MIDDLETON
PARISH COUNCIL
341
The Meeting of the Parish Council was held on Wednesday 21st November 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall Annexe, Cottingham.
Present: Cllrs Phillipson (Chair), Dickens, Alvey, Ainge, Claypole, Cole, Mrs Medwell (Parish Clerk) and Ms Preston (Rural Pride Officer).
1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr Robertson
2. Declaration of Interest: Cllr Phillipson declared a non-prejudicial interest the Middleton Village Hall Project.
3. Minutes of 17th October 2007:
The minutes were duly approved and signed.
Proposed Cllr Cole
Seconded Cllr Alvey
4. Matters
Arising:
£1,500 Community Safety Grant – Cllr Phillipson to send existing proposal for new gateway to Cllr Rutt (action DP).
Dog Fouling Bins – The Council had received notification that there was currently no funding for the provision and emptying of bins and were being placed on a waiting list.
5. Meeting Open for Public Participation:
The Parish Council acknowledged that there is an inherent problem with the fly tipping situation in that it is very difficult to convict the perpetrators. Cllr Phillipson suggested finding out the costs of surveillance cameras for these sites.
(Meeting closed to the public).
6. Village Hall Project:
Ms Preston reported that all remedial works had been completed and signed off by CBC Ian Hopewell. The next stage is for Miller Homes to draw up transfer deed, this document would then be sealed and approved by CBC Legal Services.
7. Traffic Calming:
The Council further discussed the shared speed camera, which would be maintained and calibrated by the police, and approved the £400 as Middleton Parish share. Cllr Claypole referred to the possibility of having fixed traffic cameras in the village and agreed to research prices for these (action GC).
8. Planning:
The Council discussed
having an ‘Emergency Plan’. This would involve a coordinator and key contacts
for any emergency situation, ie flooding or severe
weather. Cllr Robertson expressed an interest in coordinating this plan.
9. Parish Plan:
Cllrs Phillipson and Robertson had met to identify and review key areas of action plan. It was felt that an updated ‘Disabled Access’ survey needed to be carried out.
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10. Grass Cutting:
The Council agreed to continue to undertake the mowing of their urban grass areas. Clerk to complete and submit the necessary paperwork (action JM).
11. Asset Register:
The Council discussed and approved the asset register. Cllr Phillipson suggested adding the village millennium sign. Clerk to find out whether these items are covered by insurance (action JM).
12. VHMC:
Cllrs Alvey and Claypole had
attended and reported on meeting on 14th November. They referred to the court
case which had now been transferred to
13. Finance:
a) The following cheques were presented for signature and agreed:
100986 VHMC 7.50
100987 Chairman’s Expenses 75.00
100988 Clerk Salary and Expenses 550.00
b) SUMMARY OF BALANCES
National Savings 13,136.69
Business Reserve 160.65
Community Account 5,518.84
Less Allocation for Village Hall 13,000.00
Total: 5,816.18
14. Correspondence:
The Council had received a letter from the Standards Board regarding an alleged breach of Conduct. The Standards Board had made no finding of fact.
Amongst other correspondence were the following items:
Minutes – Stanion, VHMC, Cottingham and Gretton PC’s
Clerks and Councils Direct
CBC – Full Council Minutes
NCC – Choosing Quality Conference / Strategic Funding Programme
CPRE – Countryside Voice / Outlook
Northamptonshire Police – Monthly Crime Report
15. Any Other
Business:
The Chair highlighted the need for a Complaints Procedure – to be put on next agenda and requested that the Clerks salary review be discussed at the next meeting.
Cllr Ainge asked for an updated councillor list to be put on notice board and in newsletter.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15 pm
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Minutes to be ratified at the next meeting on the 19th December 2007.
Signed…………………………….Chairman Date……………………………
Clerk: Mrs J Medwell