MINUTES OF THE REMOTE WATER ORTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 AT 6.30PM

Present:

Cllrs Robinson (Chairman), Hailstone, Bevan, Rees, Freeman, Chown, B O’Meara & C O’Meara
 Clerk – Daphne Robinson
CC & BC D Reilly, BC J Macdonald
1 member of the public

388. Chairman’s Remarks

Cllr Robinson reported the additional Christmas Lights on New Road had been exceptional and feedback from residents had been very positive. The pavements along Plank Lane and Birmingham Road were being cleared of vegetation to widen them and ensure the safety of pedestrians. He expresses his disappointment that residents were still parking on grass verges and churning them up.

389. Apologies for absence and reasons

None

390. Declaration of interests and requests for dispensation on items to be discussed.

None

391. Police Report

The clerk gave the police report based on figures between 25.12.20 – 25.01.21.
1 x burglary dwelling – unlocked property
1 x burglary other – this was a business property
4 x vehicle crime – 1 x theft of motor vehicle, 1 x damage to vehicle, 2 x theft from motor vehicle
1 x damage – this was at the old school.

392. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11th January 2021. Proposed by Cllr B. O’Meara, Seconded by Cllr Rees and Resolved
That the minutes of the meeting held on 11th January 2021 were a true record.

393. Clerk’s Report

The installation of the broadband had been delayed again. Clerk had advised Plusnet they had until the 25th February to carry out the work or the order will be cancelled and an alternative supplier would be found. There had been a request from Cllr Macdonald for a new grit bin on the junction of Minworth Lane and Marsh Lane this had been ordered. A notice for the vacancy for a councillor had been posted onto the website. An order had been raised by Warwickshire Highways to remove the old bus stop post on the pavement on Coleshill Road. Hyperbole was currently working on revamping the council website.

Three builders had been approached to quote for the refurbish work required on the two brick bus shelters. No quotes had been received yet.

394. To receive reports from Borough and County Councillors

Cllr Macdonald gave an update on the progress of the installation of a height restrictor across the entrance to the station car park and replacement of the wooden fencing. The Water Orton Community Action Group were hoping to produce a document including old photographs, on the history of the railway and the impact it had on the development of the village. She asked if this document once completed, could be posted on the parish council website. The council agreed that this was a good idea. Commencement of the landscaping at the War Memorial site was moving closer.   Meetings regarding the station building were on going. Cllr Macdonald showed an initial graphic of a proposed seating and bus shelter area by the entrance of the station car park. The WOCAG would be working with the parish council on this proposal.

Cllr Reilly gave an update on the school site

395. To receive an update on the Neighbourhood Plan

a. To discuss the SSA request for knowledge of the Neighbourhood Plan and open the consultation phase so that the company could make comments.

Cllr Bevan explained that this company was a small planning consultancy firm with no known local interest in Water Orton. It was Proposed by Cllr Bevan, Seconded by Cllr Robinson and Resolved that the parish council consultation phase would not be reopened and that Cllr Bevan would inform SSA that it would be able to comment at the NWBC consultation phase.

b. To adopt the latest draft of the neighbourhood plan and formally issue the document to NWBC to start their external examination phase. It was Proposed by Cllr Bevan, Seconded by Cllr Freeman and Resolved to adopt the latest draft of the neighbourhood plan.

c. To delegate responsibility for drafting the legal declaration to the Governance committee which will include Cllrs Rees Freeman and Bevan. It was Proposed by Cllr Bevan, Seconded by Cllr C O’Meara and Resolved to delegate the legal declaration to the Governance committee.

396. To receive an update from the maintenance committee including the Playground equipment.

Cllr Chown reported that he had carried out his monthly inspection on the Green and the Playing Field. There were some loose bolts on the fence round the play area on the playing filed. Clerk to speak to the groundsman.

Work on the heating system in the pavilion had been carried out but could not be completed as the engineer was waiting on some parts.

The clerk had circulated a quote for the repair or replacement of the see saw on the playing field. She reported that there was no budget for this financial year or next for such an expense. The clerk advised that it may be more advantageous to set up a working group to investigate setting up a project for replacing much of the play equipment on the Green and the Playing field. It was Proposed by Cllr B O’Meara, Seconded by Cllr Freeman and Resolved to set up a working group to consider replacing the play equipment, this would be headed by Cllr B O’Meara and Cllr Freeman

397. Update report on Hs2

Hayden Wright from Belfour Beatty and Vinci gave a report on construction progress. Ground investigations had started on Attleboro Lane w/c 4th January, this would last for 4 weeks. Hs2 are working with Highways England to build the access road for construction traffic as soon as possible to take the traffic off the roads going through the village. Construction vehicles to the site on Birmingham Road would start to move through the village from 1st February 2021. Vehicle movements will increase up to a maximum of 40 per day by March/April. Access road surfacing will start in February for 3 weeks, this will reduce mud being taken onto the main road.

398. Planning Applications

No applications to report on.

399. To consider revising the Village Emergency Plan.

Cllr Chown had raised this. Cllr Rees had found a copy dated around 2013. It was agreed the clerk would work on this Cllr Rees offered to assist.

400. Financial Matters

a. To approve the electronic and future payment of invoices

Proposed by Cllr B O’Meara, Seconded by Cllr Rees and Resolved to approve the electronic and future payments of invoices as listed

b. To approve the precept for the next financial year 2021/22.

The clerk had circulated the information to councillors prior to the meeting. The precept figure is for £73,785.80. This is an increase on last year’s figure of 10% which represented 12p per week increase on Band D council tax.

It was Proposed by Cllr B O’Meara, Seconded by Cllr Hailstone and Resolved to approve the precept for 2021/22 of £73,785.80

c. To discuss switching bank accounts from Lloyds to the Unity Bank.

The clerk explained the reasons for this and asked for approval to investigate the benefits of changing banks. It was Proposed by Cllr Bevan, Seconded by Cllr Hailstone and Resolved that the clerk investigate the benefits of changing banks.

d. To consider the grant application from Water Orton PTA for a child defibrillator.

The clerk had circulated the application to all members prior to the meeting. It was noted that the criteria in the application policy had not been observed.

It was Proposed by Cllr B O’Meara, Seconded by Cllr Bevan and Resolved that the application be rejected as it did not meet the application policy criteria. However, if it was resubmitted and met policy requirements, it would be considered

401. To consider applying for a tree planting pack.

This had been raised by Cllr B O’Meara. The Woodland Trust had advertised that it was giving away tree planning packs to help with climate change. The clerk reported that she had checked the website and applications for packs was currently closed. It was agreed that the Water Orton in Bloom group would take this project on.

402. Correspondence

Nothing to report.

The date of the next parish council meeting – Thursday 25th February 2021 at 6.30pm via Zoom