LANEHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at 7.00 p.m. on             Monday, 9^th September in the village hall.

PRESENT: Chairman Cllr. Mrs. R. Whate, Councillors Mrs. B. Barber, Mrs. A Clark, F. Clark, J.Cobb and L. Sinclair.  2 members of the public.

1.      APOLOGIES

Cllr. P. Beresford.

2.      DECLARATION OF PERSONAL AND PREJUCIAL INTERESTS

None

3.      MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 6^th AUGUST, 2002

Minutes of the last meeting had been circulated prior to the meeting.  Cllr. Sinclair requested an amendment to 4. (d). After discussion it was agreed to amend the last sentence to “Mr. J. Hayward would be asked to confirm that the dead birds were being disposed of in the correct manner”.  Subject to this amendment Cllr. F. Clark proposed and Cllr. Mrs. Barber seconded that the minutes be approved as a correct record this was unanimously agreed.

4.      MATTERS ARISING

a)      Lane Repairs – Shortleys still to be completed this would be done in the near future.

b)      War Memorial -  work still not done.

c)      Boat Club Lease – The Chairman has contacted a solicitor who has indicated that the drawing up of such a lease would be costly, approximately £300 to each party.  It was agreed to contact the Boat Club to explain this and to ask if they still have a copy of a lease referred to previously.  It will then be necessary to arrange a further meeting with the Boat Club.

d)      Poultry Units – no further contact from BDC.

e)      Drayton Road – Clerk to follow up with Severn Trent re compensation.

f)       Grass Cutting – NCC have now paid the Parish Council.  Cllr. F. Clark proposed and Cllr. Sinclair seconded that the contractor PMC Services should now be paid.  This was unanimously agreed.  A cheque for £648.84 (000445) to be sent.

g)      Touring Caravans – no reply from the Caravan Club. 

h)      Bus Shelter – No response to letter sent to Cllr. Hempsall.  The Clerk asked to contact NCC for advice and to arrange a site meeting.

i)        Village Hall – No further forward.  The Chairman has been in touch with BDC but no answers to questions received yet.

j)        NRCC Quiz – now appears to follow the AGM.  Cllr. F. Clark to co-ordinate a team.

k)     Crime Prevention Officer – provisionally booked for 6.30 p.m. on 14^th October prior to next Council meeting.  Now to be confirmed and advertised in Roundabout etc.

l)        Post – still to be removed.

m)    Can Skip – no further word. BDC to be contacted again.

n)      Internal Audit – The Chairman had purchased a bottle of wine for Jane Holden.  Account submitted for £11.22 (000449) proposed by Cllr. Sinclair and seconded by Cllr. F. Clark that this is paid.  Unanimously agreed.

o)      Post Office – Linda Robinson has been interviewed and offered post.  However problems re. parking still to be resolved.  Grant only available for 18 months after closure of previous post office.  NCC to be contacted (copy Cllr. Hempsall) regarding the parking situation.

p)      Drayton Road – Mr. Strickland has now cut and baled the grass, which has tidied up the area. 

q)      Dyke – Mr. Lightfoot had met Cllr. Clark.  Water now running through pipe.  Additionally the Chairman had met with LIDB representative who had said sewage was in the dyke and this was Severn Trent’s responsibility.   Now seems to be running, but is suggested a bigger pipe may have to be installed.

r)       Footpath Signs – not yet repaired but will be done in near future.

s)      Lay-By – Mr. Lightfoot confirmed it would be very expensive to block off the lay-by.  It was agreed to keep informing BDC when the lay-by needed cleared.

t)       Poor Close – Trustees had met.  Agreed to get hedge cut, (2 quotes to be obtained); gate to be repaired (Cllr Cobb); to be fertilized in spring.

The meeting was closed for council business.

5.      PUBLIC DISCUSSION

The meeting was reopened after a few minutes.

a)      Matters arising from Public Dicsussion – Laneham Beck – it appears that oil is flowing in the beck from Drayton Road to Moor Farm.  This has been reported to the Environment Agency who have inspected the beck and put in a boom to collect the oil.  The Clerk to contact the Environment Agency to find out the cause and what steps will be taken to remove it.

Cllr. Cobb left the meeting.

6.      CORRESPONDENCE

a)      Jones and Co – have now confirmed the Parish Council had been given the wrong information regarding the Title No.  and apologised for this. 

b)      Land Registry – have informed the Parish Council that Mr. J. Hardman had registered Trentfield Lane and The Garth in his name in December 2001.  The Land Registry is currently obtaining certain records and will contact the Parish Council when the files are to hand.  They requested copies of any additional information to assist them in their enquiries.  This to be collated to send to the Land Registry.  It was suggested that a Public meeting be called to enable the parishioners to be aware of the facts, as this could result in extra expense for the council which would lead to an increased precept and in turn to increased rates.  It was agreed to await the reply from the Land Registry before taking this step.

c)      Footpath Map - at this point The Chairman also suggested the Council obtain a current Footpath Map.  However Cllr Sinclair does have one and will copy to Chairman and Clerk.  It was also suggested that Tim Hart be contacted regarding the up to date position of Trentfield Lane especially in light of the Land Registry document.

d)      DEFRA – Clerk asked to obtain copies of new documents mentioned in letter.

e)      BizFiz – Mr. Forshaw to be invited to November meeting.

f)       Invoices

(i)Clerk’s fee and expenses for last 6 months £284.78 (000447). Payment proposed by Cllr. F. Clark and seconded by Cllr. Mrs. A. Clark, unanimously agreed.

(ii) Footpath Sweeper - £25.00 (000448) payment proposed by Cllr. F. Clark and seconded by Cllr. Sinclair, unanimously agreed.

g)  Circulars etc – made available to Councillors.

7.      A.O.B.

a)        Cllr. F. Clark commented on how good the village entrances were looking.  Everyone agreed.

b)        Helenships Lane – Cllr. Mrs. A. Clark reported a very deep rut on Helenships Lane between the copse and the bridge, NCC to be informed.

c)         Village Hall – leak from overflow pipe.  Mr. Whate had adjusted ballcock and inspected damage.  Needs new ball valve and longer overflow pipe.  Mr. Whate has offered to do the work if the Council will pay for the parts.  Cllr. F. Clark proposed and Cllr. Sinclair seconded that this offer is accepted and the work should be put in hand before any further damage occurs.  This was unanimously agreed.

d)        Bank Forms – need new bank mandates to add Cllr. Mrs. A. Clark to list of councillors for signing cheques.  Forms were completed.

There was no further business and the meeting closed at 8.35 p.m.  The next meeting is on 14^th October.