Annual Parish Meeting:
Present: G. Willcox (Chairman), D. Creed, T. Hodgson, J. Tucker, M. Colman, L. Aldridge, and District and County Councillor N. Hewett-Cooper.
Apologies: A. Creed, J. Gane, P. Gurl and D.Cllr J. Greenhalgh.
Minutes of the last APM were approved and signed.
Chairman's Report:
In Summary: -
The Parish Council debated 21 Planning Applications to the current date.
The War Memorial has been maintained.
Highways Matters have been reported.
Local footpaths have been maintained.
A Poppy Wreath was laid at the War Memorial On Remembrance Sunday.
£1,000 was given to the PCC for Upkeep of the Churchyard and £500 to the Village Hall Management Committee for Upkeep of the Hall.
All information relating to West Pennard Parish Council is displayed on the Village Noticeboard and on the Parish Council Website westpennard.org.uk and precis in the 'News and Views Parishes' Magazine.
The Chairman thanked fellow parish councillors for their continuing hard work and support over the last year 'doing for the good of the village'.
Finance: The Accounts were presented for inspection: -
To date:
Bal at beginning of 31.03.17 - £1255.23
Precept £3,500.00
Total Expenditure £4184.08
Balance at 31.03.18 £ 571.15
Precept received 2018 -19 £4,600.00
Audit 2017-18. Annual Governance and Accountability Return.
Clerk explained the Parish Council may Issue a Certificate of Exemption for a Full Audit as they are under the £25,000 criteria and have had no reported problems with the Audit. This constitutes an Exempt Authority.
This will be sent to Auditors PKF LittleJohn LLP with a list of contact details.
As before the Annual Internal Audit Report, Annual Governance Statement and Accounting Statements will be completed and then posted on the parish council website.
Confirmation of the dates of the period for the exercise of public rights is Monday June 4th to Friday July 13th 2018.
Report by District and County Councillor N. Hewett-Cooper:-
MDC have a balanced budget seeing an increase of 3.44% in Council Tax.
Senior Planner Rachel Tidson has been appointed, as have enforcement officers and planners.
MDC are able to take on more staff and hope to be financially independent in twelve months.
There is a national shortage of planners.
3,000 Planning Applications were processed last year.
135 Clerks and councillors attended training sessions.
SCC have a balanced budget with an increase of 3% in County and Precept plus 3% extra Social Care.
340 miles of roads have been resurfaced and 1600 potholes filled.
6,000 Births and 6,000 Deaths have been Registered.
There have been 3,000 Marriages.
130 Apprentices have been taken on.
Childrens Services/Ofsted - an improvement.
There are plans to build 26 new schools in the next three years.
There being no further business the meeting was closed.
Parish Council Meeting following:
Those Present and Apologies as above.
Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed.
Nil Matters arising and Public Speaking-Time.
Correspondence circulated.
N.B. (SALC) 22.05.18 The Edgar Hall, Somerton 2.30 - 4.30 pm. General Data Protection Regulations Training.
Reminders will be sent and numbers confirmed to book places with posted Minutes of this meeting.
Finance: As above.
1 cheque drawn for Grant Thornton UK LLP relating to a question raised when internal auditor ticked 2 boxes in error - Objective f - the p council does not operate a petty cash system and h - the p council has no assets or investments. Payment £30.00.
Planning:
Planning decision MDC:-
Re-instate window at the re-elevation of the property to it's original design and maintaining the existing frame/Mulberry Cottage/Scottles lane.
APPROVED.
Planning Application.
Application for outline permission for the erection of four holiday lodges and a tea-room including change of use of the land all matters are reserved except scale, layout and access/Land adjoining Coopers Cottage.
Proposed, seconded and Passed RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
Highways Matters:
Severely deteriorated state of Scottles lane with supporting photographs which has been reported several times: N.Hewett-Cooper will investigate.
A.O.B.
Councillors gave a vote of thanks to parish councillor A. Creed for his excellent article in 'News and Views' regarding dog fouling.
Proposed Bypass discussed and to be further discussed at May meeting.
There being no further business the meeting was closed.