January 2023 Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of Cowbit Parish Council, held on Monday 9th January 2023 at 7:30pm at the Cowbit Village Hall
Present:
Eric Fragale, Trevor Tyrell, Chris Elliott and Daniel Sandhu
Clerk:
Mrs Leedham & Mrs Harrison
District Councillor: A Casson
Press Officer: Victoria Fear
8 members of the public
In the Chair: Trevor Tyrell
1. Chairman’s welcome.
The Chairman wished everyone a Happy New Year and welcomed them to the meeting.
Public forum
The following issues were raised:
• Speeding in the village
• Vehicles parked at the junction of Backgate and Barrier Bank
o It was noted that vehicles parked along Barrier Bank slow the traffic and act as a calming measure
• Members suggested putting forward a case for yellow lines at the top of Back Gate to prevent parking at this busy junction.
o Risk of emergency vehicles not getting through.
• A request was made to reduce the speed limit to 40mph at Peak Hill which would help slow the traffic.•
7:40pm Daniel Sandhu arrived
• Cllr Casson stated that there had been 10 accidents on Mill Drove, not all were at the crossroads.
o Signs have not been put back up
o Reduction in speed limit on that stretch
All agreed that there needs to be better signage and the 60mph speed limit reduced.
It was resolved that the Clerk write to Highways regarding the following 3 issues:
1. Yellow Lines for Backgate
2. 40mph speed limit for Peak Hill
3. Signage and reduction in speed limit for Mill Drove
Action: Clerk to write to the RSP
• Cllr Casson reported that there will be a proper bin, (not one on a post), for the green between Willow Court and Backgate. This is being paid for out of the 3 District Cllr’s Ward Budgets.
• Fly tipping in the area off the Apple Green roundabout continues to be an issue.
• Broadband speeds inconsistent throughout the village.
o 2025-26 before improvement will be seen.
o Moulton Chapel exchange does not have fibre.
o Suggest that residents register an interest online and/or complain to BT
The Chairman requested that the press officer promote this issue in her news article.
• Options to enhance the front of the village hall to go in with the Church.
An email was read out which had been received from a resident regarding the end of Milfoil Lane: -
• ….’fast becoming a dog toilet, mess all over the pavement and around the foot of the trees on the small green on Pancake Lane.’
o Cllr Casson said that he would get some Dog Fouling stickers for this area.
2. Apologies.
a. To receive apologies for any Councillor’s absence.
No apologies had been received at the time of the meeting.
3. Declarations of Interest.
a. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with Lacalism Act 2011, and to consider any requests for dispensations in respect of DPI’s.
There were no added declarations for agenda items at this meeting.
4. Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 14th of November 2022 to be approved as the new minutes.
C Elliott Proposed
E Fragale Seconded
It was resolved to adopt the Minutes as a true record and for the Chairman to sign them as such.
5. Matters arising from the minutes/admin matters.
a. To discuss any matters arising from the minutes.
There were no matters arising from the Minutes.
6. Vacancy for position of Clerk/RFO.
a. To resolve accordingly on the appointment of the Clerk/RFO.
It was unanimously resolved to appoint Angela Harrison as Clerk and RFO to Cowbit Parish Council.
7. Police matters.
a. To receive the Police report.
There were no crimes reported since the last meeting.
• Members urged parishioners to report crimes to the PCSO rather than posting on Social Media.
• It was suggested that the PCSO be invited to ‘Tea@2’ on Tuesday 7th February, (held on the first Tuesday of the month).
8. Cemetery matters.
a. To receive update regarding Cemetery.
Nothing to report.
9. Highways matters and CSW.
a. To receive the highways report.
There was no report.
b. To receive the CSW report.
A new site has been agreed, which will be the layby close to the speed camera.
10. Bus Shelters.
a. To receive an update on the bus shelters.
There has been no update since Christmas.
11. Historical village signs.
Signs will measure 1 x 1.5 meters and be installed at the side of the bus shelters, showing points of interest in the village.
• The signs will cost £80 + VAT with artwork costing extra
• They will act as an information Board, showing historical sites such as; the old mill, station, Roman roadways and registered bridleways.
All members were in favour of the idea.
12. Financial matters.
a. To receive the financial report.
The report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
It was resolved to approve the payments as outlined in the report.
b. To review the Bank Reconciliation (3rd quarter).
Received and signed.
c. To receive the budget report (3rd quarter).
The report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
It was resolved to receive the report.
The Chairman advised everyone present that the precept has been increased by 3% for 2023/24.
13. Planning matters.
a. To receive the planning report.
The Chairman declared an interest in the application off Mill Drove, submitted by Seagate Homes.
b. To update on the Consultation for Street Name suggestions.
It was agreed to submit the PC’s suggestion of ‘The Paddock’.
14. Village Hall representative.
a. To receive an update on Village Hall matters.
The Vice Chairman read out the report which had been received via email;
“The last 2 months of the year was very busy at the Village Hall, with Christmas parties, family events, and a craft fair. We’ve been working hard recently, using the available free time when the post office is open to have various functions open to the public. 1st Tuesday of the month is the very successful Tea@two the 2nd and 4th Tuesday is a new senior social group free for anybody, Keep warm, drink, eat and have a chat; planning to run over winter but may be extended. 3rd Tuesday is a music for all event again, free and open to all ages. Still waiting for the work to start repairing the cracks from the Subsidence which had to stop to check the status of the width of the cracks, but should start this spring.
We have a committee meeting later this month and also received the happy news that our secretary Amanda had a baby in December. “
Darren, Chair, Cowbit Village Hall committee
15. Playing field/Pavilion representative.
a. To receive an update on the Playing Field/Pavilion.
Quiet this time of year, but planning a maintenance day, probably April/May. Exact date to be advised.
b. To discuss and resolve accordingly Litter picking and bin emptying.
• Litter pickers will take over the emptying of the bins on a regular basis.
• The PC agreed to make a donation of £50 per month, towards their costs.
• The PC will apply to SHDC for a Litter Grant.
Action: Clerk
c. To discuss and resolve accordingly on a contribution for the Fun on the Field 2023.
• There is an outstanding invoice from last year’s event, of £450 which was for funfair rides, which the Village Hall Committee paid for at the time.
It was resolved to reimburse the Village Hall Committee.
• This year’s Fun on the Field will be held on the Coronation weekend, Sunday 7th May.
• The Committee are requesting funding for a Marquee and Fireworks.
It was resolved to discuss this in closed session.
16. Community Governance Review.
a. To update on Community Governance Review.
• The Parish Council have applied for 2 additional councillors, but there has been no update thus far.
17. Correspondence.
a. General correspondence for inspection at the meeting not included in the agenda.
• Highways Grass Verge Cutting Agreement for 2023/24 and quote received of £1,310.36 from SHDC.
Chairman Proposed
Vice Chair Seconded
It was resolved to sign the agreement and accept the quote.
18. Councillor’s reports, items not on the agenda and for Councillors to raise items for next meeting’s agenda. Councillors are requested to use this opportunity to report minor matters of information not included elsewhere on the agenda and to raise items for future agendas. Councillors are reminded that this is not an opportunity for debate or decision making.
There were none.
19. Date of next meeting.
a. To confirm the date of the next Parish Council meeting provisionally set as 13th March 2023, 7:30pm at Cowbit Village Hall.
The date of 13th March 2023 was confirmed.
20. To resolve whether to move into closed session and exclude public, police and press (who will be required to leave the meeting at this stage), in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972), due to the confidential nature of business to be discussed in relation to the following matters: Should this resolution be passed, members of the public, press and police will be required to leave the meeting.
It was resolved to take the following items in closed session.
a. To review and resolve on the latest NJC pay scale.
Unanimously approved.
Agenda Item 15. c.
Total cost would be £3,302.48 for fireworks and Marquee
After discussion it was resolved to:
i. donate the PC’s budgeted £2,000 towards the event and
ii. Clerk to go through the individual invoices for last year’s event to ascertain the total cost and
iii. Mr Fragale to substitute Mr Tyrrell at the next Village Hall meeting
Meeting ended at 21:25