Castle Donington parish council
Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on Thursday 17 December 2015 at 7.30 pm at the Parish Rooms, Hillside, Castle Donington
present : Cllrs S Ambrose-Jones (in the chairs), M Barker-Lane, C Burton, G Dalby, N Daykin, R Else, G Roberts, A Saffell, R Sizer, G Stewart, A Sowter and D Wintle. PCSO K Bradley. NWLDC Cllr R Canny, NWLDC Cllr D Harrison. CDVC Trustee M Forey. 1 member of public.
apologies: Cllrs C Hills (work).
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Cllr G Roberts declared a pecuniary interest in respect of item 6 for a cheque payable to his company Sign-it.
Cllr A Saffell declared a pecuniary interest in respect of items 6 and 8 wages cheque payable to Miss G Saffell and to consider the cost of providing a sound system for Parish Council events.
Cllr R Sizer declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 11, donation to Bowls Club.
Cllrs C Burton and G Stewart declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 17 planning application 2015/VOC/0322/LCC Orchard Primary School
3651/15 POLICE MATTERS
a) PCSO K Bradley presented the crime figures and information for December 2015.
Contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Police Officer via https://leics.police.uk/local-policing/valley.
Local beat team members have been busy offering Crime Prevention Advice, carrying out Community Consultations and promoting the ever increasing services offered by the Police and Partner Agencies, for further practical Crime Prevention advice visit the website at http://support.leics.police.uk/.
CRIME FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 2015:
26/11 Burglary other than dwelling (College) Filed, no further lines of enquiry
30/11 Burglary Dwelling Under Investigation
01/12 Harassment (Malicious Comms) Filed, service provider advised
02/12 Criminal Damage (Domestic)Under Investigation
03/12 ABH (Minor) Complaint withdrawn
05/12 BOTD (Garage) Under Investigation
06/12 Burglary Dwelling Under Investigation – SOCO (DNA), CCTV
08/12 Vehicle Damage (Borough St)Under Investigation
10/12 Vehicle Damage Filed, no further lines of enquiry
13/12 Sec 4 Public Order (CIU)Under Investigation
3652/15 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES
RESOLVED: To receive and approve the minutes with the following amendments:
a) Full Council – 26 November 2015
3653/15 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
a) Parish Liaison meeting – The Chairman updated the Parish Council on the recent meeting where the Charter between NWLDC and Parish Councils, was signed. The Charter will act as a mechanism of communication between the various bodies. The main topic of discussion at the meeting was in relation to the urban grass cutting by the LCC and how a lot of the Parish Councils’ were not happy with the situation. Cllr Ambrose-Jones explained what Castle Donington Parish Council had resolved to do in terms of the taking over this responsibility and the compliments it has since received. He agreed to draft a report to other councils explaining what Castle Donington Parish Council had done. RESOLVED: To receive the information.
b) Christmas Cheer event – The Chairman thanks all the Councillors who took part in the event which had gone well. Many compliments had been received and one complaint.
3654/15 CLERK’S REPORT
a) Comments register. RESOLVED:
Complaint / Complaint received regarding blocked drains on Borough Street outside the Co-op and Chequered FlagResolved / Email sent to LCC to investigate report no.9258100
Complaint / Complaint received regarding blocked drain outside The Castle Inn on Bondgate and opposite by the junction of Market Street
Resolved / Email sent to LCC to investigate REF:74402829085
Complaint / Complaint received regarding blocked drain on Market Street outside Hel Yen Chinese Takeaway
Resolved / Email sent to LCC to investigate report no.9264164
Complaint / Several complaints received following the cutting the willow trees on EMA land off Diseworth Lane complaints were made about the state the road and surrounding footpaths were left in
Resolved / Reported to EMA who are in progress clearing debris, straightening fences and cleaning mud from paths
Complaint / Resident complaint regarding street light at bottom of Castle Hill (by litter bin) is fluctuating between full and low light.
Resolved / LCC to deal with report no.9262786
Complaint / Reported lifted kerb stone on Moira Dale at the drive entrance to Castle Donington Village Hall
Resolved / Email sent to LCC to investigate REF:74885627537
Complaint / Allotment holder reported that their lock on the shed had been glued
Resolved / Note has been made on file allotment holder advised any criminal damage should be reported to the Police
Complaint / Resident concern about parking during use of sports facilities
Resolved / Resident informed that for this training session the teams are able to use the Village Hall car park and to advise the Parish Council of any future concerns and if there is any illegal parking to contact the Police
Update / Resident complaint made regarding house on Starkie Avenue having overgrown hedges over hanging the pavement
Reported to housing at NWLDC who confirmed the hedges have been cut
Update / Resident complaint made regarding house on Bosworth Road regarding overgrown hedges hanging over pavement
NWLDC to contact resident responsible
Compliment / Numerous compliments received regarding the successful Christmas Cheer Event
Letter of thanks / Letter of thanks received from resident on Tipnall Road following the removal of trees which had been causing various problems.
b) Calendar 2016 – The calendar for 2016 event/meetings dates was distributed to all Councillors with a few dates still to be confirmed. RESOLVED: To receive the information.
c) Meeting with Volunteer Centre representative – The Clerk updated the Parish Council on a meeting held with a Volunteer Centre representative so that both bodies can jointly capitalise on efforts for 2016, basically to improve communication and engagement channels, similar to that enjoyed now with NWLDC CEO. Both bodies are committed in their own efforts for the interest of the community. It is suggested that joint informal bi-monthly meetings with trustees, councillors and staff are held. RESOLVED: To receive the information.
d) Insurance re-instatement appraisals for Parish Council owned property – The Parish Council has now secured up to date valuations for all of its own properties and that the information has been passed to the insurance company. RESOLVED: To receive the information.
e) Community Library update – There are still a number of issues with the proposals to take on the running of the library by a Community Incorporated Organisation and also by the Parish Council in terms of purchasing the building. The big stumbling block currently is the cost of the purchase of the building and the transfer of certain contracts. The Parish Council needs to obtain legal advice. RESOLVED: To receive the report and to allow for the Clerk to obtain the necessary legal advice to progress this matter and bring further reports to a future meeting.
3655/15 REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS
a) Cllr Burton advised that the Royal British Legion was to try to expand and do more. They had also thanked the Parish Council for the support over the last 2 years. RESOLVED: To receive the information.
b) Cllr Sizer advised that the Bowls Club had held a successful presentation evening. RESOLVED: To receive the information.
3656/15 TO CONSIDER THE COST OF PROVIDING A SOUND SYSTEM FOR PARISH COUNCIL EVENTS
The Clerk reminded the Parish Council that the sound system used for events had been provided free of charge over a number of years. Going forward a charge will be made and the Clerk gave a breakdown of costs by event to the Parish Council which totalled £700 for 6 events during the year which is less than a full commercial rate but still a reasonable cost to the Parish Council. The Parish Council had previously paid the cost of Public Liability Insurance which is now to be paid by the contractor. RESOLVED: To approve the cost of providing a sound system for Parish Council events at an annual cost of circa £700 with the contractor paying for their own Public Liability insurance.
3657/15 ACCOUNTS
RESOLVED: That the accounts and wages for the month of December be approved.
Description / Supplier / TotalChristmas Lights / MK Illumination / 10,711.20
Cleaner repairs / Numatic Ltd / 96.00
Pressure washer / R Massey & Son / 799.00
Donation / CDVC / 5,000.00
Materials / R Massey & Son / 109.00
Fuel / Martyn / 69.53
Subscription / SLCC / 149.00
Subscription / SLCC / 235.00
Stationary / Viking / 33.48
Stationary / Viking / 36.44
Materials / Travis Perkins / 50.80
Snow Machine / Pastiche / 500.00
Annual charge / Chubb / 619.43
Electrical Works / Beta Electrical Contractors / 95.12
Electrical Works / Beta Electrical Contractors / 33.60
Electrical Works / Beta Electrical Contractors / 44.40
xmas timers/connection of lights / Beta Electrical Contractors / 849.30
Photocopier / Canon / 271.49
Grounds Maintenance / Ulyett / 5,101.82
Grounds Maintenance / Ulyett / 294.00
Computer Costs / Sc It Solutions / 30.00
Cherry picker hire / Melbourne trees / 462.00
Padlocks / AA Locksmith / 90.00
Leaflets / Signit / 76.00
Sound system for Xmas cheer / Consultec / 200.00
Advertising / Rural Trader / 429.12
Childrens Entertainment / James Jones / 150.00
Total / 26,535.73
3658/15 Parish Council to consider the possibility of contributing
towards a sign language course for a member of staff in lieu of
room hire for Signs 4 U DEFERRED FROM LAST MEETING
The Clerk advised that the Parish Council should consider its responsibilities for all of its staff and residents in terms of inclusiveness for the hearing impaired. The course being proposed will allow better communication between the staff and residents. It will also mean that the person trained to this higher level will also be able to teach others in the basics of British Sign Language (BSL). RESOLVED: To approve that the one member of staff is trained to Level 2 of BSL at a cost of £550.
3659/15 TO APPROVE A QUOTE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF NEW WINDOWS TO THE CEMETERY HOUSE
The Parish Council has been striving to obtain two quotes for the installation of the last three windows at the cemetery house as the original company who had installed the windows does not exist. To date, only one quote has been received at a cost of £2818.00, however, it has just come to the Parish Council’s attention that the Museum has found another joiner who may want to quote for its windows too. RESOLVED: To approve the purchasing of the remaining windows at a maximum spend of £2818.00.
3660/15 TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL DONATION TO ST EDWARDS CHURCH
To approve the annual donation to St Edwards Church for the church clock and contribution toward the electricity costs for the lights. RESOLVED: To approve the annual donation of £600.
3661/15 TO CONSIDER A DONATION TO CASTLE DONINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Castle Donington Bowls Club requested a donation to provide new equipment such as indoor mats and associated equipment with the aim to train young people from the village and have a shortfall of £2816. Local school are to have regular session from January 2016 as part of their lessons whist another school has a mat provided to school. The Bowls Club is also applying for other grants. RESOLVED: The Clerk is to contact the Bowls Club in order to ascertain how much money is required and to defer to next meeting.
3662/15 TO APPROVE THE CONTINUED CONTRACT WITH ULYETT LANDSCAPES
To approve the continued contract with Ulyett Landscapes Ltd for a further year with 2% increase as per the contract. RESOLVED: The Parish Council approved the further year of the contract.
3663/15 TO CONSIDER TAKING OVER ADDITIONAL OPEN SPACE LAND OFF SPITFIRE ROAD ESTATE
To consider taking over additional open space land off Spitfire Road estate, the area where the additional 29 houses are to be built. RESOLVED: To defer to next meeting.
3664/15 AUDIT REGIME – CHANGES TO EXTERNAL AUDIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2017
The Chairman advised that 2 options were available to either go with the new Sector Led Body or opt out. The Clerk confirmed that NALC and SLCC had created the new body. RESOLVED: The Parish Council approved to go with the Sector Led Body.
3665/15 CELEBRATION OF VOLUNTEERS
The Chairman gave a complete overview of suggested plans and processes:
a) A grant fund pot from the money is to be received from Bloor Homes development for allowing a storm water drain to pass across Parish Council owned land to be offered to local charities and group was discussed. RESOLVED: The Parish Council approved an amount of £5000 in grants of up to £2000 per application.
b) An event on 12 June 2016 was discussed at which the grant presentations will be made. RESOLVED: The Parish Council approved a budget of circa £2500.
c) The celebration procedure was suggested for a trial two year period. RESOLVED: The Parish Council approved the two year trial period utilising the Bloor Homes windfall to pay for it.
3666/15 QUEENS 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
a) The Clerk confirmed that a litter pick in this honour as part of the national “Clean for the Queen” campaign has been scheduled for 5 March 2016 which was discussed. RESOLVED: The Parish Council approved to take part in the “Clean for the Queen” campaign.