May 2025 Minutes
Draft Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 30th April 2025 in the village hall
Present: Cllr C Ashton (Chairman), Cllr R Brabbin, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr F Parish, Cllr C Van Straubenzee, Cllr A White, Cllr J Oldfield, Cllr L Hughes, Mrs S Phillips (Clerk)
Apologies: Cllr H White and Cllr P Golding
|
25/42 |
Election of Chairperson and signature of Declaration of Acceptance of Office Form Nominations were received for Cllr Parish and Cllr White. Cllr Brabbin proposed Cllr Parish, seconded by Cllr van Straubenzee, all in favour.
Cllr Parish signed the declaration of acceptance of office form. |
|
25/43 |
Election of Vice Chairperson and signature of Declaration of Acceptance of Office Form All were in favour to defer until the next meeting.
Cllr Ashton left the meeting. |
|
|
Public Forum There were no members of the public in attendance. |
|
25/44 |
Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were received from Cllr H White and Cllr P Golding. |
|
25/45 |
Declarations of interest for items on the agenda None. |
|
25/46 |
Reports from County/District Councillors District and County councillors were not present due to elections taking place. |
|
25/47 |
To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 1 April 2025 It was approved that minutes of the parish council meeting held on 1 April 2025 were a true and accurate record and signed as such by the chair. |
|
25/48 |
Financial matters |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
a) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
b) |
To consider the purchase of a laptop for the clerk It was agreed for the clerk to purchase a parish council laptop costing £299.00 which includes 1 year Microsoft package. |
|
25/49 |
Operational Matters |
|
a) |
Review of Councillor Responsibilities Councillors reviewed and amended their responsibilities. A new personnel committee has been formed consisting of Cllr Parish, vice chair and Cllr Oldfield. Terms of reference for the committee to be brought back to the next meeting for approval.
A discussion took place with the idea of creating a Facebook page for the parish council. It was agreed to be brought back to the next meeting for further discussion. |
|
(b) |
To consider village planters A request has been received to paint the planters green, but they will painted white so they stand out. |
|
c) |
To amend date for litter picking Cllr Parish stated that the time of the litter pick is being moved to an earlier time on 11th May from 10.30am until 11.45pm due to a memorial taking place.
Cllr Brabbin will make arrangements for litter picking hoops to be purchased. |
|
25/50 |
Village Hall updates |
|
a) |
To receive an update on the village hall lease The lease has not been signed and agreed to be brought back to the next meeting. |
|
b) |
To receive an update on the gas expenditure The problem with the high expenditure of gas has now been resolved due to the governor being stuck. The parish council requested that the clerk make a complaint to EON as they own the meter. If there is such an increase again EON is to be called out immediately.
Cllr van Straubenzee agreed to send meter readings to the clerk when required. |
|
c) |
To consider installing a smart meter for gas and electricity The clerk to contact EON and British Gas to arrange the installation of a smart meter.
Councillors would like to install Hive moving forward and requested this be an agenda item for the next meeting. |
|
e) |
Other matters to discuss The padlock on the gate has been removed. Cllr Van Straubenzee agreed to purchase another padlock with 5 keys.
PAT testing needs to be arranged by the VH management committee.
Emergency lighting needs to be tested which will be completed by Cllr Oldfield once the key is located. Cllr Parish will enquire to where the key can be located.
Records for any testing are to be held. Confirmation is needed when fire extinguishers were last checked and where the records are being held. |
|
25/51 |
Allotments update Cllr van Straubenzee confirmed that all allotments have been rented and paid for. |
|
25/52 |
Play Areas |
|
a) |
VH rec play park monthly maintenance Cllr Oldfield explained that the play park is being used, but repairs are needed.
It was agreed that a new basketball net could be purchased by Cllr Oldfield.
A discussion took place on the play park, and it was agreed that the committee would meet to discuss the MUGA further, and to bring ideas and costings back to the next meeting. |
|
25/53 |
Planning Matters |
|
a) |
Planning applications received for comments
|
|
25/54 |
Additional items Cllr White has agreed to fill the potholes in the entrance to the village hall.
The flag for VE day has gone up at the church, Cllr Parish will check if the school will be putting one up.
The meeting was declared closed at 8.20pm. |