MINUTES OF KINGTON
HELD IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OF THE VILLAGE HALL ON
PRESENT: Cllr. P Hart (Chairman), Cllr.
Mrs. Betty Bird, Cllr. J Foster, Cllr. Mrs. Val Giles, Cllr. Dennis Gill, Cllr. D Styles, Cllr. G Trickey, District Councillor Mrs. Sherry Meadows and County
Cllr. Mrs. Jane Scott, Mrs. Sue Hart (Clerk) plus 5 members of the
public.
APOLOGIES for absence: None
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001.08 |
PROCEDURAL CLARIFICATION
The Clerk said that in order to ensure that the
Minutes accurately reflected the Councillors who were in attendance at Parish
Council meetings when resolutions were passed, she would in future be
recording their arrival and departure points if Councillors did not attend
the whole meeting. |
ACTION
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002.08 |
RESIDENTS FORUM
Mr. Ramon Weston said he had heard that there would
soon be changes in the Parish Council. He felt that co-opting new councillors
by councillors who themselves were co-opted went against democratic
principles. He realised that the alternative would involve the cost of an
election but felt that would not be a bad thing and hoped that villagers
would be given the chance to vote. Mr. Weston was supported in his view by
villagers Mr. Tony Di Vittori and Mr. David Sealy. Mr. Tony Di Vittori expressed concern about the
recent flooding in Mr. David Sealy asked about the current status of
the Old Picnic Site on the Malmesbury road as the area had been cleared and
asked whether it was agricultural land. Cllr. Hart said that the family who
owned the site had been doing Construction Site & Equipment Handling Safety
training there and the site was the subject of a potential planning
application for a new religious meeting hall. |
Clerk |
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003.08 |
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None. |
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004.08 |
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting held on Cllr. Gill asked for a change to Minute 152.07 2008 Parish Council
Meetings: “Annual Parish Meeting” should read “Annual Parish Meeting in
Union Chapel”. On a proposal from Cllr. Dennis Gill, seconded by Cllr. Mrs. Val Giles,
IT WAS RESOLVED that
the Chairman, Cllr. Peter Hart, sign the Minutes and amendments as a correct
record. |
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005.08 |
MATTERS ARISING
·
Minute 150.07 WCC Proposal to Re-Route No.91 Bus down ·
Minute 153.07(c) Parish Council 6-monthly Internal Audit: o
Copies
of the Internal Audit carried out by Cllr. Val Giles have now been e-mailed
or given to all Councillors. o
Wooden
Benches – The clerk updated the Council on the current insurance cover. It
was agreed that renovating the benches should be an agenda item for the next
meeting. o
2008
Contracts: The parish does not have current orders for some ongoing works, namely,
Commons cuts, bus-shelter cleaning, footpath maintenance and footpath spraying.
It was agreed that this should be an agenda item for the next meeting. ·
Minute 153.07(d) |
Clerk Clerk |
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006.08 |
COUNCILLOR RESIGNATIONS Letters of resignation from Cllr. Mrs. Lynn
Atwell and Cllr. Rev. John Schofield were read to the Council. |
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007.08 |
CO-OPTION PROCEDURE Mr. John Watling, Democratic Services Manager
from North Wiltshire District Council addressed the meeting regarding the
procedure that the Council needs to follow as a result of the 2 councillor
resignations. In summary, the process requires publication of
the two vacancies and allowing a period of 10 electoral days during which 10
or more electors could demand an election. Should this happen, then North
Wiltshire District Council would organise an election to fill the two vacant
seats. However, villagers would only be asked to vote if there were
more candidates than the number of seats otherwise the candidates would be
elected unopposed. Should fewer than 10 electors request an election,
then no election would be held and it would fall to the Parish
Council to arrange to co-opt people to fill the 2 vacancies. The method
adopted would be at the discretion of the Parish Council, provided the
process was fair and open. Mr. Watling explained that an election would only
apply to prospective councillors and not to current councillors who were
appointed in May 2007. The Clerk said that she had already notified the
North Wiltshire District Council Solicitor, Mr. Peter Jeremiah of the
resignations. She had also already been sent the public notices to be posted
announcing the two vacancies. These will be displayed from Tuesday 15th
January until midnight on 4th February. Mr.
Watling confirmed that to the best of his knowledge, in the past five years
that he had been in office, Kington Langley Parish had always fully complied
with regulations governing elections. Members were invited to indicate if
they had any knowledge of irregularities in earlier electoral processes; none
had. Cllr. Don Styles expressed support to the clerk
on behalf of the Council for the way in which this subject had been handled
over the past couple of weeks. Cllr. Peter Hart expressed concern about the way
in which Cllr. Foster had repeatedly questioned the clerk’s management of election
procedure. Councillors had all seen the lengthy exchange of e-mails which
Cllr. Hart believed to be inappropriate to the
extent of contravening the Code of Conduct to which Councillors are required
to adhere. On a proposal from Cllr. Peter Hart, seconded by
Cllr. Mrs. Val Giles, IT WAS RESOLVED that the Council instruct Cllr.
John Foster that in all matters of Council business he should abstain from
any direct contact with the Parish Clerk, Mrs. Sue Hart, including letters
e-mails, telephone or talking and that he direct all communications intend
for the Clerk to the Council Chairman. The instruction will stand for the
next six months. Cllr. Hart also expressed concern that Cllr.
Foster had behaved in an inappropriate manner toward the Clerk at a social
occasion so on a proposal from Cllr. Peter Hart, seconded by Cllr. Mrs. Val
Giles, IT WAS RESOLVED that the Council instruct Cllr. John Foster to
refrain from all physical contact with the Parish Clerk, Mrs. Sue Hart, for
all time. |
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008.08 |
MANAGEMENT OF CLERK’S WORKING HOURS – PRIORITIES & AUTHORITY Cllr. Hart asked the Parish Council whether they
wished to prioritise the Clerk’s time according to specific categories of
work. However, Councillors felt that it was for the Clerk to decide. The
Clerk pointed out that any complaints about a clerk should be handled through
the Council and not from one councillor directly to the Clerk. |
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009.08 |
PLANNING
(a)
Planning Issues: Appeal Ref: APP/J3910/A/07/2054745 Land off When the site was cleared several trees were
cut down which were under a Protection Order. The Enforcement officer said
that he had been unable to demonstrate proof that the trees were felled by
the landowner or his agents and was therefore only able to agree a
landscaping plan for the future. This included semi-mature trees being
planted at the end of the works. The Clerk said that Environmental Health has
regulations which builders must adhere to when working on development sites
and she was being sent a copy. (b)
Planning Applications decided by North
Wiltshire District Council:
Planning Application Recommendations decided
under powers delegated to the Parish Clerk:
(c) Planning
Applications for consideration: Reissued Planning Applications: None. New Applications:
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Clerk Clerk |
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010.08 |
COMMONS EROSION PROJECT (a) Promises still
stand at £5,775 out of the £6,000 target. (b) Bollards
Quotes: The Clerk had obtained a sample of a bollard made from re-cycled
plastic from Glasdon. Councillors believed that its appearance would be
suitable for the edge of the Common and that it would provide a long-term
saving by removing the need for periodic replacement of timber bollards. The
Clerk was meeting Mr. Kristian Price from Wiltshire Highways on Thursday
morning to review recommended suppliers and for him to look at the sample
bollard. (c)
Area 3 Sub-Committee: Cut-off for the February
meeting had been on 21st December. The next Committee will be at
the start of the new financial year when more money will be available for allocation
and means that work can be carried out during the school’s summer holiday.
However, Cllr. Jane Scott said that the application should be submitted for
the next meeting anyway. |
Clerk |
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011.08 |
VILLAGE POND There
was nothing new to report. Ex-Councillor Mrs. |
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012.08 |
A
villager has complained about mud along the gravel part of footpath towards
Tanner corner (Old Chapel Fields). Cllr. Don Styles said that he walked this
area on a regular basis and did not feel that there were any major problems.
Councillors believed that the few puddles were not a major consideration for
expense at this point in time. |
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013.08 |
Kington
St. Michael Parish Council had asked the Parish Council to support them in
their fight against the closure of their post office, which has the major
advantage of providing off-road parking and disabled access. Councillors
agreed that efforts to keep the Post Office open should be supported. |
Clerk |
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014.08 |
CHANGES TO STANDING ORDERS (a) Reference
Minute 151.07, 10 December 2007, on a proposal from
Cllr. Don Styles, seconded by Cllr. “Any
Other Business should only be used to raise items of information, to request further
information or to raise matters for consideration at a future meeting. No
binding decisions can be made under Any Other Business.” (b)
Reference Minute 081.07; on Monday 9 July 2007 the Parish Council adopted the
2007 Code of Conduct. On a proposal from Cllr.
Mrs. Betty Bird, seconded by Cllr. Don Styles, IT WAS RESOLVED that
date in Item 11 of the Standing Orders (previously Item 10) should be changed
from 5th March 2002 to 9 July 2007. (c) On Monday 9 July 2007 the Parish Council also resolved to adopt
Paragraph 12(2) of the new Code of Conduct. On a proposal from Cllr. Graham Trickey, seconded by Cllr. Don Styles, IT
WAS RESOLVED that Item 14 (previously Item 13) should be changed as
follows: “Where
councillors have a prejudicial interest in any business of the Parish
Council, the councillor may continue to attend that part of meeting but only
for the purpose of making representations, answering questions or giving
evidence relating to the business, in the same way that the public are also
allowed to attend the meeting for the same purpose. They should then
leave for the main discussion and vote.” (d) Cllr. Hart said that he would check that the Parish Council quorum
of 5 is permissible under the Local Government Act. The Act states that the
quorum shall be 3 or a minimum of one third. |
Cllr. Hart |
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015.08 |
PROPOSAL FOR A PARISH COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE SUB-COMMITTEE Cllr.
Foster asked the Council to consider whether letters sent to parishioners in
the name of the Parish Council should be viewed by the Parish Council or a Sub-Committee
in draft form, prior to posting. Cllr. Foster believed this would give a
longer period for reflection over the wording and for verbal communication.
It could also ensure that the Council was seen to be more cohesive in its
communications and acting within its remit of authority or whether it should
be referring the matter to the relevant body. Cllr.
Hart pointed out that Sub-Committees have to act in much the same way as the
full Council and could result in considerable delays before actions could be
taken. Councillors
decided that they would prefer to stay with the current system. |
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016.08 |
FINANCE
(a)
Cheques
issued and transfers made since 10 December 2007 meeting:
Payments Received:
Transfers Made:
Direct Debits Paid: None. Invoice for the above cheque had been inspected and
approved by the signatories. On a proposal from Cllr. Mrs. Betty Bird,
seconded by Cllr. Don Styles, IT WAS RESOLVED that cheque numbered 1015 be approved by the
meeting. (b)
Bank accounts: The last reconciliation had been successfully carried out on the 14th
January 2008. Bank Accounts and Petty Cash as at 31 December 2007:
(c)
Lytes Almshouses –
Funding Request: Cllr. Mrs. Betty Bird read a statement regarding
the funding required for the Lytes Almshouses extensions. In view of the fact
that the Council may have to fund an election it was agreed to carry this
item forward to the February meeting when the funding situation will be
clearer. (d)
Village Maintenance
– Authority to Act: The notice boards’ sponsor will be arranging
for the two notice boards to be re-erected within the next few days. However,
there were small maintenance items that still needed to be carried out. Cllr. Hart suggested that the Council may
wish to consider that the Clerk should have delegated powers to spend up to
£300 on maintenance works as long as they had been previously authorised by
the Council. This will be an agenda item for next month’s meeting. (e)
Grants /
Other Financial Actions: The Clerk has asked for authorisation to spend
£45 on a Wiltshire Association of Local Councils Clerks’ Training Day on 29th
February. On a proposal from Cllr. Mrs. Betty Bird, seconded by Cllr. Dennis
Gill, IT WAS RESOLVED to authorise this request. The Clerk asked whether it would be possible
to find any funding to support the Village Hall in replacing the Parish
Notice board and putting it in a safer location. In view of the funding
uncertainties, it was agreed to carry this forward to the next meeting. Cllr. Don Styles left the meeting at this
point [21:34]. |
Clerk Clerk Clerk |
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017.08 |
CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Received: None. (b) Circulated to Parish Council: ·
NALC: Community
Empowerment Awards National Winners 2007 ·
NALC LCR Volume 59,
No. 5, January 2008 ·
CPRE, The Moonraker,
Issue 6 – December 2007 ·
CPRE, Fieldwork,
December 2007 ·
CVS, Network in
Focus, Winter 2007 ·
National Grid,
Gridline, Winter 07 ·
SLCC, The Clerk,
Vol.39, No.7, January 2008 ·
Clerks &
Councils Direct, Issue 55, January 2008 |
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018.08 |
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Cllr. Peter Hart confirmed that he was now
standing down as Chairman. County Councillor Mrs. Jane Scott said that
wished to express her thanks to Cllr. Hart for the excellent job he had done.
He was at the end of a good line of Chair people in the village and delivered
a great deal to the local community. Cllr. Hart handed over to Vice-Chairman Cllr.
Dennis Gill to conclude the meeting. |
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019.08 |
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(a)
Cllr. Mrs. Betty
Bird said that the branches across the road at Plough Hill had still not been
cut back. The Clerk said she would chase this with CLARENCE. (b)
Cllr. (c)
Cllr. Mrs. Val Giles
said that the Parish Stewards would be in the village again on 23, 24 and 28th
January. (d)
The Clerk reminded
councillors of the New Councillors’ Training Day on Saturday 15th March
in Trowbridge. Any Councillors who wished to attend should contact the Clerk.
(e)
The Clerk asked
Councillors to check whether they had all the supporting materials they needed
in order to carry out the role of Councillors. The Clerk was asked to obtain
copies of the paperback book called ‘The Parish Councillors Guide’ for those
councillors who needed one. (f)
The Clerk said that
next month’s Agenda will include agreeing the Annual Parish Meeting agenda
for 25 March. She would be sending out the regular invitations to speakers in
the next few days. The meeting closed at 21:46. The next Parish Council
Meeting is at 7:45 pm on Monday 11th February 2008. |
Clerk Cllr. G Trickey All Councillors Clerk All Councillors |