Those present: F Bullivant (Chairman), S Plumpton (Vice-chairman), J Pask, P Peck, L Gray, J Ince (Clerk). PCSO Kayla Packman arrived at 7.45p.m. and Councillor Redhead arrived at 7.50. Councillor Bramwell arrived at 8.00p.m.
The meeting began with a presentation of the Council’s Quality Parish Status by Shona Bendix of SALC
Acceptance of apologies for absence
Apologies were received from S Pettitt and the reason for absence was accepted.
Declaration of interest in items on agenda.
L Gray declared an interest in item 9b on the agenda.
Approval of minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 10 September 2009 and the planning committee meeting held on Thursday 8 October 2009It was resolved that the rest of the minutes were correct. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
Report from the Safer Neighbourhood Team (report attached)
PCSO Kayla Packman gave her report. No crimes have been reported in Ousden since the last meeting.
Update on matters arising at the last meeting
- Covered area and litter bin for the playing field. The covered area has now been built.
- History of Ousden – I Lymn has kindly produced a short history of Ousden for the welcome letter.
Finance
Approval of Payments
It was resolved that the following payments would be approved:
- Glasdon UK – dog bin and litter bin. The actual price for the litter bin was £178.00 + VAT. This is more than anticipated as the price quoted in the catalogue was the basic price without a post a hooded lid and a clamp to hold a bag in place. The Council agreed £100 at the last meeting. The clerk rang 2 signatories F Bullivant and J Bramwell (as detailed in section 5.6 of the standing orders) and they agreed that the bin should still be ordered.
- J P Ince (salary increase as of 1 April 2009 – 31 March 2010) £29.80 LGA 1972 s111. New rate for SCP 25 £11.185 per hour
- J P Ince, expenses, £18.19 – LGA 1972 s111
- Ousden Village Hall Management Committee – donation towards the cost of the covered area £500 – LGA 1976 (Miscellaneous Provisions)s19. It was resolved that the payment would be presented to the Village Hall Management Committee at the grand opening of the covered area on 28 December at 10.30.
- Royal British Legion – S137 - £30.00 for wreath and donation.
Summary of the receipts and payments made since the last meeting as listed in the clerk’s report (for information only).
Final draft of the budget for 20010/11. It was resolved that the precept request for 2010/2011 would be £5,550. The Chairman and clerk then completed and signed the Parish Estimates form.
Approval of the Annual Return 2009 which has been returned by the auditors BDO Stoy Hayward. No matters have come to the auditors’ attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met. It was resolved that the Annual Return would be approved.
Planning
- Village Hall and playing field, Front Street, Ousden – erection of a covered area - application granted
- Land adjacent to Windy Ridge, Front Street, Ousden - Erection of (i) a 2 storey dwelling and (ii) alteration to existing vehicular access. It was resolved that the Council would stand by its original decision not to object and that the clerk would contact SEBC to notify them that the Council actively supports this application.
- The Sparrows Nest, Lady’s Green, Ousden – Listed building application – insertion of first floor w.c. in place of existing modern cylinder cupboard. It was resolved that the Council has no objections as the property is in Wickhambrook.
- The Old Chapel, Ousden - Change of use of land from agricultural to domestic (ii)relocating of existing boundary ditch (iii) erection of a shed – application granted
County Councillor’s Report
Councillor Midwood spoke about:
- A meeting of the Health Scrutiny Committee which she attended in Ipswich.
- Extensions to primary schools under the School Reorganisation Review
- The two day presentation at Wickhambrook about the proposed traveller’s site at Kelly’s Meadow in Depden.
Highways issues:
A number of complaints have been received about the danger for pedestrians walking up The Hill as vehicles travel very fast up the hill. It was resolved that no action would be taken as the road is too narrow to allow space for a pavement and there is unlikely to be funding for it.
Welcome letter (for information only)
The welcome letter is now ready for circulation to new residents.
Dates of meetings for 2010-2011
Thursday 22 April 2010 Annual Parish Meeting
Thursday 13 May 2010 Annual Meeting of the Parish Council
Thursday 8 July 2010
Thursday 9 September 2010
Thursday 11 November 2010
Thursday 13 January 2011
Thursday 10 March 2011
Correspondence
- Letter from SALC notifying the Council that it has been awarded Quality Parish Status along with the Accreditation Panel’s comments and recommendations – see also e-mails from Geoff Rivers Chief Executive of SEBC and John Griffiths leader of SEBC.
- Letter from BT giving details of its ‘adopt a red telephone kiosk’ scheme for phones which have not been used much in the last year. The cost will be £1. Applications need to be submitted by 2 January 2010. It was resolved that the Council would object to the removal of the pay phone as the mobile phone signal in Ousden is unreliable. It was also resolved that the Council would put an article in the Ousden News canvassing opinion about whether residents would be happy for it to be removed as the Council feels it is not cost effective to adopt it due to the high cost of ongoing maintenance – responses should be submitted to the Council by 15 December.
- Letter from St Edmundsbury BC asking for Ousden Parish Council’s view on the removal of the payphone.
- Letter from NATS giving an update on the TCN consultation. There will be no second consultation until at least September 2010.
- E-mail from David Bird (District Emergency Planning Officer) inviting the Council to attend a Community Preparedness focus group in Great Barton on Tuesday 1 December at 7pm and finishing by 9pm. J Pask agreed to attend.
Any other business for noting or including on the agenda of the meeting on Thursday 14th January 2009.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.
Signed ………………………………………… (Chairman) Dated ………………………………………………