Minutes of Thakeham Parish Council Meeting ? Tuesday, 11th April 2006
Meeting opened: 7.30 p.m.
Present: Mr D Berry Mr D Hardisty
Mr A Harwood Mr D MacEachern
Mrs P Maggs Rev P Messenger
Mr N Prince Mr R Walker
In attendance Mr J Denman Clerk to the Council
Members of the press and public
60. Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr Arculus (County Council) and Cllrs Bearman and Dawes. Cllr Goring was also absent.
61. Interests of Members
No interests were declared.
62. Minutes of the last meeting
Minutes of the last meeting of the Parish Council held on 20th March 2006 were approved and signed.
63. Matters Arising
63.1 (47.2) Margaret Denyer memorial tree: The Council recorded their thanks to Mr Barry Laker and Cllr Bearman for arranging a successful planting ceremony.
63.2 (47.6) Car parking outside school: The background to the decision was clarified at the request of Cllr Harwood.
64. Correspondence
HDC: Summons to Council meeting 19th April with minutes of 22nd February. Invitation to Local Development and Transport Advisory Group meeting 28th March with notes of last meeting on 31st January. New Corporate Plan ?Our Community, The Mission, The Vision 2006-2011?. LDF Core Strategy, copy to be passed to Cllr Goring for confirmation that Council will rely on original written representations, any issues could be routed through TVA if appropriate. Community Payback Scheme ? invitation to nominate projects, to be considered by Open Spaces Committee.
WSCC: Laybrook mineral application for Review of Old Mining Permissions (ROMP), passed to Cllr Berry. Highways notification of resurfacing work at mini roundabout ? Thakeham Road junction with Rock Road, week commencing 10th April.
SEERA: The South East Plan.
Billingshurst Emergency Assistance Team: request for donation to Community Responders.
65. Finance
65.1 Insurance: The clerk advised that a renewal invitation had been received from Allianz Cornhill but he had requested increased cover on Office Contents to £2000 for an additional premium of £4.73. Approval for payment would therefore be requested at the next meeting, together with confirmation that all cover levels remain appropriate.
65.2 Annual Return: The clerk advised that this had been received from Mazars for completion. Thakeham have been chosen as part of their 5% spot check sample who have to supply additional information which will have a significant workload impact.
65.3 Financial Performance
A report on the current financial year to 31st March 2006 was received. It was noted that the deficit for the year shows an improvement of £303 compared to budget.
65.4 Payments
A report on the current bank balances was tabled and the following were approved for payment:
Horsham District Council: SID contribution 100.00
SALC: Annual subscription/Local Council Review 338.20
P Messenger: Margaret Denyer trophy *** 85.17
J Bearman: Margaret Denyer tree 36.40
Gross salaries including PAYE / NI and Clerk?s OP expenses
and mileage 1260.25
£1820.02
*** Regarding this payment, it was resolved that, in pursuance of the powers conferred by s.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and being of the opinion that the expenditure satisfies the requirements of that section, the Council approves expenditure in the sum of £85.17 in respect of a trophy that will be awarded to a First School pupil termly based on a community service criterion.
66. Replacement changing room facilities on the sports field
Discussion on this item identified a number of specific issues that would need to be addressed and it was agreed that Cllr Hardisty would follow up these issues and report back to a future meeting.
67. Joint Planning Advisory Working Group
Nothing further to report.
68. Parish Action Plan
Cllr Hardisty reported difficulties in tracing any electronic returns entered since mid-February, the situation will be clarified within the next week. The clerk advised his understanding that the defra claim had been unsuccessful.
69. Open Spaces Committee
Cllr Prince reported on the current status. There is some concern over vandalism at the High Bar Lane playground. The grass-cutting contract is to be awarded to Roger?s Gardening Services.