Minutes of the meeting of Sherington Parish Council held remotely via Zoom on Wednesday 11th November 2020, commencing at 7.30pm
PRESENT: Cllrs Hindler (Chair), Readman, McNeil, S Crabb, M Crabb, Meldrum and Shires, Parish Clerk Will Pike, Ward Cllrs Hosking and McLean.
ALSO ATTENDING: 11 members of the public.
- RECEIVE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Ward Cllr Geary, PCSO Pat Flynn.
- RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Shires – Pavilion
- APPROVE MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING
Approved in principle – to be signed at the next physical meeting.
- RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Parish Council was asked if it were willing to fund research into land ownership of the pathway between Crofts End and the High Street. Some work had been ongoing into identifying ownership and Milton Keynes Council are looking into it. Ward Cllr McLean had received a response just prior to the meeting and had tried to push this forward. It was agreed to await this outcome before taking further.
There was some update on the drainage on the High Street and Anglian Water had been there and cleared for now. They are due to report fully shortly.
The Council was asked to look at cutting back and trimming the hedging from the junction with Gun Lane down the High Street into the village. This would allow safer walking. Cllr Shires confirmed he will try to contact the landowner in the first instance.
The Council was asked about the latest COVID-19 league tables. Cllr McLean advised that higher numbers were being seen due to instances in relation to Olney Rugby Club and Ousedale Campus at Newport Pagnell.
The Council were made aware of a number of railings on The Knoll that had fallen and were rotten. It was agreed to look at further.
It was mentioned that the light in the Red Phonebox on The Knoll was not working. It was agreed to look into.
- RECEIVE PCSO REPORT
No PCSO was present but crime figures since the previous meeting had been provided as follows:
None.
A reminder to be wary of several ongoing scams via phone and online was read out.
- RECEIVE WARD COUNCILLORS REPORT
Cllr McLean gave the following report:
The H.I.F. Bid has been signed for £94.5 million to support infrastructure. Expecting a planning application around March 2021 specific for infrastructure and outline planning for housing.
Milton Keynes Council budget is expected in draft before Christmas to be taken to the full Council in February.
An issue with a planning notice for Honeysuckle Cottage having the dates changed was raised. Cllr McLean confirmed that the change of dates would not shorten any consultation period.
- SHOPCO – NEXT STEPS
Cllr HIndler confirmed a presentation had been sent and all Cllrs confirmed they had all seen it. Cllr S. Crabb offered to show the presentation but Cllr HIndler asked firstly, if anyone had any particular questions. It was agreed to put on the website.
Cllr Hindler confirmed that the Council were being asked to vote on a proposal to pay approx. £800 to take the current design to planning.
A vote was held which ended 4-3 against the proposal.
A heated discussion ensued.
Cllr Readman, speaking on behalf of ShopCo, asked what the reasons for against were as without it makes it impossible for ShopCo to go forward as they have produced a submission based on what has been asked of them.
After further discussion the meeting moved on.
*NOTE – After the meeting it was agreed that correct protocol for the vote was not followed and will therefore be voided from the record. Further discussion will ensue, and the issue will be put back on the agenda at a subsequent meeting. The full recording of the meeting will be available shortly for complete transparency.
- RECEIVE REPORT ON ACTIONS FROM LAST MEETING
No Updates.
The actions around the Knoll and Phone Box were added to the list.
- CLERKS REPORT
Nothing was raised that wasn’t already on the agenda.
It was agreed not to furlough any staff under the current lockdown which was hoped will be short enough to reopen afterwards.
- PROJECT GROUP UPDATES
PAVILION:
Quotes are being obtained for new doors.
SHOP:
None
BIODIVERSITY:
None
LANDSCAPING:
Britain in Bloom certificate had been received.
PLAY AREAS:
S106 money has now be confirmed so now waiting on the order to be signed off. Hopefully to be installed by Christmas.
- CARETAKERS REPORT
Jeff Charles gave a brief update backing up a previous comment about The Knoll with fencing up by the Pavilion.
Asked for a bag of gravel to fill in some of the pot holes on the gravel road up to the Pavilion car park and also on the entrance to the car park by the Village Hall / Shop.
Further drainage issues have been raised with Milton Keynes Council.
- FINANCE
Balances at as 31st October were as follows:
Current Account: £20,176.34
Savings Account: £50,001.64
Payments Due: £2,159.30
Total Cash in Hand: £68,018.68
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Water Lane – No Issues
Honeysuckle Cottage – No issues were initially raised but after comments from the Public and those involved in the production of the Neighbourhood Plan it was agreed to investigate further and hold a further informal meeting to further understand how this fits in with the Neighbourhood Plan.
- CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE AND NEW CONSULTATIONS
Cllr S. Crabb had been contacted by a resident with ideas for the arts funding from S106. Information was passed on.
- EXTERNAL MEETINGS
None.
- COUNCILLORS ITEMS
Cllr S. Crabb asked about the Internal Drainage Board set up by Cllr Hindler but as he had disconnected from the meeting, he was unable to respond.
- DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 9th December 2020 at 7.30 p.m.