SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2005,
COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M.

PRESENT
Councillor R.J. Fitchford (Chairman)
Councillor W.A. Collett
Councillor J. Jacobs
Councillor Miss C. Kimberley
Councillor G.J. Stammers
County and District Councillor R.G. Hobbs

Clerk of the Council, I.A. Wilkins
3 Members of Public

Prior to the formal agenda, Mr. Matt Jukes gave a presentation on the process of mole trapping. He also gave details of services and charges, including the cost of an annual contract.

There followed a 15 minute period of public participation

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Mrs. S. Morlidge

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor J. Jacobs - Personal Interest Planning application 05/00161/FUL - 4, Bell Lane

3. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10th January 2005, having been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman

4. MATTERS ARISING

(a) Moles at War Memorial
Reference was made to the presentation by Mr. Jukes prior to the formal agenda
It was agreed that, having regard to the history of mole problems at the War Memorial and in the Cemetery, the most appropriate way forward would be to accept the annual contract of £300 offered by Mr Jukes
It was further agreed to consider the terms of the contract at the next meeting

(b) Cemetery Maintenance
It was noted that the tree surgery had been completed and that the hedge in Park Lane had been cut back
It was reported that Mr. John Keen had agreed to undertake the removal of the spoil and that he would
submit a quotation for the work
Mr. Keen would also undertake the removal of any unsafe memorials to the side of the Cemetery
It was agreed to expedite the identification of such memorials
Councillor Stammers undertook to meet contractors on site to discuss the standard of grssscutting required

(c) Street Sign - Bell Lane
It was noted that a replacement sign had been installed and the matter was resolved.

(d) Hurdlers Close Residential Exchange
The Clerk reported that the proposed exchange would not now take place and the matter was resolved

(e) Car Transporters to Glebe Farm
Councillor Hobbs reported that the Planning Officer had investigated the matter and that breach of planning law had been identified. He added that he had no knowledge of any retrospective planning application to date

(f) Contact Police Constable Harris
Councillor Hobbs reported on changes in policing with the formation of C.B.O. teams. He undertook to forward details of means of contact

(g) Locking Post -Small Playing Field
Councillor Fitchford reported on problems experienced in securing the post in position
It was agreed to seek assistance of a contractor to complete the repair

5. FINANCE
Receipts

Change of use from calf centre (grading) to part secure storage, part office of light engineering workshop

(c) St. James the Great PCC, Church Road

Application supported

(d) Mr & Mrs Clifton

Permission with Conditions

Installation of 3no. velux roof windows, re-roofing lean-to and pitched roofs, re-opening window

7. CORRESPONDENCE

Environment Agency
(a) Flooding - a guide for older people
Booklets to Councillor Collett for distribution

Warwickshire County Council
(a) Emergency Planning Issues
To order 40 Kelvalite Emergency Blankets
(b) Waste Management Strategy
Councillors Fitchford and Stammers to complete questionnaire
(c) Bus Service Changes
Copies to 'Link' and 'Snipe'

Warwickshire Association of Local Councils
(a) Training Seminar 12th March
Councillor Miss Kimberley to attend

Warwickshire Rural Community Council
(a) Affordable Housing for Local People
Noted. Councillor Stammers has contacted writer with regard to Housing Needs Survey

Stratford on Avon District Council
(a) Model Code of Conduct - Register of Members Financial and Other Interests
Noted

8. SIR STEPHEN HALES CHARITY

Councillor Fitchford introduced the subject and said that he and the clerk had studied the papers handed over by the retiring Trustee, Mr. George Moore
The Trust had a bank account and investments with a current balance of approximately £4000. The last cash payment to persons in need was in July 2001
He said that there were only two Trustees, namely Mr. John Keen and himself
It was agreed that Councillor Collett be appointed Trustee of the Charity
The Clerk undertook to research and report to the Trustees to enable them to consider whether the Charity still provided for a need under its terms

9. PROPOSAL TO APPOINT PARISH LITTER PICKER

The Chairman introduced the subject and said that there was concern about the amount of litter in the village
He proposed that enquires be made on the feasability of employing a person on a part-time basis to clear the litter
Councillor Hobbs said that the District Council did engage a contractor to clear litter on the highway. He undertook to make enquiries and report back.
It was noted that a litter bin had not yet been installed in Bell Lane, as agreed
Further that a replacement litter bin was required at the War Memorial. It was suggested that this might be sited in the lay-by opposite
The Clerk undertook to follow up

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Councillor Fitchford said that the Chairmen would be on holiday on the second Monday in March
He suggested that, in order to accommodate the Chairman, the next Meeting should be held on Monday 7th March
This was agreed

11. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

It was agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 11th April, to follow a short Parish Council Meeting

12. TO RECEIVE COMMENTS / OBSERVATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS

Councillor Collett
Submitted copies of a leaflet detailing an open meeting to be held at Bearley Village Hall on Thursday 24th February to discuss development of the Old School House Site and adjoining land

Councillor Jacobs
Reported on a Meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee. He said that the Bank Balance stood at approximately £14000, although concern was expressed at the low level of revenue
Remedial work to the flat roof would commence on 2nd March at a cost of £1290
Matters discussed included proposals to upgrade the kitchen facilities, provisions of the new Licensing Act and the proposed Deed of Trust
The next Meeting had been arranged for 12th April
He said that a question had been asked about the value and income of the investments
The Clerk undertook to supply the information to the Treasurer

Councillor Stammers
Referred to a caravan, which had been standing on the car park adjacent to Park House since December of last year
Also referred to alterations at No.3, Bell Lane, to build a pitched roof on the garage
Councillor Hobbs undertook to make enquiries with the Enforcement Officer on both matters
Had received a complaint from Mr. Ron Grant, Park Lane that weeds had grown into the garden of his property from adjoining land
Councillor Hobbs undertook to investigate

Councillor Miss Kimberley
Expressed concern about the grass verge on the A439 from the Mercedes Garage down the hill towards Stratford upon Avon. She said that it caused difficulty for pedestrians where it sloped down the road
Councillor Hobbs acknowledged the concern, but was not optimistic that remedial action could be taken
He added that the grass verge was cut 2/3 times per year for safety reasons

Councillor Fitchford
Reported an amount of litter deposited in woodland adjacent to Atteys Field
The Clark undertook to attempt to establish ownership of the land

Councillor Collett
Said that, should the roof repairs at the Village Hall be ongoing, the Methodist Hall would be available for the next Council Meeting

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.