Brailes Parish Council

Minutes of the first Jamuary meeting of the Parish Council

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY January 7th 2008 at 7.30pm in the Methodist Room

Apologies for Absence:

Mrs. G. Woods.

Present:

Mrs. B. Manley, Mrs. B. Foster, Mr. R. Cheney. Mr. N. Drury, Mr. A. Jervis, Mr. C. Righton, Dist. Cllr. P. Seccombe, C. Cllr. C. Saint and 6 members of the public

Minutes:

of the last Meeting were approved and signed.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

Lighting:

Mrs. Goren spoke about the new light installed on the Winderton Road and said that it was in the wrong place. The light was needed nearer the junction as there was a danger created for both pedestrians and cars in that area. Mrs. Goren had canvassed the residents of The Park and had a petition with 32 signatures asking for the removal of the new light and the replacement of the light at the junction.
Mrs. Goren spoke of the placing of a pole outside her property and its removal the following day, followed by the recent work done when a light was put on the old wooden pole and then later removed. The Parish Council assured her that this had nothing whatsoever to do with the Parish Council and would not impose any cost on them.

Flooding:

Mr. J. Hyland reported that he had completed his survey of the gullies(190 plus) and now had a map showing where each was situated. The gullies on the main road through the village were cleaned out a few days ago. Further needed cleaning, at the end of the village in Lower Brailes, Sutton Lane and The Park. The gully by the Forge Garage(on the Banbury side) looks like collapsing and the one outside Fairfax Interiors has a growth/tree that needs removing. Sutton Lane ditches by Feldon Cottages need attention. Residents in The Park had had the water almost to their doors and this was mostly coming off the neighbouring field where a grating would relieve the problem. The Pitt Report said there was funding for flood relief. Where was the money?
Cllr. Seccombe said that so far there had been no extra money. The money received for individuals was still being paid out and was still receiving requests. This would come to an end on March 31st. No money had been allocated for businesses.
Mr. Righton reported and said that he now had a plan for ditches to divert the water when water in the brook reached a certain height and had asked someone for a rough estimate of the cost as it would entail removing a tremendous amount of soil.

Cllr. Saint's Report:

Cllr. Saint also spoke of what money was available and pointed out that in spite of there being four funds that might have been a source of extra money, the County did not fulfil the criteria asked and the County had to live within its budget which unfortunately meant that no extra money was available, and any work done had to come out of this years budget.

Library:

in Shipston had opened again in December and encouraged "silver surfers".

Recycling:

The Meeting in Shipston on January 17th of the Electoral Divisional Panel would probably be in the High School when Mr. R. Burton would speak about recycling and Mr. Andrew Dore would speak on Emergency Planning.
A meeting of the Stour Area Community Committee would be held on Jan 22nd and again the speaker would be Ron Weeks on Recycling.

Transport:

The Government said that free transport for the elderly would now be nationwide but had not provided any extra money to deal with this.

MATTERS ARISING:

Web Site:

It was agreed that the web site was not being kept up to date and it was felt that a letter should be sent to Mr. Doherty asking him if he would like us to find someone else to handle the site.

Lighting:

Friars Lane. The Clerk said she had now received the money from B&Q’s insurers and had asked the County to go ahead with the light.
Councillors had been to look at the lighting on Winderton Road and said it was a dark spot and Mr. Drury proposed that we find the cost of erecting a new light. This would be extra as removing the new one would also be an added expense. 2nd Mrs. Manley - all in favour.

Computer Course:

Mr. Cheney said he had intended to speak to the tutor but was unable to do so that day. Money was available for tuition in the grant from Awards for All. After discussion Mr. Cheney said he would try to speak to Mick Green before the next meeting.

Bus Shelter:

Mr. Cheney wondered if the council should consider having a bus shelter. Members felt that not enough people used the bus to warrant such an expense but if a time came when more people used the bus then it could be reconsidered.

Speeding Signs:

The Clerk re-iterated what she had been told by the County. Additional signs such as the ones seen in other villages could no longer be put up as the Government had bought out a new law a few years ago aimed to curtail the proliferation of signs. Councillors questioned this as villages still had these signs as they had been installed before the new legislation. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr. Maples and question this decision.

Dragons Teeth:

The Clerk was still waiting for a reply.

Drain Sutton Lane:

Work had now been completed.

NEW ITEMS:

Precept:

The Clerk had given everyone a copy of the budget to December 31st and an estimated update of a budget for 2008/9 which was considered item by item and a few adjustments were made. The final decision will be made at the meeting on January 28th.

MAINTENANCE:

Lighting:

Winderton Road - the new timer is not working properly.
The light No. 17 - outside Mathews House was permanently out.

Fence:

Mr. Drury spoke of the fencing that had been purchased to be put on top of the coping stones that he had replaced. He said the new fencing was 2 feet short and if it was to be installed it would mean that access to the brook for cleaning purposes would be very limited and furthermore the fencing was bright and shiny and seemed unsuitable. Mr. Drury felt he could not see the purpose of the fence as little further up there was a fallen wall where it would be just as easy for someone to "fall" into the water. It was agreed to meet on site on Saturday to look at the problem first hand.

REPORTS OF OTHER MEETINGS/COMMITTEES:

None this month.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Advertising:

Beth Nicholson SDC said there was free publicity for parish events available on the District Councils web site "What’s On"

PLANNING:

Permission granted to:-

FINANCE:

receipts:

Burial Ground. £160, £75. and £75.

Cheques:

100916 R W Bliss Lighting and heaters for Village Hall. £2,801 42

100917 Phoenix Direct for Ink Cartridges. £ 33.98

100918 E-ON Street Lighting £ 192.83

100919 Petty Cash £ 37.17

Meeting closed at 9.35pm. Next Meeting January 28th 2008.