Minutes of the Meeting of Great Cornard Parish Council

held in the Stevenson Centre on Monday 14^th December 2009 at 7pm

PRESENT             Councillors     H.N.Todd                    Chairman

                                                         Mrs A.Harper-Clark

                                                         J. Millins

                                                         Mrs F.A. Jackson

                                                         D.R.G.Thomas

                                                         Mrs C.A.Todd

                                                         R.I.Wade

                                                         D.Walton

                 Council Manager          M.J. Fitt

                 Clerical Assistant         Mrs N.C.Tamlyn

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllrs M.D.Newman, N.H.T.Proctor & Mrs C.J.Webb

Members not present were Cllr P.K.Beer.

2.  CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS

It was with great sadness that the Chairman announced the death of Gillian Applegate.

Gill had been Parish Clerk for Great Cornard for 14 years and since leaving had taken the position of Parish Clerk to Chilton Parish Council. He announced that the Funeral would be held on Wednesday 16^th December at 1pm at St.Andrews Church.

The Chairman announced that Councillor Robert Sims had resigned from the Council with immediate effect. The appropriate notices will be posted on Friday 18^th December 2009.

The Council’s Caretaker, Brian Crawley, had unfortunately suffered a minor stroke but the Chairman was pleased to announce that he way making a good recovery.

The over 60’s Christmas Tea Party had been a great success, with the largest ever numbers attending. The Chairman thanked everybody who helped organise the event.

The Stevenson Centre had been broken into and a number of items stolen.

The Chairman announced that Councillor Beer had requested that nobody from the Council

should hand deliver Council documents to his door. The Council Manager will make alternative arrangements. 

3.  TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE 9th NOVEMBER  2009  

RESOLVED

       That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9^TH November 2009 are confirmed and are to be signed as a true record.                            

4.  POLICE REPORT

     The Police report was NOTED.

The Chairman announced that the Police are holding a Public meeting at the police Station on Thursday 17^th December at 3pm to discuss setting their local priorities.

5. ADJOURNMENT

At 7.07pm the council formally adjourned debate to allow electors of Great Cornard to put questions to the council. 

The business of the meeting resumed at 7.14pm.

6. ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD

a)     Wallnuttree Hospital

Nothing to report.

7. TO CONSIDER THE FORMATION OF A STEVENSON CENTRE SUB-COMMITTEE TO

    REPORT ON REFURBISHMENT OR UPGRADING 0F THE KITCHEN AND TOILETS

    RESOLVED that Councillors Mrs Todd, Mrs Harper-Clarke, Mrs Jackson, H.Todd

    and D.Thomas, as well as the Council manager form a sub-committee to review

    the possible refurbishment and upgrade of the Stevenson centre kitchen and toilets.

8. TO DECIDE THE LEVEL OF ALLOTMENT FEES FOR THE NEXT YEAR

    Cllr Walton and H.Todd declared a personal interest.

    The Council manager proposed that the allotment fees increase to £16.00pa for 2009,  

     £20.00pa in 2011 and £24.00pa in 2012. The smaller sized allotments would remain

    at £12.00pa for this same period.  

     RESOLVED to accept the recommendation.

9. TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF

    THE RECREATION & LEISURE COMMITTEE, WHEN ELECTED, TO SERVE

    ON THE POLICIES & FINANCE COMMITTEE

    RESOLVED

10. DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING COMMITTEE

a.      Confirmation & Adoption of Minutes of the Meeting on 23^rd November  2009

The Minutes of the meeting of the Development & Planning Committee held on 23^rd

November 2009 were confirmed and adopted. They were then signed by the

Committee Chairman.

b. Questions to Committee Chairman

None

c.      Ratification of Recommended Items

Meeting of 23^rd November 2009  Item 3 To consider a request for a dog waste bin

on Layzell’s Footpath

     That the Council install a dog and litter bin on Layzell’s footpath at a cost of £250.00 plus

      the annual emptying charges for both bins.  

     RESOLVED to accept the recommendation as under item 3 of 23^rd November 2009

11. RECREATION & LEISURE COMMITTEE

      a.  Confirmation & Adoption of Minutes of Meeting 23^rd November 2009.

 The Minutes of the meeting of the Recreation & Leisure Committee held on

 23^rd November  2009 were confirmed and adopted. They were then signed by the

 Committee Chairman.

 b. Questions to Committee Chairman

     None

     c. Ratification of Recommended Items

     Cllrs Walton and H.Todd declared a Personal Interest.

     Meeting of 23^rd November 2009 Item 4 To consider the provision of further Allotments

      That the Council go ahead with work to remove the brambles at a cost of £500.00 and that the Council monitors the situation with regards to the extension of the allotments based on the waiting list as at the end of January 2010.

      RESOLVED to accept the recommendation as under item 3 of 23^rd November 2009.

12. POLICIES & FINANCE COMMITTEE

a. Confirmation & Adoption of Minutes of Meeting 23^rd November 2009

 The Minutes of the meeting of the Policies & Finance Committee held on 23^rd November

 2009 were confirmed and adopted. They were then signed by the Committee Chairman

b.     Questions to Committee Chairman

None

     c. Ratification of Recommended Items

     Meeting of 23^rd November 2009 Item 3 To consider responses to the Council’s intention

     to remove the ‘Hedgerows’ village sign

     That the Hedgerows sign remain and renovation work be carried out to the sign, which would include treating and making good the bottom of one main post, replace the rotten bottom timber and the two uprights with treated timber. Apply two coats of Sadolin Timber Stain to all new and existing timber at a cost of £260.00. 

     RESOLVED to accept the recommendation as under item 3 of 23^rd November 2009.

13.  FINANCIAL MATTERS

a. Cheques Issued / Credits Received

Meeting closed 7.30pm                                                                      Signed                                             

H.N.Todd  : Chairman