MARK PARISH COUNCIL
The 2015 Annual Meeting of Mark Parish Council was held in the Village Hall, Mark on Tuesday, 19th May 2015 at 7.30 p.m.
Present:- Councillors N. van der Bijl, D. Champion, Mrs S. Flack, G. Francis, Mrs A. Hanlon, W. Human and Mrs J. Weekes with the Clerk.
Apology for absence received from Councillor Mrs E. Corkish and County Councillor D. Huxtable.
1. Election of Chairman
Proposed Councillor Francis, seconded Councillor Mrs Weekes and unanimously agreed that Councillor N. Van der Bijl BEM JP be elected Chairman for 2015/16. The Chairman signed a declaration of acceptance of office.
2. Election of Vice-Chairman
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Weekes, seconded by the Chairman and unanimously agreed that Councillor Francis be elected Vice-Chairman for 2015/16.
3. Declarations of Interest
Councillors Mrs S. Flack and Mrs J. Weekes declared personal interests in matters relating to Mark Village Hall. Councillor Francis declared a personal interest in issues relating to National Grid as a shareholder.
4. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 10th March 2015 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
5. Declarations of Acceptance of Office
Members signed declarations of acceptance of office prior to the commencement of the Meeting. It was agreed to extend the deadline for signing declarations to the date of the next Meeting for Members not present.
6. Dates of Meetings
The following dates of Meetings during 2015/16 were provisionally agreed - 7th July, 8th September, 3rd November and 5th January.
7. General Power of Competence
It was resolved that Mark Parish Council met the criteria to use the General Power of Competence.
8. Play Area
The Clerk reported GB Sport & Leisure had quoted £30 for carrying out annual inspections of the play equipment compared with £45 from Wicksteed Leisure. It was agreed to accept the quotation received from GB Sport & Leisure for 2015. Arrangements had also been made to provide new wet pour safety surfacing under the roundabout to take advantage of £2,966 RLT2 funding which had been made available. The total cost was £3,680 + VAT with the remaining sum to be met from within estimates. A replacement cradle seat had also been purchased at a cost of £95 + VAT.
9. Finance
a) Balance of Accounts
It was reported that the balance of accounts at 1st May were as follows - Current £5,569.56, Reserve £16,933.37.
b) 2014/15 Accounts
Members formally approved the Parish Accounts for 2014/15, Financial Statement and Annual Governance Statement required by the external auditors.
c) Insurance
The Council reviewed their insurance cover for 2015/16 and agreed no changes were deemed necessary.
d) Authorisation for Payment
It was agreed that the following payments be made:-
DD SDC payroll 2014/15 £3,199.06
DD SDC dog bin servicing £83.62
000793 SALC subscription £331.82
000794 Zurich Municipal premium £592.13
000795 GWB Services grass cutting £792.00
000796 Parish Clerk expenses £220.47
000797 S. Emary CLT Corporation fee £40.00
e) Redemption of Consolidated Stock
It was noted that the Council’s 2½% Consolidated Stock (£293.02) would be redeemed in its entirety in July 2015.
f) Authorisation to Sign Cheques
It was agreed that Councillor Francis be authorised to sign cheques on behalf of the Parish Council in place of Mrs D. Bayliss.
10. Highway Matters
Members were requested to e-mail the Clerk with details of highway defects for reporting to County Highways. It was suggested that photographic records of defects be obtained. It was agreed to report defective road markings at Northwick Road and at the Littlemoor Road/Grange Paddock junction and to monitor a possible drainage problem near Churchlands. It was also agreed to check the repair work carried out to the damaged railings at Yarrow Road. It was noted that wooden bollards had been installed at Jubilee Green and further work would be required to the surface of the pull in. Consideration would be given to the purchase of commemorative seat(s) at the next Meeting. It was understood that the Drainage Board were still working on improving the water flow in the rhyne in the Northwick Road area. The Meeting also received an update on Community Speedwatch.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow a comprehensive public discussion on a range of issues relating to school parking/development of new school parking facilities in association with the development of a new cricket ground. The Parish Council agreed to endeavour to set up a meeting with representatives of the School, Cricket Club, County Highways, the County Councillor and MP with a view to identifying a mutually acceptable way forward for all parties concerned.
11. Planning Matters
The following application was considered - 021 Installation of 4 replacement windows, Packhorse Farm, Church Street – Mrs J. Morley – recommend permission.
12. National Grid
The Chairman reported upon recent work carried out in connection with this matter and requested Members to respond direct to Councillor Mrs Corkish on questions raised in her recent e-mail.
13. Village Hall /Football Pitch Area
There were no issues to raise in connection with the Village Hall/Football Pitch area.
14. Mark Community Land Trust
Members received an update on the development of a Mark Community Land Trust and the identification of a site(s) for affordable housing. It was agreed to meet the cost of the corporation fee for the Mark Community Land Trust in the sum of £40.00.
15. Parish Council Web-site
Councillor Mrs Weekes reported upon an analysis of hits for the Parish Council web-site and invited ideas for the further development of the web-site.
16. Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next Meeting be held in the Village Hall on 7th July 2015 at 7.30 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 9.15 p.m. Chairman