BREWOOD AND COVEN PARISH COUNCIL
WITH
BISHOP’S WOOD AND COVEN HEATH
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL
OFFICES,
PRESENT
Cllr A. Ball
(arrived 7.35pm), Mrs J. Carr, Mr D. Evans (arrived 8.10pm), Mrs K.A. Holmes,
Mrs J.C. Jeffries, Mrs L.E. Jones, Mr G. Martin, Mrs A.Y. Millward, Dr R.C.H.
Taylor, Mr M. Webb.
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from M. Alden-Court
(illness), Mr F. Barrett (holiday), Cllr I. Clay (seminar), Mrs D.M. Holmes (holiday), Mr I. Westwood (work
commitment), Cllr M. Hampson (holiday).
Mr D. Evans had given his apologies that he would arrive late.
IN ATTENDANCE
Mr P. Davies, Senior Landscape Manager and
Mr H. Jones, Landscape Planning Manager,
South Staffordshire Council.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the meetings of the Council held 25 September and the minutes of the
Coven Changing Rooms Committee held 8 October were approved as being accurate
records and duly signed.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Dr R.C.H. Taylor declared a personal and
prejudicial interest in item 177 Closure of Churchyards. He advised that he would speak on the matter
during Public Participation. Mrs K.A.
Holmes declared a personal interest in item 56 Bus Shelter, The Parade, Coven
and item 135 Cooper’s Licence Application.
Mr D. Evans declared a personal interest in item 177 where it related to
St Mary and St
Section
17 of the Crime and Disorder Act, 1998 places a duty on local authorities to
consider the crime and disorder implications when exercising its functions and
to do all that it reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in its
area. Unless otherwise stated it was not
considered that the resolutions to be moved herein would have any adverse
impact for the purposes of the Crime and Disorder Act.
188.
BARNFIELD SANDBEDS
The Chairman welcomed Mr P. Davies, Senior
Landscape Manager and Mr H. Jones, Landscape Planning Manager from South
Staffordshire Council to the meeting.
Mr Pat Davies and Mr Hayden Jones made a brief
presentation outlining the current proposals of South Staffordshire Council for
the site known as the Barnfield Sandbeds.. They advised that the aim was to initially
improve the pathway, carry out shrub clearance, remove waste and contamination
at the site, improve sight lines and introduce limited car parking spaces - by
the end of March 2009. It was envisaged
that work would be undertaken at the site for the next three and a half years
based on a management plan that would be put into operation. A grant from the Forestry Commission had been
applied for and the
Members were advised that the site was 6.5 hectares
in size and that South Staffordshire Council envisaged the management of 4
areas of different character. A circular walk would be developed and parking
for a few cars and a minibus to support schools using the site although great
numbers of vehicles or large vehicles such as coaches were not expected. They
confirmed that South Staffordshire Council would not change the character of
the site when they took over the maintenance of it.
Members asked about a contingency for ongoing
maintenance. They replied that they did
not envisage the area being maintenance heavy however this would be covered by
their existing grounds maintenance budget. With regards to pathway surfaces
they confirmed that there was no surfacing as yet however the area was being
monitored and if necessary pressed, crushed brick material would be used. They also confirmed that the car park would
not be tarmaced.
Concern was expressed about the possibility of
motorbikes using the site. Mr Davies said that they could look at the
possibility of erecting gates but that this may be problematic as it was a
public footpath. With regard to
wheelchair access it was envisaged that some paths would be accessible and some
not. It was planned that detailed
signage would be erected around the site showing what visitors would be likely
to see in a particular area. These signs could also indicate whether the area
was suitable for wheelchairs. They also
confirmed that the hut presently erected on the site would be removed as it was
not a permanent structure and there was no particular need for it.
Mr Davies said that they envisaged setting up a
local community group via the Parish Council – a Friends Group – to help manage
the site. Cards were distributed for
members of the public to make contact with them. Mr Howard Medlicott would be able to provide
advice with regard to the setting up of a Friends group and that the Clerk
include an article in the next Parish Council newsletter regarding setting up
the ‘Friends of Barnfields Sandbeds’. It was noted a similar approach had been
agreed for the ‘Friends of the Bront’.
Members congratulated the gentlemen on the positive
steps taken so far and recommended that the name of the site be kept as
“Barnfield Sandbeds” as this was how the area was locally known.
188.
PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION
The
Chairman moved that the meeting be adjourned for a period of no more than
fifteen minutes to allow any elector of the parish or his/her representative to
raise or question any issues appertaining to proper parish council business.
Dr
R.C.H. Taylor with regard to item 177 Closure of Churchyards. He stated that, with reference to St Mary and
St
POLICE
REPORT
No report was due at this meeting.
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms.
Council received the minutes of the meetings
of the Coven Changing Rooms Committee held 8 October. Written confirmation had
been received from the DCLG that Borrowing Approval had been given to the sum
of £87,958. Clerks report referred. The Football Foundation had emailed seeking
confirmation that goal posts at the site were to FA standard – the Clerk had
confirmed with Mrs R. Ball of Coven United that this was the case.
It
was resolved that the Clerk write to Lilliput Day Nursery advising them that
due to forthcoming building works it was proposed that car park charges be
waived for six months.
347** Buildings – Proposal
for New Development. Awaiting details concerning the ownership of Church
House. Matter of report.
347** Buildings – Scout Hut and
Youth Club Provision. A meeting
Chaired by Cllr Drinkwater was held on 26 September – the Clerk attended in the
absence of Mr Webb and Mr Evans. Clerk’s report referred. Dr R.C.H. Taylor and
the Clerk attended a meeting with Sir Patrick Cormack MP on 3 October, Dr
Taylor reported that although it had been a useful meeting it was felt that
County Council weren’t listening to the problems Parish Council’s were facing,
namely the withdrawal of funding.
Mr M. Webb would be attending the meeting of the Steering Group at the Deansfield site on 23 October at 9.30am.
72* / 151* Traffic
Management. Awaiting detailed drawings of the recommendation to construct two
‘build-outs’ in
Matter of report.
205*/250*
Matter of report.
217* Proposals for a
It was resolved that the Clerk contact Mr Smillie to progress the lease.
234* Review of Standing Orders - Copies of the revised Standing Orders were issued to Members at the meeting. Matter of report
302* Chain of Office. The old Chain
of Office had been returned with the names of all previous Chairs of Council
engraved up to the Millennium. Vaughton’s had indicated the approximate cost of
a display case for the old chain would be in the region of £150.
It was resolved that the Clerk should seek a detailed specification and quote for a display case.
307*
Matter of report.
324* Portable Flashing
Speed Warning Signs. Clerk to follow up with Mr Keeling in the light of
information obtained from a Town Council who has successfully implemented a
system.
Matter of report.
377* Affordable Housing. Awaiting
the outcome of the Housing Needs Survey and a reply from Ms U. Bennion to this
Council’s query as to a definitive definition of ‘Local Connection’ in the
light of Ms Rowley’s email. Advice had also been sought from Essington Parish
Council.
Matter
of report.
408* Croft House, Coven. Cllr M. Hampson had indicated that he would follow
up the matter.
Matter of report.
56. Bus Shelter, The Parade, Coven. Following a
meeting with a Garrick Outdoor engineer, Coven Members and the Assistant Clerk,
Mrs D. Poole, on 30 September it was agreed that a full end panel should be
included in the specification. Confirmation had been received from Area
Highways approving the style, location and orientation of the bus shelter. The
cost to supply and install the shelter had been confirmed as £3,091 exclu. VAT, £3,500 was budgeted for in the
precept. Mrs K.A. Holmes left the
meeting while the matter was discussed.
It was resolved that an order be placed for the supply and installation of the approved bus shelter at a cost of £3,091 exclu. VAT from Garrick Outdoor and the Clerk confirm the budget precepted for the project.
58. The Bront. Clerk to seek
quotes for the required tree works and path; support of Coven residents to be
sought to form a community support group for the Bront; suitable grant
opportunities and support from other organisations to be sought for
implementing the Woodland Management Plan including display boards.
It was resolved that the Clerk contact Mr H. Jones from South Staffordshire Council with regard to the guidelines he referred to when setting up a “Friends of The Bront”.
61. BT Review of Red Phone Boxes. Awaiting a reply from BT following their Red Phone Box consultation. Matter of report.
63. Bench,
Matter of report
74. Reduction of Green Bus
Service. Copies of previous correspondence received with regard to this
Council’s concern at the reduction in bus services in the Parish circulated to
members prior to the meeting. Members considered further action in the light of
the bus service report tabled by Mrs D. Poole and Mrs C. Cumming at the last
meeting and the subsequent summary also circulated prior to the meeting.
Members considered that the letter from the Department of Transport dated 14
August was unsatisfactory. Mrs D. Poole was thanked for her hard work with
respect to this matter.
It
was resolved that the Clerk write further letters to Mr D. Kidney MP, Sir P.
Cormack MP, the Department of Rural Affairs and the Department of Transport
stating that the responses received to date had been unsatisfactory and to
appraise the Environment Agency of the matter. The Clerk to also contact
Blymhill and Weston Under Lizard Parish Council and Lapley, Stretton and
101. Staffing
Committee. Meeting of the Staffing Committee to be scheduled to review the redrafted
contracts.
It was
resolved that the Clerk would agree a date with the committee at the end of the
meeting.
102. Access to Council
Offices, Hand Rail. Quote received from Ace Kind for the supply and installation
of a powder coated hand rail to the entrance of the Council Office at a cost of
£198 excluding VAT. Awaiting confirmation from South Staffordshire Council
Planning and Mr D. Burton-Pye to confirm no approval is required.
It was resolved that an order be placed for
a black powder coated handrail when the approval had been received from South
Staffordshire Council.
117. Waste 2 Energy
Site. Letter received from Mr P. Chesson, Chair of Hatheron Parish Council
seeking the support of other Parish Council’s prior to the determination of the
application scheduled for early November. Copy circulated prior to the meeting
with their recommended standard letter of support.
It was resolved that the Clerk reply explaining that Members had already passed a resolution approving the installation as proposed and could not therefore lend further support.
135. Application for
Premises Licence - Coopers Fine Foods, 4 The Parade, Coven. Mr D. Evans
was concerned that he had received a verbal report that ‘a Member was reported
to have made representation to the Licensing Committee as a Parish Councillor
and as a result it had been understood that the Parish Council had objected to
the application.’ It was noted that he Parish Council had only recommended
shorter opening hours. Mrs K.A. Holmes left the meeting while this matter was
discussed.
It was resolved the Clerk and the Chair of Council, Dr R.C.H. Taylor obtain further details from the Councillor referenced and report back to Council.
141. Planning Report –
Horse Chestnut, Rear of Brewood Library. Copy correspondence
received with regard to the decision to approve the recommendation to fell the
tree. The reason for the decision was stated as “There is no guarantee that any
repair and lintolling works to the listed wall would prevent further damage
occurring and/or its collapse in the future. This, along with the declining
health of the tree is sufficient to determine that a tree preservation order
cannot be justified in order to prevent the removal of the tree. A TPO
preventing the removal of the tree could lead to claims for compensation for
wall repairs.”
Matter of report.
143. Refuse Bin, Public
Conveniences, Brewood. Reply received from N. Fletcher with regard to this
Council’s request that the refuse bin be removed from behind the railings of
the public conveniences. Copy enclosed. Clerk’s report referred.
It was resolved that the Clerk reply accepting Mr Fletcher’s offer to change the railings to a locking hinged type with both parties holding a key, that the area only be used for storage of a refuse bin, drawing Mr Fletcher’s attention to plans that show a line between the two buildings presumably representing a boundary and thanking him for his assistance in finding a workable solution.
175. South Staffordshire
Council Open Space Strategy. Draft for consultation which detailed their thinking about how the vision for open
space might become a reality and the mechanisms for achieving this. The document
follows on from the Council’s recent Open Space Audit. Members’ views were
sought on the strategy. Consultation ends 31 October 2008. The Strategy was
tabled again at the meeting. The Clerk reported she had read the Consultation
and had nothing further to report.
Matter of report.
176. South Staffordshire
Primary Care Trust. Draft NHS Constitution and seeking the views of Members
about the Constitution and how it would work. The consultation would end 17
October 2008. A copy of the Constitution was tabled at the meeting. Mrs K. A.
Holmes referred Members to sections where the wording was ambiguous and would
benefit from further clarification.
It was resolved that the Clerk
respond to the consultation highlighting the specific concerns raised by Mrs
K.A. Holmes. Members thanked Mrs K.A.
Holmes for reading the document and raising these points.
177. Closure
of Churchyards. Mrs J. Jackson, Secretary, St Mary and St Chad’s Parochial
Church Council had provided details of correspondence with the Ministry of
Justice which confirmed that although they were unwilling to reverse the
refusal to close the old churchyard they would consider allowing the closure
application to proceed if ‘the relevant parish or district councils did not
have any objection to the closure of part of a churchyard’. Confirmation
received from South Staffordshire Council that the ‘old churchyard’ at
It was resolved that, with regard
to St Paul’s, Coven the Clerk give notice to the P.C.C./Rev. Baker and South
Staffordshire Council that this Council had passed a resolution that it did not
wish to take on the responsibility of the said churchyard and, in so doing,
notice of such a resolution transferred the responsibility to South
Staffordshire Council as per s215 of the Local Government Act 1972.
It was resolved that, with regard
to St Mary and St Chad’s, Brewood the Clerk reply to the P.C.C., copied to
South Staffordshire Council, stating that this Council understood that the
churchyard had not been closed, that it was Council’s understanding that no
closure order had been granted under s215 of the Local Government Act 1972,
that as such, the P.C.C.’s notice to ‘hand-over’ was premature and should
closure be possible subject only to the Parish Council accepting the
responsibility for maintenance then the Council have resolved it did not wish
to take on the responsibility for maintenance.
189.
Street Light, Junction of
It was resolved that the Clerk send copies of correspondence to Sir P. Cormack M.P.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports, and e-mails had
been received from:
190. SPCA with regard to the
arrangement whereby our Area Committee has an annual meeting with Staffordshire
County Council to raise issues of concern. Members were asked whether they
wished the SPCA to arrange such a meeting.
It
was resolved that the Clerk inform the SPCA that Members wished them to arrange
a meeting to discuss local issues of street lighting, youth services and the
bus service.
191. Plus Publishing with regard to
the next edition of the Brewood and Coven Parish Guide. This was scheduled to
be available in November subject to any new editorial being made available by
31 October. If any Members had changes, new information or photographs they
would like included they were requested to forward details to the Clerk as soon
as possible, and no later than 17 October.
It
was resolved Coven Members would provide details of changes required to the Coven
map as soon as possible.
192. Standards Board for
Matter
of report.
193. Communities and Local Government
consultation paper ‘The Making and Enforcement of Byelaws’. The paper invited
views on the proposed new procedure which would enable local authorities to
make certain byelaws without the need for scrutiny by the Secretary of State
and about proposals for a new enforcement regime for byelaws. The paper was
tabled at the meeting. Comments were invited by 20 November. The paper could be
downloaded from the internet:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/byelaws.
It
was resolved that the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Council.
194. Area Highways with regard to the
requirements for the installation of decorations on or above the highway –
unmetered supply, licence applications for decorations on or over the highway.
It
was resolved that copies to be forwarded to the four Christmas Lights
Committees.
195. Inspector Gains with regard to the Police
Authority Consultation Committee Meeting to be held at The Community Centre,
Matter
of report.
196. Staffordshire County Council providing the
Council with access details to the new online Consultation Portfolio. The
County Councils new minerals and waste policy documents were scheduled to be added
to the Portal on 30 September, this had now been revised to 3 October.
Matter
of report.
197. Mrs R. Ball on behalf of Coven United
requesting that the under 12s and under 13s teams be allowed to use the School
Lane football pitch on Sunday mornings, their arrangements with another site
having fallen through. Mrs Ball had confirmed that they would arrange for any
additional line marking that may be required at their own cost as at present.
It
was resolved that the request of Coven United be approved and that the Clerk
remind Mrs Ball that they are responsible for ensuring that the playing fields
are kept litter free following the hire of the pitch.
198. Mr John Blount, Hon. Sec. and Treasurer to the
Staffordshire Branch of the Society of Local Council Clerks with regard to his
visit to the full meeting of the Council. Copy circulated prior to the meeting.
Matter
of report.
199. Staffordshire County Council with regard to
the 2008 Watchdog Conference on Monday 24 November from 10.00am until 3.00pm at
Staffordshire University Film Theatre. It was hoped that Hazel Blears would be
the Keynote Speaker to outline the Government’s vision for community engagement
and empowerment.
It
was resolved any Member wishing to attend would notify the Clerk during the
meeting.
200. Defra via the SPCA seeking nominations for the
2009 Birthday and New Years Honours rounds to recognise individuals who have
made an outstanding contribution and secured positive outcomes across the rural
sector.
It
was resolved any Member wishing to make a recommendation should do so during
the meeting.
201. South Staffordshire Council’s
Private Landlords Forum to be held 23 October at the Council Offices, Codsall,
6.30pm – 8.30pm.
Matter
of report.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Brewood Civic Society, copy
correspondence to South Staffordshire Council, Planning – 08/00923/FUL
Coven Heath Community Association
Newsletter.
Town and Parish Standard,
Newsletter of the Standards Board for
South Staffordshire Citizens Advice
Bureau notice of AGM 9 October and Annual Report 07-08.
South Staffordshire Housing
Association News extra Newsletter.
Staffordshire Police SaferStaffs
Newsletter.
CrossTalk; Hotrod –
202. CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Chair, Dr R.C.H. Taylor who thanked the Vice
Chair, Mrs D.M. Holmes and Mrs L.E. Jones for covering meetings in his
absence. He referred to the letter
received from Mr Blount regarding his visit to the full meeting of the Council
and stated that he believed that the format of meetings should remain
formal. Dr Taylor also reported that
mindful of the cost of holding the Civic Sunday he suggested that the church service
be followed by a buffet at the rear of the church. Members were in agreement with this proposal.
203. FINANCE
REPORT:
The
Council received the Finance Report from the Head of Finance, Mrs L.E. Jones
and resolved the following matters:
·
The accounts for payment as at 9
October 2008 be approved.
·
The quote for new signage for
Coven Playing field at a cost of £244.70 exclu. VAT from Signs Now be approved – two ‘No Kite Flying’ signs to
replace the existing broken signs and two ‘No Dogs Allowed’ signs to replace
one broken sign and an additional sign for the other side of the car park.
·
The purchase of a bench for
·
The request of Coven Heath
Community Association - that the grant precepted in the budget for the
Association to the value of £600 to made available - be approved.
·
The request of the Clerk to
attend a Project Management course at a cost of £95 to SLCC Members on 27
November from 10.00am to 4.00pm be approved.
The course to be held in
·
The order of 3 Christmas trees
from the Rotary Club at a cost of £20 per tree, total £60 be approved.
PLANNING
REPORT:
The Council received the Planning Report
from Dr R.C.H. Taylor and considered the planning applications received as set
out in the attached
schedule. Mrs J.C. Jeffries abstained from voting on 08/01007/FUL.
Notice of the Hearing to be held with
regard to the appeal lodged by Mrs M. Groves against the decision of South
Staffordshire Council not to grant planning permission for the siting of a log
cabin as a temporary dwelling to support equestrian business on land off
204. PLAYING FIELDS REPORTS:
The Council received the reports
of:
Bishops Wood Playing Field and
It was resolved that the Clerk
contact Mrs D. Drury to ascertain who was responsible for clearing the ditch
and Mr A. Cousins with regard to the problem with grass cutting.
Brewood Playing Field.
Mr Webb reported that the north area of the playing fields was very wet.
The broken swing had been repaired and South Staffordshire Council had
confirmed they were scheduled to trim the hedges.
Coven Playing Field.
Mrs J. Carr and Mrs A.Y. Millward reported that moss was growing in the
cracks between the rubber tiles and that they were presently experiencing
problems with dogs being allowed onto the playing fields, particularly around
lunchtime.
It
was resolved the Clerk contact PCSO Price with regard to the persistent problem
of dogs/owners and ask Mr D. Barker to ensure he litter-picks the site at the
start of each day.
205. CLERKS REPORT:
The
Council received the written report of the Clerk.
It was resolved that Mrs L.E.
Jones and Mrs J. Carr would work with the Clerk to carry out the new Business
Risk Assessment.
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
206.
Footpaths, Coven. Mrs K.A. Holmes reported that
the surface of pavements in Coven were a cause for concern and asked that the
Area Highways be requested to inspect the footpaths in the centre of Coven.
It
was resolved that the Clerk contact Area Highways and advise Coven Members of
the date when any inspection would take place.
There
being no other business the meeting closed at 9.45pm.
CLERKS REPORT FOR THE MEETING HELD 9 OCTOBER
2008
288**
Coven Changing Rooms The PWLB
have indicated that they should be able to confirm the loan on Friday 10
October or Monday 13 at the latest. The Project Manager Leon Beards has
received an email confirming the Football Foundation will be approving the
Council’s preferred Tender – Council need to receive the written confirmation.
When these two points have been cleared the contractor can be officially
appointed and a pre-construction meeting will be arranged with the contractor
and the Coven Changing Rooms Committee. I have spent hours endeavouring to sort
out the status of the VAT on this project. I have now had the agreement of HMRC
that a representative who normally provides rulings on such matters will reply
to correspondence I forward – this was after an hour long conversation about
the various complexities involved. I will progress the matter.
347** Buildings – Scout Hut and Youth Provision
I attended the meeting Chaired by Cllr Drinkwater to progress the development
of a business plan, Mr M. Webb being unavailable to attend. The report from the
facilitators of the meeting held at the Jubilee Hall on 17 September was not
available for discussion. A number of sources of funding were discussed and Mr
D. Swift, Headteacher of Brewood Middle School explained to the Committee the
ideas he had been considering with his Governors. The steering group are now
setting up a working group – membership to be determined by Graham Bott - to
progress the business plan, initially this will involve representatives of the
Scouts, Youth Services and other local organisations to determine the
requirements of a building. The working group are scheduled to meet on 10
October and the steering group will next meet on 23 October at 9.30am at the
234*
Standing Orders These have
been delivered and a copy for Member has been tabled.
56. Bus Shelter, Coven. The required approval
and services plan have been received from Area Highways. On approval of
tonight’s resolution the necessary order can be placed.
63. Bench,
143. Refuse Bin, Public Conveniences, Brewood.
I recommend the Council accept Mr Fletcher’s offer to change the railings to a
locking hinged type, providing a key to the Parish Council on the understanding
that:
·
previous
plans of the site have always shown a line from the back wall between the
toilet outside wall and the outside wall of the property now called ‘The
Stables’. As there is no apparent boundary between the two buildings, as the
map suggests, then the Council accept that the passage way in between the two
properties be available for both parties to gain access to maintain their
respective property walls.
·
to
this end the Council trusts that the area will only be used for storage of the
refuse bin and for no other purpose.
·
That
Mr Fletcher be thanked for his assistance in finding a workable solution.
177. Closure of Churchyards In the light of
additional information received with regard to
192. Parish Guide – we are currently working
on updates to the Guide, if anyone has any new photos we could consider using
please let the Clerk know asap. I believe there was a request to include ‘The
Rainbow P.H.’ on the map of Coven?
Finance
Letter received from the Rotary Club of
Brewood and District asking the Council (and other traders / householders) to
pre-order and pay for one or more small trees on the brackets outside the
Council Offices a t a cost of £20 each. Orders required by 25 October. Recommended resolution: the Council approve
the purchase of 3 small trees at a cost of £60.
FOI - Under the Freedom of
Information Act it is the duty of every public authority to adopt and maintain
a publication scheme. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is changing
the emphasis in the approval and operation of publication schemes to a generic
model which should be adopted and operated by all public authorities from 1 January 2009. The model scheme document
must be adopted unchanged but we will be required to produce a document listing
all the information we will make routinely available, explain how it can be
accessed and whether or not a charge will be made for it. I will work on this
and circulate it in time for adoption before the end of the calendar year.
Precept – having discussed the matter
with the Head of Finance it is proposed that the precept meeting will be held
before the end of December this year. Unfortunately the Head of Finance needs
to give apologies for the Council meeting scheduled for 11 so would Members
approve a precept meeting be scheduled for 18 December after which it has been
suggested we will have a ‘party’ in the same format as last year. If any
Members wish any projects to be considered for inclusion in the Precept please
advise the Clerk before the end of October.
Risk Assessments and review of internal controls
and of effectiveness of internal audit – Members are required to carry out
these reviews during October / November. I have produced a Business Risk
Assessment checklist which I can complete and circulate to Members for their
consideration / comment which should then enable Members to update the Annual
Risk Assessment Report. I will circulate the appropriate papers prior to the
meeting to be held 30 October. It would
be beneficial if one or more Members were involved with going through the
Business Risk Assessment.
Parish Youth
Champion I Met
with Rachel Taylor of SSDC at the Playbuilder seminar and was discussing the
intentions behind the Parish Youth Champions who had met the night before.
Rachel informed me that our representative had not attended although I had
forwarded the invitation. In discussing the matter further it became clear that
we along with other parishes had misunderstood the requirement which, I am
advised, was for a Council representative to stand as Youth Champion and in
time liaise with Youth in the parish. SSC will be writing to the Councils again
to clarify the role. Members need to give this matter further consideration,
particularly as we would possibly wish to have more than one Youth Champion,
but this could be linked with the recommendation I forwarded at the last
meeting that we need to develop community groups we can consult with as various
opportunities arise.
Playbuilder Seminar. Although I missed the beginning
of the seminar it was a good opportunity to find out about the Playbuilder
Scheme and to meet with the contacts at County and District who can support us
in identifying requirements and planning a project. Expressions of interest for
this round of funding are required by the end of November 2008 for applications
to be submitted in 2009. In order to apply it will be necessary to show that we
have youth group(s) involved with the scheme. If time allows, it would be an
opportunity to bid for replacing and adding to the unfenced equipment at