Heversham Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the
Athenaeum, on
Present:
Councillors T Parker, P Shaw, A
Hulme, J Pearson Snape,
256
Apologies for absence were
received from Councillors Lucas, Capstick
and Shepherd and District Councillor B Woof.
257 The
Minutes of the meeting held on
258 Matters
arising from the Minutes.
§
The
possible purchase of land on Heversham Head.
An independent valuation has been obtained from Michael C L Hodgeson for the 1.4 acres that the Council wishes to
purchase for the village. It estimates
that the land should fetch 6-8 thousand pounds at auction. Richard Turner & Son, the agent for the
vendor, advises that the vendor is looking for offers around 15 thousand
pounds. The Council felt that it would
not be acceptable, to offer so much more than the valuation and have decided
not to continue however they wish to thank Mr
Clancy and Mr Hulme, for
their generous offers to help fund the purchase.
§
The
Clerks new Contract of Employment. Peter
Shaw explained the slight amendments necessary, to be made to the model
contract of employment, supplied by the Society of Local Council Clerks. The Clerk is to clarify various parts of the
contract with Stan Simpson from CALC, before drawing up the draft to present to
the Chairman for approval.
§
Playground
Developments. Playdale
have had problems digging the foundations for the swings, as they have found
bedrock close to the surface. They are,
therefore, going to raise the area with topsoil, at their expense, rather than
digging down as deeply as intended. Once
the work is completed Cllr. Parker will request a
site meeting with Peter Clarke the Playground Engineer for SLDC, to ensure the
installation is satisfactory. Fund
raising for the playground must start again, as there is a shortage of funds to
meet the recent work: the Council has agreed to cover the costs for the moment.
The playground
inspection has been done and shows that the bark needs to be deepened in
places. It also suggested that nettles
and shrubbery around the site ought to be trimmed but the Councillors
didn’t think it necessary.
The playground
inspection book will be passed from Peter Shaw to Adele Shepherd. Cllr. Shaw
reported that there are some boards loose on the bridge. Cllr. Parker will
see that they are attended to. The seat
is shortly to be restored.
§
Dog Fouling, is becoming a problem, particularly near the
Primary School. The Clerk has written to
the Headteacher, to suggest that the children may
like to produce some posters which could be placed in
areas where there’s a problem. There has
been no reply.
259 Heversham Post
Office. Cllr.
Parker has discussed the various possibilities, regarding the reinstatement of
a Post Office Service for the village, with Rural Transfer Advisor, Mr Ian Liley. However, as there has been no interest shown
in maintaining the service, by members of the Parish, the Council has decided
not to take any action.
260 Trafalgar Weekend, 21st
– 23rd October 2005. There
will be more discussion at the next meeting.
Currently there is uncertainty about the possibility of lighting of a
beacon on the Head.
261 Payments authorised:
M Tyson –
transfer of PC notice board, £28, cheque 100010.
C H Bagot - rent for seat on Heversham
Head, £20, cheque 100011.
L D Challenor – clerks salary and expenses for 3 months,
£494.76, cheque 100012.
Playdale Playgrounds Ltd. – installation of swings, £4982.02, cheque 100013. (only to be issued,
when Cllr. Parker confirms that the work has been
completed to a satisfactory standard)
Andrew Lucas –
expenses for travel to planning meeting, £9.60, cheque
100014.
262 Athenaeum Financial
Report. The report was very detailed and
took some time to study. It showed that
expenditure is likely to exceed income, and therefore steps need to be taken to
redress the situation. The Councillors were confident that the Committee have enough ideas to ensure that the revenue will be
increased sufficiently.
263
Planning
Applications and correspondence since the last meeting:
§
SL/2005/0645/JCH.
Field No 6059,
§
Permits
received for Laurel Bank and Annbec House
alterations.
264 The Councillors present, updated their entry in the register of
financial and other interests and those absent will be approached to do the
same.
265 The Leasgill Quarry Trust Fund
representatives for Heversham will be Tony Parker,
Peter Shaw and Gordon Capstick. The meeting will be held at
266 Correspondence received since the last meeting : -
§
§
A
lengthy questionnaire, regarding Rights of Way in
§
Solicitor’s
letter requesting certain Parish Council Minutes, on behalf of their clients. –
The Clerk has sent the information required.
§
Kent
Estuary Neighbourhood Forum Summary, 8th
June. – Councillor’s read, that the number of boarding school
children in Heversham, is likely to increase.
§
Parish
Remuneration Panel. Does the Council
wish the Panel to reconsider the issue of allowances or expenses, for it’s Members? – The Clerk will respond that they wish to
claim expenses at the recognised rates but they do
not wish to receive allowances.
§
Parish
Profiles. Useful information recently
released at parish level, from the census.
§
Information
on the new regulations on the Clean Neighbourhoods
and Environment Act 2005, which allows Parish Councils authority to issue fixed
penalty notices for various unsociable offences.
§
Calc
informs the Council of the nominations for the Executive Committee.
§
CALC
circular with ‘Pointers to Good Practice’ and results of the recent survey.
267
Items
for information.
§
The
Clerk was asked to obtain confirmation from SLDC and CCC, when requested
maintenance jobs have been done and keep the Council informed.
§
The
Village Noticeboard. A new site needs
to be found and planning permission sought.
The hope is, that St Peter’s Church will allow
it to be placed near theirs: Cllr. Parker will
pursue.
§
There is
glass missing from the Athenaeum Notice Board.
§
Reverend
Cannon J C Hanncock is soon to retire from his post as
Vicar for
268 The date of the next Parish Council Meeting
is
Clerk:
Denise Challenor
Tel.
01524 761824