BRIZLINCOTE PARISH COUNCIL

MEETING 15^TH OCTOBER, 2020, 6.00 PM VIA THE PLATFORM ZOOM

Present:  Cllrs L Campion, Chair, R Page, B Marsden, W Qneibi,

K Hyde, R Ludford-Brooks, B Bidgood, B Judd

In attendance: Borough Cllr C Wileman, Mrs K Lear, Locum clerk

The chair asked members of the public to introduce themselves.

PUBLIC SESSION:   

3 members of the public were present

1/19    Apologies

Apologies were received and accepted for Cllrs S Moss, A Cowan,

Borough Cllr B Peters and County Cllr C Wileman

2/19    Declarations of Interest

Cllr Qneibi requested clarification on whether he needed to declare an interest when item 19 was discussed.  It was confirmed that this was not required.

3/19    Minutes of the previous Council Meeting – Minutes of the

Parish Council Meetings, held on 17^th September 2020 and Extra Ordinary Meeting on the 1^st October, 2020.

Resolved: that the minutes of the previous meetings were approved accurate and factual records and the chair sign them accordingly.

4/19    Chairs Report

The chair felt it would be a good idea to discuss potential enhancements within the parish and asked members if they would submit their thoughts to the clerk.  Items will then be discussed at the next meeting.

The newsletter was generally very well received but we were aware that a small number of residents were not happy with it.

The chair advised that several local community groups (including social media groups) had been approached, some did participate and some declined.

It was noted that some questions/comments were made via social media of which the parish council were not able to participate as this was not the correct protocol when communicating with local groups/residents.

The Chair acknowledged that this matter was now closed off.

The Chair confirmed that Cllr Cowan had attended the Town Deal meeting.  Members had been invited to make representations.

The Chair confirmed that she had also attended several meetings. One was Transforming the Trent Valley meeting.  They would consider an environmental development project.  Closing date for grant application submissions is February 2021, so there is time for members to consider any projects.  Chair to contact members in the next few days with additional information.

The Christmas lights extravaganza was noted.  The Time capsule project was also noted as an ongoing project.  The Chair thanked again everyone for their input.

5/19    Report by the County Councillor and Borough Councillors:–

Borough Cllr Wileman reported that the he had been dealing with the tree issues on Scalpcliffe Wood. He also reported some additional tree planting was taking place near to Tesco.  Cllr Wileman confirmed that he had repaired the bridge which runs at the back of Tesco.  He had used materials donated by Strata Homes.

Cllr Wileman advised council that it was with regret that Mr Ken Compton had recently passed away.

Cllr Wileman informed the council that he was keen to widen volunteer support in keeping the parish flower beds planted.  Cllr Page said that she would be happy to give any support.  Other members confirmed their support also.

The members of the public also confirmed that they would like to assist.

Cllr Page informed council that Grafton Close recent works undertaken by Severn Trent appeared to not be completed. Borough Cllr Wileman confirmed that he would investigate this.

Cllr Wileman confirmed that Virgin Media concerns have been raised.

Borough Councillor Bernard Peters had advised that he would be willing to answer any questions with regard to the report which he had forwarded.

The Chair confirmed that a report had been received during the meeting from County Cllr C Wileman.  Locum clerk to circulate to members in the next few days.

6/19    Finance   – Locum Clerk

1. The following payments schedule was approved

Note:  the above had been checked against the bank statement

Cllr Ludford-Brooks proposed and Cllr B Judd seconded.

Resolved: that payments would be processed.

2021. Training budget – maximum of £60 per external training event (per person attending) was set for Financial year 2020 – 2021.

Cllr Campion proposed this and Cllr Ludford-Brooks seconded.

Resolved:  that a maximum of £60 per event (per person attending) would be set.

7/19         Planning applications/matters – Cllr W Qneibi

The following planning application has been permitted by the planning

Authority

P/2020/00795 – 47 Doveridge Road extension

8/19    Report trees – Beaufort Road, Stapenhill-  report from Cllr. Cowan ( via

the Chair)

The Chair reminded members that that the parish council had agreed to order some free trees from Woodland Trust once ESBC Open Spaces had approved this action.

Following a meeting between Open Spaces and Cllr. Cowan they have been requested. ESBC will also supply whips free of charge should the request to Woodland Trust be rejected or the saplings subsequently be damaged; they will also provide support volunteers to help with planting.

Cllr Cowan has proposed that we have a mown labyrinth – Open Spaces supported this idea with trees and wild flowers leading up to the labyrinth.

Proposal is for this to be sited at the Beaufort Road end of the green.

Everyone present felt that it was a good idea.

9/19    Remembrance Sunday – Cllr L Campion

1. Local remembrance services.

Cllr Ludford-Brooks reassured members that plans had been put in place in line with Covid government guidelines.

Cllr Wileman confirmed that there would not a be parade this year due to Covid and numbers would be limited.

The Chair informed council that Winshill will lay the wreath on behalf of the parish council.

Cllr Ludford-Brooks advised members that due to restrictions, St Peters Church will joined the Burma Stapenhill Gardens.  The wreath laying will be filmed 3 days in advance.  The church will then show the recording on the 8^th November.

A member noted that in the past 3 wreaths have been organised by the parish council, so there was a counter proposal that 3 wreaths would be organised rather than the initial 2 and the donation would be increased.

Cllr Campion proposed that 3 wreaths would be organised with a donation of £75.  Cllr Ludford-Brooks seconded the proposal.

Resolved: that a donation of £75 would be given to the British Legion and that the clerk organises 3 wreaths for collection.

10/19  Music Competition – Cllr B Marsden

Cllr Marsden informed members that whilst the project could not currently be considered, he felt this could be something for next year.  If possible, he would like all councillors to be involved in some way during the event.

Resolved:  that in principle everyone is in favour of the project and that Cllr Marsden investigates costings and more detailed plans to discuss with the council at the next meeting.

Cllr Wileman kindly offered to explore the Brewhouse hire charges whilst both St. Peter’s Church and Paulet School were also suggested by members as alternative venues.

11/19  Arts Competition – Cllr S Moss (via the Chair)

The Chair gave an update on the judging at the Glebe. She wished it to be recorded that thanks were extended to the Mayor and Mayoress,

Cllrs Moss and Hyde for all the hard work they put in before and during the event to make it a huge success. Also, to Cllr. Ludford-Brooks for his assistance at the Glebe.

All participants would be acknowledged by receiving a certificate. The prizes were well distributed amongst the schools. Entries to be included in the Time Capsule subject to permission.

The overall expenditure was under £300 which was well below budget.

12/19  Good Neighbour – Cllr W Qneibi/Cllr L Campion

1. Expenditure of up to £120 to be used to purchase 3 items on behalf of Brizlincote Parish as recognition of nominees for the Good Neighbour Award.

Resolved: that expenditure be approved up to £120 to purchase 3 items for the Good Neighbour Award.

Members agreed that until the nominees had been approached, they would not be identified.

1. Good Neighbour Award next steps. All 3 nominees will be sent a formal letter asking for acceptance. The 3 of them will be treated the same.  Members requested that when the awards were published it would be a interesting  to state why they had been nominated

Resolved: that the locum clerk writes to the 3 nominees.

13/19  Nature Walk – Cllr L Campion/Cllr R Ludford-Brooks

1. Signage update

Cllr Ludford-Brooks advised members that the quotation had been received for repairing the vandalised posts.  The quotation also included the re-application of the anti-vandal paint.

There was a discussion on the different designs that could be considered.  Members were keen to try and find a vandal proof alternative.

It was agreed that suggestions should be submitted to the clerk for council to discuss at a later date.

Cllr Hyde had particular concerns that the fixings may not be durable and was keen that the correct alternatives were sourced.

The chair thought that if they are put in order with some suggestions and then make a decision at a later date.

Members confirmed that no other posts had been damaged.

The chair confirmed that lots of different options could be considered.

There was also a discussion in relation to the bridge.  It was suggested that other alternatives be considered.

Cllr Marsden asked who would approve the design.  It was suggested that it could be a civil engineering project for the local college and they could draft a design also. No actions were agreed.

1. Repair quotations

The clerk was asked to inform the tenders that the parish council will confirm whether they have been awarded the contract in due course.

14/19  Parish plan – Cllr K Hyde

Cllr Hyde said that she had spoken to a member on the parish plan working party. She felt that now was not the right time but it was important that residents were aware that the project is still being worked on for when the time was right.

It was suggested that generic topic areas were a really good starting point.  Cllr Hyde asked members to send their thoughts direct to her.  She will then collect these thoughts and then discuss these with another member of the parish plan working group in the first instance.

The chair endorsed that it was important that any suggestions were relevant and achievable.

15/19  Government Pavement Parking Consultation

Resolved:  that the locum clerk comments on the above consultation on behalf of the council.  Option 2 had been selected by members.

16/19  Grants/donations – no donations received

17/19  Clerk and Members’ Reports

The clerk advised members that residents had raised several matters such as blocked drains. replacement bins, pavement concerns which had been reported to the relevant partners.

Signed: …………………………………………

Date: ………………………………………….

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18/19  Land

The chair advised the parish council that the agent had acknowledged that the parish council could repair the bridge.

The council were pleased to hear that the Brizlincote Farm sale is progressing and there is currently no risk of any large development.

19/19  Casual vacancy

The co option process was discussed with members.

Members discussed the procedure.

It was acknowledged that 3 people will be attending the co-option interview scheduled for the next meeting.  They will have 5 minutes to present and 5 minutes to ask questions with Standing Orders suspended to enable this.

Only one person will speak at a time and the other candidates will be in the waiting room.

The Chair confirmed that 3 questions would be asked.

Members were asked to individually email the clerk with any questions they would like to ask the candidates, which we can consider putting forward.

The questions will be asked via the chair of all 3 candidates.

The parish council will have a closed session when the voting will take place.  The Chair will circulate additional information nearer the time.

It was noted that the important message is that only one vacancy,

Signed: …………………………………………….

Date: ……………………………………………..