Minutes of Parish Council Meeting, 11th March 2024, 7:30pm

Clerk: Philip Edwards (CiLCA) clerk@westharptreeparishcouncil.co.uk
www.westharptreeparishcouncil.co.uk
Subscribe for updates: westharptreeparishcouncil.co.uk/mailing-list/

Councillors Present: C Gay, R Ireland (Chairman), S McCombe (co-opted during the meeting) and E Weatherill

Also Present: Philip Edwards (Clerk), PC S Carey 4297

2403_[1] Public Participation Session

There was no public participation contributed by members of the public.

2403_[2] Neighbourhood Police Report

A report was received from Neighbourhood Constable, Stephen Carey 4297. The report showed that in the last six months there 5 offences reported by direct contact to the police by using 999, 101 or online. In the previous 6 months 8 instances of antisocial behaviour were reported that can also be duplicates of offences reported. Recently there has been an increase in theft from vehicles in the local area. Unknown persons have been drilling open the side doors to vans parked outside properties overnight and taking work tools from within.

MEETING ADMIN

2403_[3] Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs: H Colton, D Hooper and J Mitchell

2403_[4] Declaration of Interest

A declaration of disclosable pecuniary interest was received from Cllr Gay regarding payments to approve.

2403_[5] Confirmation of Minutes

RESOLVED: The Parish Council meeting minutes of Monday 5th February 2024 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by Chairman.

2403_[6] Election of Vice Chairman

This item of business was postponed until the May meeting

2403_[7] Co-option of New Member

RESOLVED: Simon McCombe was co-opted to the Parish Council.
The declaration of acceptance of office was completed and signed in the presence of the proper officer.

REPORTS

2403_[8] Chairman’s Report

A report was received from the Chairman. The Chairman confirmed details with the council for an annual community litter pick on Saturday 30th March, starting 10.30am at the bus shelter. The Clerk was requested to publish dates via the council newsletter and request equipment from BANES.

2403_[9] Clerk’s Report

• RESOLVED: Approval for purchase of replacement defibrillator pads, £125 +VAT from Heartsine with £150 to be transferred to the Council NatWest account to cover payment with debit card.

• Noted: correspondence shared with council members listed in the appendix.

2403_[10] Meetings attended

Noted: Cllr Weatherill attended the East Harptree church licensing service for Katrina Dykes, the new priest for the benefice.

2403_[11] Memorial Hall

Cllr Ireland reported that the Memorial Hall had held a successful Harptree Hop event, the event had raised £650 for the charity Julian House. Cllr Ireland also reported on a recent successful bingo night attended by 30 people at the hall.

2403_[12] Highways

• RESOLVED: The summary of the public highways meeting posted on the website was confirmed by the council as an accurate record of the meeting
• RESOLVED: confirmation of approval of the SSE contract that had been renewed following an expression of approval provided to the Clerk from council members prior to the meeting
• It was noted that pot holes had been marked by BANES for repair, including on the Bristol Road, Ridge Lane and Brick Hill
• An issue with the street light on Ridge Lane was noted

2403_[13] Recreation Ground

• RESOLVED: Renewal of BANES contract £2178.20 for grass cutting.
• Noted: Tree Surgery – Ash die back report. The council confirmed that on the advice of both BANES and tree surgeons who had visited, they would wait for the BANES ash die back officer to visit again in the summer to check condition of the recreation ground tree next to the highway. The council would review appropriate action in June to July.
• Noted: The muddy path route on grass around playground was reviewed. It was decided to monitor condition of the route.
• A review on playground refurbishment was postponed.
• A report was received from Cllr Gay regarding the planting of the tree on the recreation ground. The Chairman and council expressed thanks to Cllr Gay and to the local residents who had planted the tree.

2403_[14] Ward Councillor’s Report

There was no report from BANES District Cllr David Wood

2403_[15] FINANCE

(a) Payments and income – see appendix 2024-03 Finance Reports

1. RESOLVED: payments to approve listed in finance report (Cllr Gay did not partake or vote in this item of business due to a disclosable pecuniary interest)
2. Noted: payments and Income listed in finance report
3. Noted: petty cash float
4. Noted: bank reconciliation
5. RESOLVED: The Council instructed the Clerk to close the NatWest reserve account
6. RESOLVED: An annual one point scale increment from April 2024 to SCP24 in accordance with the Clerk’s contract of employment

2403_[16] POLICIES FOR REVIEW

This item of business was postponed for a later meeting

2403_[17] PLANNING APPLICATIONS

There were no outstanding consultation requests at the time of agenda publication

2403_[18] ITEMS FOR ATTENTION OF THE CLERK

• Noted: there were no other items for attention of the clerk
• Noted: there were no other requests for business to be considered at the next meeting

2403_[19] DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED: Date of next meeting: Monday 8th April 2024, 7.30pm at West Harptree Memorial hall.

---

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 20:44

Agreed as a correct record,
signed by the Chairman of the meeting: _______________________ on:_______________
(Chairman initial all other pages)