Litton Cheney Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting of the

Litton Cheney Parish Council

held on Tuesday 10^th November 2009

in the Litton and Thorner's Community Hall

Present :- F. Spicer (Chairman), S. Kourik, W. Orchard, B. Prentice, J. Randall, Mrs A. Spurrier and J. Firrell (Parish Clerk & RFO). Also in attendance: Cllr R. Coatsworth and one member of the public.

1. Apologies: Mrs S. Dyke (Deputy Chairman).

2. Declarations of Interest: None.

3. Democratic Time: Nobody wished to speak on this occasion.

4. Approval of Minutes of the Meeting held on 8^th September 2009: Proposed by Mrs A Spurrier, seconded by S. Kourik and carried unanimously.

5. Matters arising: Ourganics - The agricultural consultant's report was now on the WDDC web site although the financial report was deemed to be confidential and not available. We had yet to hear if this would go before the Planning Committee at the time of the meeting. Church Path - Little or no response had been received concerning the PC's request to cut back the foliage overhanging the road. The clerk was asked to write formally to County Highways.

6. Lengthsman Scheme: Because of the possible financial implications, it was decided to move this matter up the agenda before dealing with the Parish Precept. An expression of interest in the role of Village Lengthsman had been expressed by local resident James Williams as a result of an advertisement placed by the Parish Council in the BVN. He proposed that he spend 4 hours per month keeping specified areas of the village clean, tidy and maintained. The cost per month would be £60, with an annual cost of £720. After some discussion, it was proposed that the scheme be trialed for 12 months at a cost of £720. Proposed by F. Spicer, seconded by S. Kourik and carried unanimously.

7. Financial report: Funds as of 31^st October stood at £6275.40 with income increasing by £1010.33 and influenced mainly by payment of the second half of the village precept. Expenditure was £489.76 which included invoices approved at the last meeting and the clerk's salary of £173. An invoice for £28.80 in payment to LATCH for parish council meetings to be held up to March 2010 was approved. Proposed by B. Prentice, seconded by Mrs A. Spurrier and carried unanimously. Parish Precept for 2010/11 - Anticipated expenditure for the forthcoming fiscal was approximately £3000, and this included the expenditure relating to the Lengthsman. After some discussion, it was proposed by B. Prentice, seconded by J. Randall and carried unanimously that the Precept be set at £3000. This represented no change from 2009/10. It was suggested by S. Kourik and agreed that councillors should apply some thought to projects/initiatives that might be funded during the coming year for discussion at the next meeting. He sited as an example, an interpretation/information board sited near the Triangle for visitors to peruse.

8. Playing Fields/Allotments Report: B. Prentice had nothing to report on the playing fields but concern was expressed about the allotments. J. Randall said they were in a pretty awful state. F. Spicer would attend the Allotments Association AGM on 17 November and the Chairman of the Allotments Association would be invited to attend the next Parish Council Meeting in the hope that matters could be improved.

9. Traffic/Highways/Signs: There seemed to be a general problem with signs in the area with little or no maintenance being carried out, The clerk was asked to bring this to the attention of the correct authority in conjunction with S. Kourik.

10. Planning Applications: a) Ourganics - awaiting decision. The Orchard - awaiting decision. 1 Rose Cottage - Approved by WDDC. Southcote - Approved by WDDC. Watercombe - Trees: approved by the WDDC.

11. Correspondence: A letter had been received by the Citizens Advice Bureau asking for a donation. This would be dealt with at the PC meeting in January 2010.

12. AOB: The Chairman invited Cllr Coatsworth to speak on council matters. The Chairman also asked Cllr Coatsworth advice regarding the access road to the hall which really required tarmacing. It was suggested a letter to the CEO of DCC, and supported by the Governors of Thorner's School, School Association, LATCH and Feldglings requesting that the work be carried out might be the best way forward.

13. Next Meeting: Tuesday 12^th January 2010.

14. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.55 pm.

John Firrell

Parish Clerk - Litton Cheney