UPDATE IN LIEU OF MARCH 2020 MEETING (CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS ADVICE)
Minutes of the meeting held on 16.01.20 will be formally reviewed for agreement when the Council next meets.
The following is an interim update on selected items which had been on the March agenda.
Footpaths
Surface improvements will be undertaken when the ground surfaces have dried out.
Market Cross
The possible £1200 pinning works mentioned at the January meeting proved to be unnecessary.
All physical works now complete.
Estimated final costs virtually unchanged from January at £88637 of which contractor costs total £77408.
Overall costs including investigatory phase £100320, fortunately less than the previous worst case estimate of £105000.
Final sign off now received from Project Administrator and HE grant payment is on the way via BACS.
That grant was increased from £18552 to £23295 to cover 50% of the shortfall against original budget.
Shortfall was due to additional work needed to columns and plinth once fully uncovered.
Leche Trust £3000 grant payment received .
Estimated outgoings still to pay are £19193 (included in above total).
Total Parish Council input from reserves now estimated at £24742 against budget of £25000.
Plans for an “opening ceremony” no longer viable due to virus but we have contacted local newspapers acknowledging the help provided.
Speeding on the Hill :
CATG confirm 20 mph limit has now passed all statutory requirements and will be implemented April onwards subject to staff absences.
Our contribution to be 25% (estimated at £1000).
Congregational Chapel car park :
Original transfer deed re Chapel car park now with solicitors to complement the documents provided by the Lysley estate.
We await news re first registration. Estimated legal costs £500-£1000 depending on complexity.
Can then proceed with options for sale.
Restrictive covenant will need to be removed.
Financial Standing Orders
Not yet reviewed and in abeyance due to virus.
Colour slides
Good set of slides received mainly c.1940-1944. Will arrange digitisation.
Notice Boards
Being repaired.
Finance
Circulated pending review at next meeting.
Budget
Draft prepared for review and formal agreement at next meeting.
Likely to allocate £20000 to a reserve fund for major future capital expenditure but without constraining use for other purposes at our discretion.
To be discussed at next meeting.
Dunns Lane Car Park
The Unitary Council has notified the Congregational Church that it has declined to transfer both the Dunns Lane car park space and land at Whitegates for the purposes of a community hall.
Defibrillators
The Ambulance Service is taking over monitoring from Heartsafe and we have registered with them accordingly.
Unitary Councillor
Baroness Scott has resigned due to taking on Government Whip. We are very grateful for her considerable past support.
The election for her replacement has been cancelled for the foreseeable future due to the virus.
Planning Applications
Updates to be reviewed at next meeting.
Playing Fields
Insurance and rent from club are both up to date.
Season had been progressing well although the very wet spring had led to a lot of cancellations.
All grass roots football (matches and training) now postponed/cancelled by the FA.
Circuit
Some events now being cancelled (including the car boot which we were to support).
Play Areas
Recommendations from Rospa reports being actioned.
May now revisit improvements at Whitegates subject to Area Board and/or Lottery Fund grant if possible.
Highways
Councillor Halliday will continue to action Unitary Council highways. The number of outstanding items has reduced considerably.
Village Hall
Assets currently £3071 including £620 received from village jumble sale – grateful thanks to Carly Batten and her fellow helpers!
Quotes being obtained for new flooring.
Electrical inspection identified some defects – being dealt with by the company (ES Electrics)
Next meeting
Scheduled 21st May 19.00 for the statutory Parish Council Annual Meeting followed by Parishioners’ Annual Meeting.
We await government guidance re probable deferment of statutory meetings and submission of financial accounts.