Annual Meeting of the Council, 25 May 2016

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
of the Annual meeting of Helmdon Parish Council, held in the Reading Room,
Church Street, Helmdon on Wednesday 25th May, 2016 at 7:30pm.
PRESENT: Cllrs Coatsworth, Moody, Wheeler, Thorpe, Vicars, Adhemar, Garner and the
Clerk. Cllr Adhemar joined at 7.35pm
IN ATTENDANCE: 3 members of the public attended.
1. Election of the Chairman for 2016/17
It was proposed that Cllr Coatsworth remain as Chairman for 2016/17. All were in favour and Cllr Coatsworth was duly elected Chairman.
2. Signing of Chairman’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Cllr Coatsworth signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was then countersigned by the Clerk.
3. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Hart (prior engagement) and Cllr Duncombe (holiday).
All apologies were accepted.
4. Election of the Vice Chairman for 2016/17
It was proposed that Cllr Moody remain as Vice Chairman for 2016/17. All were in favour and Cllr Moody was duly elected Vice Chairman. Cllr Moody signed the Declaration of
Acceptance of Office which was then countersigned by the Clerk.
5. To appoint members for committees:
The membership for Committees for 2016/17 was resolved as follows:
a. Finance: Cllrs Coatsworth, Garner, Moody, Hart, Vicars, Thorpe. Cllr Hart to act as
Internal Controls Councillor.
b. Planning: Cllrs Duncombe, Coatsworth, Garner, Vicars, Hart, Adhemar c. Playground: Cllrs Wheeler, Adhemar d. Allotment: Cllrs Coatsworth, Adhemar, Garner, Moody, Wheeler
6. To appoint Parish representatives:
The following were appointed with all in favour:
a. Parish Paths Warden – Roger Miles b. Parish Highways Representative – Cllr Moody c. Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – Cllr Wheeler d. School Liaison Councillor – Cllrs Wheeler, Moody e. Parish Council rep on Reading Room Committee – Cllr Moody f. Parish Council rep in Parish Plan Monitoring Group – Cllrs Coatsworth, Moody,
Wheeler, Vicars, Thorpe g. Parish Council rep in Blackpits Monitoring Group – Cllr Coatsworth, Vicars h. Health and Safety Officer – Cllrs Coatsworth, Garner i. Tree Warden –Phillip Ward j. Any other representatives that may be considered necessary – none
7. To receive any reports from Parish representatives:
Parish Paths Warden: Roger Miles commented: This year access to some of the 20
miles of public footpaths in the Parish has been improved by lowering some stiles, installing
1

four kissing gates and the resurfacing of well-used path. Also a fifth circular walk leaflet has been issued and the others reprinted so that all are freely available. A new permissive path agreement is being negotiated. The Footpaths Group supports the Warden's efforts to keep paths open and two younger members have joined the group. The Thursday afternoon Health Walks have continued throughout the year and the longer summer evening walks began on Monday 23rd May.
Tree Warden: A written statement from Phillip Ward was read out I have received only two approaches for assistance in my role as Tree Warden. One concerned the removal of trees on the major housing developments at Brackley. Those trees are of course outside the Parish. Nevertheless I
did visit South Northants Planning Department to discuss the issue which had been properly dealt with by the Planning Committee – even if the decision was regrettable.
I was also asked to advise the Parish Council Planning Committee on an application to treat a tree covered by a Preservation Order. I was able to confirm that the proposed treatment was appropriate and did not threaten the viability of the tree.
Otherwise my work has been concerned with the maintenance and development of the Jubilee Wood.
Leigh Sparrow and I have jointly purchased a specialised mower to try to keep the grass between the trees in order. With the help of Helen Tims and a grant from HYHO we have sown and planted wild flowers at the top end of the wood. Daffodils funded by the Parish Council have also been planted. A
grant from the Helmdon Hurler has been secured towards the purchase of a tree bench seat and I am hoping that an application for a Parish Council small grant will allow that project to go ahead soon.
8. Updating of Register of Interests if necessary
There were no updates required for Councillor’s Register of Interests.
9. Councillor questions
There were no questions.
10. Close
The meeting was closed at 7:46pm
Signed________________ dated______________
Councillor John Coatsworth, Chairman
2