ALSTONEFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
The Clerk to the Council: Maureen Binfield: 310146
c/o The Village Hall, Alstonefield, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. DE6 2FR
Councillors: Nick Bonsall (310262). Dot Griffin (310249). Sue Lake (310309).
Frank Lipp (310302). Noel Peat (310352). Cathy Reavy (310125).
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 15th April 2009 at Alstonefield Parish Hall
Present: Cllr D. Griffin, Cllr S. Lake (in the Chair), Cllr. F Lipp, Cllr N. Peat, Cllr C. Reavy. Mrs M. Binfield, Clerk
[Unless otherwise stated, all resolutions minuted below, were proposed, seconded and then agreed by all councillors present. Only when a decision is not unanimous will details be minuted.]
Three members of the public were also present.
1 Public Forum – Brian Taylor, Policy Planning Manager outlined discussed the Peak District Core Strategy Refined Options Consultation and noted the Council’s concern re the future status of the village as an area suitable for development
2 Apologies – none. Absent: Cllr. N. Bonsall
3 Declaration of Interest (on Agenda items) – Cllr Lake 173.3 and Cllr Griffin 170.2
4 Minutes of the previous meeting – approved and signed
5 Financial Matters
5.1 Financial statements and bank reconciliations as at 28/02/2009 and 31/03/2009 – there was an unbudgeted surplus of £3,375.94
5.2 Payments
5.2.1 – Staffs Parish Councils’ Association – membership – £114.00 – Approved
5.2.2 – Clerk’s salary, March – Direct Debit – £151.03 – Approved
5.2.3 – Peak Park Parishes Forum – membership – £20.00 – Approved
5.2.4 – Community Council of Staffordshire – membership – £20.00 – Approved
5.2.5 – Chairman’s community service award – £57.80 – Approved
5.2.6 – Lengthman’s equipment maintenance – Ian Redfern – £87.50 – virement from unbudgeted surplus – Approved
5.2.7 – Honesty Box – Andrew Griffin – £316.25 – virement from unbudgeted surplus – Approved
5.2.8 – Clerk’s consumables – £26.70 – virement from unbudgeted surplus – Approved
5.2.9 – Clerk’s salary backdate – £5.04 – virement from unbudgeted surplus – Approved
5.2.10 – Lengthman – hours worked, Jan – Mar 2009 – Peter Frost – £82.50 – virement from unbudgeted surplus – Approved
5.2.11 – Pitts-Tucker – legal fees debt £2,000.00 (4th of 8) Approved
5.3 Monies Received – Lengthman – County Council grant – £168.75
5.4 Bank Signatory Revision – inclusion of the Clerk – temporary suspension of relevant Financial Regulation (5.1) pending annual review at next meeting – Approved
5.5 Virements – round pounds – to conform to the financial statement format – Approved
5.6 Clerk’s salary – 2009/10 salary revision to include new hours (312 p.a.) and NJC spine point increase (16) – £219.96 from April onwards to be paid by DD – Approved – subject to review consequent upon NJC 09/10 national wage negotiation announcement
6 Discretionary Grants Budget – draft application form – Approved
7 Precept – Band D Equivalent up-date – SPCA adopting issue for discussion at national level
8 Playing Field Matters
8.1 Play Area Safety Check Confirmation – confirmed last checked 02/04/09
8.2 Car Park – honesty box – up-date – completion prior to first car boot if possible
8.3 Cricket Club – playing field sign and potential equipment purchase – approved in principle – awaiting detailed specification and costings
9 Web Site(s) Development – Resolved: PC minutes trial cut and paste method. Except in special circumstance, no external advertising. Additional web space donated by Mr R. Shuttlewood – cost to be included in 2010/11 budget. Guidelines for contributors agreed.
10 Highways – Community Team Programme – expected 17th April
11 Planning Matters
11.1 NP/SM/0209/0078 – The Mount – install solar panels – No objection
11.2 NP/SM/0309/0164 and NP/SM/0309/0163 (Listed Building) – Corner Cottage – erection of rear porch/garden room – No objection
11.3 NP/SM/0109/0023 – Gateham Farm – agricultural building extension – consent granted
11.4 NP/SM/0109/0056 – Chapel House Farm – stove & chimney addition – consent granted
12 Freedom of Access to Information – formal adoption – Approved
13 Formal Complaints Policy – revised draft formal adoption – Approved
14 Land Assets Review – Report from Mr B Hammond – referred to next meeting
15 Audit Commission Enquiry – £1000 fee levied due to enquiry – appeal lodged and awaiting response
16 Clerk’s Report (For Information Only)
16.1 Lanes – Brunister, Gratton confirmed footpaths, Gipsy Lane confirmed as bridleway. Clerk to ascertain who is responsible for the maintenance
16.2 Village Hall – Custodian Trusteeship - still awaiting formal notification that the PC is no longer custodian trustee. Clerk to obtain year-end report and accounts to present to the Annual Parish Meeting on 13th May
16.3 Fly-tipping – Playing Field car park site – representations made to Environmental Enforcement – reported that issue should now be resolved. New report of tyre dumping between Milldale and Lode Bridge
16.4 Village Green post replacement programme – agreed to replace entire complement on The Smithy Green this year – purchase additional 20 posts
17 Correspondence In (For Information Only) – see separate sheet
17.1 Application from Mrs E Hammond in respect of direction signs to Farm Shop – agreed provided that the design and materials conforms to existing use.
17.2 Application from Mr & Mrs K Stockton to rent Homestead Garden as an allotment. Cllr Lake to progress – details to next meeting
18 Date of Next Meeting – 13th May 2009 at 7.00pm in Alstonefield village hall. This will begin with the Annual Parish Meeting, followed by the Parish Council Annual General Meeting.
CHAIRMAN: …………………………………………….. DATE: …………………………………….