January 2005
UPLOWMAN PARISH COUNCIL: MINUTES OF MEETING
Held on 6th January 2005 at the Village Hall, Uplowman, starting at 8.45pm
Minutes taken by Mrs L Veen. Action points in bold.
6 members of the public were present plus Cllr R Radford, (DCC & MDDC), Mr M Aspray, (Clerk, Sampford Peverell PC), PC Dodd, (community PC)
1. MEMBERS PRESENT
1.1 Mr J White (Chair), Mr D Aggett , Mr R Burman, Mr R Branton, Mr R Adcock, Mrs L Veen & Mrs S Brown.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2.1 Had been received from Mr R Hodgson, Clerk, who was engaged on emergency work in Sri Lanka.
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (4th November 2004)
3.1 Minutes of the meeting had been previously circulated. The minutes were approved without amendment and signed by the Chair.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
4.1 There were no matters arising that would not be dealt with under the agenda.
5. FINANCES
5.1 Current Balance: £1405.85
Income since last meeting (Churchyard grant) £ 140.00
5.2 The following payments were approved and cheques signed to effect the disbursements:
Clerk's honorarium expenses (£3.20)
Churchyard maintenance grant to PCC (£300.00)
It was agreed that the costs of signs to discourage parking would be paid on receipt of an invoice up to a maximum of £150.
5.3 The Precept for the coming year was set at £2,500, an increase of £100 over 2004-5 to allow for inflation. The Chair would inform MDDC Finance Dept.
5.4 The salary scales notified by the Society of Local Council Clerks were discussed. It appeared that they would not apply to the present Clerk who was not currently employed on a salaried basis. It was noted that his contract provides for an hourly remuneration similar to the pay scales stipulated.
6. PLANNING/LICENSING APPLICATIONS
6.1 Spalsbury Farm: Listed Building consent for internal alterations, UPC had no objection.
6.2 Sweetfield House: single storey extension, UPC had no objection
6.3 Craigmore House: single storey extension, UPC had no objection
6.4 Crosses Fm: Erection of 2 stables. UPC recommend moving 2m away from sewer line.
6.5 Redwoods Inn: application for entertainments licence. There was no detailed information available at the meeting. It was agreed that music/discos in the skittles alley would not be acceptable. Mr White would investigate.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence received and sent had been circulated. Attention was drawn to the following items of interest that were not covered elsewhere:
7.1 MDDC had advised that the roads in Uplowman village are scheduled to be swept every 3 weeks.
7.2 DCC had sent a consultation on Rights of Way improvement for completion by 14 Feb.
7.3 Victim Support were seeking a room for their consultations. Mrs Veen would reply on behalf of UHRA.
8. HALL AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION
8.1 Hall bookings were still good. The AGM reported healthy finances in December.
9. EMERGENCY PLANNING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
9.1 Mr Aggett had undertaken to check/update the post codes and grid references for the parish. This work was ongoing.
9.2 There had been no calls to the neighbourhood watch scheme. PC Dodd reported that the notified crimes had mainly been domestic or committed by outsiders.
10. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
10.1 The leat would be tidied with a 6-inch high verge and a post/rail fence. The leat owners (Mr Britton) had been consulted and were happy that they would maintain the leat while UPC maintains the cutting of the verge.
10.2 An oak tree had been planted in the playing field and paid for.
10.3 At Cllr Lee's suggestion, UPC had suggested some Uplowman residents to MDDC for commendation for their public works.
11. SEWERAGE
11.1 All done. Dean & Dyball would be asked to remove their sign..
12. CONDITION OF ROAD/TRANSPORT IN THE PARISH
12.1 PC Dodd agreed that it would be worth putting up the proposed 'no parking' signs, possibly with white lines if the signs proved insufficient. A 'Not suitable for long vehicles' sign would be erected outside the Post Office by DCC. Mr White advised that the proposed 'No Parking' signs would cost £28 + VAT. He was authorised to order four.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The dates of future meetings were reviewed. To avoid clashes with noisy activities in the main Hall, it was decided to change to Friday evenings henceforth. .The next meeting would be at 7.30pm on Friday 18rd March, 27th May, 15th July, 9th September and 11th November 2005 (all Fridays). Note that the date originally selected for the March meeting was to be 11th March; it has been changed to 18th to avoid a double booking.
The meeting closed at 9.00pm
Notes on Public Meeting starting at 7.30pm
1. It was asked whether gritting lorries still serve Uplowman. It was stated that DCC can supply a map of the routes used.
2. A second query concerned the clearing of bridle paths. UPC would check responsibility for this.