Table of Contents
Clerk: Philip Edwards (CiLCA) clerk@westharptreeparishcouncil.co.uk
www.westharptreeparishcouncil.co.uk
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Councillors Present: H Colton, D Hooper, R Ireland (Chairman), G Joyce (Vice Chairman), J Mitchell and E Weatherill
Also Present: Philip Edwards (Clerk), David Wood (BANES District Councillor) and one member of the public
2311_[1] Public Participation Session
A member of the public highlighted flooding issues for attention of the Parish Council and Dst Cllr David Wood. It was noted that members of the public often clear the drains on Ridge Way, which would otherwise block without this intervention.
MEETING ADMIN
2311_[2] Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
2311_[3] Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary or personal interests.
2311_[4] Confirmation of Minutes
RESOLVED: The Parish Council meeting minutes of Monday 9th October 2023 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by Chairman.
REPORTS
2311_[5] Chairman’s Report
- A report was received from the Chairman
2311_[6] Clerk’s Report
- A report was received from the Clerk
- Purchase of a replacement council laptop
- RESOLVED: Approval for purchase of a Dell Inspiron, Intel i5, 8gb memory, 512 GB SSD £399 (£80 off) – £332.50 excluding VAT
- RESOLVED: Additional payment to petty cash float of £399, with authority for this to be used to reimburse the purchase of a laptop by the Clerk
- Noted: correspondence shared with council members (see appendix)
2311_[7] Meetings attended
- Cllr Weatherill reported that she was attending the Sustainable Transport Group until a volunteer could be found to represent West Harptree.
- Cllr Mitchell reported on a meeting with BANES planning officer Richard Daone to review ideas for improvements to the Local Plan workshop. A further meeting had been planned to discuss how to move this forward. It was highlighted that it would be preferable to involve representatives of the Chew Valley Neighbourhood Plan. Further considerations included protection for housing allocation and design statements in the AONB.
- Cllr Colton reported on the Mendip AONB nature recovery meeting and the rebranding in November to National Landscapes. Cllr Colton reported on an upcoming deadline for possible funding to promote nature recovery.
2311_[8] Memorial Hall
Cllr Ireland reported that the Hall defibrillator had been registered for use. New regular groups include Yoga and Pilates. It was reported that the bride and groom from a recent wedding reception at the Hall had written to say how impressed they had been with the facilities and service. It was reported that the finances were in a good place.
2311_[9] Highways
Dates in Nov and Dec 2023 had been reserved at the Memorial Hall for a potential highways public meeting to review traffic solutions through the village. Following a response from BANES, new dates would be required during or after Jan 2024. The Clerk was requested to book provisional dates at the Hall for a public meeting, including the 21st Feb 2024. The dates would be confirmed to the public nearer the time. It was noted that it would be preferable to publish an online feedback form for local residents prior to any public meeting and that this would be dependent on receiving a report in time from BANES. BANES had been requested to cost each project option to allow the public to see project values.
2311_[10] Recreation Ground
Noted: there were no reports on the recreation ground
2311_[11] Ward Councillor’s Report
A report was received from BANES District Cllr David Wood (see appendix)
2311_[12] FINANCE
(a) Payments and income – see appendix 2023-11 Finance Reports
- RESOLVED: To implement the Local Government Services pay agreement 2023, contractually applicable for staff from 1 April 2023
- RESOLVED: payments to approve listed in finance report checked by Cllr Ireland
- Noted: payments and Income listed in finance report
- Noted: petty cash float
- Noted: bank reconciliation checked by Cllr Joyce
(b) Pension requirements
- RESOLVED: To confirm setting up NEST as the pension provider for pension enrollment
- RESOLVED: To set PAYE pension contribution levels at minimum statutory requirements to be collected by direct debit with NEST
- Noted: Employer pension contributions to be reviewed at the next budget setting review.
2311_[13] PLANNING APPLICATIONS
There were no outstanding consultation requests at the time of agenda publication
(Ref: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning/#advancedSearch)
2311_[14] ITEMS FOR ATTENTION OF THE CLERK
- Thanks were expressed to Peter Wood for arranging the triangle planting and gifting the costs.
- Thanks were expressed to Amy Newton for digging out gravel from the drains at the centre of the village
- Dst Cllr Wood was asked to request the Clean and Green team to look at work required along Ridge Lane
- The Chairman reported that Clive Setter had provided a stab recovery pack next to the defibrillator on the Crown Inn
- Cllr Weatherill reported on a conversation with vehicle owners parking on Ridge Lane
2311_[15] DATE OF NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED: Date of next meeting: Monday 11th December 2023, 7.30pm at West Harptree Memorial hall.
Diary: https://westharptreeparishcouncil.co.uk/diary-of-parish-council-meetings/
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 20:42
Agreed as a correct record,
signed by the Chairman of the meeting: _______________________ on:_______________
(Chairman initial all other pages)
- Status: Approved