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WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Inaugural Meeting of the 2013/2014 Parish Council held at 7.30 pm on Thursday 25th July 2013 in the Wittering Bowls’ Club Pavilion
PRESENT
Richard Roffe (Chairman)
Geoff Dunkley (Vice Chairman)
Simon Hurn
Philip Portess
Robin Talbot
Jon Warters
IN ATTENDANCE
One Member of the Public
Diane Lamb, Ward Councillor
Deirdre McCumiskey, Clerk to the Council
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Nadine Fountain, Roger Paull, John Holdich and PCSO Aimee Hunter
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Simon Hurn declared an interest in his on-going work for the Parish Council.
3. POLICE MATTERS
There were no police representatives present. The Clerk will report incidents of anti-social behaviour at the Spar car-park area to PCSO Aimee Hunter.
4. MINUTES of the Annual General Meeting of the 2013/2014 Parish Council held on Thursday 9th May 2013 were reviewed, approved and signed by the Chairman with the amendment that Robin Talbot stated he had given his apologies for absence for the meeting.
Proposed by:- Philip Portess
Seconded by:- Geoff Dunkley
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. MATTERS ARISING
i) Co-option of Parish Councillor
The Member of the Public, Philip Fearn expressed an interest in being co-opted onto the Parish Council. Although the Parish Councillors noted his interest, he is cannot be co-opted until he has lived in the village for 12 months (March 2014).
ii) Housing Development Scheme off Old Oundle Road
There was no update available on this.
iii) Shed on Proposed Burial Ground Extension Site
The Chairman had spoken to David Standish-Leigh and confirmed the Parish Council are willing to arrange for the demolition of the shed subject to the agreement of the Parochial Church Council.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
The list from 9th May – 24th July 2013 was reviewed and discussed.
PCC – Planning Application 13/00877 First Floor Side Extension at 20 Church Road, Wittering (Noted, no objections).
PCC – Planning Application 13/01058 Erection of garage to side and lean-to extension to front at 3 Grange Park, Hall Lane, Wittering (It was agreed to delay making any observations about this until PCC has confirmed that the land being used for the proposed works actually belongs to the applicant as there were concerns that this is possibly not the case).
The Clerk will write a letter of thanks to Mrs M Dunkley who held a Charity Tea Party and raised £700.00 for the Royal Centre of Defence Medicine which provides specialist care for members of the Armed Forces.
7. FINANCE
i) Statement and Bank Reconciliation at 20th July 2013 was reviewed and approved as presented.
Proposed by:- Simon Hurn
Seconded by:- Geoff Dunkley
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
It was noted that the repair work had been completed and a new layer of tarmac laid on the Parish Hall car-park.
The Chairman stated that several essential plumbing works needed to be undertaken at the Parish Hall which would cost approximately £800.00. Philip Portess proposed that these works should be undertaken. This was seconded by Simon Hurn and agreed by all present.
The Chairman confirmed that the boilers in the Parish Hall need to be replaced. This had been agreed at an earlier Parish Council Meeting but an up-to-date quotation would be obtained before the work is commenced.
8. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Member of the Public stated he was concerned that there is no “Wittering =>” right-hand turn sign on the A1 South earlier than the one directly opposite the turn itself. He will express his concerns to the Highways Agency.
9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Clerk was asked to contact Western Power Distribution to request the removal of the debris left over from the works undertaken in Townsend Road, Wittering.
The Clerk was asked to contact Wittering Primary School to expressed concerns about the hedge outside the school which is extremely overgrown and is encroaching onto the footpath down Church Road. Also, to express concerns about the number of unkempt outside areas around the school. The Parish Council wishes to work with the school to deal with these concerns.
The Clerk will report an over-flowing Dog Foul Bin at the corner of Legg Road/Carnegie Road to PCC.
It was noted that residents are still parking their vehicles on Chapel Corner which is causing problems with visibility.
Robin Talbot stated he was still waiting to receive possible designs and prices for a “Welcome to Wittering” sign from potential manufacturers. The Clerk has already requested a grant from the Community Leadership Fund towards the cost of this. Geoff Talbot stated he will contact Glyn Mould, a local woodcarver, to ascertain what he would be able to produce.
10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Second Meeting of the 2013/2014 Parish Council will take place on Thursday 17th October 2013 at 7.30 pm in the Wittering Bowls’ Club Pavilion.
11. CLOSURE
There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50 pm
SIGNED _________________________________ DATE 17/10/13
Chairman