STONE RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 5 September 2024
held at Aston By Stone Village Hall
Present: Councillors
Cllr A McCulloch (Chairman)
Cllr T D Scrivens
Cllr S Haine
Cllr G Jones
Cllr M James
Cllr B Woolliscroft
Cllr M Horwell
Borough Councillors Cllr R James
County Councillor none
Parish Clerk L Davies
- PUBLIC PARTICPIATION
- The Chairman and Cllr James took time to remember Brian Price, former Borough and Parish Councillor, who sadly passed away in August.
- A resident from Aston By Stone raised that the footbridge at the boundary at Burston still hasn’t been repaired, closing the footpath which forms part of the Two Saints Way. It was agreed to write to the County Council on this matter.
- The poor state of Aston Lane was raised by residents of Aston By Stone. The Chairman stated that he had contacted Sir Gavin Williamson on this matter.
- APOLOGIES RECEIVED – ACCEPTANCE AND RECORDING OF APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr P Dimberline and Cllr T Banks.
- RECORD DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ANY ITEM TO BE DISCUSSED
No declarations of interest were made.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2 JULY 2024
The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 2 July 2024 were considered, APPROVED and duly signed as a correct record of the meeting.
- DISCUSS MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT ON AGENDA
- Oulton Councillors provided feedback from their site visits to the Rising Festival held at Kibblestone Scout Camp on 5-7 July. Overall, it was felt that the festival had been well organised and only 2 complaints had been received by the Parish Council.
- Bench on Church lane – Cllr Scrivens has approached residents in the vicinity of the old bus stop to understand whether they would object to a bench being placed there. No objections to date but awaiting feedback from some households.
- New bin in Moddershall – awaiting response from Streetscene on whether a bin could be added to their schedule and associated costs. The requirement for a bin on Vanity Lane in Oulton was also discussed. Oulton Councillors to reconsider locations and speak with residents.
- REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
- County Councillors: no matters reported
- Borough Councillors: Cllr James highlighted that the Government are to make changes to the NPPF. The consultation concludes on 24 September, but proposed changes include an increase in the number of new houses to be built each year and changes to building within green belt.
- REVIEW OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS
The details of the planning applications discussed in July, August and the start of September were duly considered and noted.
- RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
No further matters were reported.
- TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON MATTERS REGARDING MODDERSHALL VILLAGE HALL
- RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM THE VILLAGE HALL SUBCOMMITTEE
- The subcommittee provided a summary of their last meeting. The hall usage remains low and year to date shows expenditure is £3,200 versus income of £1,340.
- The subcommittee proposed that the Parish Council should consider the process and costs of ceasing operations at the village hall which was AGREED by the meeting.
- RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM THE VILLAGE HALL SUBCOMMITTEE
- TO DISCUSS GULLY CLEANING WITHIN THE PARISH
- It was stated that some of the gullies on Kibblestone Road had become blocked but that the gullies were not scheduled to be cleaned by the County Council until next year.
- It was noted that Swynnerton Parish Council had hired a gully machine to alleviate flooding in Tittensor / Swynnerton.
- It was AGREED that the Clerk and Oulton Councillors should assess which drains needed attention and approach Swynnerton Parish Council to potentially share costs of hiring a gully machine. The meeting AGREED a spend of up to £800.
- RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND PROGRESS REPORT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The Clerk’s report was received, and matters noted.
- FINANCIAL MATTERS
- RECEIVE THE AUDITED AGAR AND NOTE THE CONCLUSION OF AUDIT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024
The audit for the year ending 31 March has been completed by the external auditor and no matters were raised. The notice of completion of audit has been published. To discuss .gov.uk domain for emails in November.
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE PAYMENTS AUTHORISATIONS REPORT
The Payments Authorisations Report, together with the income received in the last period (July, August and the start of September 2024) were reviewed, APPROVED and signed by the Chairman.
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND BANK RECONCILIATION FOR THE LAST PERIOD
- The financial statements for the period were received, reviewed and approved.
- The bank reconciliations for the year ending 31 July and 31 August 2024 were received, approved and signed.
- AGREE THE DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Thursday 14 November at Moddershall Village Hall.
Signed …………………………………………… Dated………………………..
Chairman
Lucy Davies
Parish Clerk
September 2024