SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 7 TH MARCH 2005,
COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M.

PRESENT
Councillor Mrs. S. Morlidge (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
1 Member of Public

There was a 15 minute period of public participation prior to the formal agenda

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None

3. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14th February 2005, having been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman

4. MATTERS ARISING
(a) Moles at War Memorial
The Clerk submitted a 12 month contract received from Jukes Pest Services in the sum of £300
The terms of the contract were agreed and signed by the Chairman
Payment of the first instalment of £75 was authorised

(b) Cemetery Maintenance
Councillor Fitchford reported that a quotation in the sum of £200 had been received from Mr. John Keen for the removal of spoil, both from the Cemetery and the Large Playing Field
The quotation also included the removal of unsafe memorials to a place on the hedge side of the Cemetery
A site meeting of the Chairman, Councillor Stammers and the Clerk to identify the relevant memorials was agreed
The quotation was accepted
The Chairman referred to the two trees growing in untended grave spaces. She suggested that these should be cut down as low as possible and advice sought for eventual removal
This was agreed and Councillor Stammers undertook to obtain the services of Future Forests
Councillor Stammers undertook to take remedial action, in due course, to improve the shape of the yew tree

(c) Development at Bearley
The Chairman reported that the developer had decided not to go ahead with the application at this time
She had been assured that she would be kept informed of any future plans

(d) Village Hall Management Committee
The Clerk reported that he had obtained the services of a solicitor to act in the matter of the Deed of Trust. The process was ongoing
He had supplied details of investments and income to the Committee Treasurer

(e) Youth Club
The matter of the proposed lease of the premises was raised. The Clerk said that the matter was in the hands of the Council's solicitor. The process had been suspended whilst a search for the original documents was being persued
Consideration would be given to granting permission for installation of certain facilities in the premises

(f) Locking Post - Small Playing Field
The Clerk submitted a letter from a parishioner indicating that a vehicle had been seen reversing into the entrance of the Small Playing Field, damaging the surface
It was agreed that work to re-install the locking post should be expedited

(g) Parish Litter Picker
Nothing to report

(h) Planning Enforcement Matters
It was noted that Councillor Hobbs had made enquiries
The caravan standing on the car park adjacent to Park House did not infringe Planning Regulations
The Enforcement Officer will investigate No.3 Bell Lane, but it is permissible to increase the volume by 70 cu metres under Permitted Development Rights

5. FINANCE
Receipts

proposed first floor extension to include bathroom, bedroom balcony

(c) P.Lavin, Hare Cottage, Church Road

(d) Mr G F Stammers,1, Bell Brook

Support on the grounds that it improves highway clearance and safety aspect

(e) Ms P Feldon, 3, Park Cottages, Church Road

Permission with Conditions

7. CORRESPONDENCE

Standards Board for England
(a) A Code for the Future
Copies to members for consideration of a response

English Heritage
(a) Strategic Stone Study for England
Copy to 'LINK' Magazine. Contents noted

Warwickshire Rural Community Council
(a) Best Kept Village Competition
No entry to be submitted

Warwickshire Training Partnership
(a) Briefing Workshop - Preparing for and surviving Audit
Clerk to attend
(b) Briefing Workshop - Freedom 0f Information Act and Data Protection Act
No member to attend

8. CAR TRANSPORTERS

Councillor Stammers said that he had referred to the matter of car transporters travelling through the village to unload cars at Wolverton Grange at previous Meetings.He said that the vehicles were causing concern because of their size and the route taken through the village on a regular basis.
He quoted an instance where he and Councillor Fitchford had spoken to one of the transporter drivers and to Mr. Heynes.
He added that the matter was being investigated by Mr. Kocon, Enforcement Officer. He submitted a letter from Mr. Kocon, who stated that he had had a site meeting with Mr. Heynes and that he would be seeking authority to serve a Planning Contravention Notice on him.
Councillor Stammers submitted a draft letter to Mr. Heynes outlining the concerns and requesting that he arrange to re-route the transporters to travel from the M40, along the A4095 and Saddlebarn Lane to Wolverton; the cars to be unloaded at the cross-roads before Wolverton Village.
After discussion, it was agreed that all Councillors would sign the letter to be sent to Mr. Heynes.

9. COMMENTS / OBSERVATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stammers
Gave an update on the progress of the Parish Plan. He said that there had been 200 hours of meetings and discussions. An application had been made to the Countryside Agency for further funding.
A questionnaire had been prepared and would appear with each copy of the next issue of 'SNIPE'. A Post Box would be sited in Smiths Lane adjacent to the Notice Board for completed questionnaires; other points of collection would be in the Village Hall and the Shop. It was projected that the Parish Plan would be published in August.

Councillor Mrs Morlidge
Referred to the April Meeting followed by the Annual Parish Meeting.
It was agreed that the Council Meeting would commence at 6.30 p.m., followed by the Annual Parish Meeting at7.30 p.m.

Councillor Mrs Morlidge proposed, Councillor Collett seconded
'that the following matters be considered in closed session by reason of the confidential nature of the business'
So resolved, nem con

10. GRASSCUTTING CONTRACTS

The Clerk submitted quotations from Greenacre Garden Services
(1) grass mowing twice a month
(2) supplying and applying weed killer to footpaths
(3) strimming graves not maintained by relatives
No other quotation had been received

Proposed Councillor Stammers, Seconded Councillor Fitchford
'that the quotation be accepted'
So resolved, nem con

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.