Heversham Parish Council

 

Minutes of  the Parish Council Meeting held in the Athenaeum, on Monday, 24th September 2007, which started at 7.30 pm.

 

 Present: Councillors P Shaw, T Parker, A Hulme, A Lucas, A Shepherd, J Pearson-Snape, County Councillor R Bingham, District Councillor B Woof, the Clerk and one member of the public.

 

524  Apologies for absence were received from the Chairman, Cllr. G Capstick.  Cllr. Shaw took the Chair.

 

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 20th August 2007 were corrected as follows:

Minute 520

·         Cllr. Bingham is involved with another book about Buildings of England.

·         “The Clerk was asked to make hedges an Agenda item for next meeting” was deleted.

Minute 521

·         Ivy is growing on the telegraph pole wire opposite Plumtree.

·         The road’s been re-surfaced but some drains need attention.

The corrections were initialed and the Minutes were then signed as a true record.

 

525  Matters arising from the Minutes

“The Field of Dreams”

·         The Clerk has received a letter from Natural England to say that a Technical Officer has assessed the land and confirmed that satisfactory remedial action has been taken to eliminate a threat of injurious weed contamination to adjoining agricultural land and that ongoing preventative measures are in place to control the spread of weeds in the future. -The Council has instructed the Clerk to enquire what measures are in force.

·         The letters to be delivered to every home regarding the Housing Needs Survey were shared out between the Councillors who will deliver them to the residents.

 

526  Matters raised by members of the public for future consideration. – None.

 

527  Review of  Leasgill Quarry’ Grant recommendations and investments.

 

1. Grants Paid During the Year

 

 

 

 

Amount -£

The Athenaeum – Leasgill

Servery refurbishment

 

 

 

1,900.00

Milnthorpe Cricket Club

Relaying of the cricket pitches

 

 

950.00

Total

 

 

 

 

2,850.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.Grants Still to be Claimed

 

 

 

 

Heversham Parish Council

Playground

 

 

 

840.77

Milnthorpe Parish Council

Heritage Plaques

 

 

 

950.00

Total

 

 

 

 

1,790.77

Both these Grants are still required and the Committee agreed to hold the money for them for another

Year.  They must however be claimed by 31st August2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Interest/dividends available for distribution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006/2007

 

2007/2008

C/f from last year for admin. Costs

 

 

54.17

 

18.64

Bank Account Interest

 

 

324.10

 

369.00

COIF Fixed Interest Fund dividends

 

 

1,508.92

 

1,508.92

COIF Investment Fund dividends

 

 

2,681.45

 

2,815.32

SubTotal

 

 

4,568.64

 

4,711.88

Less Expenses

Clerks Honorarium 

 

250.00

 

250.00

Less Capital Repayment

 

 

500.00

 

500.00

 Less Sub Total

 

 

750.00

 

750.00

Total Available for Grants

 

 

3,818.64

 

3,961.88

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Requests for Funds 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Amount

 

  Amount

Applicant

Purpose

 

Requested

 

Recom'ded

Milnthorpe Parish Council

Heritage plaques

 

     1,200.00

 

1,200.00

Athenaeum

Window replacement

 

     1,400.00

 

 

Athenaeum

External repainting

 

     2,200.00

 

2,760.00

Milnthorpe Community Football Ass.

Equipment

 

     1,000.00

 

0.00

 

 

 

     5,800.00

 

 £     3,960.00

 

 

The Clerk is to write to Milnthorpe Community Football Association to say that there is no money awarded to this time as their project seems still to be in it's infancy. However, should they re-apply, their application will be looked at again in 2008.

 

The Council suggested that as there weren’t many applications for funds this year, that the advertisement inviting then should perhaps go up earlier.

Cllr. Shaw ran through the investments yields which overall has improved over last year.

 

528  The following payments:

·         Clerks expenses and salary - £526.53, cheque 0058.

 

529  TheAccounts have now been returned by the External Auditor, who made the comment that the Risk Assessment is not considered adequate.  The clerk contacted her for clarification and was told that the Parish Councils assessment mainly covered financial risks and insurance but that there were many other risks and responsibilities to consider, the Athenauem was used as an example.  She recommended the purchase of a Computer package from www.dmhsolutions.com at £91.87, with annual updates at £20 being necessary.  The Clerk has looked at it and found that it covers a great deal that would not apply to Heversham.  The Councillors feel that the risks are covered but perhaps not been specified adequately on the Assessment.  The Clerk will endeavour to improve this with guidance from the Council.

 

530  The Projected Accounts to 31/03/07.

These show that the funds held will have increased over the year to 31st March 2008, mainly as a result of a VAT repayment.  The sum set aside for mower repairs has not been required so far, but it expected that other items of income and expenditure will be close to budget.

 

531  Should the Council add to the Precept to support the Athenaeum and how much?

Council agreed that it would be wise for the Athenaeum Committee to have £2,000 set aside for general contingencies. The excess money currently held from fund raising is for specifics.  Cllr. Parker suggested that a sum per household, be added on to the precept for the Athenaeum.  Cllr. Sheperd proposed £5 and Cllr. Pearson-Snape seconded; the vote was carried unanimously. This would raise approximately £1,800.

 

532  Planning Applications and correspondence - none received.

 

533  Plans for Remembrance Day

£30 to be donated and a wreath to be laid on the 11th hour of the 11th day be Cllr. Parker at the memorial.

 

534  Remaining Correspondence.

·         Assistance is requested with SLDC’s Cumbrian and Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation –The Clerk to reply that we have no travellers.

·         Further Electoral Review of south Lakeland: Final Recommendations announcement. www.boundarycommittee.org.uk

·         Cumbria Police Authority Annual Report.

·         VAC provides new guidance for Communities and Service providers on managing a change or a loss of a Rural Service.

·         Licensing Act 2003 – Review.

·         Assessment. Contact information supplied in case we have any caravans and sites.

·         Electoral Services.  Notice of review of polling districts and places. Comments invited.

·         Highways provide information to help with journeys.

·         Integrated Youth Support Services – newsletter.

·         Cumbria CVS Newsletter.

·         Clerk and Councils Direct magazine.

·         Community Minibus Brokerage offer an alternative form of transport to non profit making groups, currently 75p per mile.

·         Cumbria Police Authority – Recruiting poster for an Independent Custody visiting Scheme.

 

535  Items for information.

·         A member of the public wished to draw attention to the hedge overhanging the pavement near the playground and that the drains need clearing at Hawbarrow.

·         Playground management will be on the Agenda for October. It is no longer clear who is on the Playground Committee and the Parish Council need to keep closer to it.

·         Boarders from Heversham’s section of Dallam School have been making a lot of noise from the Church to the drive of the boarding house, after 11. p.m.- The Clerk was asked to write to the ‘Head’.

·         The roads need sweeping and are in poor condition. The road signs have not yet been washed and painted.  . – Cllr. Bingham will chase up.

·         Cllr. Lucas enquired whether there had been any response regarding the swing for the disabled. It was suggested that the Freida Scott Trust might be worth approaching. A Lucas has taken details of it.

·         Cllr. Bingham is holding a cheese and wine party at 6.30, at his home, The Smithy, Ackenthwaite, on 19/10/07 to promote his new book on Heversham, published to commemorate his 65th birthday and his 50th Anniversary of serving at the alter in Heversham’s Church.  There will also be a coffee morning promotion at the Athenaeum on 20th October at 10.a.m. –1.00 pm. Part of the profits will go to help both Milnthorpe and Heversham Churches so he hopes they will be supported.

·         The money from the pram race is being held in the Toddler Groups account and is approximately £1,300.

 

536  The date of the next Parish Council Meeting; Monday, October 29th 2007.

 

 Denise Challenor (Mrs)

 Clerk to the Council, 01524 761824