Minutes March 2021

db-clerk

2021/05

MINUTES

DEFFORD & BESFORD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Defford & Besford Parish Council held on Tuesday 16th March 2021 at 7pm held via Zoom

PRESENT: Chairman J Clarke Vice Chair S Rees Cllr R Davis (also in capacity as District Cllr) Cllr G Marshall Cllr S Harris Cllr I Spiers

County Cllr A Hardman Clerk L Yapp

  1. APOLOGIES – were received from Cllr Harrington
  2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None declared
  3. Cllrs are reminded of the need to update their register of interests
  4. To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in items on the agenda and their nature
  5. To declare Other Disclosable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature
  6. Written requests for the council to grant a dispensation (S33 of the Localism Act 2011) are to be with the clerk at least 4 clear days prior to a meeting.

Cllrs who have declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, or Other Disclosable Interest which falls within the terms of paragraph 12(4) of the code of conduct, must leave the room for the relevant items

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME – Nothing was raised

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from meetings dated 19th January 2021 – Acceptance proposed Cllr Rees, seconded Cllr Harris – all in favour
  2. CO-OPTION – There are still 2 vacancies – one for Defford and one for Besford. Interested parties should make contact with the Clerk
  3. REPORTS:
  4. County Cllr Report – County Cllr Hardmans report was circulated to Cllrs and is available from the Clerk. Cllr Clarke reported that a local farmer in Besford have been proactive with ditch clearance – but culverts / gullies will need jetting. Cllr Clarke would report this on the WCC website. Bluebell Lane drainage works scheduled to comments later on in March. Cllr Rees asked if the footway bottom of Harpley Road towards Revills could be ‘sided out’. Cllr Hardman replied that if the grass is cleared off the path, it often undermines the surface of the pavement underneath. Cllr Hardman would make enquiries if the weeds could be cleared. The clerk would ask the LM to investigate and see if possible.
  5. District Cllr Report – District Cllr Davis reported:
  • WDC have frozen Council Tax for the fourth in a row – a leaflet included with the bill explains how their funds have been spent
  • Covid – rates down to 47 per 100,000 with the over 60’s down to 22 per 100k
  • Enforcement – Crabtree Farm, Wadborough – Unauthorised Change of Use is being investigated
  • Just a two comments had been received by Cllrs regarding the significant increase in Council Tax to repair the church wall – Cllr Rees reported that there was another crack appearing in the wall

2021/06

  1. FINANCE
  2. Payments for approval / made since the last meeting – a copy of the full accounts had been forwarded to Cllrs . Payments proposed Cllr Davies, seconded Cllr Rees
1224 Clerks Underpayment Salary 489.60
SO Clerks Expenses 15.00
SO Clerks Salary 268.04
SO Clerks Expenses 15.00
SO Clerks Salary 268.04
1225 Payroll Services 47.10
1226 Warning Tape – Church Wall 8.99
1227 PAYE 241.69

The clerk reported that she had been underpaid an hourly rate of £1.53 (between April 2020 and January 2021 x 32 hours per month). This had been corrected after discussion with the Payroll company and clarification of NALC / CALC pay scales

The Clerk reminded the council that there was a need to safely store old minutes books / deeds. In the first instance the clerk would investigate storage at the Hive before going down the route of fireproof cabinets.

Account balances (less unpresented cheques):

Current Account: £26283.40

Deposit Account: £4055.64

  1. HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS
  2. Footpaths / Rights of Way – Cllr Marshall reported that he had put himself forward as Footpath Warden for Defford & Besford. His application has been completed and returned to WCC, although any training is currently on hold because of Covid restrictions. Cllr Marshall has been reporting PRoW and highway issues, but whilst these are actioned on a priority basis, some repairs have already been carried out. Cllr Marshall keeps the clerk informed of any reports he has made. Cllr Clarke reported that he was aware of 3 new bridges / styles over the past few months, enabling improved access across fields. Cllr Hardman thanked Cllr Marshall for taking on the roll and reported that WCC have boosted their PRoW budget considerably and the Footpaths team have started working again. It was positive that the parish council have a good relationship with local farmers and landowners.
  3. Lengthsman – The clerk reported that on checking through the accounts, the current LM services are being paid well in excess of the normal hourly rate of £12. Whilst the LM services are covered by WCC’s budget, this had not impacted on the parish council’s own finances, however it did not represent good value for money. The clerk would make enquiries with her other lengthsman to see if he has any spare capacity to cover Defford and Besford at the much lower rate. If he had no spare capacity, she would speak to our current provider and ask if there was any room for manoeuvre in cost.
  4. Street Lighting – The clerk reported that the street lighting upgrades are due to start on 31st March 2021. These works will be financed wholly using the Community Infrastructure Levy fund that has been allocated (and which must be spent on infrastructure ).
  5. Flooding – Nothing further to report on the Lodge Hill issue.

2021/07

  1. Speeding / Traffic Calming – It was agreed that the parish council wait until the street lighting upgrades have been carried out with final costs so that we can establish if there are any surplus CIL funds to be used for traffic calming measures
  2. Harpley Road, Car Parking – Cllr Rees is still awaiting feedback – Covid restrictions has caused delays
  3. PLANNING:
  4. Home Farm Housing Survey – nothing further to report due to Covid restriction
  5. 20/000037 & 38 CM (Worcs. County Council) – Planning application made under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to vary condition 5 of planning permission ref: 18/000016/CM, to amend the operating hours – WCC Panning & Regulatory Meeting to decide on this application 223rd March
  6. 21/00035 – Broad Hill Farm, Broad Hill, Defford – to remove hedge between two plots as indicated on map and replace with new hedge for new boundary – Awaiting decision by WDC
  7. Planning applications 21/00402 29 Lower Drive – 2-storey side extension, and 21/00335 490 Croome Road – both applications were received too late to be included in the agenda. Cllrs were asked to consider the planning documents and report any comments to Cllr Rees / the clerk for consideration before submitting to WDC
  8. SWDP Consultation Regulation 18 – Cllrs were urged to look at the document and submit any comments to Cllr Rees by 10th April
  9. OPEN SPACES
  10. Millennium Green – The clerk reported that the NHB element of the funding for the climbing frame and picnic tables had been approved by WDC. The second part of the finance (to come from s106 monies) is due to be considered by the Executive Board at the end of March. Cllr Marshall reported that he has started to carry out regular inspections at the Green, purely as a Health & Safety responsibility and also as part of the parish councils Risk Assessment. Following on from the recent consultation to spend NHB monies, it had been agreed that a working group (to include residents) be set up to manage the Millennium Green. This would include a working party a couple of times a year to clear overgrowth / brambles, fund raising events to finance new equipment, repairs and replacements as and when necessary and to create a ‘wildlife’ area around the perimeter of the Green. The first meeting would be held via Zoom on 21st April to gauge interest
  11. PROJECTS
  12. Car Park – Cllr Spiers reported that there was some weed killing needed. There have been reports of an issue with surface water not draining properly in front of the car park – possibly as a result of the new Churcham Homes development not being correctly connected into the mains. Since the meeting the clerk has made enquiries and in the first instance, was advised to contact WDC enforcements to ensure that all the necessary connections have been properly carried out. Photographs of the issues will also be sent to Enforcements.
  13. Electric Car Charging Points – Nothing to report
  14. Repair to Church Wall – Awaiting a start date
  15. ADOPT A STREET – Cllr Marshall reported on this WDC imitative for local residents to take responsibility for litter in the street they live and a commitment to clear the ‘chosen site’ a minimum

2021/08

  1. of three times a year – this can be as small or as large as manageable and can include community groups as well as individuals. Equipment is provided by WDC. If there is any interest or further details required, residents are urged to contact the clerk.
  2. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – Cllr Marshall reported on the Defford scheme which has now been ‘transferred’ to him. Residents are encouraged to sign to the scheme – a lot of home insurance companies offer discounts to customers in a NW scheme. Free signage is available to the village subject to a qualifying number of residents signing to the scheme. Cllr Marshall further reported that crime is on the increase and community awareness / vigilance is vital.
  3. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – Nothing to report
  4. CORRESPONDENCE / EMAILS had been circulated to Cllrs
  5. OTHER MATTERS FOR INFORMATION / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
  • The clerk reported on complaints received regarding the lack of ‘road name’ signage on the new Churcham Homes developments – she had been in touch with CH who advised this was being addressed.
  1. DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS – Date for the next meeting – Tuesday March 18th May – this would include the Annual Parish meeting which would start at 6.30pm and run straight into the Annual Parish Council meeting