Draft Minutes of the meeting of Sherington Parish Council held remotely via Zoom on Thursday 8th April 2021, commencing at 7.30pm
PRESENT: Cllrs Hindler (Chair), Meldrum and McNeil, Parish Clerk Will Pike, Ward Cllr Geary.
ALSO ATTENDING: 12 members of the public.
- RECEIVE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Ward Cllrs Hosking and McLean, PCSO Pat Flynn, Cllr Shires.
- RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr McNeil stated she would not be voting on any item relating to the possible new shop build.
- ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO NEW COUNCILLORS
Prior to the meeting Cllr S Crabb had handed in her notice to resign – this was accepted.
Ward Cllr Geary suggested that correct protocol had not been followed for the appointment of the two prospective council members so this was put on hold until further information obtained, and checks could be performed.
- APPROVE MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING
Approved to be signed upon next face to face meeting.
- RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS
A comment regarding the shop was received and will be dealt with at point 8.
A general comment about development consultation was raised surrounding the MK East development and possible new developments and planning around this issue. Ward Cllr Geary confirmed that the opportunity to consult is always given at the point of new development.
- RECEIVE PCSO REPORT
Only one instance of anti-social behaviour had been received over the last month.
- RECEIVE WARD COUNCILLORS REPORT
Ward Cllr Geary gave the following updates:
All residents should now have received a leaflet / brochure regarding MK East. Outline planning for housing and infrastructure is expected to be applied for shortly.
Demand Responsive Transport had commenced and had seen some early problems, as to be expected, any further issues should be raised with the Ward Counillors.
Cllr Geary confirmed that in relation to S106 monies, the Ward Councillors are mearly consultees and can not themselves agree to a project.
- VILLAGE SHOP UPDATE
Kevin Durkan on behalf of the new shop subco gave a very detailed and much appreciated update, the main points of which follow:
Remit – The shop subco had been asked to look at all work done to date as well as advise and look at current options
The asset with most mentions was The White Hart but in the interests of transparency other parties were invited to submit an Expression of Interest for the project. No other parties came forward.
The expression of interest from The White Hart was deemed to go far beyond the criteria set out by the subco and the original Neighbourhood Plan.
Everything is being done to ensure transparency at all stages.
Funding – the Parich Council are able to fund such a project from the following:
Inward Investment monies
S137 Spending with limits as set down in law.
Parish Council reserves set aside for specific reasons (in this case the rent having been received from the current shop tenancy).
A question was asked about what happens to the money – At this point the investment and financial responsibility would stop after the initial investment. It has been agreed that the Parish Council no longer wish to and do not have the resources to run / manage a shop going forward.
The next stage would be to employ an architect to ensure the project can be completed within the restraints currently in place both financially and time wise.
Any development must be deemed a ‘meaningful shop’ to include a Post Office and Newspaper delivery service.
The shop must be ‘viable’ but decisions on the viability should be led by interested parties rather than the Parish Council who hold no expertise.
The S106 money of circa £8,500 can not be used as this is a retail project.
No vote was held on the S137 spending as the Council was not quorate at this point in the meeting.
Further information will be published in Scan magazine and updates will be provided.
- REVIEW ACTION LOG
N/A – to be reviewed next meeting.
- CLERKS REPORT
Will Pike briefly mentioned some ‘murmurings’ of discontent with regards to the Demand Responsive Transport but nothing specific had been conveyed.
The Parish Council / Church had been contacted on plans for the passing of any ‘Senior Royals’. David Williams confirmed that the Church is prepared to fly the flag at half mast and books of condolence were ready should they be needed (Although further guidance was later received stating that in the current restrictions books of condolences should be online only).
- VILLAGE CARETAKERS REPORT
Jeff Charles gave a quick update confirming that the benches around the village had started to be repaired and that a ‘top secret’ project to paint was in the pipeline!
- PROJECT GROUPS
12.1 PAVILLION: Cllr McNeil confirmed that the doors had been approved and will be done within the next 6 weeks.
A new cleaner had been hired.
Talks had been had about moving the current football pitch slightly to avoid areas of poor drainage and rabbit holes that had appeared.
The cost would be £420 + VAT with an additional cost of £120 + VAT if it was found that the sockets for the goal posts need replacing.
All were in agreement.
A large debate then occurred surrounding the legality of dog walking / off leash exercise on the field – this will looked into properly and reported on at the next meeting.
Some damaged trees had been removed and cleared.
12.2 SHOP: Dealt with at previous points in the meeting.
12.3 LANDSCAPING: No update.
12.4 PLAY AREAS: Cllr Hindler gave an update on the M.U.G.A. planned for the field. The cost would be £39,429 + VAT of which £36,330 would be funded from S106 monies. Therefore he asked the Council if the remaining £3,099 could be paid by the Council. All were in agreement and the hope is that the M.U.G.A. will be operational by the end of July this year.
12.5 DRAINAGE: No Update.
12.6 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN: No Update
- FINANCE
13.1 MONTHLY BALANCES:
Current Account: £2,038.57
Savings Account: £50,462.02
Payments Due: £5,829.55
Total Funds: £46,671.04
13.2 APPROVE INVOICES FOR PAYMENT: All were approved.
13.3 BUDGET: Will be signed off at the next face to face meeting.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
14.1 8 Gun Lane: No issues were raised
14.2 3 The Knoll” No issues were raised
14.3 ANY OTHER APPLICATIONS: None
- CONSIDER CORRESPONDANCE AND NEW CONSULTATIONS:
Ongoing meetings regarding S106 funding.
- EXTERNAL MEETINGS:
None
- COUNCILLORS ITEMS:
Cllr Meldrum confirmed that several projects were ongoing in realtion to highways works.
The possible resiting of the SIDS camera will be looked at (possibly on Crofts End)
Cllr Hindler confirmed that, all being well, the village party will be held on 31st July at the Pavilion – Further details to follow.
Cllr Hindler stated that Scan Magazine had asked for a donation of £150 to cover costs etc. All were in agreement and would like to thank the magazine and its contributors for their ongoing work.
lr Hindler confirmed that the Council had advertised for a new Trainee Clerk.
- DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
- Wednesday 5th May – Location T.B.D