Minutes of Lympsham Annual Parish Council Meeting, 21 May 2008

Councillors Present: Mr. J. Hinton (Chairman), Mr. B. Gooding, Mrs. P. Guess, Mr. K. Hart, Mrs. E. Male & Mr. G. Tuttiett.
        Also attending: Mr. A. Ham (County Councillor) & Mr. F. Marsh (Rural Housing Enabler).

Minutes were taken by the Clerk.

33/08      Election of Chairman: J. Hinton proposed by Mrs. Guess, seconded by G. Tuttiett – carried unanimously.

34/08      Declaration of Acceptance of Office: duly signed by J. Hinton & witnessed by the Clerk.

35/08      Apologies: Mr.A. Gilling (District Councillor).

36/08      Election of Vice Chairman: Mrs. P. Guess proposed by J. Hinton, seconded by Mrs. Male – carried unanimously.

37/08      Minutes of Previous Meeting (21.4.08): were confirmed and signed. (Proposed: Mrs. Male; seconded: B. Gooding.)

38/08      Matters Arising / for report from previous meetings:

• Lympsham School: New classroom a credit to the School; tennis court fencing and surface repaired.

• Lympsham Pre-school: Councillor Ham explained the change in circumstances that enables the Pre-School initiative to go ahead; K. Hart to clarify liability re driveway & car park; Clerk to respond to query re right of way & seek clarification.
• Parish Plan: F. Marsh explained results of survey; report to be discussed at next meeting with a view to continuing the project. The Chairman thanked Mr. Marsh for his efforts.

• Highways report: The subsidence along Lympsham Road near A370 had been marked; Clerk to ‘chase’ Purving Row culvert damage.

• Playground report: The bell will be reaffixed to the train; new matting to be considered for replacing bark in the future.

• General Maintenance Issues: Hedges trimmed along Lympsham Road; concerns expressed re post boxes & dog fouling; Clerk awaiting further response re planned dog waste bin and possible siting of another.
• Footpaths: Further report received from R.G. Evans; Clerk to contact.
• Manor Hall Report: Toilet back in use; noted that Hall will lose finance when Pre-School moves out.
• Churchyard: Church awaiting quotes before next meeting.
• Grounds Maintenance: As planned.

• Neighbourhood Watch: Initial meeting had taken place on 7th May & was encouraging: a rolling programme had started & Clerk had notified PCSO of another volunteer & had included subject in Lympsham News. Mrs. Guess to leaflet Ferry Lane.

• Village Events: Successful Livery Open Day and enjoyable Porter Boys at Pavilion; engraved plate for Flower Show ordered by B. Gooding.
• Provision of Defibrillator: Ongoing.
• County / District Issues: Councillor Ham raised concerns re feasibility study of Severn Barrage: implications for Brent Division; also referred to meeting following week re Members’ Community Grants: Clerk & possibly B. Gooding to attend.

Mrs. Male attended PACT & Coastal Cluster meeting and provided a full report; the Chairman thanked her for her diligence.

• Clerk: Items mentioned elsewhere.

39/08      Planning Applications:
697 Mr. & Mrs. G. Preston & Mr. & Mrs. S. Husbands, Land to south of The Old Vicarage, Rectory Way - Erection of dwelling with integral garage, formation of access & footpath: No observations as it is a reserved matters item, but concerns expressed re road safety due to road access & egress being subject to limited visibility at a dangerous stretch of the road. The PC also assumes that the Environmental Agency / Drainage Board will be mindful of the building's proximity to the rhine.

                698 Mr. T. Atkins, The Old Vicarage, Rectory Way – Erection of ground floor rear extension & alterations to first floor dormers:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                Supported.

40/08      Correspondence of note: Previously circulated and noted.

41/08      Finance Report: C/A: £1,230-50 (inc. payment of cheques itemised below)
S/A: £7,296-20 N.B. First instalment of Precept (£5,659) received.
Player-Mason A/C: £2,185-81          Petty Cash: £52-11

42/08      Insurance: Approval given for Clerk to increase fidelity guarantee & include libel / slander cover with renewal of existing insurance policy. (Proposed: G. Tuttiett, seconded: B. Gooding – carried.)

43/08      Cheques issued since last meeting: 100732 PAYE £337-01; 100733 Cancelled;
    100734 Timberplay Ltd. £7,555-26 (Play Area equipment);
                                                                                    100735 Clerk’s Pay £369-86; 100736 Lympsham Cricket Club £500 (sight-screens).

44/08      Cheques issued this meeting: 100737 Clerk’s Pay £344-25; 100738 Allianz Insurance PLC £276-04 (Insurance).

45/08      Approval of Accounts for the year ended 31.3.08 & Annual Governance Statement:
                Proposed: Mrs. Guess, seconded: K. Hart: carried unanimously.

46/08      Items for Discussion / Report at next meeting: Allotments, Housing Needs Report

The meeting ended at 9.47 p.m.