Minutes of Lympsham Parish Council Meeting, 17 November 2008

Councillors Present: Mr. J. Hinton (Chairman), Mr. B. Gooding, Mrs. P. Guess, Mr. K. Hart, Mr. R. Jones, Mrs. E. Male & Mr. G. Tuttiett.
Also present: Mr. A. Gilling (District Councillor).

Minutes were taken by the Clerk.

87/08     Apologies: Mr. A. Ham & PCSO P. Dixon.

88/08    Minutes of Previous Meeting (20.10.08): were confirmed and signed.

89/08    Matters Arising / for report from previous meetings:

• Lympsham School: Nothing to report. Police presence re parking had been noted on several occasions.

• Manor Hall Report: Nothing to report.

• Lympsham Pre-school: Clerk reported that Elliott building should be on order; delay by County in contacting PC’s solicitor, but Project Manager updating Clerk regularly.

• Highways report: Road subsidence near Millfield Cottages identified for repair within month. Re Bus stop & shelter project: Clerk pleased to report an increase in funding had been offered to support this initiative; he would seek further funding from C. Councillor & Nuttall Trust. PC noted that leaves had been regularly cleared from roads, drains, etc.

• Playground report: Bench / table still to be sourced; currently too wet to carry out stage one of surface replacements.
• Grounds Maintenance: Concerns noted re overgrown hedges & nettles.
• Footpaths: Clerk reported that Mr. R. Hoare had accepted the position of Parish Path Liaison Officer (PPLO); Clerk had passed on the Handbook & toolkit along with the recent survey request.

Concern expressed re opposition to proposed diversion of public footpath AX22/11 (part): Clerk to seek clarification &, if necessary, write to support the plan [Proposed: J. Hinton, Seconded: G. Tuttiett – carried.].

• General Maintenance Issues: Recent graffiti ‘attack’ discussed: commendable that many residents had managed to restore their property, although not all surfaces could be treated so easily; G. Tuttiett volunteered to arrange for the bus shelter to be painted using funds from petty cash.
• Churchyard: The Chairman showed the preliminary plans that had been submitted as a pre-planning application;

The Clerk understood that public views were being solicited via the Lympsham News & notice boards.

• Neighbourhood Watch: PC supported idea of ‘joint surgery’ between PCSO & Clerk every month. R. Jones would email possible NW volunteer’s details (Copse Corner).

• Village Events: K. Hart briefed PC on prospective interviews for Shop / Post Office. Sports Club Bonfire Night was not so well attended due to the weather. Annual illuminations at Copse Corner as from 29th November, in aid of Air Ambulance. WI Coffee Morning on 28th January 2009.
• Affordable Housing: Clerk had previously distributed Working Group notes.

[K. Hart left meeting at 8.37 p.m.)

• County / District Issues: A. Gilling explained that due to reduced support by the government, there would be a funding gap in the next budget leading to significant cuts. County elections planned for 9th June 2009.
• Clerk: It was agreed that the PC would continue to support the cost of a Christmas tree by the Old Post Office.

The PC accepted the proposed dates for next year’s meetings as follows:
19.1.09, 16.2.09,16.3.09, 20.4.09 (Mondays);
20.5.09, 17.6.09, 15.7.09 (Wednesdays);
14.9.09, 19.10.09; 16.11.09, 14.12.09 (Mondays).

90/08    Planning Applications: None.

91/08    Correspondence of note: Previously circulated and noted.

92/08    Finance Report:            C/A: £6,511-46                          S/A: £4,394-52
Player-Mason A/C: £2,326-91     Petty Cash: £19-41

93/08    Cheques issued this meeting: 100765 Clerk’s Pay (Nov.) £357-54; 100766 J.K. Gardening £105 (Gr. Maint.);
100767 SCC (Re Youth Club).

94/08    Items for Discussion / Report at next meeting: Precept, donation re Christmas lights, Affordable Housing, representatives to attend Manor Hall Committee & Cluster meetings on 14th January 2009.

The meeting ended at 8.53 p.m.