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Shearsby Parish Meeting

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN SHEARSBY VILLAGE HALL ON TUESDAY 13th SEPTEMBER 2005 AT 7.30 p.m.

Present:- Bob Spree (Chairman), Jill Stanley (Minutes), 20 residents.

1. OPENING REMARKS

Bob Spree announced to the meeting that a complaint had been made to Harborough District Council regarding the number of meetings which had been held over the last two years.

He said he had received an unannounced visit from Councillor Hart who stated that he was following up the complaint.

Councillor Hart explained that there was no government mechanism to enforce the number of Meetings held by a Parish Meeting.

Bill Mackie requested a vote of confidence in Bob Spree as Chairman and this was given.

2. APOLOGIES

Apologies had been received from Councillor Graham Hart, Keith Beeson, Mavis Jeffery, Eileen Dahm, David Austin, Liz Austin, Clive Garner and Roger Charles.

3. EXPENDITURE

The Chairman then read aloud a letter from Mavis Jeffery.

The Chairman then explained the regulations regarding the setting of the Precept.

Martin Littlejones asked why the excess needed to be spent? The Chairman explained that because of the Government accounting system we need to spend excess funds.

There was a long discussion concerning the proposed use of any excess Precept funds

The Chairman explained that any excess can be spent as the village wishes, provided it is for the good of the village and is agreed by the Parish Meeting.

The gate to permit disabled access onto the Green was particularly mentioned, along with various other suggestions which were voted on at the end of the meeting.

David Bramwell proposed that something should be done about improving the poor visibility when turning right out of Mill Lane on to the Bruntingthorpe Road. David Durran made the point that farmers are not allowed to trim hedges between April and September because of nesting birds. Alan Barnacle suggested speaking to Ben Moffat who owns the land, to gain agreement to cut the hedge back.

Martin Littlejones suggested an illuminated 'Slow' sign.

Bill Mackie suggested a post and rail fence to be erected at the bottom of the Green.

Brenda Spree suggested replacing the Mill Lane / Back Lane street lamp, which was beyond repair, with a suitable replacement in keeping with the conservation area.

Margaret Lee asked for street lights down Church Lane

Helen Worsley asked for more benches on the Green.

Bob Spree suggested the erection of a Flagpole on the Green with a Union Flag to be flown on high days and holidays. He had two quotes of £1100 and £760 for this.

David Durran suggested bringing a water supply onto the Green. Bill Mackie voiced his concern regarding Travellers and various people were in agreement on this point.

Nellie Durran asked whether the Play Equipment could be taken into the village's responsibilities. Bob Spree explained that when it was agreed to have the Play Equipment sited on the Green, it was on the understanding that it would never become a liability of the village.

Brenda Garner suggested tree surgery on the three large trees opposite Field View House. Bob advised the meeting regarding the option of precepting this cost.

The Chairman asked for a show of hands on how the money should be spent and the votes were as follows.

Disabled Access Gate                                        23 votes

Tree Surgery on Village Green                             18 votes

Replacement Light on Mill Lane                           17 votes

Water Supply to Green                                       17 votes

Flag Pole                                                          16 votes

Post and rail fence at bottom of the Green            16 votes

Replacement of Village Hall Soffets                     13 votes

Benches on the Green                                        10 votes

Lights on Church Lane                                        9 votes

Extra Trees around the village                             1 vote

It was proposed that we proceed without further delay on replacing the disabled access gate at the main entrance to the Green. Following general consensus the Chairman was instructed by the Meeting to arrange for this work to be carried out.

It was agreed that the other items would be discussed at the next meeting, when full costs were known.

The Meeting closed at 9.15pm