Among matters considered and discussed at last month's meeting of St. Florence Community Council were the following:

Public Participation

Mr. C. Evans voiced his concern that purchasing a new range cooker in the Village Hall kitchen costing up to £1,000 was far too expensive when he felt the current facilities were adequate.

The chair explained that on several occasions throughout the year extra cooking equipment had to be loaned to cope with the volume of people in the hall. He also assured him that the council would not be spending £1,000 and the issue would be covered later in the meeting.

Mr. Evans also commented that in his opinion, St. Florence villagers should have sole use of the village hall.

Clr. Hughes answered that renting the hall generated a significant amount of money from local people, some of whom did not live in the village. If only villagers were allowed to rent the hall, then extra money would have to be added to the precept to cover the shortfall.

Matters Arising from the minutes

Toilet provision: Following a meeting with the county council reporting that it would be too expensive to change one of the storerooms at the hall into public toilet provision, it was reluctantly agreed to turn down the offer of the community council taking over the running of the current toilets due to the extreme cost. All in favour.

Grass cutting contract: Clr. Buckmaster was continuing to photograph the areas that required attention. Although it was proving difficult to establish in certain areas what was to be cut, it was hoped that this would be completed by the next meeting.

Clr. Buckmaster also mentioned that two stone walls were beginning to fall down, one at The Glebe and the other at Bumbles Corner.

County Clr. Philip Kidney would ask Highways to contact the landowners and politely request that they put these right.

A discussion then took place regarding the lime tree near to the Parsonage and whether it should be kept as a hedge or left to grow back into a tree. It was concluded that expert advice should be sought.

Clr. Buckmaster would forward the photographs/drawings to County Clr. Kidney, who would pass these on to the county council surveyor for his opinion. He would also be asked to look at the height of the Leylandii at Elm View and one of the trees on the playing field to see if this needed to be felled.

Replacement cooker: Following on from the discussion that took place within public participation, it was decided to purchase two freestanding electric hobs with two rings each, suitable to use on the kitchen counters.

Clr. Hughes would price these appliances and advise at the next meeting.

As Mr. and Mrs. Roberts from the Sun Inn had kindly donated £160 to the purchase of a range cooker, the clerk would write to them informing them of the council's decision and ask if they would like their donation putting towards the hobs or be returned.

Replacement chairs: Clr. Buckmaster had received a quote for suitable stacking chairs from Ningbo's at a cost of £12.95 each. It was agreed that 15 of these be purchased in a heather colour to match the existing chairs.

Insurance queries: Rainbow International visited the hall recently to try and establish the reason for the musty smell emitting from the carpet. As the hall was in use on the day of their visit, an alternative date was to be arranged with the clerk.

Annual insurance: As the Village Association were also included on the community council's annual insurance policy, which covered them against public liability, including the duck race, fireworks evening and storing of their equipment in the hall, the clerk was asked to contact the chair of the Village Association and ask them to consider covering a percentage of the cost - currently £1,200 per annum.

Provision of caretaker: Before the meeting began, Clrs. Eardley, Evans, Hughes and Treherne discussed the role of caretaker. As Clr. Buckmaster was not present during this discussion, and the provision of caretaker had been omitted from the agenda, it was agreed to carry this forward to next month's meeting.

Planning

Demolition of existing single garage, erection of new garage, garden room plus alterations to porch - Birch Grove, Eastern Lane, St. Florence. Permission granted

Single storey extension and detached garage outbuilding - Barn West, Old Farm House, Gumfreston. Permission granted.

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCES

Clr. Buckmaster informed the meeting that he had contacted three independent outsource payroll providers and asked that they provide quotes for their services, two of which had been received, with one still in waiting. These companies would provide monthly payroll for all community council employees and ensure that correct tax was paid and issue annual P60s etc. Although this could be carried out in house by the clerk, in light of previous financial irregularities, Clr. Buckmaster proposed that this be outsourced. All other councillors were in favour and the matter would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

Following a lengthy discussion with regards to the 2014 budget, it was decided to hold a separate meeting to discuss same. To help councillors prepare for this meeting, the clerk was asked to circulate the last three years' end of year accounts and also three Best Practice Guides that Clr. Buckmaster had obtained from CPALC.

Prejudicial Interests

Clr. Buckmaster commented that, in his opinion and due to the fact that relatives of Clr. Evans had carried out the grass-cutting contract in the past, Clr. Evans should declare an interest and leave the room whenever the grass cutting and verge maintenance contract was discussed. Clr. Evans answered that should her relative decide to tender for the 2014 contract, she wouldl then declare an interest.

County Councillor's Report

Clr. Kidney informed the meeting that, although no potholes were found in the surface of the footpath leading from Parklands to the Parsonage, it had been swept and tidied.

Items submitted by Councillors

Clr. Buckmaster had been approached and asked about street lights in the village. It appeared that every other light may now be switched off from 6.30 pm and they felt that this was unsafe for villagers. Clr. Kidney agreed to look further into this and