UNCONFIRMED MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on
Wednesday 16 April 2008

Present: Mr MP Bell, Mr THG Cooper, Mr CH Hagger, Mr DR Howison (Chairman),
Mr D Palmer, Mrs JSA Swinfen, and Mr JW Whitworth.
Apologies: Mrs J Danes, Mrs B McDonald, Cllr. TC King.
In attendance: The Clerk and two members of the public.
Declaration of Interests: None.

Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 12 March 2008 were taken as read and signed as correct.

Matters arising from the minutes not dealt with in the main agenda:
Recycling bins: Councillors wondered who would carry the responsibility if a bin were to be vandalised between being put out by the householder for collection (i.e. on Friday evening) and being emptied by the County Council (from 7.30 am on Saturday). The Clerk to consult the County Council.
The Drift: The County Council had deferred a decision on this and has not yet commented on the possibility of a one-day survey.

Hard-standing in The Avenue: The County Council will not pursue this unless the pattern of bus usage in the future puts it back into contention.

The Avenue as a Conservation Area: The Chairman will act on this when he has photographs which better show the trees and vegetation on the site.
Pillar Box: Royal Mail has suggested a suitable site opposite the phone box. The Clerk to report Council’s approval of this.

Outreach Post Office at the School: No reply had been received to date from Mr Kevin Butcher (Community Economic Development Officer, Rutland CC). Alan Duncan MP had replied to the Clerk’s letter and asked about progress, offering help. The Clerk to accept this offer.

Upper Green: Though the County Council had taken immediate action to stop lorries from driving on the Upper Green and the Old School Yard with the change in collection pattern the lorries had started to trespass again. The Clerk to contact the County Council.
New Field Road: The County Council had not yet been able to take the action requested.

Correspondence (items requiring action only):
Speeding traffic in Empingham Road: There was discussion of a “patch-walk” round the village by councillors, those villagers who had shown concern and the Police. The Clerk to arrange this and ask for a “Grey Box” to be deployed at a suitable site, in the future.
Rutland CC re. Poop Scoop Campaign: The Clerk to order 1000 poop scoop bags, and await information as to their distribution.

Rutland CC re Special Session on Planning Matters: Mr Palmer wishes to attend this: The Clerk to arrange it.
Rutland CC re Consultation on Highways Signage: The Clerk to put this on the agenda for 21 May and to circulate copies.

Rural Community Council: Rutland Community Spirit Project: The Clerk to invite Ms Sue Renton to the Parish Council meeting on 11 June to discuss this.

Mrs Corinne McLoughlin re Skateboard Half Pipe: Though this not the concern of the Parish Council Councillors expressed their support for PAGE and the users of the equipment. Mr Bell described the problem and the possible courses of action. PAGE has no intention of removing the half-pipe permanently but may need to do so in the short term in the interests of safety.

The Clerk to write to Mrs McLoughlin.
Authorisation of cheques:
ABB Ltd (Repair to street light ‘Empingham Road 3’ ) £ 146.88
Exton Village Hall (Hire by Parish Council April ‘07 - March ‘08) £ 50.00
Exton Village Hall (Hire by Neighbourhood Watch Feb. & April ’08) £ 6.50

Planning applications etc.:
Confirmation of decisions made at site meetings on 15 March.
a). Extension of existing conservatory at rear to form kitchen and linking hall to building.
10 Stamford Road.
This proposal conflicts directly with the County Council’s Supplementary Planning
Guidance in every respect. Exton Parish Council recommends refusal.
b). Three bayed open fronted garage.
The Grange, The Avenue.
No objection - but the roof should be blue slate not red pantiles (as one of the drawings
shows).
Decisions made following a site visit at 6.45 pm 16 April.
c). Erection of canopy, gates and fencing to north east of school.
Exton C of E Primary School, Garden Road.
“No objection”.
d). Various internal and external alterations including construction of single storey infill
extension to rear (north-east) elevation (revised scheme).
6 - 8 Blacksmiths Lane.
“No objection”.

Items of Report:
Mr Malcolm Ainley, Head of the County Council Highways Dept.: Mr Ainley is retiring early, for health reasons. The Clerk to express Councillors’ good wishes and gratitude for his work - the accident-free alterations to the A606/Avenue junction in particular.
Diary of Village Events and Guided walks: The Clerk to ask the Fox & Hounds if copies of this could be made available in the foyer.

Internal Auditor: Mrs Melanie Johnson, A.C.M.A., had agreed to act as Internal Auditor for the 2007/8 Accounts. Councillors expressed their gratitude.
¬Parish Council Forum: Mr Hagger reported on current issues.

Items for the agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council (21 May 2008): The Clerk has a list of the annually-recurring items and should be told of any other items as soon as they come to mind.