The Parish Council

 Back row (from left):  Barry Coward,  David Wakeling, Stuart McGill , Tim Robinson, Raymond Fergusson (Parish Clerk)  

Front row (from left):    Mabel Wood, Alison Shelton

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING  

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 11th June was attended by all Councillors, the District Councillor and one member of the public. The following are extracts from the minutes that the Council need to approve at the July meeting.

OCC Highways

The Clerk reported that work had commenced on the installation of additional drainage on the slip road between Gold Street and the Haseley Road to eradicate the surface water. The early results are encouraging. OCC will extend the work to other parts of the Haseley Road , opposite Four Trees and Woodbine Cottage, where water leakage is an issue.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had reported to OCC Highways the blocked drain opposite the Lamb as well as the collapsed drain adjacent to the Lamb at the top of Church Hill.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had reported to OCC Countryside a number of overgrown footpaths that were proving difficult to access.

Youth Facilities

The Chairman welcomed Mr Kevin Brophy from OCC Youth Services. The Chairman gave a brief outline of the Council’s initiatives with ActiveTEN20 in an effort to address the needs of the young people of the village. He informed the meeting that the uptake had been low although there was a benefit to the young people who had attended. The Chairman invited Mr Brophy to explain what the current support available from OCC Youth Services. Mr Brophy outlined the way that matched funding could be used to gain funds from the Chill Out Fund. He also explained how this approach could assist the funding of a qualified Youth Worker on a limited number of hours per week. Mr Brophy suggested that an approach of engaging the youth in one off events should be considered by the Council. The Council RESOLVED to allocate up to £1,000 towards supporting one-off events with a longer term objective of supporting the funding of a qualified Youth Worker on limited hours. The success of the long term objective would be dependant upon the support of suitably qualified volunteers.

Recreation Ground

Mr Mark Willis reported that major work was required on the clatter bridge as a result of usage over many years. The Council RESOLVED to have the bridge repaired at a cost of £300 excluding VAT. He also reported that a springer also required to be repaired but a low cost solution was available.

Mr Willis stated that the condition of the recreation ground was showing the benefit of regular grass cutting and mole control. He reported that a floodlight on the MUGA would be repaired in July. He also reported that the play-area required additional bark and that he had already approached the Orchard Pre-School to contribute to the cost. The Council RESOLVED to buy additional bark to ensure that the surface met the safety requirements of the ROSPA inspection in July.

Planning

P08/W0323 6 Cremar Cottages: Two storey rear and side extension and porch

The Council noted that the application had been withdrawn by the applicant.

Extension to Village Hall

The Chairman gave a brief report on the Village Meeting organised by the Shop Committee on 4th June 2008. He highlighted a concern that had been raised in connection with issue of shares and the inability to transfer or sell them. He stated that the Committee would review the situation.

The Chairman stated that Jayne Bolton, SODC Grants Manager, had indicated that the grant applied for on behalf of the Village Hall Committee could be paid in part or full to the IPS or Parish Council.

At this point in the meeting Cllr Alison Shelton and Cllr Stuart McGill declared a prejudicial interest in the next point on the agenda and vacated their places at the Council table. Cllr Barry Coward took the Chair.

The Chairman highlighted the key points from the Liaison Group meeting of 15th May 2008. He confirmed that the extension/annexe to the Village Hall would not qualify for the zero rate of VAT. He reported that the VHMC had now received various responses from the Charity Commission in respect of the peppercorn rent and most recently on a possible objection by the Charity Commission to the raising of funds by the Village Hall for the building of the annexe with a potential possibility that funds have to be returned to donors. Under the circumstances that now prevails the VHMC has a clear preference for Option 5. However a subsequent letter from the Charity Commission has made it clear that the Charity can extend its property but it would be required to charge an economic rent.

The Chairman invited the Clerk to explain the paper that he had circulated to the Council members in respect of Option 4. The Clerk stated that he considered that option was worthy of further consideration as it appeared to offer the shop a peppercorn rent and did not have the legal complexity of option 5. The Council RESOLVED to defer any decision until option 4 had been fully considered by the Shop Liaison Committee against options 2 & 5. The Council RESOLVED to hold an additional meeting to consider any recommendation made by the Shop Liaison Committee before the normal monthly meeting in July.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 9th July 2008 at 8.00 p.m. in The Pine Lodge Little Milton unless there is a need to convene any planning or other meetings.

R. Fergusson Parish Clerk

Please note that the complete minutes of the Council are now included on the Council website www.littlemilton.org.uk  after they have been approved by the Council.

Freedom of Information Act – Parish Council Publication Scheme

Residents can see the records of the policies and practices of the Parish Council

including minutes, financial information and responses to planning

consultations, on request from the Parish Clerk.

Current Council members

ANNUAL REPORTS  -  see PC Archive page