane are still however reaching capacity and flooding after heavy rain.
  1. REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
    • County Councillors: no matters reported
    • Borough Councillors: The new national planning guidelines are expected in December.
  1. 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.

 

  1. RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Following the Chairman’s communication with Sir Gavin Williamson MP regarding the poor state of repair of Aston Lane, the County Council have resurfaced the worst affected areas of the lane. The Chairman has written to residents to highlight the MP’s intervention.

 

  1. TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON MATTERS REGARDING MODDERSHALL VILLAGE HALL
    • TO CONSIDER LEGAL OPINION ON DEEDS FOR THE VILLAGE HALL

Initial feedback was received regarding the deeds. Clerk to proceed to get a letter of advice.

  • TO CONSIDER REQUIREMENT TO RENEW REBUILD COSTS ASSESSMENT SURVEY

As the Parish Council is considering options for the future of the village hall, it was AGREED that it would not renew the rebuild costs assessment at this time.

 

  1. TO AGREE TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO PLACE A BENCH ON THE VERGE IN CHURCH LANE AND DISCUSS BUDGET FOR THE BENCH
    • It was AGREED to apply for the permit. Clerk to action
    • It was further agreed that a metal bench should be purchased. It was agreed to get a quote for an Armed Forces memorial bench.
  1. TO AGREE DATES AND VENUES FOR PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS IN 2025/26

The proposed dates and venues were agreed as follows: 9 January 2025 (Oulton), 13 March 2025 (Moddershall), 8 May 2025 (Oulton), 3 July 2025 (Moddershall), 4 September 2025 (Aston), 13 November 2025 (Moddershall) and 8 January 2026 (Oulton).

  1. TO AGREE FREQUENCY OF CIVIC AMENITY VISITS FOR 2025/26 AND PREFERRED DATES/MONTHS FOR VISITS

It was AGREED to request two 1-hour visits at Oulton village hall in March and October if possible. It was noted that prices remained the same as 2024/25 (£118 +VAT)

  1. TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL EVENTS FOR VE DAY 80TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2025
    • It was AGREED to approach Oulton Cricket club to determine if their land could be used for a beacon lighting event on 8th
    • Cllrs were asked to determine whether Oulton or Aston village hall were planning on any events in 2025 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.
  1. 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.
    • It was noted that 2 of the old concrete grit bins had been removed. Clerk to contact Highways to ensure 3rd is removed and new bins installed.
    • A letter was sent to SCC CEO and County Councillor regarding the delay in repairing the footbridge at Burston. No feedback or response has been received.
  1. FINANCIAL MATTERS
    • TO CONSIDER REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A .GOV.UK EMAIL BY EXTERNAL AUDITOR AND RECOMMENTATION TO HAVE .GOV.UK WEBSITE AND ASSOCIATED COSTS
      • The external auditor will require a .gov.uk email address for the Parish Council for the audit of the year ending 31 March 2025 otherwise the audit will be qualified. It is also best practice for all Cllrs to have a dedicated email address for all Council related correspondence.
      • The cost of a .gov.uk domain is £110 per year – a government are providing a grant of £100 towards the first year cost. The current website supplier can provide the website and 11 .gov.uk emails for £524 per year.
      • It was AGREED to apply for the grant and to upgrade to the website package to include emails for the council.
    • TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2025/25

The draft budget was considered and AGREED.

  • RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE PAYMENTS AUTHORISATIONS REPORT

The Payments Authorisations Report, together with the income received in the last    period (September, October and the start of November 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 reconciliations for the year ending 30 September and 31 October 2024 were received, approved and signed.

 

  1. AGREE THE DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Thursday 9 January at Oulton Village Hall.

                     Signed ……………………………………………     Dated………………………..

                                   Chairman

 

Lucy Davies

Parish Clerk

November 2024