Heversham Parish Council

 

 Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting to be held in the Athenaeum, on Monday, 21st May, 2007, which started at 7.30.p.m.

 

Present: Councillors G Capstick, P Shaw, T Parker, A Hulme, District Councillor B Woof, County Councillor Roger Bingham, the Clerk and one member of the public.

 

483  New Chairman.  Gordon Capstick was proposed by T Parker and seconded by P Shaw.

 

484  The Clerk witnessed  and received his signed declaration of ‘Acceptance of Office’.

 

485  Vice Chairman.  Peter Shaw was proposed by A Hulme and seconded by T Parker, he accepted the office.

 

486  Apologies for absence, were received from Adele Shepherd, Jenny Pearson Snape and Andrew Lucas.

 

487  Committee representatives.  Ailsa Hulme will and Andrew Lucas will be asked, to continue on the Athenaeum Committee.

 

488  The Minutes of the meeting held on 30th April 2007 were signed as a true record.

 

489  Matters arising from the Minutes.

·        The Clerk has reported the pothole on Woodhouse Lane and has a job reference number of 12509 for it but she still needs the map reference number for the broken stile to enable her to report that.  T Parker will supply.

·        Defra (now Rural England) has had a change of staff and a new man is dealing with Heversham’s complaint.  The last two emails have not been put in our file, so nothing has been done.  The Clerk has supplied the missing information and stressed the urgency of the situation.

·        Flashing lights are to be supplied outside St Peter’s School.

·        The new Code of Conduct is due to be introduced soon and there is more information for discussion regarding the Councillors’ ‘Declaration of interests’.  It is to be an Agenda item next time.

·        Three moles have been caught in the playground field.

 

490  Equipment report.  The annual inspection of the playground has been done.  It requests that the bark be maintained at 300mm and that some branches be trimmed on surrounding bushes to remove hiding places.  The Council will have them trimmed on the road side.

 

491  Playground Financial report.  Currently zero but fund raising is now underway. The pram race took place on 20th May and there is soon to be a Barn Dance.  Some outdoor furniture has been chosen and the Leasgill Quarry grant should cover that cost.    

 

492  Athenaeum Financial report.  Bookings have improved so the balance is healthy but there have been some hefty bills, like the one for servicing the fire extinguishers. Hopefully  all the VAT paid for the last three years can be claimed back, thanks to the outstanding efforts of treasurer Mr Douglas Smith, with Customs and Excise.  The Council asked the Clerk to write and thank Mr Smith.

There is a large window to replace and the outside of the building needs painting. It is hoped that the Leasgill Quarry will award some money for these jobs but Cllr. Hulme asked if some of the £3,500 set aside could be used.  It would be appreciated if an amount could be put on the precept each year to help fund the upkeep.  Some quotes will be obtained for the work required and will be an Agenda item for next meeting.

 

493  Payments:

·        SLDC Playground inspection - £85.29, cheque 100050 (the first having gone astray).

·         SLDC Street Lighting 2006/7 - £41.22, cheque100051.

·        £3,500, cheque 100052 to transfer to the National Savings Account.

 

494  The accounts have been checked by Mr Schofield and are now ready to be sent to the external Auditor. The Council completed the “Annual Governance Statement” and the Chairman signed it.

 

495  Planning Applications and correspondence received since the last meeting:

·        SL/2007/0536 Dallam Barn, Haverflatts Lane, Rear Conservatory. - No objections providing it doesn’t contravene light and privacy rules.

·        Smithy Cottage, Heversham.  Two storey rear extension – Permitted.

         

496  Remaining Correspondence.

·        An invitation to attend a consultation meeting on the proposed charter between Parish & Town Councils and Parish meetings in South Lakeland, SLDC and CCC, on 6/6/07 6.30 to 8.30pm.Marchesi Centre, Holly Road, Windermere. – Cllr. Hulme might be able to attend.

·        Questionnaire on outdoor facilities owned/leased by the Parish Council. Information supplied to the Clerk.

·        Equality & Diversity Forum Awareness and Information Conference at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal on 4/6/07 (all day). – No one to attend.

·        Government Consultation of CCC’s bid for a single Council for Cumbria, deadline for comments 22/6/07.  Cllr. Shaw taken information.

·        Clerk and Councils Direct.

·        CALC circular.

 

497  Items for information.

Cllr. Woof informed the Council that the recycling bins for cans, glass and paper are to be removed from Levens and replaced with cardboard and plastic containers.

 

498  The next Parish Council meeting – 25th June.2007.

 

Mrs Denise Challenor - Clerk to the Council  - Tel: 01524 761824