Proceedings of the Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PRESTBURY PARISH COUNCIL
AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, PRESTBURY ON TUESDAY 10th JUNE 2008 AT 7.30PM

Present: Councillors: R. Comber (in the Chair), L Burns, D Foden, D Goulsbra, N. Handley, J Jackson, C Musgrove, T Ogden, N Ridley.
Also present: Borough Councillor N Stratford.

36. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Moffitt

37. Minutes of the Meeting of 6th May 2008
Cllr Musgrove proposed that the minutes of the 6th May 2008 be approved
Cllr Jackson seconded the proposal
Cllr Burns abstained as she was not present at this meeting
All were in favour
Resolved: That the minutes of the 6th May 2008 should be approved as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

38. Declarations of Interest
None.

Public Participation
To receive a report from the Plan for Prestbury Steering Group
Carol Hamilton informed the council that they are still very much in the discussion process. It was expected that the Sports Facilities and Community Facilities will merge following a meeting of the Steering Group.

39. Clerks Report
The Clerks Report was noted.

40. Accounts for Payment APPENDIX A
Cllr. Foden proposed that the accounts should be sanctioned for payment.
Cllr. Jackson seconded the proposal
All were in favour
Resolved: That the Accounts for June should be sanctioned for payment.

41. Planning reports 14th May APPENDIX B
The Planning reports were noted.

42. Reports –
i. Maintenance and Safety
Cllr Foden reported that the roundabout seats had not been replaced and more sand was needed for the sandpits.
ii Roads and Pavements
Cllr Ogden informed the Council that he had spoken to Steve Whitehurst and he is still awaiting parts for the new lights on New Road. The Traffic Group have asked for more locations for the SID’s and the forms had been completed for the clerk to send to CCC, Highways Department for consideration. They have also requested that a couple of hand held speed guns be obtained. Cllr Handley reported that she had spoken to PC Hawtin about a speedgun and if people are willing to man a gun he can obtain a gun on loan for 6-8 weeks and he is willing to train any volunteers. Following discussion it was agreed that Cllr Ogden would contact the group and propose that the Police option was followed. Cllr Handley agreed to obtain further information from PC Hawtin.
Cllr Ogden also reported that there is concern about the state of New Road through the village. Cheshire County Council were aware of this concern and he would follow this up.
iii Police Report
Cllr Handley reported that she had had a meeting with PC Hawtin and there had been vandalism on New Road late at night and in the early hours so he had been in the village on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights last weekend. Parking officers from MBC are now working within the village. New Road lights have been smashed again. Anti-social behaviour is the main problem at the moment. She agreed to obtain further information regarding Police Community Service Officer’s (PCSO’s).
iv. Environment issues
Nothing to report
v. Footpaths
Cllr. Ridley reported the footpath map had been full completed and he had 2000 copies.
vi. Community Pride Competition
Cllr Jackson reported that he had had a meeting with the maintenance contractor and agreed areas of work. He had judged the poster competition and will be making the prize presentation within the next two weeks.
vii. Newsletter
Councillor Musgrove reported that a couple of pages in the new “Prestbury Living” magazine would be donated for the use of the Parish Council. Cllr Burns and Councillor Musgrove had both completed articles for the magazine which is expected to be distributed late June and thereafter quarterly.
viii. Prestbury Directory
Councillor Musgrove reported that the Directory had been printed incorrectly and they would be reprinted; hopefully within the next fortnight. It was agreed that the Plan for Prestbury Group would be asked whether they could deliver it on their next delivery run.

43. To discuss a letter received from the Parochial Church Council regarding the sale of Ford House
Following a lengthy discussion it was agreed that a letter would be sent to the PCC offer welcoming the proposal to include a six month deferral in the sale contract.
Resolution: The Chairman would send a letter to the PCC welcoming their offer of a six month deferral.

44. To receive a report from the Finance & General Purpose meeting held on 27th May.
The Finance and General Purpose Committee Report was noted and the following recommendations were considered.

i) The Internal Audit for 2007/2008
The Council noted the report from the Accountant, John Williams.
The Council noted that the Internal Audit had been satisfactorily completed
The Chairman of the F & GP Committee, Councillor Handley proposed that after the Council has considered the report the Statement of Assurance should be signed by the Chairman.
Councillor Goulsbra seconded the proposal
All were in favour
Resolved: That the Parish Council had noted the report from the Accountant, Mr. John Williams and agreed that the Annual Governance Statement should be signed by the Chairman.

ii) Finance Report

a) The report on the figures for Income and Expenditure for the year 1st April 2007 to 31st March 2008 was circulated.
Councillor Handley proposed that the report should be accepted as a true and accurate
statement.
Councillor Ogden seconded the proposal.
All were in favour.
Resolved: That the report on the Income and Expenditure for the year 1st April to 31st March should be accepted as a true and accurate statement.

b) F & GP 29/05/07 The Committee considered the funding of further project work as outlined in the Finance Report:

(i) Roadside mirror: £700
In the interests of public safety and in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.s. 137.

(ii) Scanner: £350.00
In accordance with LGA 1972 s111.

Councillor Handley proposed that the Council should fund these further projects
Councillor Goulsbra seconded the proposal
All were in favour
Resolved: That further funding should be given as outlined above.

(iii) Garage and contents
Cllr Jackson would empty the garage and the clerk would place an advert to rent the property.
Cllr Handley proposed
Cllr Comber seconded
All in favour
Resolved: The garage would be emptied and the building rented out.


45. To discuss a proposal to create a charitable trust, “Friends of Prestbury”
Borough Councillor Nick Stratford volunteered to do all the legal work free of charge. Trustees would have to be decided. Cllr Stratford explained the legalities of setting up the trust. Following a discussion it was decided that more research would be completed by Cllr’s Stratford, Burns, Comber and Mr C Hamilton.

46. To discuss the Squash Club lease
It was agreed that the car park clause would be deleted the lease signed so the rent would then be paid.
Cllr Handley proposed
Cllr Goulsbra seconded
All in favour
Resolved: That the solicitor would be contacted to delete the car park clause.

47. To discuss options for the distribution of the Footpaths Map
Following discussion it was agreed that a notice would go on the noticeboards and in the newsletter saying that a free copy could be obtained from the library on a Tuesday and Friday until the end of July. Further copies can be obtained from within the village for a nominal fee.

48. To decide the charity that the collection from the Civic Service is donated
It was agreed that the East Cheshire Hospice and the CCIL (Cheshire Centre for Independent Living) would receive the collection monies from the Civic Service.



49. Appointment of 2 new councillors
Cllr Comber reported that there had been four candidates and after a difficult decision Rob Parrish and Chris Hollingworth would be appointed.
Cllr Comber proposed
Cllr Foden seconded
All agreed
Resolved: That Mr R Parrish and Mr C Hollingworth would be invited to join the Council.



Correspondence
(i) E-mail concerning Local Government Seminars – following discussion it was decided that nobody would be attending as it was on the date of the next council meeting
(ii) Letter from the residents of Packsaddle Park – It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the enforcement officer to enquire whether any action could be taken.
(iii) Letter from Twemlow Parish Council – it was agreed that this letter would be discussed at the next meeting.


Items for the next meeting
Discuss Xmas Lights switching on ceremony
Letter from Twemlow Parish Council
Behaviour of Councillors at Parish Council meetings











Chairman