Monday 12 June 2017

Leigh Annual Parish Assembly - 2017 April

LEIGH ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY     Monday 3rd April 2017

Meeting chaired by Councillor John Beaman        Chairman of the Parish Council

Notes of the meeting

Present           Councillors   B Barker, J Beaman, T Collins, E Durose, M Roe, M Snowden
                        District Councillor      Councillor C Whittaker
                        Parishioners     Mrs B Smallwood, Mrs W Lewis, Mr G Warburton, Mr J Slater
                                               
                        Parish Council Clerk     B A Boughey

1          Annual Report of Leigh Parish Council for year ended 31st March 2017

Presented by the Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor John Beaman

A welcome to all those attending to the Annual Parish Assembly.

The Parish Council had a full compliment of the seven Member Councillors throughout the year with an average attendance record of 80%.

Parish Council meeting were held monthly at which most of the meetings were attended by all of the Councillors with an average of 4 Parishioners attending throughout the year, raising questions and commenting on Parish issues.

The District Councillor, Colin Whittaker, attended most of the meetings, representing the parishes interests at Borough level.

The County Councillor Philip Atkins continued to represent Uttoxeter Rural Division.
County Council elections are due to be held on 4th May 2017.

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Dialogue with other authorities continued throughout the year with the County Council, Borough Council, Staffordshire Police, County Police and Crime Commissioners office and Environmental Agency.
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For the County Council the main issues again were related to Highway matters such as :-
The ongoing problem of potholes, blocked gullies, highway edge erosion, neglect of ditches resulting in flooded roads.
Anticipated follow-on meetings with County Highways, expected in the Autumn of 2016 never materialised, it is still awaited.

The Neighbourhood Highway Team visited the Parish once last year, strimming at the top of Hot Hill Lane and replacing the posts on the verge halfway down Leigh Bank
These visits have now been withdrawn.

On an emergency basis County Highways sanctioned the clearing of gullies by Wildon (UK) Ltd
The Parish Council is very grateful for the work that Mark Wildon undertook on a voluntary basis.
District Council involvement :-

Consultations on Planning Applications dealt with by the Borough Council as the Planning Authority for the area continued :-

There were 26 applications, a decrease of 15 applications on the previous year (back to the level of 2014 / 2015)   Most of the applications were approved.


Replacement Dwelling                        1
New Farm Workers Dwelling             1
Domestic Extensions                          7
Agricultural Building to Dwelling      4
Agricultural Buildings            1
Stable Block / Outbuildings                1
Garage / Store Room                           1
Relocation of Access                          2
Tree Preservation Order (Pruning)      2
Garden Pond                                       1
Agricultural land to Dom. Curtilage   3
Stable Block / Garage to Dwelling     2


Collection of litter bags following organised Litter Picking.

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The PCSO, David Higgs attended a Parish Council meeting to update the Parish on the role of PCSO’s.
During the year he was involved in three issues through requests by the Parish Council.
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A grant had been obtained from the County Police and Crime Commissioners office for a security system for the Village Hall the previously year.  This has now been installed.

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The Environmental Agency had been contacted on issues in the Parish during the year.

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Financial support was provided to Church Leigh Village Hall through an annual donation.
Payment for the grass cutting of the Recreation Ground and payment of Handbell insurance continued.
Payment of the Produce Show schedule.

The Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner was primarily organised by Izzy Snowden.  The cost of the event being covered by a combination of a donation from the May Ball and a contribution from the Parish Council.

During the year the Parish Council purchased three Defibrillators, supported by donations from the 2016 Leigh Calendar Group and significantly from Leigh W.I..
The first Defibrillator was located at The Star and is operational.
The second and third Defibrillators are to be installed at The Farmers Arms and in the Telephone Kiosk at Middleton Green.
A further unit may be purchased if a suitable location can be found at Nobut.

A replacement Noticeboard for Church Leigh has recently been purchased.


2          Statement of the Parish Councils Accounts for year ended 31st March 2017
            Report presented by the Clerk

3          Statement of the Parish Councils Income & Expenditure estimates for 2017 / 2018
            Report presented by the Clerk.


4          Report from the County Councillor for Uttoxeter Rural Division
            No report presented,  County Council election year.

5          Report from the District Councillor for Abbey Ward
            Report presented by Councillor Colin Whittaker.

            The Councillor congratulated the Parish Council on looking forward to future spending given
            the pending reduction in County and District Council services and for the litter picking     initiative undertaken in the parish.
            Matters raised by Councillor Whittaker included the following issues :-
            No increase in the District Council precept but an increase in the County rate to cover for continuing Care and Road Maintenance costs.
            The Borough Council were experiencing a reduction in Government Funding.
            Trying to retain Sports Facilities especially for young people.
            On current spending on leisure facilities there would be a shortfall in year 2019 / 2020.
            Looking at options for Leisure Centres being transferred to a Trust but the Council would still      have their say.
            Planning continually changing

6          To receive Reports from Village Organisations

6.1       Leigh Village Hall       Report presented by Mrs Wendy Lewis

            The Old Boys School Trustees 45 year lease was signed in 1987 and therefore has 15 years left.
            During the year work was carried out on the electrical system, interior decoration and        replacing the fencing at the rear of the Hall.
            This year the interior decorating continues with work on the toilet and kitchen areas.
            The Hall was used on a regular basis by the Parish Council, Leigh W.I., Dance Group,
            Cricket Club, Church Bazaar, Childrens Parties and Bacon Butties mornings.



6.2       Leigh Recreation Ground       Report presented by Councillor John Beaman

            Trustees           Mr A Langridge, Mr J Slater, Mr D Brunt.
            Secretary         Mrs I Snowden
            Committee      Mrs J Rowley, Mr M Johnson, Councillor J Beaman, A Backhouse.
                                    Cricket Club and Football Club representatives.
            Outgoings       Insurance, Play Equipment Inspection £108, Mowing (Paid by the Parish                                        Council)         
            Income from   Cricket Club and Football Club

            The Playing Fields are actively used be parishioners.
            Dogs on leads and dog fouling remains a problem.
           
            Lucy Mildwater is currently looking at upgrade options and grant sources to improve the
            Play Area.

6.3       Leigh United Charities           Report presented by Mrs Bernice Smallwood

            The Charity has seven trustees, the Vicar, two Churchwardens, three representatives of the
            Parish Council and one other chosen by the Trustees, Mrs C Astbury.
            Mrs Smallwood acts as secretary the Charity.
            The Vicar and Churchwardens serve as long as they are in office.
            Other trustees serve for five years after which they are up for re-election.
            Three Parish Council Representatives are Mrs C Dickin, Mr A Langridge and Cllr C Whittaker.

            At the present time the Trustees administer 3 areas of land :-
            6.585 acres at Hodge Birch, Stone Heath tenanted by Mr Mardling.
            5.063 acres at Intakes, Parkhall Lane tenanted by Mr J Whitehouse.
            3.140 acres at Bents Meadow and Blythe Croft tenanted by Mrs J Williams.

            The Charity is allowed to keep sufficient of its income for the upkeep of the three parcels of
            land and for other expenses, the rest must be distributed according to the rules of the Charity.
            In 1997 the trustees decided to distribute the monies once a year, it is given out at a Church
            Service a few weeks before Christmas to any pensioners in the Parish who apply.
            In 2016 £1,640 was distributed to 35 pensioners.

6.4       Spencer Trust              Report presented by Councillor John Beaman

            Trustees           Mrs B Smallwood, Mrs C Dickin, Mr D Heath, Mr D Brunt, Mr R Slater,
                                    Ms E Beaman, Councillor T Collins, Councillor C Whittaker, Mrs L Greenwood
            Secretary / Treasurer   Mrs L Orchard
            Parish Council Appointees      Mrs B Smallwood, Mrs C Dickin and Mr D Heath

            An education trust which funds parishioners with five years residence who are between the          ages of 18 to 25 with their further education.
            Twenty one acres of land is owned at Lees Lane, Dodsleigh which realises £2,200 per annum.
            Six grants of £500 were awarded in 2016.  Plus £200 to Church Leigh School and £75 to the
            Play Group.
            Councillor Beaman standing down this year after 30 years of service to the Trust.

            Question from Councillor Roe.           How do you let potential applicants know.

            Response.        Through the Parish Magazine and Notice Board in May.
                                    It is not available to those attending Sixth Form Colleges.


6.5       All Saints School        No report presented

6.6       Leigh May Ball           No report presented.

            Councillor Beaman commented that it was a fantastic event which raised significant
            amounts of money for the Parish.  The people who organise the event are to be congratulated.

6.7       Leigh W.I.       No report presented.


7          Resolutions which written notice has been given.              None.

8          The deal with any other business raised by Parishioner.              None


            The meeting concluded at 7.46pm

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