Ruyton XI Towns
Minutes of the Last
Parish Council Meeting
of
Ruyton XI Towns
RUYTON XI TOWNS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd July 2006
in the Memorial Hall
Present: Councillors D Cooper (Chairman), L Jefferies, M Lycett, A White,
M Lewis, R Slowley, T Allison, K. Mayne, County Councillor D Gaskill
Apologies: J H Gittins, J Hamlett, C Brown, Borough Councillor A Caesar-Homden
In attendance: Dave Jones, Head of Technical Services, OBC
Declaration of Interests (Sections 50-52 Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities Model Code of Conduct (England) Order 2001)
Minutes
Councillor Allison requested that the word “footpath” be replaced with “bridle path” in the Parish Matters section of the minutes of the last Parish Council Meeting.
Matters Arising
The Clerk reported that the Community Police Officer has been notified about the abandoned vehicle on the Doctors Meadow playing field who has, in turn, alerted OBC to the situation.
Village Maintenance Report
The Clerk advised that the streetlamps by the Bridge Inn had been repaired as had the “school zone” flashing lights on Church Bank.
Mark Evans (stonemason) had been contacted by the Clerk just prior to the meeting and it was anticipated that the repair work to The Cross would begin within the next 2- 3 weeks. The missing name of L/Cpl Alfred Rogers would be added to the War Memorial’s Roll of Honour at the same time provided that enough space is available on the existing limestone tablet. Otherwise an additional commemorative plaque would need to be purchased.
Section 106 Monies - Dave Jones, Head of Technical Services, OBC
Dave Jones identified the various Section 106 monies being held by OBC to provide play areas in Ruyton -X1-Towns.
DOCTORS MEADOW Section 106 dated 18th May 1995
£2,779.00 commuted sum for future maintenance of playing field
£ 400.00 commuted sum for future maintenance of playing field
£3,000.00 purchase of children’s play equipment
Section 106 dated 6th March 1997
£4,500.00 provision of children’s play equipment and safety surfacing
BRIDGE INN Section 106 dated 12th July 2001
£7,501.00 commuted maintenance sum
£14,771.00 play area sum - providing an equipped children’s area
LAND AT MARCHES FARM Section 106 dated 4th March 2004
£9,000.00 provision of children’s play equipment
£11,000.00 commuted maintenance sum
Jones also advised that in addition the Big Lottery Fund has announced that funding to the value of £200,000 is available for the Oswestry Borough Council area.
The application for this financial support however must include a comprehensive Local Play Strategy which reflects the needs and wishes of local children and young people.
Jones was informed that Councillors Jefferies and White together with Parishioner Dorothy Needham were representing the village as part of Oswestry Area Play Partnership.
Councillor Lycett asked why weren’t such facilities already in place in view of the fact that there has been a significant need for children’s play equipment and the money has been available for some time.
Jones commented that location of play areas always presented a problem because if they were positioned too close to houses people complained about the noise and if sited in some isolated area they tended to be taken over by older children.
He added that Health and Safety issues limited the types of apparatus which could be installed and that nowadays such equipment was very expensive.
Councillor Lycett reciprocated that the cost would have been lessened if the equipment had been purchased when the money first became available.
Councillor Jefferies inquired as to how much interest had accrued on the various sums of money earmarked for Ruyton-X1-Towns which was being held in OBC’s bank account.
Jones answered by advising that the dates of the Section 106 Agreements did not necessarily represent the actual day on which OBC received the monies from the developers. Also OBC’s accountants tended not to pay interest on sums of money being held under Section 106 Agreements.
Councillor White observed that, apart from a football field that floods during the winter time, the facilities for children and young people in Ruyton-X1-Towns were virtually non-existent.
Jones argued that a “Herring Bone” drainage system had been put in place several years ago by OBC but because the Environment Agency had not allowed an outfall into the River Perry the installation was possibly not as efficient as it should have been.
Jones was reminded of the fact that after inspection of the field one of his engineers had suggested that “Sand Slitting” would appear to be the most effective way of breaking up the surface crust of clay and that such work would need to be carried out within the next few weeks.
Jones commented that such an operation would cost £3,000 to £5,000 and that no provision for this work had been made in this year’s financial plan. He anticipated that the project could be included in his 2007-08 budget.
Councillor Allison suggested that the Parish Council should pay 50% of the cost but Councillor Lycett disagreed.
Councillor Cooper suggested that Dave Jones be given more time to consider the scheme and to report his thoughts back to the Parish Council within 3 weeks.
Councillor Slowley reminded Jones that the area was designated as a playing field for all ages and not just a football field.
Councillor Cooper thanked Dave Jones for taking the time to address the Parish Council and Jones left the meeting.
Annual Audit
The Clerk presented the Statement of Accounts for Year ended 31st March 2006
ANNUAL RETURN FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2006
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
31-Mar-05 31-Mar-06
£ £
Balances Brought forward 15,649 16,565
Annual Precept 9,075 9,438
Total Other Receipts 1,109 941
Loan Interest NIL NIL
Capital Repayments NIL NIL
Balances carried forward 16,565 15,905
Total Cash & Investments 16,565 15,905
Total Fixed Assets and Long Term Assets 316,046 322,152
Total Borrowings NIL NIL
Floral Display
The Clerk reported that the total cost of the 32 Hanging Baskets now in place plus 2 low maintenance lamp post baskets with flowers was £679.08. Sponsorship contributions to date amounting to £410 plus a pledge of a further £50 and the generous provision of the additional brackets by the Chairman meant that the actual cost of this year’s extended display was £219.08 compared to £1,139.00 for last year’s endeavour.
Councillor Jefferies stated that this year’s floral display was a great success and proposed a vote of thanks to Councillor Gittins for initiating the endeavour. The vote was seconded by Councillor Allison and carried unanimously.
Councillor Slowley asked if the Parish Council has insurance indemnity against injury to any person watering the baskets. The Clerk confirmed that this was so.
She further advised that one of the baskets obliterated the view of the “school zone” sign on Church Bank.
Parish Plan
The Clerk reported that a Parish Plan Steering Committee has been elected and a draft Constitution drawn up a copy of which will be submitted to the Parish Council for approval.
Planning
One notification had been received since the last meeting.
06/14478/FUL Demolition of section of stone wall and provision of new wheelchair access ramp at St. John the Baptist Church R XI T
Listed Building Consent for the above had been applied for under Application No. 06/14479/LBC
County Councillor Gaskill’s Report
Councillor Gaskill gave her report a copy of which will be attached to the minutes. She call attention to the fact that the formation of the proposed Unitary Authority for Shropshire could give greater powers to Parish Councils.
She further advised that speed camera located at Shotatton crossroads was to be enabled on 12th July and that consideration was being given to the siting of another camera at Queens Head.
Councillor Jefferies asked if the 20 mph speed limit in the proximity of the school could be made to be legally enforceable and expressed her appreciation for the way in which County Councillor Gaskill had continued to support and care for the needs of this Parish.
Borough Councillor Cooper’s Report
Councillor Cooper advised that he had no report to tender as the next Council Meeting was scheduled for the Thursday following.
Police Report
PC Dale did not attend the meeting and has not reported any matters to the Clerk.
Parish Pump (if received)
Not received.
Correspondence
OBC - Notification of Council Meeting on 27th June ‘06
OBC - Notification of change of date of Meeting with Town & Parish Councils
OBC - Information regarding road nameplate budget
OBC - List of Planning Applications produced on 6th June ‘06
OBC - List of Planning Applications produced on 13th June ‘06
OBC - List of Planning Applications produced on 27th June ‘06
OBC - Notification of Approval of Proposal to modify Condition 11 of Planning Permission for Residential Development at The Grove (ref. 06/14373/FUL)
OBC - Notification of Planning Permission for Alterations and Extension to Lane End Eardiston (ref. 06/1435/FUL)
SCC - Submission Core Strategy, Sustainability Appraisal Report
R & B Horticultural Services - Invoice for 32 Hanging Baskets
Plantscape Ltd - Invoice for 2 Lamp Post Baskets
David Peate - Invoice for Mowing
Accounts approved for payment
Clerk
Salary July £ 294.00
Expenses June £ 74.00
Less overpayment 11/04/05 £ 24.30
£343.70
R & B Horticultural Services
Supply of 32 Hanging Baskets £604.00
£604.00
Plantscape Ltd.
Supply of 2 Lamp Post Baskets £75.08
£ 75.08
David Peate
Mowing Churchyards & Five Ways £ 321.50
£321.50
£1,344.28
Date of Next Meeting – Monday 4th September 2006
Parish Matters
Councillor Mayne advised that the Charter Group intends to create a guide to the many walks and riding routes within the Parish and asked if any funding for the project could be forthcoming from the Parish Council. The Chairman suggested that a written request should be made for consideration at the next meeting.
Councillor Lycett commented that one of the Black Bow Hill signs was located in the wrong position and asked the Clerk to notify OBC of the mistake.
The Clerk reported that a letter of congratulation had been sent to the Headteacher of St. John the Baptist school on the outstanding OFSTED report of a recent inspection.
Councillor White summarised the Village Hall Statement of Accounts for 2005-06 a copy of which will be attached to the minutes.
The meeting closed at 9.25 pm
DRAFT COPY