Wednesday 24 March 2010

February 2010 Minutes

MIDGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday February 23rd 2010 at 7.30 p.m.

Present were Mr H Long (Chairman), Mrs M Rusbridge, Mr J Goddard, Mr D Lombardo, the Clerk Mrs E Berry, Mrs I Neill (district Cllr), Mrs A Spoor (new clerk) and three members of the public.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr J Carey.

Declarations of interest: there were none.

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 26th January 2010 were read approved and signed.

Matters arising:

Mrs Berry introduced the new Clerk, Mrs Angela Spoor, who will be taking over the post by the end of March.
Mr Long announced that Mrs Hutchins from Brimpton Road has agreed to take on the role of flood warden.
Salt Bins – 2 new bins have been purchased. Clerk to liaise with WBC and Mr Inwood about their positioning.
Drain on Church Hill has been cleared by West Berks.

Public Time

Query raised about a further salt bin for New Road Hill. Chairman said this would be looked in to.

Village Hall

Cleaning – Mrs Gravil has commenced cleaning and is invoicing monthly as agreed.
Electrical Work –Electrician has completed the first phase of the work, including the new switches and testing of the heating.
Further quotes were discussed regarding safety checks and PAT checks on the small electrical equipment. Agreed to have the work done and ask re PAT checks also.
Committee Derek agreed to approach the 4 people who have expressed an interest in helping with the committee. Clerk to approach Mrs Dutton re taking over the treasurers position.





Midgham Green
Posts have now been installed on the green. Mr Lombardo to investigate reflectors for the posts.

Reassignment of planning Areas

Agreed that Hanslip will be responsible for Area 4 (Midgham Green to Button Court Farm), and Jeffrey for Area 6 (Birds Lane and West Lodge to Hambledown inclusive.)

District Councillor’s Report – Mrs Neill reported on WBC grit stocks and their management during the recent severe weather conditions. There will be a scrutiny of the management of the stocks and a review of salt bins and snow plough procedures.
Parish Council noted their thanks to Michael Inwood who helped a number of residents during the heavy snow employing his tractor to good use.
Nursery Copse – WBC has been holding various discussions with legal representatives and is moving towards a new enforcement notice.
Council Tax is likely to rise by 1.9% next year.

Clerks Report and Financial Review

Financial Statement: c/a £147.73 d/a £19,315.43

Bills to be paid: Parish Clerk quarterly remuneration and reimbursements £835.88
OALC Training for new clerk and councillor £158.62
The councillors present agreed these amounts.

Planning

There were no applications or decisions this month.

Correspondence:

WBC Speed Limit Review – discussed. Cllrs did not feel the need to attend the review.
WBC District Parish Conference 17th March
CCB Community Planning Conference 6th March
Buckingham Palace Garden Party – Nominated Mr J Goddard.


Play Area – Mr Lombardo reported that there are no problems.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.50 p.m.

Date of next meeting – 23rd March 2010 at 7.30pm.

January 2010 Minutes

MIDGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday January 26th 2010 at 7.30 p.m.

Present were Mr H Long (Chairman), Mrs M Rusbridge, Mr J Goddard, Mr D Lombardo, Mr J Carey, the Clerk Mrs E Berry, and four members of the public.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr J Ormrod.

Declarations of interest: there were none.

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 24th November 2009 were read approved and signed.

Matters arising:

The Chairman discussed problems following recent heavy snowfall, and some flooding. He reported that two residents are considering taking up the post of flood warden, both of them live in Midgham marsh being the most affected area. The warden would liaise with WBC.
Councillors noted that there are currently 2 salt bins, one on the A4 and one near the church. Agreed to purchase two further bins – one for Windmill Rd/School Hill and one for Midgham Green.

Parish Clerk Vacancy – adverts have been placed in 3 parish magazines and will also be placed with NALC and in the Newbury Weekly News as the only candidate for the post has now withdrawn.

Public Time

Two drains in Church Hill are blocked – clerk to report to WBC.

Village Hall

Cleaning – Mr Lombardo will liaise with Mrs Gravil to arrange for cleaning to be carried out. Payments to be made at no more than £30 per month.
Electrical Work – quotes were discussed and councillors agreed to instruct Thorne Electrical to carry out the work. Proposed H Long, Seconded M Rusbridge.
Accounts – discussed and signed. Noted that the Village Hall is running at a deficit as costs exceed revenue. Trustees to be asked to assess the situation and report to Parish Council. Councillors also to consider the future of the hall and discuss at the next meeting.


Midgham Green

Councillors agreed a document for issue to Midgham Green residents.
Mr Lombardo will contact Mike Inwood to arrange for the new posts to be fitted.
Clerk will order new notices.

District Councillor’s Report – District Councillor not present.

Budget & Expenditure – Precept 2010/2011

Councillors discussed the budget document and agreed a precept of £2000 for 2010/11. Proposed H Long, Seconded J Carey.

Clerks Report and Financial Review

Financial Statement: c/a £148.34 d/a £19,915.43

Bills to be paid: Odin Manners £601.39
The councillors present agreed this amount.

Mr Carey agreed to become a second signatory for the parish account.

Planning

New applications: 09/02266/FUL Bailiffs House – no objections.
Decisions: 09/01151/FUL Nightfreight Ltd. Conditional Approval
09/02238/HOUSE Glencot – Conditional Approval
09/02266/FUL Bailiffs House – Approved
09/02297/LBC 43 Bird’s Lane - Approved

Correspondence:
Pang, Kennet & Lambourne Valleys Countryside Project – councillors decided not to make a donation as Midgham Parish not directly involved in this project.
Letter of thanks from St Matthew’s PCC.
WBC District Parish Conference dates – next event 17 March 2010.
Birds of Berkshire Atlas – councillors decided not to make a donation.
Thames Valley Police Conference on Rural Crime – Hanslip will attend.
JSPU Withdrawal of Berks Minerals & Waste Core Strategy – clerk to query this.
West Berks Heritage Forum AGM 9th March 2010.
West Berks Restorative Justice – agreed to ask them to take over cleaning of bus shelters.

Play Area – Mr Lombardo reported that there are no problems except that the bushes around the bench need to be cut back.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.

Date of next meeting – 23rd February 2010 at 7.30pm.

New Parish Clerk




NEW PARISH CLERK – ANGELA SPOOR

Welcome to Midgham Parish Council’s new Clerk, Angela Spoor.
Angela will be making her first official appearance at the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 23 March which is being held in the village hall.
Angela has lived in nearby Aldermaston Wharf for 15 yrs and is a member of Willink Parent Teacher Association and takes an active involvement in local community issues. She is looking forward to meeting as many locals as possible at the Annual Village Meeting on April 27th.

Friday 12 March 2010

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