PRESHUTE PARISH COUNCIL 2019/20

1.    Minutes of the previous meeting

•    The minutes of the last meeting held on Monday 20th November 2019 were approved and signed as a true record.

    2.    Co-option

•    Simon Mills was co-opted onto the Council and signed a declaration of acceptance of office.        (Cllr I Wroth proposed, Cllr J Upton seconded).

3.    Matters Arising

•     Cllr Morgan recently attended a meeting of the Marlborough Area Poverty Action Group to help understand how they assist rough sleepers and deprivation, although financial contributions directly for the rough sleepers are not recommended they do welcome contributions towards their general work.  It was agreed to make a donation of £50.
•    The Clerk has requested quotations for a new wood lockable noticeboard.
•      The bus shelter roof is in need of new felt and some modifications to prevent excessive water from entering the shelter at the front, Cllr H Wroth agreed to obtain quotations.  Action H Wroth  
•    It is proposed to purchase a dog waste bin to be sited at Gravel Hill car park at the top of Downs Lane.  Cllr P Morgan agreed to contact the owners of Manton House for permission and to agree a site location.  Once this has been agreed the Clerk will order a bin and arrange for fortnightly emptying through Idverde.  Action P Morgan & Clerk.

4.    Standing Orders

•    The new Standing Orders were formally adopted.  (Cllr P Morgan proposed, Cllr I Wroth seconded).

5.    Finance

•    The new Financial Regulations were formally adopted. (Cllr P Morgan proposed, Cllr I Wroth seconded).
•    Confirmation was given by the RFO that the Precept for 2020/21 has been applied for.
•    The Clerk confirmed the appointment of Graham Kitchen as the Internal Auditor for 2019/20.
•    The Clerk has recently attended a WALC Audit Training Course, which she found useful.
•    Cllr P Morgan will attend a WALC Neighbourhood Planning course on 4th February 2020, at a cost of £65.00 plus VAT.
•    The RFO confirmed she is now receiving the bank statements and provided an up to date set of accounts.
•    The following cheques were approved and signed:
484    S Roberts – November Invoice
485    S Roberts – Clerk’s Salary Dec 2019 – January 2020
486    S Roberts – Clerk’s expenses Dec 2019 – January 2020
487    MAPAG – Donation agreed         £50.00
488    P Morgan – postage & stationary    £61.70

6.    Highways

•    A request for safety railings on PRES12 at the junction with Bath Road was considered at the December 2019 CATG meeting.  It is now on the list but as CATG work on a top 5 priority basis it may take some time before it is implemented.  The Parish Council formally agreed to the 25% cost contribution required.

7.    Emergency Response

•    The Clerk explained how an Emergency Response Plan works and asked the Council to give this consideration.  It was agreed some emergency contact numbers should be added to the website initially.
•    A Communities prepared and resilience evening is taking place on 29th January 2020 at 6.30pm in the Marlborough Town Hall.  Councillor Hugh Wroth agreed to attend.

8.    Planning

•    An application for change of use at Elm Tree Park was not seen as controversial and therefore no objection was raised to the proposal.

9.    Website
•    The Clerk provided information on the Website Accessibility Regulations, Cllr P Morgan agreed to look at these to check if we are compliant.  Action P Morgan

10.    Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan & Community Governance Review

•    The meeting was closed to the public for this item due to the need for confidentiality.
•    It was agreed Preshute would remain in the MANP but this could be reviewed again at the next meeting once further information becomes available.
•    The Council agreed to send a formal objection paper to the MANP ahead of their next Steering Group meeting outlining Preshute’s objection to the number of houses to be built.  This paper is also to include a specific objection to the new housing proposed on the area of land known as ‘Barton Dene’ which falls within the Preshute Parish boundary on a Greenfield site in the AONB.
    Action P Morgan

11.    A.O.B.

•    The Clerk reminded all Councillors to attend the Councillor Training session she has organised to be held on Monday 3rd February at 7pm in the Kennet Valley Hall, Lockeridge and delivered by Katie Fielding from WALC.