SKELTON PARISH COUNCIL

CLERK'S REPORTS TO COUNCIL.

Clerk’s Report to Meeting of the Council on 13^th July 2010.

1. Playground project.

The playground was inspected by Michael Clay from Zurich the Council’s insurers on 22^nd June. Below are all the findings requiring action together with the steps I have taken so far to address the issues. In all cases the inspector defined the issues as ‘Defects requiring corrective action as soon as reasonably practical‘ there were no defects requiring action before further use or before a specified date.

Tyre walk - Minor damage to corner of one support post should be made smooth. I will rectify by 31 July 2010.

Twin toddlers Swings. Three chain anchorage eyes are distorted on the east swing basket and should be renewed. One small suspension shackle is fitted inverted on the west swing and should be corrected. Inverted shackle corrected. I will make enquiries re availability of replacement seat pillar bolts as it is these that are bent not the anchorage eyes.

Two tower climbing frame. Advise filling in empty knot hole on the upright post behind slide platform. I will fix with aid of volunteer by 31 July.

Timber Fence - The pathside gate does not latch closed and should be adjusted - I will fix with aid of volunteer by 31 July.

Surround area - The weeds are the perimeter area should be controlled. Special attention should be given to the nettles along side the path. I have asked the grass cutting contractor to provide me with a quote for clearing the path side of weeds and cut back all foliage overhanging the footpath to well above head height.

Cable way - One bolt cap is missing should be replaced – I have ordered a supply of bolt caps from Proludic.

IXO Multiplay - The excessive free movement at the upper bearing point for rotating seat should be  eliminated. I have contacted the manufacture who says the vertical movement is part of the design and necessary for the functioning of the seat. I have examined the seat and this does appear to be true and the equipment functions safely and correctly.

Tunnel and ramp - A radius should be applied to the right angled corners of H section steel supports for the wooden wall posts. A 3mm radius should be applied to all 90 degree corners of the wooden posts also. I have provided Proludic with photographs of this equipment and they have agreed to correct this issue at no cost to the Council.

Humps, logs and boulders - The logs have become loose and have been removed to the edge of the play area. If reinstatement is required a suitable means of securing should be utilised. Care should be taken as erosion may expose the ground anchorages and will require regular maintenance. I have worked with the cemetery maintenance contractor in repositioning the logs and anchoring them to the ground. The contractor provided his labour on a free voluntary basis and the Council will be asked to authorise a payment for materials and equipment consumable use at the meeting.

General Area - The wire ends on the decayed disused east edge fence should receive attention. The cemetery maintenance contractor has renewed all the wire. He provided his labour on a free voluntary basis and the Council will be asked to authorise a payment for materials and equipment consumable use at the meeting.  The nettles along side the path should be controlled. . I have asked the grass cutting contractor to provide me with a quote for clearing the path side of weeds.

City of York Council have moved the litter bin from the School corner to next to the wooden fence within the playground.

Internal Auditors Report.

The following is the Internal Auditor’s report and my observations.

1. Initially the level of balances seemed high, but deduction of unallocated balances makes this figure reasonable in my view.
2. The £50 donation to the Flower Festival in my view will be covered by the power to encourage visitors (LG Act 1972 s144) The auditor means it need not have been treated at a s 137 payment requiring a separate resolution of the Council.
3. The Council should consider allocating a sum from reserves for the chairman’s allowance, which would cover items such as flowers to a sick Councillor that can not be done under other powers.
4. One payee needs to be added to the list of payments. This comment related to one entry in the cash book where a payee is recorded as ‘unallocated’ This is a recording error on my part and is of no significance.

Orchard Field/The Pasture.

Dead Tree by the footpath on boundary with The Old Rectory.

I have spoken to the owner of The Old Rectory who has agreed in principle to sharing the cost of removing this tree. I have obtained the approval of CYC planning section to remove the tree and I am in the process of obtaining a quote for its removal.

I have agreed to a request from Skelton Village Trust to apply an appropriate herbicide (under controlled conditions) to the cleared area around the new fence on the Orchard View boundary prior to replanting.

The hole in the footpath has been repaired.

Additional Standing Order.

The recent adoption of new standing orders omitted a delegation to the Clerk regarding responding to Planning Application consultations. The Council will be asked at the meeting to adopt the following SO.

‘When a response to a Planning Application Consultation is required prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Council, the Clerk may comment or object on behalf of the Council after consultation with The Chairman or Vice Chairman plus one other Council. The Clerk’s action must be put to the next available meeting of the Council for ratification.’

There is one circulation file this month with the following content:-

Ian Drake. Clerk to Skelton Parish Council.

7^th July 2010.