MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SNITTERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 10TH MARCH 2008, COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M.
PRESENT
Councillor G.J. Stammers (Chairman)
Councillor R. J. Fitchford
Councillor J. Jacobs
Councillor Miss C. Kimberley
Councillor Mrs. S Morlidge

County and District Councillor R.G. Hobbs

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

There was a twenty five-minute period of public participation prior to the formal agenda

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor A. G. M. Jones (Paternity leave)
County and District Councillor R.G. Hobbs

Councillor G.J. Stammers
Personal Interest

Councillor R. J. Fitchford
Personal Interest

Grazing Rights - Atteys Field

Investment Dividend

Allotment Rent (No.5)

Clerk's Pay and Expenses

Back-dated Pay Awards 2007/8

PAYE on Clerk's Pay

Gas supply to Village Hall

So resolved, nem con

Black, Howarth Taylor & Partners
Land to rear of Jago Lane
Pigeon Green

Support - it will improve the biodiversity

J.S. Bloor
Comyns Farm
Wayfield

Support - the new driveway with fencing and hedging will
improve the approach to this new Farm House and the relocated hedge will be
maintained

Mr. Barter
Cedar Cottage
1, Park Cottages
Church Road

Mrs. F. McConville
Appleton House
Church Road

No further representation to be made

Mr. & Mrs. Yendall
Woodcote
Bearley Road

Stratford on Avon
District Council

Invitation to Chairman's 'At Home' Drinks Reception - 29th March

C94 Heath End Lane - carriageway re-surfacing - 14th - 28th March

M40-A46 Junction 15 Bypass

Invitation to visit Snitterfield Nursery School

Celebrate St. Georges Day

Working Together for Our Environment

Best Village of the Year

No Report available

The Chairman reported that he had a positive meeting with Jennie Simper of the Environment Agency.
She would be conducting a survey of the waterworks facility with a view to reinstatement of its capacity. She would also consider replacement of the existing culvert at Lodge Farm Drive with a 'storm water bridge'.
He said that the brook watercourse was now generally in good condition, with the exception of the area at the bottom of Bell Lane, where it was silted up

It was stated that Councillor Hobbs was also pursuing the matter with the Environment Agency. He had been informed that efforts were being made to finance surveys to find a solution to the flooding problems

Note was also taken of the submission by Graham Barker during the period of public participation and the Chairman gave an assurance that both he and Councillor Hobbs would continue to press for action

Councillor Mrs. Morlidge said that it was essential that the efforts of all agencies were co-ordinated in an effort to resolve the various issues

The Chairman introduced the subject and said that he had been approached to write to the District Council on behalf of the Parish Council on the issue
He had since been in receipt of an e-mail from Councillor Hobbs in which it was stated that representatives of the District Council had met with Mr. and Mrs. Rendell and Mr. Ken Chatland. This meeting had been helpful and previous misunderstandings had been overcome.
Mrs. Rendall will be informed of intended action to protect existing trees and the process of serving tree replacement notices if trees should be removed in the future.
A survey will be carried out to determine long term strategy
It was agreed to continue to monitor the situation

It was agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 21st April. The Clerk to make necessary arrangements
The Clerk referred to a recent meeting which he had attended where Mr. Robert Weeks, of Environmental Services gave a presentation on the proposed revised kerbside refuse collection
It was agreed to invite Mr. Weeks to attend and explain the proposals

Councillor Jacobs
Reported that the first film show of the 'Moving Pictures' project had been a success. There had been a good attendance with a sound financial return
He confirmed that a second film show would take place on 29th March

Councillor Mrs Morlidge
Reported that there was evidence of moles at the War Memorial
Note was taken that the annual mole control contract was approaching expiry. It was agreed to obtain an alternative quotation for consideration

Councillor Fitchford
Referred to Post Office closures and measures taken by certain villages to set up part-time offices in various premises. He said that it would be possible to set up a part-time Post Office in the Tower Room at the Church or the Graham Symons Room
He undertook to advertise for volunteers able to participate in such a project

Councillor Stammers
Referred to the Sir Stephen Hales Charity, the aim of which was to give aid to those in need in the Parish. He was aware that no donations had been given recently and suggested that the Thursday Club might be worthy of consideration
Councillor Fitchford, a Trustee of the Charity, undertook to bring the suggestion to the attention of the Trustees
Spoke of the recent tree planting in the Large Playing Field and said that the position of one tree might interfere with the Junior Football Pitch
He undertook to liaise with Councillor Jones

Proposed Councillor Jacobs, Seconded Councillor Fitchford
'That the following business be considered in closed session by reason of the confidential nature of the business'

So resolved, nem con

The Clerk was asked to leave the room during discussion of this item
On his return, the Chairman said that the matter of the Clerk's Pay had been considered

Proposed Councillor Miss Kimberley, Seconded Councillor Mrs. Morlidge and it had been resolved that

Prior to Meeting

Graham Barker

The Chairman responded and said that he had a positive with Jennie Simper of the Environment Agency and he would continue to liaise with her
As far as financial assistance was concerned, he suggested an approach to Mr. Dave Tidy, Stratford on Avon District Council

Councillor Hobbs
In the absence of Councillor Hobbs, the Clerk read communications which had been submitted to the Council