1) Election of Chairman

Kevin Morrell proposed Jim Aldridge, seconded by Andrew Gough and all in agreement. Jim Aldridge was duly elected as Chairman.

2) Election of Vice Chairman

Andrew Gough proposed Kevin Morrell, seconded by Brian Greenfield, and all in agreement. Kevin Morell was duly elected as Vice Chairman.

3) Attendance and Apologies

Jim Aldridge – Chair. Mary Beechey, Pat Bingham, Brian Greenfield, Malcolm Greenwood, Andrew Gough, Oz Hall, Brian May, Kevin Morrell.

6 parishioners

Apologies: Alf Oliver, Anne Parkinson. and Ivan Ould

4) Parishioners’ Open Forum

Safety Issue near School - a parishioner who lives opposite Sheepy School reported a safety issue. A lorry travelling down Mill Lane and turning left was involved in a collision with another car and scaffolding joint clips were deposited on the road. If the school had been open and children around this could have been serious. Photographs were passed to Andrew Gough so that he could raise the issue at the next Crime and Safety Forum.

Lorries in Ratcliffe Lane – a parishioner reported the nuisance being caused by large lorries travelling down Ratcliffe Lane. There was a 7.5-ton weight limit on this road but this was not signposted until lorries had turned into Ratcliffe Lane. It was believed that a lot of lorries were going to Mythe Farm. Kevin Morrell to check to see if the farm had planning permission and the Clerk to contact the Council to see if weight limit signs could be put either side on the Main Road.

5) Minutes of the last meeting - Brian May said that under Any Other Business, it should say that there was no money available to repaint the streetlights and not replace. This amendment was made and the minutes were approved as a true and correct record

6) Matters Arising from Minutes

Heritage Lighting Sibson – no money available from H & BBC in 2008/9 but will be included in reserve list of projects for 2009/10. H& BBC looking for a contribution of £1000 from Parish Council. It was proposed by Andrew Gough, seconded by Malcolm Greenwood and all in agreement that we should pay this money. Clerk to write to H&BBC to confirm.

Sign at Orton Lane – this was still causing problems for parishioners and the Parish Council felt that by obstructing the view, it could cause an accident. The Clerk said that she had chased Sally Crossfield again and she had promised to come back to her. Kevin Morrell said that the Council were having problems with the contractor and he would also chase Sally Crossfield.

Village Sign – Jim Aldridge said that he had inspected the artwork and it was now going away to be sprayed with a protective coating. Jim Aldridge also confirmed that the utilities had been contacted and, although there were no main pipelines in the area, there may be some small ones, which were not on any maps. It was therefore agreed that when the sign was erected, the hole should be dug manually. As the Chair would be on holiday, Kevin Morrell to oversee the work. Media coverage to be arranged once the sign was in place.

7) Report by County Councillor – no report available

8) Report by Borough Councillor – Kevin Morrell clarified the position on Affordable Homes. He said that on developments of more than 5 houses, a proportion would have to be affordable. These would be offered to people in the Parish first and then cascaded out to the Borough.

Kevin also reported on a meeting, which Ivan Ould had with Highways at the Main Road, Sheepy Magna concerning speeding and parking. Church Lane parking was also covered.

9) Correspondence

The following was discussed:

H &BBC Green Space workshop – Andrew Gough and Brian May to attend.

H & BBC – Local Development Framework – adoption of the Sustainable design and affordable housing supplement – this was given to Councillors to circulate

Carol Riddington - Estimate has been received from Carol Riddington for design and preparation £150 and painting of village sign for Sibson £200. In view of the amount of work involved, the painting of the other signs would be £250. This estimate was agreed.

LCC – Mobile Youth facility – the Clerk was asked to contact Sebastian and ask him to attend the June meeting and give the Parish Council further information.

Sheepy Memorial Hall – request for £200 for Craft/Art Circle. Proposed Oz Hall, seconded Malcolm Greenwood and all in agreement that a donation of £200 should be made.

The following was available for information:

RCC – Diary of Village Events and Guided walks

LCC – Manor House news

H & BBC – free swimming for over 60’s

LCC – Information on Heritage Warden

10) Crime and Safety - Andrew Gough reported that the local Police were looking at private motorists using red diesel. Some parishes, including Desford, Peckleton and Newbold, were contributing towards a part time Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator. It was agreed that Sheepy did not need one at this time. Andrew also reported a rise in the theft of catalytic converters due to a rise in the price of metal. The theft of the bags of nitrate had been discussed with Martin Bell but Brian Greenfield said that no one had contacted him

Key Networks were discussed and it was not clear whether this scheme was working.

11) Report from Internal Auditor and Appointment of Auditor for 2008/9

The Clerk read out a report from the Internal Auditor, dated 24 April 2008, It was noted that the Clerk would provide bank reconciliations to the Internal Auditor during the course of the year. The report was noted and received. Jim Aldridge, seconded by Andrew Gough, proposed it and all in agreement that Ian Fraser should carry on as auditor for 2008/9.

12) Approval of Annual Accounts and Annual Return for 2007/8

A copy of the bank reconciliation, Receipts and Payments for 2007/8 and Budget for 2008/9 had previously been circulated to Councillors. The Clerk presented the Annual Report for the Auditors. The Council considered a report by the Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer regarding the obligations of the Council relating to financial regulations and the effectiveness of the internal audit. On the recommendation of the Clerk, it was resolved that no changes be made to the Financial Regulations but that they be reviewed each year. The Council, having reviewed the effectiveness of the system, approved the Statement of Assurance. It was proposed by Andrew Gough and seconded by Kevin Morrell that the Chairman should sign the report and accounts as a true and correct record – all in agreement. The Clerk advised that a notice saying that the accounts were available for inspection had been put on the notice board.

13) Accounts and Signing of cheques

The following cheques were presented for payment:

P Roberts Dog Bins £100

M Bassett Salary/com/tel/windows/post £599.57

NALC Council Review Publication £17.00

M G Evans Making safe headstones £400.00

A. Gough Expenses £14.50

Ian Fraser Internal Auditor £110.00

Carol Riddington Artwork re village sign £400

K P Carpentry & Joinery Making and erecting village sign £2000

Countryside Gardens Grasscutting £225

Sheepy Magna Mem Hall Donation for Art/Craft Circle £200

14) Planning

The following applications were received without comment:

08/00258/FUL Extension Oak Barn Hill Top Farm, Wellsborough

08/00409/CTPO Work to tree 19 Sheepy Road, Sibson

 

It was noted that the following ha been approved:

09/00176/TPO Work to trees 8 Oakfield Way, Sheepy

08/00209/Ful Extension Greenleaves, Pinwall Lane, Pinwall

 

15) Any Other Business

Clerk was asked to report a pothole in Watery Lane.

Brian Greenfield said that the school were still concerned about speeding outside the school and asked if the Parish Council could look at an activated sign. After discussion, it was agreed that this would probably be covered once the Travel Plan had been approved. Clerk to contact Ivan Ould and find out whom to chase at LCC re the Travel Plan.