Heversham Parish Council

 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the Athenaeum, on Monday, 29th October, 2007, which started at 7.30.p.m.

 

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

 

537  Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. A Shepherd.

 

538  The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 24th September 2007 were signed as a true record.

 

539  Matters arising from the Minutes.

·        Field of Dreams.  Natural England has replied to the Councils query asking what preventative measures are in force.  They have instructed Richard Turner & Sons to monitor the site on their behalf, to inform of any further work which may be necessary.

·        The Clerk has followed up the Council’s application to obtain funding for a swing which disabled children will be able to use.  The reply however is unclear so the Clerk has been instructed to ring for clarification.

·        Housing Needs.  The Councillors have distributed the survey forms and several have been given the remark that some of the questions were obtrusive.  They wish the Clerk to enquire whether they will receive the results of the survey.

·        Cllr. Bingham’s events organized to sell “Memories of Heversham” have been a great success and £1000 each has been raised for the Parish Churches of Heversham and Milnthorpe.  He wishes to thank all who helped, both in running the events and supplying material for the book.

 

540  Matters raised by members of the public for future consideration.

·        Inconsideration with dog owners allowing their pets to foul footpaths, is becoming a nuisance.

·        The various signs needing attention have still not been addressed.

 

541  The Athenaeum report.

The accounts for 2006/7 have been studied by the Councillors and briefly show that:

Donation, grants and legacy received equals £2750. 

£1820 has been spent on repairs and maintenance.

Net receipts /payments show a loss of £414.

The treasurer has completed the Charity Commission’s Annual Report ‘on line’ this year.

The Councillors have also been supplied with a copy of the Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees of the Athenaeum, year ended 31/7/07.  There is clearly a need for the Parish Council to help fund the upkeep of the hall, which is seen as a major asset for the villages of Leasgill and Heversham.  They have therefore agreed to add a sum of £1770 in 2008/9 onto the precept for Athenaeum expenses.

The services have had their annual checks and everything is in order.

Some glass has been replaced.

Cllr. Parker suggested that to replace the old boiler before it is completely exhausted might save considerably on heating bills and that the sum to be put on the precept might be enough to fund this.  Cllr. Hulme said she would raise the issue at the next Committee meeting on 21st January, 2008.

Cllr. Hulme praised the committee for their hard work and devotion.

There will be a Curry night on 10th November which will hopefully raise more funds.

 

542  Playground funds and Development.

There is now an active Committee with Jane Tideswell as Secretary and her husband as Chairman.  Two picnic tables have been purchased with part of the Leasgill Quarry Grant.  This was considered necessary as Christine Gibson had donated money for one which had actually been had been used to erect a free swing.  There is the money from the pram race, the remainder of the grant from Leasgill Quarry and more fund raising planned.  It is hoped to buy a climbing frame and possibly a basket swing.  It was suggested that a seesaw might be an enjoyable addition.

The Council did raise the issue, that as they rent the playground from Dallam School, the Committee need to keep them informed of any developments in advance.  Therefore the Playground Committee should contact the Council when they are ready to obtain the new pieces of equipment.  The Council must make sure that the additions are inspected before coming into use, to ensure that they meet the set safety standards and to allow them to be added onto their insurance policy.

 

543  The meeting was adjourned to allow a member of the public an opportunity to speak, as he had missed the Agenda item earlier.  Once reconvened, the Council moved on to lighting.  

 

544  Lighting round St Peter’s School.

Capita have written about the Better Ways to School Programme.  They would like to change the street lighting on the approach to school.  They request that the Council pay for the upkeep of these new lights.  The Council believes that they will be of little benefit to the children, when school finishes soon after three.  They do not approve of the installation and have previously suggested a passive Infra-Red on school premises as more suitable: therefore they do not wish to adopt them.  The Clerk will write a reply.

 

545  The following payments:

·        St Peters Heversham PCC - £500, cheque 100059.

·        British Legion - £30, cheque 100060.

·        Martin Tyson - £1,030, cheque 100061, for village maintenance as tendered plus £20 for the repair of a seat.

 

546  Village and Playground maintenance

The tender submitted for next year, by Mr Tyson, for a total of £1,010 (no increase) was considered to be most acceptable by the Council.  The Clerk will write and accept

 

547  The Draft Budget for 2008/9.

The Church has approached the Council to increase the donation towards the maintenance of the cemetery.   The amount for 2008 has therefore been set at £575.  The Clerk will circulated an amended version of the budget before the precept forms are submitted, which will show that the precept required to maintain the current bank balance is £7,109.60.  Last year the precept was £8761.60.

 

548  Planning Applications and correspondence received:

Ref. SL/2007/1177 – Land to the West of Hillside, Woodhouse Lane, Heversham. New development.

The Parish Council would like to say that they feel that the house planned will not sit nicely between the two distinguished 1920’s villas which neighbour the land.  Cllr. Parker will take some photographs which will be forwarded when possible.

 

549  The Clerk has received her appraisal at the meeting and her services were said to be first class.

 

550  Remaining Correspondence.

·        CCC request funding help for a Vehicle Activated Traffic Sign to be shared between villages. £500 per location. – Not thought to be necessary.

·        CALC Invite nominations to fill a new seat on the South Lakeland Standards Committee. – No nominations.

·         Cumbria Minerals and Waste Development Framework.  Newsletter. Do we want to receive the 120 page consultation document? - No

·        Kent estuary Neighbourhood Forum. Summary of meeting held on 4th September.

·        Town and Parish Standard. Newsletter.

·        Cumbria Highways Bulletin.

·        CALC Circular – October 2008.

·        CCLA for Charities write about improvements and changes. Income and charges planned to increase. – Cllr. P Shaw will study.

 

551  Items for information.

·        Cllr. Lucas sends apologies in advance for the next meeting.  He will retain the playground inspection book for another month.

·        Cllr. Shaw informed the Council that he is no longer a School Governor at St Peter’s.

·         Quarry Wood is now being used by the school children.

·        Cllr. Hulme drew the Council’s attention to some chalets being erected in Hincaster at Greenside Farm. – The Clerk is to request a copy of the plans.

·        The parking of cars by Dallam School when buses are waiting to collect children at home time is causing a dangerous situation.

·        Litter is being left in the fields at Tristrams and by the railway line.

·        Arthur Fogg who used to be Clerk for the Council is quite ill in hospital – the Clerk will send a card.

 

552  The date of the next Parish Council Meeting is Monday, November 26th  2007.

 

Mrs Denise Challenor

Clerk to the Council - Tel: 01524 761824

 

N.B.  Ref. to 551. Regrettably, Mr Fogg has now died.