Minutes

Uffington Parish Council

Approved Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at Uffington Village Hall on Wednesday 25th May 2022 at 7.30pm

Present: Barrie Brown – Chairman, Cllr Sheehan, Cllr Hartley, Cllr Genever, Cllr Hutchins, Cllr Barratt, Cllr Church and two members of public

Clerk – Mrs. K Turner

1. Apologies: Cllr Kelham Cooke
2. Election of Chairman

The current chairman called for nominations. No other nominations were presented and Mr. B Brown was duly elected

Pro: Cllr Genever               Sec: Cllr Barratt

RESOLVED

3. Election of Vice Chairman

The current chairman called for nominations. No other nominations were presented and Mr. N. Sheehan was duly elected

RESOLVED

Cllr Brown confirmed that Uffington Parish Council currently have two working party groups. One for the allotments and one for the green space area and playground. These working parties are not committee’s and therefore do not qualify for any agenda or notice given for meetings or gatherings. These groups cannot make any decisions or agree expenditure. Discussions can be held and ideas/suggestions can be brought forward to full council for consideration from these working party groups. The groups may also co-opt members of the public if necessary.

Members of the allotment working group were confirmed as Cllr Brown, Cllr Hutchins and Cllr Genever

Members of the green area and playground were confirmed as Cllr Sheehan, Cllr Brown, Cllr Hartley and Cllr Hutchins

4. Approval of Minutes from 19th April 2022

Pro: Cllr GeneverSec: Cllr Sheehan

5. Matters Arising

Cllr Genever noted that the resurfacing along Casewick lane had been completed but is not up to standard. Already holes have appeared and surface crumbling. Clerk to contact Highways manager.

Speedwatch group have confirmed that all equipment has been returned from a previous member who has now retired from the group - apart from one key for the speed sign lock. Clerk to write to member to request this is handed back.

Two new signs for the pound field were purchased. Cllr Brown to organise attaching to gate

Mallard Pass 2 stage consultation information has been sent out. Dates and more information will be communicated directly by Mallard Pass

Clerk to issue cheque for £50 donation to Uffington Cricket club

6. Queens Platinum Jubilee

Uffington PC have been successful in obtaining a community fund grant from SKDC to provide commemorative mugs for all children residing in the village up to the age of 16. Forms were handed to residents of Uffington to express interest. Decision to open the Village Hall on Saturday 28 May from 10-11.30am for people to come and collect. Extra mugs could be given out to other residents with a request for a small donation up to the value of £5 permug. Cllr Hutchins, the clerk and a member of public agreed to volunteer and help to hand out the mugs.

Clerk to email and post poster and advertise on social media and notice boards advising of the date.

7. Annual Insurance policy

The annual insurance policy was reviewed and expenditure agreed upon. Comment from Cllr Hutchins to confirm ground surfacing cover. Clerk to enquire from BHIB

Pro: Cllr HutchinsSec: Cllr Church

8. Bench for Play area

Discussions regarding a picnic bench for the play area. Several people in the village have sent requests on behalf of parents attending with the area with children. The playground working party will discuss and research options for a picnic style bench for the play area. Possible funding from the Village Hall and PC once VAT has been reclaimed on the play equipment.

In addition, Cllr Church would like to donate £250 to the Parish Council for a memorial bench with a plaque to be placed near the Queens platinum Jubilee tree. Donations from the commemorative mugs to the Council are hoped to be used to purchase the bench along with Cllr Church’s generous donation.

Cllr Genever kindly agreed to turn around the log that is currently at the play area for extra seating.

Cllr Sheehan noted that all the new saplings and plants in the wildflower area seem to have taken well. Cllr Hutchins, Cllr Sheehan and Cllr Brown are currently checking and carrying out any maintenance of the area.

9. Annual Parish Accounts

To resolve acceptance of the following: -

Internal Audit report for financial year 2021/22 was presented to the Parish Council. Completed by John Baldwin

Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 (AGAR) had been independently inspected and presented for the proposal to accept as the true and accurate record of the accounting period

All financial documents and accounting statements including bank reconciliation inspected and presented for the proposal to accept as the true and accurate record of the accounting period 2021/22

All AGAR and financial documents will be published onto the website and also the annual accounts can be reviewed by appointment with the clerk for the statutory 30 days beginning June 13th 2022. All accounting statements are as yet unaudited

External auditors – PKF Littlejohn LLP, 15 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, LONDON, E14 4HD

Full Council agreed. No further comments made

Pro: Cllr SheehanSec: Cllr Hutchins

10. Reports from Outside bodies

Cllr Cooke report available as separate paper attached and available online. PCSO monthly report available online

11. Monthly Accounts

To propose and accept monthly expenditure and income from 19 April

Expenditure Out

UVH Room Hire March & April£65.00

J Hartley (April & May Litter pick)                                £80.00

Anglian Water                                                     £23.11

C S Harris Apr & May                                        £130.00

Clerks Wages April                                             £198.60

A4 ream of paper (paid to Clerk)                 £5.00

Stamps (paid to Clerk)                                     £5.44

Jubilee Mugs                                                       £732.18

Total                                                                        £1,239.33

Bank balance as at 19.05.22 (before expenses above cleared)

Treasurers account: £740.32

Business account:£5956.64

Cllr Brown noted that spending in the Parish had taken a rise in the last financial year. The precept was lowered in 2019 and there would have to be consideration taken for the next financial year and a possible rise of precept to cover costs. The Parish has a larger play area and green space to maintain plus maintenance to hedges and trees on Parish land and at the allotments. Costs for defibrillator to also be budgeted for. A clearer budget plan for expected costs to be put forward for next financial year

Pro: Cllr Hutchins               Sec: Cllr Hartley

12. Declarations
13.  
13. Planning – No applications received for discussion
14. Correspondence

Village Facebook response letter – The Parish Council feels that everything has been done in their power to try and help with the situation. Written support was given on the matter and no further action to be taken

Letter from UVH received requesting written support for new website Uffington Uffington.org.uk. Cllr Brown read through the letter to full Council. UVH member addressed the Council to give an insight into why the support for a new web page was needed. Main reason is for future proofing and ensuring that the Village has an up to date and informational page with links to other village sites including the Church, Uffington cricket club, The Bertie Arms and the Parish Council. Cllr Church and Cllr Hutchins expressed concerns over views expressed on the website may not be of other constitutions e.g., the Parish Council. It was suggested that reports from UVH meetings be shared with the Parish Council going forward.

It was proposed for the Council to agree in support of the approach for the website to be independent and for the letter to be signed on behalf of the Council

Pro: Cllr ChurchSec: Cllr Hartley

One Cllr abstained from voting

15. Any other business

Cllr Genever commented that the repairs along Casewick lane are not sufficient. Holes are breaking up and there is standing water. Cllr Genever requested for Highways to visit and inspect the lane again

National speed sign is still broken and despite fixmystreet logging as repaired, it has not been. Clerk to report again

Streetlight outside 27 Greatford road to be reported as not working

Cllr Church gave an update on a zoom meeting held by Mallard Pass. Significant changes have been made to the proposal. Boundaries have changed and area decreased from 570 hectares to 463 meaning Uffington will be less affected by the panels. 4.7km of new footpaths round the area. No batteries will be fitted. Panels are to be erected further away from housing developments. Mallard Pass also agreed to meet with Greatford flood wardens. Communication should reach all residents in affected Parishes in the near future for information on the second round of the consultation process.

Cllr Church reported scrap metal left outside on the road outside of the old rectory Greatford Rd

Cllr Sheehan received report that footpath along Manners close and the playground was being used by cyclists. Current post has a no cycling and no horse-riding sign displayed

Report of green bins along School Lane not collected

-Cllr Sheehan left the meeting

Chains and posts have still not been repaired outside of the Bertie Lane bungalows. Clerk to report to Cllr Trollope Bellew to try and chase for repair

Cllr Brown noted that the code of conduct and standing orders have not been updated. To be placed on future agenda for review. Operation London bridge document to be drafted and agreed upon by Council

Member of Public noted that the abandoned vehicle that was reported has now been removed and passed thanks onto the Council

Cllr Brown confirmed that he has formally registered the lighting of the Village beacon for part of the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Genever family have kindly agreed for the beacon lighting to take place on their land. It was agreed to invite individuals from the community groups to attend the evening and the lighting.

Meeting closed at 9.20pm

The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held at Uffington Village Hall on Wednesday 6th July 2022 at 7.45pm.