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NEWNHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on 16^th May 2011 at 7.30.p.m. in the Village Hall,

PRESENT:             Councillors         Mr D Cooke (in the Chair)

Mr R Harcock

                       Mrs N Krawczyk

                                       Mr W Nunneley               

                                                           Mr T Regan (arrived at 8.05.p.m.)

                        Clerk                     Mrs M Money

70.11 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

On a proposal by Cllr W Nunneley, seconded by Cllr N Krawczyk it was RESOLVED that Cllr D Messenger be re-elected Chairman for the coming year.

71.11 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

On a proposal by the Cllr N Krawczyk, seconded by Cllr W Nunneley it was RESOLVED that Cllr D Cooke is re-elected Vice-Chairman for the coming year.

72.11 TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received and approved from Cllrs H Ferguson and D Messenger, District Councillor Tony Scott and County Councillor Robin Brown.

73.11 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Cllr N Krawczyk registered an interest in the planning application relating to 39 Bradbury Road -DA/2011/0282.

74.11 TO SIGN AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4^th April 2011

On a proposal by Cllr W Nunneley it was RESOLVED that the Minutes be approved and signed.

75.11 PUBLIC TIME

In the absence of any members of the public, the Chairman asked councillors if they wished to raise any items not covered by the Agenda.  Cllr R Harcock queried the planning laws regarding signs promoting a business in the grounds of a private dwelling. The Clerk was asked to look into this, particularly as the properties concerned fall within the Conservation Area.

[Cllr T Regan joined the meeting at 8.05.p.m.].

76.11 ALLOTMENTS

The Heads of Lease terms were discussed and prior to any further action being taken it was decided to place notices in the Daventry Express and on the notice board to re-assess the level of interest.

77.11. TO CONSIDER HOW TO FILL THE VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR

It was agreed that the Council should operate with 7 councillors until such time as someone expressed interest in the vacancy.

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78.11 TO APPOINT RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER

On a proposal by Cllr N Krawczyk it was RESOLVED that Mrs M R Money be re-appointed Responsible Financial Officer.

79.11 TO REVIEW FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

It was RESOLVED that no amendments were required.

80.11 TO REVIIEW STANDING ORDERS

The Clerk advised that a new version is being considered by Cllr D Messenger and will be presented to the Council in due course.

81.11 TO REVIEW PROCEDURAL POLICY INCLUDING RISK ASSESSMENT

The current policy states that”..... the Clerk is not to be a signatory on the bank accounts.”  This is not practicable as the Clerk requires access to the Bank account for information purposes only.  It was therefore RESOLVED that the Policy should be amended to read “the Clerk is to be a signatory on the bank accounts but only for the purposes of obtaining information from the Bank.”

82.11 TO REVIEW FREEDOM OF INFORMATION PUBLICATION SCHEME

It was RESOLVED that no amendments were required.

83.11 CORRESPONDENCE

a) Email from Mr and Mrs Bell re: renovation of seat along Poets Way - The Council was pleased to accept the offer.

b) Application for memorial re: Mrs Y Dorkins – The application for a headstone was approved.

c) Came and Company – Alteration of insurance renewal date for 3 year agreement - It was RESOLVED that this offer should be taken up.

d) Daventry District Council Members’ Development Session 25^th May – Cllr R Harcock expressed interest in attending this and the relevant papers were passed to him by the Clerk.

e) Report on Police Community Panel Meeting on 13^th April – Mr P Johnson attended the meeting on behalf of the Council and his report was tabled and accepted.

f) Electoral Review of Daventry – Draft Recommendations – Copies were circulated to councillors.

84.11 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Cllr N Krawczyk reported that only 11 people attended the meeting.  More co-ordinators need to be recruited and co-ordinator forms have to be forwarded to the Police before anything else happens.  An item will be included in the Daventry Express.  Newnham is now a Neighbourhood Watch area.

The Chairman expressed thanks to Cllr Krawczyk for her efforts in setting up the scheme.

85.11 PLANNING

a) DA/2011/0161 – 1 Thornton Close – Single Storey Side Extension – Application approved.

b) DA/2011/0254 – Newnham Lodge Farm – Conversion of existing outbuilding of use ancillary to dwelling – A response supporting the application has been submitted.

c) DA/2011/0163 (amended) Ivy Lodge – Listed Building Consent for demolition of existing two storey rear extension and replace with single storey rear extension – A response supporting the application has been submitted.

d) DA/2011/0188 – Brierlow, Preston Capes Road – Raise roof height to provide accommodation – Application approved.

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e) DA/2011/0282 – 39 Bradbury Road – Single storey infill/lean-to front extension linked to neighbour.  Two storey part side extension.  Single storey lean-to rear extension linked to neighbour – A response supporting the application has been submitted.

f) DA/2011/0289 – Bar adjacent to Crabtree Farm – Insertion of new window W8 in end elevation – A response supporting the application has been submitted.

g) DA/2011/0290 – Listed Building Consent re DA/2011/0289 – A response supporting the application has been submitted.

86.11 HEALTH AND SAFETY

a) Risk Assessments – Burial Ground, Churchyard and Play Area – Nothing adverse to report.

b) Report on condition of trees The Green – The arboriculturist has raised concerns about the condition of a sycamore in front of the Romer Arms.  The Clerk was asked to find out if there was a specific cause for this and whether anything could be done to delay deterioration.

c) Cherry Tree Junction of Bradbury/Badby Roads – The Clerk was asked to get the arboriculturist to take appropriate remedial action.

87.11 HIGHWAY MATTERS

a) Pothole outside entrance to Checkleys Barn – The Clerk was asked to report this.  She stressed that if other people reported potholes as well it gave added weight to the complaints.

b) Coronation Road – The Chairman asked whether the Clerk had been able to contact Daventry and District Housing to find out when the contractors would be carrying out remedial work to the grass.

The Clerk had not yet made contact.

88.11 FINANCIAL

On a proposal by the Chairman it was RESOLVED that the following accounts be paid.

b) Financial Statement – The bank statements and reconciliation statement were available for inspection at the meeting.

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c) Monies Received - £763.56 VAT reclaim and £100 from County Councillor’s Empowerment Fund.

d) Annual Audit – The Clerk reported that the audit had gone well and no problems were identified.

e) Bank Mandate – The Clerk will obtain the necessary forms for completion.

f) To consider re-allocation of Reserved Funds – The Clerk advised that it is not necessary to hold monies under specific allocations and it is quite acceptable to hold the monies in General Reserves.  It was RESOLVED that the monies currently in Reserved Funds should be transferred to General Reserves.

g)  HMRC – The Clerk advised that it is now necessary for the Council to be registered as an employer with the HMRC.

89.11 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT NEXT MEETING

No issues were raised.

90.11 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 6^th June 2011 at 7.30.p.m. in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.00.p.m.

Minutes of the meetings of 'Newnham Parish Council'

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