HORTON PARISH COUNCIL

You are invited to attend the 
ANNUAL MEETING OF HORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Which will be held on Wednesday 17th May 2023
At Horton Village Hall at 8.15 pm 
Following on from the Annual Village Meeting

AGENDA

PRESENT:  Cllrs Craig, Fannon, Harrison and Hatherell, Ward Cllr Rush and 1 mop.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Cllr Fannon was elected Chair and Cllr Craig as Vice Chair.
APOLOGIES: - Mr Dolman and Mrs Adams
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – there were none.

MINUTES:  Minutes of the meeting held on 29th March were confirmed and signed as correct.

MATTERS ARISING:
Councillors – Cllr Craig advised of the ongoing issues with Nat West not having implemented the new mandates requested at least 6 months ago despite several in person visits by councillors in an effort to sort it.  She has raised a formal complaint and will keep councillors advised of the situation.
Ward Councillors – Cllr Rush advised that Cllr Trull was not re-elected. It is very early days within the new council but his party are trying to form a Lib Dem lead administration.
He also reported that bus no 82 is due to finish running on 2nd June and his council are trying to re-instate the route which is vital to outlying villages.

AGENDA ITEM:
Public Participation – any member of the public wishing to speak will be given 3 minutes to speak on items on the agenda.  If they wish to raise any other matters, they should write to the clerk for inclusion in the next meeting or may do so at the Chair’s discretion.
A resident from Little Sodbury advised whilst he had reported a very large pot hole near the church in LS, nothing had been done for some time and it was very dangerous, especially to cyclists.   Councillor Rush will chase this up.
The same resident also advised that a small red car is parked in the layby in LS and each night rubbish is left. Concern was raised that it is dealing drugs.  Cllr Rush reported this immediately to the team at SGC who will investigate this as a matter of urgency.
The resident asked whether SGC had been in touch regarding the transfer of funds from LS to Horton. They have not. Clerk will liaise with SGC and report back.

Co-option of possible new councillors – there were no candidates. Clerk will advertise for co-option at the next meeting.
Appointment of Conservators of Sodbury Commons – councillors agreed unanimously to re-appoint Mrs Nicky Adams and Mr Phillip Dolman.  Clerk to advise the Clerk to the Conservators of Chipping Sodbury Common.
Cllr Rush advised that there is also an Allotment Committee for LS.  Nicky Adams is the current representative.  Clerk to liaise with Mrs Adams and ascertain whether she wishes to continue and what involvement HPC should have.
Village Safety – Any safety issues to report? 
Concerns have been raised yet again about the speeding through the village, not just by the school but also down the hill, especially as children are now walking from school the village hall when being collected from school. Similar concerns are ongoing about the excessive speed by drivers at Totteroak.  Councillor Rush to investigate further as several recent attempts to move this forward by HPC and Ward Cllrs have failed.
The white lines at the end of New Tynings Lane meeting with Little Sodbury Hill were no longer visible and the give way sign is no longer there.  Clerk to request both from SGC.
Street Cleaning and Maintenance – SGC had asked for a list of a few extra jobs within the village which councillors felt important and that a new street cleaning team could work through, Councillors requested that these be:-
Mowing of the tight bend at the top of the hill which once the grass has grown makes for very poor visibility.
The tidying and clearance of footpath LHO3320 which is well used by becoming overgrown and untidy.
The cleaning of main road signs within the village.
Review of Standing Orders.  Councillors were emailed full details of it’s standing orders for review.  These included the NEW Code of Conduct, Complaints Procedures, Procedural Standing Orders, Data Protection Procedures, Financial Regulations.  Last adopted in 2020 – Councillors resolved to formally adopt for a further year.
PLANNING:
An application was received in respect of Horton Farm, King Lane.  Councillors were emailed  details and invited to view online and to pass comments at this meeting. Ref:  PK23/01365/F.  There were no objections.
Notice of decision letter has been received in respect of application ref PKP23/01034/HH – side extension Cox’s Hill House – decision is approve with conditions. Noted.
Details of all planning applications may be found at www.southglos.gov.uk/planning

FINANCE:
Accounts for year ending March 2023 and audit paperwork – for checking and approval – Chair & RFO to sign account book and audit papers as correct.
Internal Auditor – Paul King has agreed to audit our books as in previous years for the same sum of £75.00.  Councillors approved.
Certificate of Exemption – This certifies that Horton Parish Council has an annual gross income and annual gross expenditure of less than £25,000.00 and does not exceed this amount. The Chair and RFO signed the document as confirmation for return to BDO LLP.
Governance Statement 2022/23 - Chair and RFO signed the statement after agreement that it was correct.    

Accounting Statement 2022/23 - Chair and RFO signed the statement after agreement that it was correct. 

Cheque No: 471 was signed in the sum of £373.66 to Zurich Insurance Company for Insurance Renewal 2023-24
Cheque No: 472 was signed in the sum of £185.76 to Scribe Accounting for the PC accounts system.
Cheque No: 473 was signed in the sum of £109.45 to ALCA in respect of subs 2023-24
Cheque No: 474 was signed in the sum of £183.13 to SGC in respect of waste bin emptying for April, May, June 2023.
Cheque No: 475 was signed in the sum of £228.38 to J Baker for reimbursement of paint costs, printer ink, and Avast laptop antivirus protection.
Date of Next Meeting:  26th July 2023