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WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Third Meeting of Wittering Parish Council 2011/2012 held on Thursday 24th. November, 2011 at 7.30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of the Bowls Pavilion, Wittering
PRESENT
Richard Roffe (Chairman)
Geoff Dunkley (Vice-Chairman)
Mrs. Nadine Fountain
Deirdre McCumiskey
Simon Hurn
Robin Talbot
Jon Warters
IN ATTENDANCE
Hubert Warren (Clerk to the Council)
Sqdn/Ldr Kev Merrison (RAF Representative)
MOD Pc. Colin Everett (Unit Beat Officer)
MOD Pc. Andy Grainge (Unit Beat Officer designate)
One parishioner
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mrs. Sam Cooper
Roger Paul
Ward Cllr. John Holdich OBE
Ward Cllr. Dianne Lanb
No declarations of personal or prejudicial interest on agenda items were made by any member of the Council.
1. VILLAGE POLICING
The Council was pleased to learn that the retirement of MOD Pc. Colin Everett will be followed by the appointment as Unit Beat Officer of MOD Pc Andy Grainge, who was introduced to the meeting.
MOD Pc. Colin Everett distributed his official printed report, with detailed analysis of crime and anti-social behaviour in the Village this year from January to December, which showed a significant decrease of 53% in all recorded crime, with a total of 24 compared to 52 in the corresponding period of 2010.
Criminal damage, burglaries, theft, theft from vehicles, theft of vehicles/motorcycles and drug offences all down and only assault/disorder showing a very small increase ( from 4 in 2010 to 5 in 2011).
The Chairman thanked Pc Everett for his very encouraging final report and reiterated the appreciation and thanks of the Council and Parish for his exemplary service to the Community recorded at the last meeting. His successor Pc Andy Grainge, was welcomed and his presence will be greatly appreciated in the Parish and at future meetings of the Council.
There can be no doubt that the existing joint policing activities have been highly successful since implementation in 2003 and there is a strong case for continuation. Not only for the obvious benefit to the Parish, but also for reassurance of continuing police presence to the service families resident in the Village.
2. MINUTES
of the Second Meeting of the 2011/2012 Parish Council held on Thursday, 8th.September, 2011, were reviewed, approved and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed by: Deirdre McCumiskey
Seconded by: Jon Warters
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. MATTERS ARISING
i) Usage and security of the new facilities
The Chairman confirmed that all statutory security, comprehensive insurance policies, health and safety measures and risk assessment have been documented with one copy deposited in the Sports Pavilion and one for Parish Council records.
Regarding the use of the Bowls Pavilion room for meetings of eligible local organisations, it was agreed that the maximum number attending should generally not exceed 12, with any requests for small increases (eg attendance at PC Meetings) possibly up to 16 at the discretion of the Chairman.
For the Annual Meeting of Parishioners or any other event likely to necessitate use of the Parish Hall, terms and conditions for hire will remain unchanged.
The Chairman reported that 30 chairs had been purchased some years ago at advantageous prices and kept in storage for the present use. Cleaning of the room was undertaken by members of the Bowls Club.
ii) Speed restriction signage
The flashing sign in Church Road has been corrected and the statutory 20 mph speed limit implemented. Sqdn/Ldr Kev Merrison was asked if an appropriate notice could be displayed on the Station if possible.
Standard 30 mph signs incorporating the village name and “Please drive carefully” to replace the existing dated signage at both ends of the village have been agreed by Peterborough City Council.
iii) Repair of stile (St. Mary’s Avenue)
Mrs. Nadine Fountain reported that no repairs had yet been carried out and this had been confirmed by the Chairman who will arrange for the work to be done locally.
iv) Litter problems
Complaints had been made regarding large amounts of litter outside the Spar shop to which PC Everett had spoken to the management, who it was felt should tidy up the area in front of the shop and supply a suitable litter bin to alleviate the problem.
4. FINANCE
i) The financial statement and bank reconciliation as at 24th. September, 2011 was circulated, reviewed and approved.
Proposed by: Deirdre McCumiskey
Seconded by: Jon Warters
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. BUDGET PROGRESS and RISK ASSESSMENT.
The Chairman confirmed that all statutory security, comprehensive insurance policies, health and safety measures and risk assessment have been documented with one copy deposited in the Sports Pavilion and one for Parish Council records.
2010/2011 had been an exceptional year, with significantly above average expenditure due to the completion of the Sports Pavilion, the new Bowls Pavilion/ Community Meeting Room, security fencing and landscaping.
These projects had been made possible by the generous financial support of various outside sources and exemption from VAT. All contracts had been completed on time and at agreed prices which is reflected in the 2011/2012 budgeted and actual figures.
The Clerk reported that the external auditor had reiterated the vital importance of careful discussion of risk assessment at meetings, with special care that proposed budgeted expenditure should always be clearly achievable within the financial resources of the Council year by year, with an appropriate level of reserves carried forward.
Looking ahead to Council Year 2012/2013, although there will not be any further new build, it will be necessary to carry out some necessary refurbishment and interior decoration in the Parish Hall/ Sports & Social Club and update the toilet facilities. Improvements to the sewerage system is also urgently necessary, but in view of the prevailing economic climate no increase in the annual precept on Peterborough City Council will be requested.
The financial report, risk assessment and budget proposals were unanimously approved.
Proposed by: Deirdre McCumiskey
Seconded by: Jon Warters
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. CORRESPONDENCE
The list from 14/09/2011 to 17/11/2011 was reviewed and discussed.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The Chairman reported that he had recently walked the Village with a Senior Planning Officer of Peterborough City Council to identify all potential areas for possible private housing development.which will be included in future plans now being formulated.
Other matters discussed, to be followed up with the relevant authorities by the Clerk where appropriate:-
Rebuilding of accommodation facilities on RAF Station
Potentially dangerous parking of cars on bend near Manor Close
Supply of trees for village planting
Change of electoral constituency
Possible re-instatement of abandoned flyover project. (Letter to MP)
Re-siting of War memorial.
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This was agreed as Thursday 2nd. February, 2012 in the Bowling Green Meeting room at 7.30 p.m.
9. CLOSURE
There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.10 p.m.
Signed:……………………………………………………………….Chairman dated……………………………2012