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Hough Parish Council news |
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Hough Parish |
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Hough on the Hill, Gelston and Brandon Villages |
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MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF HOUGH ON THE HILL PARISH 13TH MARCH 2008.
The meeting was held at Carlton Scroop Village Hall at 7.30pm and was chaired by the Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr. Mrs S Morgan. The meeting was attended by 9 parishioners including the Chairman. Apologies were received from Mr R Kingscott, Mr J Hancock and District Cllr Kerr.
Notes from the meeting of 29th March 2007 were read and taken as a true record.
2. Annual report of the Parish Council.
The Chairman of the Parish Council presented the report. Since the last meeting the term of office for all Councillors came to an end. With only five nominees for seven places the election was uncontested. Subsequently the vacant two places were filled by the co-option of Mr J Hancock and Mrs P Manterfield. Mrs Manterfield however had to resign and Mr T Newcombe was co-opted into the seat.
Thanks were given to two long standing former members who retired in May 2007, Mrs R Robb and Mr J Lord.
With SKDC’s continued policy on restricting new build in the area planning applications have mainly been for extensions though two applications have been made for new build where outline planning had already been agreed. The Parish Council also commented on applications for vehicular access, lawfulness of garden land and opening hours of the shooting ground.
Following a survey by Cllrs the County Council have repaired/reinstated footpaths around the area and also the old style fingerpost sign at the Brownlow junction has been restored.
As part of the risk assessment of Parish Assets the Council is registering the land at the Playing Fields, Hough and the site of the old Village Hall, Brandon.
Following a Parishioners request the Parish Council has purchased a blue plaque to mark the Pinfold at Gelston, this was mainly funded by the remains of the Gelston Millenium Fund.
Over the next year the Parish Council will continue to work to obtain the best services from the County and District Authorities such as the safety of the C001 at Brandon.
3. Finance Report of the Parish Council.
The meeting was informed that the Parish Council was in a good financial position and would be able to maintain its planned expenditure over the forthcoming year. APM1/2008
4. Attendance records of Parish Councillors
The meeting was informed that there were 6 meetings over the year and out of a possible 37 attendances, 30 were achieved.
5. Report and Account of Hough Charities.
The meeting was informed that 36 households benefited from the Christmas payment of £32 and £65 was granted to assist a parishioner with funeral expenses. Currently the Charity Commission have been approached as to the replacement of an ex-officio Trustee (the Vicar) who will not be taking office.
6. Presentations from Local Organisations and Village Representatives.
a. Playing Fields Committee Parish Cllr. Lawson presented the report. She confirmed that the equipment was in good order and that monthly safety checks were in place. The accounts held £200. Presently the Committee was down to two members.
b. Hough Local History Society.
A record 42 members were now involved in the Society. Talks were varied and covered both national and local history including geology and how it affected the development of the area. Visits took place to Leadenham Hall and the Honington Fort Site, there were also two social occasions. Anyone is invited to either join the Society or attend one off events, details of which are posted on the Parish notice board.
c. Village Hall Fund.
The meeting noted that the fund is in a Capital Access Bond and has increased in value over the year by £188.89 to £5716.15.
d. Parochial Church Council
The meeting was informed that Leslie Harding was appointed as a ‘duty of care’ vicar for the Parish which means she is only available 3 days per week. The two lay preachers take the service in her absence.
Church attendance is static with the average age increasing. Activities include a monthly Sunday club which meets after service and a recent pet service was held that proved popular and may be repeated.
The Church itself is in reasonable condition but requires redecoration and unfortunately Health and Safety may prevent this being completed with voluntary help. Lead was stolen from the roof and will be replaced by stainless steel which has a poorer resale value.
APM2/2008 An application for a lottery grant to provide a meeting room in the Church unfortunately failed in the second stage but the Committee is continuing to seek further sources. Note was made that events included coffee mornings, whist evenings and the village fete which this year will be July 5th. Finally thanks were given to all the volunteers who kept the Church running.
e. Report from Brandon.
The meeting was informed that the Christmas Carol Service was well worth attending. The C001 continues to be a problem with yet another death along the road. New styles have been erected on the footpath to Caythorpe and it was noted that the local farm had marked paths which were off limits to the public.
f. Report from Gelston Comment was passed as to how well the daffodils were flowering. A date for the diary is 27th April when Lady Radice was opening her garden for Charity.
7. Matters of concern to Parishioners.
Drainage on Low Rd was still a problem and it was reported that the grass verge in places was being washed away. Also a drain cover was missing on New Hill. The Parish Council Chairman agreed to investigate.
The meeting was informed that the Hough Charities had leafleted the area to ascertain the number of parishioners who were entitled to assistance.
Motorcyclists using a track in Gelston were causing concern to residents who fear children may be injured by the speed in which they travel through the village. The Parish Council Chairman agreed to put this matter to the Parish Council.
The Parishioners were thanked for their attendance and the meeting closed at 8.05pm
APM3/2008
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The date and time of the next meeting was agreed as 29th March 2012 at Carlton Scroop village hall, commencing 7.30 pm. |