Cropthorne Parish Council

DRAFT – Minutes from a meeting of Cropthorne Parish Council held on Monday 15^th May 2023 7 pm in the Village Hall.

Present: Chairman B Annis, Cllr J King, Cllr W Clive, Cllr K Styan, Cllr S Smythe.

District Cllr A. Crump, Lengthsman, Steve Baker Clerk : Richard Timney

Election of Chair and Vice Chair.

Cllr Bob Annis (Chair) Cllr Scott Smythe (Vice Chair) – both signed acceptance of office forms.

1. APOLOGIES – Cllr Eyre
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Cllr King and Hall – village hall.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING MONDAY 6^TH MARCH 2023 – acceptance agreed. Proposed Cllr Clive, Seconded Cllr Hall.
4. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL

Issues raised included a request for another dog waste bin for the village, whether there was a time restriction on the use of loud bird scarers and speeding traffic in Field Barn Lane.

1. PLANNING
2. W/23/00812/FUL Smokey Farm Smokey Lane – consultation on wider use of accommodation on site.

Cllrs will arrange a site visit and report back.

1. W/23/00278/PIP – Cllrs noted the approval in principle by WCC of this development. They were disappointed the highways advice had been rejected in relation to traffic level in (and the narrowness of) Field Barn Lane. They welcomed the chance to comment further on this development when full planning permission is sought. Councillors will seek footpath and better vehicle capacity in relation to this development.
2. HIGHWAY MATTERS (TO INCLUDE FLOODING).
3. Flooding issue in Middle Lane

Gulleys need rodding out between gulleys – not just at the gulleys themselves. Clerk to report to CC and Wychavon highways.

1. Flooding outside 2/5 Blacksmiths Lane

Flooding caused by a burst watermain was noted.

1. Poor visibility at the junction with Field Barn Lane and the B4084

A further 2m of hedge from a nearby property would need to be cut back to make the junction safer. Clerk to raise with WCC and Wychavon Highways and to seek guidance on a “for sale” sign at the junction that may be adding to visibility problems.

1. Parking right up to the junction of Main St/Middle Lane

This is a continuing problem. Cars parking too close to this junction are causing a hazard. The issue is to be raised with local police and the PC will investigate installing a visibility mirror on the junction with WCC highways dept.

2023/10

1. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS

Cllr Crump introduced herself to the Parish Council and is waiting for her first District council meeting to take place since her election on May 4^th.

1. PROGRESS REPORTS / UPDATES
2. Lengthsman

Cllrs discussed the County Footpath Maintenance Pilot. Noted the very small increase in the LM budget (5%). For work on footpaths to be effective the Parish needs a volunteer footpath warden to report issues to the Clerk who can then seek permission to carry out remedial works. Clerk will seek volunteers through the website and notice boards.

1. Community Infrastructure Levy Fund – awaiting Community Speed Watch scheme to be set up and road markings installed by WCC before deciding if any other traffic calming measure are required.
2. Speeding / Traffic: Combined with use of CIL money above.

• Community Speed Watch – Cllr Styan has volunteered to lead a renewed effort to form a volunteer group to operate speed control measures.
• VAS Sign – Main Street – Cllrs agreed to spend £250 on a re calibration of the broken equipment. Prop Cllr Styan Second Cllr Smythe

1. The maintenance of Baldwins Bank – Cllr Styan to progress enquiries with tree surgeons about a survey of the trees and remedial action on dangerous trees.
2. FINANCE / GOVERNANCE

Payments made since last meeting

 

SBS	6 MAR	LENGTHSMAN	336.00
CLERK	6 MAR	CLERK SALARY FEB	323.56
CROPHORNE VH	6 MAR	ANNUAL ROOM HIRE	70.00
CALC	6 MAR	ELECTION TRAINING	30.00
GROVES BS	6 MAR	WEBSITE COSTS	180.00
CALC	24 MAR	CLERK TRAINING	36.00
SBS	24 MAR	LENGTHSMAN	168.00
CLERK	24 MAR	DOG SIGNS REIMBURSMENT	40.27
GIFTS2IMPRESS	24 MAR	CORONATION MEDALS	423.60
CLERK	24 MAR	CLERK SALARY	323.36
PATA	24 MAR	PAYROLL SERVICE	25.80
CLERK	24 MAR	CLERK EXPENSES (3MONTHS)	48.00

2023/11

Cheques for presented for approval and signing

Lengthsman	£168.00	April
Lengthsman	£168.00	May
Clerk	£323.56	April Salary
Calc	£36.00	April training
Calc	£479.82	CALC and NALC annual fees
BHIB	£263.72	Insurance premium
Cropthorne VH	£1300	Grant £900 for play equipment and £400 for coronation celebrations

Proposed Cllr KS, Seconded Cllr SS Approved.

Coronation medals were presented to children attending Cropthorne Primary School thanks to the generous support of Cllr Eyre and her discretionary grant fund.

A grant of £200 was received towards Coronation celebrations and passed on to the village hall for their event.

Cllr CH to assist the Chair with financial oversight.

Year end accounts to be approved at an additional meeting on 5^th June 2023.

10. VILLAGE HALL –

Report from Cllr CH

 

 

11. Date of next meeting

Monday 5^th June (accounts approval) and 3^rd July

Signed ………………………………………