MINUTES OF THE WATER ORTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 27TH FEBRUARY 2019 AT 7.30PM IN THE PAVILLION

In the chair: Councillor Coldrick

Present: Councillors Chown, Foley, Triplett, Stuart and Kelley

In attendance:

Daphne Robinson – Newly appointed Parish Clerk

B.C. Ray Payne, B.C. & C.C. David Reilly, PC Scott Ransell, PCSO Craig Marshall, John Warren, 11 members of the public

Public participation:

Representatives of the carnival committee requested the use of the pavilion for the carnival on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th June 2019. Cllr Coldrick acknowledge their request and advised them that as this was not an agenda item it could not be agreed at this meeting, however, it would be listed on the agenda for the next meeting and believed it would not be an issue. He did point out that there had been problems last year of damage to the toilets in the pavilion. He stressed that the toilets were not for general public use during the carnival and asked that this be monitored by the committee for this year.

Judy MacDonald advised the council that a group had been formed to look at plans to improve the area of the old public toilet site. She said the group would be holding a meeting and would come back to the council with ideas at a later date.

  1. Apologies for absence and reasons given

Apologies with reasons given were received and accepted from Cllr K. Hodkinson and Cllr. Lowe.

  1. Declaration of interests and Dispensations

There were no declarations of interest or requests for dispensation received.

  1. Introduction of the new Clerk

Cllr Coldrick welcomed Mrs Daphne Robinson as the newly appointed parish council clerk.

He informed the meeting that Mrs Robinson had been the clerk for the council some 18 years ago and whilst living in Lincolnshire had been a parish councillor for 7 years.

  1. To receive verbal updates from representatives:

Police Report – PC Ramsell reported that crime figures had decreased, reported crimes for December 2018 – January 2019 were 27. Figures reported for 26th January 2019 – 27th February 2019 were 13. He was asked if there was any pattern to crimes being committed, his reply was that there wasn’t however there had been an arrest of one individual who had been linked with many burglaries. He explained that police cars were patrolling the village at various times of the day and night, some marked and some unmarked cars were operational during these times. He reported that he had requested the use of the mobile police station for 1 day a month if possible. He explained there was limited availability as it was used in many areas, although he believes the mobile station does work better at events. With regards to the community speed watch, 2 applications had been received.

Borough and County Councillor David Reilly – Cllr Reilly reported that harris fencing had been erected round the land by the Dog Public House. He understood that a sale was being agreed with the brewery and an unknown purchaser. No plans for this land had been submitted to the planning department at this stage. Cllr. Stuart asked if the borough council had acknowledged that the parish council had previously applied for this land to be made an Asset of Community Value. Cllr Reilly said he was unsure but said he would look into this and suggested that perhaps the parish council contact the borough council to discuss this also.

Cllr. Reilly said the sewerage smell that had occurred in the village again had been solved last year. He said he would contact Severn Trent at Minworth again.

A review for the listing of Vessey Bridge was on going with English Heritage. He advised that there were only 8 listed building in Water Orton of which 2 of those were the churches. He asked if anyone had any suggestions for other buildings to be considered for listed status.

Cllr. Reilly confirmed that the flight path would officially change on 23rd May which would mean there would be no aircraft flying directly over Water Orton.

The future of the retainer fire tender at Coleshill had been successfully supported by WCC and would therefore remain.

Cllr Reilly advised that talks were taking place with the railway with regards to re-designing the car park at Water Orton station.

War Memorial – Judy Macdonald reported that soft landscaping and maintenance would be carried out by Prologis. There will be a consultation morning to discuss plans for the area which will include 2 benches. She advised that a date and time would be advised on facebook.

HS2 – John Warren gave is report following his latest meeting.

Work in and around the village was picking up a pace. High pressure gas pipes which ran under the old Rugby club will be moved and this work will continue until December 2020.

He had been assured that there will be no loss of gas pressure in the village whilst this work is carried out although a road closure at Gypsy Lane will be in place. With other works, there will be traffic lights in operation on the A446 at Jack – O – Watton bend at the entrance of Severn Trent. They will only be operational when vehicles (lorries) are leaving the site. During clearing the vegetation on the A446 Stop/Go boards will be in operation. Following the chaos caused with the 3 road closures recently, Mr Warren advised that he had asked that HS2 and Highways do not close more than one road in the village at any one time. He said that this was acknowledged by HS2 and that it would be appropriate that future multiple road closures are discussed between HS2, Highway, Parish Council and Borough Council.

  1. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 30th January 2019

PROPOSED by Cllr. Triplett, SECONDED by Cllr. Foley and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the

Notes of the meeting held on 30th January 2019 be approved as a true record of the meeting. The Chairman signed the minutes.

  1. Financial Matters

Cllr. Coldrick reported that the Annual Government and Accountability Return (AGAR) for 2017/2018 accounts had been sent to the external auditors. Documents for Notice of Public Rights and Publication of unaudited accounts would be posted on to the Parish Council website and available for public inspection from 1st March 2019 – 11th April 2019.

  1. Car Park – A revised quote from Honeybourne had been received for the repair of drainage and relaying of the Pavilion car park. The total cost was £40,500. Cllr. Coldrick advised that work should commence within the next week or so.

  2. Planning Applications – 2 Application had been submitted:
  • 103 Birmingham Road for a dropped kerb
  • PAP/2019/0073 Extension

There were no objections to either application.

  1. Play Equipment – Cllr. Chown reported that quotes for repairs to the swings had been sent to Cllr. Coldrick. This work should be carried out within the next few days.

It was suggested that the branches of the oak tree overhanging the play area on the playing field should be trimmed back at some point.

Cllr. Chown expressed concern regarding the missing caps for fitting over the holes for the football posts on the playing field. This had been mentioned previously. It was agreed that this would be discussed and rectified with the groundsman as soon as possible.

Replacing the dog bin on the green was also discussed. It was believed there was a spare new dog bin in the compound. Again, this would be discussed with the groundsman.

  1. Tennis Club and Bowls Club

Tennis Club – Cllr. Triplett advised that she had received a copy of the lease for the tennis club from Paul Messenger, however, the solicitor working for the council had not included the wording which the council had instructed be put in. Cllr. Coldrick advised that he and Cllr. Triplett had arranged an appointment with the solicitor on the 8TH March to discuss the lease further. Cllr. Triplett also advise that the council were required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the tennis club pavilion.

Bowls Club – There was nothing to report on the bowls club.

  1. Accounts for Payment

Cllr. Coldrick reported that cheques for payment had been raised but could not be signed as neither signatories were present to sign them. Cllr Coldrick advised that he would deal with this.

  1. Correspondence

Cllr. Coldrick advised that the Parish Council election would be held on 2nd May 2019. It was agreed that the clerk would collect the nomination packs from Atherstone.

The Meeting Closed at 8.45pm