Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on
Wednesday 23rd May 2001.

Present. Cllrs Ayres, Bearman, Burns, England, Gittens, Glassett and Spendlove, and five members of the public.

1. Apologies were received from Cllr Harrold and Cllr Brookhouse.

2. Election of Parish Chairman.
Cllr Burns was nominated by Cllr England, and seconded Cllr Ayres. All were in favour and Cllr Burns accepted the nomination. Cllr Spendlove proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Glassett for his dedication and commitment during his time as Chairman. Cllr Spendlove commented that councillors would have to accept a greater level of responsibility to share the responsibility for work of the Council. Cllr Burns offered his thanks to Cllr Glassett for his hard work.

3. Election of Vice Chairman.
Cllr Brookhouse was nominated by Cllr England and seconded by Cllr Glassett. Cllr Brookhouse has agreed to accept the nomination if made.

4. Appointment to Committees & Parish Council Representatives.
The following committees and representatives were agreed:
Planning, Cllrs Brookhouse, Burns, Bearman, Glassett and Gittens.
Finance, Cllrs Burns, Glassett, Gittens and Harrold and the Parish Clerk.
Allotments, Cllrs Ayres and Gittens.
Road Safety, Cllrs Glassett, Brookhouse, England, Harrold and Spendlove, as well as a representative from the school governors.
Reading Room, Cllr England will continue as the Parish Council representative.

5. Minutes of the last meeting (27/3/01) were amended, approved and signed.

6. Matters arising.
The Parish Council has not been reimbursed for the VAT payment made on behalf of the Reading Room Committee. John Robinson has said that he will contact Cllr Glassett and arrange an accompanied viewing of the problem areas of the village. Mr Robinson is due in the village soon when some road repair work will be carried out. Mr Rainbow has agreed to cut the grass for another year. Next year it is hoped that all the areas of grass to be cut in the village could be put together on one contract.

7. Open Forum.
The Council were asked if they knew when the footpaths were likely to be re-opened after the Foot & Mouth restrictions. Cllr Glassett responded that most footpaths would be re-opened on Thursday. Some restrictions were still in place concerning dogs in vastly stocked areas. A new code had been issued and would be placed on open footpaths.

8. Appointment of new Parish Clerk.
The clerk has offered her resignation with effect from the end of July. The duties of the Parish Clerk had now been produced. Cllr Glassett commented that, as the Council were not prepared to pay the NALC recommended rates that the Council may not be able to advertise for a new clerk in their publication. Cllr Burns will write an advert for display on the village notice boards and the village website. A Committee of Cllrs Burns, Glassett, Gittens and Spendlove agreed to oversee the selection procedure. Respondents would be asked to reply by mid June and if no interest has been shown by the time the committee will consider further advertising. Cllr Glassett offered his thanks to the Clerk for her hard work and support.

9. Matters arising from the Annual Parish Meeting.
Any new information about Central Railway's proposal to re-open the railway would continue to be monitored by Cllr Burns who would maintain a book in The Bell.

10. Planning.
The Parish Council supported the following applications;
Conservatory at rear of 65 Wappenham Road, change of use from agricultural land to garden, 20 Bell Close. A request for a condition that no buildings should be erected on the change of use land was made.
Decisions: - Permission has been granted for - General purpose agricultural building at Blackpitts Farm Helmdon; Conservatory at rear Orchard House Church Street Helmdon; Detached farmhouse Manor View Farm on Amendment.

Helmdon Parish Council Balances

Cheque No.

Payee

Description

Received

Paid

Balance

Opening Balance

819.57

Interest

7.44

Sales of maps

4.70

4000.00