Pages 1264 to 1267
June 2008
Minutes of the Meeting of Sherington Parish Council held on Tuesday 3rd June 2008 in Sherington Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT: Cllrs Peter Burton (Chair), Peter Cook, David Keene, Ian Thomson, David Hyde, David Wright and Lisa Masters
ALSO ATTENDING: Wendy Austyn (Clerk), and briefly Cllr Sam Potts (Sherington Ward).
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 6th May 2008 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
4. CLERK’S REPORT
Street lighting and under grounding. The wooden pole outside the village hall has been removed and the steel column on Crofts End will be dealt with over the next few weeks. Aylesbury Mains is currently testing and numbering the new lights. It was agreed to write to Central Networks giving feedback on the whole project and urging them to carry out similar works in other rural parishes where appropriate. The clerk is currently preparing photos and copy to send for publication in local council magazines. ACTION: Clerk, Cllr Hyde
Anglian Water – surface water sewer and ditch. Stephen Portlock is still waiting for funding approval for proposals to make the surface water sewer easier to maintain. ACTION: Clerk
Water Lane remedial works. MKC Highways say it is unlikely that funding will be available from elsewhere but are 99% confident that the work will be carried out in 2009/10. Cllr Sam Potts is currently investigating using reserve funds. ACTION: Clerk
MK Play Association free play sessions. Steve Harrison from MKPA has contacted the parish council offering free children’s play sessions for the duration of one year. It was agreed to offer the Village Hall play area as a venue. ACTION: Clerk
Village Hall footpath repair. The clerk has had trouble getting a commencement date out of the contractor, it was agreed to write a formal letter requesting a start date and if no response is received within a set deadline then the tender will be awarded to the next cheapest contractor. ACTION: Clerk
5. PARISH PLAN
Cllr Wright reported that Sherington is not eligible for funding towards producing a parish plan from Bucks Community Action but he has spoken to Jan Phillips from MKC who might be able to help. An initial draft has been produced which is to be sent to councillors and it was agreed to meet informally before the next meeting to discuss this in more detail. It was noted that as most of the action items on the village appraisal have been completed, it would be worth reporting on these in one of the first sections of the new parish plan. An Autumn open morning was also suggested. ACTION: Cllr Wright
6. STONEPITS CLOSE
Cllr Keene reported that some councillors met on site on May 18th and dug trial pits to establish that there is plenty of good quality soil to plant trees in. Approximately 1500 trees will be needed and the central area will be best left open. There is an overhead power cable attached to a wooden pole on the site which if possible should be moved. Cllr Burton met with MKC Landscaping who offered advice and information and possible funding options. Cllr Keene will prepare a proposal with all items being considered and send it to MKC. ACTION: Clerk, Cllr Keene
7. FINANCE
Monthly balances. Enterprise Account £31394.25; Treasurer Account £1442.11
Cheques for payment were as follows:
| 03/06/2008 | Seans Outside Services | 2 benches repaired at VH | £105.00 | 101569 |
| 03/06/2008 | A H Contracts | Dog bins | £84.22 | 101570 |
| 03/06/2008 | Bucks Playing Fields Association | Subscription 0809 | £20.00 | 101571 |
| 03/06/2008 | Wendy Austyn | Clerk’s salary | £219.17 | 101572 |
| 03/06/2008 | Wendy Austyn | Clerk’s expenses | £19.31 | 101573 |
| 03/06/2008 | Noel Gotts | Internal audit fee | £67.50 | 101574 |
| 03/06/2008 | Sherington Village Hall | Hall Hire | £22.00 | 101575 |
| 03/06/2008 | Sherington Toddler Group | Donation | £40.00 | 101576 |
| 03/06/2008 | St Lauds Church | Flower Festival Arrangement | £50.00 | 101577 |
| 03/06/2008 | Colin Scowen | Perry Lane caretaker | £59.59 | 101579 |
| 03/06/2008 | Raymond Graham | Perry Lane grounds man | £120.00 | 101580 |
| 03/06/2008 | Nina Beal | Pavilion cleaner | £49.52 | 101581 |
8. PLANNING
08/00774/FUL 12 Gun Lane. Remove rear balcony and erect rear conservatory. There were no adverse comments..
9. SHERINGTON SPORTS GROUND
Pavilion building project. Cllr Burton reported that the funding for phase one – to build the new extension to the pavilion is in place and should start on 14th July, however WREN need to issue a contract before an order can be placed with the builder. Two of the funding applications have been declined but are being resubmitted. ACTION: Cllr Burton, Clerk
Pavilion management committee. Cllr Thomson has not been able to progress this; he will now approach potential committee members, together with the paid contractors to hold an initial meeting. ACTION: Cllr Thomson
Meeting with caretaker. The clerk, Cllr Masters and Cllr Cook met with Colin Scowen and discussed the caretaker role, along with specific issues such as minor repair works which are needed; and ways of dealing with youths hanging around the grounds which the clerk has also contacted the police about.
10. EXTERNAL MEETINGS
MKNECAF Wed 4th June Emberton pavilion. Cllr Hyde will attend.
Visit to Affordable Housing development at Cheddington Thurs 5th June. Cllrs Cook and Masters agreed to attend.
Councillors’ training Friday 20th June at MKC.A place has been reserved for Cllr Masters.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
Lorry Management Strategy. The relevant documents had not been brought to the meeting so it was decided to place this on the July agenda.
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
13. COUNCILLORS ITEMS
Cllr Masters reported unacceptable levels of litter being left on the road recently after the rubbish bags have been collected. Cllr Hyde noted that the lorries are not always equipped with a shovel or broom to sweep up after the bags have been picked up. Cllr Masters agreed to take some photos when this reoccurs. ACTION: Cllr Masters
Cllr Hyde noted the recent resignation of John Cook from the Village Hall committee and trustees.
Cllr Burton reported that both he and Keith Shepherd had spoken to the residents who wrote a letter of complaint about the Beer and Sausage Festival.
Cllr Burton suggested that photographs of the pavilion are taken for archive purposes before the new building work commences.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 1st July 2008 at the Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.07 pm
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