8 February 2005

Little Aston Primary School

					Reason for Absence
Present:		Councillors	J. Mason	(Chair)
			D Salter
			Mrs Hancocks
			Mrs Wilson
			Mrs Coton	(Vice Chair)
			C Hollingsworth
			Mrs. McGing
			Mrs Thomas
			Miss Owen
			J Ball
			D Andrews
			Mrs Summers
		Clerk	Mrs V Evans
Apologies			Mrs Sandhu		Leave of absence
			M Ellis		District Council
Minute No						Action
107	Public Participation
107.1	Approximately 70 members of the public came to the meeting to advise the Council of an outline planning application for a group of flats in a cul de sac that currently only has houses
107.2	The points raised can be summarised thus: Environmental concerns as identified in the Local Plan should make this application difficult to approve Existing sewer outfalls might be compromised Car parking could/would be a problem Access for emergency vehicles could become problematic The nature of traffic patterns would change making the street unsafe for children to play in There will be a loss of privacy and amenity for surrounding properties A precedent will be set.
107.3	All those present were advised to write in individually to the District Council.
107.4	One of the members of the public advised everyone else to look at the new development framework being prepared and to comment on it when the document was offered for discussion
108	Apologies
108.1	As above. Cllrs requested that Cllr Mrs Sandhu should be advised that her leave of absence will shortly be at an end.					Clerk
109	Declaration of Interests
109.1	None
110	Minutes of the Last Meeting
110.1	Cllrs considered that the use of the “word” disappointing did not accurately convey the emotion of their colleague and one of the Cllrs concerned said that “furious” was more appropriate (min 98.5.2 refers)
110.2	Cllrs wished to record that the training course was rejected on the grounds of frivolity (min 98.6.1 refers)
110.3	The lead in time for contracts was specified at 3 months (Min 98.5.3 refers)
110.4	It was not made clear that the items for purchase were to enable the Council to conform to health and safety requirements which should need no further authorisation.(min 102.1 refers)
111	Matters Arising (For information only)
111.1	None
112.1	Planning Committee
112.1.1	Members advised the public who had attended the Council meeting that there would be a limit on the numbers who were able to attend the Planning Meeting and suggested that they elect 2/3 from their number to be spokespeople if they wished to attend the next Planning meeting
112.2	Finance Committee
112.1.1	The Clerk advised that a contractor had now been found who could install the conservation area street furniture so this matter should now proceed
112.3	Community Liaison Committee
112.3.1	Nothing to report
112.4	Property Health and Safety Committee
112.4.1	Risk assessments compiled by organisations using community property are being collated
112.5	Employment Committee
112.5.1	The meeting resolved a number of issues amicably
112.5.2	The Clerk accepted that the last set of draft Council minutes was poor in standard
113	Finance
113.1	Accounts for payment were agreed
113.1.1	The Chair asked that Finance Committee Members be prepared to sign cheques at any time during the month. This is primarily to avoid having a situation, in the instance of utility bills, where service could be at risk as a result of non payment
113.2	Councillors rejected the suggestion that there should be any rationalisation of the current contracts, preferring that they run as designed
114	New Councillors Induction
114.1	A précis of the induction proposal was given and comments and suggestions were requested
114.2	One Councillor referred to a “purple” book that had been handed out some years ago. The Clerk advised that the current reference manual should be the “Good Councillors” Guide as there had been a number of changes, particularly the Code of Conduct and its implications
114.3	It was suggested that the Staffordshire Parish Council's Association training courses were sufficient but the Clerk advised that they were an annual event, if that.
114.4	The Clerk further advised that she was acting as a “mentor” for the Staffordshire Parish Council's Association and was in contact with their lead trainer. As the training was not meant to supplant that delivered by Staffordshire Parish Council's Association the Clerk was sanguine that discussions with their trainer could find a means to accommodate the suggested training
114.5	The Chairman reiterated his offer to take any new Cllrs on a tour of the district
115	Planning Training
115.1	The Clerk indicated that she would like to attend to secure one set of background papers. Two Cllrs also expressed an interest and were to advise the Clerk if they wished to attend					Clerk/Cllrs
116	Re-Siting of Sponsorship Signs - Watford Gap Roundabout
116.1	This matter was referred to Planning Committee
117	Traffic Calming – Shenstone Woodend
117.1	The Chairman decreed that the proposal was not in line with this Council’s procedures for the installation of traffic calming measures and that Staffordshire County Council must be contacted before any action is taken					Clerk
117.2	Members agreed (unanimously) with this but thanks were expressed to Cllr Salter, (who presented the item) for his efforts thus far.
118	Removal of Secondary Notice Board at Shenstone
118.1	The matter was referred back to Planning Committee
119	Correspondence to Note
119.1	Members were updated on correspondence
120	Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting
120.1	Tuesday 8 March at Shenstone Village Hall commencing at 7.15 pm

--- PAYMENTS LIST --- Between 09/02/2005 to 08/03/2005
Description	Net	Vat	Total
Call out fee	50	0	50
Call out fee	50	0	50
Subscription	15	0	15
Bus shelters	218.86	0	218.86
Phone battery	9.77	1.71	11.48
Website registration	100	0	100
Street Furniture	550	0	550
Grant	1950	341.25	2291.25
STVH expenses	407.17	20.35	427.52
Training fees	21.5	0	21.5
Office security	365	63.88	428.88
Clerk's Mileage	23.74	0	23.74
Equipment repair	11.48	0	11.48
Equipment purchase	34.95	0	34.95
Copy charges	10.22	1.79	12.01
Subscription	20	0	20
STVH expenses	136.17	23.83	160
Room hire	96	0	96
Subscription	15	0	15
Equipment repair	218.86	0	218.86
Software	10	0	10
Street Furniture	550	0	550
Grant	2291.25	0	2291.25
Street Furniture	974.08	0	974.08
STVH expenses	75.3	13.18	88.48
Room hire	42	0	42
Subscription	13	0	13
Petty Cash	60.53	0	60.53
	9293.64	465.99	9759.63
Plus salaries