Minutes 20th December 2017

a)      Pecuniary Interests.

Members were asked to declare any other disclosable interests in items on the Agenda and their nature.

b)     Other Disclosable Interests. None

The Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 15^th November 2017 at The Memorial Hall, Salford Priors were agreed by the Council to be a true record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.

a)      17/03594/FUL Render the gable elevation facing the road as part of the conversion of garage to mobility accommodation at Mistelle, Evesham Rd, Salford Priors.  Clerk to record “No Objection”.

Planning Applications Noted:

a)      17/03610/FUL Erection of 2 storey modular building to provide additional office space at Alamo Group Europe Ltd, Station Rd, Salford Priors, WR11 8SW.  Following circulation via email to Members Clerk responded under delegated powers “The Parish Council fully supports the application which fully concurs with the NDP Policy SP17.  The building will not look out of place in its location next to the large industrial unit.” It was noted that Cllr Stedman did not take part in this application as he declared a pecuniary interest as contractor Alamo Group Europe Ltd.

b)      17/03253/FUL Full application for the permanent change of use of an existing agricultural building to B8 (Storage and Distribution), and a temporary 3 year permission for 3 office cabins to be associated with a farm machinery business at Mudwalls Farm, Salford Rd, Dunnington.  Following circulation via email to Members Clerk responded under delegated powers “The Parish Council fully supports the application which is in accordance with the adopted NDP – policies SP17 & SP18 which support existing and new employment opportunities and farm diversification provided SP17.d – that this will not generate severe transport impacts on the parish rural road network, and SP18.d – that open storage of goods, containers and equipment associated with the business is kept to a minimum and is appropriately located to reduce any impact on the landscape or the setting of the area are met.” It was noted that Cllr Stedman did not take part in this application as he declared a pecuniary interest as contractor to Mudwalls Farm.

Planning Decisions:

c)       17/02695/FUL Proposed single storey rear extension and new front porch at 13 Rushford Cottages, Salford Rd, Rushford – Permission Granted with Conditions.

d)      17/03198/TREE T1 Norway Spruce Fell, T2 Goat Willow (noted as apple on application form) Fell at Rose Cottage, Evesham Rd, Salford Priors – Consent Granted with Conditions.

e)      17/03270/TREE T1 Conifer Fell at Shamba, Evesham Rd, Salford Priors– No objection subject to conditions.

f)       17/02606/FUL Construction of a fence at Priory Cottage, Station Rd, Salford Priors by– Planning permission granted subject to conditions.

Members considered the request from Chris Lane, RCCA Regeneration Ltd to contact the Planning Department stating that the Parish Council do not want to pursue affordable housing on the site at Evesham Rd.  Clerk to respond stating that the Parish Council decline to offer a comment.

There has been a query regarding car parking facilities at the site and Cllr James stated that parking is not part of the Neighbourhood Plan Policy and was taken out by the Inspector. This should therefore not be pursued.

It was also noted that the Parish Council have been challenged on Section 106 monies of which the following response was sent:

“The Parish Council has resolved to modernise its public open space in a phased approach, with the aim to modernise its provision of play equipment, enhance the quality of play, to develop a fitness trail, improve community sports & health initiatives, and develop its allotment provision.

The 1st phase takes place in the Quarter 1 of 2018 where significant expenditure has been committed and made available by the Parish Council for the installation of new play equipment circa £50-60k

In Quarter 2 of 2018 a review of the allotment provision will be undertaken including exploring  further irrigation measures promoting available allotment plots and encouraging the uptake of  vacant new plots.

In Quarters 3 & 4 2^nd Phase a study will be undertaken to develop a fitness trail and outdoor exercise facilities suitable for all ages circa £7k -£10k

In Quarter 2 of 2019 3^rd Phase the completion of upgrading the Playing Field facilities and improved soft & hard landscaping and natural habitats circa £20k to £30k

The NDP Monitoring Group is looking at safe cycle routes and forming a safe cycleway between neighbouring parishes by utilising the dismantled former railway line.

In relation to this application the Parish Council have requested off-site contributions to ensure there is community cohesion for residents of this new development by developing off site provision which will generate greater community cohesion and promote community wellbeing.

The effect of the proposed infrastructure investment will  confer some wider benefit on the community, but these payments are directly related in scale to the impact which the proposed development will make to the services provided by the Parish Council they are  not being requested solely to resolve existing deficiencies in our infrastructure provision as a Parish Council we are already committed to this,  but equally to ensure that the new residents benefit from increased and modernised community leisure facilities.”

a)      Parish Councillors were provided with a copy of the budget proposal tabling details of income and expenditure to date and a full year forecast for 2017/18.  Bearing in mind the budget figure for next year’s expenditure, members discussed whether to keep the impact of the precept the same as this year.  Cllr James proposed setting the precept for 2018/19 at £63,000 (including a council tax reduction grant of £2,660), with Cllr Stedman seconding.  The effect of this on the band D Council Tax payer will be a reduction of 1.53%, reducing the payment from £108.72 to £107.08.  Unanimous approval.

b)      The Clerk confirmed she had now started the process of online banking with Lloyds, and required 2 Councillors to authorise BACS payments.  It was confirmed that Cllr James & Cllr Littleford will also be set up with online banking.  Clerk will print the application form and arrange for signatures at the next Parish Council meeting.

c)       The Council gave consideration and approval of the payments listed in Appendix A

d)      It was agreed that Cllr James & Cllr Littleford would sign cheques for payments listed in Appendix A (Minute 141)

The Council noted the account balances reconciled with the Lloyds Bank Current Account statement Number 51 and Deposit Account Statement 25 issued 1st December 2017 :-

Lloyds Deposit Account:   £110,052.00

Lloyds Current Account    £  23,000.43
Total Fund Balance               £133,052.43

It was proposed by Cllr Godwin that the Clerk would not allow the balance of the Current Account to exceed £30,000 nor fall below £10,000 in the Current Account arranging for appropriate Bank transfers to be made,  seconded by Cllr Stedman.

Council confirmed the date of the next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 17th  January 2017 at 7.00pm in the Memorial Hall, Salford Priors.