March 2019 Minutes

REEPHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting

Methodist Schoolroom on Tuesday 26th March 2019 at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllr D Perkins, who presided, Cllrs A Clay, A Brammer, N Ward, P Stuffins, B Tebbs, D World and C Wilson with the Clerk, Mr B Wharton.

C/Cllr I Fleetwood and D/Cllrs M Palmer (after 2021) and A Welburn also attended

5 Residents.

MATTERS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

The 5 Residents attended to present their thoughts on the planning application for a house extension on Chapel Close. Their comments were noted by the Planning Committee who will themselves consider the application.

Apologies.

Cllr J Oxby, D/Cllr M Palmer (for expected late arrival). D/Cllr C Darcel.

1. Minutes of the Meeting held on 26th February 2019.

After noting/correcting two typo errors; at the proposal by Cllr P Stuffins, seconded by Cllr D World, it was resolved that the minutes be accepted.

2. Clerk’s Report

After a question at the last meeting it was found that there was never a resolve to stop entering the Best Kept Village competition only that when the entry invitation arrived it was never taken up. At the proposal of Cllr P Stuffins, seconded by Cllr B Tebbs, it was resolved that, until any motion to the contrary, no entry would be made.

Some monies have become available through WLDC for use by the local councils. The intended use will be organised by the D/Cllrs and will be used to purchase spring bulbs for the village approaches. This will require communal effort later in the year as planting time arrives.

As a change to the handling of TROs had been announced by email from LCC, an email will be re-sent to C/Cllr Fleetwood to resubmit the suggestions from the September meeting to Highways for signage near the cemetery on Hawthorn Road and near the North Lane/Kennel Lane approaches.

3. Correspondence

D/Cllrs Welburn and Palmer – report for March

C/Cllr Fleetwood – report for March

London Hearts – defibrillator appeal.

LALC – Cluster requirement questionnaire.

LALC – magazine.

PCSO Parker – March village incidents.

BS&E North – Grass cutting agreement copy.

NALC/LALC – Audit Code of Practice.

4. Financial Matters

Presentation of Accounts:

LALC – Subscription £ 249.97

£ 249.97

At the proposal of Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr P Stuffins, it was carried that this be paid.

Church Footpath.

The accounts for the Church had been viewed. The quote from the contractors had been viewed at £3598.31 plus VAT.

A proposal was made by Cllr A Brammer that, because of match funding a grant of 50% should be made to assist in the pathway which is considered to be an asset to the community and allows passage through to the rear of Church Close (Section 137 (1) of the Local Government Act grant funding) and also to assist in closed churchyard maintenance. This was seconded by Cllr C Wilson and was carried; with one abstention (non-pecuniary interest). Clerk to arrange that half the bill comes direct to the Parish Council for tax purposes.

5. Planning Matters

Good’s Farm Development:

Barn demolition application – it was noted that this had been refused.

Neighbourhood Plan:

Cllr D World briefed the Parish Council on the previous meeting: minutes are stored on the website. The draft ‘Call for Sites’ final report should be completed by end-March (6 weeks consultation).

No Invoices were presented for payment: The End of Term report has been submitted by the Clerk. There is now no requirement for repayment – the grant will carry on until either fulfilment of the project or the money runs out and a further grant is needed.

REEPHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting

6. Roads and Footways

The offer of a grant from iGas of £2000 has been received. Match funding is expected from WLDC but the final offer is awaited (it will fall £3-400 short of requirement). This is expected to arrive soon.

A proposal was placed by Cllr B Tebbs that the purchase order for the pathway should be completed regardless of this later grant (the pathway requirement being worth the extra cost). This was seconded by Cllr A Brammer and was carried.

Although a lower turnout this year, thanks to those who helped us give the village a clean start to the year.

Community Parking Forum – nothing to report although it was observed that the school headmaster had written to parents and that as the summer will be soon with us the next generation of parents may be the ones needing the information.

Village Green parking – it is still unclear who, exactly, can claim to own the village green (or, even, whether it is owned at all).

7. Field Footpaths and Bridleways

Footpaths between neighbouring communities – ongoing - May agenda.

8. Conservation Areas

Nil.

9. Amenity Areas

The wetpour and laminate panels installations are still awaited

10. Business for the Next Agenda

Some items involving a look at a requirement for signage on the Green, and whether the deterioration of the verges on the Green were preventable.

Meeting ends….0845 pm

Next Meeting: Wednesday May 15th 2019 will be the Annual General Meeting preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting.