Minutes of Annual General Meeting of Sheepy Parish Council

Sheepy Memorial Hall

4th May 2010

 

1)Election of Chairman

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

2) Election of Vice Chairman

Andrew Gough proposed Kevin Morrell, seconded by Malcolm Greenwood, and all in agreement. Kevin Morrell was duly elected as Vice Chairman.

3) Attendance and Apologies

Jim Aldridge – Chair, Mary Beechey, Pat Bingham, Andrew Gough, Brian Greenfield, Malcolm Greenwood, Kevin Morrell, Oz Hall, Alf Oliver, Anne Parkinson and Ivan Ould

6 parishioners

Apologies: Brian May and PC Anderson

4) Parishioners’ Open Forum – no comments

5) Minutes of the last meeting - The minutes were approved as a true and correct record

6) Matters Arising from Minutes

Andrew Gough reported on crime figures for Upton for past 90 days (as at 13 April)

29 Jan – Burglary – Fenn Lane Farm: 7 March – Theft – Sparkenhoe Farm:

29 March – Theft – Main Road

The Chair reported that he had a meeting with a Monumental Mason at the War Memorial and, in the Mason’s opinion; the memorial was in danger of falling over. Therefore a quote had been received to make it safe. This would include removing the cross and centre column of the base and storing in a safe place. The cost for this would be £650 plus VAT. It was proposed by Oz Hall, seconded by Kevin Morrell and all in favour that this should be done as soon as possible due to the risk factor. The Chair also reported that he was obtaining a quote for refurbishment and it is hoped to get grants towards this cost.

7) Report by County Councillor – Ivan Ould congratulated everyone involved in the Sheepy Village Sale, which had been enjoyed by everyone. He also said that rumble strips had been fitted on the B4116 near Cross Hands. He had not received any comments on these.

8) Report by Borough Councillor – Kevin Morrell reported on an Open Day at Burbage Common on 9^th May, everyone welcome to attend.

He also commented on the targets for housing development and said that Councils should have land for 5 years development put aside but there was a shortfall at the Borough Council and this could meant that Developers would use this as an excuse to build more homes which were not included in the LDF. Ivan Ould supported this and said that it was a problem and he had heard that Developers were trying to get planning permission for houses in Stoke Golding, which were extra to those agreed in the Local Development Framework.

He also said that the Parish Initiative Fund was under spent by £5,000 and the Executives wanted to claw the money back but he was campaigning for it to be carried over into next year’s fund. The Council had spent £3,000 on plaques, which he believed would have been better spent as part of the fund.

9) Correspondence

The following was discussed:

LCC –Street lighting – trial run for turning off lights from midnight to 5.30 am

LCC – replacing streetlight columns

LCC – HGVs onB4116 – response from LCC

BT Payphone – Sibson – it was decided to go with Option 1 (BT to pay for electricity supply but Parish Council responsible for all other items)

H&BBC Parishes Forum – 17 June – Andrew Gough to attend

H &BBC – Summer activities - grant available for voluntary organisations up to £200.

The following was available for information:

Mobile Library times

10) Crime and Safety - Andrew Gough reported that there had been 3 incidents in the last 31 days: one burglary from farm outbuildings at Pinwall, a motor bike on the canal towpath at Wellsborough and threatening behaviour from one person to another in Sheepy Magna. He also reported that all ASBOs would now have a crime number.

Pat Bingham reported that Sibson Neighbourhood Watch was progressing well following a public meeting and is in the process of being set up, with more than enough volunteers.

12) Report from Internal Auditor and Appointment of Auditor for 2010/11

The Clerk read out a report from the Internal Auditor, dated April 2010, 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. Proposed by Kevin Morrell , seconded by Andrew Gough, and all in agreement that Ian Fraser should carry on as auditor for 2010/11.

13) Approval of Annual Accounts and Annual Return for 2009/10

A copy of the bank reconciliation, Receipts and Payments for 2009/10 and Budget for 2010/11 had previously been circulated to Councillors. It was noted that the Budget had been updated to include year-end and VAT figures. 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 Kevin Morrell and seconded by Andrew Gough, 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. The Councillors received and approved the Asset Register.

14) Accounts and Signing of cheques

The following cheques were presented for payment: in May

MJ Bassett Salary/com/tel/windows £597.49

Brian Mee Grasscutting in March £278.50*

Aon Parish Council Insurance £892.08

One Man went to Mow Grass cutting £50.00

Ian Fraser Internal Audit £115.00

*includes VAT

15) Planning

The following applications were noted without comment:

10/00165/FUL Replacement fencing Carriers Croft, Sheepy Road, Sibson

10/00233/FUL Extension/alteration Athol House. Main Road, Sheepy

09/00896/FUL Alteration to 2 Wembrook Coppice, Sheepy Magna

16) Any Other Business

The Chair reported that a parishioner had requested a street light at Wellsborough when turning right to Market Bosworth from Twycross. After discussion, it was agreed that this turning was difficult to see in the dark and there was also a problem on the opposite side at the turning to Sheepy. It was suggested that red reflector lights might be a better option. Clerk to write to LCC asking them to consider the problem. Ivan Ould to advise Clerk of the name of the person to write to.