| 113/05 - To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 8th November 2005 The minutes of the meeting held on 8th November 2005 had been circulated, were taken as read, agreed by all, and signed by the Chairman Councillor Pearson. 114/05 - Matters arising 103/05 County Councillors Report - Cllr Farmer felt that part of the discussion had been omitted, ie that Cllr Maxwell had mentioned that from the County’s Highways perspective there were more dangerous roads than this, therefore commanding a higher priority and as there had never been a fatality at this junction that it was quite likely that nothing would be done in the foreseeable future, unless such a fatality occurred, which hopefully it never will. 109/05 Recruitment of New Clerk - The Chairman reported on the progress of this. There had been considerable interest in the position and five short-listed candidates had been interviewed on Saturday, December 3rd. The Chairman was pleased to announce that Mr Mike Harwood, a Highclere resident, had accepted the post and would start on the 1st January 2006. His first two months would be a handover period working alongside the present clerk. Cllr Castle asked for it to be noted that thanks should go to the present clerk for the efficient way the advertising had attracted such a high calibre of applicants. Also in the organising of interviews, which even though there were five in quite a short space of time, every interview had started on time and there was time for a discussion and a decision to be reached at the end of the interview. It was also noted that in addition to the two months’ handover period the present clerk would be available on an informal basis to help the new clerk when needed. 115/05 Update on Village Plan - Cllr Langan reported that the Steering Group and the Focus Group Leaders had met on 28th November. One Focus Group leader had had to drop out because of an unanticipated business commitment. All Focus Groups leaders had found it difficult to get people interested but several groups were now up and running. There were reports in from Doug Harris and Doreen Gibbon’s. Jill Williams and Mari Withecombe hoped that they would be able to give a positive report at the next meeting. A leader for the Transport topic is still being sought. Cllr Pearson undertook to speak with two people at Penwood who had been interested in helping with a disco for young people and who might be interested in joining a Focus Group. 116/05 Village Hall – Final Update The Chairman had invited Mr Ian Briggs, Treasurer of the Village Hall to attend the meeting to update councillors on the final outcome of the improvements programme. Mr Briggs reported that local MP Sir George Young Bt had formally opened the redeveloped building, at a very successful reception attended by the Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane and county and borough councillors, as well as supporters of the fund raising programme. On the financial side there was one outstanding invoice which would be paid after a meeting with the builders. There was also one outstanding grant which would be received when the Committee confirmed that all the work had been completed satisfactorily. The building work had come in on plan and within budget. As there would not be enough funds in the Parish Council’s account for the final invoice Mr Briggs agreed that the builders would be asked for two invoices, the second to be paid directly from the Village Hall Committee Funds. The Chairman thanked Mr Briggs for attending the meeting and asked him to pass on the Parish Council’s thanks to all who had been involved in making the village hall enlargement and improvements such a success. 117/05 Precept for 2006/07 The Clerk had given Councillors a printout showing the previous year’s expenditure, year to date expenditure to November 2005 and a forecast of spending for the rest of the financial year, together with a proposed budget for the year 2006-07, with her recommendation for a 3% increase in the precept. After discussion Councillors agreed increase should be 2.8% in line with inflation. The Clerk would adjust the paper work and send it into B&DBC. 118/05 Correspondence received 1. Audit Commission - Return of 2004/05 accounts verified and signed. The accounts had been submitted to the Audit Commission after the internal audit. The Clerk had received them back duly signed and with no comments. They had been posted on the notice boards for the prescribed amount of time. The Audit Commission mentioned that they would be sending their bill shortly. This had since been received. 2. B&DBC - Parish Council Tax Base, Grants & Precepts - 2006/07 - Following an earlier letter from B&DBC they had now sent details of the Borough’s estimated council tax base for 2006/07. All Councillors had been given a copy of the information. 3. B&DBC - Statement of Community Involvement - Questionnaire. This letter contained feedback from a questionnaire that had been sent out regarding Community involvement. All Councillors’ had been given a copy of the letter. 4. B&DBC - Local Plan Inquiry - Inspectors report. Copies are available for £40 plus £5 for postage and packaging. It is also available to view on the Borough Council’s website. 5. B&BBC summary of the Local Plan Inquiry - Inspectors Report – This contained a brief description of the Inspector’s report. Other Correspondence (available for Councillors to review) HAPTC - December bulletin – copies were passed to the Councillor’s who wished for a copy HCC - Hampshire Now County Council Magazine - the clerk passed copies of the magazine to the Councillors’ 119/05 - Accounts for Payment The following accounts were passed for payment. BT (telephone) £21.71, Audit Commission (external audit) £141.00, Inland Revenue (PAYE/NI) £409.04, C Corrall (litter warden) £128.26, B Bendle (litter Warden) £156.66, L McClelland (litter warden) £67.38, D Mitchell (salary) £615.46. 120/05 Councillors’ matters arising to be included in the next agenda A343 and Penwood Cross Roads. Sentinel update. Introduction of new clerk. Annual Meeting. |