15 Nov 2007 - PARISH COUNCIL
SHENINGTON WITH ALKERTON PARISH COUNCIL
The meeting of the Parish Council on Wednesday, November 14 2007 in the Village Hall was attended by six councillors and 6 members of the public. An apology for absence was received from Jan Walters and for late arrival from Keith Adams. In the absence of the Clerk due to illness, Margaret Coles took the minutes.
One councillor raised four points concerning the draft minutes, namely that the pay scale of the newly appointed Parish Clerk had not been approved by the full council, letters have to be signed by councillors in the absence of a Parish Clerk, the agenda item covering affordable housing had been dropped due to the lateness of the council?s meeting and that substantive correspondence should be reported at council meetings.
In the first Open Forum, previous members of the Parish Council expressed concern that decisions may have been made by individuals, a procedure which is illegal. They also commented that the Parish Clerk is an employee of the Council and as such should have a contract of employment and be paid as an employee.
The accounts for 2006/7prepared and submitted by John Evans, as Responsible Finance Officer, have been approved by the Council?s external auditors.
Tim Dowdeswell presented a draft agreement covering the disposal of stone from a wall at the Stone Pit and the maintenance of the relevant boundary.
He also reported that through a contact with the builders working at the development at Long Acre he had received an offer to repair the Alkerton War Memorial without charge. The Council agreed to accept this offer although two councillors had misgivings over the potential implications.
The council discussed two draft questionnaires prepared by Gillian Crabb relating to the need for affordable housing in the parish. It was agreed to prepare a shorter questionnaire and have this available for discussion at the next meeting.
Stuart Mitchell reported on an investigation he had made into the cutting of grass verges. The council agreed to continue to use the services of the County Highways Department.
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Keith Adams confirmed that he had prepared a schedule of work to be carried out by the County Highways Department. The council expressed concern over the potential surfeit of road signs being erected in the parish but at the same time were worried by motorists driving excessively fast through some parts of the villages.
Keith Adams reported that there will be a road closure from November 24 for five days near Shutford Grounds Farm on the road linking Shutford and Epwell.
Keith Hainsworth reported that he had laid a wreath on behalf of the Parish Council during the service of remembrance at the Alkerton War Memorial. At his suggestion, the council agreed to purchase two new wreaths to be laid each year at the war memorials at Alkerton and in Shenington Church.
He also raised the poor quality of broadband reception from the Edge Hill telephone exchange. The council agreed to send a letter of complaint to B.T.
The meeting closed at approximately 10 pm. The next meeting will probably be held on Wednesday, January 9 2008.
The meeting of the Parish Council on Wednesday, November 14 2007 in the Village Hall was attended by six councillors and 6 members of the public. An apology for absence was received from Jan Walters and for late arrival from Keith Adams. In the absence of the Clerk due to illness, Margaret Coles took the minutes.
One councillor raised four points concerning the draft minutes, namely that the pay scale of the newly appointed Parish Clerk had not been approved by the full council, letters have to be signed by councillors in the absence of a Parish Clerk, the agenda item covering affordable housing had been dropped due to the lateness of the council?s meeting and that substantive correspondence should be reported at council meetings.
In the first Open Forum, previous members of the Parish Council expressed concern that decisions may have been made by individuals, a procedure which is illegal. They also commented that the Parish Clerk is an employee of the Council and as such should have a contract of employment and be paid as an employee.
The accounts for 2006/7prepared and submitted by John Evans, as Responsible Finance Officer, have been approved by the Council?s external auditors.
Tim Dowdeswell presented a draft agreement covering the disposal of stone from a wall at the Stone Pit and the maintenance of the relevant boundary.
He also reported that through a contact with the builders working at the development at Long Acre he had received an offer to repair the Alkerton War Memorial without charge. The Council agreed to accept this offer although two councillors had misgivings over the potential implications.
The council discussed two draft questionnaires prepared by Gillian Crabb relating to the need for affordable housing in the parish. It was agreed to prepare a shorter questionnaire and have this available for discussion at the next meeting.
Stuart Mitchell reported on an investigation he had made into the cutting of grass verges. The council agreed to continue to use the services of the County Highways Department.
.
Keith Adams confirmed that he had prepared a schedule of work to be carried out by the County Highways Department. The council expressed concern over the potential surfeit of road signs being erected in the parish but at the same time were worried by motorists driving excessively fast through some parts of the villages.
Keith Adams reported that there will be a road closure from November 24 for five days near Shutford Grounds Farm on the road linking Shutford and Epwell.
Keith Hainsworth reported that he had laid a wreath on behalf of the Parish Council during the service of remembrance at the Alkerton War Memorial. At his suggestion, the council agreed to purchase two new wreaths to be laid each year at the war memorials at Alkerton and in Shenington Church.
He also raised the poor quality of broadband reception from the Edge Hill telephone exchange. The council agreed to send a letter of complaint to B.T.
The meeting closed at approximately 10 pm. The next meeting will probably be held on Wednesday, January 9 2008.