STAUNTON ON WYE GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Group Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 7 SEPTEMBER 2020 in the Village Hall , Staunton on Wye.
Present – A Powles (Chair) , N Sellar (Vice Chair) , A Andrews , P Dyke , R Skyrme and J Nelson. S Grist was also present as Clerk to the Group Parish Council.
There were three members of the public present in attendance.
58. Apologies for absence – P Pantall, S Williams, B Bevan and Councillor G Jones.
59. Declarations of Interest – No declarations of interest were received.
60. Minutes of meeting held on the 2 December 2019 – The Minutes were agreed and signed as a true and accurate record of that meeting.
61. Matters Arising – It was brought to the attention of the meeting and of the Clerk that the Parish Council website was not legally acceptable. The Clerk agree to meet with Heloise Kirby to correct that issue.
62. Planning Matters – The Clerk reported that there were no new Planning Matters.
The Clerk reported that there had been an exchange of e-mails between himself and Peter Draper Associates in respect of the Old School. It was hoped that there would be a meeting between Peter Draper and a working group from the Parish Council in the near future. It was accepted that PD Associates should provide some form of proposals before such a meeting could be held.
63. Playing Field – The Clerk was requested to contact Paul Lewis Fencing to replace and repair fencing that formed one boundary of the Playground with local housing. The Clerk reported that there were sufficient funds to meet such a project.
The Clerk was requested to make approach for National Lottery signs to be placed on the site of the Playground.
64. Highway Matters – The Clerk reminded the meeting that he had received a letter in respect of the traffic on the A438 expressing concerns regarding the speed and suggesting ways in which greater control may be exercised. There was a lengthy discussion during which the Clerk was requested to contact the Safer Roads Partnership to request their involvement in providing suggestions in how these issues may be resolved. It was agreed that any correspondence should be shared with Balfour Beatty and Cllr Jones.
A request was made that correspondence regarding the proposed 20mph limit and road signage be included when communication between the SRP / Balfour Beatty and Cllr Jones was conducted. It was further agreed that the Clerk would pursue the matter regarding pedestrian in the road signage. This matter has already been initiated with Paul Hunter of Balfour Beatty.
The subject of the improvement of white lines at the Rabbit Burrow and outside the “Old School” be made. Further that such improvement also be made to the word “SLOW” on the same areas of road surface. This issue was raised by local residents in attendance at the meeting and on behalf of a local resident with sight problems. It was agreed that this matter be raised with Balfour Beatty.
It was reported that there had been a meeting at Bredwardine Bridge and a consequent exchange of correspondence regarding the parking which had significantly increased during the Summer. It was requested that the Clerk speak with Cllr Jones to ascertain what was required of the Parish Council to ensure that this issue did not stagnate.
65. Parish Council Website – The Clerk was requested to check with Heloise Kirby that the Minutes and Agenda for Parish Council meetings were up to date. It was felt that there may be some that had not been displayed. The Clerk was also requested to ensure that the website was made legally acceptable.
The meeting queried the current budgeting of £500 for the year 20/21 which constituted nearly 15 per cent of that budget. It was agreed that Councillors would investigate that issue to see if an alternative could be found.
66. General Correspondence – There were no items of General Correspondence.
67. Defibrillator – The Clerk was requested to investigate the costings for the replacement of batteries and pads for the defibrillator.
68. Footpaths – The Clerk reported that he had not received any communication in response to the pieces placed in the Signal. The Clerk has renewed the placement of the advertisement for this month. J Nelson indicated to the meeting that if there was no response he would find it acceptable to walk some of the footpaths and to report back to the Parish Council on their condition.
69. Finance – The Clerk informed the meeting of the current financial situation and circulated a written financial update.
The Clerk further informed the meeting that the Parish Council would have to provide the County Council with figures for the setting of a precept by the latest in December.
Accounts for 2019/2020 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
Annual Return for Audit 2019/2020 The various parts of the Statement were signed and approved by the Chairman.
Internal Audit has been carried out by Mr M Phillips.
Accounts for 2020/2021 – It was proposed , seconded and carried unanimously that the Clerk’s Annual Pay of £1100 should continue and that Mr S Grist should remain in the post of Responsible Financial Officer.
Cheque signatories continue to be A Powles, A Andrews, P Pantall and N Sellar with any two out of the four signatories.
The Clerk pointed out to the meeting the increase in value of those items owned by the Parish Council. A request was made that a list of those items be made available to the Council together with the values of the items placed alongside. The point was also made that there would be an expectation that such values would change year by year.
A budget for the Financial Year 2020/2021 was circulated and agreed.
It was agreed that the Internal Auditor should continue to be Mr M Phillips.
70. Any Other Business – Code of Conduct – It was agreed that a Code of Conduct requires circulation and ratification. The Clerk agreed such action.
The Clerk reminded the Parish Council that the telephone boxes in Monnington on Wye and in Staunton on Wye were now the property of the Parish Council. It was agreed that the Parish Council should consider plans for their usage and upkeep.
The meeting was informed that there had been a Parish Council summit meeting attended by the Clerk and one other Parish Councillor. The summit had been held under the auspices of Zoom with 51 Parish Councils represented. The discussion then centred around future Parish Council meetings and the possible usage of Zoom. It seemed to be the overarching opinion that the process of future meetings may well be decided by the position of the virus and government advice.
Data arising from a recent bonfire survey was brought to the attention of the Parish Council and it was agreed that no action be taken.
71. Date of next meeting – It was agreed that the next meeting should be held on the 7th December 2020 at 7.30 pm in the Staunton on Wye Village Hall.
The meeting concluded at 9.00 pm