SOUTHWICK PARISH COUNCIL
Chairman – Cllr. K Noble
Minutes of the meeting of Southwick Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Southwick at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 19 January 2016
Present
Cllr. K Noble (Chairman)
Cllr. A Doel
Cllr. D Jackson
Cllr. J Jones
Cllr. S Jones
Cllr. G Masters
Cllr. F Morland
Cllr. E Pomeroy
Cllr. S Carey
Cllr. D West
Roger Coleman (Clerk)
Wiltshire Council Cllr. H Prickett attended.
There was one member of the public present.
1167. Welcome and Introductions.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1168 Apologies.
Apologies for non-attendance were received from the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
1169. Declaration of Interests.
Cllrs. Noble and Pomeroy declared an interest in Agenda item 9c (Budget/Precept) insofar as Budget/Precept discussions concerned the Playing Field.
Cllr. S Jones declared a pecuniary interest in planning application 15/12235/FUL.
1170. Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 15 December 2015
The Parish Council resolved that the minutes of this meeting were a true and accurate record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
1171. Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT).
a. The following report (shown in italics) was sent to the Clerk prior to the meeting:
The Community Policing Team pilot has now completed its initial 10 week mark and the general feedback is positive. We should not underestimate the impact that austerity has and will have on the way that we work, but this does not diminish my commitment to deliver Local Policing that balances the threats, harms and risks that have been identified as having the greatest impact on our Communities. Feedback is essential in this regards and I encourage any views, positive or negative in this respect to be directed to our Feedback email address of feedback@wiltshire.police.uk .
Current Priorities
Linking in with the Control Strategy our current priority this month remains Cyber Crime. Cyber Crime is defined as “A criminal act which is carried out by using computers or the internet”. Last year over 12 million people in the UK were victims of Cyber Crime – that’s 1 in 5 of the population!
Our PCSO’s have continued to deliver Op Polite lessons to all of the local schools, ensuring that everyone is educated as to how best use the internet, and to prevent becoming a victim of crime.
Current Series
The sector is suffering from a mini series of thefts and non-dwelling burglaries from Shed and garages.
Local Crimes
Occurrences in the last month:
Burglary- 1
Missing/absent persons- 2
Theft- 1
Road Traffic Incidents- 1
Criminal Damage- 1
Violence against the person- 1
Of the occurrences in this parish, only two have impact on the community.
There was a Burglary on 27/12 on Southfield where unknown suspects stole alcohol from a garage.
There was one Criminal damage on 2/1 on Frome rd where unknown suspects appear to have used a nail gun to puncture a cars tyres.
No other issues of community impact
End of Report.
b. Councillors again expressed disappointment at the lack of detail in the report and commented that the content was very general with no detailed crime reports.
1172. Wiltshire Council Report.
Cllr. Prickett gave a report on the following topics:
1173. Highways/Environment.
a. Refer to Minute 1172 above.
The Clerk was asked to respond to the parishioner who had written to the Parish Council regarding the flooding at Ireland.
b. The Council resolved that it did not approve the proposed Hoopers Pool traffic signage scheme.
c. The Council resolved to request Cllr. Prickett to place the request for waiting time limits to be implemented at the laybys at Wynsome Street on the forthcoming CATG Agenda.
d. The Council noted the correspondence from a parishioner regarding an overgrown hedge at a property in Bradley Road and a separate complaint from Cllr. Pomeroy regarding another overgrown hedge in Church Street. Cllr. Jackson stated that he would investigate both these matters and that he would report them to Wiltshire Council for action to be taken. Cllr. Jackson was given authority to act on behalf of the Parish Council.
Cllr. Pomeroy reported that a significant amount of surveying activity had been taking place at Lamberts Marsh Area/Poles Hole/Blind Lane areas and that it had been rumoured that building work was being planned. Councillors commented that it was possible that Wiltshire Council Environmental Services was responsible for the surveying and it was agreed that councillors would make enquiries and report back to the Parish Council.
Cllr. J Jones reported that the pavement outside the school was still unrepaired and was in a poor condition. Cllr. Pomeroy commented that he had reported this some two meetings ago and that a Job Number was given to Cllr. Prickett for him to progress the matter. Cllr. Pomeroy repeated his concern regarding the condition of the road at School Lane.
1174. Neighbourhood Plan.
The Council resolved that the Parish Council will advise Wiltshire Council that it is to define a ‘Neighbourhood Plan Area’ and this area is to comprise the Civil Parish of Southwick.
1175. Finance
a. The current financial position at 30 November 2015 was reported as follows:
|
Business Account (A/C 317648) Balance as at 30 November 2015 |
2060.68 |
|||
|
RECEIPTS |
||||
|
None |
0.00 |
|||
|
TOTAL |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
PAYMENTS |
||||
|
Standing Orders |
307.83 |
|||
|
R P Coleman (December Salary) - Paid 31/12/15 - 307.83 |
307.83 |
307.83 |
||
|
307.83 |
||||
|
Cheques presented |
VAT |
|||
|
1381 |
Royal British Legion |
20.00 |
0.00 |
|
|
1384 |
Clerk's Expenses (Nov) |
25.66 |
||
|
1385 |
HMRC PAYE Month 9 |
123.20 |
||
|
1386 |
R Johnson |
10.13 |
||
|
1387 |
Greenacres (October) |
282.68 |
47.11 |
|
|
1388 |
Greenacres (Spraying) |
228.00 |
38.00 |
|
|
1390 |
A Johnson (Office) |
60.00 |
||
|
749.67 |
85.11 |
749.67 |
||
|
Late Presented Cheques |
||||
|
None |
0.00 |
|||
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
Unpresented Cheques |
||||
|
None |
0.00 |
|||
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
Balance at 31 December 2015 |
1003.18 |
|||
|
Accounts due for payment - January 2016 |
VAT |
|||
|
Clerk's Salary (January) |
307.83 |
|||
|
Clerk's Expenses (December) |
47.69 |
|||
|
Office Allowance (Part) |
75.00 |
|||
|
HMRC PAYE Month 10 |
123.20 |
|||
|
Village Hall Hire |
90.00 |
|||
|
643.72 |
0.00 |
|||
|
Business 30 Day Account (A/C 7005390) Balance at 30 November 2015 |
||||
|
19218.77 |
||||
|
RECEIPTS |
||||
|
HMRC PAYE (R P Coleman) Month 9 |
123.20 |
|||
|
Interest |
0.81 |
|||
|
TOTAL: |
124.01 |
19342.78 |
||
|
PAYMENTS |
||||
|
None |
0.00 |
|||
|
TOTAL: |
0.00 |
|||
|
Balance at 31 December 2015 |
19342.78 |
|||
|
Total funds held by Southwick Parish Council as at 31 December 2015 |
20345.96 |
|||
b. The Council resolved that the Clerk’s salary will be increased from SCP21 to SCP22 with effect from 1 February 2016.
c. The Council examined and discussed at some length the proposed budget for FY2016/17 proposed by the Clerk thus:
|
Agreed Budget |
Forecast |
Proposed Budget |
|
|
FY2015/2016 |
31-Mar-16 |
FY2016/2017 |
|
|
Payments: |
|||
|
Clerk's Wages |
£3,694.00 |
£3,710.00 |
£3,790.00 |
|
P Field Grass cutting) |
£3,450.00 |
£1,981.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Printing Costs |
£1,775.00 |
£1,671.00 |
£1,745.00 |
|
Editor's Honorarium |
£360.00 |
£250.00 |
£360.00 |
|
Insurance |
£3,101.00 |
£3,076.00 |
£3,350.00 |
|
Caretaking |
£1,400.00 |
£1,000.00 |
£1,000.00 |
|
Subscriptions |
£75.00 |
£75.00 |
£75.00 |
|
Poppy Wreath |
£25.00 |
£25.00 |
£25.00 |
|
Internal Audit |
£75.00 |
£95.00 |
£95.00 |
|
Hall Hire |
£238.00 |
£238.00 |
£300.00 |
|
Use of room as office |
£150.00 |
£150.00 |
£150.00 |
|
Clerk Expenses |
£550.00 |
£550.00 |
£550.00 |
|
Donations |
£350.00 |
£1,550.00 |
£750.00 |
|
External Audit |
£120.00 |
£240.00 |
£240.00 |
|
TCAF Project Officer |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Playing Field Equip & Path |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Playing Field Maintenance |
£500.00 |
£924.00 |
£5,000.00 |
|
Play Equipment (s106) |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Repairs to Old School |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
V Hall/Footpath etc Maintenance |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Improvements to Baptistry |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Maint of Blind House Site |
£475.00 |
£475.00 |
£475.00 |
|
School House (Thermaglaze) |
£0.00 |
£9,379.00 |
£0.00 |
|
VAT Refund to Scouts |
£0.00 |
£1,490.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Website |
£0.00 |
£649.00 |
£250.00 |
|
Elections |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Village Gateway Scheme |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£1,000.00 |
|
Ex-WC Functions |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£2,500.00 |
|
Totals |
£16,338.00 |
£27,528.00 |
£21,655.00 |
|
Receipts: |
|||
|
Precept |
£16,477.00 |
£16,477.00 |
£19,000.00 |
|
Grant |
£523.00 |
£523.00 |
£0.00 |
|
VAT Refund |
£300.00 |
£2,052.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Southwick Village News |
£650.00 |
£500.00 |
£500.00 |
|
Bank Interest |
£6.00 |
£6.00 |
£6.00 |
|
Rent from Scouts |
£1.00 |
£1.00 |
£1.00 |
|
School House (Thermaglaze) |
£0.00 |
£9,379.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Playing Field |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Wiltshire Council s106 Monies |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Totals |
£17,957.00 |
£28,938.00 |
£19,507.00 |
|
Balance Carried Forward at 31 March 2015: |
£16,550.72 |
||
|
(as per Annual Return FY2014/15) |
|||
|
Forecast Net Balance Carried Forward at 31 March 2016: |
£17,960.72 |
||
|
Forecast Net Balance Carried Forward at 31 March 2017: |
£15,812.72 |
||
The Council noted that there is the possibility of extra expenditure in FY2016/17 following the decision by Wiltshire Council to concentrate on providing only statutory services – thereby requiring Parish Councils to meet the cost of many traditional, non-statutory services (an assertion disputed by Cllr. Morland) – and the requirement to provide some funding in support of planned projects. It was noted that the resulting increase in the Council Tax for a Band D parishioner by increasing the precept from £17,000 to £19,000 amounted to £2.70 for the year.
The Council resolved to adopt the proposed Budget (as above) subject to a resolution to request an amount of £19,000 from Wiltshire Council for FY2016/17.
The Council resolved to request a Precept of £18905.87 noting that when added to the Wiltshire Council ‘Top Up’ Grant of £94.13 it will ensure that Southwick Parish Council receives a total sum of £19,000 from Wiltshire Council for FY2016/17.
d. The Council resolved to make the payments shown under ‘Accounts due for payment’ above.
1176. Planning
a. The Clerk reported that the current status of extant planning applications was as follows:
|
15/11196/FUL |
9B Frome Road |
Erection of rear garden room |
Approved |
|
15/11917/FUL |
79 Chantry Gardens |
Single storey rear extension and two storey side extension (Re-submission of 14/11598/FUL) |
Pending |
b. The Council examined the following planning applications and resolved to send comments to Wiltshire Council as shown (in italics):
|
15/12137/FUL |
Moorfield Farm, Hoopers Pool |
Demolition of dwelling/outbuildings and erection of replacement dwelling and carport. |
NEW |
The Parish Council supports this planning application.
|
15/12412/FUL |
30 Blind Lane |
Demolition of single storey extensions and erection of single storey rear extension and two storey side extension with Juliet balcony to rear. |
NEW |
The Parish Council supports this planning application.
|
15/12493/FUL |
39 Hollis Way |
Erection of a porch to front of property and internal alterations |
NEW |
The Parish Council supports this planning application.
|
15/11752/FUL |
6 Brookmead |
Front porch |
NEW |
The Parish Council supports this planning application.
Cllr. S Jones left the room.
|
15/12235/FUL |
Home Farm House Hoggington Lane |
Change of use from a disused barn to two holiday cottages |
NEW |
The Parish Council supports this planning application.
The Parish Council resolved to request Cllr. Prickett to ‘call-in’ this application if it were likely to be refused by officers under their delegated powers.
Cllr. S Jones returned to the meeting.
c. The Clerk reported that no further planning applications had been received.
d. Cllr. Morland commented on the following subjects:
1177. Website.
The Council agreed to add the following to the website:
1178. Freedom of Information.
The Clerk confirmed that he had replied to the recent requests from a parishioner for information.
Following a comment from Cllr. Morland, the Council resolved that in future the Clerk will restrict any reply to that specifically required by the Freedom of Information Act and if the request for information falls outside the requirements of the Act then he will refer the request to the Parish Council for a reply to be agreed.
1179. Members Reports.
Cllr. Pomeroy – The Council should note that there is to be a Royal Birthday (90th) Celebration at the Village Hall on Saturday 23 April 2016. He requested that this subject is placed on the Agenda for the next meeting.
1180. Clerk’s Report.
a. The Clerk reported the following:
The Chairman commented that this vacancy should be published in the forthcoming edition of the Southwick Village News (SVN) and that the Editor required the Parish Council Report from the Clerk within the next couple of days. The Clerk stated that it was totally unreasonable to expect him on every occasion to write the minutes and to submit a précised report to the SVN Editor within that time scale to meet the imposed timescale for the publication of the SVN. Following an acrimonious exchange regarding the publication dates for the Southwick Village News the Council resolved that the Clerk is to provide a Parish Council Report to the Editor no later than the fourth Tuesday of the month in which the Southwick Village News is to be submitted for publication.
b. The Council noted the date of the next meeting:
There was no other business and the meeting concluded at 10.00pm.
Chairman
Southwick Parish Council
16 February 2016
ACTION LIST – Meeting 19 January 2016
Action 1 Clerk.
Min1173 To reply to parishioner – flooding at Ireland.
Action 2 Clerk.
Min1173 To write to Cllr. Prickett – Hoopers Pool signage and Wynsome St Laybys (CATG).
Action 3 Cllr. Jackson.
Min1173 To contact WC – Overgrown hedges.
Action 4 Clerk.
Min1174 To advise WC of the Neighbourhood Area.
Action 5 Clerk.
Min1175 To advise WC of Precept requirement.
Action 6 Clerk.
Min1175 To make payments.
Action 7 Clerk.
Min 1176 To send planning comments to WC.
Action 8 Clerk
Min 1176 To request Cllr. Prickett to ‘call-in’ planning application 15/12235/FUL.
Details of the Actions are contained in the minutes.